![]() The seventh and final sequence is the only sequence that does not end in judgment. So we conclude that sequences six and seven are a bigger expansion of the judgments at the end of the sixth and seventh seals in sequence four. In sequence six (and beginning of seven) we have the exact reverse: (3) Babylon fallen, (2) beast and false prophet, and (1) dragon. John is influenced by the structure of Daniel.įifth, the seven visions of warfare in sequence four and the seven visions of victory in sequence six are in chiastic arrangement: in sequence four we have (1) dragon, (2) beast and false prophet, and (3) Babylon fallen (Rev. These are like the visions of Daniel 8, 9, and 10-12 as expansions of seven. The parallel sequences in three / five are interpreted in 7:1-3 as expansions of the last two sections of the parallel sequences in two / four because the angels are not permitted to harm the earth, sea, etc. Here, in typical Hebrew fashion, the author repeats descriptions of a sequence of great judgments. Since sequences two and four both begin with the ascension and end with the judgment, they represent the current age between the first and second comings of Christ.įourth, note that sequences three and five are precisely parallel: the first paragraph damages the earth, the second damages the sea, the third damages the rivers, the fourth damages the sun, the fifth unlocks darkness and pain, the sixth brings a demonic army from the Euphrates, and the seventh entails a great hailstorm. Every time someone puts their faith in Jesus Christ, folks from the enemy nations are conquered and brought into the kingdom of Jesus. This is when he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God and began to extend his mighty scepter from Zion. The authors of the New Testament interpret the reign of the warrior Messiah in Psalm 110 to begin at the ascension of Jesus Christ to heaven. The background to the Lord as a warrior is Exodus 15, Psalms 2, and 110. ![]() The conqueror on a white horse in 6:1-2 is Jesus Christ. They represent the current age between the first and second comings of Christ. This suggests that these two sequences are chronologically parallel. Third, both the second and the fourth sequence (seven seals, and seven visions of warfare) begin with the ascension of Jesus after his resurrection and end with judgment. Then in 9:13-11:14, toward the end of the sequence of trumpets, we learn of another small scroll, which John is to “eat.” From the second scroll come the remaining four sequences of seven paragraphs. From this scroll comes fourteen paragraphs describing seven seals and seven trumpets. Chapters 4 and 5 introduce the reader to a first scroll having seven seals. Second, note that the book comes in two scrolls or volumes. There are seven letters to the churches, there are seven seals, there are seven trumpets, and there are seven bowls or plagues. When we combine this fact with an understanding of the literary structure, we will be able to grasp clearly and simply what the book communicates.įirst, note that Revelation consists of seven large sections, each consisting of seven paragraphs or smaller sections. Many interpretations in the last one hundred years have not understood that while John is writing in Greek, this book follows the characteristics of the Hebrew prophets in the Old Testament. There are a wide variety of interpretations of the book of Revelation. The following is adapted from Gentry’s 2017 book, How To Read and Understand the Biblical Prophets. ![]() Gentry, professor of Old Testament interpretation at Southern Seminary, offers his understanding of the millennial reign of Christ. In this edition of the Theology Forum, Peter J. Unlike the other two, the millennium is frequently debated even among conservative, evangelical Christians. The millennium, the intermediate state, and the eternal state are three distinct but related concepts. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |