One's Perspective on Revelation

Throughout this background material on Revelation the importance has been stressed on the different ways to interpret and deal with this book.

It is common knowledge that the perspective one brings with them, before reading any book, will greatly affect how they process the information, and what conclusions / meaning are drawn from it.

Above all it is important to have a teachable spirit, and to learn from what God is speaking through the text.

"Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you will be your servant." (Mt 23:10 - 11)

In the gospels, perspective is very important. There is a contrast between Jesus' true teachings, and the teachings of the Pharisees. However, not all of the Pharisees teachings were bad. After all, they sought to obey the Law of Moses. It was their perspective; they did not carry out the law in a loving manner.

Furthermore, when Jesus offers to show them the truth behind their arguments, they harden their hearts and don't listen.

"Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." (Mt 16:6)

Revelation is less about intellectual knowledge and more about faith, and God. It is hope that God exists, and is in control. It is also hope that Christ is Lord over all creation, and that He is coming back to claim what is rightfully His.

"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Mt 18:4)

-------> What are some other healthy ways to approach the Bible?

-------> Are there any views on the end times that you consider crucial to the faith? How much can people differ in their beliefs on this concept?

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Interpreting Revelation

1. Interpret the message of the book in light of its original audience and their needs

2. John wrote Revelation as an epistle, prophecy, and apocalypse

These genres should be taken seriously, and used in interpretation.

3. Revelation contains prophecy pertaining to:

- immediate future of the audience (2:10)
- ultimate future of the victory of God at the end of time (21:1 - 22:5)

4. The nature of Revelation is prophetic

Therefore there is a possibility of a second meaning, inspired by the Holy Spirit that was not seen by the original author and audience. However, the secondary meaning is always rooted in the primary.

5. Visions must be interpreted as wholes

Relate visions to parables rather than allegories. The visions have a main point, with details for dramatic effect.

6. Symbols are complex and interwoven

They must be interpreted in light of the theology of the entire book.

7. Revelation uses a combination of propositional and pictorial / symbolic language

Concrete realities vs. grand symbolic language not easily grasped by the senses.

8. Symbols must be understood how John intended to use them

The system John uses must be held to, and used as starting points of others. For instance, the seven lamp stands are identified as the churches (1:12-20), and the dragon is identified as Satan (ch. 12). Details are not as important as meaning, and the meaning of the symbol is more important than the symbol itself.

9. **Revelation is Synchronic**

Revelation is not chronological. The reality John is conveying is so profound that he offers different pictures of the same events. The seven seal, trumpets, and bowls are not a chronological sequence, but rather the same event. The "end" comes at the end of each seven. Notice that the sixth seal (6:12 - 17) causes the destruction of the world.

10. Pictures of the future express a reality, but are not themselves a reality

The details of each picture are not necessarily fulfilled in some specific way.

11. Caution should be used before using Old Testament prophecies to interpret Revelation

Remember that the OT books already have an established meaning that must be regarded first. Furthermore, John doesn't necessarily use a symbol with the same exact meaning it may have had in the Old Testament. The Old Testament prophecies are not open to being arbitrarily tied to events in the present time.

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Outline of Revelation

THE PROLOGUE (1:1-3)
GREETINGS FROM JOHN OF PATMOS (1:4-20)
THE SEVEN CHURCHES (2:1 - 3:22)
VISION OF GOD AND THE LAMB (4:1 - 5:14)
THE FIRST SIX SEAL JUDGMENTS (6:1 - 17)
INTERLUDE (SEALING OF THE 144,000 AND THE VICTORY OF THE REDEEMED MULTITUDE (7:1 - 17)
THE SEVENTH SEAL JUDGMENT AND THE FIRST SIX TRUMPET JUDGMENT (8:1 - 9:21)
AN INTERLUDE - LITTLE SCROLL AND THE TWO WITNESSES (10:1 - 11:13)
THE SEVENTH TRUMPET JUDGMENT (11:14 - 19)
VISION OF THE WOMAN, THE CHILD, AND THE DRAGON (12:1 - 17)
THE ANTICHRIST AND THE FALSE PROPHET (12:18 - 13:18)
VINDICATION OF THE FAITHFUL, JUDGMENT OF THE FAITHLESS (14:1-20)
THE LAST EXODUS (15:1 - 8)
THE SEVEN BOWL JUDGMENTS (16:1 - 21)
DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVEN BOWL JUDGMENTS (17:1 - 18)
FALL OF BABYLON (18:1 - 24)
VISION OF THE GLORY OF GOD AND SEVEN VISIONS OF THE END (19:1 - 22:5)

GLORY OF GOD (19:1 - 10)

PAROUSIA (19:11 - 16)
LAST BATTLE (19:17 - 21)
BINDING OF SATAN (20:1 - 3)
REIGN OF THE MARTYRS, THE MILLENNIUM (20:4 - 6)
LOOSING OF SATAN AND THE FINAL CONFLICT (20:7 - 10)
FINAL JUDGMENT (20:11 - 15)
NEW JERUSALEM (21:1 - 22:5)

EPISTOLARY CONCLUSION (22:6 - 21)


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Outline of Revelation with Respect to Time