The document provides an overview of a Foundations course session on the book of Revelation. It discusses the context and authorship of Revelation, as well as key terms used. It then examines the nature and genre of Revelation as an apocalyptic prophecy and letter. The document outlines the major sections of Revelation, including the letters to the seven churches, the vision of worship in heaven, and the conflicts described through the seals, trumpets and bowls. It aims to provide historical and theological context for properly interpreting and applying the messages of Revelation.

1. Foundations (Year Two)
“Encountering the New Testament”
Session #10.
Encountering REVELATION

2. Written earlier:
The NT Writings Letter of James (40’s/50’s)
Letters of Paul: Written later:
Galatians (48/49 CE) Letters of Peter (64-66)
1 & 2 Thessalonians (51-52) Mark (68-70 )
1 & 2 Corinthians (53-57) Matthew (70-80)
Romans (56-57) Luke-Acts (70-80)
Prison letters (61-62):
Hebrews (50’s/60’s?)
(Colossians, Ephesians,
Philemon & Philippians) Letter of Jude (50’s ?)
Pastoral letters (64-66): Writings of John:
(1, 2 Timothy & Titus)
Gospel, Letters &
Revelation (90-96)

3. Understanding the terminology
Eschatology (study, doctrine, teaching about “the end”)
Prophecy (a declaration of what God is saying now
about a situation & what he is going to do about it)
Kingdom of God (the rule/ reign of God)
Rapture (“snatching away” – used x.14)
Millennium (Latin: period of 1000 years - Rev. 20:1-6)
Tribulation (“pressing”: period of intense persecution)
Antichrist (that which is “instead of Christ”; a figure?)
Parousia (“presence”- generally refers to 2nd Coming)
Apocalypse (“unveiling”- ancient name for Revelation)

4. The Nature of the Book of Revelation
The book as an Apocalypse
The book as a Prophecy
The book as a Letter

5. Features of “Apocalyptic”
Revelations (“lifting of the veil”)
Visions (often communicated through angels)
Symbolism (mysterious, cryptic & fantastic)
Pessimism (inc. catastrophic divine intervention)
Rigid determinism (everything preordained)
Dualism (triumph of power of good over evil)
Transcendent (other-worldly)
Non-chronological (…though history will end!)
Finality (radical transformation of cosmos)
Written-form (through Pseudonymity)

6. Other Apocalyptic Texts
“The War Scroll” (Jewish Qumran/ DSS)
“1 Enoch” (OT Pseudepigrapha – lit. “falsely
inscribed” books written 200 BC - 200 AD)
“Apocalypse of Peter” (NT Pseudepigrapha)
“Apocalypse of James” (Gnostic Text)
“Sibylline Oracles” (12 Ancient Greek texts)
“Apocalyptic writings are tracts for
bad times” (Ladd)

7. Methods for interpreting Revelation
Futurist: A Blueprint of the End Times
(Revelation = solely future events)
Historicist: The Road Map of World History
(Revelation = historical)
Preterist: The First Century Church
(“past”) (Revelation = fulfilled already)
Idealist: Eternal Spiritual Principles
(Revelation = symbolic – earthly
events from a heavenly perspective)

8. FALSE: Historical interpretation
Seven ages of Church History:
 Ephesus Apostolic Age Pre. 100 CE
 Smyrna Age of Persecution 100 to 313
 Pergamos Imperial Church Age 313 to 590
 Thyatira Age of the Papacy 590 to 1517
 Sardis Reformation Age 1517 to 1730
 Philadelphia Missionary Age 1730 to 1900
 Laodicea Age of Apostasy Modern Church

9. Jesus will return!
HOW
CHRISTIANS
SEE IT

10. The Promise
“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it
were not so, I would have told you. I am going
there to prepare a place for you. And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come
back and take you to be with me that you also
may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
“For the Son of Man is going to come in his
Father's glory with his angels, and then he
will reward each person according to what he
has done.” (Matt. 16:27)

