Authorship  Traditionally linked to John, the son of Zebadee, one of Jesus 12 disciples.  Writing style is different from Gospel of John.  John was a very common name.  21:14 makes this seem unlikely  Belongs in the Johannine corpus that includes the Gospel of John, The three Letters of John, and Revelation.  Probably produced from the same group of people, but probably not the same author.  The author is very familiar with the new churches and with the Hebrew scriptures.

Time of composition  There is internal evidence for two dates  Before 70 CE (destruction of temple)  11:1-3 suggests the temple is still standing  13:18 code name for the beast “666” was widely thought to symbolize Nero.  After 70 CE  13:3, 17:9-11 These verses seem to allude to the legend of Nero’s return  14:8, 16:19, etc. Use Babylon as a code name for Rome, which other evidence suggests didn’t happen until after the temple destruction.  It’s possible that Revelation was composed in pieces and compiled later.

Nero’s persecution of Christians (CE 64-68)

Genre  The Genre of “apocalypse” gets its name from the first verse of revelation, but it includes Daniel and parts of Ezekiel and some apocryphal literature as well.  It’s usually a first-person narrative account relating a vision about the future &/or the heavenly realm.  There is a sharp distinction between the present evil age and the imminent future age of blessing.  Between the wicked majority and the righteous minority  Between Satan and God  After a period of intense conflict and great suffering, a divine (messianic) figure will intervene on behalf of the righteous.  Jewish apocalypses often use much symbolism which is often somewhat bizarre.

Apocalyptic Hope  Many New Testament books contain strongly apocalyptic passages, but Revelation is the only NT book totally dedicated to this form.  The present wicked age will get worse, then God will intervene and rule directly.  There will be a new heaven and new earth (21:1)  The vision is for a glorious completion of God’s creative work that began in Genesis.  Jesus is no longer Mark’s “suffering servant” or John’s embodiment of divine wisdom.  Jesus has been “glorified” and is now the conquering warrior-king. The messiah of popular expectation, who proves, without a doubt, his right to rule the earth. He doesn’t teach or forgive, but inflicts wrathful punishment on his opponents (19:11-21)

Apocalyptic Tradition  The style and symbols in Revelation are not new. They are mostly derived from Daniel and other Hebrew writings.  It’s symbols are deliberately mystifying, but come from already conventional apocalyptic discourse.  Dragon  Beast  Serpent  Celestial Woman

Purpose  The outside world is a hostile threat. Maintain strict separation from Greco-Roman society  Christians are a tiny light almost swallowed up by the dark word dominated by idolatry, oppression, and the soulless pursuit of wealth  Two threats  Assimilation.  Persecution.

Organization SecChContents 1 1 Prologue: author’s self-identification and authority Jesus’ letters to the seven churches Visions from heaven: breaking seven seals on a scroll; seven trumpets Signs in heaven: visions of the woman, the dragon, the beast, the Lamb, the seven plagues Visions of the “great whore” and the fall of Babylon (Rome) Visions of the warrior Messiah, the imprisonment of the beast and Satan, judgment of the dead, and the final defeat of evil :5 Visions of the “new heaven and new earth”; descent of the heavenly Jerusalem to earth 8 22:6-21 Epilogue: authenticity of the author’s prophetic visions and the nearness of their fulfillment

The Seven Churches of Revelation

Apocalyptic imagery Revelation 1:12-13 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands I saw one like the Son of Man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. Daniel 7:13-14 As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in. (Rev 3: 20)

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Rev 6:1-8)