Revelation 20:1–10 within the overall paradigm theological thrust of John’s Apocalypse

Revelation was addressed to seven churches in western Asia Minor. What John writes in Revelation shows us that there are a range of differing viewpoints in these seven churches. One group that is present is the Nicolaitans, to whom John is adamantly opposed. Paul founded churches in western Asia Minor, and 1–2 Timothy informs us that the Pauline tradition continued in the area. It is likely that John’s Gospel and 1–2–3 John were written in Ephesus. This raises the question of the relationship between Revelation and other forms of Christianity, including the Johannine and Pauline traditions. This will be considered by looking at the issues of acculturation, assimilation and accommodation, eating idol-meat, attitudes to imperial rule, material possessions and leadership and the locus of authority in Revelation, 1–2 Timothy and 1–2–3 John. Overall, it is argued that John writes to Christians of a variety of persuasions and that he anticipates that he will receive a mixed reaction from his readers.

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A Figurative and Narrative Language Grammar of Revelation

Novum Testamentum ◽

10.1163/156853603322538776 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 45 (4) ◽

pp. 382-402 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Literary Sources ◽

Readable Book ◽

Narrative Language ◽

Common Logic ◽

John's Apocalypse

AbstractJohn's Apocalypse puzzles and troubles at every page. The reason is that the author frequently goes against common logic in shaping his images and narratives. Yet this lack of logic is not capriciousness. In fact, since Rev.'s surprising literary phenomena occur repeatedly, one can catalogue and systematise them in a sui generis Johannine figurative and narrative grammar. This contribution analyses two features of Johannine images (1), six features of Johannine ways of narrating (2), and the surreal and oneiric world created by John (3). First, this review helps one understand better John's bewildering language and makes the book of Rev. a more readable book. Second, it suggests that the numerous difficulties of Rev. are to be resolved first of all by collating the parallel traits found within this very same book, and not by hurriedly resorting to possible literary sources.

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Of Beasts and Bees: the View of the Natural World in Virgil's Georgics and John's Apocalypse

New Testament Studies ◽

10.1017/s002868850000014x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 46 (2) ◽

pp. 227-244

Author(s):

SEAN M. McDONOUGH

Keyword(s):

Natural World ◽

Natural Order ◽

Common Understanding ◽

Religious Differences ◽

John's Apocalypse

The article proposes a dialogue between Virgil's Georgics and John's Apocalypse as a means of illuminating Revelation's view of the natural world. A comparison of the two works reveals a common understanding of the natural order as at once beautiful and terrifying, majestic and vulnerable. While irreconcilable religious differences remain (particularly concerning the figure of Augustus), the two works can still be read in a complementary way. Virgil's lyrical evocations of the Italian countryside give a new depth to the tragedy of the destruction of the natural order in Revelation, while John's theology of hope supplies a theological focus lacking in the Latin poet.

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