11. After he said this, he was taken up before their
very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he
was going, when suddenly two men dressed in
white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they
said, “why do you stand here looking into the
sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken
from you into heaven, will come back in
the same way you have seen him go into
heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)

12. Brothers & sisters, we do not want you to be ignorant
about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest,
who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and
rose again and so we believe that God will bring with
Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that
we who are still alive, who are left till the coming
of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who
have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will
come down from heaven, with a loud command,
with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet
call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
After that, we who are still alive and are left will be
caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord
forever. Therefore encourage each other with these
words…. (contd.)

13. Now, brothers & sisters, about times and dates we
do not need to write to you, for you know very
well that the day of the Lord will come like a
thief in the night. While people are saying,
"Peace and safety," destruction will come on them
suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman,
and they will not escape.
But you, brothers & sisters, are not in darkness that
this day should surprise you like a thief.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13– 5:4)

14. Here’s the problem
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the
angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
(Matthew 24:36)
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times
or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes
on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and
in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
(Acts 1:7-8)
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will
come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
(Matt.24:44)

15. First coming Second coming
of Jesus of Jesus
Present reign of Christ on New
earth through the church heavens
&earth
Time of trial
“This age” “The age to come”
Big question = Continuity vs. Discontinuity?

16. The Big Picture
How we have tried to see it.
 Should we be pessimistic?
(“It’s all going to get worse”)
 Should we be optimistic?
(“It’s all going to get better”)
 Should we be idealistic?
(“It’s not really like we think it is”)
Or should we just not bother?

17. OK, ready for the next slide?
Here’s the “Matthew, Mark, Luke & John”
of the end of the world!

19. Now, let’s take a journey through
REVELATION
KEYS TO
INTERPRETATION &
APPLICATION OF ITS
MESSAGE
“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

20. Section One
INTRODUCTION (1:1-20)

21. What is this revelation
…and why should we read it? – vv.1-3
A revelation from God
…about Jesus Christ
…with a specific blessing (“grace & peace”) for all
who read (aloud), listen & obey it
…for the whole church (on earth)
…about why things are so tough!
** By the way – read it NOW!

22. Who precisely is it for
…and who is it from? – vv.4-8
The church militant (vs. church triumphant)
ie. on earth vs in heaven
 “Grace & peace…”
1. From the eternal God (who is, was, is to come)
2. From the sevenfold Spirit (cf. Is. 11:2)
3. From Jesus (our prophet, priest & king)
“faithful witness, firstborn from dead, ruler of kings…”

23. The messenger (John) – vv.9-11
Who was he?
What were his circumstances?
What did he experience?

24. The master (Jesus) – vv.12-16
“We want to see Jesus” (Oh really!!!)
Where was he standing?
How was he dressed?
What did he look like?
What was he saying?
What was he doing?

25. The central message or gospel.
(What it teaches us about Christ) – vv.17-20
I am alive!
I have won!
I am in control!
I hold you in my hand!
“What is now” “What will take place later”

26. Section two
THE SEVEN CHURCHES (2-3)

27. The Seven Churches of Asia Minor
1. Ephesus
2. Smyrna
3. Pergamum
4. Thyatira
5. Sardis
6. Philadelphia
7. Laodicea

28. The pattern (of the letters)
 The addressee (“to the angel of the church in”)
1. The description of Christ (the writer)
2. What he knows (about their situation)
3. What he thinks (about it)
4. What he commands (them to do about it)
5. What he promises (to them)
 The common refrain (“whoever has an ear let them
hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches”)

29. #1. The church in Ephesus
Hard working
Enduring through suffering
Orthodox in their faith
…but without love!
Remember
Repent
Resume

30. #2. The church in Smyrna
 Suffering …through poverty
…through slander
…through imprisonment
…unto death
1. Don’t be afraid
2. Continue to be faithful
3. Remember what I will do

