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Introduction to the New Testament: Romans to Revelation - Lesson 36

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Revelation (Part 3)

Revelation focuses on God's plan for cosmic history and the importance of perseverance during difficult circumstances.

Craig Blomberg
Craig Blomberg
Introduction to the New Testament: Romans to Revelation
Lesson 36
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Revelation (Part 3)

Letters of John

Part 2

II. Revelation: God's Plan for Cosmic History (Part 1)

A. Background to the Revelation

1. John in mid-90's on Patmos under Domition

2. Writing to encourage persecuted churches in Asia Minor to "overcome"

3. Three-fold genre

a. Apocalyptic

b. Prophetic

c. Epistolary

4. A preterist-futurist approach

5. A historic (classical) premillenial approach

B. Revelation Time Line

1. Past: Intro (Chapter 1)

2. Present

a. Chapters 2-3: Letters to 7 churches

b. Chapters 4-5: Heavenly Praise

3. Future

a. Chapters 6-19

i. 7 Seals

ii. 7 Trumpets

iii. 7 Bowls of God's Wrath

b. Chapters 20-22

i. Millenium

ii. New Heavens and New Earth

C. Revelation 1-6

1. Chapter 1 – Rich theology, especially Christology

2. Chapters 2-3 – The whole spectrum of churches, good and bad (from Philadelphia to Laodicea)

a. Note also 2:9 and 3:9 and the birkath-ha-minim

b. Note Philadelphia vs. Smyrna

c. Not three abused texts (3:10, 3:15, 3:20)

3. Chapters 4-5 – Heavenly praise to prepare us for what comes next: the lion who is a Lamb (5:5-6)

4. Chapter 6 – Seals as precursors to tribulation

D. Unsealing a scroll

E, Approaching the Abyss

1. Seals

2. Trumpets

3. Bowls

4. The End

F. Revelation 7-11

1. Chapter 7 – First interlude; Jews who represent the whole church

2. Chapters 8-9 – Plagues like in Egypt

a. 1/3 the key fraction

b. Woes: overtly demonic

c. Believers still protected (9:4)

d. Intended for repentance (9:20-21)

3. Chapters 10-11 – Second interlude

a. The little, bittersweet scroll (but now no more delay)

b. The powerful witness (progressive polarization)

4. Progressive polarization before the End (Chapter 11)

a. Successful evangelism

b. Increase of evil

G. The Tribulation of Revelation (7) 8-16

1. Scenario 1

a. First three years

i. First (2) cycles of plagues (chapters 7-10)

ii. Testimony of the two witnesses (chapters 11-12)

b. Second three years

i. Persecution of God's elect (chapters 13-14)

ii. Final cycle of plagues (chapters 15-17)

2. Scenario 2 (3 years)

a. Testimony of the two witnesses

b. Persecution of God's elect


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Class Resources
  • 1. Introduction to Paul

    Paul was trained as a Pharisee and persecuted Christians because he considered them enemies of God. After his conversion experience, he travelled in Asia Minor and Europe preaching the gospel and planting churches. Many of the letters in the New Testament are ones that he wrote to these churches.

  • 2. Introduction to Paul (Part 2)

    Paul was trained as a Pharisee and persecuted Christians because he considered them enemies of God. After his conversion experience, he travelled in Asia Minor and Europe preaching the gospel and planting churches. Many of the letters in the New Testament are ones that he wrote to these churches.

  • 3. Introduction to Paul (Part 3)

    Paul was trained as a Pharisee and persecuted Christians because he considered them enemies of God. After his conversion experience, he travelled in Asia Minor and Europe preaching the gospel and planting churches. Many of the letters in the New Testament are ones that he wrote to these churches.

  • 4. Galatians

    A key theme in the book of Galatians is how the Law and the Gospel are related.

  • 5. Galatians (Part 2)

    A key theme in the book of Galatians is how the Law and the Gospel are related.

  • 6. Galatians (Part 3)

    A key theme in the book of Galatians is how the Law and the Gospel are related.

  • 7. Thessalonians

    The return of Christ is a central theme in the letters to the Thessalonians.

  • 8. Thessalonians (Part 2)

    The return of Christ is a central theme in the letters to the Thessalonians.

  • 9. 1 Corinthians

    Paul addresses the extremes of asceticism and hedonism, as well as concerns regarding marriage, spiritiual gifts and the resurrection.

