Revelation Class

Revelation Class Syllabus

- Registration required -
(Contact Bev Penner at Chafer if you have not registered for part one or part two of this class)

NT 233 BOOK OF REVELATION
Exegesis/Exposition

Instructor: Dr. Ray Mondragon

Class Schedule:

Class (part 2): July 26-30

I. Course Scope and Purpose
The Book of Revelation, though little understood, is one of the most important books of the entire Bible. It presents the consummation of all things and God’s ultimate plan for His creation. The course is predominantly a sentence by sentence exposition of the Book. Emphasis will be given to the major themes and argument of the book. Studies will also include the book's historical background, authorship, literary style, and purpose. The various major approaches to the book, preterist, historicist, idealist and futurist, will be studied. The Grammatical-Historical-Contextual method of biblical interpretation will be consistently applied. The application of this approach will result in a futurist and Premillennial interpretation of the book.

The purpose of the course is to give the eschatological perspective of the Bible from the Book of Revelation so that the student may deepen his understanding of and relationship with Jesus Christ, the focus of all hitory.

II. Course Learning Goals

A. To be acquainted with the historical background of the book
B. To be familiar with the peculiar characteristics of the book
C. To be aware of the various approaches to the interpretation of the book
D. To be able to distinguish between the Premillennial and Pretribulation Rapture position from other prophetic viewpoints
E. To understand the argument and content of the book
F. To gain an appreciation for the Grammatical-Historical-Contextual method of interpretation
G. To obtain a basis for teaching the book to others

III. Course Texts

A. Required Reading: select only one of the following:

1. Walvoord, John F., The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Moody Press
2. Osborne, Grant R., Revelation, Baker Academic

B. Parallel Reading List: (others by permission of instructor)

1. Ryrie, Charles C., Revelation
2. Thomas, Robert L., Revelation – An Exegetical Commentary, 2 Vols.
3. Seiss, J. A., The Apocalypse
4. Tenney, Merrill C., Interpreting Revelation
5. Morris, Henry, The Revelation Record
6. Morris, Leon, The Revelation of St. John
7. Lang, G. H., The Revelation of Jesus Christ
8. Michaels, J. R., Revelation
9. Ironside, H. A., Lectures on the Book of Revelation
10. Pate, C.M., Ed., Four Views on the Book of Revelation (4 views contrasted)
11. Charles, R. H., Revelation, Vol. 1 & 2 (ICC) (Preterist)
12. Swete, H. B., The Apocalypse of St. John (Preterist)
13. Gentry, K. L., He Shall Have Dominion (Preterist)
14. Hendriksen, W., More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of Revelation (Idealist)
15. Lenski, R. C., The Interpretation of St John's Revelation (Idealist)

IV. Course Requirements

A. Reading Requirements

1. Read any 250 pages from the required reading text. Outline or summarize the reading such that you have a good summary of the reading. Write a critique of the reading including such things as the strengths, weaknesses, biases, and theological perspective of the author. Turn in your work on the day noted on the schedule. (25%)

2. Read a minimum of 100 pages out of a book of your choice from the parallel reading list or other pages in the required reading text. Outline or summarize the reading such that you have a good summary of the reading. Write a critique of the reading including such things as the strengths, weaknesses, biases, and theological perspective of the author. Turn in your work on the day noted on the schedule. (10%)

B. Research Paper (or exegetical paper)

1. Write an 8 to 12 page paper related to the book of Revelation and approved by the instructor. Cite the sources that you use. Concentrate on quality rather than quantity. Adhere to Turabian’s format. If you desire to exegete any passage (one or two paragraphs of at least 7 verses) in the book and do an exegetical paper, you may eliminate the Exam Options “C” below. Turn in your work on the day noted on the schedule. (40%)

2. Students desiring credit for the course as an exegesis course will be given alternative requirements.

C. Take-home Exam (25%)
Answer any 12 research questions from the enclosed list. The answers must go beyond the explanations given in class. Cite the sources that you use. The student is encouraged to work on the exam during the entire course. Turn in your work on the day noted on the schedule.

