Part 3 of 3 Interpreting the Book of Revelation: Personal Viewpoint

 

Revelation 1:19 "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things."

Review: Directing our thoughts toward interpreting the Book of Revelation
We have been considering how to approach the Book of Revelation by way of two essential issues: First we asked: "what must be considered when interpreting the Book of Revelation?" Then secondly, how does this blogger approach the interpretation of the Book of Revelation? I would invite the reader to look over the past  blog entries to follow up on the discussion and coverage of all that we considered in interpreting the book.  My prayer and hope has been to introduce the reader to what the rest of the Bible believing world practices and teaches on Revelation. 

Considering my own thoughts on interpreting the Book of Revelation
With the first consideration covered, I now move onto where I personally stand when it comes to the Book of Revelation.  As a Southern Baptist, I believe that the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 doctrinal statement conveys the appropriate general attitude that all true Christians should take when dealing with Bible prophecy in general and Revelation in particular:

"God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord."

The statement reminds us that as important as doctrinal positions are on Bible Prophecy, or for that matter how one approaches Revelation, there is enough liberty allowed for the major views to co-exist without doing violence to major doctrines such as Christ's second coming, the Trinity, salvation by grace through faith and the Bible as the inerrant word of God.  We need to excercise enough liberty in our viewpoints of Bible Prophecy to preserve our underlining unity in Christ.  However at the same time each Christian ought to know where they stand on eschatological (Bible Prophecy) issues to give reasons as to why they are hopeful both now and for the future. (1 Peter 3:15)  With that statement said, I submit below where I am when it comes the interpretation and application of the Book of Revelation.

1. Primarily Literal in my Approach.  Revelation 1-3 is about Christ and His church.  I see seven letters written to seven literal churches that could also portray traits of churches we see throughout history and today.  Thus I approach Revelation 1-3 as mainly literal.  I follow the often said but time tested rule: where there is no sense, seek the literal sense.  However when the literal sense makes no sense, seek some other sense.  In areas of Revelation (like chapters 6-19) where there is more figurative language, let the figure do its work in bringing about the literal truth to be applied.  However where ever the plain sense of the passage is clearly stated (such as seven churches in Revelation 2-3), let the literal sense convey the appropriate spiritual application and truth (such as the seven churches representing things we may see in churches today).

2. Premillennial in Doctrine.  Revelation 4-5 is about Christ and His worship.  This scene takes place in Heaven, which means time is not a big issue like here on earth.  Revelation 1 and 4-5 feature Jesus Christ as the Post-resurrected glorified God-man who is ruling and reigning right now over His church.  I do take the viewpoint that Christ has inaugurated His reign in heaven and being a Pre-millenialist, I do see Christ coming back to this planet, resurrecting the righteous, restore and convert the nation of Israel and bind Satan.  Furthermore, Christ will reign 1,000 years, defeat Satan in Judgment, raise the wicked and judge them at the Great White throne. (Isaiah 11; Zechariah 12-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20-28; Revelation 20:1-15) Following this Millennial reign will be an eternity wherein the saints of God are ever with God and the Lamb, Who is the Lamp and Light, God in Human Flesh Himself, in the New Heavens and New Earth. (2 Peter 3; Revelation 21-22) 

3. Revelation is mostly about the future, with some reference to the past and present.  Revelation 6-19:6 deals with Christ and History.  This section I find to be a mixture of events that John had to deal with in the first century, as well as events that are yet far future.  I am in agreement with Marvin Pate, who being a Dispensational Premillennialist1, uses the phrase "already/not yet" to describe how Christ is acting both now and yet to come.  I also see Revelation 6-19:6 telling the story of Christ exercising His power and return being told in a repeated or "staircase" fashion. 

Since Revelation 6-19:6 is the longest and most detailed section of the book, here is how I outline it:

Christ and History  Revelation 6-19:6
Cycle #1 Christ's Historical Concern for the Saints.  Rev 6:1-7:17
Cycle #2 Christ's Historical Ending of History.          Rev 8:1-11:19
Cycle #3 Christ's History with Israel                          Rev 12:1-17
Cycle #4 Christ's Historical Defeat of AntiChrist       Rev 13:1-16:21
Cycle #5 Christ's History Ending Defeat of this
               world system (Babylon)                             Rev 17:1-19:6.

