Difference between revisions of "Rev 1:1-5"
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== Exegesis == | == Exegesis == | ||
=== Verse 4 === | === Verse 4 === | ||
| − | ''A letter.'' As this verse makes absolutely clear, the book of Revelation is a letter, an epistle, with a very specific audience. Chapters [[2:1|2]] and [[3:1|3]] make explicit that very particular historical peoples are in question, with very real situations being faced. And this epistolary character of the book of Revelation does not end with chapter 3; rather, it extends to the last chapter of the book. In other words, Revelation is an epistle, and it apparently ought to be read alongside, say, the epistles of Paul, rather than as a book of explicit predictions concerning last-days events. The book is undeniably a book of prophecy, but apparently a prophecy in the sense Paul understood (see [[1 Cor 13:8]]). The prophecy itself is undercut by its charitable character, by the situation in which it was written (details suggest that the epistle entire serves the purpose of uniting John and the saints in the seven churches in a single liturgical celebration of the Lord's supper: see [[Rev 1:10|verse 10]], [[Rev 1:12|verse 12]], and especially [[Rev 22:20]]). While this does not absolutely undo the predictive nature of the book of Revelation (see [[Ether 4:16]]), it certainly suggests that it not be read as in absolute terms. The book of Revelation apparently must be read historically, contextually. | + | ''A letter.'' As this verse makes absolutely clear, the book of Revelation is a letter, an epistle, with a very specific audience. Chapters [[Rev 2:1|2]] and [[Rev 3:1|3]] make explicit that very particular historical peoples are in question, with very real situations being faced. And this epistolary character of the book of Revelation does not end with chapter 3; rather, it extends to the last chapter of the book. In other words, Revelation is an epistle, and it apparently ought to be read alongside, say, the epistles of Paul, rather than as a book of explicit predictions concerning last-days events. The book is undeniably a book of prophecy, but apparently a prophecy in the sense Paul understood (see [[1 Cor 13:8]]). The prophecy itself is undercut by its charitable character, by the situation in which it was written (details suggest that the epistle entire serves the purpose of uniting John and the saints in the seven churches in a single liturgical celebration of the Lord's supper: see [[Rev 1:10|verse 10]], [[Rev 1:12|verse 12]], and especially [[Rev 22:20]]). While this does not absolutely undo the predictive nature of the book of Revelation (see [[Ether 4:16]]), it certainly suggests that it not be read as in absolute terms. The book of Revelation apparently must be read historically, contextually. |
== Related links == | == Related links == | ||
Revision as of 21:35, 3 June 2006
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Questions
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Lexical notes
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Exegesis
Verse 4
A letter. As this verse makes absolutely clear, the book of Revelation is a letter, an epistle, with a very specific audience. Chapters 2 and 3 make explicit that very particular historical peoples are in question, with very real situations being faced. And this epistolary character of the book of Revelation does not end with chapter 3; rather, it extends to the last chapter of the book. In other words, Revelation is an epistle, and it apparently ought to be read alongside, say, the epistles of Paul, rather than as a book of explicit predictions concerning last-days events. The book is undeniably a book of prophecy, but apparently a prophecy in the sense Paul understood (see 1 Cor 13:8). The prophecy itself is undercut by its charitable character, by the situation in which it was written (details suggest that the epistle entire serves the purpose of uniting John and the saints in the seven churches in a single liturgical celebration of the Lord's supper: see verse 10, verse 12, and especially Rev 22:20). While this does not absolutely undo the predictive nature of the book of Revelation (see Ether 4:16), it certainly suggests that it not be read as in absolute terms. The book of Revelation apparently must be read historically, contextually.
Related links
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links
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