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S.1 Ep.15 The Biblical Story: Revelation
1. Context for Revelation
* The meaning of the word Apocalypse is to uncover or to reveal. Eg. Galatians 1:12
* Revelation is a massive achievement of theological and prophetic literature.
* Written by John as an account of a revelation of Jesus in exile on the island of Patmos
* Audience of Revelation: It was an apocalyptic prophecy in the form of a circular letter to the 7 churches in Asia
-apocalyptic because the perspective comes from a heavenly viewpoint of space, time, history
* prophetic because it speaks both to the current situation and promises God’s good future
* Follows in line with the Jewish apocalyptic literature: I.E. using language and imagery known in its day to paint a picture of a heaven/earth reality. Our difficulty is that we are unfamiliar with this “imagery” language and its usage.
* There is also plenty of coded language directed at the Roman Empire. The ruling “Babylon” of John’s day.
* The picture language is both descriptive in the pictorial language of current heavenly/earthly realities and also pictorial descriptions of events to come.
-It is important to note that these pictures are images pulled from the contemporary world of the late 1st century. Thus some images have meaning that can only be understood by knowing that context.
* IMPORTANT: Revelation partly previews what is to come and partly clarifies to John’s audience how the tragic events of their day fit into the wider narrative of God’s ultimate victory.
* Important: John is trying to show us a glimpse into the heavenly reality that he has seen. How empires don’t last forever. God does have a divine strategy for the world and is working in a realm that is usually invisible.
2. 7 Churches in Asia
* 7 churches are all faced with unique circumstances. Some compromise and others are enduring persecution.
3. Overarching Theme, Truth over the lie, Witnessing to God’s truth at any cost (As Jesus did), Roman Empire as Babylon the Great
* Summary: Overall John is calling his readers to recognize the heavenly reality behind the earthly. Babylon and the dark power behind it (in every age) is not something to compromise with. We MUST trust in Jesus and the way of Jesus by testifying to God’s truth. John is convinced Jesus will return to judge evil and bring God’s correct and holy rule on earth as in Heaven. The two will become one dwelling place for God and his people who endured for the truth.
2. Strange beasts and cryptic numbers
* sandwiched between the 7 trumpets and the 7 plagues is the depiction of the dragon and the false prophet. In this section, John is depicting the wicked acts of the current regime (Rome and its imperial cult) vs the true Lord and witness, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
4. Judgement of the nations (why it's a good thing) (Martyrs crying out)
- Biblical judgment is putting things right. Not letting the oppressive powers get away unscathed.
5. Final defeat of evil
* At Christ’s return he defeats the beast, prophet, and all those who opposed them.
6. Millenial Reign
- millennial reign is a hotly debated topic. Whether literal or figurative (there are arguments for both) The focus should be that evil is ultimately defeated and bound away forever.
7. New Heaven and New Earth (restoration at last)
* God can and will now dwell permanently with his people
* The old world is gone (not destruction but the removal of all corruption, sin, and death) Now to be replaced with a totally new world (way of being).
* The final scene is God as the new creation’s source of light and light. The city has the tree of life once again and echoes the rivers that flowed into the original garden of Eden.
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By Jacob Johnson1. Context for Revelation
* The meaning of the word Apocalypse is to uncover or to reveal. Eg. Galatians 1:12
* Revelation is a massive achievement of theological and prophetic literature.
* Written by John as an account of a revelation of Jesus in exile on the island of Patmos
* Audience of Revelation: It was an apocalyptic prophecy in the form of a circular letter to the 7 churches in Asia
-apocalyptic because the perspective comes from a heavenly viewpoint of space, time, history
* prophetic because it speaks both to the current situation and promises God’s good future
* Follows in line with the Jewish apocalyptic literature: I.E. using language and imagery known in its day to paint a picture of a heaven/earth reality. Our difficulty is that we are unfamiliar with this “imagery” language and its usage.
* There is also plenty of coded language directed at the Roman Empire. The ruling “Babylon” of John’s day.
* The picture language is both descriptive in the pictorial language of current heavenly/earthly realities and also pictorial descriptions of events to come.
-It is important to note that these pictures are images pulled from the contemporary world of the late 1st century. Thus some images have meaning that can only be understood by knowing that context.
* IMPORTANT: Revelation partly previews what is to come and partly clarifies to John’s audience how the tragic events of their day fit into the wider narrative of God’s ultimate victory.
* Important: John is trying to show us a glimpse into the heavenly reality that he has seen. How empires don’t last forever. God does have a divine strategy for the world and is working in a realm that is usually invisible.
2. 7 Churches in Asia
* 7 churches are all faced with unique circumstances. Some compromise and others are enduring persecution.
3. Overarching Theme, Truth over the lie, Witnessing to God’s truth at any cost (As Jesus did), Roman Empire as Babylon the Great
* Summary: Overall John is calling his readers to recognize the heavenly reality behind the earthly. Babylon and the dark power behind it (in every age) is not something to compromise with. We MUST trust in Jesus and the way of Jesus by testifying to God’s truth. John is convinced Jesus will return to judge evil and bring God’s correct and holy rule on earth as in Heaven. The two will become one dwelling place for God and his people who endured for the truth.
2. Strange beasts and cryptic numbers
* sandwiched between the 7 trumpets and the 7 plagues is the depiction of the dragon and the false prophet. In this section, John is depicting the wicked acts of the current regime (Rome and its imperial cult) vs the true Lord and witness, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
4. Judgement of the nations (why it's a good thing) (Martyrs crying out)
- Biblical judgment is putting things right. Not letting the oppressive powers get away unscathed.
5. Final defeat of evil
* At Christ’s return he defeats the beast, prophet, and all those who opposed them.
6. Millenial Reign
- millennial reign is a hotly debated topic. Whether literal or figurative (there are arguments for both) The focus should be that evil is ultimately defeated and bound away forever.
7. New Heaven and New Earth (restoration at last)
* God can and will now dwell permanently with his people
* The old world is gone (not destruction but the removal of all corruption, sin, and death) Now to be replaced with a totally new world (way of being).
* The final scene is God as the new creation’s source of light and light. The city has the tree of life once again and echoes the rivers that flowed into the original garden of Eden.