Book of Revelation Study Part 1

Transcription

1 Book of Revelation Study Part 1 Introduction The Book of Revelation is a wonderfully, inspiring book written to encourage the Church as it waits for the return of Jesus Christ. It is first and foremost a revelation an unveiling* (see note below) of Jesus as the Majestic second person of the Trinity, the WORD of God. It reveals Him as He is, the ALPHA & OMEGA, the beginning and the end. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The book depicts Jesus, not as the sacrificial Lamb of His first incarnation, but as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who executes the Judgments of God, cleansing the earth of evil before setting up an eternal Kingdom with the redeemed in a renewed Heaven and Earth. He is the focus, His is the agenda, and His the glorious eternal victory. Written by the Apostle John, while imprisoned on the tiny Isle of Patmos (situated off the coast of modern day Turkey), having been banished there by the Romans, sometime around 90 AD, when he would have been advanced in age. Irenaeus, (a disciple of Polycarp who was martyred in 156 AD who personally knew John), writing in 180 AD, confirms that it was indeed John who wrote the book and we have little reason to doubt his testimony. We know that the book was written hurriedly in difficult circumstances, John was repeatedly told to write it down (1:11, 19, 2:1, 8, 12,18, 3:1, 7:14, 14:13, 19:9, 21:5) The title Revelation is a translation of the Greek word apokalypsis from where we get the English word apocalypse the root word means unveiling. It is a pulling back of the curtain to reveal what has been hidden. John is very clear about what the Book of Revelation is it is a PROPHECY (Rev 1:3) It features Jesus as the central figure and develops its theme as did the Old Testament Prophets who spoke of the times of the end. Any successful study of Revelation must be made with constant reference to the writings of the Old Testament Prophets. Scholars have estimated that of its 404 verses, 278 make reference to the Old Testament and that over 500 allusions to Old Testament texts are made in total (compared to less than 200 in all of Paul s letters) Beale Revelation. Many of the pictures and symbols are identical to those detailed in Old Testament books like Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah and Zechariah. Interpreting the Book of Revelation We recognize that for centuries the Church has debated the Book of Revelation in order to come to a settled interpretation of its message. Yet debate has continued and groups within the body hold very different views of the meaning of the Book.

2 Some of that debate has been swayed by the many philosophical elements that have invaded the Church. In particular, those elements that swayed the Church from its Hebrew roots to more a Greek based mindset. (Platonic influences that divide the natural and spiritual, elevating the spiritual over the natural, rendering the natural unclean, worthless). Debates will continue, opinions will differ, yet we dare not turn away from this Glorious Book. We must, with the Holy Spirit s help, investigate these Words of Jesus in order to gain understanding that will fire our Spirit for the days ahead. There is one glorious conclusion to this Book that all embrace the Return of our King, a glorious resurrection, an Eternity with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is the hope and expectation of the whole Church. We hold our opinions humbly as we seek that Glorious day. The Holy Spirit and the Glorious Church It is likely that your view and interpretation of the Book of Revelation will be heavily influenced by your beliefs about the Holy Spirit and His role in the Church and in the world. If you believe that gifts of power have passed away and that God does not dynamically speak to His Church Prophetically, you have no grid for the Church, under Jesus leadership engaging in a supernatural end time battle with the powers of darkness. If you believe that we are living in the best of what God has for the Church, then thoughts of violent oppression will cause you to look for a timely escape. If there is no expectation for the the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct the Church Prophetically (as He did the early Church) as Jesus executes God s master plan for the end of the age. Your theology will likely lead you to expect removal out of the earth before confrontation occurs. If you believe in a Glorious Church, a Victorious Church, a Church that reflects the passion of the first disciples of Christ. If your expectation is for a Church that looks like Jesus at the end of the age, that fulfills His promise to do greater works your expectation for the end times will be quite different. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:12 14 If you believe that yours and the Church s greatest days are yet to be, that the Church will become brighter and more glorious as the darkness increases ( Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. Isa 60:1), that there will be a time of great visitation of the Holy Spirit that eclipses that released upon the early Church, that the greatest ingathering of souls into the Kingdom of God is yet to take place. Then your theology about the end times will reflect your desire to partner with your Glorious Bridegroom as He brings all things to a wonderful and Glorious conclusion. ACTS NOTES BY KEVIN MATTHEWS 2

