INTRO: Hangman apokaluyij
Now you might not think it’s fair, but it’s relevant. Apocalypse is a word we know in English. It means Revelation.
Reading and understanding the book of Revelation is similar to our game of hangman. Just as the letters in Greek look different, and the pronunciation is a bit different, when we hear it we know what word it is. Reading and understanding this book isn’t impossible. It uses different genres of writing, and relies on imagery that seems strange, but with a little study and interpretive work, we realize it isn’t that strange after all. We can recognize and interpret what it is.
What do we know about the book?
Author: John, the disciple and author of the Gospel and the Epistles bearing his name
Date: mid 90s under the emperor Domitian is best option
Situation: John banished to the isle of Patmos has a heavenly vision
Structure & Genres: Epistle, Apocalyptic and Prophetic
Epistolary Literature or Letters:
The first three chapters, specifically Rev. 1:4 – 3:22 is the only place where the common letter writing form is used. The language, setting and message clearly set it apart as different from the remainder of the book.
Apocalyptic Literature:
flourished from 200 BC to 100 AD
It was a form of writing that was recognized and understood by the people of the first century.
Common to apocalyptic literature are wild visions and cataclysmic events. They are used to paint the picture that this present world isn’t as stable and permanent as we’d like to think. A temporary world is a good thing if you are suffering or under persecution. The cataclysmic events aren’t predictors of actual happenings, but pictures that emphasize the fleeting nature of our present reality. God can change the physical world in any number of ways physically. How much more can He determine and control our lives here and in the world to come.
"Apocalyptic entails the revelatory communication of heavenly secrets by an otherworldly being to a seer who presents the visions in a narrative framework; the visions guide readers into a transcendent reality that takes precedence over the current situation and encourages readers to persevere in the midst of their trials. The visions reverse normal experience by making the heavenly mysteries the real world and depicting the present crisis as a temporary, illusory situation. This is achieved via God’s transforming the world for the faithful."
Osborn pg. 12
What other books of the Bible contain apocalyptic literature?
Isaiah 24-27, Ezek. 37-39, Zechariah and Daniel
Prophetic Literature:
Much of revelation is prophetic. While apocalyptic literature is figurative, prophecy is usually more literal – it presents a vision of the future.
Prophecy is sometimes quite clear and easy to distinguish. Often the apocalyptic imagery overlaps the prophetic, or it is difficult to place what is literary imagery and what is a picture of the future.
But clearly portions of the book are prophetic words spoken directly to John, and prophetic visions shown to John.
Setting
Imperial cult plays a large role. Caesar worship was growing and had become rather developed in Asia. The first 3 cities to have a temple to worship Caesar were Pergamum 29ad, Smyrna in AD 21 and later Ephesus.
There was persecution from Jews – Christians were accused of being heretics that taught falsely about Yahweh. They were also pointed out to Roman authorities as not being exempt, as the Jews were, from Caesar worship.
Economic and Social pressure to participate in Roman life. Trade guilds all had pagan rituals and cultic feasts honoring the guild’s patron deities. Participation wasn't mandatory– but it was a requirement if you wanted to make a decent living.
Rome was the great imperial power. Life the Roman way was the road to acceptance, prosperity and conformity. Being at odds with the overriding cultural, religious and economic trend of Rome was to court poverty, ostracism, and at times direct legal and social persecution.
Revelation demonstrates that there is another reality that is more real, more enduring, and worth the persecution for those who remain faithful to God.
Themes
Perseverance & Martyrdom – remaining faithful to the end, knowing that it is better to die in this world and gain the next, than to compromise now and lose the glory of heaven.
Economic Pressure – follow the money, follow the power. How are they described and how do they end up?
Power – who has it? How is it acquired? Whose power is ultimate?
Theological & Interpretive Perspective
There are four main interpretive perspectives:
Historicist = Revelation is the story of unfolding history from the time it was written until the end. The seven churches represent seven periods, or eras in human life. Those who hold this view look at the Catholic Church as the problem. The pope is the anti-christ, etc. The view is not widely held, as it is constantly morphing and really only applies to Europeans.
Preterist = Rev. is a historical book describing apocalyptically the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in AD 70. It is matched with Jesus’ discourse in Matt. 24. Rome was bad, and Rome will be destroyed. Some say the last 2 chapters are future, as we still await a final cosmic victory over evil.
Proponents of this view generally take an Amillennial position, saying that we are living in the millennial kingdom, and Christ is reigning in the hearts of believers.
Idealist = This view spiritualizes the message, making it applicable to anyone, in anytime. Every Christian lives in an age dominated by an Evil Empire that is hostile to Christians and the Gospel. In John’s day it was Rome. In our day it might be the materialistic and immoral pressure of Madison Avenue, or the media, or even imperialistic governments.
Popular among more liberal Christians.
Futurist = Rev. describes future events and outcomes. It is prophetic in nature and people await the fulfillment.
Proponents of this view would be predominantly theologically Dispensational.
Think “Left Behind” series. Rapture and Tribulation.
We will be taking an Idealist/Futurist view. The book certainly paints a picture of the future, but it also speaks directly to our choices and lifestyles today.
“the book is not just a casebook for identifying future events, but more a theological workbook addressing the church in the present through the prophecies of the future.”
Osborn pg. 12
So as you read Revelation, and as we study it, we will be looking at how we today are positioned to resist evil, and to persevere rather than compromise our faith. Certainly there is a prophetic message that describes what will one day occur – in light of that ending, how will we live today.
Whoever reads and hears the words of this book, and lives by them, will be blessed. Let’s take God at His word and seek His blessing through knowing this book and applying it to our lives.
--John Overmyer
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