The Revelation Introduction Welcome to the fall 2014 adult Bible study. Today’s lesson is an...
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Transcript of The Revelation Introduction Welcome to the fall 2014 adult Bible study. Today’s lesson is an...
The Revelation Introduction
Welcome to the fall 2014 adult Bible study.
Today’s lesson is an introduction to the book of Revelation.
This class will be successful based upon participation and interaction.
The teacher will learn as much or more than the students during this Bible study.
The Revelation Class Syllabus
Course Goals
1. To familiarize students with the most commonly used methods of interpretation of the book of Revelation.
2. To teach a sound approach to interpreting Revelation.
3. To apply this approach to the symbols revealed within the book.
The Revelation Class Syllabus
Course Objectives
1. To overcome fear of the book of Revelation.
2. To gain a basic understanding of the following approaches to interpreting this book:
A. Futurist Approach
B. Chronologic Approach
C. Preterism Approach
D. Symbolic Approach
The Revelation Class Syllabus
3. To describe the intended approach to interpretation of apocalyptic literature and Revelation specifically.
4. To study the book of Revelation with the sincere desire to learn the intended message of the symbols.
5. To gain the blessings promised within this book.
The Revelation Class Syllabus
Format
1. Survey – We will hit the high points and discuss points of interest.
2. Readings – To get the full benefit of this class you will need to read the chapters ahead of class.
The Revelation Class Syllabus
Class Schedule Oct 5, Introduction of the book of Revelation
Oct 12, chapters 1 – 2 The vision of Christ & 4 churches
Oct 19, Guest teacher Josh Hearne lesson on Honduras
Oct 26, chapters 3 – 4 3 churches & Visions in Heaven
Nov 2, chapters 5 – 6 The scroll is sealed & The seals are opened
Nov 9, chapters 7 – 8 Sealing the Lord’s people & Last seal opened
Nov 16, chapters 9 – 10 Warning of judgment & John eats a small book
Nov 23, chapters 11 – 12 Two resurrected prophets & Satan’s introduction
Nov 30, chapters 13 – 14 Satan and two beasts & A new song
The Revelation Class Syllabus
Class Schedule Dec 7, chapters 15 – 16 7 bowls & Wrath poured out
Dec 14, chapters 17 – 18 A harlot on a beast & Babylon destroyed
Dec 21, chapters 19 – 20 King of Kings & The lake of fire
Dec 28, chapters 21 – 22 The new Heaven & Christ’s followers rewarded
The Revelation Introduction
What comes to mind when you think of the book of Revelation?
What comes to mind when you compare Revelation to other Bible books such as Genesis, Song of Solomon, and Proverbs?
Is Revelation intimidating? yes..no..maybe
The Revelation Introduction
Many are intimidated by this book.
a. it is difficult to understand symbols in comparison to a straightforward
epistle
b. historically abused to support extreme viewpoints
The Revelation Introduction
Why should we study Revelation?
1. we will be blessed for studying this book
2. we actually can make sense of this book
3. we learn that if we are with God we will be victorious
The Revelation Introduction
Author, Date, Location
Author – John
Author presumed he would be known by first name
The apostle John is the only one that well known
Early church believed the apostle John to be the writer
The Revelation Introduction
Author, Date, Location
Author – John
Similarities to John’s other writings
Only John referred to Jesus as the word
a. John 1:1
b. 1 John 1:1
c. Revelation 19: 13
The Revelation Introduction
Author, Date, Location
Date – AD 94 -96
written during fierce persecution of the church
historically cited near the end of Domitian’s reign in Rome
some believe it was during Nero’s reign (AD 54 – 68)
The Revelation Introduction
Author, Date, Location
Date – AD 94 -96
State of the churches seem to better fit AD 90’s
In the 60’s the church at Ephesus was thriving
Acts 19, 20
Ephesians 1- 6
The Revelation Introduction
Author, Date, Location
Location = Island of Patmos
John was in exile on this island
Approximately 32 square mile island
50 miles Southwest of Ephesus
Off the coast of modern day Turkey
The Revelation Introduction
The Revelation Introduction
The Revelation Introduction
Style of writing
Part Epistle
The entire book is in the form of a letter to the seven churches of Asia
Chapters 1-3 address specific churches
The Revelation Introduction
Style of writing
Part Apocalyptic
Revelation – Greek apokalupsis – means unveilingRevelation carries a connotation of doom Apocalyptic literature abundunt during last two
centuries BC and first century ADSymbols used are not to enhance the message…
they are the message
The Revelation Introduction
Style of writingPart Apocalyptic
The original readers were use to apocalyptic language used in Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, Joel, Zechariah, and other Old Testament books
They were use to secular apocalyptic writings as well
The Revelation Introduction
Style of writing
Why apocalyptic Writing? Its hard to understand
Maybe it’s a way of covert communication only decipherable by the intended audience
The Revelation Introduction
Style of writing
Part ProphecyThe book of Revelation seems to prophecy
regarding the Church’s victory over the Roman Empire and Christ’s victory over Satan
The Revelation Introduction
Methods of Interpretation
Futurist ApproachMost of the book of Revelation describes events which were in the distant future at the time the book was written. Even today most of the contents are yet to occur. Most of the book deals with events that will occur shortly before the second coming of Christ.
