Interpreting Prophecy © John Stevenson, 2010. Date of Writing Events of Acts took place 303540455055606570 Acts was written during this Period Fall

Interpreting ProphecyInterpreting Prophecy

© John Stevenson, 2010

Date of WritingDate of Writing

Events of Acts took place

30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70

Acts was

writtenduringthis

Period

Fall ofJerusalem

45 A.D. ─ Herod Agrippa dies (Acts 12:20-23).

49 A.D. ─ Claudius issues edict banning Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2).

51 A.D. ─ Gallio appointed prconsul of Achaia for a one-year term

59 A.D. ─ Festus becomes procuator of Judea (Acts 24:27).

Observations on Acts

• Acts is a book of Victory

• Acts is essentially about the ministries of Peter and Paul– Mistakes and successes– Discouragement and great courage

• Narratives are not necessarily normative

• Preaching in the Book of Acts

• Prayer in the Book of Acts

LukeLukeBegins with an address Begins with an address to most excellent to most excellent TheophilusTheophilus

ActsActsBegins with an address Begins with an address to Theophilusto Theophilus

Announcement made Announcement made by angel Gabrielby angel Gabriel

Announcement made by Announcement made by two angelstwo angels

Begins in JerusalemBegins in Jerusalem Begins in JerusalemBegins in Jerusalem

Birth of Jesus as the Birth of Jesus as the Spirit comes on MarySpirit comes on Mary

Birth of the Church as Birth of the Church as the Spirit comes on the Spirit comes on believersbelievers

There is a movement There is a movement toward Jerusalemtoward Jerusalem

There is a movement There is a movement away from Jerusalemaway from Jerusalem

Witness to the Resurrection• This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are

all witnesses (Acts 2:32).• But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One,

and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses. (Acts 3:14-15).

• With great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all (4:32).

• And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him. (Acts 5:32).

JerusalemJudea

Samaria

1 Primarily Peter

Church Established

Preparation Church Foretold2 Church Born

3 Church Dispersed

Church Witnessing6 Church Organized

7 Peter & Others

Church Scattered

Church Expanding9 Church Dispersed10 Gentiles in the Church13 Primarily

PaulChurch Extended

First Missionary Journey15 Church in Conference16 Second Missionary Journey19 Third Missionary Journey21 Paul

ImprisonedPaul in Jerusalem

24 Paul in Caesarea27 Paul in Rome

• How does the book of Revelation relate How does the book of Revelation relate to the prophecies of the Old to the prophecies of the Old Testament?Testament?

• How would the message of Revelation How would the message of Revelation related to the believers of the first related to the believers of the first century? century?

• How do these chapters relate to the How do these chapters relate to the issue of Christian discipleship now? issue of Christian discipleship now?

Vision of Jesus and

Seven letters to

seven churches

1-3 4-7

Throne of God & Scroll

with seven seals

8-11

Seven trumpets

12-16

Christ, the

Dragon & the Seven Bowls

17-19

The Harlot

on Seven Hills &

the Bride

20

The King

reigns

21-22

New Heaven & New Earth

Each ends with a promise

of 2nd Coming

Christ wipes away every tear

(7:17)

Christ will reign forever &

ever (11:15)

Fall of the

nations

“It is done”

(16:17)

Rider on the White Horse (19:16)

Judge &

Lake of Fire

I am coming quickly (22:20)

Symbolism in RevelationSymbolism in Revelation• Old Testament AllusionsOld Testament Allusions

– One like the Son of ManOne like the Son of Man– Lion of the Tribe of JudahLion of the Tribe of Judah


– One like the Son of ManOne like the Son of Man– Lion of the Tribe of JudahLion of the Tribe of Judah– The Four HorsemenThe Four Horsemen


– One like the Son of ManOne like the Son of Man– Lion of the Tribe of JudahLion of the Tribe of Judah– The Four HorsemenThe Four Horsemen– The Two WitnessesThe Two Witnesses



• Temple languageTemple language



• Temple languageTemple language– Jesus with the LampstandsJesus with the Lampstands



• Temple languageTemple language– Jesus with the LampstandsJesus with the Lampstands– The 24 EldersThe 24 Elders– The Crystal SeaThe Crystal Sea



• Temple languageTemple language– Jesus with the LampstandsJesus with the Lampstands– The 24 EldersThe 24 Elders– The Crystal SeaThe Crystal Sea– The ark of the covenantThe ark of the covenant

And they gathered them together to the place which in

Hebrew is called Har-Magedon. (Revelation 16:16)

Church Age EternalState

SecondComing

Judgment

• Revelation 20 literally

• Takes the language of “the last day” figuratively

Rev. 1-3 Rev. 4-19 Rev. 20

(“Rapture”)

Tribulation Millennium

Church AgeRev. 1-3 Rev. 4-19 Rev. 20

“Rapture”

Tribulation Millennium EternalState

SecondComing

Judgment

• Artificially separates between different comings of Christ

• Tries to segregate Israel and church

Church Age

Rev. 1-20(Millennium) Eternal

State

(Tribulation)

• Views Revelation 20 as symbolic language

• Takes the language of “the last day” literally

SecondComing

Judgment“Rapture”

Church AgeRev. 1-19 Rev. 20

Millennium EternalState

“Rapture”Judgment

SecondComing

• Envisions the gospel as being victorious

• Takes the language of “the last day” literally

ShortMillennium

“Rapture”Judgment

SecondComing

Church Church(Eternal State)70

A.D.

• Denies any future Second Coming of Christ

• All prophecy fulfilled in the year 70 A.D.

Rev.

Documents

Interpreting Prophecy © John Stevenson, 2010. Date of Writing Events of Acts took place 303540455055606570 Acts was written during this Period Fall