Church Theology

In this episode, Dan joins Kirk to lead us through an overview of the entire section, Revelation 11:19-15:4, on the seven visions ("And I saw..." x7). First, Dan gives us some overview of the section, helping us get our bearings. And then we read through the entire passage with some commentary and drama along the way.

Kirk and Dan tackle the last 3 "and I saw" visions of Revelation 11:19-15:4. These three, along with the two visions of Revelation 14:1-13, unveil to us the "end game," the contrasting final destinies, for those who worship the lamb vs. those who worship the beast. We are empowered for patient endurance as we look forward to the full completion and final manifestation of God's salvation through judgment.

In this episode, Kirk and Dan cover the second monster and his mark in Revelation 13:11-18, the sealed 144,000 who sing the song of the redeemed in 14:1-5, and the message of the three angels -- a message of doom and reversal for those marked by the monster -- in 14:6-13.

In this episode, Dan joins Kirk to break down some of the overall structure of Revelation 12-15 and the role of the key characters in the book of Revelation: the dragon, beast, false prophet, and harlot. After that, they dive into the text of Revelation 13:1-10 to discuss the details of this first beast who rises from the sea.

Passage structure available here.

In this episode, Dan joins Kirk to talk through Revelation 12, as well as some of our overall approach to handling this section spanning from Revelation 11:19-15:4. We discuss the structure and plot of this section, as well as work through some additional details from the three scenes in chapter 12.

Revelation 11 is somewhat infamous for its mention of two witnesses who will issue plagues and destroy people with fire from their mouths. In addition, in vv.1-2 we get the mention of a temple and the trampling of its outer court and the "holy city." What is this all referring to? Is it referring to a future, rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, and two literal witnesses in the "end times"? Or is this, as I will argue, symbolism of the church?

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"Where the preaching of repentance, with judgments alone as evidence, had failed (Rev 11:6; cf. Rev 8:2-9:21), when fulfilled in witness to the point of death (11:7-10), participating in Jesus' witness and victory through and over death (11:12), the prophetic ministry of the church will effect the conversion of the nations to God (11:13). This is the heart of the revelation contained in the scroll (10:1-11), the heart of Revelation's message: that the church redeemed from all nations is called to suffering witness which, by virtue of its participation in Jesus' sacrificial witness, can bring the nations to repentance of idolatry and conversion to the true God. In this way--as Jesus' witness is extended universally in the life and death, as well as the preaching of the church--God's kingdom can come to the nations as salvation, rather than judgement."

--Richard Bauckham

In this episode, Kirk covers some overview material on the trumpet judgments and apocalyptic literature, and then dives into the theme of prayer in the book of Revelation as highlighted in Revelation 8:2-5.

In this short book, originally delivered as an oral address in 1911, Princeton theologian and professor Benjamin B. Warfield addresses his seminarians in anticipation of their upcoming theological studies He stresses to them the importance of not divorcing theological study from functional, religious (or what we might call "spiritual") experience.

In this episode, Kirk and Dan quickly survey and review the seal judgments of chapters 6-7. Then they spend the bulk of the episode answering the question, "Who are the 144,000 from chapter 7:1-8?" arguing that they are symbolic of the church in 7:9ff.

Kirk, Sam, and Matt continue their conversation on reading now by discussing, who or what should we read (selecting books)? And, how should we go about reading (practical tips)?

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