Lesson 3: Introduction to Apocalyptic Scripture

Ask several students to share what they wrote about the counsel they would give to a person who is excited about a new church that makes many prophecies.

Apocalypse is a literary form. It was used for some parts of the Bible but also for some other writings.

The writer says that he received the message in a vision or dream. It is highly symbolic. It often uses animals or strange, monstrous creatures as symbols. Rather than describing events in a chronological order, its pattern may be cycles of repeated parallels that add different details.

The writing usually deals with the problem of keeping faith in spite of the evil and injustice in the present world. It describes a universal battle with intense warfare.[1]

Apocalyptic writings in the Bible show the ultimate triumph of God, who punishes evil and rewards the good. The focus is the sovereign God who comes to the aid of his people.

Apocalyptic Scriptures include Daniel, Zechariah, Joel, Revelation, and passages from other books of the Bible.

Students should look up the references given in this bullet list and read the Scriptures for the class.

• For examples of animal symbols, see Daniel 7:3-7, Revelation 12:3 and 16:13, and Zechariah 6:1-3.

• For examples of passages that describe a great, final battle, see Joel 2:9-11 and Revelation 19:11-21, 20:7-9.
• For examples of passages that teach the final victory and eternal kingdom of God, see Daniel 7:14, 27 and Zechariah 14:9.

Other sections of Scripture may be considered apocalyptic writing because they speak of God’s sudden intervention, when he judges the evil powers and delivers the righteous. These Scriptures do not all have the other characteristics of apocalyptic writing, such as visions or animal symbols. (Examples are Ezekiel 37-39, Isaiah 24-27, Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, 2 Thessalonians 2, and 2 Peter 3.)

[1]“World history is moving toward a cataclysmic struggle out of which will come a cosmic transformation – a new heaven and a new earth.”
– Thomas Oden, Life in the Spirit

Students should look up the bold references in this section and read the verses.

A scriptural term for the time of God’s final intervention is day of the Lord. Some of the Old Testament passages describe the day of the Lord as the time when Gentile nations are punished for their treatment of Israel.[1] Many Jews assumed that as Jews they had nothing to fear from the judgment of God. The prophets tried to show them that they would also be judged if they were sinners (Zephaniah 1:12, Amos 5:18-27), and would not be spared simply because they were Jews.

In the book of Romans, Paul referred to the “day of wrath” (2:5), and to the “day when God shall judge” (2:16). These references follow from his theme in 1:16-18 that the gospel is salvation from the wrath of God.

The “day of the Lord” does not necessarily mean a literal, single day; the events described might last for more than one day. The emphasis is that it is “his Day;” earthly powers have defied him, but now it is God’s time to take charge.

The prophecies of the “day of the Lord” may not refer only to one time at the very end. For example, Joel predicted a foreign army sent by God to punish Israel (Joel 2:1, 11, 20). If the people repented, God would deliver them 2:18-20). This could be an example of a prophecy that had a fulfillment in history, yet also has an ultimate fulfillment at the end of time. The apostle Peter quoted prophecy from the book of Joel as if it were yet to be fulfilled (Acts 2:16-21).

Passages that describe the day of the Lord include Joel 2:10,11, 28-32 (quoted by Peter), 3:14-15, Isaiah 13:9-11, 24:19-23, Zephaniah 1:14-18, and 2 Peter 3:10-13.

Some passages describe sinners hiding from God and the nations expecting judgment, such as Isaiah 2:10-19 and Revelation 6:15-17.

Some passages that mention the day of the Lord describe nations gathered for battle at the time when God comes, such as Zechariah 14:1-2.

There are many other passages that do not mention the “day of the Lord” specifically, but describe an event with some of the same details. For example, some of them describe heavenly signs occurring at the coming of the Lord similar to those described in the passages that refer to the “day of the Lord.” Examples include Matthew 24:29-30, Mark 13:24-26, and Luke 21:25-28.

[1] Some examples are Zechariah 12 and Joel 3.

