The Revelation of Jesus Christ: Introduction
Introduction
1. For many people the book of Revelation is shrouded in
mystery and seemingly beyond understanding.
a. The religious world in general makes much to do
about the book, assigning many wild interpretations to it.
b. Churches of our brethren, on the other hand, have
sometimes been guilty of ignoring this part of scripture!
2. Though undeniably complex in its symbols, Revelation is
a very worthwhile book to read and study.
a. It was inspired and preserved by the Spirit of God,
therefore it must have value and meaning for us today.
b. To neglect studying it because of certain
difficulties overlooks the fact that God intends us to learn from it!
3. We often make Revelation more difficult than it has to
be.
a. Certainly a thorough understanding of the book’s
contents will require lengthy, in-depth study.
b. But a working knowledge of
the Revelation is easily attainable for every Bible student, regardless of
level.
I.
Overview of Revelation
A.
The Subject
1.
Revelation has a simple, easily discernible theme: God’s Avenging of
His People.
a)
This theme is evident in many places in the book. 6:10-11; 11:17-18;
12:10-11; 18:20
b)
The essence of the book is captured in 17:14.
2.
The book proposes to convey a simple lesson: Christ Will Be Victorious
Over All Enemies.
a)
The application of this proposition is stated repeatedly. 2:10, 25;
3:11; 13:10; 14:12; 22:7
b)
Christ’s victory was revealed to inspire faithful endurance, not just
comfort.
B.
The Setting
1.
Revelation appears to be written during “the eye of the storm,” between
periods of persecution.
2.
This may suggest a date of writing during Vespasian’s reign. 2:13;
3:10; 6:9, 11; 17:8
C.
The Structure
1.
Revelation is not like most other books in the Bible; it is an example of
apocalyptic literature.
a)
The name of the book in Greek is Apokalupsis, meaning a disclosure
or uncovering.
b)
Revelation makes frequent allusions to other apocalyptic texts in the
Bible.
(1)
OT apocalyptic literature: Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah (e.g. Ps.
18:1-15)
(2)
NT apocalyptic literature: Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 (Olivet
Discourse)
2.
Apocalyptic literature is very different from a Biblical narrative or
traditional prophecy.
a)
Apocalyptic messages are given by God through an angel or mediator to
the prophet.
(1)
God gave this revelation to Jesus who gave it to an angel to give to
John. 1:1
(2)
Usually the Holy Spirit inspired the scriptures verbally. 1Co. 2:13;
2Pe. 1:21
b)
Apocalyptic messages are conveyed through visions given to the
prophet.
(1)
Revelation was signified to John by signs, symbols, and visions.
1:1, 10; 4:1; 12:1
(2)
The book refers throughout to what John saw and heard and
how he interacted.
c)
Apocalyptic messages describe future events and highlight the triumph
of good over evil.
(1)
Revelation records things that were to take place in the near future.
1:1, 3; 22:6, 10
(2)
The book’s entire theme is the triumph of the forces of God over those of
Satan.
d)
Apocalyptic messages were written during periods of persecution and/or
national crisis.
(1)
Revelation was written during a time of persecution. 1:9; 2:10, 13;
3:10; 6:9-10
(2)
Its message would have comforted and inspired those who were suffering.
18:20
e)
Apocalyptic messages use symbolic imagery rather than literal or
chronological narration.
(1)
Revelation has many strange characters representing various forces.
(2)
A recapitulation pattern is used to add emphasis and information.
f)
Apocalyptic messages use numbers frequently with figurative rather
than literal value.
(1)
Numbers place an important role in Revelation. (e.g. 7, 4, 3 ½, 6, 10,
12, 24)
(2)
Suggested values: 3 ½-partial, 4-earth, 6-failure, 7-perfect,
10-power/fullness
g)
Apocalyptic messages have as their theme the ultimate triumph of God’s
kingdom.
(1)
Revelation shows Satan using human governments to terrorize God’s people.
(2)
But God is ultimately in control, and His kingdom will endure forever.
19:15-16
D.
The Story
1.