3 SYMBOLISM IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION Prophetic literature frequently uses symbols to convey its message. Symbols more easily convey visionary or dream type concepts allowing the reader to reach beyond the words and gain an insight into the experience of the writer. Additionally, the use of symbolism hides the message from plain sight requiring a deeper investigation to gain understanding. Jesus used similar symbolic language often teaching in parables. He explains His reasoning here Jesus answered them, To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM. Mat 13:11 15 Believers who have become sleepy or dull don t hear the truth because they have no energy to seek the truth out. Unbelievers reject the symbolism as nonsensical rendering them unable to hear. Seekers who ask, seek and knock receive understanding of Kingdom truths that fire their spirit and encourage their heart. So, we might say that the Book of Revelation is like a parable, one that must be investigated, prayerfully studied and poured over in order to gain understanding. It is not difficult, but it takes a little time. However, the writer promises a reward to those who persist Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Rev 1:3, "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." Rev 22:7 The Symbols Revelation is full of pictorial language. Some symbols are obvious i.e. dragon = Satan, some are explained by their context, i.e the lampstands are Churches, stars Angels etc. Some become clear when similar pictures or patterns are compared elsewhere in Scripture, The Tree of Life, the horsemen, the fearsome wild beasts (which are dominating leaders and their armies.) Some are obscure and difficult to understand, but may be discerned through careful study. ACTS NOTES BY KEVIN MATTHEWS 3

4 Numbers are also used as symbols. We find the number SEVEN used extensively in Revelation. It is the number which indicates perfection, fullness, completeness and is often used in conjunction with God Himself. In Revelation we see these sevens Seals, Trumpets, Bowls, stars, lampstands etc. and patterns of sevens in the way that some of the text is organized into sections. We also see symbolical uses of other numbers such as 12 (and its multiples) and 1,000. The number 666 is a number is made up of sixes the number six being used to symbolize man who falls short of Divine perfection. It speaks of the man who will lead the ultimate rebellion against God. There are seven main symbols in the book of Revelation. The events and numbers in Revelation are to be taken in their plain meaning (literal) unless the passage clearly indicates that it is symbolic (Rev. 1:20; 5:6; 11:8; 12:1, 3, 9; 17:7, 9, 15 18, etc.). 1. Dragon: The image represents Satan (Rev. 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17; 13:2, 4; 16:13; 20:2) 2. First Beast: The image represents the Antichrist who is a man of political power controlled by Satan. (Rev. 13; 14:9 11; 17:3 17; 19:19 21; 20:4, 10) 3. Another Beast: The image represents the False Prophet called another Beast just once (Rev. 13:11) The False Prophet is a religious leader who accompanies the Antichrist in his leadership. He is responsible for performing signs and wonders which delude many into worship of the Antichrist. 4. Seven heads: Seven heads speaks of the dragon s pretension to sovereignty over the whole Earth. Satan is described as the prince of this world John 12:31, 14:30 and 16:11, the ruler of the Kingdoms of the air Eph 2:2 and the god of this world 2 Cor 4:4. This is further exemplified by the diadems on each head, which are an imitation of the great crowns of Christ in Rev 19:12. Satan s rule is temporary and his sovereignty extends only over his followers, for his rule was cut short at the cross and he knows his time is short Rev 12:12 5. Ten Horns: The image represents a ten nation confederation that serves the Antichrist and receive authority from him. (Rev. 17:12 13) It alludes to the fourth beast of Daniel 7:7 8, 20, 24 In ancient times horns symbolized strength, especially military power. In Rev 5:6 the LAMB is depicted with 7 horns (perfection) as the one who has all authority, so the 10 horns of the dragon are another imitation, a parody of the military strength of Christ. 6. Harlot Babylon: The image points to a humanistic religious and economic system inspired and controlled by the Kingdom of darkness that centers around wealth, unabated greed and pleasure (Rev ) 7. Woman with a Male child (Jesus): Depicts the redeemed community throughout history, starting with OT Israel, the Church and the remnant of Israel (Rev. 12) ACTS NOTES BY KEVIN MATTHEWS 4

