Preaching and Teaching Apocalyptic Texts

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Preaching andTeachingApocalyptic Texts
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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• Why Bother?
• Easier Simply to Avoid the Issue
• But
• Leaves them in the hands of the misinformed or
  uninformed
• Left Behind becomes the accepted
  interpretation
• Fail those to whom we ministrer

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• Our Agenda
• 1. The origins and context of apocalyptic texts
• 2. The nature of apocalyptic texts
• 3. The apocalyptic perspective
• 4. The nature of visionary experience
• 5. Revelation as a case study

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• Origins and Context
• Prophetic Judaism
• Continuation of Exile
• Desire for Restoration
• Consummation of the Covenant
• Fulfillment of Promises thru the Prophets
• Intensification of prophecy
• Literature of Gods Oppressed

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• Origins and Context
• Terms
• Apocalyptic
• Apocalypticism

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• Origins and Context
• Texts
• OT Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah, Joel,
  Zechariah
• NT Revelation, Mk 13, 2 Thess 2
• InterTestamental 1 Enoch, 4 Esdras

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• The Nature of apocalyptic texts
• Visionary
• Heavenly Events
• Earthly Events
• Not Dualistic but revolutionary
• End Times
• Last Days
• The Day of the Lord
• The Restoration of the Kingdom

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Jewish Expectations

• The Restoration of the Kingdom
• Associated Events
• Cleansing from Sin
• Resurrection of the righteous A Holy
  (Priestly) Kingdom
• The Messiah as King
• The Messiah as King of Kings

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The Restoration of the Kingdom

• The Present Age The Age to Come

Last Days
End Times
The Day of the Lord

• The Work
• of
• The Messiah

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• The Apocalyptic Perspective
• Matthew 31-6 In those days John the Baptist
  appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming,
  2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come
  near." . . . 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and
  all Judea were going out to him, and all the
  region along the Jordan, 6 and they were
  baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing
  their sins.

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• The Apocalyptic Perspective
• Luke 225 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose
  name was Simeon this man was righteous and
  devout, looking forward to the consolation of
  Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.
• Luke 236-38 There was also a prophet, Anna . .
  .she came, and began to praise God and to speak
  about the child to all who were looking for the
  redemption of Jerusalem.

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• The Apocalyptic Perspective
• Luke 2350-51 Now there was a good and righteous
  man named Joseph, who, though a member of the
  council, 51 had not agreed to their plan and
  action. He came from the Jewish town of
  Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the
  kingdom of God.
• Luke 1911 As they were listening to this, he
  went on to tell a parable, because he was near
  Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the
  kingdom of God was to appear immediately.

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts
The Christian Twist
Kingdom of God
Age to come
Wheat and Weeds
This age
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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• The Christian Twist
• Luke 1720-21 Once Jesus was asked by the
  Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and
  he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming
  with things that can be observed 21 nor will
  they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!'
  For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you."
• Acts 16 So when they had come together, they
  asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will
  restore the kingdom to Israel?"

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• Acts 217-21 'In the last days it will be, God
  declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all
  flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall
  prophesy, and your young men shall see visions,
  and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even
  upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days
  I will pour out my Spirit and they shall
  prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the
  heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood,
  and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be
  turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before
  the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day.
  21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
  shall be saved.'

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• Hebrews 11-2 Long ago God spoke to our
  ancestors in many and various ways by the
  prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken
  to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all
  things, through whom he also created the worlds.

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• 1 Corinthians 1011 These things happened to
  them to serve as an example, and they were
  written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of
  the ages have come.
• 1 Peter 118-20 You know that you were ransomed
  from the futile ways inherited from your
  ancestors, not with perishable things like silver
  or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of
  Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or
  blemish. 20 He was destined before the
  foundation of the world, but was revealed at the
  end of the ages for your sake.

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• The Nature of Visionary Experience

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• 2 Corinthians 121-4 It is necessary to boast
  nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on
  to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know
  a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was
  caught up to the third heaven-- whether in the
  body or out of the body I do not know God knows.
  3 And I know that such a person-- whether in the
  body or out of the body I do not know God
  knows-- 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard
  inexpressible words that are impossible for a
  mortal to speak.

