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Rev06-Interpretive Revelation: Interpretive Decisions Interpretive Decisions Genre Millennium Prophecy Judgments Interpretive Decisions Genre Interpretive Decisions I. Genre—Apocalypse (1:1) A. Correlate 1: highly symbolic Historical development Jewish roots: 4 Ezra, 2 Baruch, 1 Enoch, Daniel 7–12, Zechariah 9–14, Qumran Christian preservation: Sibylline Oracles, Apocalypse of Peter, etc. Interpretive implications numbers are symbolic imagery is fantasy, details only background Interpretive Decisions I. Genre—Apocalypse (1:1) B. Correlate 2: freely innovative Using both biblical and non-biblical imagery Revised meaning: examples from OT ancient of days, Daniel 7 (1:12–16) four sea beasts, Daniel 7 (13:1–2) four colored horses, Zech. 6:1–3 (6:1–8) four creatures, Ezek. 1; Isa. 6:2–3 (4:6–8) Babylon dirge, Isa. 23, 47; others (Rev 18) new heaven/earth, Isa. 65–66 (21:1–22:5) Interpretive Decisions I. Genre—Apocalypse (1:1) B. Correlate 2: freely innovative Using both biblical and non-biblical imagery Revised meaning: examples from OT ancient of days, Daniel 7 (1:12–16) four sea beasts, Daniel 7 (13:1–2) four colored horses, Zech. 6:1–3 (6:1–8) four creatures, Ezek.Jer. 1; 50–51; Isa. Ezek.6:2–3 26–27 (4:6–8) Babylon dirge, Isa. 23, 47; others (Rev 18) new heaven/earth, Isa. 65–66 (21:1–22:5) Interpretive Decisions Daniel 7 Rev 13 1st beast lion 2nd beast bear one beast 3rd beast leopard 4th beast ten horns Interpretive Decisions Daniel 7 Rev 13 4th beast ten horns one beast ten sequential kings of ten kings all the Seleucid dynasty contempo- preceeding the infamous rary with the Antiochus IV Epiphanes sea beast Interpretive Decisions II. Genre—Prophecy (1:3) A. Correlate 1: obedience is goal Prophecy as forthtelling church challenged, judged (Seven Letters) world challenged, judged (Judgment Cycle) Prophecy as foretelling B. Correlate 2: New Testament concord Gospel message: Jesus is the standard Canon decision: authoritative for church Interpretive Decisions III. Genre—Epistle (1:4) A. Correlate 1: historical setting Historical specificity Asia Minor, first century, persecution Seven Letters (2–3); Judgments (6–19) Falsified “prophecy” B. Correlate 2: unified whole Epistolary structure unifies the work Chapter 1 = christological (1:1–8) and hermeneutical (1:9–20) key to the whole Interpretive Decisions Epistolary Opening (1:4) Main Text Epistolary Closing (22:21) Interpretive Decisions IV. Genre—Summary A. Apocalypse highly symbolic freely innovative B. Prophecy faith obedience (persuasive, not predictive) gospel concord (passion, not Armageddon) C. Epistle historical setting unified whole Interpretive Decisions IV. Genre—Interpretive Guidlines A. Apocalypse + Epistle symbolic + historical = Revelation’s language is symbolic, but the reality is first-century. innovative + unitary = Revelation’s allusions are recognizable, but the meaning is internal. B. Prophecy + Epistle persuasive + historical = Revelation’s message is prophetic, but the burden is imminent. concord + unitary = Revelation’s theology is biblical, but the crux is the passion of Jesus. Interpretive Decisions Prophecy Interpretive Decisions I. Prophetic Fulfillment—Viewpoints A. Preterist: all past = all prophecies fulfilled in the original first-century setting of the author B. Historicist: all history = prophecies trace major historical developments up to time of writer C. Futurist: all future = all prophecies point to brief interval ending history at the writer’s time D. Idealist: all time = prophecies symbolize time-less struggle of good/evil in every generation Interpretive Decisions Interpretive Decisions Interpretive Decisions I. Prophetic Fulfillment—Viewpoints E. Historical Table of the Viewpoints Timeline of History Idealist Preterist Historicist Futurist Time A.D. 70, 95, 313 A.D. 95—Current Future Period 1st/3rd Century Church or Western History “End Times” Subject Jer., AsMin., Milan Church or Kingdom “Tribulation” Interpretive Decisions II. Prophecy Fulfillment—Critique A. Preterist (especially fall of Jerusalem, A.D. 70) Ignores lack of early canonical attestation Mitigates word of universal, final judgment B. Historicist Completely arbitrary and too specific Biased view of only Western church history LIttle relevance to original readers “Last