Revelation

BackgroundExtreme approaches to Revelation:HopeGenre – Apocalyptic, Letter, Prophecy 5 features of Apocalyptic: SAVED

Symbolism, pictorial language Angels, heavenly messenger mediated Visions, dreams End of all things—cosmic in scope Dualism

Authorship – John 1:1

Background (skip)Literary similarities to the Gospel of

John Logos--word Lamb of God Christ pierced Overcome Bridegroom Marturia/witness (cf. martyr)

Interpretative Approaches toRevelation Preteristic View

Description/definition Advantages Disadvantages

Idealist View Description/definition Advantages Disadvantages

Interpretative Approaches to Revelation Historical View

Description/definition Advantages Disadvantages

Futuristic View Description/definition Advantages Disadvantages

The truth on Revelation

Premillennial Time Line

Church Age2000 + years

Millennium1000 years

Eternal State:New Jerusalem

Christ’s coming:Rapture? Pre-, Mid-, Post-Trib

Tribulation7 years

Characteristics Symbolism OT Orientation One world concept – Globalization, evil trinity,

mark of the Beast Divine Judgment resulting in world disasters (7

seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls) Christ-centered Song and worship New world order

7 Churches (Rev 2-3) structure

Approaches: Historical 1st century, Progressive Church History, Omni-temporal/spiritual/typical

Pattern Vision of Christ Commendation Condemnation Advice Curse & blessing

Example – Ephesus, Laodicea

Bouncing through 4-197 Seals, 7 Trumpet, 7 Bowl judgmentsSequentialOverlappingSimultaneousFuture through the eyes of first century

imagery

Millennium Rev 20 Pre-millennial: Christ returns, sets up

1000 reign on earth, Satan boundAmillennial: reign of Christ = ChurchPost-millennial: World gets better and

better until the reign of God comes naturally

Message of RevelationGod is in control of the futureSatan counterfeits and loosesRight triumphs in the end after a long

period of chaosThere are tears in heaven 21:4Jesus is coming again– Our response

to this purifying hope: 1 Jn 3:2fChrist with SwordBeware of idols & Laodicea Rev. 3:16f

Rapture Question Passages

1 Thess. 4:15ff: dead rise first [they were worried about them]—they will not miss it

2 Thess. 2:2 day of Lord not yet—you will not miss it

Positions: pre-trib rapture, post-trib rapture, mid-trib rapture

Timeline

Rapture Question

Church Age

7 year TribulationPeriod of the seven sealsseven trumpets and seven bowl judgments;& antichrist, persecutions Rev 11:11-12

MillenniumRev. 20

Pre-trib Mid-trib Post-trib

The EndRev. 21:3-4 Emmanuel, together foreverRev 21:22-24 no templeRev. 22:12-13 Christ’s comingJohn’s awareness he is writing

Scripture 22:18f canonical formula (cf. Deut. 4:2)