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New Testament

The Book of Revelation presents unique challenges for readers, often perceived as strange and complex. This discussion explores two main responses: rejecting it as peculiar or becoming overly focused on its symbolism. Authored by John around 95-96 AD, Revelation addresses specific issues related to Roman imperial rule and the pressure of emperor worship on early Christians. It uses apocalyptic genre to unveil spiritual realities, urging believers toward holy living amidst compromise. Various interpretative approaches are considered to deepen understanding of its message.

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New Testament

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  1. New Testament BCM 103Dr. Dave MathewsonGordon College/Denver Seminary

  2. Revelation

  3. Two possible response to Revelation • Reject 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.

  4. Left Behind!

  5. Revelation in it’s context • Author 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

  6. Background Issues • Author 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 Scripture • When it was written? – 95-96 AD –Domitian emperor

  7. Features of Revelation • Symbolism: 7 headed beasts, locusts with human heads with crowns, numbers, visionary quality • When we interpret it we won’t interpret it strictly literal

  8. Why was it written? • Why would John write a book like this? • Rome was over the whole world • Roman domination made it uncomfortable for Christians emperor worship spread widely and common to deify even to living emperors • Ephesus had temple to Domitian • Local leaders show their loyalty via these types of temples

  9. Background • Revelation 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

  10. Background • The 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

  11. Plight of Christians • Some suffering persecution for refusal to worship the Emperor • Primary problem is compromise among these cities in the context of imperial Roman rule

  12. Emperor Worship

  13. Literary Genre • Revelation 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

  14. 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)

  15. Genre • Letter 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

  16. Reading Revelation Sensibly • Revelation 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!

  17. Approaches to Revelation • Preterist: Revelation refers to events that took place in the 1st Century • Historical: Revelation is a forecast of the entirety of human history • Idealist: 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

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