Two observations can be made about these sequences.  First, since each cycle spawns on the next, there is to be expected some overlap in themes.  Then secondly, each of these cycles end with some reference to either Christ's return or to the time leading up to the time of His return. (compare 11:17-19; 12:15-17; 15:1-4; 19:6) 

4. I see a distinction between Israel and the Church, thus I am  a little bit Dispensational, Premillennial.  Revelation 19:7-20:15 is about Christ and His coming reign.  Being Pre-millennialist, I see Christ returning to reign 1,000 years.  Being a Dispensational Pre-millennialist, I see Christ rapturing His church, followed by a period of time before His final return to earth to begin the earthly aspect of His reign.  I don't personally think one can develop a detailed order or timing of the rapture from Revelation.2  Other Bible chapters, such as John 14; 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 deal more specifically with that truth.  For those interested, here is how I generally outline this section:

Cycle #6  Christ comes for victory.  Revelation 19:7-10
Cycle #7  Christ comes to reign in judgment  Revelation 19:11-20:15

Let the reader note that in Revelation, the number "7" is prominently mentioned (some 52 times to be exact!)  In this outline there are "7" sections which appear to be retelling a particular sequence of events stretching from Christ's ascension to the end of His millennial reign.  I am aware that others may see Revelation 6-20 as sequential or one chapter after another chapter.  As I noted in the beginning, issues such as that have room for variation, since how one outlines Revelation is not an essential issue of the Christian faith.   

5. How dispensational I am when interpreting Revelation.  The only reason I classify myself as a dispensationalist is due to the fact I still see a distinction between Israel and the church in Bible prophecy.  This means that I believe (according to Romans 11:25-26) that when it says "all Israel" will be saved, it means "Israel" and not the church.  Therefore as I read through Revelation, I will for example view the 144,000 as literal Jewish people (Revelation 7,14) and the Tribulation martyrs being followers of Christ who were converted during the Tribulation period. 

6. Something I hope most Christians can agree on. Revelation 21-22 is about Christ and Eternity.  This section is thankfully among the most agreed upon sections among interpreters. I see the Holy City of Jerusalem as referring to a literal city that is to be the future home of God's saints built by Jesus.  The New Heavens and new Earth will most likely be a refurbished (however they could be remade) New Heavens and New Earth with Christ handing the Kingdom over to His Father so that the Triune God can be all in all. (1 Corinthians 15:28)  At the end of the book, Christ and the Bride are issuing forth the grand invitation to come a drink freely of the water of Eternal life by faith.  The Book of Revelation tells us that the Bible's chief work is salvation, and its chief purpose is God's glory. 

Conclusion
I'll be the first to admit that the outline and understanding that I have presented is not perfect (none can make that claim) nor comprehensive (certainly others can do better than I).  However this understanding of Revelation is one which I submit to the Lord and am willing enough to change if scripture should compel.  The student of scripture can never rise any higher in their theology than the hieght of scripture, nor can any one theological system have enough scope to say with all certainty that "I've mastered the word of God".  May we all who confess Christ as our Savior be in awe of Him and be eager for His Soon return!

End Notes________
1. Marvin Pate is a Southern Baptist who holds to a specific type of Dispensational theology called "progressive Dispensationalism".  Such a system in all of its nuances exceed the purpose and scope of today's blog.  I would urge the reader to check out the book edited by Marvin Pate entitled: "Four View on the Book of Revelation".  In future blogs I hope to spell out the nuances that exist in the world of Pre-millennial Dispensational thinking.

2. The doctrine of the rapture or the "catching away" of the church by Jesus is taught throughout the New Testament explicitly in John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  I do believe that the rapture is true and I do believe it is a yet future event revealed in scripture.  Although many scholars have attempted to infer the rapture teaching from passages such as Revelation 3:10-4:1, nonetheless that particular truth is not explicitly taught anywhere in Revelation due to the fact that the rapture is not a significant theme in the book.  In other words, we could very well derive the doctrine of the rapture of the church "implicitly" from Revelation, however I don't think one can ever hope to build an "explicit" understanding of the rapture's timing from Revelation.  Furthermore, the issue of the timing of the rapture of the church (three positions: pre-tribulationalism, mid-tribulationalism and post-tribulationalism) is an intramural debate among Dispensational Premillennialists.  In future blogs I aim to do a short series on the rapture doctrine and its timing. 

Part 2 of 3 Interpreting Revelation: Doctrinal views and outline

Revelation 1:19 "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things."

Review: Directing our thoughts toward interpreting the Book of Revelation
As we approach the Book of Revelation in particular with the aim to understand two essential issues: what must be considered when interpreting the Book of Revelation? Then secondly, how does this blogger approach the interpretation of the Book of Revelation? Two days ago we began to answer the first question.  We proposed that four standpoints must be addressed when approaching the Book of Revelation, namely looking at Revelation from  a literary, historical, doctrinal and outline standpoint.  How one deals with each of these will determine how one interprets and applies Revelation specifically and Bible prophecy in general. 

In our last post we noted the following literary features of Revelation:  Revelation is composed of Epistles (Revelation 1-3); Apocalyptic and Prophecy elements (Revelation 4-22) and perhaps a little bit of history as well (the whole book). 

Furthermore, we also covered the second standpoint that must be addressed when interpreting Revelation - namely the historical standpoint.  How much of Revelation is about the future, the past and the present?  Four responses were examined which I will list only by name: Preterist, Idealist, Historicist and Futurist.  All of these views were briefly examined as well and were seen to represent the mane of conservative Bible believing Christianity, with futurism being the majority report.