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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)
• Julian of Norwich (1343-1413)
• Johns Vision

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VISION CONSCIOUSNESS
NORMAL CONSCIOUSNESS
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Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts

• An Overview of Johns Vision

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THE REDEEMED ORDER
New Jerusalem
Lamb
God
Heaven
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THE REBELLIOUS ORDER
Fallen Babylon
Beast False Prophet
Satan
Death Hades
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Every Tribe, Nation, Tongue, People
Those Who Dwell Upon the Earth
Fallen Babylon
The Perceptual and Functional Dynamics
Which Mark the Fallen Order
The Beast False Prophet
Satan The ruler of the fallen order. The
throne, power, authority of his kingdom
are operative in the beast false prophet.
Death Hades The fallen order of rebellion
against God.
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Fallen 14 Babylon 17
Demise
Development
The Beast Ch. 13 Ch. 1920 False Prophet
Ch. 123 Satan Ch 2010
Ch. 68 Death Hades Ch 2014
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4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who
was and who is to come, and from the seven
spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from
Jesus the Messiah, the faithful martyr, the
firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings
of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us
from our sins by his blood, 6 and made us to be
a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father
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Introduction (11-8)
Earthly Vision (19-20)
Heavenly Vision (41-514)
Seven Churches (21-322)
Seven Seals (61-85)
Seven Trumpets (86-1118)
Heavenly Vision (1119-155)
Seven Bowls (156-1621)
Bride New Jerusalem (219-229)
Harlot Fallen Babylon (171-1910)
Heavenly Vision (1911-218)
Conclusion (2210-21)
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Case Studies from Revelation
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 11-3 The revelation of Jesus
Messiah, which God gave him to show his servants
what must soon take place he made it known by
sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who
testified to the word of God and to the witness
of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of
the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and
who keep what is written in it for the time is
near.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 19 I, John, your brother who share
with you in Jesus the tribulation and the kingdom
and the patient endurance, was on the island
called Patmos because of the word of God and the
witness of Jesus.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 117-18 When I saw him, I fell at
his feet as though dead. But he placed his right
hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid I am the
first and the last, 18 and the living one. I was
dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever and I
have the keys of Death and of Hades.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 21-3 "To the messenger of the church
in Ephesus write These are the words of him who
holds the seven stars in his right hand, who
walks among the seven golden lampstands 2 "I
know your works, your toil and your patient
endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate
evildoers you have tested those who claim to be
apostles but are not, and have found them to be
false. 3 I also know that you are enduring
patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name,
and that you have not grown weary. But . . .
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 24-7 But I have this against you,
that you have abandoned the love you had at
first. 5 Remember then from what you have
fallen repent, and do the works you did at
first. If not, I will come to you and remove your
lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
6Yet this is to your credit you hate the works
of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Let
anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit
is saying to the churches. To everyone who is
conquering, I will give permission to eat from
the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 28-11 "And to the messenger of the
church in Smyrna write These are the words of
the first and the last, who was dead and came to
life 9 "I know your tribulation and your
poverty, even though you are rich. I know the
slander on the part of those who say that they
are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of
Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to
suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some
of you into prison so that you may be tested, and
for ten days you will have tribulation. Be
faithful until death, and I will give you the
crown of life. 11 Let anyone who has an ear
listen to what the Spirit is saying to the
churches. Whoever is conquering will not be
harmed by the second death.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 314 - 22 "And to the messenger of
the church in Laodicea write The words of the
Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin
of God's creation 15 "I know your works you
are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were
either cold or hot. 16 So, because you are
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to
vomit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, 'I am
rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You
do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable,
poor, blind, and naked. 18 Therefore I counsel
you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that
you may be rich and white robes to clothe you
and to keep the shame of your nakedness from
being seen and salve to anoint your eyes so that
you may see.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 319 - 22 19 Those whom I love I
reprove and nurture. Be zealous, therefore, and
repent. 20 Listen! I am standing at the door,
knocking if you hear my voice and open the door,
I will come in to you and eat with you, and you
with me. 21 To the one who is conquering I will
give a place with me on my throne, just as I
myself conquered and sat down with my Father on
his throne. 22 Let anyone who has an ear listen
to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 41 After this I looked, and there in
heaven a door stood open! And the first voice,
which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet,
said, "Come up here, and I will show you what
must take place after this."
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 44 Around the throne are twenty-four
thrones, and seated on the thrones are
twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with
golden crowns on their heads. . . . Revelation
49-10 And whenever the living creatures give
glory and honor and thanks to the one who is
seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall before the one
who is seated on the throne and worship the one
who lives forever and ever they cast their
crowns before the throne . . .
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 61-2 Then I saw the Lamb open one of
the seven seals, and I heard one of the four
living creatures call out, as with a voice of
thunder, "Come!" 2 I looked, and there was a
white horse! Its rider had a bow a crown was
given to him, and he came out conquering and to
conquer.
