Revelation Apocalypticism Historical World of Revelation Author is John of Patmos Patmos was a penal colony where John exiled for preaching the word of God (1:9) John may have been related to Johannine community because he shares several key term, e.g., logos and lamb, but the Greek is inferior to that of the gospel and Johannine letters Probably written during reign of Domitian around 90 CE, when there was persecution of Christians, especially in Asia Minor (where the 7 churches are) The use of apocalyptic as subversive literature designed not to be understood by outsiders Literary World of Apocalyptic Revelation along with Daniel represent apocalyptic literature in scripture Other apocalyptic literature in the Bible includes Mark 13, Matt. 24-25, Luke 21 Non-canonical apocalyptic literature was common from about 200 BCE - 200 CE, including writings of Essenes found in the Dead Sea Scrolls "Apocalypse" comes from a Greek word meaning revealed or uncovered 1
Literary World (cont.) Apocalyptic literature characterized by: ecstatic visions rich, often complicated and bizarre symbolism dualisms of time (this age and the next), morality (good vs. evil), being (heavenly creatures vs. creatures of chaos) God's judgment final battle between good and evil Revelation - Literary World 1:8 Alpha and Omega ΑΩ -- first and last letters of Greek alphabet signifying that Christ/God is first and last (also 2:8) Letters to Seven Churches 2:1-3:22 -- letters to seven churches of Asia Minor in prophetic mode, calling each church to faithfulness The letters are actually written to the angels of the churches Messengers (seven stars mentioned in 1:20) The cities are representative of all the churches of Asia Minor (of the world?) Order of churches represents a rough loop that would be reasonable for a messenger to follow 2
Ephesus Capital of Asia Fourth largest city of Roman Empire (around 250,000) Site of Temple of Artemis Church founded in the 60s; Paul spent 3 years there Praised for patient endurance, testing false apostles Chastised for abandoning love had at first City of about 100,000 (35 miles from Ephesus) Known for devotion to Rome and emperor worship (Temple to goddess Roma built long before Rome became an empire 139 BCE) Non-cooperation in Rome/Emperor worship would have had severe economic impact on Christians and possible martyrdom (2:9) Apparently, some who called themselves Jews incited additional persecution of Christians ( synagogue of Satan ) by denying Jewish roots of Christians [loss of legal protections accorded Jews] One of two churches that receive only commendation Smyrna 3
Pergamum Also about 100,000, 50+ miles northwest of Smyrna Former capital of Asia famous for great altar to Zeus with 24 hour sacrifices (Satan s throne 2:13) Mention of martyr Antipas, only martyr named in Revelation Teaching of Balaam and creating stumbling block for people of Israel (see 1 Cor. 8 eating food offered to idols) Nicolaitans thought to be accommodating to practices of wider culture (mentioned in Ephesus letter) City of commerce 45 miles SE of Pergamum Many guilds whose gatherings would have included pagan practices that would have been problematic for Christian craftsmen So-called prophet, Jezebel, (possibly Nicolaitan) is teaching accommodation to idolatry, eating food sacrificed to idols Thyatira A commercial city of about 75,000, 30+ miles SE of Thyatira Center of wool production; wealth and loose living Prophetic call to wake up from spiritual death Still some dressed in white pure in faith and works (reference to baptism and Matt. 22:11-14?) Sardis 4
Philadelphia A small city about 30 miles SE of Sardis Rebuilt by imperial help after massive earthquake in 17 CE Second church that receives only commendation Small, struggling, dealing with persecution by pagans and Jews It is told that Christ holds door open for it and will spare it from time of trial Rich, commercial center 40 miles SE of Philadelphia Wealthy enough to rebuild without imperial aid after earthquake in 61 Church receives harshest condemnation of 7 churches because they are lukewarm Too comfortable in their prosperity 3:17 Christ calls himself Amen so be it ; faithful ; make it so Standing at door knocking asking to share table with church [implies a failure of hospitality; selfishness] Laodicea All the Churches The symbolism of the passage suggests that the letter is intended for all churches. Contemporary World Question: Which church represents our church? 5
