When you mention the words “book of Revelation,” there are many connotations that spring to mind. We link it to a big word called “eschatology” or end times, yet sometimes we don’t have an adequate contextual understanding of what it means for us as Christians. So what is the book really about? What can we learn from it? We caught up with Dr Alan Stanley who will be lecturing the Master of Arts intensive on ‘The Book of Revelation and Pastoral Issues Today’…
What do you believe are the common misconceptions about the book of Revelation?
People often make two mistakes when it comes to the book of Revelation. They either think the content is beyond understanding and steer clear of it altogether. Or they read it as though it’s about the end of the world and spend their time trying to chart a calendar of events.
Of course, I’m not suggesting that Revelation isn’t hard work, and neither am I saying that it doesn’t have anything to say to us about the end of the world, so to speak. However, I do believe that we have often been side tracked from seeing what Revelation is really about. Put it this way, if the church would see what the book was really about, we would preach from it more and a good deal of the questions we have about how we as the church should function in the world would be cleared up.
How should Christians approach reading the book of Revelation?
The word revelation is the first word in the Greek text. It means to reveal. Imagine you are sitting in a large auditorium and the stage in front of you has large heavy set curtains drawn together. You sit there wondering what’s behind those curtains. You sit there for half an hour wondering and wondering until you’ve just got to know. When the curtains are finally drawn back, the set of the stage is revealed and you finally get a full picture of what’s going on and you say, “Ah, I see!” That’s what the book of Revelation is supposed to do for the church. We as Christians are busy asking the big questions: “What is the church’s role in the world?” “How should we as Christians be in the world but not of the world?” “Why am I here?” “What does God want from His people?” At this point the book of Revelation is supposed to come in and draw back the curtain on all of those questions and we eventually say, “Ah, I see. I get it now!”
So while I completely understand that the book of Revelation is daunting to many- it was too me for a long time. But it doesn’t have to be. The way to approach Revelation is by coming to grips with a few basic things. First, we need to understand what kind of literature it is. When we understand what we are reading it changes what we look for. Second, we need to understand that Revelation is telling a story. This will keep us from getting sidetracked by unnecessary details. Third, we need to understand that the Old Testament is a big key to interpreting Revelation. This means, we need to work on understanding the grand story line of the entire Bible. Finally, but by no means last, we need to understand that the entire book of Revelation was written to seven first century churches in Asia Minor (Turkey today). If we are going to understand the message Revelation has for us in the 21st century we must first understand what it said in the first century. One of the greatest errors that people have made in coming to Revelation is that they have not spent time thinking about its first century context.
But there are a lot of details in Revelation that we all have questions about as well, aren’t there?
Absolutely, there are. And they are important. “Who are the creatures in Revelation 4 that surround the throne?” “Who are the four horsemen in chapter 6?” “Who are the 144,000 and the 12 tribes of Israel in chapter 7?” “Who is the beast in Revelation 13?” “What is the number 666 about?” “What is the identity of Babylon in chapters 17 and 18?” “When is the thousand year reign of Christ?” “Has it already happened, is it happening, or is it to happen?” “And what will the new heavens and new earth be like?” All these are important questions that need to be answered.
Then there’s what commentators refer to as the three interludes in chapter 7, then 10-11, and 12-14. These are also crucial to understanding what the book is about because they seem to interrupt the flow of the narrative. They’re a little like an ad break on TV. You’re in the middle of a program and just as you’re on the edge of your seat wanting to know what happens next, along comes an ad break. “Oh man!”
What draws you to the book of Revelation?
This might sound strange, but its relevancy. It’s just so relevant, to me personally and also to the church today. That’s what draws me to the book, pure and simple. It’s a huge challenge to me, and it’s a reminder, one of the best we have in the New Testament, of what I as a Christian am to be about.
Why should someone study the unit?
Well for a start, I’m aware that I’ve probably raised more questions than I’ve answered. I’ve done that on purpose of course. But basically, if this book is so relevant, which I can tell you it is, then we should be itching to see how and why. We need to hear what Revelation is telling us. The church needs to hear it. Jesus says it seven times to the churches. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
If you want more insight on the book of Revelation, Dr Stanley will be lecturing on this at BST from 10-14 March 2014. The intensive is part of the Master of Arts program (accredited by the Australian College of Theology). BST Alumni may be eligible for a 50% discount on tuition fees paid up-front. For those who are not enrolled in the MA program, you may be able to attend the lectures and audit the Revelation unit at a cost of $260. However, places are limited so please submit your applications as soon as possible.
What we hope by the end of the unit, is that students will be able to (in accordance with the ACT unit requirements):
- understand and be able to describe the context of the book of Revelation;
- understand its basis in first century church experience and its relevance to the church age;
- be able to explain the Old Testament background to the imagery and theology of the book;
- outline the Christology within the elevated doctrine of God that the book displays; and
- apply insights gathered to their preaching, teaching, pastoral and/or worship-leading ministry.
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