Notes on Revelation

Introduction

by Jeff Smelser

This document contains Greek words and passages. Netscape 3.0 and Explorer 3.0 will properly display the Greek if you install SGreek, a font available from Silver Mountain Software.

Contents of this Page

Place & Circumstances
Language of Apocalyptic Literature
Message of Apocalyptic Scriptures

The place and circumstances in which John saw the visions

Locate Patmos on a map
The commonly held belief that John was an exile on Patmos is based upon the following:

the use of dia/ in 1:9; cf. 6:9 & 20:4
the fact that John identified himself as a "partaker with you in the tribulation."
strong support from eally tradition.
exile (under Domitian) was an existing practice.

The language of Revelation was not unprecedented; the symbolism was not new, nor is a unique system of interpretation required.

"Revelation" (1:1) = apoka/luyij (apokalupsis; cf. apocalypse)

1 Cor. 14:6, 26
for the revelation of the mystery, i.e., the gospel Ro. 16:23, Eph. 3:3
for the revelation of Jesus and those who are his at his coming - Ro. 8:9, 1 Cor. 1:7.
of God's judgment Rom. 2:3
Cf. I Sam. 20:30 (LXX). Verb is used for uncover in Leviticus 18.
a)po/ = (away) from & kalu/ptw = cover

Revelation is typical of so-called "Apocalyptic Literature".

characteristic traits include the following:

	Ezekiel	Daniel	Joel	Zechariah	Matt.24
*Visions*	1:1	7:1, 8:1		1:8
Panoramic View of History with Emphasis on Catastrophic End of Present	37:1 -39:29	7:1-28	3:9-17, 2:18-20	14:1-9	24:4-31
Elaborate Symbolism (including use of animals)	1:10	7:2-8, 8:1-14	2:2,4, 2:10-11	1:8	24:28-29
*Numerology*	1:6	7:25,8:14		1:18

Apocalyptic literature was so popular that uninspired writings were produced imitating the style. These were always pseudonymous.
Thus Christians of the first century would have recognized the type of literature represented by Revelation. (Contrast the interpretation of Rev. 14:20 by modem Dispensationalists: They suppose the text describes a literal militaty conflict that will take place in Palestine which will result in so much bloodshed that the land will actually be flooded with blood to a depth equivalent to a horse's bridle.)
The key to understanding the book is not so much a familiarity with Roman history as it is a familarity with scripture.

The message of apocalyptic scriptures.

The chart below shows how apocalyptic scriptures portray time with a focus on coming judgement:

	Present Evil Age	Catastrophe (wicked judged & righteous delivered)	Future "Golden Age"
Ezekiel	1-32	33-39	40-48
Daniel	7:1-8 (7:23-25)	7:9-12 (7:26)	7:13-14 (7:27)
Joel	2:1-17	2:18-20	2:19-29

So also, Revelation follows this pattern.
Specifically, compare Ezek. 38-39, Joel 3, Dan. 2 & 7 with Revelation.

NoVa Bible Study Page

Notes on chapter 1