I am currently listening to a sermon given 30 years ago by Rev. Joe Morecraft III. Use the player in the right hand column of this blog to listen to this sermon. Rev. Morecraft begins the study of this book, by first considering principles of interpretation. The first one third of the sermon is summarized as follows:
Joe Morecraft III -- Interpreting Revelation -- July 2, 1978
Principles of Interpretation:
1. Nature of the Book of Revelation a. Revelation: Rev. 1:1, 11 (God given through Holy Spirit) --Thus every thing in this book is relevant through all time. --To understand, all we need is Scripture (Scripture interprets Scripture) and Holy Spirit --To neglect study of Revelation, is to be inadequately equipped. --Revelation means "unveiling"; not an "obscuring". b. Prophecy: Rev. 1:3; 22:7, 10, 18 (God's word to His people) --Apocalyptic literature of the time outside of New Testament was characterized by a catastrophic breaking in of eternity at the end of history when evil reigns and the only hope is rapturous escape. Over-against that view comes divinely revealed prophecy characterized by an inseparable connection between the flow of history and the consumation of history: i.e., Christ came to rescue human history (not to discard it), to perfect it, and make it more glorious. Thus, what we do now counts and matters: it has consequences (a theme of the Old Testament is God's calling His people to faithfulness and promising them resulting blessing). c. Symbolic in Form2. Time Frame
3. Content, Theme, Purpose
-----------TO BE CONTINUED -----------------
Look like an interesting series. Thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteDear the Earl and the Elder,
ReplyDeleteThe multitasker that I am, I just listened to Morecraft's message while doing dishes and working on some late Christmas gifts for four women I know. You must listen to this. You are in Georgia, Earl; how far are you from Cummings, GA where he pastors? Call or visit him. Report back.
For me Morecraft sums up what Gentry et al are saying, yet he does it in layman terms that even I can understand--all in one hour while you can do something else! He points out that God has the final interpretation of history and Revelation, maybe why my brother and his wife are panmilliennialist (it will all pan out), but yet without using the terms of partial preterist or postmillennialist he puts sense into Revelation. I like how our blog is mentioned on his site now also. Morecraft also points out the wonderful ethical value of Revelation that Gary Gaddini from PCC in Redwood City, CA is expounding on in his current sermons/podcasts.
New Kid