Immerse Exegetical Workshop Interpreting Revelation LARRY PER KI

Immerse Exegetical Workshop Interpreting Revelation LARRY PER KI NS P HD JAN UARY 2 0 17

Getting a handle on Revelation and its Interpretation • Context, Purpose and Contents of this composition known as “Revelation” (Rev. 1: 1 -11) • 1. Where does the title come from and what does it mean? (1: 1 -2) • Use of the term “revelation” elsewhere in the NT (e. g. Gal. 1; 1 Peter 1: 10 -12; Eph. 3: 1 -6). • 2. Note the terms “revelation, ” “prophecy, ” and “writing” (1: 1 -2, 11, 19) • Characteristics of three genres – prophecy, epistle, apocalyptic. • Terms related to “prophecy” occur 17 x in the composition. • Written in first person by a contemporary individual. • 3. Who is John? What are his circumstances? (1: 1, 9 -10) • Self-description (1: 9) – where is he? • Part of a group of “servants” (1: 1 a) – “brothers, the prophets” (22: 9) • “Brothers who have the testimony about Jesus” (19: 10) • Part of a larger group of prophets (22: 16 a) • Is 10: 1 -11 a “call narrative”? Compare it with Ezekiel 2: 8 – 3: 7.

Getting a handle on Revelation and its Interpretation • Context, Purpose and Contents of this composition known as “Revelation” (Rev. 1: 1 -11) • 4. Different narrators in Revelation – i. e. people who speak and reveal – John, Jesus, Angels. Track who is speaking and to whom. • 5. Why is it addressed to “seven churches” and what is special about them? • Their location – Roman province of Asia. (1: 4 -8, 11) • Why “seven”? Are they representative? • Connection with initial vision of Christ in each letter. • Parallels between promises give and visions of triumph in chapt. 19 -22. • Conflict in Revelation is between “faithful” church and empire. Note the emphasis upon lying/liars in the letters and theme of lying/falseness in the remainder of the composition (2: 2, 9; 3: 9; 21: 27; 22: 15). • 6. What does Jesus is the purpose of this revelation (1: 19 -20)?

Map for the Seven Churches Starting Point

Map for the Seven Churches

Getting a handle on Revelation and its Interpretation • What characterizes this composition as different from any other in the NT? • 1. Not just teaching by a church leader, but a revelation directly from God. What difference does this make to the way we read it? • 2. How do the contents compare to the contents of other NT compositions? • John writes “what he has seen. ” Compare this with 1 John 1: 1 -3. Element of witness. • 3. What does John mean by the expression “what you seen, what is now, and what will take place later” (1: 19)? Michaels’ interpretation: “what you have seen and what they are and what they will be. ” • How is the originator of this message characterized (1: 4 -8)? • 1. What does this cluster of metaphors mean? Why are they used? How does intertextuality help discern their significance? • 2. No direct quotations from the OT in Revelation, but many allusions – “rebirth or transformation of images. ” Symbols are “re-valued. ”

Rev. 1: 10 -16 (17 -18 = Jesus). Cf. Rev. 19: 11 -16 Daniel 10: 4 -6 Dan 7: 13 Ezekiel 1: 26 10 -11 like a son of man Like a Son of man A throne…what looked like the form of a man above it. On the island…Patmos Son of man clothed 4. By the bank of the…Tigris A man clothed in linen Ez. 9: 2, 3, 11 Girded…with a gold belt His loins girded…gold Eyes as a blaze of fire His eyes as torches 7: 9 Ancient of Days – his throne as a blaze of fire. A sapphire belt around his waist. Feet like fine bronze Feet as burnished bronze Voice as the voice of many waters 17 a Fear & helplessness Voice as the voice of a multitude 10: 8 -9, 15 -17 Touched by the figure 10: 10, 18 Do not be afraid 10: 19 His head and the hairs of it were white a wool 7: 9 – Ancient of Days -

Getting a handle on Revelation and its Interpretation • How is the originator of this message characterized (1: 4 -8)? • 3. Use of “midrash” – a Jewish “expanded paraphrase of an authoritative text. ” • Genesis 3: 15 in Revelation 12: 13 (term “seed” and reference to “serpent”). • Revelation 12 – enmity between serpent and the woman (Israel) • Revelation 13 – enmity between the serpent and the seed of the woman (Christian community) • Reference to the wounding of the beast’s heads (13: 3) • Who are the readers – companions in suffering (1: 9) • Those who are victorious (2: 3, 8 -9, 13; 3: 10) • Christian martyrs (6: 9 -11) • Great multitude who will never again suffer (7: 16) • Bearing Jesus’ testimony results in suffering and death (12: 11, 17) • Suffering and death attributed to “the beast” (13: 7; 14: 9 -13; 16: 5 -6; 18: 20, 24; 19: 2)

