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The Apocalypse Revealing Our Relationship with Christ Copyright © 2003 by M. W. Andrews; all rights reserved. This material may be used and distributed freely as long Last revision: 6 July 2003 |
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Lesson |
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Scripture |
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Why Study This Book? |
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The Character of Christ |
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Faithfulness without Concessions |
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Faithfulness without Conceit |
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Sovereignty |
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Love in the Midst of Suffering |
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Judgment rather than Redemption |
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Redemption rather than Judgment |
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The Church and the World (1) |
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The Church and the World (1) |
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The Fall of Babylon |
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The Victory of Christ |
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God is Always Present |
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Indexes |
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Click on any lesson number or Scripture passage to go to that lesson.
First we are introduced to a vision of Jesus, transformed in His heavenly glory. His appearance is similar to what was described by some of the Old Testament prophets (especially Daniel), and it visually links Jesus with God Almighty. Before we complete even the first chapter of Revelation, we confront the Redeemer, the Firstborn of the dead, the Ruler of the kings of the earth, and surely it makes a vivid impression.
Next we are led into seven Asian congregations. As though we were participating in a Charles Dickens novel, we are shown their works and their endurance, but also their compromise and apathy. It is a stark contrast with the vision of Christ. Each church is given a promise for those who overcome the world's temptations, and it is against this backdrop that the drama in the remainder of the book unfolds. Our eyes can only see to the depth of chapters 2-3 (the condition of the churches), so Jesus helps us see the more serious spiritual conflict through a series of images.
The first spiritual reality which we are shown is God's heavenly throne room, where the Father gives Jesus a weighty assignment involving judgment. A terrifying onslaught of suffering is unleashed as 7 seals are opened, followed by 7 trumpets of wrath and woe, and finally 7 plagues. In the midst of it all, the church is preserved against destruction, but it is not spared from persecution. In fact, it appears that the church is overcome by the world. But just as Israel was delivered out of the oppressive hand of Egypt, so is the church delivered and protected.
John describes visions of terrible, powerful beasts and a proud harlot-city which threaten the saints, but the conflict is really between God and Satan. The climax is reached with the joyous victory of the King of kings and Lord of lords. A great city which is reminiscent of Babylon falls under its own wickedness and idolatry, but the Holy City of God emerges from the clouds in glorious splendor. … But that's not all. Once the harlot is removed, we can see the bride, and there's a wedding taking place – between Christ and the church. God prepares His people through suffering for an intimate relationship.
The Lord makes His people victorious so that they can share His glory.
Explanation of
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Joshua
1:1-9 Red text Blue text Various symbols (some of these
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There is an abundance of questions and information provided in this study guide – more, in fact, than will fit in typical class periods. The purpose of this “excess” is to provide the teacher with options that best suit the needs and direction of the class. The teacher can trim the material to correspond with the desired length of the class and the interests of the group. Since the colored text helps identify elements that lead to the main themes, the colors can be used as a guide for what to include. Scriptures along the left margin should be read in class before proceeding with the questions and comments. Parentheses indicate that the reading is optional. Major points to emphasize A portion of the questions that emphasize the main themes. These could be distributed before class to help class members prepare their thoughts. [1] Endnote reference; click on the number to see the reference. Ñ “Key” point of explanation or interpretation s Question to ask your discussion group; possible answers or considerations sometimes follow in a list below the question. © Application question – useful for going deeper into each person’s walk with Christ. ( Quote that helps amplify the point or help class members think about it. @ Historical reference. ¯ Hymn that emphasizes the theme of the lesson. If your PC is equipped with a MIDI-compatible sound card, clicking on the title will play the tune. þ Relevant map with link to click on. ¥ Text slide. ™ Relevant art work with link to click on. A box with an arrow points to a question (and possible answers) that could be listed on a flipchart or similar tool. This format encourages class members to share more of their thoughts about the question. |
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¯ He Lives #346 (SFP = “Songs of Faith and Praise”) ¯ Because He Lives #464 (SFP) |
Why Study This Book?
