Session 4: The People of the Revelation (Historical Background)
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.
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)
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.
About NextLevel Online
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.