In three lectures presented at a conference, Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen gives an overview of the book of Revelation and the various millennial positions and concludes with a positive presentation of the biblical view of last things.
These three lectures can be purchased for $1.99 each at the following link:
http://www.cmfnow.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=570
http://www.cmfnow.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=570
I will briefly summarize each lecture.
Conference Theme: Confidence About the Future
Lecture 1: Understanding the Book of Revelation - 1 of 3
Many have interest and curiosity about the future of economics, politics, etc. for various reasons. But as Christians, we would like to know what God has in store for planet earth because we are part of His kingdom and plan, and we should be thinking His thoughts after Him. First, Christians have and continue to argue about this. Secondly, this subject appears to be very difficult. Most Christians simply give up on trying to figure it out. Dr. Bahnsen's hope is that upon completing these 3 lectures, his audience will have a sense of understanding about God's plan for the future. Of course, he will not be able in this short time to answer every conceivable question nor persuade on every point. He hopes to encourage his audience with the realization that they can understand God's word concerning the future and that God has good news about the future. There is a glorious future ahead. There may be many judgments and tough times along the way, but our sovereign God is not going to turn history over to the devil. Rather, God's kingdom is going to be the final word and He is going to govern the nations upon the earth. Thus, we have a glorious future to look forward to. This is not just optimism or wishful thinking. God's word gives substance to the idea of God's glorious future kingdom.
So, what does God's word teach about the future? Open your Bibles to the book of Revelation. Remember, all Scripture is inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). As God's own word, it is profitable: beneficial for teaching, correcting, reproving, and instructing us that we may be furnished for every good work. But, it cannot be beneficial to you if you don't read it; and it can only be beneficial if you understand it.
So, what does God's word teach about the future? Open your Bibles to the book of Revelation. Remember, all Scripture is inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 17). As God's own word, it is profitable: beneficial for teaching, correcting, reproving, and instructing us that we may be furnished for every good work. But, it cannot be beneficial to you if you don't read it; and it can only be beneficial if you understand it.
1. The title of the book: Revelation, i.e., unveiling (not an obscuring). Thus, you may understand what God wants you to know about what He intends to do. God wants to open our eyes so we can see.
Rev. 1:3 -- God expects us to respond in a certain way to this book. He expects us to KEEP (i.e., respond to obediently) the book of Revelation. God expects you and me to behave in a certain way in the midst of history because of what He is going to reveal in this book. If you don't read the book and understand it properly, how can you obey it? You can't. Thus, get busy and read it in addition to the rest of your Bible.
But, the book of Revelation is so difficult, you say. However, God does not intend for this book to be difficult for you. Consider Revelation 17. After John has been shown a very distressing picture of a harlot that is sprawled out over the heads of a seven-headed beast whose name is Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots and All Abominations of the Earth, he says that he wondered with a great wonder (vs. 6). This wonder is the trembling type of wonder. What should he make out of this? Then in verse 7, the angel said to him, "Why did you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, who has the seven heads and ten horns." Then the angel goes on to explain. Isn't that a comforting verse? God didn't give us the book of Revelation to confuse us. He wants us to read it and along the way He explains it to us. Although particular images may be difficult, overall, the book is not all that difficult to put together.
The book may be troublesome if you read it for something it doesn't intend to be. You must respect the kind of literature that it is, i.e., highly figurative literature with visions, symbols, etc.
There is a school of thought that goes to the book of Revelation as though it is a newspaper written ahead of time. But, is the book of Revelation written like a newspaper narrative? A news report? Of course not. The book of Revelation is very figurative with lots of imagery and symbols. Some say they interpret the book of Revelation literally (that is, as if it is devoid of images and symbols that have to be interpreted). None, without hypocrisy, can make that claim. No one reads the book of Revelation literally. Consider the description of the Beast (Rev. 13): seven heads, ten horns, comes up out of the sea. That could be literal. But no one in the Christian church considers this as an actual created monster. The dispensational school of thought often hypocritically criticizes those who do not agree with their interpretation as not being literal, and thus playing fast and loose with the text of Scripture. In fact, dispensationalists do not read the book of Revelation "literally". You must understand that the book of Revelation is very visionary, dramatic, and highly figurative. But, remember, God promises to tell us what it means (Rev. 17:7). Every Christian can take this clearly written book and make sense out of it, even though it is highly figurative.
Rev. 1:3 -- God expects us to respond in a certain way to this book. He expects us to KEEP (i.e., respond to obediently) the book of Revelation. God expects you and me to behave in a certain way in the midst of history because of what He is going to reveal in this book. If you don't read the book and understand it properly, how can you obey it? You can't. Thus, get busy and read it in addition to the rest of your Bible.
But, the book of Revelation is so difficult, you say. However, God does not intend for this book to be difficult for you. Consider Revelation 17. After John has been shown a very distressing picture of a harlot that is sprawled out over the heads of a seven-headed beast whose name is Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots and All Abominations of the Earth, he says that he wondered with a great wonder (vs. 6). This wonder is the trembling type of wonder. What should he make out of this? Then in verse 7, the angel said to him, "Why did you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, who has the seven heads and ten horns." Then the angel goes on to explain. Isn't that a comforting verse? God didn't give us the book of Revelation to confuse us. He wants us to read it and along the way He explains it to us. Although particular images may be difficult, overall, the book is not all that difficult to put together.
The book may be troublesome if you read it for something it doesn't intend to be. You must respect the kind of literature that it is, i.e., highly figurative literature with visions, symbols, etc.
There is a school of thought that goes to the book of Revelation as though it is a newspaper written ahead of time. But, is the book of Revelation written like a newspaper narrative? A news report? Of course not. The book of Revelation is very figurative with lots of imagery and symbols. Some say they interpret the book of Revelation literally (that is, as if it is devoid of images and symbols that have to be interpreted). None, without hypocrisy, can make that claim. No one reads the book of Revelation literally. Consider the description of the Beast (Rev. 13): seven heads, ten horns, comes up out of the sea. That could be literal. But no one in the Christian church considers this as an actual created monster. The dispensational school of thought often hypocritically criticizes those who do not agree with their interpretation as not being literal, and thus playing fast and loose with the text of Scripture. In fact, dispensationalists do not read the book of Revelation "literally". You must understand that the book of Revelation is very visionary, dramatic, and highly figurative. But, remember, God promises to tell us what it means (Rev. 17:7). Every Christian can take this clearly written book and make sense out of it, even though it is highly figurative.
----------------------- Next time: What is the book all about?-------------