31. #3. The church in Pergamum
Hold on to the truth!
…about Christ
…about the Christian life
Warning: Judge all things…
(by the word of Jesus)
Promise: Be always led…
(by the word of Jesus)

32. #4. The church in Thyatira
Growing in faith, hope & love
BUT tolerating sin (idolatry & immorality)
1. The chance to repent
2. The consequences of disobedience
 Hold on to the values of Christ
 Share in the reign of Christ
 Reflect the glory of Christ

33. #5. The church in Sardis
“Wake up!” (The church of the living dead)
1. Nominal Christianity (reputation or reality?)
2. Works without faith (= dead)
3. Learn from the past (but don’t ever live in it)
 The church is not a democracy
 The only true membership list is kept in heaven

34. #6. The church in Philadelphia
“Seize the day!”
 The open door & the heavenly key
…despite their size
…despite the opposition
…despite the time of trial
1. A pillar in the temple of God
2. A member of the city of God

35. #7. The church in Laodicea
Lukewarm or wholehearted?
Are you: Then buy from me:
 Rich…or poor? Refined gold
 Seeing…or blind? Healing salve
 Clothed…or naked? White clothes

36. What does Christ think of the church?
Are we…
1. Loving?
 Ephesus
2. Authentic?
 Smyrna
3. Faithful?
 Pergamum
4. Holy?
 Thyatira
5. Alive?
 Sardis
6. Relevant?
 Philadelphia
7. Ablaze?
 Laodicea

37. Section three
WORSHIP IN HEAVEN (4-5)

38. WARFARE & WORSHIP
“Your will be done on earth…as in heaven”
Revelation 2-3 Revelation 4-5
(Warfare) (Worship)
God’s people on earth God’s people in heaven
Their struggles A vision of God
Their victories A vision of Jesus
Their hope A universal vision

39. True worship
That which exalts God & centres on Jesus
God the sovereign one Jesus, the unique one
God the majestic one (Son of God)
God the eternal one Jesus, the lion (King)
God the sustaining creator Jesus, the root (Messiah)
Jesus, the lamb (Saviour)
God the holy one
** Worship that joins with all creation & heaven!

40. Section four
CONFLICT ON EARTH (6-18)

41. WARFARE
(for heaven’s sake, what on earth’s going on?)
The opening of seven seals (6-8)
(interlude: vision of the security of God’s people 7)
The sounding of seven trumpets (8-14)
(interlude: vision of the witness of God’s people 10-11)
The outpouring of seven bowls (15-16)
(interlude: vision of the vindication of God’s people 17-18)

42. The ongoing judgment of this world
(and salvation of God’s people)
Key to chs. 6-18.
As seen through the seven seals
As heard by the seven trumpets
As experienced in the seven plagues

43. When does all this take place?
Now: The lamb received the scroll and opened it
when he ascended & returned to the Father.
Ongoing: We have witnessed & continue to the 4
horsemen and these events.
Then: These events continue to extend and one day
will culminate in the end.

44. The heart of the matter
The establishment of the Kingdom of God
cf. Daniel 2:39-45; 7:7-14, 15-27
“D” day & “V” day (inaugurated eschatology)
“Now” & “Not yet”
The age to come
This age
 Twin themes: JUDGEMENT & SALVATION

45. (A) The opening of the seven seals
Four horsemen of
First seal = Tyranny
the apocalypse
Second seal = War
Third seal = Famine
Fourth seal = Plague (& death)
Fifth seal = Persecution (of the saints)
Sixth seal = Great earthquake (social upheaval)
 Interlude & seventh seal (8:1-5)

46. (B) The sounding of the seven trumpets
First trumpet = Devastation of the earth
Second trumpet = “ in the sea
Third trumpet = “ of the rivers
Fourth trumpet = “ on the sun
Fifth trumpet = Demonic horde (torture)
Sixth trumpet = Demonic warriors (death)
 Interlude & seventh trumpet (11:15-19)