age” always = time of a given writer Interpretive Decisions II. Prophecy Fulfillment—Critique C. Futurist Begs the question of knowing the time Defective doctrines of soteriology, ecclesiology, and Christology Rev. 1:19 not road map to book’s structure Meaningless to original readers Characteristically spawns the most socially abberant and dangerous movements Interpretive Decisions II. Prophecy Fulfillment—Critique D. Idealist Inadequate philosophy of history (no end) Biblical evidence: history’s consummation Problem of evil never resolved Interpretive Decisions Judgments Interpretive Decisions I. Judgments (6—20)—Complex Structure A. Judgment Sequence Triad Seven Seals (6:1–8:1) Seven Trumpets (8:2–11:19) Seven Bowls (15:5–16:21) B. Judgment Sequence Interruptions Seven Seal Plagues Vision of 144,000 (7:1–8) Vision of Great Multitude (7:9–17) Interpretive Decisions I. Judgments (6—20)—Complex Structure B. Judgment Sequence—Interruptions Seven Trumpet Plagues Three Woes (8:13; 9:12; 11:14; trum. 5–7?) Seven Thunders (10:1–4) Little Scroll (10:1–11) Measuring Temple (11:1–2) Two Witnesses (11:3–14) Seven Bowl Plagues Song of Moses (15:2–4) Battle of Armageddon (16:13–16) Interpretive Decisions I. Judgments (6—20)—Complex Structure C. Judgment Sequences—Additional Material Great Red Dragon (12:1–6; 12:13–17) Archangel Michael (12:7–12) Beasts from Sea and Earth (13:1–18) Lamb on Mount Zion (14:1–13) Wheat and Vine Harvests (14:14–20) Great Whore of Babylon (17:1–19:10) Victorious Rider (19:11–21) Martyr’s Millennium (20:1–6) Gog and Magog (20:7–15) Interpretive Decisions I. Judgments (6—20)—Complex Structure C. Judgment Sequences—Additional Material Great Red Dragon (12:1–6; 12:13–17) Archangel Michael (12:7–12) Beasts from Sea and Earth (13:1–18) Seven BowlLamb Plagues on Mount (15–16) Zion (14:1–13) Wheat and Vine Harvests (14:14–20) Great Whore of Babylon (17:1–19:10) Victorious Rider (19:11–21) Martyr’s Millennium (20:1–6) Gog and Magog (20:7–15) Interpretive Decisions II. Judgments (6—20)—Progression Theories A. Linear: 21 chronological, historical punishments B. Telescopic: 7th telescopes out into next series C. Recapitulation: cyclic intensifying to climax Seals, Trumpets, Bowls Recapitulation: 1-7 x 3 Linear: Judgments 1, 2, 3, . 21 Seals Trumpets Seals . Trumpets . Bowls Telescopic: 1-6, 7 =1-6, 7 = 1-7 Bowls Interpretive Decisions Millennium Interpretive Decisions Interpretive Decisions I. The Millennium—Review of Theories A. Lecture Rev05—History of Millennial Theories B. Conclusions Conclusion 1: Millennial interpretation is an exegesis of the the times, not the text. Conclusion 2: Millennial theories are generated by specific historical contexts, paradigm shifts. Amillennialism: Constantine, 4th Century Premillennialism: Reformation, 16th Century Postmillennialism: New World, 18th Century Conclusion 3: Nineteenth-century American movements still dominate millennial thought. Interpretive Decisions II. The Millennium—Return and Reign A. Premillennial: return ends history to inaugurate earthly, monarchial reign for a thousand years Christ Mil1000enniu Years m Premilennial Interpretive Decisions II. The Millennium—Return and Reign A. Premillennial: return ends history to inaugurate earthly, monarchial reign for a thousand years B. Postmillennial: return climaxes a thousand year earthly reign of church at the end of history Church Mil1000enniu Years m Postmilennial Interpretive Decisions II. The Millennium—Return and Reign A. Premillennial: return ends history to inaugurate earthly, monarchial reign for a thousand years B. Postmillennial: return climaxes a thousand year earthly reign of church at the end of history C. Amillennial: return climaxes the symbolic reign of church throughout the church age Amilennial Church MilChurchenniu Age m Interpretive Decisions II. The Millennium—Return and Reign A. Premillennial: return ends history to inaugurate earthly, monarchial reign for a thousand years B. Postmillennial: return climaxes a thousand year earthly reign of church at the end of history C. Amillennial: return climaxes the symbolic reign of church throughout the church age Amilennial Church Church Age ChrisMt il1000enniu Years mChurch Premilennial Postmilennial Interpretive Decisions Genre Millennium Prophecy Judgments.
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