Revelation Coastland University Pastor Brett Peterson

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO REVELATION THE AUTHOR Four times in Revelation the writer calls himself John (1:1, 4, 9; 22:8) Ways John refers to himself –Servant of Jesus Christ (1:1) –Brother of the Christians in Asia Minor and a fellow sufferer in the tribulation (1:9) –Exiled to the isle of Patmos (1:9) –Saw and heard the things record in this book (22:8)

Uniqueness of Revelation “The canonical Revelation is unique in being ascribed not to a figure of the distant past, but to a contemporary member of the first-century church named John. The work is also unique in being the only surviving document by a Christian prophet, which was a common function or office in the early church.” (340)

Introduction to the Book of Revelation Date of Writing –Between AD –During the persecution of Domitian Author –John, “a prophet and servant of Jesus Christ” –Most agree this is the Apostle John. Evidence: Writer assumes audience will know he is an Apostle Identification of Jesus as “the word”

Introduction to Revelation (continued) Place of Writing –From the Island of Patmos Rugged island in the Aegean Sea 20 miles from Ephesus Rome use it as a place of exile for offenders/criminals Destination of the Letter –Written to the seven churches in Asian Province Each city mentioned a center of communication Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea

Purpose of Revelation Present Broad/Sweeping Portrait of Future Events Goal is to: –Strengthen the church –Promote endurance in the face of trials –Encourage suffering believers It is a clarification of all end time prophecy Desires to Instill Moral Earnestness Urges Readers to Obey the Words of the Prophecy

Genre of Revelation 3 Different Types of Literature –Apocalyptic Usually appeared in times of crisis Claim by the author to be passing on mysteries Mysterious, rapturous visions Use of symbols, parables, and allegories Concludes with the entrance of God’s kingdom –Prophecy—written to change moral actions and here to reveal Christ as King –Epistle/Letter Circulated to 7 churches in Asia Minor Opening address and closing salutation This book is written for the Church

4 Schools of Interpretation Preterist –Revelation relates to the time it was written –Describes struggle between Church and Rome –Strength=Revelation relevant to the early church –Limitation=no significant message beyond 1 st century Historicist –A continuous chronicle of church history –Symbols represent different events in history –Strength=strong emphasis on sovereignty of God –Limitation=leaves room for multiple interpretations

4 Schools of Interpretation (continued) Futurist –Bulk of Revelation deals with the future action of God in history –It’s focus is on events leading to Christ’s return, kingdom, final judgment, eternal state –Strength=emphasis on God’s progressive activity –Limitation=None Idealist/Spiritual –Revelation paints picture of struggle between good/evil –God is strengthening the church with hope of victory –Strength=some appropriate uses of symbols in Revelation –Limitation=skeptical attitude toward predictive prophecy

Millennial Perspectives on Revelation Premillenial –Christ will return before the millennium Pre-tribulation/Pre-millennial –Christ will rapture the church before 7 year tribulation –After the tribulation, Christ begins 1,000 year reign »Before reign begins, Satan is defeated at Armageddon »Christ established his earthly kingdom/rules for 1,000 years »Christ and His people then enter eternity –Mid-Tribulation/Pre-millennial »Christ raptures the church at mid-point of tribulation -Pre-Wrath Church ruptured prior to the wrath –Post-Tribulation/Pre-millennial »Christ will meet the church in the air after the tribulation »Millennium begins with Christ’s & church’s descent

Millennial Perspectives on Revelation (continued) Post-Millennial –The return of Christ will occur at the conclusion of the millennium –Return occurs at the close of a lengthy period of human progress Amillennial –1,000 year is a symbol of Christ’s present spiritual kingship at the right hand of God –Millennium is this present period Gospel can spread freely Church can influence history by bringing people to faith

1. Preterist - limit the historical references to the 1 st century & the struggle b/t the church and the Roman gov’t. A. Strength: Rev. is relevant to life of early church. B. Weakness: Unable to find significant message beyond 1 st century. Not substantiated with scripture.

2. Historicist - a continuous chronicle of church history from apostolic times until Christ’s return. Seals, trumpets and bowls are different events in history. A. Strength: Sovereignty of God. B. Weakness: Widespread interpretations linking Rev. to world events. All of these views leaves Revelation up to man’s own interpretation. 2Pe 1:20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation,

3. Futurist - bulk of Rev. (4-22) content refers to the future action of God in history: Christ’s return, establishment of kingdom, final judgment & eternal state. A. Strength: progressive activity of God in world history. B. Weakness: None

4. Idealist - (spiritual) omits reference to time since the reference is to a continuous struggle b/t good and evil in the church and the history of the world. God is strengthening the church with a promise of ultimate victory. A. Strength: recognizes symbols. B. Weakness: skepticism toward predictive prophecy, failed perspective of the actions of God in history.

