What’s an Apocalypse?

Three hurdles to better understanding

• It is for you, not to you.
  • All meaning must therefore be rooted in their world and context.
• It is about ultimate reality, not (necessarily) the future.
  • An apocalypse reveals - it makes known what was hidden or unseen (hence revelation).
  • Example (Rv. 4-5): Appearance - Rome rules the world; reality: All power belongs to God and the lamb!
• It is strange, and strangely beautiful.

Application

• Despite what we may see or feel, in reality all power and authority belongs to God and the Lamb.
• God is greater and his plan is better than we know or understand.

Discussion Questions

1. Explain in your own words what it means for Revelation to be for us rather than to us.
2. What does a vision of Jesus, looking like a slain lamb and sitting on the throne of heaven, tell us about ultimate reality?