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
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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
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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
1. Revelation is a symbolic vision not a literal vision of the future
John is not seeing the actual literal future like a camera would record it
some say “interpret all details in the literal sense where this is possible”
rather be wary of any attempt to make it literal (even numbers)
2. Revelation is not complex outline and detailed plan of the future with many different stages in it
the sort of thing you get in prophecy charts, teachings, conferences
I do not believe in the rapture or the “left behind” approach
3. Revelation is not in sequential order of future events: not an outline
it a series of visions about the same thing
Major theme of the whole book:
The Messiah’s War
The Messiahs fights a war
leading an army of his followers
against all oppressors
defeating the pagan powers who contest God’s rule
conquering them
liberating the people of God
and establishing the rule of God
because the book is symbolic
this is not a literal war
with Jesus leading a literal army in a war
unseen spiritual war going on even now
three stages: first stage
1. conquered by his death and resurrection
5.1-10
he conquers but by his sacrifice
when he is killed
he wins the victory
he purchases men for God
they will reign on the earth
because of his victory at the cross
second stage
2. his followers continue the war now in the present and they are called to conquer
chapters 2-3
2:7, 11, 17, 26
3:5, 12, 21
this is a present call to the churches
also at the end of the book
21.7
He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
12.11
They overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
15.2
And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name.
we are called to participate in the Messiah’s war against evil: Satan and the nations
we are called to fight now and conquer
not simply wait for Christ to come
7.4-8
144,000 an army
census of the tribes of Israel
only males of military age are counted
to build an army
this is you! the church, Christ’s conquering army
not ethnic Jews
or some special elite group
14.1-5
they are an army
virginity is a symbol of preparedness
you don’t sleep with your wife during the military campaign
1 Sam 21.5
11:3
two witnesses
all this speculation about who are these two witnesses and at what stage of the final events will this happen
this is you!
this is the church
this is how we conquer
this is how we fight this war
by bearing witness and being faithful unto death
Why two? Deut 19.15 (not literal)
standard Biblical idea of two witnesses
sackcloth: message of judgment and a call to repentance
1260 days (42 x 30) same as 42 months
not literal (half of seven years)
time of assault by enemies (vs 2)
but also time of their prophetic work
this is the church age in which we live now
4
lampstands are symbols of the church in chapter 1
5
protected by God so they can preach
6
imagery of prophecy from the OT
Elijah and Moses
not waiting for great prophets…
we are the prophetic word to the world when we proclaim Christ and the gospel to them
7
the Beast which is the power of the Roman Empire
but also all nations which have great power and oppress the church of God
this is the war we are called to fight not by violence but by witness
“Conquers” the two witnesses
13.5-7 says the exact same thing about the same era:
the ones who are conquered by the beast are the saints or Christians
this is not an eternal conquest
they conquer by killing us
we conquer in our faithful witness to the point of death– this is our victory
from the perspective of the world, the beast or the empire has won
from heaven’s perspective, the witnesses or the church has won
the Christians were so powerless against Rome, they must have often despaired and given up the war
this revelation given to strengthen them
8-10
the Roman Empire celebrated the destruction and killings of the Christians
11-12
image of the victory we will win by resurrection and ruling with Christ
as Christ was killed and raised
we will be as well
this revelation given to strengthen us
we will be raised
we will have the ultimate victory
third stage
3. Final victory at his coming
11.15-18
at the end Christ will conquer and
“the kingdom of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord of his Christ” 11:15
you have begun to reign
the nations opposed you
you destroyed the destroyers of the earth
17.14
14They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
You must understand the way I interpret the book of Revelation
1. I do not believe Revelation has a complex and detailed plan of the future with many different stages in it
with chapter 4 and on being taught as the distant future, the end of the world
this is taught in prophecy conferences and teaching on Revelation and Daniel
although I respect and love many of the people who teach these things
I reject it all and think it is all bunk
I do not believe in the rapture
I believe there is a day when Jesus will come to us
2. Revelation is a symbolic vision not a literal vision of the future
what John sees is a symbolic vision of not only the future but also the present
some say “interpret all details in the literal sense where this is possible”
No. This will lead you into a hole.
