Studying the book of Revelation: Where does one begin?
One might begin with asking, “Before we even get to the book of Revelation, with what does the rest of the NT have to do?” That is, with what does Matthew-Jude have to do? If that question can be answered with relative assurance, then understanding Revelation’s message is a fruitful endeavor.
There are certain rules of which one must become aware as one studies the Bible. The first is context. The Bible must never be taken out of the immediate context in which it is found. A book’s immediate context consists of its historical place (that world), its personal place (their world), and its contemporary place (our world). First, its historical place involves its location on the line of time since the beginning of the world. Does the book deal with Noah’s Flood, Moses’ Exodus, David’s Flights, Solomon’s Temple, Josiah’s Reforms, Daniel’s exile, or Nehemiah’s Restoration? The book often deals with the historical past and therefore is concerned with that world of time past. Second, a book’s personal place is its immediate audience; that is, to whom is this book written? While the books of Kings and Chronicles deal with much the same subject matter, they were not written to the same people and for the same purpose. In this case, while Chronicles records a that world history, its immediate audience must apply its lessons to them (their world). Third, a book’s contemporary aspect takes into account both the former and brings into its own immediate context an application to life. In all of these, not only does the human author’s intention in writing the book matter but also God’s intention in having it written. In this last category the application of the book is to our world.
Every book of the Bible can be read and understood when these proper bearings are measured out. This includes Revelation. I must say this here and I hope all of you can hear me. I am going to say things that will run against what most of us have grown up believing; I am going to challenge us to think differently about what most Christendom believes about this book. I am not however, going to do this abrasively, argumentatively, nor arrogantly. I don’t know you and you don’t know me but if this kind of dialogue isn’t easy for you and you are the kind who is easily angered over challenging ideas, please pray for peace. I want to look at this with you and I want to do it peaceably. Let us pray to that end.
I am convinced that upon engaging Revelation’s story we must hear it in its immediate historical context. Second, upon engaging Revelation’s story we must hear it reflect and use the language of the Scriptures which have gone before it. These two principles, I believe, will help us to wade into this deep, deep, well of tremendously relevant and rewarding words. As the first benediction says, “Blessed are they who read and hear the words of this prophecy.”
The first point of context I would like to suggest is this. Revelation must be read along side of the book of Acts and the book of Hebrews. As the Acts of the Apostles records the continuation of the Spirit’s work in God’s people following Jesus’ ascension to God’s right hand, so too, they record the Jewish persecution of God’s new humanity: Jew and Gentile together in Christ. As the book of Hebrews warns new followers of Jesus not to return to the old ways of Judaism upon the pains of hell, so too, does the book of Revelation record for us the anti-Christian Judaizers attempting to steal away those new followers.
The second point I’d like to make takes us back to the Old Testament. Just as I said I am convinced of the first point, I am also convinced that if we really knew the Old Testament the way we should, we could read Revelation with relative ease and simplicity. For instance, read 2 Chronicles 6-7 and compare that with Acts 2. There are many other instances like this that will help us along the way. The book of Revelation depends completely upon one’s understanding of the Old Testament.
- Keys to the interpretation of the Book of Revelation
All translation is interpretation: with this maxim we must remember that taking the Greek to English is difficult when there are various shades of meaning in certain words. Very often our ideas beforehand (presuppositions) colour and very oftener obscure the clearer meaning of the text. Presuppositions are ideas or beliefs a person believes which affects how he interprets and responds to information. For example, when talking to a non-Christian about Jesus, what are some beliefs held prior to that encounter that affect what the evangelist will say?
- What does the Ev believe about man’s nature?
- What does the Ev believe about God’s justice?
- What does the Ev….
Our basic presuppositions against which to fight when studying the book of Revelation will be these.
- Revelation is about the end of the physical world
- Revelation is about the nation of Israel and her place in God’s kingdom when the church is raptured away.
- Revelation is about the future events for 21 C followers of Jesus.
It is the presupposition of this author, that those above are seriously false and flawed. Let’s join together in this study and see what we can find…
