What is it about? Revelation was designed to convey its message to some significant degree on first hearing Richard Bauckham 6 Given the intensity and richness of detail in John s book, it is helpful to ask the question what is Revelation about? as a starting point to understanding his message. Since much of the language is visionary, truths expressed in clear language provide a foundation for interpreting more indirect symbolic language. The closing verses (22: 6-21) summarise the main themes of Revelation:! Christ is coming back soon (22: 7, 12 and 20)! Christ is bringing judgement to all (22:12) - into the righteous and unrighteous! There is an invitation to all to receive the gospel water of life (22: 17) This occurs more obviously in Matthew 25 where Jesus indicates that his return will invoke the judgement of all nations (v.31-32) and the separation of people to their eternal destiny (v. 46). This event, what the OT refers to as the day of the Lord, is the focal point of all history. The return of Christ and the great judgement marks the division between the two main eras in global history described in Scripture - this age and the age to come. This age is the present evil age (Gal. 1:4) and beyond that lies eternity (Mark 10:29). However, when Jesus lived on earth he taught that the future kingdom of God was already breaking into the present through his ministry. The reign of God that would come to its fulness only after Christ s return, was already being demonstrated and extended as the gospel was preached, the sick healed and demons cast out. The age to come was already here in part - our new creation as believers in Christ, is a taste of that future age when all things would be made new. 6 The Climax of Prophecy, Richard Bauckham (2000, p.1) The Real Revelation Hugh Griffiths 12
The Bible shows us that God the Father placed all things under Christ s authority when he ascended to heaven following his resurrection feet (Eph. 1: 20). Although not everything is seen to be under Christ s rule, his reign began at that point. The end of this age will come when everything is brought subject to that rule (1 Cor.15: 20-28). The dominant theme of Revelation is therefore what is happening in the lead up to Christ s return. It describes for us the purpose of God, not just in the last generation but throughout this present age. Through its visions and messages it shows:! The incoming rule of God through Christ s ministry! The spiritual conflict between heavenly and earthly powers! The defeat of Satan and all that would oppose that rule! The return of Christ in final judgement! The consummation of history as this world passes away and the new heavens and the new earth are revealed! A glorified and perfected church united with Christ These truths underpin the whole of the book of Revelation. The Real Revelation Hugh Griffiths 13
Structure of Revelation Our concern is to divide the book, John s concern was to bind it together DL Barr Since Revelation does not follow a linear or chronological sequence, it is helpful to note how the book is structured. Remembering that the chapter divisions are artificial and not part of the original text, Revelation can be divided into seven sections: Chapter Theme 1-3 Seven lampstands and seven churches 4-7 Book with seven seals 8-11 Seven trumpets of judgement 12-14 Conflict and judgment 15-16 Seven bowls 17-19 Fall of Babylon and Satan 20-22 Judgement upon Satan and the new earth These sections are based on the natural divisions shown in the text, each one including a reference to the the coming of Christ in judgement. Details of some of these have already been identified (see above). Further evidence of these overlapping sections is found by looking at the detail of the time periods they describe. For example, sections 3 (chapters 8-11) and 4 (chapters 12-14) refer to identical time periods of three and a half years:! Forty-two months or 1260 days are described in 11:2 and 11:3! 1260 days are mentioned again in 12:6! Time and times and half a time is referred to in 12:14 At its most basic, the book divides into two parts: firstly, it describes the church on earth, persecuted and in conflict with the world (chapters 1-11); secondly, it describes the deeper spiritual conflict between Satan (the dragon) and Christ (the child) (chapters 12-22) The Real Revelation Hugh Griffiths 14
A vision of Jesus Christ Revelation 1:9-20 The dominating feature of the opening chapter is John s vision of Christ. This picture of Jesus in the middle of his church is imagery that is carried forward into chapters 2 and 3 as each of the seven churches is addressed in turn (see 2:1). These verses echo very strongly the vision of Daniel (7:9-14) but the full weight of meaning can only be seen from the wealth of biblical images and ideas that they draw upon. Image Biblical symbolism References Trumpet Lampstands Son of man Long robe with golden sash Used for proclamation, announces God s voice to his people. Used specifically in relation to prophetic ministry and heralding the second coming of Jesus Christ Explicitly symbolic of the church in the world. Image from tabernacle of Moses where a seven-armed lampstand was always burning. Also in NT as picture of the church s testimony. Title of the coming Messiah and stands for redemptive authority rather than indicating his humanity. Jesus preferred title for himself Clothing symbolic of (spiritual) condition - eg torn in repentance, garments of salvation. Fulness/length symbolic of plenty. Important clothing for high priest, robe representing God s glory Exodus 19:16, 20:18 1 Corinthians 14:8 1 Corinthians 15:52 Revelation 1:20 Exodus 25:31-40 Matthew 5:15 Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 John 5:25-26 Isaiah 61:10 Isaiah 6: 1 Exodus 28 The Real Revelation Hugh Griffiths 15
