Apocalyptic Language

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:29-34

I. Introduction: Much of millennial doctrine revolves around passages written in symbolic language. Some of this symbolism, apocalyptic language, is shared among New Testament authors. To understand the language, we must understand the symbolism

II. What is apocalyptic language?

A. The book of Revelation is sometimes called The Apocalypse.

B. We often use the word apocalypse to mean the destruction of the world. Apocalypse means unveiling or uncovering .The Apocalypse, or Revelation, of John is simply a book revealing some things that would otherwise be hidden.

C. Apocalyptic language, then, is highly symbolic language used to communicate a message to one audience without making the meaning obvious to another audience.

D. Jesus spoke in parables to reveal the message to those who wanted to hear and hide the message from those who did not – the listener, not Jesus, determined if the message was understood. Jewish apocalyptic literature was understood by the Jews, for they understood the symbols, but fanciful or indecipherable stories to non-Jews.

E. To those who know the symbols, the message is clear, those who do not know the symbols will be confused.

F. Language is a collection of symbols with which we use to communicate. Konnichi wa is known to the Japanese. They can communicate with words like these because they share the symbols. During WWII, secret communications were transmitted in the Navajo Indian language to reveal the message to our troops but to conceal it from the enemy. You can learn the symbology – learn the language.

G. Some symbolism is cultural

H. Places: Capitol building represents Washington power, though the executive branch is in the White House and the judicial branch is in the Supreme Court. Wall Street represents the economic backbone of the country. Logos: We know Mc Donald’s by the golden arches History: People argue about the Confederate flag because it represents something more than the flag itself.

I. Symbolism within a culture is a common currency we share.

J. Families have private jokes or phrases that mean something because of their shared experience. Outsiders don’t get the joke. Computer users can talk to one another in a “common language” that puzzles the non-technical listener. The same is true in the medical profession.

K. Jewish apocalyptic writers took symbols from the Old Testament and other aspects of Jewish life

L. Shepherds (from Jewish life and Jewish analogies like Psalm 23) Mt. Zion = Jerusalem; the center of Jewish power Apocalyptic writers borrowed heavily from the Old Testament prophets.“John’s Revelation, addressed to his first-century contemporaries, used notions, images, and expressions that were familiar to his readers…” Eugen Weber, Apocalypses. Harvard University Press, 1999. p. 42.

III. Use of apocalyptic language

A. Apocalyptic language was used in desperate conditions. “Most of it was written between 200 B.C. and 100 A.D. when the Jewish nation was struggling for its very life.” Ferrell Jenkins. The Old Testament in the Book of Revelation. Florida College Bookstore, 1972. p.35.

B. Usage in the Bible

C. Old Testament: Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah New Testament: some gospel passages (Matthew 24) and Revelation.

IV. Apocalyptic symbols should not be interpreted literally

A. Heavenly chaos – Matthew 24:29

B. Some say that this has to be the end of the world because of the disaster that befalls the heavenly bodies.

C. Yet these exact same symbols are used in the Old Testament to describe the fall of nations, not the end of the world.

D. Isaiah 13:10-13 – Babylon Isaiah 34:4-6 – Edom Isaiah 51:5-6 – The nations Jeremiah 4:1-6, 23-28 – Judah Ezekiel 32:7-8 – Egypt Joel 3:15-16 – The nations Nahum 1:1-5 – Nineveh Amos 8:1-2, 9 – Israel

E. We use similar language: “The shot heard ‘round the world” and “Black Monday.”

F. The book of Revelation

G. Revelation 1:1 – given in signs

H. “The book of Revelation is the most thoroughly Jewish in its language and imagery of any New Testament book. This book speaks not in the language of Paul, but of the Old Testament prophets Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.” -Jenkins

I. Some millennial writers have said that we can understand the book of Revelation better than the original audience. The opposite is true. They knew the prophets and the symbols much better than we do and could understand it more easily.

J. We cannot read through a book like Revelation and arbitrarily say some things are literal (i.e., the 1,000 years) and some things are symbolic (i.e., the beasts). It is a symbolic book and we must study it as a message revealed in symbols.

V. Symbolic numbers

A. “Scriptural numbers, likewise, symbolize spiritual messages: three stands for the Trinity, four for Creation, three plus four equals seven, perfection; three times four equal twelve, plentitude. The number six, which falls short of seven, is incomplete; and 666 is a culmination of incompleteness: the Beast ever yearning for divine truth but never able to attain it. Seven, in contrast, seems omnipresent: seven seals, seven trumpets, seven visions, seven vials, seven angels with trumpets, seven angels with last plagues, and even a seven headed dragon to testify to its powers. Like the number twelve, 1000, too, is a symbol of plentitude, and Augustine explains that it is a perfect number, ideal for allegorical expressions of notions like “lots,” or “totality,” or “all generations,” but not for anything exact.” -Weber

B. Twelve

C. As Weber said, plentitude. Relates more to God’s people: twelve tribes, twelve apostles.

D. Ten

E. Perfection or completeness We even use the number ten in this way It is often combined with other numbers to make large multiples (70, 1,000, 144,000).

F. Seven

G. Perfection or completeness Days of the week, on the 7 th day God rested Could be four (Earth) plus three (Trinity) for perfection in God’s realm Used symbolically by Jesus, “Forgive seventy times seven,” and obviously not meant to be taken literally. A broken seven, 3 ½ is used by the prophets as an interruption of time or a short span of time (a.k.a. “times, time, and half a time”)

H. One thousand

I. Represents a great number Psalm 50:10 – the cattle on a thousand hills are the Lord’s (what about the 1,001th hill?)2 Peter 3:8 – A day with the Lord is as 1,000 years (not a divine formula, but demonstrates how a long period of time with us is insignificant to God).It is inconsistent to argue that images, such as the harlot, and other numbers in Revelation are symbolic but that the 1,000 year reign is literal.

J. We cannot be too dogmatic in our interpretation but context leads to meaning.

VI. How can we interpret the message

A. Learn the Old Testament symbols

B. Know Old Testament history

C. Do not start with an interpretation and then look for a meaning

D. Study unclear passages in light of clear passages

E. Pray for wisdom