The Revelation Introduction
Methods of Interpretation
Chronologic Approach
The book of Revelation gives a detailed historical outline from the first century through the end of the world. Symbols within the book are interpreted to represent events and specific people.
The Revelation Introduction
Methods of Interpretation
Preterist (past) Approach
Preterist – Latin origin meaning beyond or past.
Belief that most if not all of the book tells what happened in the early centuries of the church… in our past. Also known as the contemporary – history view.
The Revelation Introduction
Methods of Interpretation
Symbolic Approach
The book of Revelation speaks symbolically about the conflict between good and evil in every age… good will conquer evil. The overall message of John’s vision is more important than the details of these visions.
The Revelation Introduction
When we consider our method of interpretation we need to consider two things…
What message is God sending?
How is John intending it to be received?
The Revelation Introduction
Discussion questions:
What is the time frame for the events John describes in Revelation?
Revelation 1:1 things which must shortly take place
Is it logical to assume that the writings were intended for the 1st and 2nd century Christians?
The Revelation Introduction
Discussion questions:
Who is John’s intended audience?Primary audience is persecuted early church
Secondary audience is us today
Given this knowledge we have to determine the best method of interpretation for us to use.
The Revelation Introduction
Not Futurist
Not Chronologic
Not Strictly preterist
Not Strictly symbolic
Best fit = combination of preterist and symbolic
The Revelation Introduction
Keys to interpreting Revelation and apocalyptic writings…
Symbols
we use them all the time
The Revelation Introduction
The Revelation Introduction
The Revelation Introduction
The Revelation Introduction
Keys to interpreting Revelation and apocalyptic writings…
Reverse the rule of interpretation for apocalyptic writings
we assume something is literal unless we have reason to believe it is symbolic
with apocalyptic writing we reverse this rule and assume symbolic meaning unless we
have reason to believe otherwise
The Revelation Introduction
Keys to interpreting Revelation and apocalyptic writings…
Sometimes the meaning is given to us. This is a freebie, don’t fight it.
The Revelation Introduction
The Revelation Introduction
Keys to interpreting Revelation and apocalyptic writings…
Apocalyptic writing is not new, Revelation borrows symbols used in the Old Testament scriptures and early church culture.
over 400 Old Testament references in Revelation
The Revelation Introduction
Keys to interpreting Revelation and apocalyptic writings…
Never base a major doctrine on an obscure passage.
The Revelation Introduction
Keys to interpreting Revelation and apocalyptic writings…
Never interpret a figurative passage in a way that contradicts plain teaching elsewhere in the Bible.
this means that you’ve misinterperted
The Revelation Introduction
Keys to interpreting Revelation and apocalyptic writings…
Don’t take a symbol too far.
Figures usually used to express a single idea…each detail does not necessarily have a separate meaning… it may be for description or emphasis.
The Revelation Introduction
Keys to interpreting Revelation and apocalyptic writings…
Types of symbols used in Revelation
symbols from the Old Testament
symbols based on historical or political situations
Numbers
The Revelation Introduction
Conclusions:
Revelation is often thought of as an intimidating Book of the Bible.
With proper interpretation Revelation can be understood.
God promises us a blessing for studying this book.
The Revelation Introduction
Homework
Read chapters 1 and 2 and be prepared for spiritual growth and learning next week.
