BibleJourney – Revelation
In the Text
The Genres of Revelation
 Revelation is an apocalypse
 Revelation is a prophecy

Revelation is an epistle
Blessings in Revelation
Revelation as an occasional letter
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Description of the Son of Man
Christ in the Midst of the Church
General Outline
The Structure of the Seven Letters
Promise to Overcomers
Seven Seals
1.
Militarism
2.
Warfare
3.
Famine
4.
Death
5.
Persecution and martyrdom of the saints
6.
Celestial phenomena
7.
Silence in heaven
Seven Trumpets
1.
Hail, fire, and blood
2.
The throwing of an erupting volcano into the sea
3.
The falling of a meteorite, described as a blazing star named "Wormwood"
4.
The darkening of the sun, moon, and stars
5.
The opening of the bottomless pit by a star
6.
The slaughtering of one-third of human population by barbaric horsemen
7.
The turning of the kingdoms of the world into the kingdom of Christ
2

Seven Bowls
1.
Malignant sores
2.
The turning of the sea to blood, resulting in death to all life at sea and in it
3.
The turning of all rivers and springs to blood
4.
Scorching heat
5.
Darkness and pain
6.
The gathering of hordes to invade the Roman Empire from the East, the battle of Armageddon
7.
"It is done," an earthquake, thunder, lightening, and the downfall of pagan powers
The Relationship between the Seals, Trumpets and Bowls
Repetition and Interlocking of the Series of Sevens in ch 6-16
Delay
Creation, chaos, and new creation
(pattern of the Bible)
Judgment and redemption
Rapture
Worship in Heaven
3

Scroll
Two witnesses
Biblical patterns
Symbols that John himself defines:
 The golden lampstands (1:20) are churches

The seven stars (1:20) are angels

The one like a Son of Man (1:17-18)

The great dragon (12:9) is Satan

The seven heads (17:9-10) are seven mountains, but also seven kings

The harlot (17:18) is "the great city" = Rome
Symbols where the Old Testament background is key:

The tree of life (Gen 2)

The rod of iron
 The four horsemen (Zech 1:6)
 The angelic agents of God executing judgment (Zech)
 Beasts =nations antagonistic to God (Daniel)
 Trumpet blasts (1:10; 4:1; 8:2-11:15; cf. Gen 19:16-19; Joel 2:1)
 Blackened sun, moon like blood, falling stars (6:12-13; cf. Isa 13:10; 50:3; Joel 2:10)

Plagues (8:7-9:20; cf. Exod 7:17; 9:18; 10:4, 21)
 Hybrid beast (13:2; cf. Dan 7:4-6)
Symbols that are totally unexplained:

Historical background of Asia Minor

Identity of the beast
4

Numbers
 3 = the spiritual realm (8:13; 16:13; 21:13)
 3½ = tribulation (11:9; cf. Dan 7:25; 9:27; 12:7); likewise, 1260 days=42 months=3 ½ years (11:3;
12:6)
 4 = the earth (4:6-8; 5:6, 8, 14; 6:1-8; 7:1-2, 11; 9:13-15; 14:3; 15:7; 19:4; 20:8; 21:16)
 6 = failure (13:18 [three sixes])
 7 = perfection or completion (1:4, 12, 16, 20; 3:1; 4:5; 5:1, 6; 8:2; 10:3; 11:13; 12:3; 13:1; 15:1, 7;
17:9)
 10 = totality (2:10; 12:3; 17:3, 7, 12, 16)

12 = Israel (12:1; 21:12-14, 16, 21; 22:2); likewise 24 (4:4, 10; 5:8, 14; 11:16; 19:4); likewise 144
(7:4-8; 14:1-5; 21:17)

1000 = a very great number; thousands of thousands = unimaginably large (5:11); 144,000 = a large
Jewish multitude (7:4-8; 14:1-5); 7000 = a "complete" large number, as many as necessary (11:13);
1000 years = a very long time (20:2-7)
Colors

White = victory or purity (1:14; 2:17; 3:4-5; 4:4; 6:2, 11; 7:9, 13-14; 14:14; 19:11, 14; 20:11)

Red = destruction (6:4; 12:3), bloodshed (6:12), fire (9:17)

Purple = royalty, luxury (17:4; 18:12, 16)

Scarlet = perverse luxury (17:3-4; 18:12, 16)
 Black = mourning (6:5, 12)
 Pale green = death (6:8)
Animals
 Lamb = sacrifice
 Lion = might, royalty (5:5; 10:3; cf. 13:2)
 Eagle = perseverance, victory (8:13; 12:14)
Figurative or Literal
Suffering
Sovereignty
5

