Revelation. (Apocalypse)

Transcription

1 1 Revelation (Apocalypse)

2 2 Introduction To Revelation

3 3 Introduction to Revelation I. The New International Version makes these points in its Introduction to Revelation: A. Revelation was written by the apostle John during his exile on the Isle of Patmos to give hope and encouragement to Christians who were suffering severe persecution because of their religious faith. B. Jesus Christ is presented by imagery and symbols as ruler over everyone and everything including the powerful human governments which were persecuting Christians. C. Jesus Christ will someday judge and punish evil including Satan himself. II. The New International Version outlines Revelation as follows: A. Christ reveals himself to John (1: 1-20) B. Letters to the seven churches (2:1-3:22) C. The Heavenly Thorne (4:1-5:14) D. The seven seals (6:1-8:5) E. The seven trumpets (8:6-11:19) F. The seven figures (12:1-14:20) G. The bowls of wrath (15:1-16:21) H. Babylon judged (17:1-19:10)

4 4 I. Beast and false prophet judged (19:11-21) J. Satan judged (20:1-3) K. Thousand year reign (20:4-6) L. Rebellion and final judgement (20:7-15) M. New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem (21:1-22:5) N. Conclusion (22:6-21) III. Revelation is a mystery which can, with diligent study, be understood. A. It reveals that justice will be achieved in the end. IV. Revelation makes three major points, viz., A. There are evil forces at work in the world. B. Jesus is Lord: he will judge all who oppose God. C. God has wonderful rewards, justice in store for his people. V. The Bible is composed of books of law, history, poetry as well as apocalyptic literature such as Daniel and Revelation. VI. Revelation was written around A.D when John the Apostle was advanced in age. A. He had been exiled on the Isle of Patmos during the persecution that arose under the Roman Emporer Domitian.

5 5 B. Patmos was an island located about 40 miles from the western coast of Asia Minor. C. Early Christians were constantly subjected to persecution from the Jews, heathens and the Roman government. VII. The Persecution under Domitian centered in Asia Minor (Turkey) as Jews had fled there following the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D VIII. Revelation was addressed to the seven churches of Asia Minor. A. To understand the meaning, we must consider what it meant to those to whom it was sent. IX. Figurative writing concealed Revelation s meaning from the Roman authorities while at the same time reassuring persecuted Christians. X. The New Testament Canon was finalized in A.D A. Revelation was one of the final books accepted into the New Testament. XI. Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 5:1-12: 1. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3. blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

6 6 5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. XII. Beatitudes of Revelation. A. Revelation 1:3, Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. B. Revelation 14:13, And I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on, Yes, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them. C. Revelation 16:15, Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame. D. Revelation 19:9, And he said to me, Write, Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the

7 7 Lamb! And he said to me, These are the true sayings of God. E. Revelation 10:6, Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years. F. Revelation 22:7, Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. G. Revelation 22:14, Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. XIII. Systems of Interpreting Revelation (from the Living Word Commentary, Abilene Christian University Press, J. W. Roberts and Everett Ferguson, Editor). I. The Preterist School. A. Preterists (meaning the past ) believe, except for events in Revelation associated with the second coming of Christ, that everything in Revelation was fulfilled during the lifetime of John or in the years immediately there after. B. The Preterists are divided into two groups referred to as Left Wing and Right Wing. 1. Left Wing Preterists hold that Revelation depicts severe upheavals that would come upon the unrighteous prior to the messianic age.

8 8 2. Right Wing Preterists hold that Revelation 6:1-16:21 refers to the age of the martyrs ending with the conversion of Constantine and the edit of Toleration in A.D II. The Futurist School. a. The symbolic events are not regarded as being consecutively presented events, but as a repetition of events presented under different symbols. b. The Right Wing Preterist view of Revelation 20 is a-millennial. c. The Right Wing Preterist view is the viewpoint taken in this Bible study outline. A. Roberts stated, This method of interpreting Revelation believes nothing in the book beyond the fourth chapter has yet been fulfilled or will be fulfilled until just before the coming of the Lord. B. Millenialists are of the Futurist School and consist of: 1. classical premillennialists 2. dispensationalists. III. The Continuous Historical or Chronological School. A. Revelation, in this view, is seen as a symbolic picture of the events of the church from Pentecost to the end of time. IV. The Philosophy of History School.

9 9 A. This view holds that Revelation does not refer to specific events at all but to the great principles of God s dealings with the church in history. Note: Much of the material under the heading, Systems of Interpreting Revelation, are verbatim quotes from J. W. Roberts, The Living Word Commentary, Abilene Christian College Press, and full credit is hereby gratefully given to that source. Rejoice, the Lord is King Rejoice, the Lord is King: Your Lord and King adore! Rejoice, give thanks and sing, And triumph ever more: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! Jesus, the Savior, reigns, The God of Truth and love; When he had purged our stains, He took his seat above: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! His kingdom cannot fail, He rules o er earth and heavn : The keys of death and hell Are to our Jesus given: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Lord and judge shall come And take his servants up to their eternal home: Lift up your heart, lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

10 10 Introduction to Revelation Questions 1. was written by the during his on the of to give and to who were because of their. 2. is presented by and as over and including the which were will someday and including himself. 3. How, into what fourteen categories, sections, topics does the NIV outline Revelation? Cite the corresponding scriptures.

11 11 4. Revelation makes three major points; viz., 5. What does apocalypse mean? 6. The is composed of books of,, as well as such as. 7. Revelation was written around A.D. - when John was in was an located about miles from the of. 8. John was exiled during the reign of the. writing concealed s meaning from the while at the same time. 9. List nine beatitudes (blessings) from Jesus Sermon on the Mount.

12 List seven beatitudes (blessings) from the book of Revelation. 11. What view does the Preterist School hold regarding the interpretation of Revelation? 12. Differentiate the Left Wing and Right Wing Preterist views. 13. What is the view of the Futurist School in regard to interpreting Revelation?

13 What is the Continuous Historical or Chronological view of Revelation? 15. What is the view of Revelation taken by the Philosophy of History School?