https://content.lessons.church/files/bundles/fP4ZUa9SYqM/Study Files.zip?dt=1660155637913

Study Files

Session 4

In session 4, we examine the conflict in the historical background of Revelation and its impact on real people, in real time, going through real struggles.

The People of the Revelation (Historical Background)

Free video resources for you and your church. Designed for use in these environments: Adult Studies, Student Ministry, Leadership Training, Personal Growth.


The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

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Lesson Guide

https://content.lessons.church/files/study/SOz6uTZJ5aS/bmbcXzeIE0Y/Revelation (Shane Wood) 2016.pdf?dt=1660155418849

In this series, Shane J. Wood, Ph.D. (New Testament faculty at Ozark Christian College) will help you think critically about the book of Revelation and read it for what the text says and not what you have always been told that it says. Shane hopes to simplify the book so that you can deliver a blessing to those who read it. 

Revelation

This series encourages critical thinking and simplified understanding of the Book of Revelation, challenging preconceived notions to unveil its true messages and blessings.

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Lesson

1. The Importance of Understanding the Historical Background
    - It is easy to forget, but Revelation was written to: 

        - Real people at a Real time going through Real issues.

2. The Historical Setting of Revelation Can Be Summarized With One Word: CONFLICT

    - DEFINITION: Conflict – when two people or two kingdoms try to occupy the
exact same space at the exact same time.

    - How do we know there is conflict in Revelation?

        - There are over 95 passages that refer to conflicts and/or oppositions.

            - Rev. 1:9; 2:2, 3, 4, 5b, 6, 7b, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17b, 19b,
20-23, 26; 3:3, 9, 12, 16; 5:6, 9, 12; 6:2, 4, 6, 8b, 9, 11, 12-17;
7:2b, 14b; 8:5, 7, 8-9, 10-11, 12; 9:3-11, 15-19; 11:2b, 5, 7, 10b,
13, 18; 12:4, 7, 8-9, 12b, 13, 15-16, 17; 13:6, 7, 10b, 15, 16-17;
14:8, 9b-11, 12, 13a, 19-20; 16:1, 2, 3, 4, 5b, 6a, 6b, 8-9, 10-11,
14b, 19b; 17:6, 14, 16; 18:8b, 20b, 21, 24; 19:2, 15, 17b-18, 19,
20b-21; 20:2-3, 4a, 7-8, 9b, 10, 15; 22:18, 22.19.

    - TWO GROUPS AND TWO METHODS

        - Christians and…

            - Jews in the Roman Empire (cf. Matt. 12:14; 21:33-46; 26:4; Mark
11:18; 12:1-12; 14:1; Luke 19:47; 20:9-19; John 5:18; 7:19, 25;
8:37, 40; Acts 7:54-60; 8:1-3; 9:1-6; 17:5-9, 13-15; 18:6; 21:27-36;
23:1-11, 12-22; Rev 2:9, 14, 20-24; 3:9).

            - Roman Society

                - The Christian message was political (cf. Matthew 6:9;
Revelation 1:5)

        - What does the Conflict Look Like?

            - Physical Persecution

                - Examples

                     - Pliny the Younger’s (A.D. 111-112) Letter to Emperor Trajan (A.D. 98-117)—Epistles 10.96-97
                     - Polycarp (A.D. 69-155)
                     - Biblical Texts

                          - Rev. 1:9
                          - Rev. 2:10
                          - Rev. 2:13

                - CONCLUSION: Does this mean that Christians were being
killed en mass by an edict from Rome at the time of
Revelation?
  
                     - No…but the threat of violence was real.
                     - The loss of wealth was real.
                     - The loss of dignity was real.
                     - And the loss of life was real.

           - Non-Physical Persecution

                - Slander (Rev 2:9)
                     - Cannibals
                     - Incest
                     - Threat to National Security

                - Social Seduction (Rev 3:14-22)

3. Conclusion

    - If our interpretations of Revelation do not take this struggle seriously, we rob the
first century Christians of a Revelation that truly impacts their lives—for these are
real people, at a real time, going through real struggles. 

The People of the Revelation (Historical Background)

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