The Christian Impetus of Eschatology and Its Contemporary Relevance

This article explores the diverse theological approaches to the Revelation to John, models of interpretation in relation to Revelation in particular and apocalyptic language in general, and potential contemporary uses of Revelation and apocalyptic language in Christian theology and testimony. The article also discusses the significance of the twofold phrases in the book of Revelation and the impact of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus for the good of the future.

Running head: REVELATION
Revelation
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REVELATION 2
The Christian impetus of eschatology and its contemporary relevance
1. Diverse theological approaches to the Revelation to John.
Revelation supports the truth that Almighty God had sent His only begotten Son
Jesus Christ reveals to people the true traits of God1. On the other hand, John provides a
very touching testimony which Jesus brought before court judges of Gentiles and Jews.
John gives a vivid description of Jesus as a true witness because Jesus stood on His words
ending up in the grave. John shows a character of a faithful Christian by testifying about
Jesus. It shows that, as a Christian, you would constantly face various tests and your faith
would be important to determine whether you are a true Christian or not.
In several situations, John points out important phrases which show the revelation of God
to the Israelites through Jesus. The twofold phrases of John tell the church about a calling
to serve God and to be faithful all your ways. In the book of Revelation, John elaborates
the sufferings he has undergone on Patmos2. The reason for the suffering was because he
had stood in his ground about the word of God and testifying frequent times that Jesus is
the savior. The good news John was preaching to people made him be charged in a
Roman court. He was preaching long before the coming of Jesus just to prepare people
for coming of the Messiah3. By preparing it means that he was trying to tell people to
leave the evil ways of life and follow Jesus Christ.
1 Crotty, (2017). Johannine Christianity: John of Patmos. In The Christian
Survivor (pp. 269). Springer, Singapore.
2 Hultberg, (2018). Interpreting Revelation and Other Apocalyptic Literature: An
Exegetical Handbook. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 61(1), 200.

REVELATION 3
There several significant impacts of many phrases John used during his ministry. The
twofold phrases proved to be both moral and theological in revelation. One of the ways
why the phrases are important in Apocalypse is that they are used to distinguish the
believers who are faithful during the hard times in church. For instance, a Christian can
come across a test but it is for a purpose. The response the Christian would give will
determine whether he is faithful to Christ or not. An example of a situation is when some
prophets claim that they have the divine calling from God but when test come they ran
away. Jezebel is an example of such prophets as revealed by the book of Revelation.
Many Adventist scholars who study theology have proved that the twofold phrases from
John are a determination of a faithful Christian. In the book of John, Jesus says that those
who reject his word rejects him and the words would be the judge at the end times. The
words Jesus were pronouncing were from God, He was acting as a bridge between the
Christian and the Almighty Father.
2. Models of interpretation in relation to Revelation in particular and apocalyptic
language in general.
The interpretation of Revelation has been full of controversy among churches
even today. Many churches are divided because of the difference in interpretations.
Apocalypse is elaborated in the book of Revelation. Revelation as a book has helped John
to create many theological themes for teaching people. Both the Christians and the Jews
3 Kershner, (2018). Comparisons and Divergences in Contemporary Quaker
Theology and Philosophy. Brill Research Perspectives in Quaker Studies, 1(1),
80.

REVELATION 4
interpreted the themes according to their own understanding4. It is evident that John
compiled his themes when he was in exile. The method of interpreting the message has
caused a sharp difference among the scholars. There are many stylistic differences
between what John wrote and the Revelation. However, the biblical teachings, John is the
son of Zebedee who was given a vision of revelation from God.
There are various models of interpreting the Revelation and Apocalypse as a whole. The
first known method is historicist. The historicist method of interpretation is articulated by
reformers. The Reformers claimed that the antichrist was the Roman papacy as it has
false interpretations of the scripture. Many people promoted Apocalypse. For instance,
very many Popes in Europe, the Protestants, and many other reformers made their
interpretation based on what has been happening in the world. In the book of Revelation,
John elaborates the impact of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus for the good of the
future. From the start of John’s mission until the end, he says that Jesus has won the
victory as God is on the throne.
The other model of interpreting Revelation is through the idealistic method. By use of
this model, the content in the book of Revelation is not based in any historical event but it
is seen as a continuous process of struggling. Evil and god are struggling from the time
the church began and it will go own until Messiah returns. The idealist does not recognize
any image which may suggest the future or the end of things. However, the idealist
claims that Revelation was a book that was written to motivate other missioners of Christ.
4 Sailhamer, (2017). The Pentateuch as narrative: A biblical-theological
commentary. Zondervan.

