saraph serpents TUESDAYS WITH THE BIBLE The Book of Revelation (to John) The Apocalypse Class 2 May 6,2014 OPENING PRAYER Rev 5:9,10,12b,13b Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slain with your blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth 1
OPENING PRAYER Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches wisdom and strength honor and glory and blessing To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might forever and ever. THE BOOK OF REVELATION Schedule for Class April 29 - Introductory Class May 6 - Chapters 1:1-5:14 May 13 - No Class (Clergy Institute) May 20 - Chapters 6:1-16:21 May 27 - Chapters 17:1-21:21 2
THE BOOK OF REVELATION Review Material Covered to Date Historical Context The Author of the book Genre of the book Use of symbolism Contemporary ways this book has been read by Christians Major themes in the book The Outline of the book THE BOOK OF REVELATION OUTLINE OF THE BOOK I. Prologue (1:1-3) II. Letters to the Churches of Asia (1:4-3:22) III.God and the Lamb in Heaven (4:1-5:14) IV. The Seven Seals, Trumpets, and Plagues with Interludes (6:1-16:21) A. The Seven Seals (6:1-8:5) B. The Seven Trumpets (8:6-11:19) C. The woman and the Dragon (12) D. The Two Beasts (13) E. Salvation and Judgment (14) F. The Last Plagues (15-16) V. The Punishment of Babylon and the Destruction of Pagan Nations (17:1-20:15) VI. The New Creation (21:1-22:5) VII. Epilogue (21:6-21) 3
THE BOOK OF REVELATION VISIONS John speaks of his own suffering, persecution, exiled to Patmos. The Vision John was caught up in a vision On the Lord s Day = Sunday He heard a voice that told him to write Send what he saw to the 7 churches The description of the vision is similar to Daniel s and Ezekiel s vision of God on the throne - He says he is Jesus, the one dead who is now alive Rev. 1:12-16 THE BOOK OF REVELATION VISIONS Symbols Ankle length robe - priest Eyes - peer of will, judgment; intellect Feet and hands - power to act Sharp two edge sward from mouthwords of judgment Rev. 1:12-16 4
THE BOOK OF REVELATION VISIONS The vision explains The 7 stars in his hand are the guarding spirits of the 7 Churches The 7 lamp stands are the 7 Churches Meaning Jesus continues to walk among the Churches (Lamp stands) He is the guardian of the Churches (Stars) Rev. 1:12-16 FORM OF THE ALL THE LETTERS To the angel of the church in write this: (description of Jesus) says this: I know (Message of consolation) yet I hold this against you: (Accusation = problems in the church of his day) To the victor I will give (Rewards of the faithful) Whoever has ears ought to hear what the spirit says to the Churches 5
GROUPS OF PEOPLE JOHN DENOUNCES Nicolaitans (Nic-o-LAY-i-tans) - heretics, unknown for sure, some state that teachings are similar to Balaam Balaam - (Num 31:16) the man who enticed the Israelites into idolatry and licentiousness Balak - a king of Moab described in the Book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible for his dealings with Balaam. Balak tries to hire Balaam for the purpose of cursing Israel (Numbers 22:1-5). Jezebel - A Nicolaitan, rival to John who deceives. Named after the Canaanite wife of King Ahab who attempted to lead Israel into idolatry by introduction of the cult of Baal. - Now referred to as a false prophet and the name is anathema to the Israelites. READING FOR UNDERSTANDING Each Church will hear a verdict based on John s knowledge of the community. He is not speaking to abstract Churches This knowledge is both external and spiritual Message is crucial for understanding Revelation Message of hope to a people who falter Encouragement There has never been a perfect Christian community Christians have been faith and heroic Christians have been frail and vacillating 6
THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS Western coast of Asia Minor Important commercial, cultural and religious center of the Roman Empire One of the largest cities in the province Many think this was the mother church of the area Paul visited here and wrote a letter to the church Significant amount of Christians and Jews Praises the Church for their endurance and ability to find false teachers Warns them that their initial love is fading now. They may right teaching but do not have love They must reform their ways The victor will eat of the tree of life, reference to Genesis, contrast to sacred tree of Artemis (Greek goddess of the forest) They have removed impostors to the faith but have lost the love they had THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA North of Ephesus Important commercial city First in the province to build a temple to the goddess Roma Built a temple to Tiberius, emperor cult Conflict in the city between rich and poor, Christians and non-christian, government authorities and Roman authorities Jews were free to practice / Christians coming more from Gentiles were being rejected by the Jews / Claim to be Jews but are members of Satan The Christians are rich in God even as they may be poor Do not fear suffering Stand firm in persecution Martyrdom may come their way Eternal life will be for the faithful - Not be harmed by the second death Do not fear, persecution will not last and those who stand firm will be rewarded 7
