The People of the Revelation

In Session 4, Dr. Shane J. Wood highlights the crucial historical background of Revelation, emphasizing its relevance to real people facing conflicts in the Roman Empire. The session explores the cosmic battle between the Kingdom of God and Satan, affecting Christians, Jews, and Roman society through physical and non-physical persecution. The key takeaway is the necessity of recognizing and interpreting this struggle to truly understand the impact of Revelation on first-century Christians.

Classroom

**_Simplifying Revelation: How to Read the Book of Revelation_**

***Session 4:* The People of the Revelation (Historical Background)**

I. The Importance of Understanding the Historical Background

a. It is easy to forget, but Revelation was written to: Real people at a Real time going through Real issues.

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

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

b. How do we know there is conflict in Revelation?

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

1. 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.

c. CONFLICT: THREE GROUPS AND TWO METHODS

i. The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan

1. The cosmic battle raging since Genesis 3.

2. This battle’s fullest expression plays out in the lives of people on earth.

ii. Christians and…

1. 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).

2. Roman Society

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

iii. What does the Conflict Look Like?

1. Physical Persecution

a. Examples

i. Pliny the Younger’s (A.D. 111-112) Letter to Emperor Trajan (A.D. 98-117)—Epistles 10.96-97

ii. Biblical Texts

1. Rev. 1:9

2. Rev. 2:10

3. Rev. 2:13

2. Non-Physical Persecution

a. Slander (Rev 2:9)

i. Cannibals

ii. Incest

b. Social Seduction (Rev 3:14-22)

III. Conclusion

a. 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.



Session 04

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