The Sanctuary in Revelation

Transcription

1 The Sanctuary in Revelation Richard M. Davidson Andrews University Theological Seminary Maritime Camp-Meeting July 2014

2 The Sanctuary in Revelation The book of Revelation is a revelation of Jesus! (Rev 1:1) Jesus is revealed in His work in the sanctuary! The sanctuary is the structuring key to the whole book Major principle of interpretation: recapitulation and enlargement

3 Seven Series of Sevens Prologue: 1: churches (Rev 2-3) 2. 7 Seals (6:1 8:1) 3. 7 Trumpets (8:7 11:8) 4. 7 Cosmic Conflict Scenes (12:1 15:4)

4 Seven Series of Sevens 4. 7 Cosmic Conflict Scenes (12:1 15:4) (separated by phrase And I saw ) a. 12:1-17 Woman and Serpent b. 13:1-10 Sea Beast c. 13:11-16 Land Beast d. 14: ,000 e. 14:6-13 Three Angels Messages f. 14:14-20 Harvest g. 15:1-4 Sea of Glass, Song of Moses

5 Seven Series of Sevens Prologue: 1: churches (Rev 2-3) 2. 7 Seals (6:1 8:1) 3. 7 Trumpets (8:7 11:8) 4. 7 Cosmic Conflict Scenes (12:1 15:4) 5. 7 Plagues (16:1 18:24) 6. 7 Scenes in the Windup of the Cosmic Conflict (19:11 20:15)

6 Seven Series of Sevens 6. 7 Scenes of the Windup of the Cosmic Conflict (19:11 20:15) (each scene starts with And I saw ) a. 19:11-16 White Horse b. 19:17-18 Supper of Birds c. 19:19-21 Final Battle d. 20:1-3 Millennium e. 20:4-10 Saints Judge f. 20:11 Great White Throne g. 20:12-15 Judgment of the Dead

7 Seven Series of Sevens Prologue: 1: churches (Rev 2-3) 2. 7 Seals (6:1 8:1) 3. 7 Trumpets (8:7 11:8) 4. 7 Cosmic Conflict Scenes (12:1 15:4) 5. 7 Plagues (16:1 18:24) 6. 7 Final Cosmic Conflict Scenes (19:11 20:15) 7. 7 Scenes of the New Jerusalem (21:9 22:5) Epilogue: 22:6-21

8 Seven Introductory Sanctuary Scenes Every one of the series of sevens starts with an introductory sanctuary scene. If you recognize where you are in the sanctuary, you have a key as to the flow of the book.

9 Seven Introductory Sanctuary Scenes 1. Lampstands (1: 9-20) --7 churches (2-3) 2. Throne (4-5) --7 Seals (6:1 8:1) 3. Incense Altar (8:2-6) --7 Trumpets (8:7 11:8) 4. Ark (11:19) --7 Gt. Cont. Scenes (12:1 15:4) 5. Temple closes (15:5-8) --7 Plagues (16:1-18:24) 6. Sanctuary doxology (19:1-10) --7 Final Cosmic Conflict Scenes (19:11 20:15) 7. God s Tabernacle with men (21:1-8)--7 Scenes of the New Jerusalem (21:9 22:5)

10 Seven Introductory Sanctuary Scenes First part of the book: 1. Lampstands (1: 9-20) Earth (with Holy Place imagery) 2. Throne (4-5) Inauguration of heavenly temple 3. Incense Altar (8:2-6) Intercession (Holy Place) All of these are in the Holy Place! = Christ s Holy Place Ministry

11 Order of Daily Service in Jesus Day See the Jewish Mishnah: Tamid tractate: 1) Trimming the lampstand (m. Tamîd 3.9; cf. Rev 1:12-20) 2) Great door open (m. Tamîd 3.7; cf. Rev 4:1) 3) Lamb slain (m. Tamîd 3.7; 4:1-3, cf. Rev 5:6) 4) Blood poured out at base of bronze altar (m. Tamîd 4.1; cf. Rev 6:9) 5) Incense offered at Golden Altar (m. Tamîd 5.4; cf. Rev 8:3, 4) 6) Break in the singing (m. Tamîd 7.3; Rev 8:1) 7) Trumpets blown to signal completion of sacrifice (m. Tamîd 7.3; cf.8:2-6)

