Apocalypse Reveals and Conceals

Apocalyptic literature

 ”The revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1.1) Its biggest concern is Christ, not secrets of the future. Jesus said, “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mark 13:32 (NRSV). The book belongs to Christ, not to Scofield or Hal Lindsey or John Hamilton. The Spirit of Christ (aka the Holy Spirit) reveals its truth to the reader today, as the Spirit has through the ages. The Spirit’s revealing truth to the reader through scripture is called illumination.

1. Apocalyptic literature can be interpreted many ways. People have gone off the deep end following wrong interpretations. So, it’s important to keep humble. Your view may be wrong, too. (But not, of course, mine!)
2. The name “apocalyptic” comes from a Greek word meaning “unveiling.” Such literature reveals secrets to God’s people, especially in persecution or crisis. It gives hope and strengthens belief in God’s control.
3. Growing out of the later prophets, apocalyptic literature flourished in Judaism from 200 BC to 100 AD, and until the 4^th century in Christianity. It remains popular, especially in times of crisis.
4. Biblical examples of apocalyptic literature include: parts of Ezekiel, Joel, and Isaiah; Daniel 7-12; Mark 13; Matthew 24-25; Revelation
5. Characteristics
   1. Though details remain mysterious, the big picture is crystal clear: God will win! These visions assure God’s people that God cares now for his suffering people and that the righteous ultimately win.
   2. Apocalyptic thinks in dualistic terms: light vs. darkness, good vs. evil.
   3. The author is a hero of the faith like Enoch, Daniel, the apostle John. Sometimes unknown authors write under a famous pseudonym.
   4. He sees visions of the future, often end times, and the coming of paradise.
   5. Apocalyptic uses mysterious symbols, monsters, and numbers to conceal its message from hostile rulers.
6. Numbers have special non-mathematical meanings; whether some are precise mathematical symbols is disputed. Some examples are:
   1. Seven 7 (3+4): holy, perfect, God. Note series of seven.
   2. Six 6: less than 7, incomplete, evil, the devil. The triple 666 intensifies-really evil.
   3. Twelve (3×4): the apostles, the tribes of Israel
   4. Four 4 (from the four directions?): of the earth rather than heaven
   5. Three and a half: partial, short  (occurs as 3 ½ years; 42 months; 1260 days; a time, times, half a time)
   6. One thousand 1000: a really big number. Many people believe the 1000 years, the millennium, is a precise period of 1000 literal years. (This is one of the biggest arguments in the interpretation of Revelation.)
   7. 144,000 (12 x 12 x 1000): all God’s people in both Old and New Testament eras

Apocalypse / Handout # 1 / © John Hamilton 2009

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