Revelation

Preston Clegg

Recovering

Reclaiming the Book of Revelation for the Church

Revelation

IntroductionWhat prevents you from reading the book

of Revelation?

Revelation

IntroductionWhat prevents you from reading the book

of Revelation?When it comes to Revelation, we have

some significant stumbling blocks:

Revelation

IntroductionWhat prevents you from reading the book

of Revelation?When it comes to Revelation, we have

some significant stumbling blocks:1) The strange nature of literary genre.

Revelation

IntroductionWhat prevents you from reading the book

of Revelation?When it comes to Revelation, we have

some significant stumbling blocks:1) The strange nature of literary genre.2) The bizarre symbolism.

Revelation

IntroductionWhat prevents you from reading the book

of Revelation?When it comes to Revelation, we have

some significant stumbling blocks:1) The strange nature of literary genre.2) The bizarre symbolism.3) Imposed eschatologies.

Revelation

IntroductionWhat prevents you from reading the book

of Revelation?When it comes to Revelation, we have

some significant stumbling blocks:1) The strange nature of literary genre.2) The bizarre symbolism.3) Imposed eschatologies.4) Popular Culture’s view of Revelation.

Revelation

IntroductionWhat prevents you from reading the book

of Revelation?When it comes to Revelation, we have

some significant stumbling blocks:1) The strange nature of literary genre.2) The bizarre symbolism.3) Imposed eschatologies.4) Popular Culture’s view of Revelation.5) Intellectual pride from would be interpreters.

Revelation

We must address these obstacles before we are prepared to pick up the book.

Revelation

We must address these obstacles before we are prepared to pick up the book.

We are not the only ones to struggle with this book.

Revelation

We must address these obstacles before we are prepared to pick up the book.

We are not the only ones to struggle with this book.

Eusebus – Revelation is a “disputed writing.”

Revelation

We must address these obstacles before we are prepared to pick up the book.

We are not the only ones to struggle with this book.

Eusebus – Revelation is a “disputed writing.”Luther held it in “small esteem.”

Revelation

We must address these obstacles before we are prepared to pick up the book.

We are not the only ones to struggle with this book.

Eusebus – Revelation is a “disputed writing.”Luther held it in “small esteem.”Calvin wrote commentaries on every New Testament book except Revelation.

Revelation

So why bother with the book at all?

Revelation

So why bother with the book at all? 1) Grand Canonical Conclusion.

Revelation

So why bother with the book at all? 1) Grand Canonical Conclusion.2) Liturgical Elements.

Revelation

So why bother with the book at all? 1) Grand Canonical Conclusion.2) Liturgical Elements.3) Strong Message.

Revelation

So why bother with the book at all? 1) Grand Canonical Conclusion.2) Liturgical Elements.3) Strong Message.4) Propels us into the Future.

Revelation

The power of the book can be see in what it does to people, and few books have affected people more dramatically than Revelation. In positive terms, Revelation has inspired countless sermons and theological treatises, artistic works, and musical compositions ranging from the triumphant “Hallelujah Chorus” to the gentle strains of “Jerusalem My Happy Home.” On the negative side, it has fed social upheaval and sectarian religious movements that have often foundered on misguided attempts to discern the date of Christ’s return. Some are attracted to sensationalist interpretations that find Revelation’s prophecies reaching fulfillment in the rise of the modern state of Israel, the outbreak of the Persian War, volcanic eruptions and oil spills. Others, repelled by those speculations, suggest that Revelation might best be kept on the shelf, sealed and unread. Yet attempts to ignore or dismiss Revelation are generally not successful: its secrets are too alluring.

- Craig Koester

Revelation

So how do we approach the book?

Revelation

So how do we approach the book? 1) Intellectual Humility.

Revelation

So how do we approach the book? 1) Intellectual Humility.2) Biblical Recall – Old Testament Imagery.

Revelation

So how do we approach the book? 1) Intellectual Humility.2) Biblical Recall – OT Imagery.3) Imagination.

Revelation

So how do we approach the book? 1) Intellectual Humility.2) Biblical Recall – OT Imagery.3) Imagination.4) Big Picture Thinking.

Revelation

So how do we approach the book? 1) Intellectual Humility.2) Biblical Recall – OT Imagery.3) Imagination.4) Big Picture Thinking.5) Read the book on its own terms.

Revelation

Though St. John the evangelist saw many strange monsters in his vision, he saw no creature so wild as on of his commentators.

- G. K. Chesterton