Some Bible scholars believe that most of the apocalyptic Scriptures have been fulfilled already. They believe that the world will gradually become Christian by the successful spread of the gospel. However, some of the passages describe the kingdoms of the world being taken over by God (for example, Daniel 7:14, 27). Today many nations of the world still persecute Christians. We can say that God is sovereign over everything, but those nations are still in rebellion against God, which means those passages are not yet fulfilled.

A student should read Romans 9:28 for the group.

► What does it mean that God will accomplish something quickly on the earth?

Apocalyptic Scriptures emphasize that the world will be permanently changed by the sudden intervention of God. They do not describe a gradual change of society.

Christians should be the salt and light in every society where they live. They should work to change their environment to be what pleases God. Nations have been changed and shaped by the progress of the gospel. However, Scripture implies that until God’s final intervention there will be evil human powers that continue to rebel against God.

Christian institutions accomplish much for the spread of the gospel, the establishment of churches, and the relief of all kinds of suffering. Nations have been changed and shaped by Christian influences. Therefore, Christians should work to establish churches and institutions that have long-term effects. However, we look for the return of Christ to bring the kingdom of God in its fullness.

Believers should patiently endure by faith that obeys God in all circumstances. Faith sees that in the end obedience is worthwhile, though it may bring suffering now. Complete, present understanding of why things happen is not necessary.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

The context of this passage is about the work of the ministry. In the earlier verses of the chapter, the apostle said that people in ministry have various responsibilities and God will reward them for their work. The church is like a farm or a building where we work (verse 9).

All ministry should build the church. The foundation is Christ, and ministers build a structure on the foundation. Some of them do work with good quality, and God will reward their work. Others do work that does not build anything well, and God will not reward that work.

Paul’s point was that ministers should work faithfully and strategically to build the church, looking forward to a reward from God.

Apocalyptic Scripture is prophetic, and often predicts specific events. We don’t always know what specific events we should expect as the fulfillments of those prophecies. Some may have already been fulfilled; some fulfillments are still future.

It is not necessary for us to determine exactly what is predicted. The primary purpose of prophecy is not simply for us to be able to write history before it happens. The purpose of prophecy is to demonstrate God’s sovereignty and faithfulness so that the hearer is motivated to trust and obey God. Full understanding of the details is not necessary.

Much prophecy was originally preached to people who would not see the predictions fulfilled, because the fulfillments were far in the future. Yet the purpose of the preaching was to motivate the hearers to trust and obey God. Likewise, today, whether the fulfillment of a prophecy is past or future, and though we may not understand all of the details, it is a demonstration of God’s power and faithfulness that should encourage us to trust God.[1]

We have a practical approach to interpreting prophetic Scripture. Scholars may disagree on what specific event is predicted. Does that mean that the passage of Scripture fails to communicate God’s message? No. Even if we disagree on the details of the prediction, we can see the demonstration of God’s power.

[1]“These meditations [on eschatology] will assist us to abstain from sin, and to wean our affections from earthly things; they will console us for the absence or loss of worldly goods, incite us to keep our souls and bodies pure, to live to God and eternity, and so attain everlasting salvation.”
- Longer Catechism of the Eastern Orthodox Church

The group should look at 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12 together.

Chapter 2 of this letter is also eschatological, but we will study it in a different lesson.

This passage describes the return of the Lord as the time when sinners are punished with destruction and believers receive relief from suffering. The glory of God is the focus – notice the references to God and Christ throughout the passage.

Verses 11-12 begin with “wherefore,” giving the application of this eschatological passage. We should pray that God will be glorified by his work in our lives in the world. A right application of eschatology will cause us to live as better Christians, honoring God and blessing those around us.

(1) Writing Assignment: How does apocalyptic Scripture affect the way you view your ministry, your church, and any other Christian institution you support? Write a page about what these should expect to accomplish in the world before the return of Jesus.

(2) Passage Study: Study 2 Peter 3:1-14. The apostle describes the coming day of the Lord. His application to Christian living begins with the word therefore. Write an explanation of the message of this passage.