12 Introductory Sanctuary Scenes and the Flow of the Book Second half of the book: Most Holy Place and windup of sanctuary services 4. Ark (11:19) Judgment (Most Holy Place) 5. Temple closes (15:5-8) Cessation of ministry 6. Sanctuary doxology (19:1-10) praise in heaven but no explicit heavenly sanctuary imagery 7. God s Tabernacle with men (21:1-8) --Earth

13 The Macrostructure of Revelation Introductory Sanctuary Scenes (Summary) Prologue: Revelation 1:1-8 I. 1:9-20 Lampstands 7 Churches (2-3) II. 4-5 Throne: Inauguration 7 Seals (6:1-8:1) III. 8:2-6 Altar of Incense: Intercession 7 Trumpets (8:7-11:8) IV. 11:19 Ark of Covenant: Judgment 7 Cosmic Conflict Scenes (12:1-15:4) Series of Seven's [Last 6 start with kai eidon "And I saw"] 1. 12:1-17 Woman and Serpent 2. 13:1-10 Sea Beast 3. 13:11-16 Land Beast 4. 14: , : Angels' Message 6. 14:14-20 Harvest 7. 15:1-4 Sea of Glass V. 15:5-8 Sanctuary Closes Up: "De-inauguration" 7 Plagues (16:1-18:24) VI. 19:1-10 Doxology from the Sanctuary 7 Scenes in the Windup of the Cosmic Conflict (19:11-20:15) [Each scene starts with kai eidon "And I saw"] 1. 19:11-16 White Horse 2. 19:17-18 Supper of Birds 3. 19:19-21 Final Battle 4. 20: Years 5. 20:4-10 Saints Judge 6. 20:11 Great White Throne 7. 20:12-15 Judgment of Dead VII. 21:1-8 Tabernacle of God with Men Description of the New Jerusalem (21:9-22:5) Epilogue: Revelation 22:6-21

14 The Chiastic Structure of Revelation Prologue 1:1-8 A. Seven Churches (1:9 3:22) B. Seven Seals (4:1 8:1 C. Seven Trumpets (8:2 11:18) D. Seven Cosmic Conflict Scenes (11:19 15:4) C. Seven Plagues (15:5 18:24) B. Seven Judgment Scenes (19:1 20:15) A. New Jerusalem: Seven scenes of the one true Church (21:1 22:5) Epilogue: 22:6-21

15 Seven Introductory Sanctuary Scenes and the Work of Jesus 1. Rev 1: He tends the lamps: He cares! 2. Rev He s on the throne: He s in control! 3. Rev 8:2-6 --He is our mediator! 4. Rev11:19 -- He is faithful to His covenant people! 5. Rev 15:5-8 --He is a glorious Just Judge! 6. Rev 19:1-10 He is Victorious, and praiseworthy! 7. Rev 21:1-8 He is our intimate God!

16 Seven Introductory Sanctuary Scenes and the Annual Festivals 1. Rev 1: Passover 2. Rev Pentecost 3. Rev 8:2-6 --Feast of Trumpets 4. Rev11:19 -- Day of Atonement (Invest. Judg.) 5. Rev 15:5-8 Day of Atonement (Executive Judg.) 6. Rev 19:1-10 Day of Atonement (Review Judg.) 7. Rev 21:1-8 Feast of Tabernacles

17 Seven Introductory Sanctuary Scenes and the Annual Festivals Sanctuary Scenes Festivals I. 1:9-20 Passover II. 4-5 Pentecost III. 8:2-6 Trumpets IV. 11:19 Day of Atonement (Investigative Judgment) V. 15:5-8 Day of Atonement (Executive Judgment) VI. 19:1-10 Day of Atonement (Review Judgment) VII. 21:1-22:5 Tabernacles

18 Vindication in the Judgment John in holy vision beholds the faithful souls that come up out of great tribulation, surrounding the throne of God, clad in white robes, and crowned with immortal glory. What though they have been counted the offscouring of the earth? In the investigative judgment their lives and characters are brought in review before God, and that solemn tribunal reverses the decision of their enemies. Their faithfulness to God and to His word stands revealed, and Heaven's high honors are awarded them as conquerors in the strife with sin and Satan. (OHC 361)