- Four Gospels
No inspired writer has it all
EGW vs. Scripture
Jesus is bigger than any of us can grasp
(John portrays choleric Jesus)
Inclusive approach to ideas
- Dan 2 and 7
Nations = idols
Nations = vicious beasts
Dan 7:2-3,13-14
Daniel as Second Adam
- Messianic Prophecies
Deut 18:15,18
Prophet like Moses
Jer 23:5-6
King like David
King like Zedekiah
- Ellen White
No computers, space travel, nuclear war

1) We lose a lot when we ignore this
- Hollywood Gospel
- Dan 7
- Revelation
Thousands of Interpretations
Date Setting
Bizarre Theories
2) We need to let Rev speak for Itself
- Broad reading (JWs)
- Clear texts (Judas - 7Ts)
- Variety of translations
- Criticism of peers
- Holy Spirit and self-distrust
- For SDAs ---> Sound use of EGW

- Bizarre symbolism = typical apocalyptic
Requires humility
- Whole book = message to seven churches
Rev 1:10-11; 22:16
- OT language (detail later, just mention here)
Citations
Quotations
Allusions
Echoes
- Deeply Structured (detail later)
Four 7s
Sanctuary Introductions
Chiasm
- Gospel and Christ-centered

"Exegesis" =

"Reading Out," letting text speak, not imposing our own agenda on the text, leaving open the possibility that we might learn something.

 1) Read passage lightly a couple of times

- Get sense of the whole
- Raise some initial questions
2) Read Intensively
- Identify key words, symbols that are crucial to
understanding
- Discover meaning of those words, symbols
Lexicons (Greek)
Bible Dictionaries
Concordances
- Example: "revelation"
"cover"
"from"
Revelation "uncovers" the cosmic Jesus
3) Observe Word Relationships (syntax)
- "Revelation of Jesus"
- "Faith of Jesus"
- "Hear with understanding"
Greek commentaries and grammars
4) Observe Sentence Structures (grammar)
"Being justified" (Rom 3:23-24)
5) Observe relationship of sentences within paragraph
structures
Don't be limited by the paragraph breaks in your translation
(original MSS were run-on text)

A. Basic Keys

- The Structure of Revelation is not linear
The key to one section may lie at the other end of the
book
Need to have a sense of the whole to interpret the parts
- Boundaries are often "soft"
- No detail should be overlooked in developing a structure
- All "structures" are probably partly right
Incredible interweaving of material

1) Many Parallel Structures
- Trumpets and Bowls
- 4-5 with 19:1-10
- Two Witnesses and Land Beast
- Babylon and New Jerusalem
2) Most parallels are part of a giant chiasm (A-B-A)

- Cross-explanatory
- Historical/Eschatological
- Focus on Center (Rev 13-14)

3) Duodirectionality
- Author's Strategy
- Summary in Advance
- Rev 3:21
- Rev 6:9-10
- Rev 11:18
4) Sanctuary Patterns
- The Introductions (Heaven/Earth)
History of the Heavenly Sanctuary
- Daily/Yearly
- Annual Feasts

IV. THE OLD TESTAMENT BACKGROUND
 
A. The Importance of the OT in Rev

- 404 Verses
600-2000 Allusions
- Mosaic (Kraft)

1) Citation
Like a footnote
Matt 2 has many
2) Quotation
Sufficient words in order for certainty
3) Allusion (word, phrase, hint)
Author's Intention
Reader Uncertainty
Purpose:
Import original context
4) Echo (Apocalyptic Dictionary)
No Authorial Intention
"In the Air"
Word has understood meanings in the author's context
No sense of reference to original
Our task:
- Examine previous usage to gain understanding of
the basic meaning of the term
- Do not import context

1) Verbal Parallels
Two or more main words
Example: Gen 19:28 and Rev 9:2
2) Thematic Parallels
One word or less
Common Ideas
Example: Ezek 9:4 and Rev 9:4
3) Structural Parallels
Many words and themes in common over a large section
Example: Joel 2:1-11 and Rev 9:1-11

Likely Factors:
- Many words in parallel
- Structural parallels
- Few occurrences in Rev
- Few occurrences in OT
Assessment:
- Certain                     Take context into account
- Probable ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Possible                    Consider as evidence
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Unlikely
- Nonallusion

V. THE NEW TESTAMENT BACKGROUND

A. The Book of Revelation is Clearly a NT Book

- The Revelation of Jesus Christ
- The Triple Trinity of 1:4-6
- Christ is everywhere present
Explicit: 11:15; 12:10,17, etc.
Symbol: Son of Man, Lamb, Seed of the Woman
- The Cross is a Central Theme
Rev 1:18; 5:6,9,12; 11:8; 12:11

1) The OT is not in control of Revelation, John uses the OT
as a witness to Christ!
2) In the NT Christ is seen as the One who fulfilled the
whole experience of God's OT people
He is the New Adam, Moses, David, etc.
Hos 11:1