Chapter 20

Continuing the Apocalyptic Hope: The Book of Revelation and Other

Jewish/Christian Apocalyptic Works

Key Topics/Themes

Revelation Expresses hope for imminent transformation of

world Assures faithful of the completion of God’s

prearranged plan Other Hellenistic apocalyptic writings help

place New Testament Book of Revelation in context

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Introduction

Revelation at end of New Testament as thematically appropriate

Revelation’s portrayal of Jesus determined by author’s apocalyptic viewpoint

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Revelation and the Apocalyptic Tradition The origins of apocalyptic literature Characteristics of apocalyptic writing Authorship and date of Revelation Significance of the emperor cult Purpose and organization of Revelation Revelation’s use of symbols

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Jesus’ Letters to Seven Churches (2:1-3:22)

All seven letters follow the same pattern Refer to actual historical circumstances in

those churches in the first century Advice to churches exemplifies the radical

exclusivism of the author

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Visions in Heaven: Breaking the Seven Seals (4:1-11:19) Seals to a document containing God’s

preordained history Breaking of each seal releases a sign or

event in God’s plan The End portrayed as set of astronomical

catastrophes The seven trumpets

Each trumpet announces a plague or disaster from God

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Seven Seals (continued)

Eating the scroll—Derived from Ezek. 2:8-3:3; symbolizes John internalizing God’s foreordained plan

Two witnesses prophesy for God, are killed, and then come back to life

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Signs in Heaven (12:1-16:21)

Preparation for Armageddon, the final conflict between Good and Evil

The celestial woman, the Dragon, and the beast from the sea

John’s numerical symbols

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Methods of Interpreting Revelation

Symbols in Revelation refer to events in first century only

Symbols in Revelation predictions concerning future events

Symbols in Revelation have applications that transcend any particular time or place

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Visions of the Final Triumph (21:1-22:5)

The millennium The lake of fire The wedding of the Lamb and the Holy City

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Other Hellenistic-Jewish and Christian Apocalypses Review of other apocalyptic books helps us

place Revelation in proper historical perspective

Like Revelation, these have been very influential in Christian thought

Shift from cosmic eschatology to personal eschatology

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1 Enoch

Composed over three centuries Combines cosmic and personal eschatology Attributed to Enoch in Hebrew Bible Part of the Pseudepigrapha Contents of 1 Enoch

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2 Esdras (4 Ezra)

Found in Christian Apocrypha Composite work of both Jewish and Christian

authors Ezra’s interest in theodicy Ezra’s views on the afterlife

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The Apocalypse of Peter

Represents shift from cosmic to personal eschatology

Considered Scripture by some early Christians

Contains version of Matthew’s parable of the sheep and the goats

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Apocalypse of Peter (continued)

A survey of horrible tortures suffered by the wicked in hell

May reflect desire for justice as horrors of Roman persecution of Christians increased in second century

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Summary

Revelation presents human history from God’s perspective Emphasis on cosmic events and completion of

God’s purpose Clash between Good and Evil

Other Christian apocalypses focus on personal eschatology

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