Seven C’s of Revelation

Trivia anyone?? How many chapters are in the Bible? Any guesses? What would you say? 800…900…1000…1100…*1189*…1200…1300? (Sorry I had to give SEVEN options since we are discussing Revelation). Yep, you guessed it…1189 chapters of wonderful words of life.

With that number in mind consider this: When we jump to Revelation 20 over a cup of coffee to discuss the 1,000 Year Reign of Christ we often put the cart way before the horse. First of all, this means there are 1186 chapters that come before it. Those chapters help our understanding of what is being taught in Revelation 20. Secondly, Their are 19 chapters in the book which we often pass over in conversations about the 1,000 Year Reign of Jesus. I was talking with a friend about the Book of Revelation because her pastor was preaching on it. She said, “I can’t wait for him to get to chapter 6 because that’s where the important stuff starts.” I respectfully listened and said nothing…partly because I was dumbfounded by her blatant disregard for the Spirit inspired opening chapters.

Yes, that conversation was a one time occurrence yet the mindset behind those words is seen too often. On social media, in Bible studies, in theological echo chambers over a meal where we are quick to discuss the final chapters of Revelation and scripture with comparatively little attention to what precedes those majestic words.

Below are seven observations to consider regarding how we read the book of Revelation. As much as I would like to go straight to Revelation 20 (I know the temptation), I feel it would be helpful to explain how I arrive at Revelation 20 in my reading of the book.

Critical Chapters

Unlike my friend above we need to value the opening chapters of the book. They are both valuable and critical. They are valuable of course for they are the words of the Lord Jesus, yet they are also critical to our reading of the book for they are the beginning. What other book, whether in the Bible or outside of it, would you start by skipping the first few chapters? Imagine reading Lord of the Rings, Genesis, your favorite biography, or Romans by skipping the first few chapters? I love movies too because they often contain engaging stories. Imagine skipping the first fifteen minutes of Pirates of the Caribbean, the first season of Downton Abbey, or watching the Avengers without having seen the other Marvel movies. Which ever you relate to more, book or movie, you would begin in the wrong place and be disconnected from key information. How would you make sense of all that comes after? The opening chapters (1-5) of Revelation need as much prayer, devotion, and time as the rest. The concepts of those chapters are critical for they kick of the book.

Context in History

John wrote to the seven churches of Asia Minor. I doubt you have ever seen the flag for Asia Minor…due to the fact it is what we call Turkey today. The author of Revelation was writing to a people of the ancient world, a world foreign to Bible readers of the 21st century. It was a different time and culture. The book was of a different sort than we interact with in our readings. Therefore, we need to ask: How would the original audience (Ephesus, smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea) have understood what John was writing? What can we learn about the people of that place and time, of those cities which may clue us in to how they might have understood the writing of John? With that there is another question of equal value: What did John mean for his audience to understand when he wrote (fill in the blank)? In this we must conscientiously remind ourselves that John was not writing to people who would have been familiar with life in the 21st century western world.

Content: Think with our Bibles

How do we begin to explore what John might have intended by certain phrases and word pictures? What steps can we take to understand how the seven churches of Asia Minor, and those close by, might have processed through John’s letter?

In the words of Jeff Durban, “Let’s think with our Bibles.” In other words let’s consider and even seek to know if that puzzling phrase or confusing concept is found earlier in the Bible, specially the Old Testament. Take heart, I know those 929 chapters of the Old Testament can seem daunting, the search is not in vain. Does it take time and endurance? Yes. But the effort put forward in the Old Testament will blossom into joyful discoveries in the book of Revelation. Remember: 1) Almost 70% of Revelation is either quotes from or allusions to portions of the Old Testament. A good study Bible can help direct you where to look in the Old Testament so as to help find the answers. 2) Exodus, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and Psalms are good books to give time and attention to in the pursuit of understanding Revelation. A healthy approach to this glorious book is acquired by a marathon through the Old Testament and not a sprint to Revelation 20.

Conveyed in a Jewish Method

Not only is the content very Jewish in that much of it draws from the Jewish scriptures, but it is also conveyed by a Jewish method. What do I mean? Consider the parables of Jesus. Let’s look at two examples: 1) The parables in Mark 4 about the Seed give us three parallel stories. They have one great point: The power and effect of the the Word of God. However, each story contributes its own details which fill out our understanding about the Word. The seed in its power and effect is seen in God’s Kingdom as it mysteriously and progressively grows. We learn this by Jesus telling the same story in three different ways. 2) The same is true of Luke 15 where we find the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son. They are the same story about the lost and found told in three different ways. When we see them altogether we get the point that Jesus is communicating. To separate them and break them from one another is to do an injustice to this method of teaching.

This was quite common in the Ancient Near Eastern world. Jesus was using a familiar pattern of teaching. So it’s no surprise that his disciple, one who learned from Jesus himself, also utilizes this method in the writing of Revelation. The message of the book is laid out in seven paralleled narratives: 1-5, 6-7, 8-11, 12-15, 16-18, 19-20, and 21-22. The exact breaking points of the sections are divided up in various ways by different Bible teachers. This outline reflects Graeme Goldsworthy. His devotional The Gospel in Revelation is both insightful and encouraging. I would add the detail that “heavenly scenes” help one navigate through the structure of the book. Each scene (4-5; 7; 11:15-19; 15; 18:21-24; 20:1-15; 21-22) closes with a glimpse of heaven with either final salvation or final judgement.

Chronological?

The question as to whether or not the book of Revelation is one chronological series of events at the end of time described from Revelation 5-21 must be addressed here. To lay the ground work for what I will say about Revelation 20:1-6 I must clarify that I disagree with the view that teaches Revelation to be laying out a singular sequence of final events in the last seven years of world history (i.e. The Great Tribulation). There are too many doubles or multiple events of the same kind, namely judgement (6:12-17; 11:13; 14:19-20; 18;) and heavenly worship (7:9-12; 11:15-19; 15; 19:1-10). The question to consider is: Are these separate occasions or the same occasion described in different ways (i.e. as with Jesus’ parables)?

Conclusions lead us to godliness and praise

Finally, let our greatest endeavor in reading Revelation be to see Jesus as majestic. Let us read with eyes and mind which are seeking godly direction for our lives. May our hearts be warmed with the splendorous portraits of The Lion of Judah so that our tongues praise Him. May the might of our Lord and the songs of heaven inspire us to sing from the soul. The greatness of our Savior as seen in these 22 chapters needs to invigorate us unto godliness in this present age as we await the “appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

Christ Wins

How we arrive at Revelation 20:1-6, and how we understand it may differ. However, it is with in those closing chapters that a grand unity is found. There in we are told of a new creation in which righteousness dwells. The new earth will be our dwelling forever and ever, in which wickedness is not experienced, in or outside of us, but righteousness will be the norm of the age. We have that to look forward to because Jesus wins. It is his victory that we graciously benefit from. As Easter nears, just about a week away, let us remember his victory. By it we are given peace with God, and because of it we are preserved by his Spirit.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow;

Because he lives all fear is gone;

Because I know he holds the future,

and life is worth the living just because he lives.

“Because He Lives” by Bill Gather