3. I do not believe that the book of Revelation is in sequential order
it a series of visions about the same thing
there are separate visions
not one long visions setting things out in some kind of historical order about what is going to happen in the future
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1.4
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come
1.8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
4.8
Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”
21.6
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.
Christ says the same of himself
1.17
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
22.13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Alpha: first, Omega: last
beginning, end
the one who is, and who was, and who is to come
1. The past of God is that he made all things
the Alpha, the first, the beginning, the God who was
4.11
“You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.”
10.6
And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it,
14.7
“Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
also in the past he raised Jesus from the dead
1.5
Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead,
1.18
I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
2. The present of God is he is the sovereign Lord of all history, he rules everything that happens
“who is” 1.4, 8
he sits on the throne now
4.9
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever.
chapter 4 is a symbolic visions of a throne room
meaning that God is on the throne right now in the present
on earth it appears others have power
but John sees a symbolic visions of who is really on the throne
Chapter 4 and 5 are a symbolic vision of the worship of God
a scene of continuous worship which should draw us in
heavenly beings whose existence is entirely fulfilled in the worship of God
wider and wider circles
if you really know God in the present you worship him
to know the God who sits on the throne as the ruler of all things is to worship him
Chapter 4: God worshiped
Chapter 5: Christ worshiped
5.9-10
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased men for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
12″Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
3. The future of God is that he will come to his creation
the Omega, the Last, the End, “the one who is to come” 1.4, 8
God’s purpose for the universe is to overcome all opposition to his rule
what is true in heaven now will be brought to earth
God will bring his rule in heaven to earth
God is coming and Christ is coming
1.7
Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
22.12
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
22.20
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
in Christ’s return the God that begins all things will end all things
First, Judgment
11.18
The time has come for judging the dead,
and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your saints and those who reverence your name,
both small and great—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
destroying the destroyers of the earth
God is faithful to his creation
will not abandon it
he must destroy the destroyers in order to deliver creation from evil
4:5 lightning and thunder
From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder.
echoed at seventh seal 8.5
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
seventh trumpet 11.19
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
seventh bowl 16.18
Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake.
Second, New Creation
God who gave life to the world in creation will give life to the world again in the new creation
21.1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,
21.5
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done.
Gen 6.13
13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.
17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.
the flood was the power of chaos undoing the creation and returning it to chaos
21.1
and there was no longer any sea.
not a second flood but the removal of the flood
Three, Resurrection
1.5
Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead,
it is new life that Christ entered at his resurrection that all will share
our bodies will be raised as Jesus was raised
no longer mortal and corruptible bodies
but immortal and incorruptible
1.18
I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
20.14
Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
21.4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
he now has authority over death
and destroys death and the grave
the God who gave life to creation
will give life to the dead
Luke 11
Jesus does not want us to simply
repeat these words with our lips
in fact saying the exact words is not important
he is teaching us what our heart concerns should be in prayer
but not just prayer but all of life
this is what the focus of our prayers
and the focus of our lives should be
“Father”
central metaphor: God is father, disciples are children (even “little children”)
God is our Father in that he is concerned about us, and cares for us
we should approach him as a Father
“Your name be hallowed”
name stands for the whole person
means God himself be hallowed
this prayer is focused upon God
YOUR NAME
YOUR KINGDOM (Your Will)
first two phrases are foundational
“hallowed” means sanctified
or set apart
Set apart in reverence and praise
a statement of desire that God be honored
and it is a declaration of honor for God
setting apart God in your heart
praying that God’s purposes will be come to pass on a cosmic scale
focus on God
our lives and praise should be focused on God the way it is in heaven
Revelation 4,5
Is this the prayer of your life?
how many of our prayers are focused on ourselves and others?
is this the focus of your prayers
and the focus of your life?
