Revelation: Vision of Victory (Rev. 21:1 22:5) General Outline Prologue Epilogue Jesus/John Jesus/John Revelation of J/Christ (1:1 8) Revelation of J/Christ (22:6 21) General Outline Prologue Epilogue Jesus/John Jesus/John Revelation of J/Christ (1:1 8) Revelation of J/Christ (22:6 21) I. Imagery Sources A. New Creation (Isaiah 65:17 19) new = renewed (earth cleansed)? new = recreated (earth destroyed)? Jewish opinions varied renewed: cf. 2 Baruch 3:4 6; Jubilees 4:26; 23:18 recreated: cf. 2 Esdras 7:29 31; Sib. Or. 5.476 78; 1 Enoch 83:3 4; 91:14 16
I. Imagery Sources B. Eschatological Jerusalem glorified in apocalyptic (Tob. 13:16 18; Isa. 49:14 16; 50:1 3; 54:1 3) bridal imagery: Zion as wife of Yahweh Note 2 Esdras 10:25 27: a woman transforms into preexistent, heavenly Zion other traditions the mountain of God (Eze. 28:16; Isa. 14:13) city of gods in heaven (Babylonian, astral) I. Imagery Sources C. Isaiah 54, 60 gates as pearl (54:12) Gentiles bring riches to Jerusalem (60:3 11) D. Ezekiel 18, 40 48 high priest s breastplate (18:12 14) river and tree of life (47) E. Old Testament Solomon s temple as gold covered streams as sources of life God s holy mountain Yahweh s bride/wife (Hosea) II. John s Innovations A. Use of twelve 12 gates = originally, 12 divisions of Zodiac, but John transforms into 12 tribes of Israel 12 foundations = originally, pagan honoraria, but John transforms into 12 apostles of Lamb B. Heavenly city originally: a remote abode, far off in heaven John: accessible place by descending to earth Jesus fulfills all stary-eyed visions of a city of the gods by bringing down a New Jerusalem to earth in which humans may dwell III. Preparing for the New Jerusalem (21:1 4) A. New heavens and new earth (Isa. 65:17 18) renewed or recreated? point: the necessary setting for New Jerusalem place of most intimate divine/human relations bridal imagery is similar point no more sea = place of chaos, rebellion gone B. New Jerusalem heavenly origin: innovates prophetic hope about historic Jerusalem bride adorned: mixes the metaphor; shows central idea is a people, not a place
III. Preparing for the New Jerusalem (21:1 4) C. he will dwell with them old paradigm: mediators between God/people new paradigm: direct relationship with God no more sea = place of chaos, rebellion gone D. with humankind = central theological axiom climax of biblical witness traditions: wilderness especially, as in pillar of cloud/fire; tabernacle; resident Shekinah glory III. Preparing for the New Jerusalem (21:1 4) C. he will dwell with them cf. Exekiel s name of old paradigm: mediators between God/people city: the Lord is there new paradigm: direct relationship with God no more sea = place of chaos, rebellion gone D. with humankind = central theological axiom climax of biblical witness traditions: wilderness especially, as in pillar of cloud/fire; tabernacle; resident Shekinah glory IV. God s Direct Address (21:5 8) A. I am making all things new (Isa. 43:19) redemption power inherent in creation power creation power hidden (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15) B. It is done! perfect tense = future already accomplished point: absolute surity of God s word C. Alpha and Omega divine title inclusio for entire book (cf. 1:8) God s sovereignty guaranteed all narrative in between titles is guaranteed end-game of narrative is guaranteed The claim that God is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, is not a vacuous or marginal statement for John. Indeed, this assertion is the major theological underpinning of John s entire Apocalypse. Reddish, p. 390
IV. God s Direct Address (21:5 8) D. water of life (Isa. 43:19) significance of water in ancient world life resources freely given (cf. Isa. 49:10; 55:1) E. shall inherit = positive destiny he who conquers = thematic draws on Roman conquest echoes conquering theme of Seven Letters my child = future destiny as relationship New Seven Letters Jerusalem (21:1 22:5) Promise Section: he who conquers Ephesus: eat of tree of life, paradise of God Smyrna: not be hurt by second death Pergamum: hidden manna, white stone, new name Thyatira: power over nations, rule rod of iron, morning star Sardis: white garments, name book of life Philadelphia: pillar temple of God, name of my God, name of holy city coming down out of heaven, my own name Laodicea: sit with me on my throne IV. God s Direct Address (21:5 8) F. the lake of fire = negative destiny characteristics singled out = those of beast s followers (murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolators) cowardly = compromise lie (emperor worship) faithless = missing public confession liars Revelation as war of words (Stevens) John s conflict in Asia Minor as Roman Empire and its perverted propaganda A. Introduction: John s Rapture speaker: one of seven bowl angels ties vision to results of Judgment Cycle God s sovereignty means saints vindication high mountain: vision of bride, wife of Lamb echoes Ezekiel s own rapture (40:1 2; 43:5) reconfiguring Ezekiel s eschatological temple basic material: jasper as crystal = God s glory whole city reflects God s own nature (cf. 4:3) role fulfilled: churches as lampstands (1:12)