The main characters of Revelation are:
a)
John: writes and narrates the visions that he sees 1:4, 9
b)
Jesus: Glorified, Lion, Lamb, Child-Heir, Warrior, King, Husband
1:10-18; 5:5-6; 19:11-16
c)
The Dragon: Satan 12:3-4, 7-9
d)
The Beast from the Sea: Government Power – Roman Empire 13:1-7
e)
The Beast from the Earth: Religious Power – Emperor Worship 13:11-15
f)
The Harlot: Babylon – World City/Rome 17:1-6
2.
One of the keys to understanding and interpreting Revelation is
recognizing its recapitulation.
a)
Chapters 4-11 tell the story of the resurrected Christ’s victory over His
enemies.
b)
Chapters 12-19 continue the same story with emphasis on the spiritual
roots of the conflict.
c)
The key to identifying this parallel structure is in chapters 5:6, 9 and
12:1-5. (cf. Ac. 13:28-33)
d)
Though the second part advances the story, it refers to the same basic
characters and events.
II.
Date of Revelation
A.
Basic Views of Revelation
1.
The Futurist or Premillenial View
a)
Almost all events in the Revelation are still in the future and
anticipate an earthly kingdom.
b)
The problems with this view include:
(1)
It interprets the text literally, when its message is symbolic. 1:1;
11:8; 12:1
(2)
It contradicts the stated time element of the prophecies. 1:1, 3;
3:11; 22:6, 10
(3)
It offers no practical value to the audience for which it was written.
Re. 1:4, 11
(4)
It must misinterpret a clear reference to the resurrection of Jesus.
Re. 12:5
(5)
It falsely assumes Christ’s kingdom will be earthly and material. Jn.
18:36
2.
The Continuous Historical View
a)
Revelation contains a religious history of the world since the NT.
(1)
E.g. The first four trumpets representing historical conquerors, #3 =
Attila the Hun
(2)
E.g. 7 thunders were Papal anathemas against the Reformation
b)
The problems with this view include:
(1)
There was no comfort or practical value for the audience to which it was
written.
(2)
The interpretations attached to the symbols become absurd and
purposeless.
(3)
Interpretations are forced upon the text based on arbitrary assumptions.
3.
The Philosophical View
a)
Revelation depicts the overall struggle between good and evil, not any
specific event.
b)
But Revelation definitely claims to predict events, not merely
philosophize. Re. 1:1
c)
While the struggle of good and evil is in the book, this view overlooks
its stated purpose.
4.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
a)
Revelation was written prior to A.D. 70 to foretell the destruction of
Jerusalem.
b)
The book would have probably been written during Nero’s reign around A.D.
68.
5.
The Judgment of Rome
a)
Revelation foretells God’s judgment against the Roman Empire.
b)
This view usually assigns a date of writing near the end of the first
century.
B.
Arguments for the Destruction of Jerusalem
1.
Parallels with the Olivet Discourse
a)
There are many parallels between Revelation and the Olivet Discourse in
Matthew 24.
(1)
The coming of Christ with clouds Mt. 24:30; Re. 1:7
(2)
The avenging of the blood of the righteous Mt. 23:34-36; Re. 18:20, 24
(3)
A period of great tribulation Mt. 24:21; Re. 7:14
(4)
Cataclysmic events in the earth and elements Mt. 24:29; Re. 8:12
(5)
Protection of the elect Mt. 24:31; Re. 7:1-3
b)
The context of Matthew 24 shows that it foretells the destruction of
Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
c)
The many similarities lead some to conclude that these texts have the
same subject.
2.
The Letters to the Churches
a)
The letters to Smyrna and Philadelphia both refer to local Jewish
opposition. 2:9; 3:9
b)
These statements would fit an overall theme of judgment against the Jews.
3.
Revelation 11
a)
This chapter contains two features commonly used to support an early
date.
(1)
The measuring of the Temple – some conclude it must have still been
standing.
(2)
A reference to the city where our Lord was crucified, i.e.
Jerusalem 11:8
b)
This chapter is considered one of the strongest internal arguments for
the early date.
4.
The Harlot
a)
The character of the harlot in chapter seventeen has been attributed to
Jerusalem. 17:6
b)
The beast that she rides would turn on her, possibly pointed to A.D. 70.