47. (C) The outpouring of the seven bowls
First plague = On the land
Second plague = On the sea
Third plague = On the rivers
Fourth plague = On the sun
Fifth plague = The kingdom of darkness
Sixth plague = A great battle (vs. the unholy trinity)
Seventh plague = The great city “It is done”
 Interlude (The fall of Babylon/ ROME – Ch.18)

48. The salvation of God’s people
Three interludes:
1. The security of God’s people
(The great multitudes…ch. 7)
2. The witness of God’s people
(The angel & the two witnesses…chs. 10-11)
3. The vindication of God’s people
(A women, dragon & strange beast…chs.12-14,17-18)

49. The multitudes (Ch. 7)
“144,000” = symbolic for all God’s people under the
old covenant
“Great multitude” = symbolic for all God’s people,
from every nation, under the new covenant
“Great tribulation” (v.14) = times of pressure, affliction
& distress, throughout this age
Principle = God preserves his people through times of
tribulation and distress.

50. Other clues: two groups/ one people
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the
two one and has destroyed the barrier, the
dividing wall of hostility…his purpose was to
create in himself one new man out of the two.”
(Eph. 2:14-15)
“Song of Moses & Song of the lamb” (15:3)
Twelve gates = 12 tribes of Israel (21:12-14)
Twelve foundations = 12 apostles of Lamb

51. The messengers (Chs.10-11)
“the mighty angel”
Announcing God’s judgment on the whole earth
The bittersweet taste of judgment (to John)
“the two witnesses”
Very likely symbolic of Peter & Paul
Key = faithful witness of Christ’s apostles

52. The woman & the dragon (Ch.12)
The birth of Christ (from heaven’s perspective) –
cf. Matt. 1-3 (Herod & massacre of the infants)
Woman = Mary
Dragon = Satan (cf. v.9), working through Herod
Male child = Jesus
Desert = Egypt (2 ½ years)
 War in heaven (Satan hurled to the earth)

53. The “beast”
Fulfillment of Dan. 7:7-8 (& vv. 23-27)
“After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there
before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and
frightening and very powerful. It had large iron
teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and
trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was
different from all the former beasts, and it had
ten horns. While I was thinking about the horns,
there before me was another horn, a little one,
which came up among them; and three of the first
horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes
like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke
boastfully.”

54. Who/ what is “the beast”?
10 horns (= 10 rulers/ emperors)
7 heads (= 7 hills cf. 17:9)
Mix of lion/ bear/ leopard (cf. Dan. 7)
Authority comes from the dragon
Exercised dominion over the whole earth
One ruler exercises power for 3 ½ years
 Roman empire (& one emperor in particular)

55. 666? (Rev. 13:18)
“This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let them
calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's
number. His number is 666.”
Gematria (ie. geometry) = ancient practice of ascribing
numerical value to words
"Nero Caesar" is spelled (in HEB.) ‫נרון קסר‬
pronounced:
"Neron Qesar".

56. 616? – A variant
Nero Qesar = 616
GK. Χ Ι Σ = 616
(600, 10 + 6)
GK. “Beast” = 666
Latin: I=1, V=5,
X=10, L=50,
C=100, D=500
(combination of first 6
numerals)

57. Roman emperors (1st century)
31 BC-14 CE #2. Augustus (Octavian)
14-37 #3. Tiberius
37-41 #4. Gaius (Caligula)
41-54 #5. Claudius
54-68 #6. Nero
68-69 #7. Galba
69 #8. Otho
69 #9. Vitellius
69-79 #10. Vespasian
79-81 #11. Titus
81-96 #12. Domitian

