Apocalypse: The Story of The Book of Revelation
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Apocalypse: The Story of the Book of Revelation
The word “Apocalypse” means revelation
The popular idea attached to the word “apocalypse”, however, is one of a cataclysmic end of all things
Few have actually read the Book of Revelation, but everyone is familiar with the idea of Armageddon
Some symbols and ideas correlated to the Book of Revelation include the four horsemen, the number 666, stars falling to earth from the Heavens, seas turning to blood, and images to tell of a future war between good and evil
The Final evil ruler is known as the antichrist
There is a notion of a great final battle
Nation against nation
Supernatural terrors
Total devastation
Christs victory at the battle of Armageddon will prepare his was for this second coming, when the last judgment will take place
Jerusalem
is permanently tied to the story of good triumphing over evil
Is the focus of intense anxiety
Is home to a temple that must be restored in order for Christ to return
Holy Shrine
The apparent place where Mohammed ascended into Heaven
This is built where the first and second temples were built, and where the third should be built if this shrine werent in the way
Many would like to see the shrine destroyed
The political history of the Jews is important to the apocalyptic prophecies.
In the year 586, the famous King of Babylon burned the temple and destroyed the city.
On July 22nd there are now commemorative services held in an ancient fortress to mourn the destruction of the first temple and the exile of Babylon
Babylon shook peoples faith
They began thinking that maybe it is not Gods fault, but their own.
After this a long line of apocalyptic literature began
Prophets predict future Jews will return, build the temple, and the Messiah will come
Motif of New Jerusalem
Book of Ezekiel
Showed a resurrection of bones to living things
Symbolizes the resurrection of the nation of Israel itself
In the year 538 BCE Cyrus, who conquered Babylon, allowed the Jews to return home and build the temple
Cyrus was thereafter called the “Lords Messiah”
Dualism
Concept of “light and dark” and “good and evil”
World is the battle ground for these two forces
In 333 BCE, Alexander the Great crushed the Persian Empire
This was the next great influence on apocalyptic prophecy
It caused cultural intermingling
Brought a reversal of values
Values of purity and modesty where opposed by the Greeks, who built sculptures of naked people
Greek leader put his own features on sculpture of Zeus
Was not tolerated
Temple was recaptured and purified
This is celebrated by Hanukkah
The book of Daniel interprets this statue.
There are 4 metals, each representing a different empire that will fall
Gold – Babylonia
Silver – Persia
Bronze – Greek
Clay – Rome
Rome
Was at first a friend to the Jews
Jerusalem then fell into Romes power
This brought about another wave of apocalyptic prophecy
Baptism is repentance before judgment before God
Dead Sea Scrolls
Found off the coast of the Dead Sea in 1947
Declare that there will be a final judgment
A script was found for the final battle
A heavenly army is thought to appear and bring victory
Story of the Jewish Revolt
Rebels threw out the High Priest
The Romans broke through the walls of the city and destroyed the city and temple again
The destruction of the 2nd temple was seen as a sign that apocalyptic time is nearing
Also caused another wave of apocalyptic prophecies
Author of the Book of Revelation was exiled to a remote Greek island because he opposed Roman Authority
There in a cave he had a vision
This was a revelation of the future of the world
Today biblical scholars hold a different view
It is not clear whether he was exiled or just traveling and preaching
Today there is a monastery on that island dedicated to John the Theologian
John refused to make sacrifices for the Imperial Cult for those rulers who had crucified Jesus and ruined the temple
He predicts the date of destruction of Roman Empire, which did not come true
The Book of