New Testament
BCM 103Dr. Dave Mathewson
Gordon College/Denver Seminary
Revelation
Two possible response to RevelationReject it or ignore it because it is so
strange book, peculiar, vision of locusts with human heads… bloodshed, variety of ways it’s been read. “Off limits” sign; Calvin skipped it in his NT commentaries
Become obsessed with it—center of their thinking…Left Behind etc.
Left Behind!
Revelation in it’s contextAuthor writing the book to address
his book to a specific problem/situation in the 1st century – same as we’ve taken all the other books in the NT
What problem was the author addressing?Must work with this before applying the
text to our situation
Background IssuesAuthor and Date: John wrote it, he
identifies himself as John … which John? Strong tradition Apostle John,
No identification as an apostle or authority of an apostle speaks as OT prophetic authority
He knew he was writing ScriptureWhen it was written? – 95-96 AD –
Domitian emperor
Features of RevelationSymbolism: 7 headed beasts, locusts
with human heads with crowns, numbers, visionary quality
When we interpret it we won’t interpret it strictly literal
Why was it written?Why would John write a book like
this?Rome was over the whole worldRoman domination made it
uncomfortable for Christians emperor worship spread widely and common to deify even to living emperors
Ephesus had temple to DomitianLocal leaders show their loyalty via
these types of temples
BackgroundRevelation often associated with
persecution but most of info. on 7 churches in Asia Minor
Out of those 7 letters to churches only 2 churches were suffering persecution, most of the persecution was at the local level not Domitian
BackgroundThe other 5 churches main problem
was compromising with Roman rule both worship Caesar and Christ at the same time
Antipas was killed but most of it was local persecution
All cities had temple built in honor of the emperor, emperor was savior compromise
Plight of ChristiansSome suffering persecution for
refusal to worship the EmperorPrimary problem is compromise
among these cities in the context of imperial Roman rule
Emperor Worship
Literary GenreRevelation is an apocalypse
First person narrative of someone’s visionary experience, written down
Not so much predict the future but help readers make sense of their present situation
Watching a play you see what’s presented; however behind the curtain all sorts of things happening;
Apocalypse unveils or lifts curtain so you can see what is going on behind the scenes
John sees throne—so Rome rules but now I know behind the scenes God is on the throne ruling over all moving to a new creation now see the present in a new light (Caesar is not the final authority)
GenreLetter Form: it begins and ends just
like one of Paul’s letters So Revelation is addressing a specific
problem Revelation is communicating a letter
giving them a solution to Roman rule and emperor worship
Reading Revelation SensiblyRevelation is symbolic, not literal, not
CNN more like an art gallery, feel it
The meaning must be what John intended and his readers understood
Don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees
Don’t miss the main purpose-exhortation to holy living
HUMILITY!
Approaches to RevelationPreterist: Revelation refers to events
that took place in the 1st CenturyHistorical: Revelation is a forecast of
the entirety of human historyIdealist: Revelation is a symbolic
portrayal of the struggle between good and evil
Futurist: Revelation refers to events that will take place right before and during the coming of Christ at the end of history