We’re back from our short break! This episode, we’ll be looking at how to interpret the book of Revelation and end times, as well as how God tests us.

To check out last episode’s questions click here, and for Jim’s foreword on answering these questions click here.

QUESTION 1.

HOW DO WE INTERPRET THE BOOK OF REVELATION AND ALL THE CONSPIRACIES WE HEAR ABOUT THE END TIMES? I FEEL HESITANT ABOUT BRUSHING THINGS OFF AS SIMPLY A SYMBOL AS I WANT TO TAKE GOD’S WORD SERIOUSLY.

The Book of Revelation is a unique genre among the New Testament books. But there are also 17 other prophetic books in the Old Testament (Isaiah through Malachi) that shares the similar characteristics and interpretive challenges. Having this precedence means that Revelation isn’t entirely odd, and that we can utilize much of what we learn about interpreting O.T. prophetic literatures plus the added hindsight of much of the O.T. Prophesies having been fulfilled in history, such as the plight of the nation of Israel, and the first coming of the Messiah-Saviour, Jesus Christ. We even see the recurrence of similar expressions and characters reintroduced in the N.T. prophesy. However, we must pay close attention to the continuity and discontinuity along the spectrum of history since Revelation is certainly a latter revelation. Most importantly, we must understand the clear teachings of the gospel in the whole of the New Testament.

One of the most important principles in interpreting the Bible is that “scriptures interpret scriptures”. This means that on any given topic or subject, the clearer passages help to interpret the less clear passages, while the latter adds or fill-in things that the prior may lack. In other words, we should not single-out curious or obscure passages, then let that be the central enquiry by which all other passages stand or fall.

Revelation affirms what the rest of the N.T. teaches. In fact, they all affirm one another.

Obviously, so much more could be said about the book of Revelation, but I would summarize it as a “triumphant capitulation of the gospel reality.” In fact, there are cycles of various gospel elements told and retold through series of visions as given to Apostle John. But visions are similar to dreams in that they are dynamic in expression even though the reality they portray are quite straight forward. We see symbolic themes of imageries, numbers and characters, much like in the O.T. prophesies, but they have real life counterpart in the repeated teachings of the gospel, which is the life-death-resurrection-ascension-return of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we need to remember that the straight teachings of the gospel inform Revelation and not the other way around. Revelation affirms what the rest of the N.T. teaches. In fact, they all affirm one another.

As for the sensationalism incited by fictions and movies, they are merely capitalizing on the highly evocative nature of the vision imageries in Revelation, plus the gravity associated with the biblical scriptures. Most often they only amount to cheap entertainment that has very little to do with the actual biblical-gospel message.

For more detailed studies, I would recommend the following three commentaries and monograms: “More than a Conquerors” by William Hendriksen; “Triumph of the Lamb” by Dennis Johnson; and a much more technical and scholarly commentary on Revelation by Greg Beale in the New International Greek Testament Commentary (NIGTC) series .

QUESTION 2.

GOD DOESN’T TEMPT US, BUT IS IT RIGHT TO SAY THAT GOD TESTS OUR FAITH? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING TESTED AND BEING TEMPTED?

Yes, there certain is a distinction between testing and tempting. The difference lies in the intention. Testing merely proves what is or isn’t there, whereas temptation is laid on for a desire to see someone fall as victim to the temptation. Testing is neutral, but tempting is sinister.

The bible clearly states that God does not tempt [James 1:13-15], but that He does test [Psalm 26:2; Jer.17:10; 1Thess.2:4; 1Peter 1:6-7; etc.] our faith and faithfulness. However, the ultimate test is reserved for the final judgement where all things will be laid bare and accounted for [1Cor.3:13-15].

Each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (ESV)

As for us, we should not test God [Matthew 4:7] as if we are above Him; but instead, we should test ourselves [2Cor.13:5] to see where we stand in the faith or not.

(Questions have been edited for length and clarity.)

If you have ever wondered about topics such as these, are curious about the how’s and why’s of Christianity or have any other questions in general ask Pastor Jim anything here.