THE CHURCH AT PERGAMUM Important center for learning, largest libraries in the world Center of the arts, school of sculpture Silver mines, textiles and parchment First to build temple to Augustus John reminds them that they live in the city of Satan. Nicolaitans are among them enticing them to idol worship, not outside the Church but within the Church. They stand firm in the face of persecution They have accommodated their faith to the demands of the culture The victor will be given manna (Exodus) white amulet (small stone protection from evil and harm) New name is a new destiny or new way of life Two edge sword in my mouth = judgment Those among the Christians are promoting idol worship - internal evil, false teaching THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA Known for the making of wool Lydia, from Acts, was from here Association with pagans for livelihood They are praised for their love, faith, service and endurance They are scolded for the influence of the prophetess (Nicolaitan) This prophetess lures them into idolatry The victors will have authority over the nations, Not sure of the meaning of the Morning Star To what extent might Christians conform to the prevailing culture for the sake of economic survival or social acceptance? NONE for John 8
THE CHURCH AT SARDIS Very little is known of Sardis There was a large Jewish community By the 2nd Century, many Christians were persecuted John is very disappointed with this community They may have a reputation for being good, but are actually dead Only a few in Sardis are worthy and alive in Christ Wake up and repent May look good but have very little faith, half-hearted living of Christianity ( tan or beige ) THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA Center of agriculture Leather and textile Their god - Dionysius, god of wine Note: no condemnation written. Only words of comfort Key of David will be granted to them, faith in the Messiah Open door no one can close - Doors of synagogues Promise that they will be open one day Limited strength now - very little power Assembly of Satan - Jews who rejected Christianity. Opposition came from the Jews God will vindicate the suffering and make the wicked see the error of their ways 9
THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA Manufacturing of clothing and rugs Medical school for eyes Major banking center Wealthy center Note: no praise in this letter I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything - Comfortable in their riches they are disgustingly lukewarm in their faith You do not realize you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked - They have deluded themselves into thinking they are among the spiritual elite Take from John spiritual gold refined, white garments and ointment for eyes Message of hope - the victor will sit with Christ on the throne 10
SYMBOLS FOR THE FOUR GOSPELS Lion = Mark Ox = Luke Man = Matthew Eagle = John Message from the vision God is, always was and will always be. He is all powerful and king over all 11
The scroll with seven seals The angels asks is there is one worthy to break the seals. They found no one worthy except the Lion of the Tribe of Judah Jesus (the lion of the tribe of Judah) because of his triumph is able to open the scroll Marks of having been slain Is alive 7 horns (power) 7 eyes (Knowledge) Symbolic - Jesus 12
HYMNS OF PRAISE SUNG IN HEAVEN Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slain with your blood you purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth When Jesus takes the scroll from the one on the throne, the 4 watchers and the 24 elders sang this hymn. The elders had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones, those who are faithful on earth. Our prayers are before the throne through the elders. HYMNS OF PRAISE SUNG IN HEAVEN Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches wisdom and strength honor and glory and blessing Continue to praise Jesus Voices of angels who surround the throne joined the elders and the watchers 13
HYMNS OF PRAISE SUNG IN HEAVEN To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might forever and ever. Move from praising Jesus to praising the one who sits on the throne The Father Now it is the elders, the watchers, the angels and every creation in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe cry out. This is a number too great to count. PRAISE AND ADORATION TO GOD THE SEVEN SEALS THE SEVEN TRUMPETS THE SEVEN BOWLS 14
THE FIRST 4 SEALS THE SEVEN SEALS 1 st Seal White horse Rider with a bow Victorious Parthians who were skilled with the bow and enemies of the Romans 15
THE SEVEN SEALS 2 nd Seal Red Horse Take away peace People killing each other Bloodshed Strife that follows war THE SEVEN SEALS 3 rd Seal Black horse with scale in his hand Famine Ration of wheat costs a day s pay. Strife that follows war 16
THE SEVEN SEALS 4 th Seal Pale green horse, the rider was named Death Consequence of war is death ¼ of the earth dies THE SEVEN SEALS 5 th Seal Martyrs given a white robe (victory) Seeking justice They were told to be patient as they await those who will join them 17
THE SEVEN SEALS 6 th Seal Earthquakes, sun turning black, Moon becoming red, Stars falling from the sky It will affect everyone Fear the wrath of the Lamb THE 144,000 SEALED The four angles are told to hold back the destruction until the 144,000 are sealed Greco-Roman world, people were sealed as a sign of ownership 18
THE 144,000 SEALED 12,000 from th e 12 tribes 12 = Fullness or perfection 1,000 = to muc h to count ohn is not seeing a small crowd but a massive crowd too big to co Those with the seal are saved from the tribulation THE 144,000 SEALED NOW THE ELECT Massive crowd from every nati on white robes palm branches praising God They have survived the great tribulati on This is the same crowd of the 144,000 after the tribulation Message of hope God will protect those who remain faithful 19
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