Question 1

In his vision,John describes the eating of a little scroll that initially tastes like honey but turns bitter in the stomach.What is the dual meaning of this symbolic eating?

Accepted Answer

The eating of the little scroll is a symbolic representation of ingesting the message of Revelation. The initial sweetness represents the comfort and encouragement the message brings to the faithful, while the bitterness represents the harsh judgments and warnings for the disobedient. Therefore, the dual meaning of this symbolic eating is that the message of Revelation is sweet to the faithful but sour to the disobedient.

Question 2

The Jesus of Revelation comes to

Accepted Answer

The Jesus of Revelation is depicted as returning in wrath to judge and punish his opponents, as stated in Revelation 19:11-16. While forgiveness is generally emphasized in the New Testament, this aspect of Jesus' character takes a backseat in Revelation as the focus shifts to his role as a judge and conqueror. There is also no indication that he teaches or preaches a new gospel in Revelation.

Question 3

John of Patmos is the only New Testament writer to present a 1,000-year prelude to Christ's kingdom,during which the martyrs who resisted the beast are resurrected to rule with Christ.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. It refers to the concept of the millennial reign of Christ, as described in Revelation 20:1-6. John of Patmos is the only New Testament writer to present this prelude to Christ's kingdom, during which the martyrs are resurrected to rule with Christ for 1,000 years.

Question 4

Revelation depicts Jesus as

Accepted Answer

While Jesus is depicted in different ways across the Bible, in the book of Revelation, he is primarily portrayed as a conquering warrior-king who will overcome evil and establish his kingdom on earth. This is evident in his title "King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16) and in the battles and judgments described throughout the book.

Question 5

What is one reason that many scholars believe the beast's cryptic number could be identified with a specific person?

Accepted Answer

The practice of gematria, where letters are assigned numerical values, allows for the interpretation of numbers as words or names. This has led scholars to speculate that the number of the beast (666) in the Book of Revelation could be a coded reference to a specific person, using the numerical values of the letters in their name.

Question 6

John of Patmos,along with the authors of Jude and 2 Peter,contrasted the hopelessly corrupt present world with the ideal purity of God's planned future world.How was the new righteous order to be brought into being?

Accepted Answer

John of Patmos, along with the authors of Jude and 2 Peter, believed that the new righteous order would be brought into being through God's direct and violent intervention, as described in the book of Revelation with the destruction of the old heaven and earth and the establishment of a new Jerusalem. This belief is rooted in apocalyptic literature, which emphasizes the idea of divine intervention in human history to bring about a new age of justice and righteousness.

Question 7

John of Patmos,at the time he was writing (most scholars date Revelation around 95 or 96 CE),regarded Rome as

Accepted Answer

John of Patmos regarded Rome as a new Babylon, as he saw it as a corrupt and oppressive power, just as Babylon was seen in Jewish and early Christian tradition. This is evident in his use of Babylon as a symbolic term throughout the Book of Revelation.

Question 8

What do the seven angels announce by blowing their trumpets of doom?

Accepted Answer

According to the traditional interpretation of the Book of Revelation, the seven angels announce catastrophes through their trumpets, with the first six announcing specific disasters (such as hail and fire, locusts, and a great earthquake) and the seventh trumpet announcing the eternal reign of Christ.

Question 9

The war between the Lamb and the Dragon in the spirit realm finds its earthly counterpart in

Accepted Answer

The war between the Lamb (representing Jesus Christ) and the Dragon (representing Satan) is a biblical reference found in the book of Revelation. Armageddon is the final battle in which the forces of good (led by Jesus) will triumph over the forces of evil (led by Satan). Therefore, Armageddon is the most appropriate earthly counterpart to this spiritual war. The other options do not have a direct correlation to this specific biblical reference.

Question 10

When the Lamb opens each of the seven seals in sequence,what is disclosed on the scrolls?

Accepted Answer

The opening of each of the seven seals reveals a predestined future event or God's viewpoint, with the exception of the seventh seal, which contains silence in heaven for about half an hour. The seals do not disclose the names of those who have died, nor do they provide an account of human history, or the true nature of God.

Question 11

John interprets the symbolism of the smoke rising from burning incense as representing

Accepted Answer

The symbolism of smoke rising from burning incense is often interpreted in Christian tradition as representing prayers ascending to heaven. Incense is often used in religious ceremonies and the smoke rising up is seen as a physical representation of the prayers being lifted up to God.

Question 12

Revelation belongs to the apocalyptic tradition,which is commonly regarded as an outgrowth of what movement?

Accepted Answer

Revelation is part of the apocalyptic tradition which is an outgrowth of the prophetic movement in ancient Israel. The apocalyptic literature originates from the prophetic movement and shares many of the same themes such as the belief in divine revelation and the coming judgment of God.

Question 13

Why did priests take the place of prophets as Israel's spiritual leaders after the time of Ezra (c.400 BCE)?

Accepted Answer

After the Babylonian exile, it was believed that prophecy had ceased, and the people looked to the priests for spiritual guidance. Therefore, the priests filled the leadership void left by the absence of prophets.

Question 14

What is conspicuously missing from Revelation but emphasized in the Gospels?

Accepted Answer

The command to love, both God and others, is a prominent theme in the Gospels, with Jesus' teachings and actions emphasizing the importance of love as the greatest commandment. This is not as explicitly emphasized in Revelation, which instead focuses on prophetic visions and judgments.

Question 15

Who hurls the Dragon from heaven?

Accepted Answer

The Bible describes Michael as the archangel who fought against the dragon (Satan) and his angels, and threw them out of heaven (Revelation 12:7-9). Therefore, choice D, Michael, is the correct answer.

Question 16

The author of Revelation was the only New Testament author to claim to write under the influence of

Accepted Answer

The author of Revelation, traditionally believed to be John the Apostle, claimed to receive his visions and messages from God through divine inspiration. This is stated in the opening verse of the book: "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John." (Revelation 1:1)

Question 17

The canonical Revelation is ascribed to a contemporary member of the first-century church named John,rather than to a figure of the distant past.This makes Revelation

Accepted Answer

The fact that Revelation is ascribed to a contemporary member of the first-century church named John makes it unique, as it comes from a first-hand account of someone who lived during the time of Jesus and the early church. This also reinforces the authenticity and relevance of the book for today's believers.

Question 18

Which of the following are not characteristic of apocalyptic writing?

Accepted Answer

The characteristics of apocalyptic writing include ethical dualism, cosmic dualism, and chronological dualism as well as limited theology, the use of symbols and code words, eschatological preoccupations, and a portrait of a violent God. Inclusivism and cosmic materialism are not typically associated with apocalyptic writing. Universality, predestination, and exclusivism are also characteristics of apocalyptic writing.

Question 19

Why was it thematically appropriate to place Revelation at the end of the New Testament?

Accepted Answer

Revelation provides the omega, or end, to the alpha, or beginning, of Genesis. This is thematically appropriate because it emphasizes the idea of God's plan for humanity coming full circle and reaching its ultimate conclusion. Additionally, Revelation reveals the ultimate victory of God and his people over evil, which is a fitting end to the message of the New Testament.

Question 20

How many people are (symbolically)marked for salvation on the Day of God's vengeance?

Accepted Answer

According to Revelation 7:4, there are 144,000 people marked for salvation on the Day of God's vengeance.

Quiz 19: Continuing the Apocalyptic Hope