What is the meaning of 'Apocalypse' and 'Armageddon'?

The word 'apocalypse' (Greek: apocalypsis) means 'unveiling' or 'revealing'. In common usage, it has come to mean the end of the world. Armageddon refers to the Valley of Megiddo, the site of the final battle described in Revelation where Christ's armies defeat God's enemies.

Who wrote the Book of Revelation and why is its Greek considered substandard?

The book is attributed to John of Patmos, who was likely exiled to the island. Its Greek is considered substandard, possibly indicating that the author's native language was Aramaic or that he was simply not a skilled writer.

What is the difference between Premillennialism and Postmillennialism?

Postmillennialism suggests humanity will usher in an era of peace and prosperity (the Millennium) before Christ's return. Premillennialism believes the world will worsen, leading to Christ's return to establish the Millennium after a period of tribulation.

How has biblical prophecy belief influenced modern politics, particularly regarding Israel?

Beliefs about end-times prophecy, especially within Premillennialism, have significantly impacted Christian support for Israel and influenced American foreign policy through concepts like Christian Zionism.

Was the Book of Revelation always part of the Christian Bible?

No, the inclusion of Revelation in the biblical canon was debated for centuries. It was only widely accepted as canonical scripture in the 4th century, and its violent content made it controversial even then.

Key Moments

Apocalypse: A Conversation with Bart Ehrman (Episode #313)

Q: What is the 'Rapture' and where does it appear in the Bible?

The Rapture is the doctrine, popular in conservative Evangelical circles, that Jesus will return to snatch his followers out of the world before a period of tribulation. Notably, the Rapture is not mentioned in the Book of Revelation and was only conceptualized in the 1830s.

Sam Harris

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Bart Ehrman discusses the Book of Revelation, its historical context, and its misinterpretation in modern Christian eschatology.

Key Insights

The Book of Revelation, often interpreted as a literal prophecy of future events, is better understood as an apocalyptic text from the ancient world.

The concept of the Rapture, a cornerstone of modern Evangelical belief, is not present in the Book of Revelation and originated in the 19th century.

Eschatological views like premillennialism and postmillennialism have significantly different implications for ethical and political action.

The Greek language in Revelation is considered substandard, suggesting the author was not a highly skilled writer, contrary to claims of divine dictation.

Christian Zionism, fueled by premillennialist interpretations, significantly influences American support for Israel, often with paradoxical logic regarding end-times prophecies.

The Book of Revelation, rather than a message of hope, is fundamentally a text of divine wrath and vengeance.

THE BOOK OF REVELATION AND ITS INTERPRETATION

Bart Ehrman introduces his book "Armageddon," focusing on the Book of Revelation and its significant influence on Christian beliefs, particularly in the United States. He contrasts his current understanding with his early fervent belief as an evangelical Christian, where Revelation was seen as a direct prediction of imminent events. Ehrman now views Revelation not as a literal prophecy of the future, but as a violent and wrathful text focused on divine revenge, challenging common interpretations of hope and prediction.

DEFINING APOCALYPSE AND ARMAGEDDON

The discussion clarifies key terms. 'Apocalypse,' derived from the Greek word for 'unveiling,' refers to a literary genre in the ancient world that often described crises and divine revelations. Over time, the term has evolved to commonly signify a cataclysmic end of the world. Similarly, 'Armageddon,' derived from a place in Israel, signifies the site of a final, decisive battle between God's forces and His enemies, a concept that has also come to represent the ultimate end of days.

AUTHORSHIP AND LINGUISTIC EVIDENCE IN REVELATION

Ehrman addresses the authorship of Revelation, identifying the author as John of Patmos, who claims to be writing from exile. He notes that Revelation is unusual among apocalyptic texts for not being pseudonymous, though the author does not claim to be the apostle John. A significant point of discussion is the substandard Greek of the text, which Ehrman attributes not to a chosen 'street lingo' or Semitic language influence, but simply to the author's poor writing ability, a detail that challenges fundamentalist views of biblical inerrancy.

THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE OF REVELATION'S JUDGMENTS

The book of Revelation details a series of divine judgments. After an ascent to God's throne room, John witnesses the breaking of seven seals, each unleashing disasters upon the Earth. This is followed by seven trumpets, heralding further calamities, and culminating in seven bowls of God's wrath. These cascading judgments lead to the climactic battle of Armageddon, where Christ defeats his enemies, followed by Christ's millennial reign and a final judgment for all humanity.

THE INVENTION OF THE RAPTURE DOCTRINE

A central theme is the modern concept of the Rapture, a doctrine stating that Jesus will return to take his followers out of the world before a period of tribulation. Ehrman emphasizes that this doctrine is absent from the Book of Revelation and only emerged in the 1830s through the teachings of John Henry Darby and his dispensationalist theology within the Plymouth Brethren movement. This idea, popularized later by works like the 'Left Behind' series, has no basis within the original text of Revelation itself.

PREMILLENNIALISM VERSUS POSTMILLENNIALISM AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES

The conversation explores the divergent eschatological views of premillennialism and postmillennialism. Postmillennialism, prevalent in the 19th century (e.g., Jonathan Edwards), envisioned humanity improving the world towards God's kingdom before Christ's return. In contrast, premillennialism, which gained dominance after the disillusionment of World Wars, posits Christ's imminent return before a period of tribulation and a subsequent millennium. This difference profoundly shapes believers' outlooks on societal progress and their ethical engagement with the world.

CHRISTIAN ZIONISM AND AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY

Ehrman highlights the significant impact of Christian Zionism, largely driven by premillennialist interpretations, on American foreign policy and the strong support American evangelicals provide to Israel. The logic often involves seeing geopolitical events, particularly those involving Israel, as fulfilling prophecies related to the end times. This perspective can lead to a perverse embrace of chaos, as worsening global conditions are viewed positively as signs of Christ's imminent return.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Organizations

●Books

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Common Questions

The Book of Revelation is primarily about the wrath of God and Jesus Christ, describing a series of disasters, a final battle at Armageddon, Christ's thousand-year reign, and a final judgment, culminating in a new heaven and earth.

Topics

History & Geopolitics Society & Philosophy Biblical Interpretation Religious History End Times Prophecy Apocalyptic Literature Christian Eschatology New Testament Studies

Mentioned in this video

Software & Apps

Jihadrehab.com

The website to find information about Meg Smaker's film.

Concepts

Christian Zionism

The movement within Christianity that supports the creation and development of the State of Israel, often driven by end-times prophecy.

Armageddon

Bart Ehrman's most recent book, which is the focus of the conversation.

Books

The Triumph of Christianity

One of Bart Ehrman's New York Times bestselling books, detailing the rise of Christianity.

How Jesus Became God

One of Bart Ehrman's New York Times bestselling books, exploring the development of Christology.

Misquoting Jesus

One of Bart Ehrman's New York Times bestselling books, focusing on the historical Jesus.

Heaven and Hell

One of Bart Ehrman's New York Times bestselling books, likely discussing historical views on the afterlife.

Book of Revelation

The central text discussed in the podcast, focusing on end-times prophecy.

New Testament

The collection of Christian scriptures forming the second part of the Bible, which is Bart Ehrman's area of expertise.

People

Jonathan Edwards

A theologian influential in 19th-century America who developed postmillennialist ideas.

Sam Harris

The host of the Making Sense podcast.

Meg Smaker

A documentarian whose film 'Jihad Rehab' was discussed, and whose GoFundMe campaign was significantly boosted after a previous podcast appearance.

Bart Ehrman

A leading authority on the New Testament and early Christianity, distinguished professor of religious studies, and author of numerous books, including 'Armageddon'.

Media

The Unredacted

The current title of Meg Smaker's documentary film, formerly known as 'Jihad Rehab'.

Jihad Rehab

The original title of Meg Smaker's documentary film, which was later retitled 'The Unredacted'.

Organizations

Plymouth Brethren

A small denomination founded by John Henry Darby, known for its adherence to biblical prophecy and dispensationalism.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The academic institution where Bart Ehrman is a distinguished professor of religious studies.