5 THE STRUCTURE OF REVELATION: 4 PARTS In order to understand the Book of Revelation we must understand its structure. This is not an easy thing! It is not laid out chronologically as a novel or movie. It contains a number of visions, Angelic messages and interpretations, contextual views that are interwoven together. It s as though John is watching different parts of the story unfold on different screens simultaneously. All showing a different view of the events taking place. There is the underlying structure of the three sevens (seals, trumpets, bowls) these are set out somewhat chronologically, the rest of the text does not follow the same pattern. There are many, what scholars have termed, interludes or parenthetical sections where things have been placed on pause while more or different information is introduced. This interweaving of information can be confusing at first, but once the reader understands how it is written and what information is being shared the whole Book becomes far easier to understand. With that in mind we can therefore gain a general oversight of the Book. After the introductory matter of the first chapter, there follows four series of sevens. 7 LETTERS, (Rev 2 3) 7 SEALS, (Rev 5:1 8:1) 7 TRUMPETS (Rev 8:2 11:19) and 7 BOWLS (Rev 15:1 16:21) The narrative of these events is broken up by several of these interludes which briefly interrupt the flow of events with information that does not belong to the four series of sevens. This information is to help the reader more fully understand the breadth of what is taking place. The last few chapters speak of the destruction of evil and the return of Jesus to rule and reign with the Saints forever. We can define 4 parts in the structure of the book of Revelation with the last part being the largest. Part 1: John s encounter with Jesus and his calling to prophesy about the end times (Rev. 1). John records His vision of Jesus, in glorious majesty revealing the Christ of the Second coming and receives instructions about the information about to be revealed to him. Part 2: Jesus gives letters to seven churches (Rev. 2 3) Revelation is primarily a letter, sent to the Seven Churches named in the first three chapters. It opens with John s vision of Jesus depicted in His Glory and continues as John records the messages of Jesus to each individual Church. This section and the messages it contains, though unique to the Churches of John s day, are applicable to the Church in all generations as we are encouraged to be holy and persevere as overcomers. The messages contain promises from Jesus to the Church to sustain and empower it through times of trouble and persecution. ACTS NOTES BY KEVIN MATTHEWS 5

6 Part 3: The Throne Room in Heaven (Rev. 4 5). We observe, through John s eye, the Glory of the Throne Room of God, where everything is peaceful (the sea of glass (Rev 4:6)). Worship is the primary activity. Jesus is revealed as the Lamb and the Lion who is worthy to release the final judgments of God on the Earth. Jesus takes the scroll from the Father. The scroll represents the title deed of the earth and the battle plan to judge, cleanse, and prepare the nations for Jesus rule over all the earth, while bringing the Church to a mature Bride who partners with Him in the plan (Rev 6 22). E. Part 4: The execution of God s Master Plan and the end of the age (Rev. 6 22). These chapters outline the time of trouble. The rise of Antichrist and the false Prophet, and the corrupt Babylonian system. The main storyline details the 21 judgment events (7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls). While these chapters depict the wrath of Antichrist against Israel and the Church, there is also evidence of a great outpouring and an end time harvest of the lost. During this time God will release an unprecedented measure of Power, Prophetic insight and direction upon the Church. The greatest outpouring of the Spirit in history will occur just before the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:28 32, Acts 2:17 21) The two witnesses that appear in Jerusalem are a part of this end time outpouring and testimony. This section ends with the return of Christ, the rapture of the Church and resurrection of the Saints. The Battle of Armageddon, the Antichrists defeat, Satan s imprisoning and Jesus Millennial rule. The last chapters detail the cleansing and resurrection of the Heaven and Earth and appearance of the New Jerusalem where God will dwell with man forever. The Judgments Principle of judgment: God uses Judgment as a redemptive action. God is motivated by love to rescue those who may otherwise be unreachable. It creates an environment where external influences, comforts and distractions are stripped away, allowing individuals an opportunity to seek God s forgiveness. God s end time judgments will remove natural and spiritual (demonic) opposition to His love. He will use the least severe means to reach the greatest number at the deepest level of love without violating anyone s free will. ACTS NOTES BY KEVIN MATTHEWS 6