Book of Revelation (001a. Method)

001a. Method

(null)

The Luther says that if you study a particular book in depth (whether by yourself or with others), each book is a door that you can open to look at the whole Bible.
We study the Greek & Hebrew that it becomes our Bible.
It’s to learn about the book of Revelation from the Greek text.
Translations aren’t bad, it just translates what the translator thinks is saying about the Bible, like a commentary.
It’s better to learn from the original Greek/Hebrew.
Example of why the original Greek/Hebrew is better than the translation:

Parable of the tax collector and the pharisee who went to the temple to pray.
The pharisee was proud of himself, while the tax collector was considered to be in the same class as prostitutes.
The tax collector bowed and cried out “Oh Lord”.
Every translation says, “Be merciful to me.”, but that is not what the Greek says.
In Greek, it says, “Cover my sins with the blood that has been shed.”
If they wanted to use the word “merciful”, it should have been more in depth: be merciful to me because of the blood that has been shed for my sins.

If you’re studying a book of the Bible by yourself, start with the English version, then shift to the Greek. Refer to English if you need to refer to a word/verse.
The goal: let the Greek text take over the English version. Do the same with Hebrew. Eventually, allow them to be your devotional and professional Bible.
When you write a sermon, study the Greek/Hebrew text. Keep on growing.
Schedule your time: as a pastor, spend the whole morning studying the Bible (5 days a week). Don’t let anyone interfere, unless it’s an emergency.
Most pastors don’t study the Bible enough (not just for sermons/devotions).
Important thing to remember: when you become a pastor, you’re not the administrator/CEO of the congregation. You’re meant to study the Bible, and encourage the congregation to look to Jesus, dedicate their lives to Him, etc.
As a pastor, you have to take the congregation as it is. Nowadays, they’re expecting pastors to be like CEOs. Remember, pastors are to shepherd, help to share God’s Word.
Synods are going down because pastors, presidents, and district presidents haven’t had the time to study the Bible.
Why study a book?

Most of the authors’ Greek is different from one another. Thus, to get to know the language of that particular author is to understand the book better.
To get its message. Each book has its wonderful message.
Example: Hebrews is the only book in the whole New Testament that shows Christ as the High Priest.

[14:00]

Methodology: cover the whole book in Greek only. No English translation.
For assignments, instead of looking at English translations/commentary, refer to the guiding questions. It’ll help point out what you should be getting from the text. If you have time, consult my commentary (this comes last).
Assignment: Keep a separate notebook to write an essay on the Christology of Revelation or the Missiology of Revelation. When you begin to translate from the Greek, if that chapter says anything about Christ or Mission, take notes.
Two (2) weeks before the course ends, write an essay (5-6 pages). Typewritten, double spaced, no footnotes, no bibliography.
Only mention what you think Revelation says about Christ or the mission of the church.
Do the best you possibly can, and ask God to be with you with His Holy Spirit to inspire and encourage you.
By taking this course, it doesn’t only help you academically know something, but it will also help you grow closer to Jesus Christ and our faith.

[21:04]

Description of this course
Purpose/Objective
Study the content of the apocalypse
Understand the particular language, message and the picture of the reign of Jesus Christ in which it presents.
Helps to have objective knowledge of the Greek text, theological meaning of the message of the apocalypse, and the confessional theology of the Lutheran church.
Book to purchase: Revelation. Louis A. Brighton Commentary.

Reader Interactions