  • 10. 1 Corinthians (Part 2)

    Paul addresses the extremes of asceticism and hedonism, as well as concerns regarding marriage, spiritiual gifts and the resurrection.

  • 11. 1 Corinthians (Part 3)

    Paul addresses the extremes of asceticism and hedonism, as well as concerns regarding marriage, spiritiual gifts and the resurrection.

  • 12. 2 Corinthians

    Paul responds to specific situations in the Corinthian church including emphasizing a correct perspective on giving and encouragement to see God's redemptive purpose in our suffering.

  • 13. 2 Corinthians (Part 2)

    Paul responds to specific situations in the Corinthian church including emphasizing a correct perspective on giving and encouragement to see God's redemptive purpose in our suffering.

  • 14. Romans

    Paul wrote Romans as a systematic exposition of the gospel.

  • 15. Romans (Part 2)

    Paul wrote Romans as a systematic exposition of the gospel.

  • 16. Colossians and Philemon

    In Colossians, Paul emphasizes the deity of Christ. Philemon was written to a gentlema Paul knows to encourage him to welcome back Onesimus, his runaway slave, who became a disciple of Christ and was returning.

  • 17. Colossians and Philemon (Part 2)

    In Colossians, Paul emphasizes the deity of Christ. Philemon was written to a gentlema Paul knows to encourage him to welcome back Onesimus, his runaway slave, who became a disciple of Christ and was returning.

  • 18. Ephesians

    Paul describes to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus, who they are in Christ, and the ethical implications for how they should live their daily lives.

  • 19. Ephesians (Part 2)

    Paul describes to the followers of Jesus in Ephesus, who they are in Christ, and the ethical implications for how they should live their daily lives.

  • 20. Philippians

    Paul contrasts the condescention and the exaltation of Christ, and addresses specific situations in the Philippian church.

  • 21. Pastoral Epistles

    Paul writes to encourage and instruct Timothy and Titus, both of whom are young pastors.

  • 22. Pastoral Epistles (Part 2)

    Paul writes to encourage and instruct Timothy and Titus, both of whom are young pastors.

  • 23. Gender Roles

    Both 1 Timothy and 1 Corinthians contain key passages addressing the roles of men and women in the local church.

  • 24. Gender Roles (Part 2)

    Both 1 Timothy and 1 Corinthians contain key passages addressing the roles of men and women in the local church.

  • 25. James

    The book of James emphasizes that people demonstrate that they have true faith in Christ by their good works.

  • 26. James (Part 2)

    The book of James emphasizes that people demonstrate that they have true faith in Christ by their good works.

  • 27. Hebrews

    Hebrews is written to Hebrew Christians to demonstrate how Christ fulfilled the Mosaic covenant.

  • 28. Hebrews (Part 2)

    Hebrews is written to Hebrew Christians to demonstrate how Christ fulfilled the Mosaic covenant.

  • 29. 1 Peter

    1 Peter encourages followers of Christ to persevere even though they face persecution.

  • 30. 1 Peter (Part 2)

    1 Peter encourages followers of Christ to persevere even though they face persecution.

  • 31. Jude and 2 Peter

    Jude and 2 Peter both emphasize refuting false teachers.

  • 32. Epistles of John

    Major themes in John's epistles are sin, the love of God, the humanity and deity of Jesus, and the importance of obedience.

  • 33. Epistles of John (Part 2)

    Major themes in John's epistles are sin, the love of God, the humanity and deity of Jesus, and the importance of obedience.

  • 34. Revelation (Part 1)

    Revelation focuses on God's plan for cosmic history and the importance of perseverance during difficult circumstances.

  • 35. Revelation (Part 2)

    Revelation focuses on God's plan for cosmic history and the importance of perseverance during difficult circumstances.

  • 36. Revelation (Part 3)

    Revelation focuses on God's plan for cosmic history and the importance of perseverance during difficult circumstances.

  • 37. Revelation (Part 4)

    Revelation focuses on God's plan for cosmic history and the importance of perseverance during difficult circumstances.

Using the English New Testament, this course surveys the New Testament epistles and the apocalypse. Issues of introduction and content receive emphasis as well as a continual focus on the theology of evangelism and on the contemporary relevance of the variety of issues these documents raise for contemporary life.

 

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