Revelation III
11.1.09
Revelation is a Symbolic Vision
John saw this vision (52x “saw”)
seeing things not as they appear to the naked eye
but the reality behind appearances
presented in a Symbolic form
The vision is not a physical vision of the future
shows symbolically their true identities
the opposite of their appearance in the world
does not predict a sequence of events as though it were history written in advance
Even the numbers are not literal
they are symbolic
4, 7, 10, 12
*
Revelation is the climax of Old Testament prophecy
the last great prophecy
prophecy in OT and Revelation
does 3 things
1. prophecy addresses the original context of those addressed by the prophet
Revelation addresses the first century church and what would soon take place to them
relevant to immediate context
what it means to first hearers
Revelation is written to the first century to a church under attack
under the great Roman Empire
tempted by its wealth and pleasures
persecuted by its power
“what must soon take place”
1.1-3
22.6-7, 10
The Beast is the Roman power and religion and wealth
period of conflict between the church and the beast
great persecution from the first to third century
Roman empire eventually conquered by church
2. Prophecy establishes principles that repeat throughout history
(relevant to Christians at whatever time they live in the last 2000 years)
beast comes in many forms during history
to contest God’s rule
whatever empire the hat fits should wear it
more than just the original reference
the assault on the church comes in different forms in different times and places
3. Prophecy reaches complete fulfillment only on the last day when Christ returns
Isaiah predicts the
restoration of Israel after exile in Babylon
but some of the great hyperbolic things he says do not happen at that time
but will only happen when Christ returns
much of what is said in Revelation only reaches complete fulfillment in the future when Christ returns
did not happen in the first or second century in the fullest sense
*
What should Revelation do to us?
Help us to See in a new way
(see things from the true perspective)
1. See the powers from the true perspective
nations and institutions are not what they appear to the eye
they seem great and powerful
but this is what they are
13.1b-10
the Beast is any powerful government
that does not worship and obey God
that persecutes and hinders God’s people
we should not look to the powers for deliverance
we should not be surprised when the powers turn against us
the wealth and pleasures of the great nations and powers are attractive to us
but this is what they are
17.1-18
as the Lamb has a Bride
so does the Beast- the prostitute
the great city that rules over all the earth
(Rome) is a whore
18.1-17
the Powers will fall and all their wealth will be taken away
We are to come out of her (vs. 4)
which does not mean to physically leave her
but to not assimilate and be like her
2. See the Christ from the true perspective
we can’t see Jesus so we forget about him
and don’t live in confidence of his power
1:12-18
19.11-21
This is Jesus the Victor, the Conqueror
Is this the Jesus you worship and serve?
Do you see him? Do you live every day with this Jesus before you?
3. See the Church from the true perspective
we often think of the church as small and insignificant
as weak and sinful
19:1-10
21:9-27