“Your kingdom come”
or “Your rule come”
the prayer is for God to bring his final kingdom at the end
but also for God to bring his rule into people’s lives now in the present
but primarily this is a desire for God’s rule to come to this earth
this is focusing your life on God and on his final kingdom
is your focus on his rule and his kingdom?
or is it upon what you want?
is it your name, your kingdom
or is it my wants, my desires?
last petitions
these are now the prayers for “us”
not just individuals but the community
“our daily bread”
live in complete dependence upon God
bread is not literal but all our necessities
he does not supply it once for all
but he supplies us day by day
and we must live day by day
remember when Jesus said “do not be anxious about tomorrow”
“forgive us our sins”
this is not a prayer for justification
or initial salvation, conversion
but for a daily forgiveness
to keep us in fellowship with God
do you pray daily for forgiveness of the sins you have committed that day?
I would guess that many of you do not
praying for forgiveness of sin
binds us to forgive others
“lead us not into temptation”
this means
“cause us not to succumb to temptation”
God does not tempt
so this is not asking God not to tempt us
God does test us
so this is not asking God not to test us
this is asking God to be with us and help us as we face temptations
Lk 22:40
“pray that you will not fall into temptation”
you are not strong to do right
on your own you will fall
without God’s constant and daily help
is this your daily and constant prayer?
if it is not, then you will fall again and again
verses 11-13
God is our Father and he will care for us
and give us what we need
and what we need is the Holy Spirit
John 13:10 “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”
When you first repented and believed
you were forgiven of your sins: washed
but as we sin, get our feet dirty,
they must be washed again
Topic: When A Christian Sins, What should he do?
responsibility if we are living in community
Personal or General
A sin that is a wrong against another person (personal)
or a sin that is not against another person (general)
Private or Public
A private sin is only known by a few people
A public sin is known by a great many people
1. general and private sin
you sinned but not against anyone but God
and no one knows about it
a wrong attitude: covetousness
repent
Rev 2:5
“Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”
confess to God
1 Jn 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
to come to the Lord asking for forgiveness
we must first have forgiven anyone we hold something against
every time we seek forgiveness, we must forgive everyone else
but if we live in community
that means we are to help one another
Heb 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
with some sin we need the help of others
for example an addiction
or desiring someone you should not
or becoming resentful toward someone
James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”
if you need help go see elder or peer
or if you are in a small group or a small church tell the group for their support and help with the sin
2. general and public sin
not sinned against anyone
but sinned in a way that everyone knows about
something you did becomes public knowledge
drunkenness, sexual immorality, acting in a manner in public or in the church that brings shame to God
causes scandal, God’s name to be dishonored
and influences other believers to sin
repent, confess to God
but also make Public confession
public declaration that your action was sin
and you repent of it
tell elders first
and then either they will tell the church
or you tell the whole church
this removes the dishonor from God
and removes the evil influence
2 Cor 2:7-8
“Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.”
This is addressed to the whole church that they should forgive someone who they all know about his offense and he has now repented of it.
(In this particular case the man was at first unrepentant and disciplined, but now he has repented.)
The church should forgive him, comfort him, reaffirm its love for him.
This is the church’s duty.
3. personal and private
You wronged a person but only one or a few people know about it
example: unkind angry word to your child, spouse, church member, neighbor, friend
repent, confess to God
go to the person or people you sinned against immediately
and be reconciled to them
Mt 5:23-24
admit the wrong you did and that it was sin
“I sinned against you”
if possible cover the offense, make it good
(also be reconiled to unbelievers– otherwise we will get the reputation as people who do not recognize their own sin)
(it is also wise to confess your sin to the few who witnessed it)
4. personal and public
you wronged someone
and it is known by many people
example: you hurt someone, damaged property, seen with a man’s wife, used dishonesty for gain
repent
confess to God
go to the person and make restitution
“I was wrong” and cover the offense
but then also go to the elders and the whole church and say “this is what I have done and it was wrong. I have made peace with my brother.”
***
confess with confidence in the love of God
God sent Jesus because of his love for us and desire to forgive us
remember that Jesus preached forgiveness and forgave sins of people and prayed for God to forgive those who killed him
remember that Jesus died so that your sins could be punished and you could be raise to new life without condemnation
in the book of Acts the apostles preach forgiveness of sins over and over again
remember John’s teaching
1 Jn 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
