Revelation: The Revelation of Jesus (Part 1)

<p>This is a recording of a 4 week class Dr. Matt is teaching on the letter of Revelation at The Point (www.gotothepoint.com). </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>What lenses do you read Revelation with?</strong> Revelation 1:1</p><p><br /></p><p>The letter of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ, not a revelation of fear and speculation about the the end of the world.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Interpretive Assumptions and Mistakes</strong><br />Assumption #1: Revelation is primarily about the “end times”.</p><p>Assumption #2: What Revelation reveals is a chronological roadmap of the future. </p><p>Assumption #3: Revelation is about us.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>How to avoid interpretive mistakes…</strong></p><p><em><strong>Step 1: Consider the literary context</strong></em></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Genre</strong></p><p><em>Epistle</em> (Rev 1:4, 1:11; Rev 2-3)</p><ul><ul><ul><li>The Bible (and Revelation) was not written <em>to</em> us, but it was written <em>for</em> us. </li></ul></ul></ul><p><br /></p><p><em>Prophecy</em> (Rev 1:3, Rev 19:10)</p><ul><ul><ul><li><strong>17% </strong>of the time the words “prophecy”, “prophesy”, or “to prophesy” are used, the verses are in the context of a prediction. (Often about judgement events that will come if people don’t repent)</li><li><strong>83%</strong> of the time the words “prophecy”, “prophesy”, and “to prophesy” refer to something else besides prediction. </li></ul></ul></ul><p><br /></p><p>Prophecy does 3 things… It reveals: </p><ul><ul><ul><ul><li>Who God is</li><li>What God desires</li><li>What God demands from His people</li></ul></ul></ul></ul><p><br /></p><p><em>Apocalypse </em></p><p>There are 404 verses in Revelation which contain over 800 Old Testament allusions. So, we must understand the Old Testament to interpret Revelation correctly. </p><p><br /></p><p><em>Apocalyptic genre is like a political cartoon. </em>It is the writing of oppressed people under the foot of the empire. Apocalypses are overtly political and are meant to critique to governments of this world and call God’s people to faithful allegiance to the kingdom of God. </p><p><br /></p><p><em><strong>Step 2: Know the historical context </strong></em></p><p>Struggle and Conflict in Revelation: Kingdom of God vs. Kingdom of Satan, Jesus followers vs. unbelieving Jews, Empire vs. The Church, Truth vs. lies</p><p><br /></p><p><em>Team Lamb or Team Dragon?</em></p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Revelation 1</strong></p><p>Jesus