Revelation Notes for You Opening Note - First thing get in touch with your feelings or thoughts about the book have you ever read the book of Revelation? If you did read it, what did you come away with after the experience? Did you find the experience of reading Revelation a good spiritual exercise? What were you experiencing while you were reading it? Have you found yourself turning to the book of Revelation often during your journey as a follower of Jesus? Why or why not? 1. In terms of Revelation - it is important to point out: a) 2 Tim. 3:16-17 all scripture is intended for growth that means Revelation b) Revelation is in the bible it is part of the whole counsel of God c) The problem with lectionary/periscope system is that large swaths of the Bible are left out in terms of public reading public reading may be the only way that some people get the bible d) See Revelation 1:3 one book of the bible that actually carries a promise of blessing for those of you who read it e) Reading Revelation sharpens our ability to study/apply text 2. Let s get some introductory remarks out of the way: a) In the bible, there are numerous attempts at attempting to answer the pressing human question of why righteous/good people suffer. b) Other books in the bible that have attempted to answer that question specifically include: Job, Habakkuk, and the Psalms (although others including the gospels and much of the New Testament as well as the Prophets do so as well). c) In the early years of the Christ-following movement, personal tragedy, trials, and discouragements were a reality in life (as they are now as well). d) First century communities were filled with crime, filth, stench, crowds, confusion, high mortality rates, etc. history tells us. e) To say something extremely obvious but important how we feel about much of our lives today is echoed in the pages of Revelation we have a commonality of experience with the original audience of the book. The themes of Revelation ring true in our time. f) Revelation strikes terror and curiosity in the minds and hearts of people who adhere to the bible as the book of faith and Word of God. 3. Some specifics about the book of Revelation: a) The author of the book is John the apostle. b) The time of the writing of the book late first century A.D. (or, if you are academically hip, C.E.) c) From a Roman perspective, this was the time of Nero and Domitian as emperors of the Empire. They were, in some way, dedicated to the systematic destruction of the Christ movement. d) Like John s other writings, Revelation is personal, situational, and experiential. e) The book of Revelation was written from the island of Patmos off the southern coast of Turkey. It was known for being a Roman prison camp (rock quarries). Even slaves of the empire didn t want to go to the rock quarries that meant certain death. This could explain the symbolic nature of the book. f) It is important when reading the book of Revelation to let the TEXT do the preaching and to let the Spirit of God do the convincing in other words, lay down the baggage when coming into the book. 4. Some rules on biblical interpretation and study a) One author talks about Revelation is this way he compares it to a SYMPHONY with movements, chorales around central themes repeated in variations 1
b) The critical themes of the book include Hope, Power and Freedom. c) The message of Revelation is most powerfully felt by those who have or are suffering the most. d) Question of application what feelings of hopelessness have you ever dealt with in your life? What experiences surfaced or touched off that feeling? How did you deal with those feelings or experiences? 5. Uniqueness s of the book of Revelation a) Jesus name is only mentioned 8 times in the entire book compare that to 9 times in the book of Philemon. b) The book is both PROPHETIC and APOCALYPTIC. That is significant because it tells us the GENRE of biblical literature it is which is a key to interpretation of the text. Prophetic call of God, repentance and redemptive action/ conversion Apocalyptic focus on God, divine action in the midst of persecution c) It is important to keep in mind that we are NOT first century Jesus followers this is important in that it will be difficult to understand ALL the imagery in the book. Just like art and music and literature, it is an expression of a person s and people s perspective AT A SPECIFIC TIME. We might not grab all the intended meaning because we are NOT them and we do not live during their time. d) In the book of Revelation, John is attempting to describe the indescribable he is attempting to capture in earthly/finite terms heavenly /spiritual/infinite images and truths. e) The spiritual concept of MYSTERY is important here (1 Corinthians 13: 12) understanding MYSTERY isn t an excuse, it is a worldview/life stance. f) The importance of writing on scrolls of papyrus during this historical period also makes an impact on our overall understanding of the book. g) Big Message God is in control why Revelation is given to us we need to hear that God is in control because so often we feel just the opposite way. Revelation is a book of HOPE, POWER and FREEDOM! 6. Principles that will help you understand Revelation they are not necessarily rules but good interpretive parameters a) To understand Revelation you must learn how to recognize the use of metaphor and symbols don t fall into the temptation to get hung up on all sorts of stuff and fail to get to the real picture For example John 10:9 Jesus says I am the gate he doesn t mean he s literally a metal gate rather his life/resurrection are a path to God b) In Revelation there are primarily four kinds of images/symbols you have to ask self when you see them what did John mean when he used this? 1 Objects (e.g. 1:16) sword is this a gross picture is he saying when we Jesus there will be a blade between his lips? No in John s day the sword was a means of exercising authority/power Roman gladius. John s point - words have power We use symbols all the time like this ever hear somebody say, don t worry about that they are just shooting off their mouth or dodging verbal bullets, exploding in anger what John is saying is that Jesus has power and authority to back up what He says Jesus Word of God action and dynamic of God and God alone Point whose words will you allow to have power/authority in your life? No one but Jesus has power through and behind his words 2 Numbers literal often symbolic for example, 7 is a number of completion/perfection 2
