山道期刊

Historical Models of Interpreting the Book of Revelation

Jeffrey R. SHARP

The average reader of the last book of the Bible often comes away scratching his/her head wondering what to make of this strange book. Throughout the centuries many methods or models of interpretation have been put forward to interpret the book of Revelation. Broadly speaking four methods have been used: a) the Historicist; b) the Idealist; c) the Preterist; and d) the Futurist. Each view has its supporters and critics. The article introduces and critiques each of the four major approaches which have been offered to interpret the Apocalypse and also concludes with a suggestion about the value of an “eclectic approach.” The author argues that the Historicist and the Idealist views have the greatest weaknesses and the Preterist and the Futurist views provide better insight into the book’s original and ongoing message. The eclectic method avoids getting locked into one and only one model of interpretation and to recognize that a fruitful interpretation of the book must begin with the situation of the church(es) to which the book was written and maintain an open mind to deal with each portion of the book as seen in relation to its context and other parts of Scripture. Each passage must be interpreted in its own contexts (literary, historical, and canonical), and not forced into an over-all scheme that violates the book’s apocalyptic-prophetic genre.

Interpreting the Book of Revelation

Jeffrey R. SHARP

In this article the author seeks to answer the question: is it possible to understand the book of Revelation? The interpretation of the book down through the centuries has challenged, baffled, infuriated, and excited interpreters. But how is the book best understood? Is it even a Christian book after all? What about all the strange symbols and imagery? How is the modern reader to make sense of this last book in the Christian canon? The article first looks at the contributions which have been made by critical scholarship to the understanding of the book’s genre, historical background, and message. The author then turns to a chapter by chapter summary of the message and movement of the book seeking to enter into the thought world and symbolic world of the author and his audience. The book of Revelation is “apocalyptic-prophetic” and, if properly understood, speaks to today’s readers with the same urgency and power as it did to the tried and tested readers in the first century. The book’s ultimate message is one of comfort and hope in the midst of trying times. When the believer is tempted to give up he/she is consoled and inspired with a vision of God’s triumph and presence. For Christians living at the beginning of the 21st century who are facing the strains and trials, the questions and challenges of living faithfully and meaningfully in a rapidly changing world, the book conveys a powerful message. Many of the questions which confronted the early Christians also confront the modern church. The book challenges all systems (political, economic, cultural, ideological) which promise so much, but dehumanize human beings and destroy the values of the Kingdom of God. The book challenges us to ask ourselves whether or not we really believe that God is sovereign over God’s creation. Do we really believe that the risen Christ, the living Lord walks among his churches and is really concerned with the problems and issues we face in our daily lives? The book of Revelation offers a resounding “Yes” to these and other important questions as it reminds us that all of life is to be lived in the hope and prayer that “the Lord is coming soon!”

Jewish Apocalyptic Literature: Its Significance and Resiliency in Biblical Communities

Roger CALLAWAY

Jewish apocalyptic literature shows a surprisingly resilient life in biblical communities. Yet, because the literature is often misunderstood or even misappropriated, its value for the modern church is sometimes overlooked. A key to understanding the phenomenon of “apocalypse” is to distinguish between apocalyptic as a state of mind, as a social movement, and as literature. As literature of the Old Testament, apocalypse is most readily identified with the Book of Daniel, but may also be found sporatically in other places. But beyond the Old Testament, apocalypse continued to develop and flourish in rabbinic and Jewish mystical circles. Charting the development of themes from canonical to non-canonical examples of apocalyse provides a way to understand the intent of biblical apocalypse (i.e., apocalypse set within the context of the canon). This may also provide a way for the modern church to accept Jewish apocalypse into its life and ministries in healthy ways.

The Origin of the Imageries of the “Sea” and “Death” in the Book of Revelation

Craig Y.S. HO

This paper traces the origin of the imageries of the “Sea” in Rev. 21:1 and “Death” in Rev. 20:14. Although “Sea” appears in mythological stories of both the Old Testament and other non-canonical Jewish scriptures, these literary sources are not the ultimate origin of these imageries. A comparative study of some of the creation myths and prophecies in the Old Testament with pertinent texts of Ugaritic literature suggests that the ultimate origin of “Sea” as a god is to be found in the latter. “Death” as a god also appears in Ugaritic literature as Mot.

Preaching and Teaching from the Book of Revelation

Poling J. SUN

Although the Book of Revelation is a part of the Christian Canon, its significance is not reflected in its use in the Sunday pulpit or Bible teaching class. Ironically though, public talks on the Book of Revelation like those “End Time Prophecies” have drawn huge attendance. The root of this absurdity is an issue of interpretation. For the Book of Revelation is notoriously difficult to interpret. Innumerable attempts have been made to make sense of the Book of Revelation, and quite often a variety of interpretations could in fact give rise to disputes and even conflicts within communities of faith. These failures might therefore suggest that Revelation is best left on the shelf, not preached or taught.

This article suggests that the understanding of Revelation has been hindered by its genre and literary style, the matters with which most modern readers are not familiar. An investigation of these issues should open the possibilities of preaching and teaching the Book of Revelation. This article therefore explores the following issues: genre, historical setting, structure, and theological motifs. The article concludes with suggestions for utilizing Revelation in preaching and worship.