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
Rev 5:9,10,12b,13b
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
I.
3)
II.
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.
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
s (17:1-20:15 0:15) VI.
22:5) 5)
21)
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
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)
(description of Jesus) says this:
(Message of
consolation)
in the church of his day)
(Rewards of
the faithful) faithful)
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 22:1-5). 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.
Western coast coast of
Asia Minor Minor
Important commercial, commercial, cultural cultural and and religious religious center center of
the Roman Roman Empire Empire
the largest cities in t the province province
the m mother church
area
and wrote a l letter to the c church
Significant t amount amount of
Christians and and Jews Jews
Praises the the Church Church for for their their endurance endurance and and ability ability to to find find false false teachers teachers
is f fading now now.
right teaching but do n not h have love
the tree o
life, reference to G Genesis, contrast to sacred tree o
Artemis (Greek goddess of the f forest)
They have removed impostors to the faith but have lost the love they had
Ephesus
Important commercial commercial city city
the province to b build a temp temple le to the g goddess Roma
temple to T Tiberius, emperor cult cult
Conflict in in the the city city between between rich rich and and poor, Christians and n non-christia christian, , government government authorities authorities and and Roman Roman authoritie authorities s
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”
tians s are rich in God even as they may be poor
ing
d firm in persecuti cution
yrdom m may come their way
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
Important t center center for for learning, learning, largest largest libraries libraries in in the the world world
the arts, school of sculptur sculpture
Silver min mines, textiles and parchment
build temple to A Augustus
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.
cution ion
modated ated their r faith to the demands ds of the culture re
r will be given manna (Exodus) us) white amulet t (small stone protecti ction
from evil and harm) New name is a n new destiny y or new way of life
ent
Those among the Christians are promoting idol worship - internal evil, false teaching
ce
e of
the prophetes prophetess s (Nicolait Nicolaitan an)
ss lures them into idolatry
y over the nations, ,
culture for the sake of economic survival or social acceptance? NONE for John
May look good but have very little faith, half-hearted living
Note: no condemnation written. Only words of comfort
Promise that they will be open one day
Opposition came from the Jews Jews
God will vindicate the suffering and make the wicked see the error of their ways
Note: no praise in this letter
in their riches they are disgustingly lukewarm in their faith
naked” - They have deluded themselves into thinking they are among the spiritual elite
for for eyes eyes
Message of hope - the victor will sit with Christ on the throne
Marks of having been slain Is alive 7 horns (power) 7 eyes (Knowled ledge ge) Symbolic lic - Jesus Jesus
When Jesus takes the scroll from the one on the throne, the 4 watchers and the 24 elders sang this hymn. The elders had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones, those who are faithful on earth. Our prayers are before the throne through the elders.
Jesus Voices of angels who surround the throne joined the elders and the watchers
Move from praising Jesus to praising the one who sits on the throne “The Father” Now it is the elders, the watchers, the angels and every creation in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe cry out. This is a number too great to count.
1st Seal White horse Rider with a bow Victorious Parthians who were skilled with the bow and enemies of the Romans
Greco-Roman world, people were sealed as a sign of ownership
John is not seeing a small crowd but a massive crowd too big to co Those with the seal are saved from the tribulation
This is the same crowd of the 144,000 after the tribulation Message of hope – God will protect those who remain faithful