With the literary and historical standpoints examined, we continue on answering the question: "what must be considered when interpreting the Book of Revelation?"  In today's blog we aim to cover both the doctrinal approach and outlining approach to the Book.

What must be considered when interpreting the Book of Revelation?
The Book of Revelation from a doctrinal standpoint
The doctrinal standpoint is mainly focused on one chapter in Revelation: Revelation 20.  In fact what may surpise a lot of people is the fact the how one interprets Revelation 20 affects how they view all of Bible Prophecy and how they interpret scripture as a whole. 

The phrase "1,000 years" is mentioned six times in Revelation 20 and has produced much debate among students of scripture over the history of the church.  Thankfully in the history of the church there have been only four main responses given to these big questions. These four positions are respectively called: Historical Premillennialism, Dispensational Premillennialism, Amillennialism and Postmillennialism. To avoid making today's post into a book-length document, I have included information and diagrams in the end notes of today's blog for those who may want to know more information.1

The four main positions will vary in how much they view prophecy as either literal (Dispensational Pre-millennial and somewhat Classical premillennial) or more symbolic (Amillennial and Post-millennial). Again the reader is invited to consider the endnotes section of today's blog to get more detail on these four major viewpoints of Revelation 20.

Five things that Revelation 20 is focused upon and its connection to the whole book
For one thing, Revelation 20 is at bare minimum speaking about five key events: the coming of Christ, the reign of Jesus Christ, the resurrection/reign of the saints, the judgment of the wicked and the judgment of Satan.  If I may risk a second major observation: almost all interpreters that I have read see Revelation 20 being the final chapter referring to history before the Eternal State of Revelation 21-22.  These two things seem to be universally agreed upon by all interpreters who take seriously the inerrancy and Divine inspiration of scripture.   

The issues that lead to differing views over Revelation 20
Where the differences among believers begins to arise has mainly to do with the following:

1. Is the reign of Christ occuring now, in the future, or both now and the future?

2. Are the resurrections in Revelation 20 literal and future, spiritual and now or both?

3. Is Christ and His saints to reign mainly in Heaven now, to reign on the earth in the future or a little bit of both?

4. Is the 1,000 year period (Millennium) in Revelation 20 a symbolic number or literal number?

5. Is the Kingdom of Jesus Christ depicted in Revelation 20 a Heavenly Reign now, a future earthly reign or a little bit of both?

6. Is Satan's judgment occuring now, future or a little bit now and ultimately in the future?

7. Will Christ come back to set up a kingdom on earth for a 1,000 years, or is He reigning in Heaven now and waiting to come back to usher in Eternity or is Eternity to be ushered in by the church's preaching of the Gospel, with Christ coming back to usher in eternity?

8. Are Bible Prophecies to be interpreted as being literally fulfilled, symbolically fulfilled or a little bit of both?

How one answers those eight questions does impact how one interprets Bible prophecy.  It must be remembered of course that the answers given do not carry the weight of importance as one's view on the Trinity, Christ's Deity, Salvation or view of the Bible as God's Word.  However prophecy and one's view of it can affect how one views God's final goal for our world and the carrying forth of the Great Commission. 

Outlining Standpoint of the Book
So much more could be said about the doctrinal standpoint in approaching Revelation, however we must move onto the fourth major area to consider when interpreting Revelation: namely how to outline the book?  Whenever you consider the 22 chapters of Revelation, most people will take as their point of departure Revelation 1:19 which gives you a three-fold outline:

"The things which you have seen" Revelation 1-3
"The things which are now/are yet to come" Revelation 4-5
"The Things yet to come" Revelation 4-22

In some instances you may see even a two-part outlining approach:

"The things which you have seen"  Revelation 1-3
"The things which are to come"  Revelation 4-22

Both Classical and Dispensational Premillennialists  (see endnotes below) will typically see the Book of Revelation unfurling in a sequential, step by step fashion.  Some other Pre-millenialists tend to see the book, especially in Revelation 4-22, unfold in more of a "winding staircase" fashion, meaning that the Apostle John is presenting the same sequence of history over and over again in greater and more intense detail. 

When we consider Amillennial and some Post-millennial interpreters (see endnotes below), the staircase model tends to be the preferred outlining approach.  Other types of Post-Millennial interpreters tends to view Revelation 6-18 as a summary of God's overall program for history, with no immediate connection to any one history or event (also called the idealist view of Revelation)

These are but samples of the various ways people have attempted to outline and understand the book of Revelation. 

Tomorrow this blogger will share how he approaches the book of Revelation in terms of its literary interpretation, historical approach, doctrinal approach and outline.

More tomorrow............

EndNotes_______________

1. Four key viewpoints on Revelation 20.
Let the reader note that the summaries below did not include the numerous scripture references that would be used.  In future blogs I intend to go into detail.  For now let the reader understand the key features of each viewpoint. 