Image Biblical symbolism References Hair white as wool or snow Feet of bronze refined in a furnace Voice like the roar of waters Seven stars Two edged sword Wool and snow used interchangeably as expression of whiteness. Symbolic of purity and righteousness Furnace symbolic of two times of great trial for God s people - captivity in Egypt and later in Babylon. Revelation uses this image to describe glorious sound of heaven. Divinity expressed through power over water (eg miracles of Jesus) Stars are an expression of spiritual authority, eg at Christ s birth. Also indicative of rule/power, or of angelic forces. Symbolic of judgement and warfare. Also an expression of the word of God and its incisive force Psalm 147:16 Isaiah 1:18 Deuteronomy 4:20 Daniel 3:17-18 Revelation 14:2 Matthew 2:9-10 Isaiah 14:3 Isaiah 49:2 Hebrews 4:12 Ephesians 6:17 It is interesting to note that these characteristics in John s opening vision of Christ also recur within the messages to the seven churches that follow in the two chapters that follow. The Real Revelation Hugh Griffiths 16
Seven letters Revelation 2, 3 Following John s opening vision, the next chapters record seven letters written to the seven churches that are in Asia to whom the apostle addressed the book (John 1:4). Each of the letters is written in very similar style and addresses the churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. These seven churches were actual congregations in the seven major cities of the province of Asia Minor. Each city functioned as a trading, postal and administrative centre and all were located on a semi-circular route that traversed the province that was substantially in the area of modern-day Turkey. Asia Minor was an important geographical location for two reasons during this period:! firstly, it was at the very heart of the remaining Roman Empire and! secondly, it was also the most important centre of Christianity. Symbolically these seven churches are also representative of the whole church. Prophetically they speak to God s people in every place and in every age. Although each letter does not specifically describe successive eras of the church throughout the centuries, some messages are more relevant to certain periods of history when particular problems beset the church. The Real Revelation Hugh Griffiths 17
Seven fold message Each of the seven letters to the seven churches follows a very similar pattern and is made up of a seven-fold message in the form illustrated overleaf. The letter to Ephesus (2:1-7) is used to illustrate, but the same construction is found in the other letters and appears most clearly in the letters to Pergamum, Thyatira and Sardis. Church address or greeting: Christ s designation of himself: Commendation for qualities: To the angel of the church in Ephesus (v.1a) The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands (v.1b) I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name s sake, and you have not grown weary. (vs.2-3)... Yet this you have: you hate the work of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate (v.6) Condemnation for wrong: Command to pursue: Counsel or exhortation: Covenant promise: But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. (v.4) Remember therefore from where you have fallen: repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.(v.5) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (v.7a) To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (v.7b) Each message provides lessons about the issues or pressures that can affect a church as well as indicating the characteristic qualities that are noted and valued by Jesus. The breadth of application of each letter is stressed by the exhortation hear what the Spirit says to the churches, that is, each one is addressed not just to the church in a location but to the churches in general. God s intention for a victorious church and believers who are overcomers is highlighted by the repeated promises to the one who conquers. The Real Revelation Hugh Griffiths 18
Seven churches Although each of the seven named churches in Asia Minor were in strategically important locations, each city had its own characteristics and particular strengths. Understanding a little about each of these places, provides valuable insights into the specific message that John brought to them. Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea name means (1) desirable and (2) let go/relax largest,busiest city in province (population 500,000+) with major seaport major church centre founded by Paul, taught by Apollos and later cared for by Timothy name derived from Greek for myrrh picturesque city, rival to Ephesus as first city of Asia, noted loyal ally of Rome church probably founded by Paul during third missionary journey (Acts 19:10) name means citadel or stronghold, built as a prominent fortress on a rocky hill centre of pagan and emperor worship, with major shrines dedicated to Zeus and others noted for it s 200,000 volume library and birthplace of parchment unusually, it had the right to exercise capital punishment name means continual sacrifice major communication and trading centre, linking two major routes significant place of idolatry because of worship associated with the gods of trade-guilds name mean that which remains or remnant originally fortress city, but in this period now being deserted following earthquake (AD 17) trade centre renowned for textiles, publicly known for massive necropolis (city of the dead) name means brotherly love gained prosperity as a agricultural centre because of its fertile land established deliberately as a missionary centre for Greek language and culture name means people of decision proud and extremely prosperous city, noted for its wealth and financial independence noted as a centre for banking, black woollen textiles and medicines/ healthcare water routed by aqueduct from over 6 miles away, located between the hot springs of Hieropolis and cold springs of Colosse The Real Revelation Hugh Griffiths 19