(The following is a copy of the notes which guided our discussion in Bible study on Sunday evening, January 14.)
This evening we hope to address some important symbols: Remnant, vials, and seals.
Next week we will deal with the terms Jezebel, beast, and antichrist.
In review:
1. Apocalypse: The word translated Revelation is apokalupsis, which literally means a drawing aside of the veil to disclose some hidden sight. It is like the opening of the curtain on some drama, but the drama in question is not a man-made play but God-made history. –Wm. Barclay
2. Place in canon: The main objection to the Revelation has always been on the ground of its unintelligibility. The Apocalypse, said Jerome, has "as many mysteries as words" (Letters 53:9) A despairing scholar said that the study of the Revelation either finds a man mad or leaves him so. H. B. Swete relates how he heard Benson tell of the answer of an intelligent reader to the question, "What is the form the book presents to you?" The answer was, "It is chaos". The result is that in modern times the Revelation has either been completely neglected, or it has become the playground of the religious eccentrics in their attempts to draw out time schedules of the last days. -Wm. Barclay, Many Witnesses
3. Symbolism and fantasy: Its images and symbols are forms of fantasy rather than reality, and its language is cryptic, metaphorical, and highly symbolic. These symbols are not drawn from our modern world, but from the language, experience, and cultural "pool" of the ancient world. The assumptions that underlie those symbols are likewise not those of a modern scientific world view of the 21st century Western world, but those of the Ancient Near East of 2,000 years ago. Strange multiheaded beasts, weird creatures, dragons, and odd combinations of normal images (locusts with scorpion’s tails and human heads) are common ways of writing. It purposely presents a world that does not exist except as a means of communication.
4. Cosmology: According to Dr. Robbins, “we struggle between in the movement between the earthly sphere and heavenly sphere. Because of our cosmology, we think of heaven as up. So when the writer goes to heaven, we think that he must go up and leave the earth. John was a prophet and to him spiritual reality is applicable at any time, at all times. Heaven is not just a place. It is also a condition- where God is. Heaven is not limited by time and space.”
Outline:
1. Seals: Rev 6:1 – 8:1 The seals are signposts, a way of marking significant events. The opening of the seals indicates the issuing of divine judgment. These are historical-prophetical events. They happened in history and they will happen any time when circumstances are the same or similar.
2. Vials or bowls: In Revelation 5:8 there is a mention of the bowls or vials.
a. The KJV calls it a bowl of odours or fragrances which is the prayers of the saints. Not one prayer has escaped God’s notice.
b. There is no prayer that we have prayed to God which is wasted. No prayer is unheard, no tear is unnoticed.
3. Remnant: Revelation 7:1-8
a. This passage is commonly called the first interlude, an explanation between the sixth and seventh seal.
b. Who are those who are sealed? What does it mean “chosen people”? Are these persons Jews, in the literal sense?
c. Those have seals on there foreheads being the most conspicuous and noticeable place. Also indicates a place visible on men, women, and children. (Note that the mark of the traitor is also on forehead.)
d. According to Dr. Robbins, 1000 is usually used to denote a large and complete number. Twelve is the number of the church. There are twelve tribes and twelve disciples or apostles. This square of 12 multiplied by 1000 is typical of a large perfect number. It suggests totality, completeness, or fullness as well as diversity within an essential unity. The 144,000 stands in the vision for God’s elect, the entire congregation of the redeemed on earth during the end time. It is an ideal number denoting that the group is complete, yet unlimited. Not one was missing. The twelve tribes symbolizes the true Israel which is made up of all peoples, nations, and languages.
e. Interpretation:
1) To us the number may seem limited, but to them, it was a large number like 7 times 70.
2) You are not alone. That is John’s primary communication.
3) Every single person who was faithful to Christ made it to the new realm, the new dimension with God.
Summary remarks:
The book is written to strengthen the church, the entire body of believers, and not just private members of the body.
The purpose is to encourage those who are experiencing trials, tribulation, or persecution, especially the temptation to forsake or recant the faith.
The eternal perspective we glean from John’s words changes the way we perceive our current reality, especially our temporary circumstances.
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