A. Historic Pre-millennialism. (Christ returns before 1,000 year literal kingdom) This first view is the oldest view of all four viewpoints. Historic Premillennialists believe that the 1,000 year reign of Christ will be literal, will be on earth, will be future and will last for 1,000 years. Below we can see a summary pictorial illustration:

Present Age------------Christ's-----1,000 year reign---Final-Eternity---->
                                   Return                               Judgment
                                Righteous raised               Wicked raised
                                  Satan Bound                    Satan Judged

B. Dispensational Pre-millennialism. (Christ returns before 1,000 year literal kingdom) This second view tends to divide God's dealing with history into periods called "dispensations". Though similar to Historic Pre-millennialism in how it views the term "1,000 years", Dispensational pre-mills tend to distinguish Israel from the church and place more emphasis on Christ's gathering of the church (the rapture) as being separated by a seven year tribulation period before His Return. Again we lillustrate:

Present Age----Rapture 7yr Trib Christ's-1,000 year reign-Final-Et-->
                                                  Return Judgment
                                                  Saints Jewish saints Wicked raised
                                                  raised raised
                                                  Satan Bound             Satan judged

C. Amillennialism. (There is no 1,000 year millennium, thus the term "a-millennialism". Right now is the millennial age and the Kingdom is all spiritual) This third view views the millennium as a symbolic number that describes Christ's reign from His ascension in the Book of Acts until when He comes back to usher in Eternity. The first resurrection speaks of people being saved or converted now, with the final resurrection referring to the raising of both the righteous and the wicked. Below we see a summary:

Christ Began reign--Present age/"millennium"--Christ returns-eternity
when he ascended unknown length of time       Resurrection
                                                                           of saints &
                                                                           wicked

D. Post-Millennialism. (Similar to A-millennialism in how it views the number 1,000, except it believes there is a golden age yet to come of indeterminate length that will conclude with Christ's return, hence "post" or "at the end") This fourth view believes that Christ went into heaven to begin His reign and will not return until the Gospel has been fully preached and most of the world (not all) has been Christianized and converted by the power of the Gospel. Post-millennialism is a very optimistic viewpoint and takes seriously the Great Commission. Its summary is as follows:

Christ began-----Church right now----------------Christ returns-eternity
Ascended           preaching Gospel, turns into   raises righteous
                           Millennium as world becomes  & wicked
                           Christianized, Christ then will   Satan
                           turn at the end of this                Condemned
                           "Millennium" hence
                           "post'Millenialism.
                       
 
                                                                           


                                                                          

A Poem: A Praying Mother

Proverbs 1:8 "Hear, my son, your father's instruction And do not forsake your mother's teaching"

In ancient Israel the mother was often connected to instructing the young children in the ways of the Lord.  In fact the Jews believed that the Torah (the law of God) was transferred through the mother's milk in a young infant's life.  This Jewish background may explain partially why the Apostle Peter, under divine inspiration, wrote in 1 Peter 2:2 "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation". By the time a young child reached twelve years of age, they would had memorized the entire contents of the first five books of the Old Testament (called Torah or later on Pentateuch). 

The twelfth to thirteenth year of life marked in Jewish culture the end of childhood, with boys going through a rite of passage called "bar mitzpah" (sons of the covenant), marking them as legal adults.  Children in Biblical times owned much to their mothers, since the mother spent the most time, instructing them in the things of God.  The Apostle Paul reminds young Pastor Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:5 "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well." (ESV)  

There is much written in God's Word about the place and importance of Godly mothers.  One of those was a lady named Hannah.  Her story is found in 1 Samuel 1-3.  For the remainder of today's post I offer up a little poem based off of God's word in those chapters simply entitled: "A Praying Mother". 

                                                          A Praying Mother

                                            A Poem based off 1 Samuel 1-3

When hope was dim and faith was low

 

A mother prayed long ago

While others scoffed at her seeming loss

A mother prayed despite the cost

While darkness squeezed its icy grip

A mother’s faith refused to slip

When others forgot her deepening plight

God remembered her prayerful fight

A boy she bore, a prophet to be

A mother’s tears were turned to glee

She told the Lord that the boy was His

A mother gave him with a kiss

She thanked the Lord for what He had done

A mother saw hope in the giving of a son

A mother’s tears as telescopes could see

By the Son would come faith’s victory

Part 1 of 3 Interpreting the Book of Revelation

Revelation 1:19 "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things."



Review
As we explored a suggested method for interpreting the Bible in general, we noted the following four step process:

1. Observation
2. Interpretation
3. Application
4. Correlation

We also saw that in Bible interpretation (also called hermeneutics or the science of interpretation), four gaps are being bridged by the interpreter: geographical, literary, historical and cultural.  As was suggested, websites such as www.biblegateway.com and www.biblos.com offer the Bible student access to Bible study tools like Bible Dictionaries, Encyclopedias and Commentaries that can enable the student to close the gaps.  It was also noted that the Holy Spirit is the Chief interpreter of the scripture Who illumines the believer's understand to compare and grasp all the things freely given by God to us. (1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 1 John 2:20,27) 

Directing our thoughts toward interpreting the Book of Revelation
With those thoughts in mind, we now come to the Book of Revelation in particular with the aim to understand two essential issues: what must be considered when interpreting the Book of Revelation? Then secondly, how does this blogger approach the interpretation of the Book of Revelation? We will take each of these two questions in their turn as we consider this final book of the Bible.

