how can we tell we have the correct interpretation of revelation? by noel platt

HOW CAN WE TELL WE HOW CAN WE TELL WE HAVE THE CORRECT HAVE THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF INTERPRETATION OF

REVELATION?REVELATION?

By Noel PlattBy Noel Platt

IMPORTANT TERMS/CONCEPTSIMPORTANT TERMS/CONCEPTS THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF REVELATION MUST HAVE:THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF REVELATION MUST HAVE: VALIDITYVALIDITY

The ability to deliver what it claims.The ability to deliver what it claims. The ability to explain what it claims to explain The ability to explain what it claims to explain Etc.Etc.

RELEVANCERELEVANCE Be meaningful/applicable to the situation or persons concerned.Be meaningful/applicable to the situation or persons concerned.

RELIABILITYRELIABILITY The ability to be reproduced by othersThe ability to be reproduced by others The ability to be recognised by othersThe ability to be recognised by others The ability for others to obtain the same results/conclusions.The ability for others to obtain the same results/conclusions.

PedigreePedigree Consistent with well attested and very early interpretative Consistent with well attested and very early interpretative

methods.methods. CONTROLSCONTROLS

It must provide safeguards against subjective/arbitrary/ fanciful It must provide safeguards against subjective/arbitrary/ fanciful interpretations?interpretations?

INDICATORS OF CORRECT INDICATORS OF CORRECT INTERPRETATIONINTERPRETATION

ValidityValidity Offer explanations that satisfy the book’s original purpose Offer explanations that satisfy the book’s original purpose Offer explanations in line with FIRST CENTURY THEOLOGY/ Offer explanations in line with FIRST CENTURY THEOLOGY/

views.views. Interpret & elucidate the book’s veiled sections (unveil the Interpret & elucidate the book’s veiled sections (unveil the

book’s meaning)book’s meaning) Account for the book’s peculiaritiesPeculiar languageAccount for the book’s peculiaritiesPeculiar language

Disjointed textDisjointed text External structure based on a pattern of sevensExternal structure based on a pattern of sevens Visions that heavily draw on symbols & imagery taken from Visions that heavily draw on symbols & imagery taken from

previous Prophets.previous Prophets. Liturgical character (Hymnic sections)Liturgical character (Hymnic sections) Resolve the book’s inconsistencies/paradoxes.Resolve the book’s inconsistencies/paradoxes. Speak of the futureSpeak of the future

Offer explanations in line with first century Offer explanations in line with first century eschatological principleseschatological principles

The Day of the LordThe Day of the Lord Eschatological transition between the ages.Eschatological transition between the ages.

INDICATORS OF CORRECT INDICATORS OF CORRECT INTERPRETATIONINTERPRETATION

RelevanceRelevance Historical RelevanceHistorical Relevance

Meet the needs of the original audience in Meet the needs of the original audience in their historical situationtheir historical situation

Universal RelevanceUniversal Relevance Meet the needs of Christians of all agesMeet the needs of Christians of all ages

PedigreePedigree Be in line with first century or very early Be in line with first century or very early

interpretative methods.interpretative methods.

OTHER INDICATORSOTHER INDICATORS

Recognise that the world of Recognise that the world of vision is not the same as the vision is not the same as the world of reality.world of reality. A study of the Prophecies/visions seen A study of the Prophecies/visions seen

by biblical prophets before the by biblical prophets before the Apocalypse reveals that their prophetic Apocalypse reveals that their prophetic visions of the future:visions of the future:

Are at least one step away from realityAre at least one step away from reality Always require INTERPRETATION.Always require INTERPRETATION. Never employ the visionary Never employ the visionary

symbols/imagery used by other prophets.symbols/imagery used by other prophets.

REVELATION’S PECULIAR REVELATION’S PECULIAR FEATURES.FEATURES.

Indeterminate, or mixed, genre. Indeterminate, or mixed, genre. Textual dislocationsTextual dislocations Linguistic peculiarities: Linguistic peculiarities:

A singular verb with several connected subjects or with a plural subject A singular verb with several connected subjects or with a plural subject (8:7, 9:12).(8:7, 9:12).

A plural verb with a neuter plural subject (1:19).A plural verb with a neuter plural subject (1:19). The nominative in apposition with some other case (1:15).The nominative in apposition with some other case (1:15). A change of case or gender in an adjective or participle (11:4, 12:5, A change of case or gender in an adjective or participle (11:4, 12:5,

14:19), especially involving the participles, 14:19), especially involving the participles, legonlegon (seeing) and (seeing) and echonechon (having) (13:14 and 9:14).(having) (13:14 and 9:14).

