Apocalypse

Our study of the Book of Revelation on Mondays has been enjoyable. We are learning that this strange book is not all that difficult when it is read in its historical context. The dozens of symbols in the book almost all come from the Old Testament, especially from Ezekiel and Daniel.

Of course, the basic theological approach one takes to this book will determine how one understands it.

(1) There is the 'Historicist' approach, which sees each of the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3 as a particular period in history (each church is about certain centuries). This is a rather artificial way of reading Revelation. The seven churches are real churches in Asia Minor, not symbols of historical periods. No one actually preaches this approach anymore. There are no contemporary commentaries on Revelation that use this approach. But there are remnants of its philosophy around.

(2) Then there is the 'Futurist' approach. These writers/preachers see the book as a message about the soon-to-come end of the world. There are two sub strands here: One is general pre-millennial perspective. The other is the pre-millennial Dispensationalism. This is the Hal Lindsay or Tim LaHaye 'Left Behind' school of thought. It's actually a relatively new scheme invented in the 1820s or 1830s and spread around by John Nelson Darby. It is a man-made grid that has been overlaid on Scripture. It relies on artificial distinctions between Jews and Gentiles that are clearly obliterated in the gospel. It applies prophecies to the contemporary nation of Israel which were already fulfilled before the birth of Christ. And it (ironically) takes the literal parts of Revelation and makes them symbolic, while taking the symbolic parts and makes them literal. Dispensationalism is the popular interpretation that sells lot of books and movies today. It is the 'Rapture' school of thought. But it is also a human invention with no basis in Scripture.

(3) A third approach to Revelation is the 'Preterist' approach. It comes in different versions. I think it has a lot to commend itself. The very first verse of Revelation says that this book is about things that will "soon" take place. What if that means exactly what it says? What if the things in Revelation did take place soon after it was written? Is that possible? Yes. If the Judgment that Revelation describes was the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem that took place 65-70 A.D., then it has happened already. Could that be? Interestingly, yes. Once you stop and think about it, it fits perfectly with the message of the last book of the Bible. I think this approach needs to be looked at with more seriousness.

(4) The fourth approach to Revelation throughout church history is called the 'Spiritualist' approach--better known as 'Amillenialism.' Augustine taught this way of understanding the Apocalypse. As I read Presbyterian documents, I understand this to be the contemporary 'Presbyterian' approach to Revelation; though some in the Presbyterian tradition have accepted the Postmillennial position (such as Jonathen Edwards). Generally, the Millenium has been understood as symbolic and not a literal earthly 1000 years in the Reformed Theological Tradition. In other words, what is presented in Revelation is not about just the past or just the future or just on period in history; rather, its message is about all time everywhere. The 'events' of Revelation is always happening. There is always a Beast (or two) around; there is always 'tribulation' or suffering around; the Dragon is always out to get us; God is always on his throne. Revelation is a long poem about reality at all times.

We don't need to make up the meaning of the symbols of Revelation. Most of them are explained in the book or allude to symbols already in Scripture. We don't have to wonder what the book is about. It is obviously about the Roman Empire of the first century (or alternatively, Jerusalem). It is a book of hope and encouragment. The believers are told to endure and be patient. Not to take revenge; not to become militaristic; not to get ready to be launched into the air; but to be faithful. That's a good message.