The Apocalypse of John

REVELATION

Apocalypse; noun 1. the complete & final

destruction of the world, especially as described in the

biblical book of Revelation. 2. an event involving destruction or

damage on a catastrophic scale.

Purpose

• To keep alive the flame of faith in difficult times

• To maintain hope in the coming of the Day of the Lord and of the Kingdom of God

Popularity• Graphic• Mystifying (Excites Speculation / Unfounded) • Symbolism? Literal sense?• Bizarre• Prediction• Frightening• Causes Speculation

SensationalismInordinate curiosity

How Make Application?

• Would God include a book in the New Testament that had little relevance until 2000 years later?

Date and Occasion

• Written during period of persecution

• During reign of Domitian (81 to 96 A.D.) ?

• During reign of Nero (54 to 68) ?

Date and Occasion33 A.D. 90s

Temple Referred To As If Still Standing

& Operational

Date and Occasion33 A.D. 90s

70 A.D. Fall of JerusalemTHEORY

What if the book wasn’t written in 90s?

70 A.D.

Jerusalem & The Temple Razed

Date and OccasionThe Olivet Discourse: Mark 13

•Predicts catastrophic & unexpected things

The Olivet Discourse: Mark 13

• When?

• “Signs of the times” ?–Wars– Earthquakes– Famines

24 x in Apocalypse

•Predicts catastrophic & unexpected things

The Olivet Discourse: Mark 13

• Who was Jesus addressing?

• Vs. 9 to 13 “YOU” (10 times)

• Contemporary appeal of present day applications of Revelation as if prophecy applied directly to contemporary American Churches / Christians

The Olivet Discourse: Mark 13

• To whom was this written ?

• Vs. 9 to 13 “YOU” (10 times)

• “THIS GENERATION” MARK 13:30

• Persecution

The Olivet Discourse: Mark 13

• Vs. 14-20

• Abomination of Desolation ?

• Vs. 14 Flee to the mountains!

FULFILLED !!!!!

• 70 A.D.

• Two Prophecies

• Except for one thing . . .

The Olivet Discourse: Mark 13

• Vs. 21 to 27

• Astronomical Signs

• Son Coming in Power on Clouds

• Vs. 30 . . . This generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

Flavius Josephus

Objection

• The Antichrist

• The Man of Lawlessness

• The Beast

All The SAME

?

“The Beast” Revelation 13 & 17

CRYPTOGRAM ?

13: 1817: 9-10

666

Seven Mountains 17:9

Introduction 1:1-8

• “The revelation of Jesus Christ”

• TWO POSSIBLE MEANINGS

– Christ is the subject

– Christ now gives Word that he did not possess in the days of his flesh (Matt 24:36)

Four Portraits of Christ Jesus

• 1 to 3 - Christ in the Churches

• 4 to 5 - Christ before the Throne

• 6 to 16 - Christ in Judgment

• 17 to 22 - Christ in Eternity

Introduction: Purpose (1:1)• “ . . . to show unto his servants things that

must shortly come to pass . . .”

• 1. Perils of the Church

• 2. Trends in world politics, religion, and society

• 3. Ultimate outcome

Introduction:Time of Fulfillment

• 1:3 “ . . . The time is at hand.“

• (OR)

• “ . . . The time is near.”

22:7, 10, 12, 20

Introduction: Dedication (1:5b – 6)

Three Things Christ Has Done that Move us to Worship and Grateful Praise

1. He loved us (motive)

2. He loosed us from our sins ( work )

3. He made us to be a kingdom and priests (destiny)

Introduction: Motto (1:7)

Behold,  he is coming with the clouds, and  every eye will see him,

“COME”/ “COMING” = 65 X

AuthorityMessage from Jesus Christ

& God the Father

• 1:1, 10, 11

• 22: 16, 20

• 22: 18 - 19

Structure

• Four Visions

“ . . . in the Spirit . . “

• 1:10

• 4:2

• 17:3

• 21:10

For What?

Christ’s Return is Imminent

Nothing remains to be fulfilled

Nothing can postpone or inhibit

For What?

• Rejoice and Believe in

the Triumph of the Lamb

• Hope in the Lord

• Recognize and ResistFalse Teaching

For What?

• Prepare for the possibility of persecution

For What?

• Heal the breaches in the body of Christ

10:1-7 The Seven Thunders