From: inteligencialtda
The Book of Revelation, or Apocalypse, is the final book of the Bible. The Greek word apocalypsis means “that which came out of the shadows,” “clear,” or “revealed” [01:14:11]. It literally translates to “discovered” [01:16:08]. Unlike its common association with “end of the world” or “dark things,” the term Apocalypse means precisely “what is revealed” [01:27:00].
Historical Context and Apocalyptic Prophecy
Around the 6th century BC, a new literary style called apocalyptic prophecy emerged, distinguishing itself from classical prophecy [01:18:01]. While classical prophecy often began with “thus says the Lord” and reported present-day issues, apocalyptic prophecy started with “I saw and heard” and largely focused on future events [01:31:07]. This shift to coded speech through parables and poetic language was necessary to denounce oppressive kingdoms like Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome in a camouflaged manner, similar to protest songs during dictatorships [01:19:03]. The book of Daniel in the Old Testament is also written in this style [03:08:52].
Interpretations of Revelation
There are at least four main ways to interpret the Book of Revelation [02:43:08]:
- Preterist: Believes that the prophecies of Revelation were entirely fulfilled in the first century, often linking the Beast to the Roman Empire or figures like Nero [02:09:51].
- Futurist: Interprets 90% of Revelation as referring to future eschatological (end times) events, with little relevance to historical periods [02:11:18].
- Historicist: Posits that Revelation’s prophecies are gradually fulfilled throughout human history, from the time of Jesus until the end [02:13:36]. (The speaker aligns with this view [03:26:07].)
- Idealist: Sees Revelation as a timeless, grand parable where everything is symbolic, providing an understanding of broader themes applicable to various contexts, such as oppressive powers [02:18:52].
Methods of Interpretation
Interpreting Revelation involves several approaches [02:44:11]:
- Self-Interpretation: The Book of Revelation sometimes explicitly explains its own symbols. For example, Revelation 17:15 clarifies that the “waters” upon which the prostitute sits are “peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages” [02:56:47].
- Biblical Cross-Reference: Understanding symbols by referring to their meanings elsewhere in the Bible [02:58:31].
- Historical Context: Considering what Christians of John’s era would have understood by the symbols, as idiomatic expressions and cultural references change over time [02:58:31].
Structure and Recurring Themes
Revelation is structured in a chiastic form, meaning themes introduced early are repeated and expanded upon later, often around a central point [02:54:19]. This cyclical narrative style, common in ancient literature, aided memorization [02:55:00].
The book features several cycles of seven, including:
- Seven Churches: Letters to seven churches in Asia Minor (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea) [03:32:32]. These represent the entire Christian Church throughout history, from John’s time to the Second Coming of Jesus [03:39:53]. The progression of these letters shows an increasing proximity to Jesus’ return, culminating in Laodicea where Jesus is described as “standing at the door, knocking” [04:49:09].
- Seven Seals: These open the “book of inheritance” (Revelation 5), believed to be the Earth’s inheritance [01:18:11]. Only Christ is worthy to open them [01:18:11]. The first four seals depict the Four Horsemen (White, Red, Black, Pale/Bile-colored) [02:51:56], which some interpret as the spread of the Gospel, wars, famine, and death [02:59:44]. The sixth seal describes cosmic disturbances and Jesus’ return [02:59:44].
- Seven Trumpets: These are warnings or announcements of God’s judgment throughout history [03:39:53], mirroring the plagues of Revelation 16 and representing God’s war against evil [03:39:53].
Symbolic Numbers
Numbers in the Bible carry specific meanings [03:15:02]:
- Four: Represents universality (e.g., “four corners of the world,” “four winds of heaven”) [03:33:51].
- Seven: Signifies perfection or completeness (e.g., seven days of creation, seven churches, seven angels) [03:39:53].
- Twelve: Symbolizes the People of God (e.g., 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles) [01:10:27].
- Multiplied Numbers: Used to express a superlative meaning (e.g., 70x7 for forgiveness means “more than perfect”) [01:10:56].
Key Symbolic Figures and Conflicts
The Woman
In Revelation 12, a woman “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars,” is seen in heaven, pregnant and crying out in labor pains [01:56:38]. This woman symbolizes the People of God (Israel) giving birth to the Messiah (Jesus) [01:59:08]. Her imagery aligns with descriptions of God’s people in other biblical texts, like Song of Solomon 6:10 and Joseph’s dream in Genesis [01:58:13].
The Dragon
A great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns stands before the woman, intending to devour her child [02:03:38]. The dragon is explicitly identified as “the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world” [02:10:56]. This figure simultaneously represents Satan and the earthly powers he uses, such as the Roman Empire that persecuted early Christians [02:07:45].
After a war in heaven where Michael (whose name means “Who is like God?”) defeats the dragon [02:12:05], the dragon is cast down to Earth. Filled with fury, the dragon then pursues the woman [02:17:51]. The woman is given “two wings of a great eagle” and flees to the desert, a place of divine protection and preparation [02:18:00].
The Beast
Unable to reach the woman in the desert, the dragon turns its wrath against the “rest of her offspring,” identified as “those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus” [02:19:00]. This represents the faithful remnant of God’s people.
The dragon then stands on the sand of the sea, from which a “beast” emerges with “ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name” [02:26:09]. This Beast receives its power, throne, and authority from the dragon [02:27:04]. It is given authority to act for 42 months (equivalent to “a time, times, and half a time” or 3.5 years), symbolizing a period of persecution [02:27:31]. This beast is often associated with the Antichrist [02:52:00].
Historically, early Church Fathers interpreted the Beast as related to Rome [02:53:07], which was often coded as “Babylon” in Jewish tradition [02:53:54]. Later, during the Protestant Reformation, figures like Luther and Calvin unanimously identified the Antichrist with the Papacy [02:51:53].
Revelation 17 portrays a “great prostitute” riding a scarlet beast, adorned in luxurious clothing, holding a golden cup “full of abominations” [03:22:19]. She is identified as “Babylon the Great, the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth” [03:23:41], and is “drunk with the blood of the saints” [03:24:47]. John is “greatly astonished” by this vision because the woman (representing God’s people) who was once faithful and persecuted, is now allied with the Beast [03:34:50], symbolizing an apostasy within Christianity [03:40:07]. This “prostitute” is described as a “great city that rules over the kings of the earth,” which historical context points to Rome, known for its seven hills [03:00:13].
The Beast and the Antichrist are characterized by their opposition to God’s law. They attempt to change “times and law” [02:28:54] and demand worship, even creating an “image of the Beast” that people are compelled to worship [03:15:20]. This mirrors the Old Testament accounts of idolatry, particularly the worship of the pagan goddess Asherah (also known as Asera or Europe), who was depicted as a harlot riding a beast [03:05:00].
Mark of the Beast
The Beast introduces a “mark on the forehead or on the hand” without which no one can “buy or sell” [03:12:10]. This is seen as a parody of God’s commandment in Deuteronomy, where God’s laws are to be bound “on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes” [03:12:37], symbolizing adherence to God’s will. The mark of the Beast, conversely, signifies allegiance to the Antichrist [03:13:00].
Conclusion and End Times Prophecy
Revelation concludes with Christ’s second coming, where he appears as a “white horse” and a “faithful and true” judge [03:17:15]. Satan is imprisoned for a “millennium,” followed by the creation of a “New Heaven and New Earth,” where “death will be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” [03:19:17]. The sea, a symbol of separation and danger, will also cease to exist [03:17:39]. God will dwell among humanity in the “New Jerusalem,” wiping away every tear [03:18:39]. This final vision offers a promise of eternal victory for the faithful [03:36:11].