Lesson 10 : Revelation�Revelation 5:1-14
Pre-discussion
Purpose of Revelation
Revelation 1:1–3 (NASB95) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Theme & Purpose
Admonishing persecuted Christians to be ready for Christ’s return.
He who was, is and is to come has “OVERCOME”
Historical Context Reminder
Domitian's reign (81–96 AD) marked a period of intense persecution against Christians.
- tyrannical ruler who demanded to be worshiped as a god.
Genre Description
Interpretive Problem : When?
A. Preterist : Past Fulfillment
Belief that most of the prophecy have happened already in the 1st century among John’s contemporaries.
Interpretive Problem : When?
Symbolic portrayal of entire course of church history, from the time of John to the future return of Christ.
Interpretive Problem : When?
C. Futurist View: Future Fulfillment
Majority of prophecies are yet to be fulfilled and will occur in the future, especially in the period leading up to the Second Coming of Christ.
Interpretive Problem : When?
D. Idealist View: Timeless Fulfillment
timeless symbols of the ongoing struggle between good and evil, and between Christ and Satan, which applies to any period in history.
Let’s Take A Vote !
Preterist | Events occurred in the past, particularly in the first century. |
Historicist: | Events unfold throughout history, describing various periods in church history. |
Futurist: | Events are yet to come, focusing on the future end times and the return of Christ. |
Idealist: | Events are timeless, depicting ongoing spiritual truths and battles in every age. |
Each Vision Requires Own Exegesis
REMOVE ALL PRECONCEPTIONS AS POSSIBLE
Revelation 5:1-14
Revelation 4:1 “ After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”
THE VISION STARTS IN CHAPTER 4
Revelation 4:9–11 WORSHIP
And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
Objective Vision Impression�VS�Precise Identification
Interpretive Challenge in Revelation
Worship from all creation�&�Living Creatures?�24 Elders?�7 Lampstands/ Spirits?
Interpretive Challenge in Revelation
Flow and Development of Vision
Revelation 5:1–4
I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it;
PART 1: Revelation 5:1–4 CRISIS!
No one is worthy!
Revelation 5:5–7 and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.” 6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
PART 2: Revelation 5:5-7 REVEAL !
LION of Judah has overcome
Interpretive Challenge in Revelation
The LION of Judah!
7 commonly symbolizes : Fullness, Completion, Perfection
REV 5:8-10 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.”
PART 3: Revelation 5:8-10
The living creatures worship
Revelation 5:11–12
Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.”
PART 4: Revelation 5:11-12
The Myriads of Angels Worship
Revelation 5:13-14
And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.
PART 5: Revelation 5:13-14
Every Created thing
Good Practice with Apocalyptic / Vision Genre
? Vision Impression and Clarity ?
The Lion of Judah, Lamb of God is Worthy
Summary
REVELATION REVIEW