Book of Revelation - Lecture Notes

Introduction

Author: John
- Could be the beloved disciple or a different John, a Messianic Jewish prophet.
Type of Literature: Revelation or Apocalypse (apokalupsis in Greek)
- Familiar to John's readers from Hebrew Scriptures and Jewish texts.
Prophecy: A word from God through a prophet to warn/comfort in times of crisis.
Audience: Seven churches in ancient Roman province of Asia.
- Number seven symbolizes completeness (7-day Sabbath cycle).

Symbolism: Jewish apocalypses use symbolic imagery and numbers.
Not Predictive Code: Not about timing the end of the world but understanding symbols from the Old Testament.
Historical Context: Must be anchored in the historical context of John's audience.

Vision: John exiled on Patmos; sees risen Jesus among seven burning lights (symbolizing the churches).
Messages:
- Apathy: Due to wealth and affluence.
- Moral Compromise: Eating ritual meals and sleeping in pagan temples.
- Faithfulness: Some remained faithful amid harassment and persecution.
- Warnings: Tribulation will force choice between compromise and faithfulness.
- Historical Persecution: Reference to persecutions by Emperors Nero and Domitian.
Call to Conquer: Faithfulness to Jesus described as conquering.
Rewards: For those who conquer, linked to the book's final vision of heaven and earth's marriage.

Imagery: Drawn from Old Testament prophets.
Symbolism: Creatures and elders represent creation and nations; worship the creator God.
Scroll: Sealed with seven seals; symbolizes the message of the Old Testament prophets.
Lion and Lamb: John hears of the Lion (Messianic king) but sees a slain Lamb who is Jesus.
Crucified Messiah: Jesus' death was his enthronement and conquering of evil.

Seals, Trumpets, Bowls: Each depicts God's kingdom and justice on earth.
- Nested Sevens: Each seventh part contains the next seven.
- Concluding Judgments: Matching conclusions suggest non-linear retelling of the same period.
Four Horsemen: Symbols of war, conquest, famine, and death.
Martyrs: Fifth seal shows Christian martyrs, their cries for justice.
Great Day of the Lord: Sixth seal brings ultimate response.
Protection: Intermission with angel marking God's servants (144,000).
- Not Literal: Multi-ethnic army of God fulfilling promises to Abraham.
- Conquering by Suffering: Like the Lamb, called to bear witness.

Two Symbolic Visions: God's temple and martyrs, two witnesses (lampstands/churches).
Persecution: Jesus' followers may suffer, but external defeat can't take away victory.
Prophetic Role: Churches called to prophetic role like Moses and Elijah.
Beast: Appears and conquers witnesses but God's vindication brings repentance.
Mission of the Church: Conquer by loving and suffering, showing mercy and sacrifice.
- Central Message: Center of the book, revealing God's kingdom through the church's imitation of the Lamb.