CST 130 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Worship God, Thyatira, Patmos
10 Jun 2018
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Chapter 12
Revelation is a collection apocalyptic visions which are difficult to interpret.
historical context, OT passages, apocalyptic literature
Today, few know about Revelation’s historical context, use o obscure OT passages, or the
nature of apocalyptic literature.
Revelation was favored by some and disliked and rejected by others in the early church
The author of revelation was named John but it never identified further.
John must have been an authoritative church leader from Jewish background who knew the
OT well.
John wrote from the island of Patmos probably in exile due to persecution.
The recipients of Revelation were the 7 churches Asia minor in Ephesus, Smyrna,
Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea (1:11).
Rev was probably written ca. 95 AD during the reign of Emperor Domitian, a cruel ruler who
demanded recognition as our lord and god.
Roman officials often demanded emperor worship as a sign of loyalty to the empire.
Rev was written as an apocalypse which was a genre of protest literature among Jews and
Christians (ca. 200 BC to ca. 200 AD) when foreign regimes oppressed them.
Other apocalypses circulated outside the OT & NT but Daniel is the only other one in the
Bible.
Apocalypses featured symbolism (animals, colors, numbers, etc.), angels & demons, cosmic
spiritual battles, dualism (stark, either-or categories), distinct epochs to history, and global &
cosmic disasters.
Rev was also written as a prophecy not as a detailed prediction of the future, but as a divine
message to be obeyed
The book expects the readers (1) to conquer by being faithful to Christ in the face of
opposition; and (2) to worship only God
Rev was also written as letter to 7 churches of Asia Minor which faced persecution for Christ
Antipas of Pergamum had died as a martyr
Rev opens with John having a symbolic vision of the glorified son of man among 7 golden
lampstands (= the 7 churches).
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Revelation is a collection apocalyptic visions which are difficult to interpret. historical context, ot passages, apocalyptic literature. Today, few know about revelation"s historical context, use o obscure ot passages, or the nature of apocalyptic literature. Revelation was favored by some and disliked and rejected by others in the early church. The author of revelation was named john but it never identified further. John must have been an authoritative church leader from jewish background who knew the. John wrote from the island of patmos probably in exile due to persecution. The recipients of revelation were the 7 churches asia minor in ephesus, smyrna, 95 ad during the reign of emperor domitian, a cruel ruler who demanded recognition as our lord and god. Roman officials often demanded emperor worship as a sign of loyalty to the empire. Rev was written as an apocalypse which was a genre of protest literature among jews and.