REVELATION 5
In any situation there is test or sufferings, the Christians should endure because there is
the kingdom of God waiting for them at the end.
Their model of interpretation is using the preterist method. Using this interpretation, it
shows that no eschatology is coming in the future5. The book of Revelation is related to
apocalyptic track of the Jews that was written to give motivation to Christians who seem
faithless at the time of persecution. The apocalyptic language is full of hyperbole;
however, it has some significance. For instance, the use of lamb symbolized a specific
meaning in Babylon.
3. Potential contemporary uses of Revelation and apocalyptic language in
Christian theology and testimony.
Several symbols and metaphors are included in the book of Revelation and all
these symbols have a specific meaning. However, it is very interesting that many
Christians are disagreeing on the meaning6. The disagreement causes the use and
application of Revelation to be different. Consequently, there are common uses of
Revelation in Christian teaching and theology as a whole7. The first way is that
5 Sauter & Barton, (2018). Revelations and Story: Narrative Theology and the
Centrality of Story: Narrative Theology and the Centrality of Story. Routledge.
6 Smalley (2015). The Revelation to John: A Commentary on the Greek Text of the
Apocalypse. InterVarsity Press.
7 Searle, (2014). Sweet in the Mouth and Bitter in the Stomach’: Interpretations of
the Book of Revelation among Evangelicals in Northern Ireland during the
‘Troubles. Irish Theological Quarterly, 79(1), 20.

REVELATION 6
Revelation is used to reveal the true enemies of Christians. For instance, the serpent is
used at some point to test woman to join the Satan kingdom. The woman was very weak
and gave in to the serpent. The incidence has caused several sufferings to people because
of the repercussions that were stated by God. Luckily enough, God has not left human,
He sent his son Jesus to proclaim the world but the same serpent is also used to tempt
Jesus. From Revelation, Christians should stand firm in their faith no matter the test.
Another use of Revelation to Christian today is that it teaches Christian to endure in
suffering8. Several apostles in Revelation passed through various challenges such as
torture, prison, poverty and some of them died, however, they did not give up in the fight
for true God. On the other hand, Jesus also does not promise Christians that the journey
would be easy but He promises to come back to rescue the church.
In theological teachings, Revelation is used to motivate people to be a witness of what is
happening even as they wait for the second coming of Christ9. A true martyr should not
be ashamed to testify about God’s work. Even though the world has been so defiling that
some people would opt to give up, Revelation illustrates various martyrs who have
insisted on their faith no matter the cruelty of the world. For instance, John went to
8 Ziegler, (2018). Militant Grace: The Apocalyptic Turn and the Future of
Christian Theology. Baker Books.
9 Soboyejo, (2016). Interpreting the Book of Revelation and Its Apocalyptic
Implications for the 21st Century African Pentecostal Churches. Open Access
Library Journal, 3(08), 1.

REVELATION 7
Patmos just to testify about Jesus and the word of God. The same traits should be
depicted in the Christian life.
The apocalyptic language is full of metaphors and various symbols10. The interpretation
of the symbols has turned out to be a very big challenge to most of the Christians.
Churches have split because of the difference in understanding the message. However, in
theological teachings, it suggests that a true servant should not be swayed my myths. He
or she should to some depth to get the true meaning of the symbols.
List of bibliographies
Crotty, R. (2017). Johannine Christianity: John of Patmos. In The Christian Survivor (pp.
269-276). Springer, Singapore.
Hultberg, A. D. (2018). Interpreting Revelation and Other Apocalyptic Literature: An
Exegetical Handbook. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 61(1), 197-
200.
Kershner, J. R. (2018). Comparisons and Divergences in Contemporary Quaker Theology
and Philosophy. Brill Research Perspectives in Quaker Studies, 1(1), 51-83.
10 Swinton, & Mowat, (2016). Practical theology and qualitative research. SCM
press.

REVELATION 8
Sailhamer, J. H. (2017). The Pentateuch as narrative: A biblical-theological commentary.
Zondervan.
Sauter, G., & Barton, J. (2018). Revelations and Story: Narrative Theology and the
Centrality of Story: Narrative Theology and the Centrality of Story. Routledge.
Searle, J. T. (2014). Sweet in the Mouth and Bitter in the Stomach’: Interpretations of the
Book of Revelation among Evangelicals in Northern Ireland during the
‘Troubles. Irish Theological Quarterly, 79(1), 14-29.
Smalley, S. S. (2015). The Revelation to John: A Commentary on the Greek Text of the
Apocalypse. InterVarsity Press.
Soboyejo, J. O. (2016). Interpreting the Book of Revelation and Its Apocalyptic
Implications for the 21st Century African Pentecostal Churches. Open Access
Library Journal, 3(08), 1.
Swinton, J., & Mowat, H. (2016). Practical theology and qualitative research. SCM
press.
Ziegler, P. G. (2018). Militant Grace: The Apocalyptic Turn and the Future of Christian
Theology. Baker Books.