Principles of Interpreting the Book of Revelation, Part 1

I am currently listening to a sermon given 30 years ago by Rev. Joe Morecraft III. Use the player in the right hand column of this blog to listen to this sermon. Rev. Morecraft begins the study of this book, by first considering principles of interpretation. The first one third of the sermon is summarized as follows:

Joe Morecraft III -- Interpreting Revelation -- July 2, 1978
Principles of Interpretation:

1. Nature of the Book of Revelation a. Revelation: Rev. 1:1, 11 (God given through Holy Spirit) --Thus every thing in this book is relevant through all time. --To understand, all we need is Scripture (Scripture interprets Scripture) and Holy Spirit --To neglect study of Revelation, is to be inadequately equipped. --Revelation means "unveiling"; not an "obscuring". b. Prophecy: Rev. 1:3; 22:7, 10, 18 (God's word to His people) --Apocalyptic literature of the time outside of New Testament was characterized by a catastrophic breaking in of eternity at the end of history when evil reigns and the only hope is rapturous escape. Over-against that view comes divinely revealed prophecy characterized by an inseparable connection between the flow of history and the consumation of history: i.e., Christ came to rescue human history (not to discard it), to perfect it, and make it more glorious. Thus, what we do now counts and matters: it has consequences (a theme of the Old Testament is God's calling His people to faithfulness and promising them resulting blessing). c. Symbolic in Form
2. Time Frame
3. Content, Theme, Purpose

-----------TO BE CONTINUED -----------------