Overview of the New Testament Part 2

Revelation – Part 1

Key Thoughts:

The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. (Revelation 1:1)

God will win the final victory over evil, and “wipe away every tear” from his who are suffering for his sake in this world.  (Revelation 21:4)

Background

Authorship / Date

According to the text (Revelation 1:1), the revelation was given to God’s servant John by means of an angel (or messenger)

Many believe this was the apostle John, who was exiled on the island of Patmos (note the text does not say it was the apostle John.  See Revelation 1:9). 

Tradition has it that the apostle John was living in the region of Ephesus making him a likely candidate (according to Justin Martyr in the second century). 

Scholarship, even as early as the third century (Dionysis of Alexandria) noted the differences in style between the gospel of John, and the letters of John, and concluded that the same author could not have written both.

Patmos is a short distance from Ephesus by boat.

Most want to date Revelation to the latter part of the first century during the reign of Domitian (81-96 CE) when the persecution of the church was intensifying.

Historical Perspective

Revelation is written against the terror of Roman rule.

By this time the split between Judaism and Christianity had taken place and Christianity no longer enjoyed the protection of being viewed as just another “Jewish sect”.

- Would not recognize the Emperor as “Lord”

- Would not acknowledge Roman gods

Historical accounts of Christian persecution:

- Tacitus, the Roman historian recounts the persecution under Nero (54-68 CE)

- Pliny, the governor of Bithynia in northern Asia Minor writes to Trajan, the Roman emperor (112 CE)

- Trajan responds those who will deny that he/she is a Christian and proves it worshipping Roman gods will be pardoned.

Overview of the New Testament Part 2

Revelation – Part 1 (page 2)

Evidence of persecution in Revelation

- “Be faithful even to the point of death” (2:10)

- “Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives” (2:13)

- “I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth” (3:10)

- “….those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained” (6:9)

- “These cry out for vengeance (6:10)

Apocalyptic Literature

A style of literature in ancient Judaism and Christianity that uses imagery (sometimes fantastic and bizarre) to picture the future, and in some cases judgment.

Several books in scripture are somewhat of this style:  Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah (24-27).

The word “apocalyptic” in Greek means something that is uncovered, such as the revealing of a secret = a “revelation”.

Apocalyptic texts tend to flourish in times of great persecution as a means of giving hope to those who are suffering, and picturing the cosmic struggle that affects the world.

The focus is often on the conflict between good and evil

Revelation is very unique among apocalyptic literature because it is not “pseudonymous”, and because of the complexity of its images, and the layering of concepts one on top of another.  It also builds upon other canonical books that present the same kinds of sweeping images of the end:  Daniel, Zechariah, for example.

How to read apocalyptic literature

The writing is not designed to be ‘figured out’, but to present truths that cannot be contained by simple historical account, or recounting of facts.

Apocalyptic literature is intended for a primary audience (in this instance Christians who were struggling against great persecution with Rome), however, the imagery is intended to extend beyond just the immediate situation.

The imagery of Revelation allows for a meaningful reading of the struggle between good and evil in many settings.

Overview of the New Testament Part 2

Revelation – Part 1 (page 3)

Key Themes

The conflict between good and evil

- Metaphorical language allows for a portrayal of evil that is beyond our grasp.  It is precisely this inability to grasp the text that is the teacher:  evil is far more powerful than we can grasp or imagine.  The same is true for good. 

- God’s ability to win over evil is more sweeping than our ability to grasp.

- Compromise leads to destruction (see messages to Seven churches of Asia, Revelation 2-3)

- The conflict must happen

- The battle is a heavenly one with a certain outcome (Revelation 12)

The power and horror of evil

- The power of evil will assault anyone who truly follows Jesus

- The whore of Babylon is drunk with the blood of the saints (Revelation 17:6)

Revelation is an “unveiling” of the real nature of the struggle between good and evil.  It is bigger than we can imagine, and it extends beyond what words can convey.  The bizarre language is necessary to help us see that this struggle is not a human one, and not one that we can easily grasp. 

The ultimate victory of God:  Jesus as both “slaughtered Lamb” and Mighty Warrior     

- Just as Jesus suffered and was crucified for the sins of the world, yet was risen, so Christians who suffer for Christ will be victorious in the end.

- As bad as evil is, God is ultimately victorious.  He has the ultimate power over life and death