Revelation/Introduction/Commentary by Mark Dunagan

Revelation Introduction

The Title: The term “Revelation” (1:1) means, “an uncovering, a laying bare” (Thayer). The Greek term here is APOKALUPSIS, thus the English title “Apocalypse”. Therefore the book is designed to uncover and reveal truth, and not to confuse the reader or conceal truth. “Now don’t tell me the book cannot be understood, for that would mean God had mocked us in giving it to us and in adding a blessing for those who ‘keep’ it” (Revelation, Jim McGuiggan, p. 12). “The purpose of the writer was not to cover up his message but to make it increasingly vivid by ‘unveiling’ through signs and symbols the present glory of Jesus Christ and His power to give victory to His faithful saints” (Revelation, Harkrider, p. 1). The Style of the Book: Revelation 1:1 “and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bondservant John”. The term “communicated” is the Greek term SEMAINO, and means to “give a sign” (Vine p. 30). “To give a sign, to signify, indicate” (Thayer p. 573). Thus this is a book that communicates a message by signs and symbols. This style of literature is known as Apocalyptic. “Apocalyptic literature was always relevant to the historical situation of the day. Daniel and Ezekiel were written during the Babylonian exile to comfort the chosen people in their faithfulness and to prepare them for trials, even down to the times of Antiochus Epiphanes and to the Roman Empire” (Studies in the Book of Revelation, Ferrell Jenkins, p. 1). “In approaching an apocalyptic book the rule is: Understand it figuratively unless there is good reason to do otherwise” (McGuiggan p. 15). “There are those who affirm ‘apocalyptic speech’ was used to hide the truth from the hostile authorities. There is no proof whatever for such a view. What’s to prevent an enemy from infiltrating an assembly of believers and hearing the message explained?” (p. 15).

Literal and Figurative? Premillennialists claim that they interpret the book literally, but this is not true. Hal Lindsey makes fire and brimstone equivalent to nuclear explosions; locusts equivalent to Cobra helicopters; swords and shields stand for tanks and missiles. He insists 144,000 Jews in the text (Revelation 7) must mean just that but fire and brimstone must mean something else. John Walvoord refuses to accept 10 days in Revelation 2:10 as 10 days but insists that 1000 years of 20:1ff must mean 1000 literal years. “These are not isolated cases. So do not let anyone give you the impression Amillennialists are the only people who figurize” (McGuiggan p. 15). Author: The writer speaks of himself as a man named John (1:1,4,9; 22:8). Those who lived after the days of the apostles are almost unanimous in ascribing the Revelation letter to the apostle John. This was the view of Justin Martyr (A.D. 140), of Irenaeus (A.D. 180), who was a disciple of the apostle John, of the Muratorian Canon (A.D. 200), of Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 200), and so on. There is also a very strong tradition that the apostle John was the John banished on the isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:9), and that he spent the closing years of his life at Ephesus, to which the first of the seven letters of the Apocalypse was addressed (2:1). In light of the fact that the apostle John was the most well known “John” among Christians, in order not to confuse Christians, had the writer been any other John, the Holy Spirit would have so designated. “Yet the real author is not John, but the Almighty God Himself. ‘The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him….and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John’ (1:1). Therefore what this book predicts is not the product of human fancy, prone to error, but the revelation of the mind and purpose of God” (More than Conquererors, William Hendriksen. p. 15). The Audience: The letter is addressed to seven congregations in the Roman providence of Asia Minor (modern Turkey) (Revelation 1:4). These churches may be representative for there were other congregations in Asia, Troas (Acts 20:7); Colossae (Colossians 1:2); Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13). Beginning at Ephesus, the cities named formed a type of circuit or loop. This books was written during a time of intense persecution (for some Christians) (1:9; 2:13; 2:10; 3:10) Date: Most hold one of two dates for the book of Revelation: 1. A date during or shortly after the persecution by Nero (A.D. 54-68) and before the destruction of Jerusalem (A.D. 70). This is commonly known as