What must be considered when interpreting the Book of Revelation?
The Book of Revelation from a literary standpoint
We can answer this first question in four specific parts: Literary, Historical, Doctrinal and Outline.  First of all we must consider the Book of Revelation from a literary standpoint.  The Book of Revelation is not just one uniform type of literature, but multiple forms.  Revelation 1-3 features seven letters to seven different churches in a first century form of a letter we call an "epistle".1 

However there is a second type of literature (also called genre = "jan-ray") that we see in Revelation that is termed "Apocalyptic" (or revelatory).  Other books of the Bible such as Daniel and Ezekiel feature "apocalyptic" characteristics.2

As much as Revelation does contain definite elements of apocalyptic style, some distinguishing features of Revelation (and the other Biblical Books containing similar material), is the fact that it is directly revealed by the Lord, it is predictive in nature and the future it portrays has begun in a small way in the here and now due to Jesus' first coming.3 

The third literary feature that must be noted about Revelation is that fact that it is a prophecy.  Those who take Revelation (4-22) to be completely referring to the future (a view called "futurism") mention the fact that Revelation is at its core a series of prophecies about the future.  John MacArthur in his commentary notes that noting Revelation's predictive character (also called "futurism") "takes the book's meaning as God gave it."  Prophetic books typically have three main features: warning, comfort and prediction.  The Book of Revelation without a doubt is a prophecy of the first order.

As a mixture of different types of literature, most would term Revelation 1-3 to be Epistles and Revelation 4-22 to be a combination of Apocalyptic and Prophecy. 

The Book of Revelation historical standpoint: it is either primarily historical, about the future or a little bit of both
With the literary standpoint considered, we now move to the second that must be taken when approaching the Book of Revelation, namely the historical standpoint of the Book.  How much of Revelation is speaking entirely of the future and how much of Revelation is speaking of history?  According to most authors today, there are four approaches to the book of Revelation, all of which are defined by how much or how little they view Revelation as a work of history or work of prophecy.  It must be noted that in all four of these approaches, Christ's literal, bodily return is believed and cherished as the ultimate event looked forward to by Revelation.  The difference lies of course in how such an event will be arrived at from this present day and time:

1. Preterist view of Revelation: "The Book of Revelation is prophecy that was fulfilled primarily in the first century".4 Conservative Bible teachers such as R.C Sproul espouse a moderate version of this position.5  The word "preterist" comes from a Latin word meaning "past" and is held by a strong minority of scholars.

2. Idealist view of Revelation: The idealist or what is sometimes termed "spiritual" view of Revelation sees the book "as representing the ongoing conflict of good and evil, with no immediate historical connection to any social or political events."6
 
3. Historicist view of Revelation: The Book of Revelation is prophecy about church history from the time of John to the end of the world."7 A prime example of this approach would take the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 and view them as successive representations of seven stages of church history.

4. Futurist view of Revelation: This approach is the most familiar to many readers since it views the Book as being almost entirely about the future, as the name suggests.  Numerous Bible teachers like Dr. John MacArthur and past Bible teachers and preachers such as Dr. W.A Criswell, Dr. C.I Scofield, Dr. Dwight J. Pentecost and Dr. John Walvoord were futurists in their approach to Revelation.

These four historical approaches are also approaches we find to one degree or another throughout the history of the church among Bible believing teachers.  As far as this author knows, all four approaches exist in Southern Baptist life, with the futurist most likely being the majority report.

Note to Reader about tomorrow's blog and Monday's blog
In tomorrow's blog I will be presenting a poem based off of 1 Samuel 1-3 entitled "A Mother's Prayer".  On Monday May 13 we will continue our discussion we started today on interpreting the Book of Revelation.  Until then, may the reader have a blessed day.  


End Notes______________________

1. There are 21 examples of epistles in our New Testament which contain at least four features: A salutation or introductory greeting, a doctrinal section, a practical section and a closing section. Epistles are usually (but not always) personal and are as a general rule to be interpreted as literally as possible unless otherwise indicated. Revelation 1-3 and the last few verses of Revelation 22 have the tell-tale signs of the style we call "Epistle". 

2. Steve Gregg. Revelation Four View: A parallel commentary. Nelson. 1997. Pages 10-12

Steve Gregg in His Book: "Revelation Four Views - A Parallel Commentary", writes this about the genre or literary type called "apocalyptic".

1. In both Revelation and other apocalyptic writings, angels commonly appear as tour guides and interpreters.

2. Like most apocalyptic types of literature, Revelation was written during intense times of persecution

3. We see the use of vivid symbols and imagery (monsters, dragons, symbolic numbers, names) in depicting the conflict between good and evil.

