July 5, 2023 - Revelation 1:1-8

Audio Only

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Notes

Notes on Revelation by Pastor Larry Spry (This first set of notes covers some of what was said last Wednesday Night.  I hope to give a Note Outline for you to fill in starting this Wednesday)

•   How do we interpret the book of Revelation?

Revelation 1:1

 

There have been four basic interpretations of Revelation throughout church history. Of course, there are additional variations within these four.

 

The idealist, or allegorical, interpretation sees the book as an allegory, teaching the ideal of the triumph of good over evil. Antichrist, in this view, is not a real person, but the personification of evil. In an allegory, there is no historical basis for the story; it is fiction (cf. Pilgrim's Progress). This view has appealed to few interpreters who have a high view of inspiration. Most of its advocates are quite liberal in their theology and are mainly postmillennial or amillennial in their eschatology.

 

The preterist interpretation, after the Latin word preater, meaning "past," views the book as dealing only with events in the early history of the church, specifically: its conflicts with Judaism and paganism in John's day. Advocates often identify Antichrist as a past Roman emperor, but there is much difference of opinion about which one. Advocates are mainly postmillennialists and amillennialists. The main problem with this view is the inability of its advocates to unite on the identifications of the various people and symbols that appear in the book. Also, 1:19 says the book points ahead as well as back and to the present.

 

The historicist view understands Revelation to be dealing with events in the total history of the church, not just the church until John's day. Many advocates identify Antichrist with one of the medieval popes, but they do not agree on which one. Advocates are mainly postmillennialists and amillennialists. The main weakness of this view is the interpreters' inability to identify everything predicted in the book with past events and people.

 

The futurist view sees the book describing mainly events in the eschatological future, specifically: the things described in chapters 4-22. Antichrist, according to this view, is a person who will appear in the future from our present perspective in history. Advocates of this view are mainly premillennialists. The main problem with this view is its "improbability," at least from the viewpoint of its critics. Another problem is that it requires more literal interpretation, and belief in the supernatural, which some interpreters are uncomfortable with. This view makes the most sense of the book to me. By the way, I am a premillennialist, not because I am a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, but because premillennial interpretations of various New Testament passages make the most sense to me. In other words, exegesis rather theology is the basis for my Premillennialism.

(from Thomas Constable's Notes on the Bible.)

Date of the Writing: 

Most commentators place the date of the writing at 95-96 A.D.

 

Author identifies Himself

The Apostle John.  Greek is different than his gospel and 3 epistles.  So is the content of the Book

Outline of the Book

Revelation 1:19

 

Revelation 1:1-3

A.      The book is a revelation of who Jesus Christ is and what must soon come to pass.  There is no intervening act of prophecy that must come before Christ return.

B.      Promise concerning the Book

a.       Blessing to those who read the book.

b.       A special blessing to those who understand and heed the truths of the book

 

       Revelation 1:4-8

John is writing to seven literal churches that were ministering at the time of this letter.  They are all located near the Mediterranean Sea in modern Turkey.  Some wish to indicate that these churches are symbolic of churches through history but they were actual churches when John wrote the letter and very helpful as to problems in the church today.

 

We see the promise of a return of Christ

We see the seven-fold ministry of Holy Spirit – See Eph 1:1-14

Jesus is identified as:

1.        The faithful witness

2.       The first born from the dead – first of importance

3.       The Ruler of the earth – See Psalm 2

The Ministry of Jesus

1.       He loved us.

2.       Released us from sin by His blood

3.       Gave us ministries

a.        Part of his kingdom and family

b.       We are Priest before God

His kingdom is eternal and glory (praise and adoration) belong to Him

Second coming with be seen by all

                Act 1 describes his ascension.

                Matt 24 His return

                Rev. 1: 7 that all will see Him

Jesus Identifies Himself in verse 8

Alpha and Omega – He is eternal

Is/was/is to come (never a time where He has not been)

Final description – The Almighty (all power belongs to Jesus)