Burning Bush Blogs
Equipping Men with Biblical Knowledge and Leadership Skills
Category: Personal Study
Thread: New to the Bible – Bible Structure
Post Topic: NT Prophecy (Revelation)
Post in Thread: #10
Previous: NT Letters
Scripture: Revelation of Jesus Christ
Revelation 5:11-13
Key Verses:
Revelation 5:11-13
11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
Note on this post
This post fits within a continuing series meant for readers who are less familiar with Scripture. Unlike most Burning Bush blogs, this series is designed to explore the organizational structure of the Bible more than a particular topic. The same introductory overview is included in each post in case someone jumps into the middle of the series.
Books of the Bible – Overview
Imagine two bookshelves – one with 39 books, and one with 27 books. The shelves have dividers between groups of books. Each group belongs to its own genre. There’s a group of historical fiction, a group of thrillers, a group of how-to books, biographies, etc.
Now imagine that the top shelf is the Old Testament and the bottom shelf is the New Testament. The genres, or categories, of each testament, is what we’re going to discuss.
NT Prophecy
The Revelation of Jesus Christ maintains its own category on the bookshelf: New Testament Prophecy. John the Apostle received a vision from Jesus while living in exile, confined to the labor camp on the island of Patmos. The images described are grand in scale and unlike anything mankind has ever witnessed or imagined. Taken by themselves, the descriptions are terrifying. But when you read the entire book, one message becomes clear: God wins, through the Son, Jesus.
Observations
- The first three chapters are directed to seven churches scattered around Asia Minor.
- The letters detail both the good and the bad in the churches.
- Following the letters, John describes the incredible vision he was given while in Exile on the island of Patmos.
- In chapters 4 and 5, the vision opens with saints and angels all worshipping in the heavenly throne room of God.
- Following chapters describe the apocalyptic events shown to John in the remainder of the vision.
- The visions include creatures like leviathans and dragons.
- A series of natural disasters claim innumerable lives.
- Violent wars are fought at both a spiritual and physical level.
- Eventually the dragons are defeated by the forces of Christ.
- God’s eternal kingdom is established on a new earth and a new heaven.
- This description only scratches the surface of the series of events outlined in the vision.
Interpretation
Revelation is the most difficult book in the Bible to interpret because of its symbolic language and fantasy-like elements. Was the vision describing past events, current events of the time, or future events? Or some combination? The Christian church was enduring horrible persecution when this was written. So it seems clear that one of the goals of the book was to encourage the readers of the time to stay the course and to hold fast to the hope of the future kingdom of God.
Setting – Written on the Greek island of Patmos. John received his vision in a cave. The church was in turmoil – expanding and growing, yet threatened by both the political and the religious establishments of the day.
Genre – Symbolic, apocalyptic prophecy
Author – John in his later years, the only remaining apostle, and the elder statesman of the church
Takeaways
- Many of the symbols could have been describing Israel and its chaotic history. Images of the pregnant mother, with the dragon waiting to devour the child, could have been looking back at the promise that Abraham’s descendants would bear the Messiah.
- Symbols could have also represented the governments and the religious powers who worked against God’s plan (past, present, and/or future).
- The vision clearly has a futuristic prophetic message as well, describing how God will win in the end, banishing Satan and his followers.
Many Interpretations, and a Caution
There are too many opinions on the timing and the details of how God will usher in His kingdom to discuss here. If you’re new to the Bible, you will want to focus on other portions of the Bible first.
Many scholars have made specific and bold predictions about end times based on what they’ve studied and have been proven wrong. The Bible clearly tells us that no man knows the time of Christ’s return. So be careful about becoming too dogmatic about a particular approach to the book. It is fun to study and good to formulate your own opinions based on the evidence that’s provided. But our salvation doesn’t depend on a precise interpretation of end times.
Correlation
- Matthew 24:3-8 – The disciples asked Jesus about end times, and this chapter, sounding much like Revelation, contains his reply. These verses speak of turmoil like birth pains (recall the pregnant woman in Revelation). But this is only the beginning of the signs.
- Matthew 24:30-31 – Still discussing end times, Jesus describes His return, when He will gather believers from all corners of the earth.
- Matthew 24:35 – God’s eternal kingdom will never pass away.
- Matthew 24:23-24 – Warnings against false prophets and messiahs. Jesus speaks of the deceivers, perhaps a reference to the beast described in Revelation.
Application
Generic Applications
- Our world seems to stray farther from God. But this is nothing new. It has been so through the ages, but God’s plan still plays out before us.
- We may go through trials on earth. But they are temporary. His kingdom, absent of death and tears, will reign forever. We can be comforted.
Personalize it
- Consider life’s stress points. Am I disheartened by current events? I can take solace in God’s sovereignty. We may experience persecution and trouble, but the evil one’s day will come. God, lift this burden from me. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!
Bible study methodology adapted from Searching the Scriptures with permission from Tyndale House:
Swindoll, Charles, Searching the Scriptures. Tyndale House Publishers, 2016.