OPENING PRAYER Rev 5:9,10,12b,13b Worthy are you to receive the - PDF document

5/30/2014 saraph serpents TUESDAY AYS S WITH THE BIBLE The Book o of Revelation Revelation (to John) The Apocalypse Class 2 May 6,2014 May 6,2014 OPENING PRAYER Rev 5:9,10,12b,13b Worthy are you to receive the scroll and to break open its seals, for you were slain with your blood you purchased for God God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on earth 1

5/30/2014 OPENING PRAYER Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches wisdom and strength honor and glory and blessing To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might forever and ever. THE BOOK OF REVELATION Schedule Schedule for for Class Class April 29 - Introductory Class May 6 - Chapters 1:1 - 5:14 5:14 May 13 - No Class (Clergy Institute) May 20 - Chapters 6:1 - 16:21 May 27 - Chapters 17:1 - 21:21 2

5/30/2014 THE BOOK OF REVELATION Review Material Covered to D Date Historical Context The Author of the book Genre of the book Use of symbolism Contemporary ways this book has been read by Christians Major themes in the book The Outline of the book THE BOOK OF REVELATION OUTLINE OF OUTLINE OF THE THE BOOK BOOK I. I. Prologue (1:1-3) 3) II. I. Letter ers s to the Churches es of Asia (1:4-3:2 :22) 2) III. II.God and the Lamb in Heaven (4:1-5:14 :14) IV. V. The Seven Seals, Trumpets, ts, and Plagues s with Interlude udes s (6:1-16:2 6:21) 1) A. A. The Seven Seals (6:1-8: 8:5) 5) B. B. The Seven Trumpets ts (8:6-11 11:19 :19) C. C. The woman and the Dragon (12) D. D. The Two Beasts (13) E. E. Salvat ation ion and Judgment nt (14) F. F. The Last Plagues es (15-16) 16) V. V. The Punishme ment nt of Babylon n and the Destructi ction on of Pagan Nations s (17:1-20:15 0:15) VI. I. The New Creation on (21:1-22: 22:5) 5) VII. Epilogue (21:6-21) 21) 3

5/30/2014 THE BOOK OF REVELATION VISIONS VISIONS John speaks of h his o own suffering, suffering, persecution persecution, , exiled exiled to Patmos to Patmos. The Vision John was caught up i in a v vision On the Lord ’ s Day = S Sunday He heard a v voice that told him to write Send what he saw to the 7 c churches The description of the vision is similar to Daniel ’ s and Ezekiel ’ s vision of God on the throne - He says he is Jesus, the one dead who is now alive Rev. 1:12-16 16 THE BOOK OF REVELATION VISIONS VISIONS Symbols Symbols Ankle length robe - priest priest Eyes Eyes - peer of w will, judgment; intellect intellect Feet Feet and h hands - power to a act Sharp Sharp two edge sward from mouth mouth- words words of of judgment judgment Rev. 1:12-16 4

5/30/2014 THE BOOK OF REVELATION VISIONS VISIONS The vision explains The 7 7 stars in his hand are the guarding spirits of the 7 Churches The 7 lamp stands are the the 7 Churches Meaning Jesus continues to walk among the Churches (Lamp stands) He is the guardian of the Churches (Stars) Rev. 1:12-16 16 F ORM OF THE ALL THE L ETTERS To the angel of t the church in _____________ _ write this: (description of Jesus) says this: I know (Message (Message of of consolation) consolation) yet I hold this against you: (Accusation = problems in the church of his day) To the victor I w will give (Rewards (Rewards of of the the faithful) faithful) Whoever Whoever has has ears ears ought ought to to hear hear what what the the spir spirit t says to t the Churches 5

