The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Chapter 1)
- Groups >>
Submitted by JStaller on Wed, 2008-09-24 05:29.
Alright. Here we go--the first chapter of Revelation. Highly charged imagery, dense Jewish symbolism, intense cultural and religious pressure, and a rich history of literature collide, producing (in my opinion) the greatest spiritual vision in the Christian experience. If you can enter into this vision, you will see Christ.
My two denarii for what it's worth ;)
Hey gang of fellow believers:
Good stuff Justin et. al. Can't wait for your book!!
This is my take on the beginning (overview) of revelation.
Author: Hard to substantiate other than a "John" who lived on Patmos.
Date: Probably during Domitian's reign and all the tribulations (thlipsis)see Rev 1:3 "for the time of crisis is near."
Audience: Seven churches in western Asia minor but also to the church at large (seven being symbolic in Enoch and other OT writings as inclusive, whole, etc.) I believe the letter is also written to any Christians undergoing tribulation or trial (peraismos and exactly what you also point out with Dan. readings Justin) which is why I believe the letter to be pastoral in nature offering comfort and hope rather than judgement and damnation.
Purpose: Exhortatory in that I believe John is writing at a time when Christians are tempted (peraismos) to be co-opted or adapted to the wider society of the Roman empire. John exhorts them to remember that Jesus (the risen One) is sovereign of the cosmos (both heaven and earth) and that Ceasar is (like all earthly forms of power) a temporary historical phenomenon but not the pantokrator of all.
Like other NT writings (esp. Paul's letters) we are reminded as Christians that we live in the "now" and "not yet" time. The "now" of Jesus' resurrection has inaugurated the Kingdom of God and the "not yet" of the eschatological banquet when "in the fullness of time", the heavenly Jerusalem will be united and made manifest with the earthly Jeruslem - "on earth as it is in heaven". (Sacra Pagina series, Daniel J. Harrington S.J., ed., Revelation by Wilfrid J. Harrington, O.P., p. 45)
I approach Revelation as you said Justin regarding the possiblity of Rev. being both prophetic and historical. I also look at Revelation as being very "pastoral" in that it is a letter of hope to anyone in CRISIS. One commentary I am using by Wilfrid Harrington, O.P. states,
"When John declares that the time is near, he means that, in his view, the End is soon... The end did not happen in his day, nor has it occurred nineteen centuries later. What we might learn from him is a sense of urgency...For each of us, our time is the only time we have to fulfill our calling, and our death is the end for us on earth."
I would add, yes, NOW is the time, NOW is the hour, NOW is our calling. For me the CRISIS in its most extended sense is a time (kairos) of testing and opportunity. Let's make the most of it!! ;)
Pax Christi
Rick in KC