Category Archives: Revelation

Gorman cites three prominent elements of the Roman empire/religion from Warren Carter — The gods have chosen Rome. Rome and its emperor are agents of the gods’ rule, will, salvation, and presence among human beings. Rome manifests the gods’ blessings—security, … Continue reading →

Gorman explains the ethical background that is likely behind much of the Revelation– As Christian individuals and communities in Asia Minor interacted with family members, friends, business associates, and public officials who did not share their conviction that “Jesus is … Continue reading →

Gorman explains that the Revelation is a form of resistance literature, that is, an encouragement to resist the efforts of Rome to defeat Christianity, either through persecution or by corrupting the gospel with pagan teachings. That is, you cannot be … Continue reading →

The Revelation repeatedly refers to itself as “prophecy.” Many people assume that Revelation is a prophetic book in the sense of predicting, in rather explicit detail, “the way the world will end.” The most popular approach to Revelation, dispensationalism, both … Continue reading →

Gorman suggests that the correct, over-arching perspective on the Revelation is that — … Revelation is (primarily) good news about Christ, the Lamb of God—who shares God’s throne and who is the key to the past, present, and future—and therefore … Continue reading →

Studying the Revelation is like picking a college football team. I mean, no matter which team you pick, you’ve picked against everyone who supports a different team. And people are very loyal to their teams — more loyal to their … Continue reading →

So, in a weak moment, I agreed to teach a summer series at church on heaven, hell, and the afterlife. And I’ve covered heaven and hell several times here — so I thought preparation would be a cinch. Then I … Continue reading →

(Rev 1:4-6 ESV) 4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,  … Continue reading →

Verse 5 (Rev 20:5 ESV) The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. This is a highly controverted passage. The text implies that the faithful were resurrected … Continue reading →

Verse-by-verse Verses 1-3 (Rev 20:1-3 ESV) Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain.  2 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is … Continue reading →