Download Introduction to the book of Revelation

Introduction
to the book of
Revelation
Albrecht Durer Archangel Michael & Dragon c 1497-98
woodcut, 15 3/8 x 11 in National Gallery, Washington
What type of
literature is
Revelation?
Albrecht Durer Dragon with Seven Heads c 1497-98
woodcut, 15 3/8 x 11 in National Gallery, Washington DC
What type of
literature is
Revelation?
Apocalyptic literature
a genre of writing that developed
in post- Exilic Jewish literature.
From apokalypsis (Ἀποκάλυψις)
a Greek word meaning "revelation", or
“an unveiling.” A literature which uses
visions to unveil temporal realities to
reveal eternal verities driving history
Other Biblical examples?
Albrecht Durer John Eats the Book c 1497-98
woodcut, 15 3/8 x 11 in National Gallery, Washington DC
What type of
literature is
Revelation?
Apocalyptic literature
a genre of writing that developed
in post- Exilic Jewish literature
From apokalypsis (Ἀποκάλυψις)
a Greek word meaning "revelation",
"an unveiling or unfolding of things not
previously known and which could not
be known apart from the unveiling.
L. Michael White
Christ in Glory (as described in Revelation 4:3-8), c 1150
limestone, central west portal
Chartres Cathedral
Other Biblical examples?
Portions of these OT books:
Ezekiel
Daniel
Isaiah
Who wrote
Revelation?
Albrecht Durer Angel reveals visions to John c 1497-98
woodcut, 15 3/8 x 11 in National Gallery, Washington DC
Who wrote
Revelation?
John the Apostle
Justin Martyr (d. 165 AD);
Irenaeus (185 AD)
Clement of Alexandria (d. c220 AD)
Hippolytus (d. c236)
Origen (d. c254)
John the Presbyter
Papias, bishop of Hieropolis (d. 155 AD)
linguistic and grammatical differences
of gospel and first epistle and the
apocalypse prevent it from
being the same author. Also sites tourist
story of two Johns buried in Ephesus
Dionysius of Alexandria (d. 265 AD)
Luther “neither apostolic nor prophetic”
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ which
Albrecht Durer Angel reveals visions to John c 1497-98
woodcut, 15 3/8 x 11 in National Gallery, Washington DC
God gave him . . . and he made known
by sending his angel to his servant John.”
Revelation 1:1
When was
Revelation
written?
“Apostle John saw the revelation at the
close of Domitian's reign,” Irenaeus (185 AD)
Internal evidence and most scholars would
concur with a date of c 90-95 AD
Titus Flavius Domitianus
(24 October 51 – 18 September 96),
known as Domitian,
11th Roman Emperor
reigned from 14 September 81 until his death.
Domitian was 3rd & last emperor of Flavian dynasty
Bust of Emperor Domitian c 88-96 AD
Pentelic marble, from the area of the Via Principe
Amedeo on the Esquiline, discovered 1898.
Palazzo dei Conservatori, Rome
c 81 AD
Arch of Titus
marble, concrete
c 42 x 46’
Rome
Erected by Domitian to
honor his brother Titus
when Domitian became
emperor upon Titus’
death in 81 AD
c81 AD
Relief with Triumph of Titus
marble, 7’10”
Arch of Titus, Rome
c81 AD
Relief with Spoils of Jerusalem
marble, 7’10”
Arch of Titus, Rome
When was
Revelation
written?
“Apostle John saw the revelation at the close of
Domitian's reign,” writes Irenaeus in 185 AD.
Internal evidence and most scholars would concur
with a date of c 90-95 AD
Titus Flavius Domitianus
(24 October 51 – 18 September 96),
known as Domitian, was 11th Roman Emperor
reigned from 14 September 81 until his death.
Domitian was 3rd & last emperor of Flavian dynasty
Domitian, AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm,
82, Ephesus
IMP CAES DOMITIAN AVG P M COS VIII
Laureate head right CA | PIT / RESTIT
Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus Capitolinus
with statues of Jupiter enthroned between Juno and Minerva,
quadriga in pediment, statues adorning entire roof
24mm x 26mm, 10.43g
RIC II, 222 (R3)
To whom is
Revelation
written?
