Read the Bible for Life by George Guthrie
“Reading Revelation” Chapter 12 (Eastside Baptist/Sun PM April 14, 2013)
Revelation 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Ø The Challenge of Revelation
o Least read of all NT books
o Obscure images, allusions to OT, and unfamiliar historical references make Revelation difficult to read.
Ø Why i...
Read the Bible for Life by George Guthrie
“Reading Revelation” Chapter 12 (Eastside Baptist/Sun PM April 14, 2013)
Revelation 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Ø The Challenge of Revelation
o Least read of all NT books
o Obscure images, allusions to OT, and unfamiliar historical references make Revelation difficult to read.
Ø Why is Revelation Difficult?
o Very different from other NT books
o Contains a mixture of three different genres:
ü Letter
ü Prophecy
ü Apocalyptic
Ø Symbols in Revelation
o Not literal but point to literal reality
o Real history – past, present, and future – described through symbols
o Imaginatively powerful
o Lens/prism to view reality
o Code language in dangerous times.
o More apparent to original readers than us.
o Examples: “beast”, “mark of the beast” and “dragon”
Ø Revelation’s Message
o Christ is the true emperor.
o God is in control of history.
o Don’t succumb to pressure to abandon faith for earthly security.
o Be faithful to death (if necessary); eternity awaits.
Ø Helps for Reading Revelation
o Pray for insight.
o Read with humility.
o Read with 1st century eyes.
o Not a historical chronology
o John interpreting symbols
o Watch for OT quotes and allusions.
Ø Revelation for Today
o Persecution and opposition exists today, but God is still on the throne.
o In the end, God wins.
o So, persevere (overcome) through abiding faith, even in the face of suffering.
Revelation 12:11
They triumphed over 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.
Revelation 21:7
Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
Revelation 21:1
Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
Revelation 21:2
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Revelation 21:4Read the Bible for Life by George Guthrie
“Reading Revelation” Chapter 12 (Eastside Baptist/Sun PM April 14, 2013)
Revelation 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Ø The Challenge of Revelation
o Least read of all NT books
o Obscure images, allusions to OT, and unfamiliar historical references make Revelation difficult to read.
Ø Why is Revelation Difficult?
o Very different from other NT books
o Contains a mixture of three different genres:
ü Letter
ü Prophecy
ü Apocalyptic
Ø Symbols in Revelation
o Not literal but point to literal reality
o Real history – past, present, and future – described through symbols
o Imaginatively powerful
o Lens/prism to view reality
o Code language in dangerous times.
o More apparent to original readers than us.
o Examples: “beast”, “mark of the beast” and “dragon”
Ø Revelation’s Message
o Christ is the true emperor.
o God is in control of history.
o Don’t succumb to pressure to abandon faith for earthly security.
o Be faithful to death (if necessary); eternity awaits.
Ø Helps for Reading Revelation
o Pray for insight.
o Read with humility.
o Read with 1st century eyes.
o Not a historical chronology
o John interpreting symbols
o Watch for OT quotes and allusions.
Ø Revelation for Today
o Persecution and opposition exists today, but God is still on the throne.
o In the end, God wins.
o So, persevere (overcome) through abiding faith, even in the face of suffering.
Revelation 12:11
They triumphed over 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.
Revelation 21:7
Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
Revelation 21:1
Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
Revelation 21:2
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Revelation 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 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."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
April 14, 2013 Sun PM
Unless otherwise noted, the verses are in NIV.