17:16
c)
The OT called Jerusalem a harlot for its unfaithfulness to God.
Is. 1:21
C.
Arguments for the Judgment of Rome
1.
World Conditions and Setting
a)
The early description of the book’s setting seems to support Roman
judgment.
(1)
The letter is addressed to seven churches in Asia Minor, not any near
Judea. 1:4
(2)
The Romans were the ones who pierced Jesus’ side. 1:7
(3)
John is a companion in the tribulation while exiled to Patmos by the
Romans. 1:9
(4)
The anticipated tribulation was coming on the whole world, not one city.
2:10; 3:10
(5)
The specific persecution described does not seem likely to have been
Jewish. 2:13
b)
There does not seem to be any strong evidence of systematic Jewish
persecution worldwide.
(1)
Saul of Tarsus traveled to foreign cities to arrest Christians.
(2)
But Jews in Rome had not even heard their greatest enemy was coming!
Ac. 28:21
2.
Description of the Enemies
a)
The enemies described in Revelation seem to fit Roman forces better than
Jewish.
(1)
Both views accept that the beasts represent aspects of Roman power.
(2)
It is also difficult to fit all that is said about the harlot with Rome.
17:9, 15, 18
b)
Though the harlot can be argued for either view, Rome seems a more
consistent view.
3.
Sequence of the Bowls
a)
If Revelation describes the destruction of Jerusalem, then Armageddon is
A.D. 70.
b)
But the sequence of the bowls does not fit logically with this view.
16:10-12
c)
Is this concurrent judgment on Rome and Jerusalem? Such an interpretation
seems doubtful.
4.
OT Parallels
a)
The language that seems so reminiscent of prophecies against Jerusalem is
even broader.
(1)
Other cities and nations were called harlots in the OT. Na.
3:4; Is. 23:15-16
(2)
Revelation borrows many figures from OT prophecy, not just Jerusalem
images.
b)
Just because similar language is used does not mean the subject is
necessarily the same.
5.
Babylon
a)
The text offers specific keys to identifying the Harlot/Babylon that do
not fit Jerusalem.
(1)
A reigning city 17:1, 4, 15, 18
(2)
A city on seven hills made rich through sea-trade 17:9; 18:17-19
(3)
A marketplace for the world 18:11-16
(4)
A city over whose fall the saints rejoice 18:20
b)
These characteristics fit Rome or the world city of Isaiah better than
Jerusalem.
III.
Suggestions for Studying the Book
A.
Read the Book as a Whole
1.
Read the book from beginning to end in as few sessions as possible.
2.
In this way you will capture the overall message, rather than get lost
while looking at details.
B.
Visualize the Events as you Read
1.
Revelation must be read with the imagination; its symbolic nature makes
it a visual book.
2.
Imagine you are watching a movie as you read the book and visualize the
scenes unfolding.
C.
Limit Exposure to Commentary Material
1.
Wait until you have read the book two or three times before examining
commentaries.
2.
Read the book in a plain text Bible; avoid the temptation to use a “study
Bible” with notes.
D.
Remember the Nature of the Book
1.
Remember that Revelation is mostly symbolic, not literal. Re. 1:1
2.
Do not force interpretations on every symbol; concentrate on seeing the
book as a whole.
E.
Remember the Time Element
1.
Remember that Revelation was written about things that were soon to
take place. Re. 1:1, 3
2.
If you suspect you see the Kennedy assassination somewhere in the
book…think again.
F.
Remember the Audience
1.
Remember that Revelation was written to first century saints.
2.
That doesn’t mean it has no relevance for us today, but we must remember
the original audience.
3.
Original readers would have a much better understanding of the symbols.
(cf. OT prophecies)
G.
Remember the Message
1.
The message of Revelation is this: Jesus wins, the bad guys lose.
2.
The application: Be faithful until death. Jesus and those who
remain true to Him will win!
Conclusion
1. The book of Revelation is an exciting book to read and
study. It should thrill us, not intimidate us.
2. Spend some time reading the Revelation as a whole this
quarter as we study and meditate on the book.
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