Getting a handle on Revelation and its Interpretation – synopsis of structure (Fee) • Prologue Rev. 1: 1 -8 • Historical Setting Rev. 1: 9 -3: 22 • Introductory Visions Rev. 4: -8: 5 • Heavenly Throne 4: 1 -5: 14 • Opening of 7 Seals 6: 1 -8: 5 • Preliminary Judgments on the Empire Rev. 8: 6 -11: 19 • Judgments of 7 Trumpets 8: 6 -9: 21 • Two interlude visions 10: 1 - 11: 19 • Conflict between the Church and Evil Powers Rev. 12: 1 -14: 20 • War in Heaven and Aftermath 12: 1 -17 • Beasts from Sea and Earth 13: 1 -18 • Outcome: Vindication and Judgment 14: 1 -20

Getting a handle on Revelation and its Interpretation – synopsis of structure (Fee) • Seven Bowls: Judgment against • ‘Babylon’ • Prelude 15: 1 -8 • Babylon is Judged 16: 1 -21 • Wrap-up – Tale of Two Cities God Judges the Harlot - Babylon Rev. 15: 1 -16: 21 Rev. 17: 1 -22: 2 17: 1 -19: 10 • The Last Battle 19: 11 -20: 15 • New Jerusalem 21: 1 -22: 11 • Epilogue 22: 12 -21

Getting a handle on Revelation and its Interpretation – fitting the pieces together • Showdown between faithful church and empire. • Martyrdom of Antipas (2: 13); John’s exile (1: 9) – presages what is coming (3: 10; 6: 9 -11; 12: 11, 17). First chapters introduce the significant characters in the drama. • The present reality forecasts and typifies an extended “holy war” between God and Satan (12: 1 -9) in which God triumphs. • Chapters 1 -6 set the stage and provide the key to what follows. The relative strength of “the church, ” the Christ who is both lion and slain lamb, the seven seals outlining the rhythm of rebellious history, concluding with judgment. • Visions presented in structured sets of sevens – seals (6: 1 – 8: 5); trumpets (8: 611); bowls (15 -16). • • First four items (6: 1 -8) – collage (conquest, war, famine, death) Next two items (6: 9 -17) – martyrdom and judgment Interlude items (those sealed, great multitude) (7: 1 -17) Concluding item – God’s wrath – seven trumpets of chapters 8 -11.

Getting a handle on Revelation and its Interpretation – Interpretational Guidelines • 1. Characterized as “prophecy” (1: 2). • • • Poetic Present message with future implications Builds on Israel’s theological framework – covenant/people of God Not every part is understood immediately Expression of divine intention – fulfillment of promises and mission • 2. Symbolism – key is OT background. • 3. Challenge of imagery associated with OT apocalyptic material (e. g. , Daniel’s visions – beasts, stages, heavenly beings, etc. ). • What clues does John provide? Interpreted images (1: 13, 18, 20; 12: 9; 17: 9, 18) • Not every detail in a vision carries specific meaning. Consider the visions as whole units.

Getting a handle on Revelation and its Interpretation – Interpretational Guidelines • 3. Challenge of imagery associated with OT apocalyptic material (e. g. , Daniel’s visions – beasts, stages, heavenly beings, etc. ). • Keep the general historical context in mind – John is writing to local churches located in the Roman province of Asia towards the end of the first century. Focused on opposition that believers, the kingdom and priests for God, will face. He also details how God will hold the opposition accountable. • Jesus affirms that human history has a goal and a purpose revealed by God. • Comprehend the literary structure built around the visions – 1 -3, 4 -5, 6 -7, 9 -11, 1214, 15 -16, 17 -18, 19 -22. • The seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls may not be sequential in time, but rather cyclical reiterations of human opposition with some new features. • 4. Fee urges that we should distinguish between “tribulation” and “wrath”. • Tribulation is part of what the church in John’s day was enduring and would continue to endure. • Wrath is God’s judgment poured out on those who afflict God’s people.

Interpreting the “Letters to the Churches” (Revelation 2 -3) • The literary symmetry among the letters is obvious: • Each begins with a charge to write to the “angel” of the church. • The author identifies the church by using descriptors/imagery used in the initial vision (chapter 1). • In the body of each letter: • Acknowledgement of each church’s positive achievements (except for Laodicea and maybe Sardis) • Words of encouragement, censure, counsel or warning (Smyrna and Philadelphia receive no censure) • Concluding exhortation to hear and a promise to those who conquer. • What is the overarching message? Patient endurance in the face of stiff opposition. They present a study in how Christianity relates to its cultural context. • Collectively they offer a representational picture of the collective church’s life, mission and challenges.

Interpreting the “Letters to the Churches” (Revelation 2 -3) • Working Group Assignment. • Ephesus Church 2: 1 -7 • Smyrna Church 2: 8 -11 • Pergamum Church 2: 12 -17 • Thyatira Church 2: 18 -29 • Sardis Church 3: 1 -6 • Philadelphia Church 3: 7 -13 • Laodicea Church 3: 14 -22 In your assigned group take 20 minutes and work through the questions provided in relation to your assigned portion. Be prepared to report to the larger group on some aspect of your investigation.

