Western Seminary

Summer, 2004

I. Course Description.

A. The course studies the distinctives of apocalypse as found in the New Testament, its antecedents in the Old Testament and in the intertestamental literature, and the exegesis of the Greek text of the Revelation.

B. Interpretive problems will be examined in the course of pursuing the exegesis of the text, with special attention given to the heremeneutics of apocalypse, interpretive systems, and the meaning of various elements associated with eschatological finality.

II. Performance Objectives.

A. To gain appreciation for the significance of apocalyptic genre and its influences in Scripture by study of the genre, by reading of extra-biblical apocalyptic writings, and by the study of the Revelation.

B. To gain proficiency in the exegesis of the Greek text of the Revelation by required reading of the text, accomplishing an exegesis of a particular assigned section, and by recording of the same.

C. To gain appreciation for the contribution of the Revelation to biblical and systematic theology, especially in the areas of eschatology, angelology, Christology, theology proper and demonology.

D. To gain ability to correlate the prophecy of the Revelation with that found elsewhere by repeated reference to and utilization of such prophetic Scripture.

E. To gain discernment in and understanding of the various methods of interpreting the Revelation relative to the matters of the great tribulation , the millennium, the future state and the new heavens and new earth.by exposure to and interaction with advocates of these approaches.

F. To relate the Revelation to the Christian disciplines, especially those of study, meditation, prayer and worship.

III. Course Requirements and Procedures.

A. Translating the entire Greek text of the Apocalypse in conjunction with class progress.

B. Exegetical products involving steps 5-15 of the “Exegesis of the Greek New Testament: Fifteen Steps.”

C. The reading of either Three Views of the Millennium and Beyond (gen. ed., D. L. Bock); or, Four Views of the Revelation (ed. Pate).

D. The reading of the book, Apocalyptic by L. Morris; or Apocalyptic: Ancient and Modern by D. S. Russell.

E. The reading of 500 pages from one of the following commentaries on the Revelation: Beckwith, Mounce, Swete, Walvoord, Beale, Osborne.

F. Reading of shorter articles and papers (see schedule)

G. Daily lecture and discussion.

IV. Bibliography: see any of the recent, major commentaries.

V. Course Schedule.

May 10 Introduction to the course and to apocalypse.

11 Apocalypse, continued. Introduction to the Revelation.

12 Introduction to the Revelation, cont. History of interpretation.

Reading of Morris or Reddish due.

13 Revelation 1-2. Step #5 due.

14 Revelation 3. Step :#6 due.

17 Revelation 4-5. Step #7 due.

18 Revelation 6-7. Step #8 due.

19 Revelation 8-9. Step #9 due.

20 Revelation 10-11. Step #10 due.

21 Revelation 12-13.

24 Revelation 14-15. Step #11 due.

25 Revelation 16-17. Step #12 due.

26 Revelation 18-19. Step #13 due.

27 Revelation 20-21. Reading of the papers on “temple” in Hebrews and Revelation by J. De Young

28 Revelation 22. Step #15 due. Reading of a commentary and the book on the Millennium or the Revelation due. Translating of the Greek text due.

Pre-class Preparation Options:

1. Begin translating the Greek Text of the Revelation

2. Begin reading a commentary on the Revelation.

3. Begin reading Morris or Reddish.