Revelation – An Introduction Interpretation: the four views

Review Interpretation: the four views –Idealism – no historical or predictive value; symbolic struggle between good and evil

Revelation – An Introduction Interpretation: the four views –Idealism – no historical or predictive value; symbolic struggle between good and evil –Preterism – No predictive value. Depiction of the struggle of Christianity against Roman persecution

Revelation – An Introduction Interpretation: the four views –Idealism – no historical or predictive value; symbolic struggle between good and evil –Preterism – No predictive value. Depiction of the struggle of Christianity against Roman persecution –Historicism – symbolic pre-narration of church history. Antichrist = Pope; “locusts” = Islamic invaders, etc. No value now

Revelation – An Introduction Interpretation: the four views –Idealism – no historical or predictive value; symbolic struggle between good and evil –Preterism – No predictive value. Depiction of the struggle of Christianity against Roman persecution –Historicism – symbolic pre-narration of church history. Antichrist = Pope; “locusts” = Islamic invaders, etc. –Futurism – describes a future and chaotic time called the “Tribulation” - in scripture it is only referred to as the 70 th week of Daniel

Revelation – An Introduction Interpretation: the four views –Idealism – no historical or predictive value; symbolic struggle between good and evil –Preterism – No predictive value. Depiction of the struggle of Christianity against Roman persecution –Historicism – symbolic pre-narration of church history. Antichrist = Pope; “locusts” = Islamic invaders, etc. –Futurism – describes a future and chaotic time called the “Tribulation” And a fifth – Historical

Revelation – An Introduction And a fifth – Historical Combines preterist and futurist –Like much of Old Testament prophecy, Revelation then has a dual meaning –This is known as ‘double fulfillment’

Revelation – An Introduction The Millennial Question

Revelation – An Introduction The Millennial Question Millennium = 1000 years. Reference in Revelation 20 to the future time when Christ will rule on earth.

Revelation – An Introduction The Millennial Question Millennium = 1000 years. Reference in Revelation 20 to the future time when Christ will rule on earth. The various views deal with the interpretation of the term “millennium”

Revelation – An Introduction The Millennial Question –Pre-Millennial View: Christ will return before the millennium and will reign 1,000 years. A literal interpretation of the term. This includes all Bible based Eschatologies, including pre-trib, mid-trib, pre-wrath, and post- trib.

Revelation – An Introduction Pre-millennial Events include: –Rapture of the church –Judgment seat for believers –Israel rebuilding their temple under the antichrist’s rule

Revelation – An Introduction Pre-millennial Events include: –Rapture of the church –Judgment seat for believers –Israel rebuilds the temple under antichrist’s rule –The 70 th week of Daniel –Open return of Christ –Battle of Armageddon –1000 year reign of Christ –Final judgment –New Jerusalem

Revelation – An Introduction The Millennial Question –Pre-Millennial View: Christ will return before the millennium and will reign 1,000 years. A literal interpretation of the term. –The Dispensational Pre-Millennial View (started ‘pre-trib’) More rigid view originated by J.N. Darby around Divides history into seven dispensations.

Revelation – An Introduction The Dispensations [1] Age of innocence – Garden of Eden

Revelation – An Introduction The Dispensations [1] Age of innocence – Garden of Eden [2] Age of conscience – after expulsion

Revelation – An Introduction The Dispensations [1] Age of innocence – Garden of Eden [2] Age of conscience – after expulsion [3] Age of human government – covenant with Noah

Revelation – An Introduction The Dispensations [1] Age of innocence – Garden of Eden [2] Age of conscience – after expulsion [3] Age of human government – covenant with Noah [4] Age of promise – covenant with Abraham

Revelation – An Introduction The Dispensations [1] Age of innocence – Garden of Eden [2] Age of conscience – after expulsion [3] Age of human government – covenant with Noah [4] Age of promise – covenant with Abraham [5] Age of law – covenant with Moses

Revelation – An Introduction The Dispensations [1] Age of innocence – Garden of Eden [2] Age of conscience – after expulsion [3] Age of human government – covenant with Noah [4] Age of promise – covenant with Abraham [5] Age of law – covenant with Moses [6] Age of grace – the church age

Revelation – An Introduction The Dispensations [1] Age of innocence – Garden of Eden [2] Age of conscience – after expulsion [3] Age of human government – covenant with Noah [4] Age of promise – covenant with Abraham [5] Age of law – covenant with Moses [6] Age of grace – the church age [7] Millennial reign of Christ

Revelation – An Introduction The Dispensations [1] Age of innocence – Garden of Eden [2] Age of conscience – after expulsion [3] Age of human government – covenant with Noah [4] Age of promise – covenant with Abraham [5] Age of law – covenant with Moses [6] Age of grace – the church age [7] Millennial reign of Christ

Revelation – An Introduction The Dispensations [1] Age of innocence – Garden of Eden [2] Age of conscience – after expulsion [3] Age of human government – covenant with Noah [4] Age of promise – covenant with Abraham [5] Age of law – covenant with Moses [6] Age of grace – the church age [7] Millennial reign of Christ Dispensationalists believe we are in the last part of the age of grace. It is broken into seven sub-periods, each represented by one of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. We are in the “Laodicean” age – the last of the seven churches.

Revelation – An Introduction The Millennial Question –Pre-Millennial View Christ will return before the millennium and will reign 1,000 years. A literal interpretation of the term. –The Dispensational Pre-Millennial View More rigid view originated by J.N. Darby around Divides history into seven dispensations. –The Amillennial View There is no literal or figurative millennium. A more accurate concept would be that we are experiencing the “millennium” now – the period between the 1 st and 2 nd advents of Christ. Things would get better and better, much like the next view…

Revelation – An Introduction The Millennial Question –Pre-Millennial View –The Dispensational Pre-Millennial View –The Amillennial View –The Post-Millennial View The now obsolete view that the world is getting better and better – the “figurative” millennium we’re presently living in. When it reaches a certain point, Christ will return. A view popular from the industrial revolution to the world wars of the 20 th century

Preterist View The preterist view regards Revelation as a symbolic picture of early church conflicts which have already been fulfilled. This view denies the future predictive quality of most of the Book of Revelation.

Our Stance We will let the text speak for itself. This is an interactive class – I encourage questions, comments, and interaction.