wall: great high wall characteristic feature of ancient city inviolable nature of fellowship with God symbolizing historic and spiritual Israel 12 gates inscribed with 12 tribes of Israel 12 foundations inscribed with 12 apostles dimensions: geometry unclear cubic? Jewish holy of holies (1 Kgs. 6:20) = holy city ( kingdom of priests ) trapezoidal? pyramid contrasting Babylon s ancient ziggurats 12,000 stadia: transcends all Jewish postwar speculations of rebuilt temple material: precious stones (cf. Isa. 54:11 12) wall of jasper = God s character city of pure, transparent gold = wildly surpassing all Solomon s fabled glory foundations of precious stones: high priest s breastplate? (Ex. 28:17 21; 39:10 14; but John has different order, names) architecture: no temple! God/Lamb = temple contra Ezekiel and all Jewish expectation God s immediate, direct presence illumination: no sun/moon! God/Lamb = light cf. Isa. 60:19 cf. Feast of Tabernacles (Jn. 8:12) deity of Lamb inferred wealth: kings of earth bring their glory prophetic pilgrimage of nations (cf. Isa. 60:10 11; Dan. 7:14; Zech. 2:11; 8:23) John s conflicting imagery: both kings and nations already destroyed (19:17 21; 20:7 9) role reversal of Babylon s wealth (Stevens)
New Jerusalem (21:1 22:5) Rev 12 Lady Virtue Jerusalem Rev 17 Lady Harlot Babylon John reverses out the homage of the nations to harlot Babylon spelled out in detail in chapter 18 s lament. Jerusalem s homage, in contrast to Babylon s, is pure, unadulterated, and offered freely the proper worship of the only God. In fact, God has no need of this wealth. All of creation already belongs to him (4:11; 14:7). Dr. Stevens purity: nothing unclean, abomination, falsehood characteristics of Babylon (17:4 5; 18:23) pollutions of beast, idolatrous worship gone C. New Jerusalem as Eden Transcended (22:1 4) Paradise renewal a common apocalyptic motif Garden of Eden imagery frequent John innovates Eden imagery three ways river of life divine curse divine fellowship C. New Jerusalem as Eden Transcended (22:1 4) Eden innovation #1: river of life river integral to paradise imagery (Gen. 2:10) Ezekiel s multiple trees = one tree (Gen. 2:9) fruit is not forbidden fulfills promise to Ephesus (2:7) for healing of the nations those mentioned in 21:24, 26 God s overwhelming grace (Reddish)?
C. New Jerusalem as Eden Transcended (22:1 4) Eden innovation #1: river of life river source = God s throne innovates Ezekiel (source = temple) narrative return to throne of chapter 4 Eden innovation #2: divine curse simultaneously assurance and warning reversal of Eden s curse (Gen. 3:14 19) reversal of Jerusalem s curse (Eze. 14:11) C. New Jerusalem as Eden Transcended (22:1 4) Eden innovation #3: divine fellowship they will see his face = walking with God ultimate biblical hope dream of prophets (Isa. 52:8; 60:2) desire of worshippers (Ps. 11:7; 27:4; 42:2) beatitude of Jesus (Mt. 5:8) hope of apostles (1 Cor. 13:12) marked with God s name = defeating beast echoes sealing of saints (7:1 8; 9:4; 14:1) fulfills promise to Philadelphia (3:12) D. New Jerusalem as Kingdom Reign (22:5) need no light : Lord God will be their light Num. 6:22 24 benediction fulfilled Inaugural Vision consummated in Christ they shall reign forever Jerusalem: a reign surpassing the millennium Seven Letters consummated in Christ Num. 6:22 24: The Lord make his face shine upon you, and give you peace; so shall they put my name on the people of Israel.
Revelation s narrative has run full circle with the Inaugural Vision. We are now back to the image of the Son of Man whose face was as the sun shining in its strength (1:16). Dr. Stevens Revelation s narrative has run full circle with the Seven Letters. We are now back to the last promise in the last letter, a promise to reign with Christ as he reigns with God (3:21). Dr. Stevens E. Rhetorical Function of 22:1 5: antitheses contrasting the whore (17) and the bride (21) exhorting Seven Churches against compromise live according to your eschatological destiny choose this day: Come out of her! (18:4) a tale of two women Rev 17 Lady Harlot Babylon? Rev 2 3 Seven Churches? Whom? Rev 12 Lady Virtue Jerusalem