Revelations

The Book of Revelations  Apocalyptic Literature-talks about the end of time  Written by The Apostle John  Written on the Island of Patmos  Written in symbolic code to hide its meaning from Roman officials  Most debated Biblical book of all time  Main Theme “Good will always conquer evil at the end”

The Seven Churches of Revelations  First part of Revelations is specific messages to churches located in Asia Minor  Ephesus- “First Love”  Smyrna- “ Persecution”  Pergamum- “Adversity”

The Seven Churches of Revelations  Thyatria- “Endurance”  Sardis- “Repent”  Philadelphia- “The Key”  Laodicea- “Lukewarm”

Three Ways to Interpret Revelations  Past History- Most of the events in Revelations happened during the time of the Roman Empire  Future History- Most of the events in Revelations will occur in the future  Continuous History-Revelations describes a pattern that repeats throughout history

Famous Signs  The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse – describes some of the great disasters that people face (war, bloodshed, famine, death)

Famous Signs  The Woman and the Dragon- represents the church and the devil  “Antichrist”- someone who denies the divinity of Jesus  The word Antichrist is not found in Revelations (Only found in 1st & 2nd John)  The Two Beasts- the devil and/or antichrist  Mark of the Beast (666)- represents the antichrist or his movement in most views of Revelations Historical says it represents Nero Caesar

Famous Signs  Whore of Babylon- John’s vision of a woman who seduces many kings and people of the earth (may represent a nation that will take over the world without using military force)  Armageddon- the final battle of good and evil (spiritual or physical?????????????)

The Return of Christ  The Millennium Reign- the idea that Christ will reign on earth as king for 1000 years  Some believe that this is only a symbolic event  The final Judgment  The wicked will burn forever in a lake of fire

New Jerusalem  John’s name for heaven  John described a huge city with streets of gold and crystal fountains  No night (God is the light)  No death and no pain

Revelations and Its Cultural Impact  Left Behind series of books  Movies like The Omen, Apocalypse Now and End of Days  TV shows like Charm, Angel, and Reaper

Notes Quiz 1. Where was Revelations written? 2. Why was Revelations written in symbolic code? 3. Which of the seven churches of Asia was called lukewarm? 4. Describe the three ways people interpret Revelations? (name and definition) 5. What are the four things represented by the Four Horsemen? 6. What it the definition of antichrist? 7. True or False: The word antichrist is found in Revelations. 8. What name do some believe the Mark of the Beast represents? 9. Which symbol represents the final battle between good and evil? 10. What was John’s name for heaven?