4. In apocalyptic literature like Revelation, certain numbers carry with them certain meanings


3. William Klein, Craig Blomberg and Robert L. Hubbard. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation. Word Publishing. Page 371

Klein, Blomberg and Hubbard have pointed out one other additional feature of apocalyptic literature which we also see in Revelation:

"Apocalyptic types of literature include a description of events surrounding the end of world history, often said to have come from God by means of angelic or otherworldy intermediaries"

4. Dr. Timothy Paul Jones.  Rose Guide to End-Times Prophecy. 2011  Page 263

5. Dr. R.C Sproul.  The Last Days According to Jesus.  Baker Academic.  1998

6. Stanley N. Gundry, Series Editor; C. Marvin Pate, General Editor. "Four Views on the Book of Revelation.  Zondervan.  1998. Page 23. 

7. Dr. Timothy Paul Jones. Rose Guide to End-Times Prophecy. 2011 Page 263

Suggestions for interpreting Scripture Correctly

Revelation 1:20 "As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."

As you can see in the above text, the Apostle John included a built in interpretation system for the Book of Revelation.  Knowing how to interpret Revelation is vital, since how you interpret the book will determine how you will ultimately apply it.  But before we get to the Book of Revelation specifically, we need to understand the importance of interpreting the Bible generally, which is the focus of today's blog. 

Introduction - How you interpret a Biblical text is just as important as the application
When it comes to studying God's Word, we must take into consideration that no one person can approach the text from a neutral standpoint.  Whether you are a Christian or non-Christian will affect whether or not you are able to extract the intended meaning of the scripture, since the meaning of the text is made available only to the converted human heart. (John 16:8-16; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; 1 John 2:20,27)  In addition to spiritual considerations, other factors can often shape the assumptions one brings to a given text.1 

How can you tell whether or not you are interpreting the Bible correctly?
With the idea of there being no such thing as a "neutral standpoint" in approaching the Bible, then the question is: how is it that we are able to know whether or not we are interpreting the Bible correctly?  Two answers.  First and foremost, we have the promise from Jesus Himself that the Holy Spirit, who comes indwell the Christian at salvation, will guide us into all truth. (John 14:17; 16:8-16; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:6; 1 John 2:20,27)  It is the Spirit who takes the interpreter's preconceived notions and sifts them through the grid of the world of scripture so that the reader can be transformed by the renewing of the mind. (Matthew 22:37; Romans 12:1-2) 

The second answer has to do with the science or rules of of Bible interpretation that have been utilized over the centuries by countless Christians.  When it comes to interpreting scripture aright, the science of interpretation is what we call hermeneutics (herm-i-noo-tiks, from a greek word meaning "interpretation").  We see an early example of this in Acts 8:30-31 "Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ³¹ And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him."  

As you read on down through the remainder of Acts 8, Phillip explained Isaiah 53 to the Ethiopian Eunuch by way of showing the prophecy's connection to Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Clearly Phillip was guided by the Holy Spirit in his ability to extract the correct meaning from the passage as well as sound principles and rules of interpreting the text in light of Jesus Christ.  The only way one can be led to a right response or application of the text is through the right interpretation and sound manner of interpreting the text.   

Why getting the interpretation of the Bible right is so important
Roy B. Zuck in his classic work "Basic Biblical Interpretation" notes the following:

"Seeing the words on a page of the Bible does not necessarily mean that the reader catches their meaning.  Observing what the Bible says is the first of several steps in Bible study." (Page 9)2

As Zuck continues on writing about the importance of interpreting the Bible correctly, he draws out why proper Bible interpretation is so important:

1. It is essential for understanding and teaching the Bible properly
2. Bible interpretation is essential as a step beyond obeserving what is in the text
3. Bible interpretation is essential for applying the Bible properly3

Howard Hendricks writes in his very helpful book: "Living by the Book" the following on why you and I should study the Bible and practice sound methods of interpretation:4

1. Bible Study is Essential to Growth.  1 Peter 2:2
2. Bible Study is Essential to Spiritual Maturity.  Hebrews 5:11-14
3. Bible Study is Essential to Spiritual Effectiveness.  2 Tim 3:16-17

A suggested four step plan to studying the Bible: Observation, Interpretation, Application, Correlation
As you study God's Word, four steps are necessary:

1. Observation - Observe the setting, the author and the audience of the text in question.  Note repeated words, ideas and changes in tone.  Note cross references to others scripture, information that any good study Bible in the margins will give to you.

2. Interpretation - Since the New Testament is almost 2000 years old (with the Old Testament being 3500 years old in some books), the authors and readers of that day are separated from us who read its pages today.  Good online resources such as www.biblegateway.com and www.biblos.com can aid greatly in connecting you to resources such as Bible Dictionaries (which help explain Biblical Backgrounds, culture and words), Bible Encyclopedias (which contain feature articles and pictures) and commentaries (resources that comment on a given verse of scripture).  In interpreting the Bible, you are relying on the Holy Spirit to close four gaps between you and the text: literary, geography, culture and history.