the “early date”. Some of those who accept the early date see the Revelation letter primarily dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Advocates of this date almost always interpret the fall of Babylon in chapters 17 through 19 as referring to the destruction of Jerusalem. 2. A date during or shortly after the persecution by the Roman Emperor Domitian, about A.D. 95-96. This is commonly known as the “late date”. Advocates of this late day usually interpret the great harlot Babylon as symbolic of Rome. Those who hold this view also believe that the events described in Revelation are a fulfillment of prophecy, particularly those found in Daniel 2:31-45 and 7:13-28. Revelation and the Late Date: 95-96 A.D. Various lines of evidence seem to support this date for the Revelation letter and that the persecuting power in the letter is the Roman Empire: 1. There is no mention of John’s exile in the other New Testament letters, this seems strange if John was exiled around the same time that Paul was in prison in Rome. The Jews would have had no authority to exile John to Patmos, nor is there any evidence to show that Nero would have done so. On the other hand, Domitian throughout His reign banished political and religious enemies on a regular basis 2. Ephesus seems to have been a sound congregation in A.D. 62 (there is no condemnation of them in the Ephesian letter). Yet, in the Revelation letter they are rebuked for leaving their first love (2:1ff). 3. An earthquake destroyed the city of Laodicea in 61 A.D.. It seems strange that a city could have been completely rebuilt and then lapsed into smug self-complacency in about four years (3:17). Hendriksen writes, “The Apocalypse reflects an age in which Ephesus has already lost its first love; Sardis is already ‘dead’; Laodicea—which was destroyed by an earthquake during Nero’s reign has been rebuilt and is boasting of its spiritual wealth (3:17); John has been ‘banished’ a very common form of persecution during Domitian’s reign; the church has already endured persecutions in the past (20:4)” (p. 14). 4. The persecution described in this book would reach out and affect Christians outside of Palestine. “If the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 is the focal point of the book as most early date advocates stress, why was it written to churches of Asia Minor? By contrast, when the Lord predicted Jerusalem’s fall, He gave specific signs only to His disciples in Jerusalem so they could flee (Matthew 24; Luke 17, 21)” (Truth Commentaries, Revelation, Harkrider, p. xxxvi). This book is describing a time of trial that would come upon Christians everywhere (3:10).

5. Christians had already been persecuted for some time (Revelation 6:910). By the time this letter is written, Christians who have been previously persecuted are crying out “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 6. Many of those who lived after the days of the apostles believed that John had received this vision during the reign of Domitian. Irenaeus wrote, “For that (the apocalyptic vision) was seen not a very long time since, but almost in our own day, toward the end of Domitian’s reign” (Ante-Nicene Fathers, I, p. 416). “In view of the claim that Irenaeus knew Polycarp, who in turn knew the apostle John, he might well be expected to have accurate information regarding the time of John’s imprisonment on Patmos. Several other church fathers, following the lead of Irenaeus, indicated the same time frame for the date of the writing of Revelation” (Revelation. Four Views, Steve Gregg, p. 17). Here is the full quotation from Irenaeus: “Now since this is so, and since this number (666) is found in all the good and ancient copies, and since those who have seen John face to face testify, and reason teaches us that the number of the name of the beast appears according to the numeration of the Greeks by the letters in it…We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of Antichrist; for if it were necessary that his name should be distinctly revealed in this present time, it would have been announced by him who beheld the apocalyptic vision. For that was seen not very long time since, but almost in our day, towards the end of Domitian’s reign”.

Revelation and the Early Date: Pre A.D. 69

1. It is argued that John pictures the temple still standing in Jerusalem (Revelation 11:1-2), yet this evidence is inconclusive. The temple described in this chapter is part of a symbolic vision, and need not have been seen prior to the destruction of its earthly counterpart. 2. Revelation 17:10 “and there are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come”. Unless the term “kings” refers to “kingdoms” (that is, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and Rome), the natural understanding of this verse would be that five Roman emperors had fallen, and the sixth was reigning at the time the letter was written. Many argue that Nero (A.D. 54-68) was the sixth recognized emperor of Rome. Yet there is little consistency among commentators as to who is the first official Roman emperor. Some begin with Augustus and others with Julius Caesar. We will discuss this section further when we study Revelation chapter 17. 2 1

For a thorough presentation concerning the earlier date see: The Beast of Revelation, by Dr. Kenneth Gentry. 2 If one is wishing to do more study at this time see: Truth Commentaries, Revelation, Robert Harkrider, pp. xlvi-lii.

