Lesson Sixteen: Jude, Revelation
"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life, and may enter through the gates into the city...
"I, Yeshua, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the assemblies. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:12-14; 16-17
Introduction
- The Last Days are a common topic in prophetic Biblical literature.
- The language and poetry of prophetic literature must be understood. Jude and Revelation use language found in the prophetic literature in the Bible and in Jewish sources prior to the First Century (Enoch, etc.).
- The message of all prophetic books in Scripture is the same: Repent, the Kingdom of G-d is coming!
Jude
- Likely written by Yehuda, brother of Yeshua (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3)
- Jude 1:4: Purpose: to exhort to contend earnestly for the faith – not an intellectual exercise, but a lifestyle.
- 1:9: Reference to non-canonical Testament of Moses
- 1:14: Quote from 1Enoch 1:9. This is draws from Dan 7:9-4. In the years leading up to the First Century, these concepts were well established regarding the Messianic hope. The Kingdom of Messiah is coming.
- 1:5: Repent!
Revelation
- Rev 1:1; 2:5; 2:16; 2:21; 2:22; 3:3; 3:19; 16:9; 16:11: Purpose: to reveal Yeshua, and His soon coming Kingdom – and to exhort to repent. Even the wicked are told to repent.
- 1:10-20; Is 41:4; 44:6; 48:12: Messiah – with titles that are reserved for HaShem.
- 2:1-3:22: The language of prophetic books demands we treat “7 assemblies” as literal places. They are not chronological, but are listed geographically in a line from the coast inland in an arc. They may also speak of 7 types of congregations. Treating these as “dispensations” forces theology into the book where it does not exist.
- Although these are 7 congregations in Asia Minor, the messages to each of them use Hebraic themes, and unite in the call to repent.
- Rev 4 – 22: The model for understanding Revelation is Exodus. First, G-d hears Israel’s cry, and He moves to redeem all Israel from the Land of Egypt. Plagues are poured out on Egypt until their king releases Israel. In Revelation there are 7 Seals, 7 Plagues, 3 Woes, etc.
- 11:1-13: Zech 4:1-14: Two witnesses. Redemption draws nigh.
- Rev 2:7; 22:2; 22:14; Gen 3:22-24: An invitation to the Tree of Life. We are once again back in “the Garden” in the presence of the Almighty! Redemption is complete.
Summary
- We have seen the entire span of human history in the TaNaKh and Apostolic Scriptures.
- We have seen the problem, and the answer.
- We have seen the same message from beginning to end. It is all about Redemption. It is all about Messiah, restoring us to the “Garden.” It is all about fellowship with G-d forever.
- The message of the Gospel, from Genesis to Revelation is: Repent! The Kingdom of G-d is coming!