58. The unholy trinity
1. Dragon (Satan)
2. Beast (Nero & all subsequent wicked rulers)
3. False Prophet (2nd beast/ a religious figure?;
13:11-17)
“Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs;
they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of
the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of
the false prophet. They are spirits of demons
performing miraculous signs, and they go out to
the kings of the whole world, to gather them for
the battle on the great day of God Almighty.”
(16:13-14; cf. 19:20 & 20:10)

59. Antichrist?
1. Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have
heard that antichrist is coming, even now many
antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the
last hour. (1 Jn. 2:18)
2. Who is the liar? It is the one who denies that Jesus is
the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—who
denies the Father and the Son. (1 Jn. 2:22)
3. Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not
from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you
have heard is coming and even now is already in the
world. (1 Jn. 4:3)
4. Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ
as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world.
Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.
(2 Jn. 7)

60. Who/ what is the antichrist?
A spirit in this world that is “instead of Christ”.
A spirit that causes people to deny Christ,
as having come from God, in the flesh.
A spirit that is known for deception.
Any person controlled by this spirit.
“If anyone says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!' or,
`There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs…
will appear and perform great signs and miracles to
deceive even the elect--if that were possible. See, I
have told you ahead of time.” (Matt.24:24-25)

61. Two pictures of Rome? – 17-18
1. The great prostitute (“Babylon the great”) riding on
a beast.
2. Fall of Babylon (the great city)
“the woman” = likely, pagan religious system
“the beast” = likely, pagan political system
Question: Fall of Jerusalem or Rome?
“Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city,
which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where
also their Lord was crucified.” (11:8)

62. Section five
THE END OF THE WAR (19-22)

63. Heaven is a place on earth!
Four Images:
The party begins (19:1-10)
The victory is won (19:11-20:15)
The city comes down (21:1-27)
The river flows (22:1-6)

64. The party begins (19:1-10)
 Stages in an oriental wedding:
1. Selection
2. Betrothal
3. Preparation (waiting & working)
4. Coming of the bridegroom
5. Transfer of the bride
6. Wedding banquet/ celebration
7. Consummation

65. The victory is won (19:11-20:15)
The warrior returns
The kingdom is complete
The final judgment occurs

66. The Millennium
Latin mille (“thousand”)
annus (“year”)
= a period of 1000 years
Only NT ref. = Rev. 20:1-6

67. REV. 20:1-6 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven,
having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great
chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the
devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He
threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him,
to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the
thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set
free for a short time.
I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given
authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been
beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of
the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his
image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or
their hands.
They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand
years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the
thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first
resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but
they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with
him for a thousand years.

68. “A thousand years like one day”
PSALM. 90:4 “For a thousand years in your sight are
like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the
night.”
2 PETER 3:8 “But do not forget this one thing, dear
friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years are like a day.”

69. Millennium?
Literal period of 1000 years (in the future)?
Symbolic number (like rest of numbers) for period
between Christ’s 1st and 2nd coming.
Clues: Satan is bound now (Matt. 12:29)
Satan will be destroyed (1 Jn. 3:8)
“Deceiving the nations” (Matt. 24:14)
1st/ 2nd resurrection (Eph. 2:6/Col. 3:1)

70. The city comes down (Ch.21)
The preparation for the city
The nature of the city
The description of the city
The constituents of the city
Life in the city

71. The river flows (Ch.22)
A picture of life
A picture of health
A picture of freedom
A picture of fulfillment
A picture of intimacy

72. Just remember!
“No eye has seen, no ear heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”
(1 Corinthians 2:9)

73. Where will we spend eternity?
The promise (“I am coming soon”)
The warning (“Be prepared”)
The invitation (“Come!”)

74. The invitation
The Spirit & the bride say, “Come”.
Let each one who hears them say, Come”.
Let the thirsty ones come –
anyone who wants to.
Let them come & drink
the water of life without charge. (22:17)

75. Some final words of advice
Prophecy is all about Jesus
…so don’t get distracted!
Prophecy is for now
…so read & appreciate it!
God is in control & holds you in his hand
…so trust & obey him!