3. Application - Once you have observed the text and taken the steps necassary to close the four gaps just mentioned by way of prayer and consultation of Bible Dictionaries, Encyclopedias and Commentaries, you are now ready to ask the all important question: "How then would God have me to live this out?" 

4. Correlation - This fourth step is where you not only figure out how you are going to apply what you have studied to your own life, but also how you are going to take the application and be used of God to affect others areas or other people. 

The Goals of Interpreting the Bible
So when it is all said and done, how can you tell whether or not you have interpreted the Bible correctly?  What end results should you see or what patterns should be emerging in your faith-walk as you regularly give yourself to the daily study of God's Word?  Here are some suggestions that will tell you whether or not you are on the right track:

1. Have I made meeting Jesus Christ in the text my primary goal.  For even though I may not find Jesus in every verse, yet from every verse of scripture I should be able to get to Jesus. (Luke 24:44)

2. Unless otherwise indicated, the literal historical meaning as intended by the author is to be the primary governing sense.  An old rule says it this way: "In order to make sense of the text, use the literal sense.  However whenever the literal sense makes no sense, seek some other sense."

3. Is my life, my speech and attitude being transformed into becoming more like what the Bible describes as the lifestyle, speech and attitude of Jesus Christ? Is the text governing how I act and think or does how I want to act and think shaping how I read the text.  How you answer that last question will determine how you answer the first.

4. The Old Testament should be read in light of the New Testament as a general rule, since the Old in the New is revealed and the New in the Old is concealed.  However be sure that you retain the context of the Old Testament passage in your interpretation and be careful not to forcefit a New Testament insight, unless of course the New Testament has sanctioned a change in the understanding of the passage. 

5. Have you prayed over the course of your study?  Prayer and Bible study go hand in hand. 

We could mention others, but for now those should be sufficient enough.  I would urge the reader to consult the books I cited earlier as great resources that offer far more detail and better explanation of these issues.  I hope today's blog has been helpful in equipping you with a couple tools on how to approach Bible study in general.  The principles in today's blog will provide the backdrop for the more specific consideration of tomorrow's blog concerning how to interpret the Book of Revelation......


End Notes____________________

1. A person living in an urban area of New York will come with a different set of expectations than say a person who grew up in the suburbs or the country. A man growing up in a Europe will come with European shaped ideas that are different than a person who grew up in Africa, the United States or any other part of the globe. Even your station in life will shape how you approach scripture, since a 20 year old college student will have different expectations about the scripture than say a 39 year old person with teenage children. 

2. Roy B. Zuck.  Basic Biblical Interpretation.  Victory Books. 1991

3. Roy B.  Zuck.  Basic Bible Interpretation. Victory Books. 1991. Pages 10-15

4. Howard Hendricks.  Living by the Book.  Moody Press. 1991.  Pages 18-22

The Gospel's Only Way

Deuteronomy 30:14, 19 (14)  "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it."  (19) I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,

Romans 10:8-9 "But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

The Same Gospel in both Old and New Testaments
The Gospel has never changed in its contents, whether we are reading in the Old Testament or in the New.  People are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone of the Bible alone. 

Moses is preaching a series of sermons here in Deuteronomy to a new generation of Israelites.  The Apostle Paul, 1400 years later, is writing a letter to a church at Rome that is themed around the power of the Gospel. (Romans 1:16).  Both men, writing under divine inspiration, are giving the proverbial "altar call" to their listeners.  As Moses the prophet has delivered his final message to the people whom he has led across the sandy deserts of the Sinai and beyond, he tells them in Deuteronomy 30:11-14 -

¹¹ “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. ¹² It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ ¹³ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ ¹⁴ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it."

The Apostle Paul in strikingly similar words tells the congregation at Rome these words in Romans 10:4-8 -
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. ⁵ For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. ⁶ But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), ⁷ or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching."


The Gospel warns about the false ways of salvation
As you read both Deuteronomy 30 and Romans 10, it is very clearly that both Moses and Paul are making evangelistic appeals to their listeners.  In both texts, both men had to first of all warn their listeners of the typical false ways the people attempt to manufacture salvation.  Two of these ways are discernable in these texts:

The False way of sincerity.  Deuteronomy 30:17-18; Romans 10:1-3
In today's culture, sincerity is the standard many people go by when defining their method of salvation.  The overwhelming majority report on the standard of salvation is: "as long as you are sincere, who am I to judge?"  The problem oftentimes of course is that even though a person may sincerely believe that they are o.k with God, they nonethless can be sincerely wrong.  In Deuteronomy 30, Moses knew that the Israelites to whom he wrote and spoke were getting ready to enter into a land that offered many different brands of false gods and religions.  Idolatry is whenever man replaces the True and Living God with a false god or anything that he believes will meet needs that only God can meet.  Moses' warning is that if the people commit idolatry, they will perish.  They may very well be sincere, and yet be sincerely wrong.