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Rev 62 kai. eidon( kai. ivdou. ippoj leuko,j(
kai. o kaqh,menoj evpV auvto.n And I looked, and
behold a white horse and the one seated upon
it Rev 1911 Kai. eidon kai. ivdou. ippoj
leuko,j kai. o kaqh,menoj evpV auvto.n And I
looked, and behold a white horse and the one
seated upon it
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 612-17 When he opened the sixth
seal, I looked, and there came a great
earthquake the sun became black as sackcloth,
the full moon became like blood, 13 and the
stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig
tree drops its winter fruit when shaken by a
gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll rolling
itself up, and every mountain and island was
removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the
earth and the magnates and the generals and the
rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and
free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the
mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and
rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of
the one seated on the throne and from the wrath
of the Lamb 17 for the great day of their wrath
has come, and who is able to stand?"
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 111-6 Then I was given a measuring
rod like a staff, and I was told, "Come and
measure the temple of God and the altar and those
who worship there, 2 but do not measure the
court outside the temple leave that out, for it
is given over to the nations, and they will
trample over the holy city for forty-two months.
3 And I will grant my two witnesses authority to
prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days,
wearing sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive
trees and the two lampstands that stand before
the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to
harm them, fire pours from their mouth and
consumes their foes anyone who wants to harm
them must be killed in this manner. 6 They have
authority to shut the sky, so that no rain may
fall during the days of their prophesying, and
they have authority over the waters to turn them
into blood, and to strike the earth with every
kind of plague, as often as they desire.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 117-10 When they have finished
their testimony, the beast that comes up from the
bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer
them and kill them, 8 and their dead bodies will
lie in the street of the great city that is
prophetically called Sodom and Egypt, where also
their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half
days members of the peoples and tribes and
languages and nations will gaze at their dead
bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a
tomb 10 and the inhabitants of the earth will
gloat over them and celebrate and exchange
presents, because these two prophets had been a
torment to the inhabitants of the earth.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 1111-13 But after the three and a
half days, the breath of life from God entered
them, and they stood on their feet, and those who
saw them were terrified. 12 Then they heard a
loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up
here!" And they went up to heaven in a cloud
while their enemies watched them. 13 At that
moment there was a great earthquake, and a tenth
of the city fell seven thousand people were
killed in the earthquake, and the rest were
terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 121-4 A great sign appeared in
heaven a woman clothed with the sun, with the
moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of
twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying
out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth.
3 Then another portent appeared in heaven a
great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,
and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail swept
down a third of the stars of heaven and threw
them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before
the woman who was about to bear a child, so that
he might devour her child as soon as it was born.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 125-6 And she gave birth to a son, a
male child, who is to rule all the nations with a
rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and
taken to God and to his throne 6 and the woman
fled into the wilderness, where she has a place
prepared by God, so that there she can be
nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 1316-18 Also it causes all, both
small and great, both rich and poor, both free
and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the
forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell who
does not have the mark, that is, the name of the
beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls
for wisdom let anyone with understanding
calculate the number of the beast, for it is the
number of a person. Its number is six hundred
sixty-six.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 201-3 Then I saw an angel coming
down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to
the bottomless pit and a great chain. 2 He
seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is
the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand
years, 3 and threw him into the pit, and locked
and sealed it over him, so that he might not
deceive the nations any more, until whenever the
thousand years should be ended. After that he
must be let out for a little while. Revelation
207-9 Whenever the thousand years should be
ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8
and will come out to deceive the nations at the
four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in
order to gather them for battle they are as
numerous as the sands of the sea. 9 They marched
up over the breadth of the earth and surrounded
the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And
fire came down from heaven and consumed them.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 204-6 Then I saw thrones, and those
seated on them and judgment was given for them. I
saw both the souls of those who had been beheaded
for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of
God and those who had not worshiped the beast or
its image and had not received its mark on their
foreheads or their hands. They came to life and
reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The
rest of the dead did not come to life until
whenever the thousand years should be ended.)
This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and
holy are those who share in the first
resurrection. Over these the second death has no
power, but they will be priests of God and of
Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand
years.
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Case Studies from Revelation
Revelation 2115-16 The angel who talked to me
had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city
and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies
foursquare, its length the same as its width and
he measured the city with his rod, fifteen
hundred miles its length and width and height
are equal.
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BLACK SEA
Asia Minor
Greece
Rome
Jerusalem
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Egypt
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BLACK SEA
Asia Minor
Greece
Rome
Jerusalem
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Egypt
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Case Studies from Revelation
Where do we go from here?