Upload
emery-briggs
View
218
Download
1
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Reign of Emperor Domitian (81–96 CE)• Dated to 95 CE• Or, the reign of Emperor Nero (54–68 CE)
Purpose: to reveal “what must soon take place” (1:1)• Encourage obedience in difficult circumstances• Arouse indignation at social injustice in Empire• Provoke repentance in the lax Christians• Inspire praise of God
Date and PurposeDate and Purpose
John the Seer, on the island Patmos • “Because of the word of God and the
testimony of Jesus” (1:9)• Different “John” from other NT figures
Jewish Christian prophet• From Palestine?• Known to Asia Minor churches
Writes Greek as an Aramaic speaker Knows Jewish scriptures Knows Jewish apocalypses and prophets
Author and PlaceAuthor and Place
Seven churches of Asia Minor Local persecution and social
alienation• No evidence of empire-wide persecution in
first century• Local pressures are strong• Christians did not participate in imperial
cults,state celebrations, or public honoring of gods
Historical SettingHistorical Setting
Letter(s)• To seven churches
Prophecy• Social, political and
economic critique of the prophet’s situation
• Does not predict events in a distant future
• Uses imagery and themes from Jewish prophetic tradition
Apocalyptic (see box 29.1)• Dualistic view of
time and space• Symbolism
Numbers Creatures Names, Cities
• Fantastic creatures• Transcendent reality
GenreGenre
Historical: refers to first-century context• Letters are correspondence with local churches• Number of beast = Nero (emperor in 54–68 CE)
Idealist: describes “universal themes and symbols”• Letters offer generic advice• Number of beast = supreme evil (in general)
Futuristic: predicts future times/events• Letters describe situation of future churches• Number of beast = code for some future evil
leader
How to Read This BookHow to Read This Book
Unveiling of the really real• God’s power is more real than the emperor’s
Human society is corrupt• Imperial economic system exploits the poor• Priests, leaders, merchants are unjust
God’s judgment is coming• Injustice will end• Righteousness will win
God is in control, even in a chaotic world WORSHIP GOD
Key ThemesKey Themes
Blessing, salutation, John’s vision (1:1–10) Son of Man and seven letters (chaps. 2–3) View of heaven (chaps. 4–11)
• Throne of God, Lamb and scrolls, angels and trumpets, thunders and eating of little scroll
View of earth from heaven (chaps. 12–20)• Woman and dragon, worship of beast, judgment
of Babylon the whore, funeral banquet of whore Heaven come to earth (chaps. 21–22)
• New heaven and earth, wedding banquet of the Lamb, new Jerusalem on earth to worship God
OutlineOutline