Interpreting the “Vision of Heaven’s Throne Room” (Revelation 4: 1 - 5: 14) 1. Determining the boundaries of this vision message (4: 1 -5: 14). Sequence marker (4: 1) New messenger (4: 1) Change in location (at least in the vision – door into heaven) (4: 1 -2) Chapter 6 begins with the opening of the first of seven seals, which then will allow the scroll to be unrolled and read. The “lamb” is introduced in chapter 5 as the only one worthy to break the seals and unroll the scroll. 2. Discerning the contents of this section. John describes what he saw in this second vision “A throne in heaven and someone sitting on it” (4: 2). The figure is identified in v. 11 as “our Lord and God. ” Various beings populate throne room – 24 elders, 4 living creatures. “A scroll in the right hand of one sitting on the throne” (5: 1). The question – who is worthy to open it? (5: 2) “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David – he is able to open it. This figure is also “a Lamb looking as if it had been slain” (5: 6). Worship of the Lion-Lamb proceeds throughout heaven.

Interpreting the “Vision of Heaven’s Throne Room” (Revelation 4: 1 - 5: 14) 3. Discerning the meaning of the symbolism. Connecting God with the throne in Heaven – where else in Scripture? What does it signify? How might this relate to the situation of the churches described in Revelation 2 -3? What does the colours and precious gems signify? Who are the 24 elders? What is the background for the thunder and lightning from the throne? What do the seven lamps/spirits represent? Why a sea of glass? What do the 4 living creatures represent? How is the figure on the throne described in 4: 9? Why the constant worship? What do the words mean in application to God? (4: 8, 11)

Interpreting the “Vision of Heaven’s Throne Room” (Revelation 4: 1 - 5: 14) 3. Discerning the meaning of the symbolism. What does the scroll represent? Why “seven seals”? (5: 1 -2) From John’s description in 5: 5 -6 who is this figure worthy to break the seals? What does this action tell us about this figure? Why is this figure “standing in the centre of the throne”? (5: 6) What does the hymn sung to this figure tell us about his role? (5: 9 -10) Who worships this figure? (5: 11) What is significant about this description? What is significant about the group described in v. 13 and their response to this figure? Why is worship so central to this vision? Where do we go constantly to discern the significance of the imagery John is using? What do you think the overall purpose of this vision is in the context of Revelation? What message is John communicating to his audience about their situation as the people of God? How does John connect the people in the seven churches to the scene and actions described in the vision (cf. 5: 8 -10)? 4.

Interpreting the “Vision of the Consummated Kingdom” (Revelation 19: 5 – 22: 5) 1. Three female figures in the visions of Revelation: a. The woman who gives birth in Rev. 12 – probably symbolizing Israel/people of God. b. The prostitute in Rev 17 who symbolizes Babylon/Rome (17: 18) and opposition to God and his people. In the OT the imagery of the prostitute often denotes religious apostasy. c. The bride in Rev. 19: 7 who symbolizes the redeemed people of God, the church. 2 In this final vision John glimpses God’s plans for the consummation of history and the implementation of his eternal kingdom. The announcement in 19: 6 begins with this theme – our Lord God Almighty reigns. The warrior-messiah appears (19: 11 -16) who rules as king of kings and lord of lords. He leads the “armies of heaven” against the forces of evil.

Interpreting the “Vision of the Consummated Kingdom” (Revelation 19: 5 – 22: 5) 3. A vision within the vision occurs in 19: 17 -21 in which God supplies a grim feast, the slain beast and his allies, to the birds, in contrast the marriage supper of the Lamb. The scene depicts universal dishonor and destruction of God’s opponents. - the beast – symbolizes secular power in opposition to the church - the false prophet represents the role of false religion (13: 1, 11). - the scene is one of judgment and punishment. 4. Rev. 20: 1 -10 describes a period called the “millennium. ” During this period Satan (20: 2) is bound in the abyss – unable to “deceive the nations” (20: 3). Those martyred under the rule of the beast experience resurrection during this period and rule with the Messiah (20: 4). After this period Satan is released and makes a final assault against God’s people (20: 7 -9). However, he will be defeated and thrown into the lake of fire.

Interpreting the “Vision of the Consummated Kingdom” (Revelation 19: 5 – 22: 5) 5. This is followed by the final judgment of all people. Those not named in the “book of life” are “thrown into the lake of fire. ” All opposition to God is thus finished, judged and punished. 21: 8 defines such people more completely. 6. The bride symbol returns – describing the Holy City (21: 2), where God dwells with his people forever (21: 3 -4) – he makes all things new. The covenant language of 21: 7 establishes continuity with God’s eternal promises. It is the new heaven and earth – Eden restored. 7. John is then shown the new city of God in 21: 9 -22: 5. God’s eternal provisions for his people are described and celebrated.

Interpreting the “Vision of the Consummated Kingdom” (Revelation 19: 5 – 22: 5) What are the implications and applications of this final vision for God’s people today? Reality of God’s final triumph through the Messiah Jesus. Realization of God’s mission – his people dwelling with him eternally – the great inheritance. The destruction of Satan and all of his forces is complete for eternity. The creation of “the new heaven and new earth” – what does this mean for the current creation/universe? God’s promises fulfilled.