D. Grading Policy

94-100 = A
85-93 = B
70-84 = C
Below 70 = no credit

V. Tentative Course Schedule

A. Course Requirements due before June live lectures

1. Students should register for the course by contacting Bev Penner in Albq at 505-515-0221 or bev@chafer.edu. This pertains to only those interested in receiving credit for course.

2. Read any 250 pages from the required reading text and turn in summary and critique.

3. Read the additional 100 pages and turn in summary and critique.

B. June 8-10 Live Lectures - approximately 16 hours

C. Course Requirements due between August live lectures

1. Write the 8 to 12 page Research Paper

2. Complete 4 research questions of Take-home Exam

D. August Live Lectures - approximately 16 hours

E. Course Requirements due after August live lectures

1. Complete the last 8 research questions of Take-home Exam

Research Questions:

1. Explain 3 major reasons why the book of Revelation is important to study today.
2. Summarize the essence of and explain the reasoning behind any one of the major interpretative approaches to the book. (Preterist, Historicist, Idealist, or Futurist)
3. Give evidence that John the apostle is the author of the book.
4. Discuss the date of writing of the Book including the historical situation and occasion.
5. List and explain 3 of the major characteristics of the book.
6. The book contains many visions that are revealed to John. Some of the visions are heavenly and others are earthly. Make a list of and briefly summarize the contents of the 5 major earthly visions.
7. Make a list of and briefly summarize the contents of the 5 major heavenly visions.
8. Take any passage in the book and show its relationship to a corresponding O. T. prophecy.
9. Discuss the role of angels in the book.
10. Compile a list of the various names and descriptions of Christ as presented in the book.
11. Use Rev 1 to explain how to interpret symbols in Bible prophecy. (1)
12. List and explain the support for the interpretation that the vision of Rev 1 is of Jesus Christ.
13. List the pattern utilized to present the content of the letters to the 7 churches. Take any one of letters and show how the pattern is presented. (2-3)
14. Summarize the major message of each of the letters to the 7 churches. (2-3)
15. Explain at least 2 different ways in which the content of the 7 letters may be interpreted and/or applied. (2-3)
16. Discuss 5 personal applications that can be derived from any of the 7 letters. (2-3)
17. Identify the person on the throne and give the support for your conclusion. (4)
18. Discuss worship in the book, including the identity of the worshippers. (4-5, 6-7, 11-12, 19)
19. Identify the person called the "Lamb" and give the support for your conclusion. Give a reason why the personage is presented as a lamb. (5)
20. List and explain the major characteristics of the Great Tribulation. (6-18)
21. Interpret the meaning of the 6 Seal Judgments. (6)
22. Identify the 2 groups of new believers and give your support. (7)
23. Discuss the church in relationship to Rev 5-18. (5-18)
24. Explain the essence of the 7 Trumpet Judgments. (8-9, 11)
25. Discuss at least 2 views of the possible identity of the 2 witnesses. (11)
26. List and explain the major characters or groups of the great tribulation. (12-13)
27. Discuss the nature of the persecutions noted in the book, including the identity of those persecuted. (6-7, 11-13)
28. Develop a portrait of the Antichrist from the book and other passages outside the book. (13)
29. Distinguish between and show the relationship between Satan, Antichrist, and the False Prophet. (12-13)
30. Explain the essence of the 7 Bowl Judgments. (16)
31. Discuss the relationship, chronological and otherwise, of the 3 sets of judgments - Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls. (6, 8-9, 11, 16)
32. Give the background and significance of Babylon the Great. (17-18)
33. Identify who or what Babylon the great represents. Give your support for your conclusion. (17-18)
34. Compare and contrast the descriptions of the 2nd coming of Christ in Rev 11 with 19.
35. Compare the description of the 2nd coming in Rev 19 with the vision of Rev 1. (1, 19)
36. Present the case with support for the concept for eternal punishment as opposed to other views. Discuss briefly at least one other view. (14, 19-20)
37. Explain at least 2 different views on the Millennial Kingdom. (20)
38. Find other Biblical passages that predict the Millennial Kingdom. Present the case for a literal, earthly, and visible kingdom.
39. Explain the relationship of Rev 21-22 to Rev 20. (20-22)