Revelation

REVELATION

SWBAT:

Identify the purpose of the Book of Revelation

Explain the nature of apocalyptic literature

Demonstrate an understanding of the four horsemen and how they symbolize disaster

Homework

Read and take notes: Schippe pp. 334-343. Bring notes to class on Thursday.

Read and take notes: Revelation 4:1-5:14; 12:1-13:18. Clearly label notes and bring them to class on Friday.

REVELATION TEST ON Monday

Occasion and Purpose

Author: John

Date: 68-89 or 95 AD

Location: Island of Patmos

Occasion: John exiled on Patmos, receives vision

Purpose: We will examine five views.

Structure

Three one-act plays

• Letters to seven churches in Turkey

• A cosmic battle between the dragon and the Lamb of God

• A vision of New Jerusalem and eternal life with God

A. Suffering and Execution

The emperor was worshipped as God.

Christians were on the brink of giving in.

A secret letter written in symbolic code

B. Revelation as a Letter

Genre: apocalyptic, prophecy, narrative.

Written as a letter

C. “Sign” Language

The first vision:

Themes:

“Son of Man”

The number seven

Alpha and Omega

It was Jesus

C. “Sign” Language

Letters to the churches are more like decrees/edicts

A command to write

Commendation

Exhortation

Proclamation

Victory and reward

D. The Seven Churches

• Ephesus—”first love.”

FIVE-MINUTE BREAK

Do-Now

Quick write: What are some symbols you use in everyday life? (2 minutes)

E. The Throne Room

• Rev. 4:1—John refers to his next visions.

• Rev 4:2-6—difficult, symbolic imagery.

• Creatures:

• lion, ox, human, eagle: four evangelists

• seven-horned, seven-eyed lamb: Jesus

• A scroll with seven seals is opened. The visions begin.

F. Symbolism in Revelation

Symbol: something that represents another thing (often something abstract)

Possible meanings: open to p. 345 of the Schippe:

Symbols of hope: the martyrs in heaven are told justice will come soon. 144,000 are sealed on earth.

First seal: white horse. War. Sets out to conquer.

Second seal: red horse. Bloodshed. Removes peace so people can kill each other.

Third seal: black horse. Famine. “A loaf of bread could buy a bag of gold.”

Fourth seal: pale horse. Death. Death of ¼ world’s population

G. The Woman and the Dragon

A heavenly woman gives birth. The dragon tries to eat her son, a future king who will rule with a rod of iron. God takes the son and protects the woman.

H. The Two Beasts

• Beast from the sea: 10 horns w/ crowns, 7 heads w/ blasphemous names.

• Beast from the earth: 2 lamb’s horns but dragon’s voice. Rules on behalf of first beast.

• Forces everyone to get a mark to buy or sell.

• Beheads whoever won’t worship the beast. Number of his name: 666.

I. The Grapes of Wrath

The Son of Man and his angels reaping the earth. Gather the people into the “wine press” of God’s wrath (cf. Isa. 63)

Next up: seven angels with seven plagues (poured out from bowls).

During the sixth bowl, the demons gather the kings of the earth at Har Megiddo.

J. A Last Battle

Final conflict between good and evil.

The “Word of God” rides down on a white horse, with the armies of heaven.

From his mouth: a sharp sword. He will rule the nations with a rod of iron.

http://theater.goodfight.org/

K. The Millennium

Rev. 20: An angel binds the dragon for one thousand years.

The righteous come back to reign with Christ.

Then the dead are judged publicly and Death and Hades are thrown into the Lake of Fire.

L. The New Jerusalem

We studied this last semester. What do you already know?

NEXT TIME: INTERPRETATION!