Ironically in Paul's situation in Romans, the very people he was addressing were Jews, who claimed to believe and follow the True and Living God and who were even sincere.  He writes in Romans 10:1-3 "Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. ² For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. ³ For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. "  The problem had nothing to do with sincereity but the issue at hand was the fact they had a zeal "without knowledge."  Paul's audience knew about God, but did not know Him.  They were sincere, but yet separated from God.  Their idolatry was in replacing God's righteousness with their own.

The False way of ceremony. Deuteronomy 30:12-13; Romans 10:5-7
The second issue that both Moses and Paul had to deal was the fact that some people thought they could obtain salvation by way of ceremony.  Mankind, as one writer put it, has a heart that is a factory of idols - meaning man will do anything he can to give glory to everything but God.  Fallen man will try to re-invent the wheel of salvation by way of moralism to avoid the call of grace.  In Moses' day, the way in which people viewed certain things as inaccessible is by the statements "going beyond the heavens" or "going beyond the sea".  The heavens of course were the domain of God and the sea was the forbidden realm period.  To the Jewish listeners of Moses' day, they may had been tempted to re-invent salvation by trying to recreat situations tantamount to ascending Mount Sinai to retrieve the Ten Commandments or dividing the Red Sea.  Moses plainly tells them that they would be wasting their time, since God has already split the Red sea and came down on the Moutain and even into their midst.  Salvation is not something you achieve- but rather receive.

Even more significantly Paul writes in Romans 10:6-7 "But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), ⁷ or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”  Again mankind by way of man-made ceremony may try to orchestrate ceremonies tantamount to recreating Christ's incarnation (i.e bringing Christ down) or resurrection and ascension (i.e ascending into heaven).  We see people doing that all the time, thinking that by baptism or participation in church religious systems like Roman Catholicism's saints and sacraments or Mormonism's church orders that one can obtain salvation.  

Both Moses and Paul plainly say: salvation is not achieved by sincerity nor by ceremony.   

The Gospel's Only Way
As we noted earlier, the Gospel is the same whether we are talking Old or New Testament.  Though Moses was the agent through which God delivered the Law, Moses still preached the Gospel.  The law's job is to point the sinner to the Gospel so that they may see their need to be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)  As we consider both Moses and Paul, what is the Gospel way to which they speak to both their listeners and us?  Salvation is by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone in Christ Alone of the Bible Alone

Grace Alone.
Deuteronomy 30:14 "But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it."

Romans 10:8 "But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching"

God's grace is the power to do for us what we otherwise could never do for ourselves.  The grace of salvation is extended by the Holy Spirit's specific call to the sinner in the general invitation of the Gospel.  Whosoever hears God's voice and calls upon the name of the Lord by such grace can be and will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

Faith Alone
Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants."  

Romans 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; ¹⁰ for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation"

Faith is the Divine gifting of God that convinces the will to choose Jesus Christ on the basis of firm persuasion. (John 1:12-13; James 1:18)  Faith, according to Dr. Adrian Rogers is Forsaking All I Trust Him. To believe the gospel is to receive it.  Faith is the Divine Gifting of the Father that is conceived in our hearts by His combined efforts with the word of God.  Whenever the Spirit is so moving, we freely and knowingly choose Jesus.  As the Baptist Faith & message 2000 states: "Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord."

Christ Alone
Deuteronomy 10:19 ..."Choose Life"

Romans 10:4 "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (9) that if you will confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

The "Life" Moses was asking the people to choose was none other than God Himself, since in Deuteronomy 30:20 they are told to "hold fast to Him".  Jesus Christ refers to Himself in John 14:6 as the "Way, the Truth and the Life".  Thus the only way of the Gospel way is none other than Jesus Christ.  The Old Testament version of the Gospel pointed to God in the Promise of salvation.  The New Testament retains those same elements, with the Promise being none other than the Person of Jesus Christ.  In Christ Alone is man able to embrace God by faith alone. Christ alone is the mediator between God and sinners who believe. (1 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1-2) 

The Bible Alone
As you can tell, the Gospel way is pretty exclusive.  Grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone.  However there is one more "alone", namely the Bible.  Salvation cannot be found in just any Jesus, but only the Jesus of scripture.  Paul writes in Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”  Moses states in Deuteronomy 30:20 concerning God's Promise of salvation - for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”  The Promise of salvation is spelled out specifically in the Old Testament, and the Person to which the Promise points appears and is expained only in the New Testament.  A Mormon Jesus will not save you.  A Jehovah Witness Watch Tower Jesus cannot save.  A Jesus who shares representation with Mary of church tradition cannot shield the sinner from God's coming wrath.  Only the scripture, the 66 books of the Bible, clearly, sufficiently, inerrantly and infallibly reveal the right Jesus in whom I must receive by grace through faith alone. 

Conclusion
As we have observed in today's post, the Gospel's Only way of salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone of the Bible alone.  It is not by the false way of sincerity that men are saved nor is it by the false way of ceremony.  Ceremony and sincerity will get you no where except in a Christless eternity in the lake of fire.  Only in the Christ of the Bible can the sinner's salvation be found, and only by grace through faith can such salvation be received.