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Ñ No one can “teach” you the book of Revelation. It is a book which requires involvement and engagement from whoever studies it. Its purpose is to comfort, encourage, and motivate Christians, and you cannot be spoon-feed those results. What should matter to each student is not what this book says to the teacher, but what it says to you as a student. Studies of this book often get lost in the details, but this series is intended to stay focused more on application than on exegesis. However, it is still easy to get lost, so there is a brief overview included at the beginning. An excellent resource for this study is Breaking the Code, by Bruce Metzger, and it will be referred to often. |
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s When do people get most interested in Revelation? Why? s
Does everyone in the world use the same calendar? Western (Julian) = 2000 Hebrew = 5760/5761 Islamic = 1420/1421 Chinese = 4698 (year of the dragon) Old Roman = 2753 Coptic = 1716 Buddhist = 2544 @ There may have actually been very little concern about arrival of the year 1000 – the reports of terrors have been widely disputed. The first recorded instance of a new century being celebrated in the Christian calendar was in 1300. The last decade of the nineteenth century exhibited an unprecedented level of interest. And the rapid increases in technology in the final decades of the twentieth century created a fear that the beasts of Revelation might dwell in the computers that control many day-to-day activities! In fact, you can go to the internet and find all kinds of advice – like a “rapture index” that measures the probability of the end by counting up various events in the world. [1] |
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Rev 1:1-20 |
What is an “Apocalypse”? Ñ The Greek title for the book of Revelation is “apokalupsis,” which means “a revealing” or “an unveiling”. It was not intended to conceal its message like a puzzle or mystery waiting to be deciphered, but its purpose was to enlighten and to offer its readers a new awareness. [2] |
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s Why would God give a message that reveals rather than one that conceals? s Do you know where to find other writings which are similar to Revelation? - Portions of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah (Zech 14:3-9), Isaiah, and Joel exhibit this style – see also Matt 24:29-31. - Some non-Biblical books which were written during similar times or circumstances include the book of Enoch, the Apocalypse of Baruch, the Fourth Book of Ezra, the Ascension of Isaiah, the Apocalypse of Zephaniah, the Apocalypse of Peter, the Apocalypse of Paul, Shepherd of Hermas, and parts of the Sibylline Oracles. For an example, read 1 Enoch 40. [3] Ñ There are several characteristics of this type of literature: - Visions and revelations given to the author in ecstasies or dreams. - Symbols which represent the nature of events, people, and principles: specific numbers (e.g., 3, 4, 7, 10, and 12) or specific features (e.g., crowns, heads, horns) or types of animals (e.g., locusts, horses, frogs, beasts) provide descriptive detail. A good example of symbolism is found in Rev 1:4, where the Father is described in terms of His eternal nature and the Holy Spirit is described as “seven spirits”. We are not to interpret this as seven distinct spirits, but rather as the Spirit who exhibits the essence of what “seven” represents: completeness, perfection, and godliness. - A terrible struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil – the conflict culminates in the final judgment between the powers of God and Satan. - Predictions about the end of time or the end of the age, when evil is judged and righteousness triumphs. - An historical context in which there is oppression and persecution, generating an expression of longing for justice and victory. - A dramatic (almost theatrical) element which appeals to our senses and imagination -
A characteristic not shared with Revelation: Pseudonymity ( “The mode of expression is not to be confused with the message it conveys.” [5] |
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Ñ There are about 250 different Old Testament passages quoted in Revelation, especially from Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah. There were periods in the Old Testament in which the circumstances were similar to the time when Revelation was written, so borrowing some of the images and terminology from those earlier times provided insights for Jewish readers into the reality of the first century situation. |
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Why did God give us such a difficult book? s Christ could have shown John a photo of Rome with its buildings and people, but He chose to present an image of a beast and an image of a harlot. Which is more real and more valuable to the reader? ( “To read Jewish and Christian apocalypses is to enter a vivid and often confusing world of bright colors, strange animals, bizarre enumerations, and often striking images and characters of heaven and earth.” [6] |
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Ñ Revelation is written as a different type of literature. Just as we know not to confuse poetry with documentary, so we should not confuse “apocalyptic” literature with historical literature. Its style uses imagery to convey a message – sort of like an editorial cartoonist might depict people as animals in order to make a point. It is more like an abstract painting than like a photograph. [7] An image which was familiar could convey a whole context. Ñ The purpose of the book is to help us see that God is at work and He is triumphant, no matter what appearances around us suggest. This conflict between visible events and invisible realities would be difficult to explain in any fashion, and pictures often succeed where words fail to convey the message. Therefore, the strange imagery of Revelation may in fact be the easiest for us to understand. Ñ “The apocalyptic writers were only too well aware that to describe the supernatural in words required more than formal prose; it required rather the imagery, the symbolism and the language of poetry.” [8] Ñ The book was written in dangerous times.[9] Christians were being persecuted and it was going to get worse! The message needed to be communicated in a way that the Christians would understand but that the Romans would not, thereby protecting both the writer and the readers from being accused of treason or disloyalty. Ñ Another reason that this book is uncomfortable is that its message causes us to confront the foundation of our faith. Although it does little to explain our relationship with God, it does bring us into the presence of the Almighty and our beliefs about Him. In this way, Revelation is an extremely valuable complement to the theology of Paul and the biographies of the Gospels. While Romans guides us through an understanding of the principles of the faith, Revelation presents us with the choices and consequences inherent to a living faith. Romans teaches us the principles of life; Revelation confronts us with the principles of life. s What are some ways in which Revelation confronts the reader? |