3. Gregg makes a good point when he notes, “Since John wrote prophetically, references to the reign of Domitian need not have been written during that reign. John may well have written decades earlier than the times that he predicted. Therefore, we may be looking in the wrong place for clues concerning the time of writing when we try to identify it with the time of the events described in the prophetic portions of the book” (p. 16). 4. Advocates of the early date also note that the condition of the churches in chapters two and three could have happened in a very short time, as the experience of many modern congregations can demonstrate. See Galatians 1:6. Interpretations of Revelation: 

The Historicist Approach: Revelation surveys the whole of Church History:

Also known as the continuous historical approach. This was the view held by many during the Reformation Movement, including John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and others. Obviously, most reformers took this position because it gave them ammunition against the Roman Catholic Church. Modern SeventhDay Adventists, with their “Revelation Seminars”, present their own version of this approach. This view believes that the book of Revelation predicts the entire church age. For example, the breaking of the seven seals in chapters 6-7 is often said to be the barbarian invasions that sacked the Western Roman Empire. One non-negotiable feature of this approach is the assertion that the papacy is the Antichrist. The flaws of this approach are: The book is predicting things that must shortly come to pass (Revelation 1:3). This is a very subjective method of interpretation, that is, people tend find the fulfillment history in the letter they want to find. Most who hold this view typically place their own generation as the final time period mentioned in the book. Finally, Revelation is not predicting “church history” for according to the New Testament the vast majority of what is called “church history” is nothing more than the history of denominationalism which does not have God’s approval (2 Timothy 4:2-4; John 17:20-22). 

The Preterist Approach/Contemporary Historical:

Some preterists believe that the book looks no further into the future than the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Others see the book predicting both the fall of Jerusalem and the fall of the Roman Empire, and the final chapters dealing with the Second Coming of Christ.

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The Futurist Approach: Everything after chapter three is still awaiting fulfillment:

This is the view held by most popular contemporary evangelical writers. The best-known version of futurism today is that of dispensational theology, and has become highly publicized through the writings of Hal Lindsey The Late Great Planet Earth, and the popular series, Left Behind. According to this view, the book divides up into three sections. Chapters 2-3 describe the present or the church age, everything after chapter 3 describes events, which are still future from our own standpoint. The majority of the book, chapters 6-19 is thought to describe a seven-year tribulation period, followed by the Second Coming (chapter 19), and the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth (chapter 20). The flaws of this approach are: It contradicts the time period that surrounds the letter, “for the time is near: (1:3; 22:10). John is told not to seal up the book (22:10), because the “time is at hand”. “When this is contrasted with Daniel’s being commanded to seal up his book because it would not be immediately fulfilled (Daniel 12:9), this seems a deliberate promise that there would be no great interval between the time Revelation was written and the time of its fulfillment” (Gregg p. 38). Such a view is also based upon the false doctrine known as Premillennialism. In contrast to such an approach, the Bible does not teach a rapture (a secret and silent coming for Christians only) (1 Thessalonians 4:135:3). The Bible also denies the claim that Jesus is not presently reigning, and will not reign until the Second Coming (Ephesians 1:20-23; Acts 2:29ff; Psalm 110:14). When Jesus comes, the kingdom will not be set up, rather the kingdom is already here and John was in it (Revelation 1:5-6,9; Colossians 1:12-14; Mark 9:1). In addition, the Bible does not teach that Jesus is coming at a time of allout world war (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2). Gregg reminds us that there is no passage in the book of Revelation, which, literally applied, will yield a prediction of 200 million Chinese troops, cobra helicopters, a global cashless economic system, or nuclear war” (p. 41). Futurists often make the same mistake as the advocates of the continuous historical approach, that is, their own generation is the last period of time mentioned in the book of Revelation. 

The Spiritual Approach:

The label spiritual approach covers all views that do not look for individual or specific fulfillments of the prophecies of Revelation, but which believe only that spiritual lessons and principles are depicted symbolically. According to this view, the great themes of triumph of good over evil, of Christ over Satan, of the vindication of the martyrs are played out throughout Revelation without necessary reference to single historical events. Other names for this view include, nonliteral, allegorical, symbolic, poetic, and philosophy of history school. 

