Encountering the New Testament, 4th Edition

A Historical and Theological Survey

series: Encountering Biblical Studies

Chapter

24. Revelation

Chapter Intro Video


Chapter Objectives

  • Identify the author of Revelation and support this identification with specific facts
  • Outline the content of the book of Revelation
  • Compare the four theories used to interpret Revelation
  • List the four major theological ideas developed in Revelation
  • Illustrate how God is working between the supernatural world and the world of recorded time
  • Enumerate the various names given to God in Revelation

Chapter Summary

  1. The book of Revelation was most likely written by John the apostle.

  2. Four prominent theories of interpretation of Revelation are historic premillennialism, amillennialism, dispensational premillennialism, and postmillennialism.

  3. The central themes of Revelation are that God exists and is guiding the course of history, that he has overcome evil, and that he will bring everything to a triumphant conclusion in his time.

  4. One key to understanding Revelation is to grasp God’s relation to the world.

  5. The major theological teaching of Revelation focuses on God, the Son of God, the people of God, and eschatology.

  6. Symbolism is used throughout the book of Revelation; Christ’s messianic ministry is one example, the Lamb representing the Suffering Servant and the Lion representing the ruling Sovereign.


Study Questions

  1. What are some possible reasons that Revelation is sometimes avoided?

  2. Give one distinguishing feature of each of the four major theories of interpretation of Revelation.

  3. What does Revelation teach about God?

  4. What does Revelation teach about the Son of God?

  5. What does the subject of eschatology have to say to us today as we live our daily lives?

  6. Look up the references to Jesus as Lion and Lamb. Describe in detail what each image signifies.