Symbolism vs. Literalism Symbols are multivalent many meanings/values Literalism is usually not literal E.g., a literal reading of the gospels surfaces several conflicting claims: was the last supper on Passover (as per Matthew, Mark, & Luke) or Day of Preparation (as per John)? Literalism is monovalent claiming only one meaning for a passage E.g., Left Behind describes the locusts in Rev. 9 as being actual creatures wearing crowns, having human faces, etc. But isn t John talking about those things which consume and torture any of us who give our devotion to the many idols of this world? Modern Literalist Interpretation of the Temple in Rev. 11 Yitzhaq Hayutman, a 70+ yearold Israeli cybernetics engineer, wants to position an airborne hologram of the Jewish Temple over the Temple Mount to bring about a Velvet Apocalypse Wired Magazine, April 2004 (http://www.wired.com/wired/arch ive/12.04/holyland.html) The Woman, the Dragon, the Beast and the Plagues Ch. 12 -- who is the woman? Some scholars suggest Israel (crown of 12 stars) who produced (gave birth to) the messiah Some suggest Mary, the mother of Jesus Ch. 13 -- Dragon with 7 heads, 10 horns, & 7 crowns is identified as Satan and expelled from heaven by Michael The beast from the sea with 7 heads, 10 horns, 10 crowns with blasphemies against God -- a symbol of Rome, embodiment of Satan 6
Beast (cont.) The beast from the earth, requiring people to worship first beast, deceived world with miracles, placing mark on right hand or forehead of each person, 666 (616), which is the numerical value of a man's name (see 13:17) gematria was common form of symbolism letters represented numbers in Greek, Hebrew and Latin (Roman numerals), so anyone's name had a numerical value by adding together the letters Nero--supposedly suicided in 68, but popular view of the Sibylline Oracles was that he was alive in hiding (like Elvis today) Numerical value in Hebrew of Nero Caesar is 666 (when Nero is spelled as Neron, the common form), and 616 when spelled without the final "n" For whom are these visions meant? The unbelievers, so that they might repent? It is doubtful Romans would have understood the symbolism, so they would not be motivated to repent My theory comes from the reference to the two witnesses in the Temple in ch. 11 & the reference to the woman s children in 12:17 Traditional Jews and followers of Jesus Christ Central concern is idolatry & only Jews & Christians worship the true God Suggests that the use of Revelation to reach unbelievers in some forms of Christianity today is missing the mark Revelation 19-20 Hallelujah indicates the fundamentally Jewish perspective of the author and probably his audience One scholar, Metzger, points out this term is found only in this chapter of the entire New Testament Marriage supper of the Lamb (19:9) Bringing together two images of covenant and hospitality 7
War Imagery of the Return of Christ Mounted on white horse and dressed in white robe stained with blood, sharp sword comes from his mouth Horse represents royalty Notice he wears robe, not armor Metzger & other scholars argue the blood is the blood of the lamb, not enemies Sword is his word by which he strikes down nations Last Battle (19:17-21) Great supper of God: birds will eat the flesh of kings flesh represents what is opposed to the Spirit, not physical bodies (see Paul s use of term) Notice there is no description of a violent battle Lake of fire (not where humans are cast) Those who die, die by the sword that comes from the Rider s mouth, i.e., Word of God As world was created by the Word, it ends by the Word Alpha & Omega Discursus on Depiction of Good & Evil in Revelation Monovalent readings of Revelation suggest that Revelation shows God to be war-like God s patience eventually wears thin, and the anger of God justly emerges to trample evil Often implied in this view is that those who are on God s side are justified in executing violence on evildoers in the name of God (Left Behind) But whole point is that goodness of God & God s people is opposite of Satan, & beast of this world Notice that God wins by God s word no actual fighting depicted Message throughout the rest of New Testament is sacrificial love 8
Millennium 1000 years in the pit why will Satan get to be let out for awhile afterward? Resurrected martyrs reign with Christ (first general resurrection) After 1000 years Satan is released. He deceives the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog Fire from heaven consumes them and Satan is thrown forever into lake of fire Second Resurrection All the dead are raised and judged Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire along with those whose names were not written in book of life Judged according to their works (book recording what they had done?) Sentenced according to whether their names were written in book of life (what God has done?) Second Resurrection After an account of Christ's millennium reign, and the lake of fire (Hades), the book culminates with image of a wedding of the Lamb and the heavenly city come to earth -- a new creation with God dwelling among humankind inspiration of "beatific vision The new Jerusalem is without walls where all can come and go in peace 9