Theology of Revelation:
God as Creator and Sovereign
Some divine titles occur seven times in the book, indicating completeness and sovereignty of God:
Lord God Almighty: 1.8; 4.8; 11.17; 15.3; 16.7; 19.6; 21.22
One who sits on the throne: 4.9; 5.1, 7, 13; 6.16; 7.15; 21.5
‘Christos’ and ‘erchomai’ (comes) occur 7 times each.
"The Lamb" occurs 7 x 4 = 28 times: worldwide scope of his complete victory (Bauckham, 34).
Four references to seven Spirits: 1.4; 3.1; 4.5; 5.6: fullness of divine power sent to all earth.
Before God the sea (chaos) is as glass (calm) in Rev. 4.
God judges everyone and all things.
“Christology”: Jesus is God (!)
Rev. identifies Jesus Christ with God using the same self-declarations (cf. Isaiah 44:6; 48:12)
God
Christ
Alpha and Omega
First and the Last
1.8
1.17
God
Christ
Alpha and Omega, beginning and the end 21.6
Alpha and Omega, first and last, beginning and the end 22.13
Jesus is worshipped
Rev. 5: the worship of God (ch. 4) comes to include the worship of the Lamb (ch. 5).
At times, John speaks of God and Jesus using a singular verb (11.15) or singular pronoun (22.3-4).
What Christ Does, God Does
Christ shares in God's salvation and judgment.
This is seen in the parousia (‘appearing,’ or 2 nd coming): Isa. 40:10; 62:11; Rev. 22:3-4, 12
7 times Christ declares "I am coming" (2.5, 16; 3.11; 11.5; 22.6, 12, 20).
God's eschatological judgment is identified by John with Christ's parousia
Jesus’ divine presence
He is walking amidst the lampstands (1.13; 2.1).
The Lamb is in the midst of the throne.
Jesus’ human identity
Jesus' identification with God does not overshadow his humanity in Revelation. 14 times the name
"Jesus" is used, 7 of which occur in the "witness (1.2, 9; 12.17; 19.10 (2x); 20.4) or witnesses (17.6) of
Jesus." Jesus' humanity is significant as the witness he bore.
"Christ” occurs 7 times.
The Spirit:
Revelation has four "seven Spirits" references: Rev. 1.4; 3.1; 4.5; 5.6.
Revelation has fourteen (2 x 7) references to "Spirit"
6

Seven say "Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches" (2.7, 11, 17,
29; 3.6, 13, 22).
Seven others:
"in the Spirit" (1.10; 4.2; 17.3; 21.10) citing the words of the Spirit (14.13; 22.17)
"the Spirit of prophecy" (19.10). ("Prophecy” also occurs seven times).
“Trinity”
Rev. 1.4b-5a: "Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.“
Behind the Text
Authorship, Recipients and Provenance
Patmos
Ephesus
Smyrna
Sardis
Pergamum
Thyatira
Philadelphia
Laodicea
7

Context of Persecution and Accusation
Sacrilegious
Treasonous
New & non-competitive
Irrational
Movement of the poor and the weak
Pathological desire to die
No unity to Christian theology
Cannibalism
Incestuous
Other Images
In Front of the Text
Interpreting Revelation
1. Not literal prophecy but literal referents
2. Familiar schemes but not a strict chronological time line of events
3. Ultimate end with intensification of evil
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4. Function of Revelation: encourage believers to overcome
5. Present time: witness and martyrdom
6. Reading Revelation innerbiblically:
Reading Revelation in the context of the Old Testament (case studies from Rev. 1 and Zechariah 2 & 4)
The ultimate “big picture”: From beginning to … new beginning
9


The preterist approach
 The historicist approach
 The idealist approach
 The futurist approach