Churches in:
Ephesus
Smyrna
Perg amum
Thyatira
Sardis
Philadelphia
Laodicea
To whom is
Revelation
written?
Ephesus
Celsus Library, 135 AD
Built in 135 AD, it is a monumental tomb
for Gaius Julius Celsus Polemaeanus,
the governor of the province of Asia;
from his son Galius Julius Aquila.
Ephesus, Turkey
The building was used as a library,
the scrolls of the manuscripts were kept
in cupboards in niches on the walls.
There were double walls behind the
bookcases, probably to protect the
manuscripts from humidity.
The capacity of the library was
more than 12,000 scrolls.
It was ruined and burned as a result of
the invasion of the Goths in 265 AD.
Why was
Revelation
written?
Silver cistophorus of Claudius Greek, about AD 50-51
Minted at Ephesus, modern Turkey
The statue of Diana of the Ephesians on a silver coin
of the Roman emperor Claudius
In the New Testament book of the Acts of the Apostles,
the story is told of St Paul's visit to the city of Ephesus.
His preaching caused consternation, beginning among
the silversmiths who made souvenirs of the famous
Temple of Artemis (Diana) in the city.
A rabble was roused who pursued Paul's companions in
to the city's great theater. The crowd shouted
'Great is Artemis of the Ephesians' for two hours
without cessation. The secretary of the town council
was forced to appear and remind the mob that
'all the world knows that our city of Ephesus is
neokoros ('temple-warden') of the great Artemis
and the statue that fell from Zeus'.
Why was
Revelation
written?
Remains of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
Acts 19:23-41 Paul's visit to Ephesus upsets the cult
of Artemis. The silversmith Demetrius led a riot
Acts 19:28 When they heard this, they were furious and
began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized
Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from
Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. 30 Paul
wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples
would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the
province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him
not to venture into the theater.
Two recently excavated statues of Artemis
from the Temple district in Ephesus.
W hy was
Revelation
written?
Theater at Ephesus, largest in Asia during
Roman times, seating 25,000
Acts 19:23-41 describes the disturbance Paul's visit
to Ephesus made to the cult of Artemis. The
silversmith Demetrius led a riot
Acts 19:28 When they heard this, they were furious and
began shouting: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people
seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions
from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater.
30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the
disciples would not let him.
31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of
Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into
the theater.
Why was
Revelation
written?
This bronze coin of Ephesus comes from the reign of
the Roman emperor Macrinus, in AD 217-218.
As with many coins of this region and period it carries
on the obverse (on the front) a portrait of the reigning
emperor, and on the reverse a scene of local significance.
The reverse of this coin bears a scene of sacrifice in
front of a temple. Within the temple is a statue of a
Roman emperor (it is unclear which one), indicating that
the temple is dedicated to a deified Roman emperor.
The possession of such an imperial temple was a source
of much pride to provincial cities in the Roman world.
Possession of an imperial cult entitled a city to the
title neokoros ('temple-warden'). Ephesus was thus
honored several times over: at the time of Macrinus the
city was titled neokoros three times, and would be granted
one more by the emperor Elagabalus (ruled AD 218-222).
Why was
Revelation
written?
On this relief of the temple
Sebasteion in Aphrodisias,
Roman emperor Claudius
(deified soon after his death by Nero and the
Senate) is shown, flanked by a Nereid to his
right (symbolized by a boats spade holding in
her hand) symbolizing oceans ; and another
one to his left, holding a cornucopia,
symbolizing the earth. The cape around his
head symbolizes nights and days. Overall this
relief of Claudius tells us, that he is the ruler
of the universe.
Emperor Claudius over Land and Sea
marble relief from Sebasteion, Aphrodisias
What is the
significance of
Revelation?
Beatus of Liébana (c. 730–c. 800) was a
monk from the Kingdom of Asturias, in
northern Spain, who worked and lived in the
Picos de Europa mountains of the region of
Liébana, complied a commentary on
Revelation that was widely copied in the
medieval period.
The world is very evil; the times are waxing late;
Be sober and keep vigil, the Judge is at the gate,
The Judge that comes in mercy,
the Judge that comes with might,
To terminate the evil, to diadem the right
Bernard of Morlaix (or Cluny, c1140),
De contemptu mundi
translated by J.M. Neale