Biblical Hermeneutics Principles: Apocalyptic 2 Literary Interpretation General Principles Principles Prose Poetry Old Test. Narrative New Test. Gospel Apocalyptic Law Prophecy Poetry Wisdom Acts Epistles Apoc. Hermeneutics Literary Interpretation Apocalyptic: Revelation Structure Interpretation Hermeneutics Apocalyptic: Revelation Revelation: Structure literary complexity sources, organization elusive outlines vary widely from chiastic to dramatic better to grasp the big picture the big picture Introduction (1:1 8) of Son/Man (1:9 20) Seven Letters (2 3) of Heaven (4 5) Judgment Cycle (6 19) s of Victory (20 22) Conclusion (22:6 21) Hermeneutics Revelation: Structure
Revelation: Structure of Son/Man (1:9 20) Seven Letters (2 3) Judgment of Judgment s of Heaven Cycle Victory (4 5) (6 19) (20 22) Church Judgment World Heaven Hermeneutics Revelation: Structure Apocalyptic: Revelation Structure Interpretation Hermeneutics Apocalyptic: Revelation Prophecy Questions Q3: question of millennial interpretation Pre PRE- Mid Post Tribulation Millennium Return A- Tribulation/Millennium Return POST- Tribulation Millennium Hermeneutics Rev.: -Prophecy Revelation: Interpretation cruciality of first chapter book s hermeneutical key breaks into two parts introductory prologue (1:1 8) = christological key Christology reflects gospel core/themes Christology reflects highest in New Testament introductory vision (1:9 20) = apocalyptic key promise of 1:1 answered before end of ch. 1 Jewish apocalyptic sublimated to gospel truths
character of the literature (1:1 4) hybrid of epistle, prophecy, and apocalypse epistle = 1:4, John, to the seven churches prophecy = 1:3, the words of the prophecy apocalypse = 1:1, the revelation of Jesus Christ six interpretive corrolaries epistle = historical context, unitary whole prophecy = obedience of faith, canonical concord apocalypse = highly symbolic, highly innovative character of the revelation (1:1 5) content: revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1) of Jesus Christ = from Jesus = authoritative of Jesus Christ = about Jesus = Jesus revealed Jesus revealed = Gospels II = gospel concord application: time is near (1:3) theme: faithful witness (1:5) faithful witness = Jesus death/burial first-born of the dead = Jesus resurrection ruler of the kings of the earth = Jesus exaltation character of the theology (1:5) gospel core (death/burial, resurrection, exaltation) gospel themes to him who loves us = Christ s love freed us from our sins = Christ s forgiveness by his blood = Christ s sacrifice character of the kingdom (1:6) kingdom s reality: made us a kingdom = now kingdom s nature: priests to his God = hieratic character of the coming (1:7) apocalyptic traditions patterned presentation first: traditional Jewish apocalyptic language second: gospel sublimation language early example coming with the clouds = traditional language even those who pierced him = gospel priority
character of the Christology (1:8) high Christology (implied equivalence) Alpha and Omega = divine language was, is, is to come = incarnational language political rhetoric (implied negation) the Almighty = political language pantocrator = Almighty = Christ autocrator = emperor = Caesar Hadrian Inscription, Temple of Trajan, Pergamum Interpretation: (1:9 20) inaugural vision introduction setting the scene (1:9 10) John, brother, persecution, kingdom, endurance allusion back to Jesus as faithful witness (1:5) testimony of Jesus = witness theme receiving the commission (1:11) write = literary endeavor, authorial liberty to the seven churches = Asia Minor addressees primary meaning lies in original context Interpretation: (1:9 20) inaugural vision audition components (1:12 13, 16) Son of Man = Jesus seven lampstands = seven churches (1:20) seven stars = seven angels of churches (1:20) context lampstands, stars = darkness A in the Night (Dr. Stevens s title) sets up contrast for last feature of Son of Man Interpretation: (1:9 20) inaugural vision audition content: central figure (1:13 16) who he is = identity (Son of Man, 1:13) where he is = presence (lampstands, 1:13) how he is clothed = functions (1:13) long robe = priest, golden sash = king Israel s two divinely appointed offices combined what he looks like = fulfillment (1:14 16) features (hair, eyes, feet, voice, right hand, mouth, face) sevenfold = perfection (fulfills identity, presence, functions)
Interpretation: (1:9 20) inaugural vision conclusion (1:17 20) auditor s fear (1:17) revealer s reassurance (1:17 18) the first and the last = Alpha and Omega (1:8) living one, dead/alive, keys = sovereignty (1:5) persecutors will not have last word commission s restatement (1:19) vision s interpretation (1:20)