STUDY QUESTIONS-- Short List

"Understanding the Book of Revelation"

2. Why was it easier for people at the time of John to understand Revelation than today?

3. What is the political context for John's visions of famine, oppression, and suffering?

4. To John's contemporaries, what was the ultimate message of Revelation?

6. Who is the seven-headed beast?

7. According to historians who might the "beast of the land" in Rev. 13 be?

10. What similarities are there between the circumstances when Daniel and Revelation are written?

14. What is the "futurehistory (or "futurist") view"

"Historians Views of the Book of Revelation"

18. Which two ideas or terms ordinarily associated with Christian apocalypticism are not actually in the book of Revelation? Where are they found in the New Testament?

20. Why is Revelation considered a "subversive" or "dangerous" book?

21. How does the coversion of the Roman empire to Christianity affect the interpretation of Revelation?

22. Who was Augustine and what was special about his interpretation of Revelation?

Wolcik, Chapter 2 "The American Apocalyptic Tradition"

2.  Who did the Puritans identify as the anti-Christ?

3.  How has the idea of the New Jerusalem been used to interpret American history from the Puritans onwards?

5.  What is the post-millenialist view of the role of the U.S.?

6.  What was the role of millennialist thought in 18th-19th century utopian groups such as the Shakers?

7.   Who was William Miller and what were his beliefs about the end times?

10.  How did John Darby's system of prophecy interpretation avoid the the Millerites' disappointment?  What is dispensationalism?  

11.  How are Graham crackers, peanut butter, and corn flakes related to millennialist thinking?

17.  What is the psychological appeal of thinking we are in the last days?

18.  Define:  amillennialism, postmillennialism, premillennialism
 
Wolcik, Chapter 3--Study Questions

2.  Why are the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 and the Israeli capture of the old city of Jerusalem in 1967 so important in Lindsey’s view of prophecy?

4.  Why are Russian, China, and the European Union  important in Lindsey’s interpretation?

6.   What attitude do dispensationalists take toward support of present day Israel?

7.  What is their attitude toward resolving the Middle-East conflict?

8.  What is the rapture and when will it happen?  What is the Biblical basis for it?  What psychological function does this belief serve for people?

9.  What evidence does Lindsey see in the Bible for the likelihood of nuclear war?

11.  What are the political implications of Lindsey’s positions?

15.  How are Lindsey’s interpretations different from ancient prophets who were trying to get people to change their ways or suffer divine wrath?

17.   What does Lindsey say to those who want to improve the world,  work on its problems, and try to bring about peace?