The change to a nominative in a dependent noun (7:9).The change to a nominative in a dependent noun (7:9). Repetition of the article with each noun in a series and with adjectives Repetition of the article with each noun in a series and with adjectives

and adjectival phrases after a noun that has the article (2:19, 4:11, and adjectival phrases after a noun that has the article (2:19, 4:11, 3:12). Such an idiom occurs very often.3:12). Such an idiom occurs very often.

Liturgical character: Liturgical character: Widespread use of Source Material: Widespread use of Source Material: The fierceness and apparent vindictiveness of God and believers The fierceness and apparent vindictiveness of God and believers

within the book.within the book.

EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS:EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS:THE HISTORICIST VIEWTHE HISTORICIST VIEW

ValidityValidity no intrinsic explanation for the book’s mixed or no intrinsic explanation for the book’s mixed or

indeterminate genre, liturgical character, textual indeterminate genre, liturgical character, textual dislocations or peculiar languagedislocations or peculiar language

RelevanceRelevance Limited as largely relevant to those of the appropriate Limited as largely relevant to those of the appropriate

historical period.historical period. ReliabilityReliability

problem of having to cope with an astonishing array of problem of having to cope with an astonishing array of competing historical scenarios.competing historical scenarios.

PedigreePedigree significant pedigree, since the earliest commentators significant pedigree, since the earliest commentators

expressed this view as one of the two pillars of the expressed this view as one of the two pillars of the historico-eschatological approach.historico-eschatological approach.

EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS:EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS:PRETERIST VIEWPRETERIST VIEW

ValidityValidity Not good. Although its adherents have held various theories for Not good. Although its adherents have held various theories for

the book’s peculiar language and textual dislocations, most of the book’s peculiar language and textual dislocations, most of these have been disproved. these have been disproved.

Scholars have not been able to explain convincingly why the Scholars have not been able to explain convincingly why the language and grammar of the book is so peculiar. language and grammar of the book is so peculiar.

Good appreciation that the book’s author made use of sources, Good appreciation that the book’s author made use of sources, some apocalyptic and some from the Old Testamentsome apocalyptic and some from the Old Testament

RelevanceRelevance Limited largely to the book’s first century audience.Limited largely to the book’s first century audience.

ReliabilityReliability Not good. There are a wide range of views representing Not good. There are a wide range of views representing

compilation and other theories compilation and other theories PedigreePedigree

Limited, since there is little evidence of this view being held by Limited, since there is little evidence of this view being held by early commentators.early commentators.

EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS:EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS:THE MODERATE FUTURIST THE MODERATE FUTURIST

VIEWVIEW ValidityValidity

limited validity, since it is unable to inherently limited validity, since it is unable to inherently account for many of Revelations distinctive account for many of Revelations distinctive peculiarities. peculiarities.

RelevanceRelevance Limited to early audience and those who will Limited to early audience and those who will

be present during the final years of time.be present during the final years of time. ReliabilityReliability

Limited, since there are more extreme as well Limited, since there are more extreme as well as moderate forms of the futurist view.as moderate forms of the futurist view.

PedigreePedigree Limited, since there is little evidence of early Limited, since there is little evidence of early

interpreters adopting such an approach. interpreters adopting such an approach.

EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS:EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS:THE EXTREME FUTURIST VIEWTHE EXTREME FUTURIST VIEW

ValidityValidity Poor. Poor. little consideration is given to the book's indeterminate little consideration is given to the book's indeterminate

genre, unusual language, grammar and syntax, apparent genre, unusual language, grammar and syntax, apparent textual dislocations and liturgical character.textual dislocations and liturgical character.

RelevanceRelevance Limited as most of the book is deemed to apply to the last Limited as most of the book is deemed to apply to the last

seven years of time.seven years of time. ReliabilityReliability

Good, as most adherents hold to the Pre-millennial position.Good, as most adherents hold to the Pre-millennial position. PedigreePedigree

mixed,mixed, some of its elements have much better pedigree than some of its elements have much better pedigree than others.others.

the general futurist orientation is of good pedigree, since this the general futurist orientation is of good pedigree, since this was shared by some of the earliest commentators of the was shared by some of the earliest commentators of the historico-eschatological school. historico-eschatological school.

other aspects—such as a dispensational division of time and other aspects—such as a dispensational division of time and the notion of a secret rapture—were not held from the very the notion of a secret rapture—were not held from the very earliest times. earliest times.

EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS:EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS:ECLECTIC VIEW.ECLECTIC VIEW.

ValidityValidity Is poor since it dismissesIs poor since it dismisses many claims of the book’s visions many claims of the book’s visions

having specific meanings, focusing instead on the general having specific meanings, focusing instead on the general message conveyedmessage conveyed

RelevanceRelevance Is good, since Is good, since emphasis is on the books timeless and universal emphasis is on the books timeless and universal

message.message. ReliabilityReliability

Is better than the Historicists but still is not good, as its Is better than the Historicists but still is not good, as its advocates tend to fall into three main camps:-those who hold advocates tend to fall into three main camps:-those who hold to a Synchronist theory, those who maintain that Revelation to a Synchronist theory, those who maintain that Revelation was written along the lines of a Greek Drama, and those who was written along the lines of a Greek Drama, and those who hold to neither view. hold to neither view.