Revelation 1:4 7 spirits most people believe that it represents the fullness of God, Trinitarian completeness, the HUGEness of God 12 - tribes/disciples, multiples, symbol of people of God 6 imperfection mark of the beast, that which is in opposition to Christ Forehead/hand comes from the OT/first testament/tanakh (by the way, over 500 verses in Revelation are from the OT) E.g. we do sometimes say, put on your thinking caps symbol of thoughtfulness Ex. 13:9 celebration of goodness of God feast of unleaven bread feast day that is a sign of their commitment to God sign on head (thinking/attitude) and sign on hand (power and action) Ex. 13:9 indicative Indication of those opposed to Jesus opposite of those mentioned in Exodus (thoughts and actions that are hostile to God) Hands that oppress the poor/serve self that s the mark of our life of evil - John is writing about that which dominates our lives and captures the passions of our hearts What is marking our lives? Jesus or evil? Minds? Hearts? What if that which marks our lives isn t of God? 3 Cosmic Events Global events e.g. Psalm 46:6 talking about unrest the earth melts not obviously/literally melting point is rulers think that they are in control but they are not God is We do the same thing that event shook my world They are originally intended to bring confidence to God s people God will have final say He ll act and world will turn upside down 4 Creatures a lot of different ones We do same thing political cartoons Revelation similar in some ways to political/editorial cartoons If you saw an elephant crying in a cartoon what would that mean? What do you have to know? What would the cartoonist be assuming? John uses creatures in the same way brilliant/creative communication like unfolding drama there is power in symbols Revelation 5:5 you have a hard time experiencing forgiveness? How about this Lion of Judah Jesus is power/majestic/strength, glory Next symbol lamb of God, Revelation 5:6 lamb as if slain we are the cause of his shed blood and it is comforting us that s what Jesus did for us symbol of Passover lamb who dies on behalf of others Chapter One - setting the stage The Contents of the Book broken down section by section Verse 3 - Urgency of the message of Revelation. When people are under fire in their lives, they are desperate for a message. Around every bend in the story of Revelation, people are challenged to make a decision: "Are you on the side of Jesus or the beast?" (decisional character of the literature of the bible, especially the New Testament Luke 1:1-4, John 20:30) 3
Verses 4-6 - The centrality of Jesus is all of life Verses 9 and following - John's vision of the resurrected Jesus...quite different from the gospels view of Jesus. These are some characteristics of the post-resurrected/ascended Jesus (note how this is different from the gospels description of Jesus except possibly for the Transfiguration story in Mark 9): Note also that Jesus is walking among the "lampstands". In other words, Jesus knows the church Vs. 9 Vs. 10 Vs. 13 Vs. 14 Vs. 15 Vs. 16 Vs. 17 Vs. 18 Vs. 20 Chapters Two and Three - the letters a) This section includes 7 letters to 7 churches in Asia Minor b) These letters come from Jesus Himself...remember, Jesus knows the church c) They speak to a specific audience. By reading the letters, you get a peek into the lives of the people of each church...kind of like reading somebody else's mail d) They speak to us...through the timelessness of the Word of God, these letters come to us as churches and individuals. e) The numbers 6, 7, 12 are very important in Revelation. Each carries enormous meaning both literally and symbolically. f) Jesus has an opinion about what's going on in each church. He is the "head" of the church. Jesus sees things from a different perspective than we do. We are tempted to compare ourselves to human models. Jesus compares us to how He sees our potential in Him. g) Each letter has a specific form: A statement of who Jesus is...maintaining His centrality An exhortation - pros and cons A promise - reward for faithfulness h) Decisional character - call to repentance, restating urgency Chapters 4 and 5 - the heart of the book a) Jesus is "sitting on the throne"...a position of power and authority and HOPE. Chapter 4:2-11 gives us a glimpse of the throne of God, what surrounds God's throne and who sits on the throne. b) This is done VERY intentionally. John is showing us who is in control of creation. God is in His heaven...worship is happening, beings of all types are acknowledging God's preeminence. In chapter 5, the Lamb of God takes the scroll, which is the testament of God's will for His creation, and He alone has the power and right to open it. Again, worship is the central point of this chapter which sets us up for the rest of the book. 4
Chapters 6-16 - The craziness of Revelation Chapter 6 - The seals that held together the scroll referred to above are opened. Each tells of the implications of sin making it final impact upon humanity. Sin brings death, spiritual confusion and wreaks havoc upon nature. Chapter 7 - An "interlude" in the action of Revelation. This is basically John's attempt to bring people an opportunity to make another decision about who is going to run their lives. 144,000 "faithful" are mentioned (vs. 4-8). They belong to God. Chapters 8-11. The Trumpets are sounded. This is God's intervention into human history. We anticipate the visitation of God. Each trumpet sounds and brings us closer and closer to God having the final victory. Chapter 10 - Another "interlude" in the action of the book. An angel picks up a smaller book and tells John to "eat" it. This is symbolic of the dual nature of proclaiming the Word and Truth of God. On the one hand, it is a privilege to share God's word. On the other hand, when you proclaim it, sometimes it isn't easy to hear and respond to. Chapter 11:1-2 - the image of the measuring rod. Another image that points to the decisional character of the book. Chapter 11:3-14 - the two witnesses. They are heralds of the end times. They have miraculous power, kingdom authority, the power of God's Word behind them and a very impressive prophetic ministry. The point - there is still a chance to come to the Lord. He is waiting (Revelation 3:20). Chapter 12 and 13 - the dragon and the two beasts - this is the great antithesis to the Holy Trinity. The Dragon is none other than the Devil. The first beast has to do with political power. The second beast has great religious power. Chapter 14 and 15 - another reiteration of God's victory in our lives and the centrality of Christ Chapter 16 - The bowls of wrath are poured out. Judgement upon the earth is intensifying. The End of the Story - Chapter 17-22 Chapter 18 - the fall of evil powers and institutions that align themselves with evil and rebellion against God. Chapter 19-22- God having the final say...the glimpse we get into heaven, God's final judgement of evil and God bringing creation to a newness and goodness that will last for eternity. The book ends with an urgency and an encouragement to decide for ourselves whether we will align ourselves with the Lamb or evil. 5