Revelation Blog 1

Traditionally, the author of Revelation has been given to John the Evangelist who wrote from Patmos in the 90s AD (Tafoya). Craig S. Keener says, however, that scholars today argue about the authorship because it does not seem likely that the possible author of John and the author of Revelation could be the same author, but at the same time the vocabulary of Revelation is very similar to that of John (757). Keener also states “that one writer would use the same vocabulary but write entirely different kinds of works from different perspectives seems more probable…than that two allied writers would differ in perspectives buy share vocabulary” (758). Keener also states that Revelation could have been written as early as the late 60s AD but overall supports the 90s AD date (758). M. Eugene Boring states this about the authorship of Revelation, “the author makes no claim to be an apostle or personal disciple of the historical Jesus; rather he distinguishes himself from the ‘twelve apostles,’ referring to himself simply as ‘John’ and as a ‘brother’—that is, a fellow Christian, a servant/slave—of Christ who writes prophecy” (2211).

Revelation is an occasional epistle, but mostly it fits into apocalyptic literature. The framework is that of a pastoral letter (Boring 2211) written to the seven churches: Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Smyrna, Philadelphia, Ephesus, and Laodicea. The seven churches could mean all churches (Tafoya). The purpose of Revelation was to reveal what was really going on beyond Domitian’s rule. It is a pulling back of the curtain (Tafoya). Keener adds the word ‘prophetic’ to its genre (758). The sequence of John is in logical sequence rather than chronological sequence (Keener 759). The theme of Revelation is that God is the Alpha and Omega, Christ is the Lamb who was slain, and the sovereignty of God (Tafoya). Other themes of the book include tribulation(s) and justice (Tafoya).

Craig S. Keener gave ways of interpreting Revelation which are:

1) Revelation predicts in detail the course of human history till the Second Coming.
2) Revelation reflects the general principles of history.
3) Revelation addresses only what was happening in John’s day.
4) Revelation addresses only the end time.
5) Combinations of the above approaches.

These can be found on page 760 of the work cited below.

My favorite verse in the Bible is, “for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17

I think it was my second time that I had read the Bible all the way through when I determined that of all the verses that I had read, this was the one that would be called favorite. Because it is in Revelation, I do know that I picked it out in December simply from the fact that in a Bible plan, Revelation is always read at the end and I had started on January 1st.

The reason that this verse struck me so hard was because there was so much going on in my life during that time. I was dealing with family issues, school stuff, and friend problems. The only friend who never hurt me during that year was Christ. I shed a lot of tears and I told God that I accepted His promise here “God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” The most important word in this verse is God. Who will wipe away tears? God Himself. Not an angel or a cool human or whatever. No, God will.

This semester, likewise, has been difficult. Last year I went to the University of Idaho and lived at home with my parents and brothers. I went to a church that I fell in love with. The pastor is a man whom I have listened to since I was in seventh grade. I have friends there that I have known for years and we have grown close. Colorado had very little. I have an aunt here that I barely know. Thank God for her, I have a home away from Idaho because of her. There was nobody at this university and I had many fears.

After a full spring semester of praying to God for direction, God told me Colorado was where He wanted me. During the semester I questioned that a little bit. Yet even while going through various things, I knew that everything that I was going through would make no sense if God was not in it. But even in that realization everything got harder and I know that I resisted what God was trying to do for a long time. God is faithful. He has proven to be so and that means that He will one day fulfill this promise that He made in Revelation 7:17.



WORKS CITED

Books:
Boring, M. Eugene. “The Revelation to John.” Pages 2211-2213 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.


Keener, Craig S. “Revelation,” Pages 747-821 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Class Lecture:
Tafoya, Stace. “Intro to Revelation.” Bible 114 Early Christian Literature. Colorado Christian University. 8 and 10 Dec 2008.