PedigreePedigree Is poor, since there is little evidence of early commentators Is poor, since there is little evidence of early commentators

holding to this position.holding to this position.

THE CCET VIEWTHE CCET VIEW

Revelation is an elaborate allegory of Revelation is an elaborate allegory of the Close of the Christ Event tradition the Close of the Christ Event tradition (CCET).(CCET).

It is an allegory in the sense that the It is an allegory in the sense that the text of Revelation is a spiritualization text of Revelation is a spiritualization into the world of Apocalyptic Vision into the world of Apocalyptic Vision of the actual historical happenings of of the actual historical happenings of the Close of Christ’s earthly ministry.the Close of Christ’s earthly ministry.


Revelation was written in this way so Revelation was written in this way so as to address the problems and as to address the problems and needs arising from it’s original needs arising from it’s original historical situation:historical situation:

What were these problems?What were these problems?


PROBLEMS OF THE HISTORICAL SITUATION:PROBLEMS OF THE HISTORICAL SITUATION: Jewish Persecution:Jewish Persecution:

The Jews repudiated of the GospelThe Jews repudiated of the Gospel The Jews expelled Christians from the SynagoguesThe Jews expelled Christians from the Synagogues The Jews betrayed Christians to the Roman The Jews betrayed Christians to the Roman

AuthoritiesAuthorities Emergence of Pre/Prot-Gnostic Errors chiefly Emergence of Pre/Prot-Gnostic Errors chiefly

DOCETISM.DOCETISM. The threat of persecution from Imperial The threat of persecution from Imperial

Roman.Roman.

THE CCET VIEWTHE CCET VIEW The Apocalypse was written as an allegory of the The Apocalypse was written as an allegory of the

CCET in order to validate and authenticate the CCET in order to validate and authenticate the Christian Gospel, central to the CCET.Christian Gospel, central to the CCET.

Why?Why? Because the Gospel was under attach by:Because the Gospel was under attach by:

The Jews, who repudiated it.The Jews, who repudiated it. The Docetists who claimed Jesus’ sufferings death & The Docetists who claimed Jesus’ sufferings death &

resurrection were mere appearances and not a true resurrection were mere appearances and not a true reality.reality.

Other deceivers who constructed their own version of the Other deceivers who constructed their own version of the Gospel Gospel

The Gospel message at the heart of the CCET The Gospel message at the heart of the CCET provided Christians with the courage to endure provided Christians with the courage to endure persecution.persecution.


The Apocalypse was written as an allegory The Apocalypse was written as an allegory of the CCET employing elaborate Old of the CCET employing elaborate Old Testament symbols in order to show the Testament symbols in order to show the greater greater reality reality of the CCET which lay of the CCET which lay behind the symbols because:behind the symbols because:

The The realityreality behind the symbols is behind the symbols is always greater than the symbols always greater than the symbols themselves.themselves.

In this way Revelation combats the central In this way Revelation combats the central Docetic claim that the happenings of the Docetic claim that the happenings of the CCET were mere appearances (illusions).CCET were mere appearances (illusions).


The Apocalypse was written as an The Apocalypse was written as an allegory of the CCET employing allegory of the CCET employing peculiar language, grammar and peculiar language, grammar and syntax: syntax:

in order to authenticate and validate in order to authenticate and validate the true the true realityreality of the original of the original experience of Christian faith known experience of Christian faith known as glossolalia (speaking with as glossolalia (speaking with tongues)tongues)

THE CCET VIEW.THE CCET VIEW.

VALIDITYVALIDITY Intrinsically accounts for the special Intrinsically accounts for the special

Peculiarities of Revelation:Peculiarities of Revelation: Apparent indeterminate genre.Apparent indeterminate genre.

Only Allegory is flexible enough to embrace Only Allegory is flexible enough to embrace the prophetic, apocalyptic & liturgical the prophetic, apocalyptic & liturgical elementselements

Peculiar language, syntax & grammarPeculiar language, syntax & grammar


RELEVANCERELEVANCE The CCET view has universal The CCET view has universal

relevance to believers of all ages relevance to believers of all ages since:since:

The Gospel message at it’s very The Gospel message at it’s very heart is universally relevant.heart is universally relevant.


RELIABILITYRELIABILITY Not good, since there are many Not good, since there are many

allegorical views.allegorical views.


PEDIGREEPEDIGREE This is good, since:This is good, since: Allegorical interpretations find Allegorical interpretations find

support from early commentators of support from early commentators of the Alexandrian school.the Alexandrian school.

how can we tell we have the correct interpretation of revelation? by noel platt

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