The eclectic approach
Pre-millennialism
 Pre-tribulationism
Interpreting Revelation
Millennial Views
 Mid-tribulationism
 Post-tribulationism
Post-millennialism
Amillenialism
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A Selected Bibliography of Studies on the Book of Revelation *
Compiled by Eric James Gréaux, Sr., Ph.D.
Aune, David E. Revelation. Word Biblical Commentary, 3 vols. Dallas: Word, 1997-98.
Beale, Gregory K. The Book of Revelation. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 1999.
Beasley-Murray, G.R. Revelation. New Century Bible. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974.
Blount, Brian K. Can I Get a Witness: Reading Revelation through African American Culture. Louisville:
Westminster John Knox Press, 2005.
-----. Revelation: A Commentary. The New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press,
2009.
*Efird, James M. Revelation for Today: An Apocalyptic Approach. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1989.
Farmer, Ronald L. Revelation. Chalice Commentaries for Today. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2005.
Gorman, Michael J. Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the lamb into
the New Creation. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2011.
Harrington, Wilfred J. Revelation. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1993.
Hemer, Colin J. The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting. The Biblical Resource
Series. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1989.
*Hendricksen, William. More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids:
Baker Book House, 1964.
Hughes, Philip E. The Book of Revelation. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans,
1990.
*Keener, Craig S. Revelation. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
Ladd, George Eldon. A Commentary on the Revelation of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972.
*Metzger, Bruce M. Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation. Nashville: Abingdon Press,
1993.
Michaels, J. Ramsay. Revelation. New Testament Commentary. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1997.
Mounce, Robert. The Book of Revelation. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997.
Smalley, Stephen S. The Revelation to John: A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Apocalypse. Downers
Grove: InterVarsity, 2005.
Talbert, Charles H. The Apocalypse: A Reading of the Revelation of John. Louisville: Westminster John Knox,
1994.
Wilcox, Michael. The Message of Revelation. The Bible Speaks Today. Downer Grove: IVP, 1975.
*Witherington, Ben. Revelation. The New Cambridge Bible Commentary. Cambridge: University Press,
2003.
* Works marked with an asterisk are highly recommended.
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Repetition and Interlocking of the Series of Sevens in chps 6-16
(7 churches, stars, angels, spirits, lampstands>>> 7 seals, angels, trumpets, plagues/bowls of wrath) a. 7th in each series of seven ends with similar formula. Each is linked to ch. 4 and is reminiscent of the
Sinai theophany (Ex. 19.16; cf. Jub. 2.2): 4.5; 8.5; 11.19; 16.18-21. b. Each of these 7 similar judgments comprise the whole of the next series, with 16.18-21 as the fullest elaboration. There is intensification in each series, with 7th in series giving a glimpse of final judgment. c. Interlocking of series (or "overlapping", or "interweaving"):
1. 7th seal (8.1-5) introduces angels of 2nd series of seven.
2. 7th trumpet (11.15-19) separated from 1st bowl (15.1) by chs. 12-14. But echo of 11.19 in 15.5-6. d. Each series of 7 has a 4 + 3 pattern: 4 riders in 1st series; last 3 judgments of trumpets-"woe" form a clear group; 1st 4 bowls are same as first four trumpets bringing judgment on the earth, sea, fresh water, and heavens. e. 7th judgment in seals and trumpets series is delayed (7.1-17; 10.1-11.13). This shows delay of final judgment. Also, 6.10 shows delay explicitly ("How long?"). Both are concerned with the people of
God: 1. to protect people of God from judgment (7.1-7) and 2. to give prophetic witness (10.1-11.13) f. No delay in 3rd series of plagues/bowls of wrath. Interruption of 16.15 regarding the people of God does not signal delay; rather it signals suddenness of God's judgment (14). The failure of humanity to repent (16.9,11; cf. 9.20-21) brings judgment. g. Background/paradigm of Moses/Egypt/plagues: (power in 11:6; song in 15:3; refs to water>blood, frogs, darkness)
Chapters 12-14. a. This is a fresh start (12.1), but the end is intercalated with the initiation of the 3rd series of 7 judgments, the bowls, with 15.1 repeating language from 12.1 ("and I saw a great sign...."). Also, in the bowls are references back to 12-14. Thus 6-11 and 12-14 converge on the same conclusion, ch. 15. b. Also, there is thematic agreement between 12-15 and the two earlier intercalations (7.1-17 and 10.1-
11.13): the people of God in their conflict with the forces opposed to God.
1. 7.4 and 14.1: 144,000
2. 11.2-3 and 12.6, 14; 13.5: church's suffering and witness
3. 11.7 and 13: beast, who conquers the saints.
From the Parousia to the new creation: 19.11-21.8
References to earlier material, despite an abrupt new beginning to the section, shows the overall unity of the
Apocalypse. a. 6.15; 19.18: list of ones to judge. b. 12.5; 19.15: child to rule snatched up, returns. c. 14.20 and 19.15, 18: who treads the winepress?, horses. d. 16.14, 16, and 19.15, 19: great kings gathered, "God the Almighty" repeated. e. 17.14 and 19.14, 16: Lamb's title and followers. f. Description of Christ: 19.11-16. Cf. ch. 1; also (3.14); (1.14; 2.18); (1.16; 2.12, 16); (2.26-27). g. God's enemies appear in opposite order of their destruction:
Death and Hades
Dragon
Beast and False Prophet
Babylon
Appearance Destruction
6.8
12.6
13
17
20.14
20.1-10
19.20
18
12