For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.
Review of Rev A:
- John contributed 50 chapters to the NT (out of 260).
- The book is called Revelation (no 's') or the Apocalypse.
- Geographical locations are important, like Patmos, Rome, Asia, and Ephesus.
- The book combines three literary genres (types): Letter, Prophecy, and Apocalyptic.
- [The text read in the last lesson was Rev 1.]
- Three interpretive keys: familiarity with apocalyptic; some knowledge of ancient history; solid grounding in the OT.
- Three points emerging from the Apocalypse: God is in control, not Caesar. Hold on to your faith! Things may get worse before they get better.
Themes / Angles of Approach to Revelation
- There are many great themes in the book of Revelation.
- When you have time, for example, look for the seven beatitudes, study the seven letters (much is known about each recipient church -- see NT chapter notes), or compare the end of Zech with the end of Rev.
Two kingdoms:
- Roman Empire
- Kingdom of God
Two ultimate outcomes:
- Destruction
- Life in the new world
Two cities:
- Rome -- earthly, corrupt, deceptive... pictured as a harlot, and as Babylon (not simply the city of Rome on the Italian peninsula, but the kingdoms of man)
- Jerusalem -- heavenly, pure, beautiful -- the abode of the righteous (not the earthly city of Jerusalem, which had been destroyed a quarter century before John’s vision and the Apocalypse)
- Reading selection from Rev 17-18, 21-22.
- See also Gal 4:26; Heb 11:16.