5/30/2014 G ROUPS OF P EOPLE J OHN D ENOUNCES Nicolaitans (Nic-o-LAY LAY-i-tans) - heretics, unknown for sure, some state that teachings are similar to Balaam Balaam - (Num 31:16) the man who enticed the Israelites into idolatry and licentiousness Balak - a king of Moab described in the Book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible for his dealings with Balaam. Balak Balak tries to hire Balaam for the purpose of cursing Israel (Numbers 22:1-5). 22:1 Jezebel - A A Nicolaitan, rival to John who deceives. Named after the Canaanite wife of King Ahab who attempted to lead Israel into idolatry by introduction of the cult of Baal. - Now referred to as a false prophet and the name is anathema to the Israelites. R EADING FOR U NDERSTANDING Each Church will hear a verdict based on J John ’ s s knowledge knowledge of of the the community. community. • He is n not speaking to abstract Churches • This knowledge is b both external and spiritual • Message Message is is crucial crucial for for understandin understanding g Revelation Revelation • Message Message of of hope hope to to a a people people who who falter falter • Encouragem Encouragemen ent There has never been a p perfect Christian community Christians have been faith and heroic Christians have been frail and vacillating 6

5/30/2014 T HE C HURCH AT E PHESUS • Western Western coast coast of of Asia Asia Minor Minor • Important Important commercial, commercial, cultural cultural and and religious religious center center of of the the Roman Roman Empire Empire • One of t the largest cities in t the province province • Many think this was t the m mother church of the a area • Paul visited here a and wrote a l letter to the c church • Significan Significant t amount amount of of Christians Christians and and Jews Jews • Praises Praises the the Church Church for for their their endurance endurance and and ability ability to to find find false false teachers teachers • Warns them that their initial love i is f fading now now. • They may r right teaching but do n not h have love • They must reform their ways • The victor will eat o of t the tree o of l life, reference to G Genesis, contrast to sacred tree o of A Artemis (Greek goddess of the f forest) They have removed impostors to the faith but have lost the love they had T HE C HURCH AT S MYRNA • North of E Ephesus • Important Important commercial commercial city city • First in t the province to b build a temple temp le to the g goddess Roma • Built a t temple to T Tiberius, emperor cult cult • Conflict Conflict in in the the city city between between rich rich and and poor, Christians and n non-christia christian, , government authorities government authorities and and Roman Roman authoritie authorities s • Jews were free to practice ice / C Christians tians coming g more from Gentile les s were being rejected cted by the Jews / “ Claim m to be Jews but are members rs of Satan ” • The Christian tians s are rich in God even as they may be poor • Do not fear suffering ing • Stand d firm in persecuti cution on • Martyrdo yrdom m may come their way • Eternal nal life will be for the faithful ful - “ Not be harmed d by the second d death ” Do not fear, persecution will not last and those who stand firm will be rewarded 7

5/30/2014 T HE C HURCH AT P ERGAMUM • Importan Important t center center for for learning, learning, largest libraries largest libraries in in the the world world • Center of t the arts, school of sculptur sculpture • Silver Silver min mines, textiles and parchment • First to b build temple to A Augustus • John reminds ds them that they live in the city of Satan. Nicolait laitans ans are among them enticing ing them to idol worship ip, not not outside de the Church h but within the Church. ch. • They stand firm in the face of persecut cution ion • They have accommod modated ated their r faith to the demands ds of the culture re • The victor r will be given manna (Exodus) us) white amulet t (small stone protecti ction on from evil and harm) New name is a n new destiny y or new way of life • “ Two edge sword in my mouth ” = judgmen ent Those among the Christians are promoting idol worship - internal evil, false teaching T HE C HURCH AT T HYATIRA • Known n for the making g of wool wool • Lydia, a, from Acts, was from here here • Associ ciatio ation n with pagans for liveli lihood hood • They are praised for their love, faith, service and endurance ce • They are scolded for the influence e of of the the prophetes prophetess s (Nicolait Nicolaitan an) • This prophetess ss lures them into idolatry • The victors will have authority y over the nations, , • Not sure of the meaning of the Morning Star T o what extent might Christians conform to the prevailing culture for the sake of economic survival or social acceptance? NONE for John 8