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Who benefits from such a book? Ñ Notice that John was given this message while he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” (Rev.1:10). John was worshipful and receptive to hearing what the Lord wanted His people to hear – and this was in spite of the fact that he was exiled on the lonely island of Patmos because of his faith. John was “in Patmos” and yet he was “in the Spirit.” John himself exemplifies the basic struggle between the trials of this life and the glory in Christ. Do we have such an attitude, and can we also say that we were “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day”? Perhaps this book will encourage us to be more open to the Lord for strength in our times of struggle. s According to 1:4, who were the recipients of this book? - The book was written to “the seven churches in the province of Asia” (1:4). The specific congregations addressed in the book seem to be located on a circuit which would be traversed by someone delivering the book throughout Asia Minor, and they may have served as centers for communication with their surrounding districts. [10] All readers are encouraged to learn from the seven letters (“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”), and there is no indication that they were ever separated from the book as a whole.[11] We have seven object lessons to teach us about the consequences of our own behavior. - In a.d.170, only about 80 years after the book was written, a list of New Testament canonical books (Muratorian Canon) included this note: “For John also, though he wrote in the Revelation to seven churches, nevertheless speaks to them all.” [12] þ Click here for a map: Asia Minor and the seven churches |
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Ñ We are told that the purpose of Revelation is to show “what must soon take place” (1:1). That means that the message was particularly important to the first-century Christians. John makes this quite clear by including no less than eleven instances of Jesus stating that the time of His coming is near.[13] In Rev.1:7, the action is in the “progressive present” tense, indicating that this “coming” is an activity which is already underway.[14] Christianity had been regarded for several decades as part of the legalized Jewish religion, but as the Roman government began to perceive their separateness, the Christians found themselves in a difficult situation and were exposed to severe persecution. Understanding some aspects of the first-century context will help us apply the message to our own situations. ( “[Revelation] speaks with complete assurance of Christ’s triumph in the very midst of the struggle. It addresses to real people in real life situations a word from God, which is understood best perhaps by those who themselves have passed through the fiery trial.” [15] |
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s How could following Matt.5:14-16 cause difficulties for the early Christians? s What are some ways in which this book has been interpreted? Ñ There are several perspectives which readers bring to their understanding of the timeframe intended for the events in this book: 1. Revelation describes judgments upon the Jews (occurring in a.d.70) for persecuting the Christians. Those who hold this view usually equate the fall of “Babylon” (which is the name of the “harlot” in 17:5) with the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d.70. However, the beast upon which the “harlot” rides is generally considered to refer to some aspect of Imperial Rome (“seven hills” – 17:9), and it is not clear that Jerusalem (or the Jews) and Rome ever had such an interdependent relationship. Also, this interpretation would mean that the book was written prior to a.d.70, and the condition of the churches seems too advanced for such a date. [16] 2. Revelation describes judgments upon the Romans (occurring after a.d.90) for persecuting the Christians. This perspective best fits the traditional view of when the book was written. However, we know from history that the fall of the Roman Empire was not swift and momentous, so the visions in this book must either be figurative or else they apply to specific aspects of the empire (such as the emperor and his demands). |
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Summary of persecutions: [17] L Caligula (c.41) – some religious persecution L Claudius (c.52) – drove the Christians from Rome because of their conflict with the Jews L Nero (c.64-68) – intense persecution in Rome to blame the Christians for burning the city L Vespasian (c.69-79) – very little L Domitian (c.81-96) – persecuted Christians in order to enforce emperor worship |
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3. The judgments are upon a future power for persecuting the Christians. Those who assume that the events in this book are only associated with the final advent of Christ must interpret the book as a depiction of future events. This approach often stimulates wild speculation about dates in order to find some meaning and application in the book. Others interpret the book as projecting a panorama of historical events, but the end is usually predicted to be in the commentator’s own lifetime. |
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Ñ The perspective that will be presented here is that the Roman Empire is to be judged for mandating that Christians compromise their faith. However, the visions are presented in a way that suggests both an imminent fulfillment (after a.d.90) and a later (more complete) fulfillment. Our approach to Revelation is much like Jesus’ explanation of future events in Matt 24. First must come the near-term, impending judgment. Then sometime later there will be a comprehensive fulfillment which accompanies the end of the age. |
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Ñ Finally, there are blessings promised to us! There is a promise to anyone who reads this book (1:3) and a promise to those who obey its message (22:7). There are also 5 others: J 14:13 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; they can rest, and their deeds will follow them J 16:15 Blessed is he who is awake and ready for the battle J 19:9 Blessed are those who are invited to the Lamb’s wedding feast J 20:6 Blessed are those who participate in the first resurrection; they are exempt from the second death J 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes; they have access to the tree of life and the city s Do you think it’s possible to understand this book? - Remember that this is a “revealing,” so if we’re missing the meaning, we need to back up and let God reveal it. |
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( “As one reads Revelation let him imagine himself seated in a great theater on Patmos watching a pageant of truth and error in deadly conflict, with God directing and Christ leading the forces of truth and right while the devil champions the cause of falsehood and sin. As scene follows scene, the reader must not become bogged down in efforts to interpret and apply stage settings and incidentals to the point of missing the overall theme and lesson of the book. He must watch, listen, and strive to learn what God, the author of the script, is revealing in His spectacular drama of the ages. … To the mind prepared by the rest of the Bible for reality in picture and action, impressions of truth will be made that give strength for victory in every conflict of life.” [18] |
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ÿ Christ gave John a vivid picture-book to reveal things that are difficult to explain in words alone. ÿ The book brings us into the presence of the Almighty and our beliefs about Him. |
