1. What do the author's state is the primary purpose of the Book of Revelation? How do you respond to this view?
2. What literary form, often employed by intertestamental Jewish writers, is also used in the book of Revelation? Why is this significant to the study of Revelation?
3. How do you think world events could affect someone‟s view of the millennium?
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1.) Scott states the primary purpose and message of the book of Revelation is to "speak about both the present and 'The End.'" The book "affirms that God is present and active in the history of the world and that in the end he will be victorious and conform the universe to His purpose, under His control."As for my response to this view, I have some objections. Even though sometimes it may not seem like it, God is in charge of the universe and it is completely under His control! I understand the author's intention and thought process behind this statement, but believe that he could have used better wording in writing it out.
ReplyDelete2.) The literary form that was often employed by intertestamental Jewish writers that is seen is the book of Revelation is Apocalyptic literary form. This form is significant to the study of the book of Revelation because it utilizes much symbolism and visions, which are seen a lot in this particular book.
3.) World events can affect someone's view of the millennium because some may believe that the events of the world today are foreshadowed in the book of Revelation and mean that the millenial reign of God is soon-coming.
1. According to Scott, it is both applicable to the Christians living in persecution under the emperor Dominitian, and to the end of the current "evil" age. Most importantly, it is a testament to those living in between ages: After the death of Christ and before our resurrection. I agree with Scott. Revelation was very much a book of its time, but like the messianic prophesies of the OT, hold prophesies of things still to come.
ReplyDelete2.Apocoplyptic. In like forem, it utilizes visions and symbolism to describe the end of something.
3. Depending on your view of the millenium, pre, post or amillenial, world events could shape it in different ways. For pre and amillenial thought, the current economic downturn and liberal US government could be seen as a sign of the coming of Christ and a new millenium. For a post-millenial, the continuing proliferation of the church around the world could be seen as a constant improvement, and a sign that the millenum is occuring. I think I've got all those phrases right. In all honesty, I really don't care about all of it. Like Scott stated, its the Churches job to "watch and prepare." It doesn't matter what happens in the end, there's nothing we can do to change it anyway. We must simply watch and spread the gospel as much as possible.
Brian, I'm not sure I see where your coming from on number one. I didn't really get the sense in reading that Scott was placing anything outside of God's control.
ReplyDelete1.) The book of Revelation attempts to answer the "How shall it end?" question, although the book uses imagery and allusions that are hard to understand at times.
ReplyDelete2.) The Apocalyptic literary form is used in the book of Revelation. This is significant to the book of Revelation because of the symbolism that is used throughout Revelation.
3.) World Events affect people's view of end times all the time. People are always looking for a way to say that Jesus is coming back and they know the day. To be honest with you I think if we dwell to much time on what will happen in the end times, then we are not making wise use of our time in the present.
I agree with both Brian and Luke.
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