Revelation 1-9/Psalms

Psalms
For my remarks on the Psalms, see my previous post on the book itself. The psalms this week are primarily about Zion and the temple, foreign enemies, and return from exile.

Revelation
The book of Revelation (or Apocalypse) is a work in a particular genre, which has particular conventions, known as an apocalypse. The word itself means "revelation" or "disclosure" or "unveiling." Like other apocalypses we've seen before the primary task of this kind of work is to unveil, in highly symbolic and allegorical terms, occurrences in the spiritual or heavenly realms that coincide with what is going on upon the earth.

So - wars, famine, etc. are not just the result of bad weather and political strife, but also the opening of the seals of the book and the unleashing of the four horsemen.

Apocalypses take a very black & white view of the world in which good is pitched against evil in epic battle. The triumph and vindication of good and the destruction and ignoble defeat of evil is a message that is meant for people in times of great duress and struggle. It is likely that this book was written during a time of persecution and Nero is probably referenced at least once.

It is probably best to dispel a misconception right away. The book of Revelation is not about the future. It does not have within it details about the end of the world or the end of time. Such an idea would be ridiculous to the author and the people of the time. The book of Revelation is about what was happening in Rome in the late first and early second century AD. It references Rome, Nero and Israel - not Europe, Russia or China. Once you let that sink in, then the book opens up and becomes prophetic in the sense that it speaks truth, and specifically speaks to the world of power, politics, and military might - in stark contrast to the world (or kingdom) of God.

1: The angel which is sent to John is a typical convention of an apocalypse. The author has a heavenly guide which takes him to the heavens to see what is happening. John is not the apostle John, but another, often referred to as John the Revelator. John is addressing his writing to seven churches, which then receive particular letters. John has a vision of Jesus in his exaltation - the one who sits at the right hand of God, the ascended Jesus.

2-3: The letters to the churches. Each letter contains a particular metaphor about Jesus, a condemnation or condemnation, an admonition, and an exhortation referring to the promises of God. Often there is reference to the situation of the church and reference to the characteristics of the city they are in. Check your study Bibles for a map of the area.

4: A vision of the heavenly throne room. Lots of imagery that should be familiar from Ezekiel, Daniel and Isaiah. Notice this is not a view of "heaven" in the sense of where we go where we die, though it is often used in the way. This is God's throne room and even reflects a typically idealized throne room of an earthly kingdom.

5: The scroll, which contains the divine plan for judgment and salvation is sealed - unalterable and perhaps unknown. At first no one is found to open it, and things will continue as they are, and John weeps. Then Jesus appears as the one who is worthy to open the scroll and expose it's contents. Remember that apocalypse means unveiling.

6: Four seals are opened that reveal war and destruction: A warrior who cannot be defeated rides to war, the red horse which is war itself, the third horse which symbolizes economic collapse and the famine that follows, the fourth horse which brings death by war, famine and disease to a fourth of the earth. The fourth part indicates wide but not total destruction. We'll see phrases like this again and again, and it is not a glass-half-empty term, but a glass-half-full perspective. The destruction is not complete, and hope remains.

The fifth seal is the martyrs. Remember this book is written to people who probably knew martyrs and lived with the very real possibility that they themselves might be executed.

The sixth seal is a kind of warning of the judgment to come and is a reference to Joel 2 and the Day of the Lord. All classes of society realize the power of God (though apparently only for a time, since they quickly turn away from God).

7: The first interlude appears between the sixth and seventh seal. First there is the 144,000 who recall the Jewish remnant during the exile, and has been taken to variously stand for the Jewish people, the church, the martyrs or all the faithful. The great multitude likely refers to martyrs again, the ones who seemed to have been defeated but now appear in victory with white robes and palm branches.

8: The seventh seal is silence in heaven. Perhaps in judgment, in sober reflection on what has occurred and what will happen. It is possible also that the seven trumpets coming up where a part of the seventh seal. The altar censure is filled with smoked and hurled to the earth and the trumpets begin.

As before we have four trumpets of destruction, followed by a warning, and then the fifth and sixth trumpets.

9: The fifth trumpet sounds the swarm of hideous locusts, alluding to demonic spirits, and torturing men with their horrible bites. I believe this was often referenced during the Black Plague in Europe. Abaddon means destruction - King of Death - think the Grim Reaper.

The monstrous cavalry is as terrifying as the plague of locusts. But still - the people do not turn from worshiping idols.