Revelation - Lesson 5

There is a wide range of interpretation of the book of Revelation because of the nature of visions. When John writes Revelation, he uses a pool of images that are familiar to him and his readers and we need to take into account what the images meant to people at the time.

Apocalyptic literature is based on the idea that the natural order is set within a larger content of a spiritual reality and that the dynamics of the spiritual realm play themselves out in the physical realm.  Apocalypse is a message from God regarding what God is about and what he is going to do.

The occasion for writing Revelation was the vision John had and the situation of the seven churches. John is trying to describe a scene in which various scenes are being played out simultaneously. John emphasizes the importance of living out your theology, as opposed to only being doctrinally correct.

John had a vision of the Son of Man. He had a message for the church at Ephesus.

Messages to the churches in Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis and Philadelphia.

A message to the church at Laodicea and a vision of Jesus as a Lamb who shares the throne with God.

A vision of God the creator and the redeemer Lamb.

A vision of the seven seals.

A vision of the seven trumpets.

A vision of the seven trumpets.

A vision of the seven trumpets. Chronology of the origin and development of the teaching of the rapture and dispensationalism.

A vision of how the death of Jesus on the cross has made it possible for us to be in relationship to God.

The description of the nature of Satan's war against God's children and in contrast to a description of God's redeemed.

A vision of the seven bowls.

A vision of fallen Babylon.

A vision of fallen Babylon.

Dr. Mulholland answering questions from the students.

A vision of the victory of the Lamb and discussion of the wrath of God.

A vision of the New Jerusalem.

A vision of the New Jerusalem.

A vision of the people of the New Jerusalem.

John wrote the book of Revelation as a call to radical discipleship as faithful citizens of God’s new Jerusalem in the midst of a fallen Babylon world. There is no video for this lecture.