Historical-Background:

“This method of interpretation seeks to find the meaning that the book had in the day of its origin. As it was written to the people of that day, it is fulfilled in the 6

events of the first two centuries (some extend it longer), but in the historical background is seen a message for all time” (Harkrider p. 6). Good Rules for Study: 1. The book was written first of all for the encouragement and edification of the Christians in John’s time. The book had to have a message and meaning for the Christians that would endure these persecutions. 2. The book is written in symbolic language and no point of view takes everything literally in the book. 3. Understand difficult passages in light of clearer passages. Make all interpretations consistent with the teaching of the whole Bible. 4. There is a way to understand the book, God is not the author of confusion and He speaks to be understood. Revelation 1:3 “for the time is near” Futurists here will argue that the term “near” has some other meaning than that which first comes to mind. 1. The word “near” means “quickly” or “suddenly”, thus meaning that when the proper time comes, the fulfillment at that time will be rapid. Yet God said, “the time is near”, He did not say, when the time comes 2000 years from now, then it will take place suddenly. 2. Others argue that the time is “near” from God’s perspective. Since a day to the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years as a day (2 Peter 3:8), even an event two thousand years removed might be regarded as “near”. Yet, the book was not written to God, it was written to human beings who live in time, not eternity. The time is “near” to the readers of the letter, if not, then this opening statement is meaningless. Themes: 1. Jesus is constantly inspecting local congregations and those who fail the test will cease to be His people if they do not repent (chapters 2-3). 2. One must remain faithful unto death (2:10). 3. Only those who “overcome” will end up saved (2:11,7; 3:21). And overcoming is only possible with a strong faith and loyalty to Christ (7:14; 12:11; 14:12-13). 4. God’s glory and His might: (chapters 4-5).

5. The majesty of Jesus Christ (5:11-14). 6. God does avenge His people (6:9-11; 19:11). Those who oppose God will suffer the full force of His wrath. 7. Secular society, civil governments, the false religion have joined forces against the truth—and have lost! Do we seem similar alliances today? 8. Satan is doomed (12:9,12; 20:7-10). 9. Hell is real (14:11; 20:10; 21:8). 10. The wonder of heaven (21-22). 11. Nations are responsible for their moral or immoral influences (18:3,5,9; 19:2). 12. God’s judgments are just and true (19:2). 13. God reigns even when His people are being persecuted (19:6). 14. War in the spiritual realm is real (12:7).

Hendriksen notes, “Christ is pictured as the Victor, the Conqueror (1:18; 2:8; 5:9ff; 6:2; 11:15; 12:9ff; 14:1,14; 15:2ff; 19:16; 20:4; 22:3). He conquers death, Hades, the dragon, the beast, the false prophet, and the men who worship the beast” (p. 8). He further adds “does it seem as if their prayers (the righteous) are not heard (6:10)? The judgments sent upon the earth are God’s answer to their pleading (8:3-5). Do they seem to be defeated? In reality they reign! (5:9-10). What happens to those who seem to be conquerors, the dragon (12:3), the beast (13:1), the false prophet (13:11) and Babylon (14:8)? They are defeated and in exactly the reverse order (18:2; 19:20; 20:10). In short, the theme of this book is stated most gloriously and completely in these words: ‘These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall conquer them, for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall conquer that are with Him called and chosen and faithful’ (17:14)” (p. 9). The Seven Churches: Chapters 2-3 Some futurist interpreters conclude that the description of the seven churches is actually describing seven periods of church history, for example, the letter to Ephesus is said to describe the church during the apostolic age until about A.D. 100. Smyrna, the church enduring persecution, is likened to the church from about 100 to 313 A.D. Pergamos, 313 to the rise of the papacy. Thyatira, the Roman Catholic Church until the Reformation (500-1500). Sardis, the church

during the Reformation (1500-1700). Philadelphia, the church in 1700 to present. Laodicea, the liberal churches of modern times. It is significant that futurist interpreters are frequently boasting about how they interpret the book of Revelation literally! Actually, these are seven congregations, not seven periods of history. Secondly, we know that these churches do not represent church history, because the Catholic Church or the churches of the Reformation have never been part of the body of Christ. Each one of the congregations in this letter were genuine New Testament churches, some of which needed to repent. In addition, carefully note that once again the futurist school assumes that their own lifetime and generation is final period of history on the earth.