apocalyptic literature background: jewish apocalyptic definition: a genre of revelatory literature...
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Apocalyptic Literature
Background: Jewish Apocalyptic
Definition: a genre of revelatory literature with a narrative framework, in which a revelation is mediated by an otherworldly being to a human recipient, disclosing a transcendent reality which is both temporal, insofar as it envisages eschatological salvation, and spatial insofar as it involves another, supernatural world.
Apocalyptic Literature
APOCALYPTIC
Definition made Simple
The narrative of a vision, granted to a seer, through a mediator, concerning end times.
Apocalyptic Literature
Ezekiel ch. 1.1-25 the four living creatures
ch. 1.26-28the enthroned figure ch. 2.1-3.4 eating the scroll ch. 3.5-15 stubborness of the
people
Apocalyptic Literature
Daniel 7-12
four beastsheavenly courtthe Ram and the GoatDaniel's prayer, Gabrielvisions of warsecret message
The Book of Revelation
Historical Background to Revelation
Nero persecutes Christians in Rome (54-68)Laodician earthquake (61)
Destruction of the Temple (70)Seige of Masada (72)
Eruption of Vesuvius (79)Empire wide persecutions by Domitian (81-96)
The Book of Revelation
What it is not
symbolic literal revelatory prophetica message of hope a message of doom
The Book of Revelation
Small group
the letters to the 7 churches
The Book of RevelationThe Seven Churches of Revelation
Ephesus - population of a quarter million, had one of 7 wonders - the great temple of Diana, Paul had warned it against false preachers and of persecution ( the presence of the temple of Diana meant an active trade in silver statues, as her worship was depleted by conversion, the silversmiths feared a loss of revenue)
Smyrna - ancient commercial center, original temple of goddess Roma, had a temple to Emperor Tiberius, the martyr Polycarp was bishop there
Pergamum - capital of province of Asia, large temple to Zeus with continual animal sacrifices being burned, heresy of Nicolaitans
Thyatira - commercial center with many trade guilds
Sardis - industrial center, had been home of King Croesus, had been destroyed by earthquake in 17 AD, references to vigilance are appropriate in the letter addressed to it as it had twice been defeated due to its own negligence
Philadelphia - demolished by same earthquake as Sardis in 17 AD, rebuilt with imperial subsidy; had a synagogue strongly hostile to Christians
Laodicea- rich commercial center, struck by earthquake in 61 AD, famous for black wool; the letter to this church accuses them of being tepid in their faith because of their wealth
Each of these churches can also be seen to represent various dangers to faith: loss of love, fear of suffering, doctrinal compromise, moral compromise, spiritual death, inconstancy, tepidness. (Metzger, p. 46)
Ch . 4-5 images:
open door God enthroned
24 elders 4 living creatures
Lamb with 7 horns and 7 eyes scroll with 7 seals
(Ezek 1.4-14, Is. 6.1-8)
The Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation
The Four Horsemen
“God does not approve of famine and death and hell, butthey are what must follow if people persist in opposing
God's will.” (Metzger 58)
The Book of Revelation
Chapter 8The 7 Trumpets
The 7 angels: from Jewish tradition (Tobit, Enoch) : Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Michael, Sariel, Gabriel, Remiel
natural disasters had been prevalent – the earthquake which destroyed Laodicea in 61
the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 (destroying Pompeii)
fractional destruction is symbolic of divine mercy, awaiting the repentance of the remnant
The Book of Revelation
The 10 Plagues of Exodus
BloodFrogsGnatsFliesBoils
PestilenceLocusts
HailDarkness
Death of the 1st born
The Book of Revelation
Allegorical Imagery in Chapter 11
witnessesSodomEgypt
3 1/2 daysthe Ark in the Temple
The Book of Revelation
Seven visions
the woman, the dragon, heavenly battlethe 1st beast (the Roman empire)
the 2nd beast, 666 the Lamb and the 144,000 “virgins”
3 angelsharvesting the earth
heavenly liturgy
The Book of Revelation
the 7 bowls, poured out on those who have refused to repent
Armageddon
Babylon, the Whore - (Rome will Fall!)
the triumph of God through Christ's Word
Gog and Magog, in Ezekiel and in Rabbinic tradition – the enemies of God
The Book of Revelation
16.17 “It is done.”
21.6 “They are accomplished.”
the Feast of the Lamb