REVELATION IN

JEWISHCONTEXT

IN THIS LECTURE:

1. Revelation: Basic Facts

IN THIS LECTURE:

1. Revelation: Basic Facts

2. Son of Man in Ancient Judaism

IN THIS LECTURE:

1. Revelation: Basic Facts

2. Son of Man in Ancient Judaism

3. The Image of the Son of Man

Revelation: Basic Facts

1. Revelation is a traditional Jewish

Apocalypse. Like other books of the same

genre it inspires insiders using symbols,

heavenly visions and speaks in codes that

only the informed audience would

understand.

נ 50

ר 200

ו 6

נ 50

ק 100

ס 60

ר 200

666

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six. (Rev 13:18)

6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus... I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns... 9 Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits..." (Rev. 17:6-9).

Photo: Vespasian’s coin c. 71 CE with goddess Roma seated on 7 hills

2. Revelation is anti-Roman. It enters into polemics

and war with the gods of pagan Rome.

3. Revelation is a Real Letter. It is a public message to seven physical and historical assemblies in Asia Minor connected by the system of Roman roads (Rev. 1:4). To understand its contemporary message the book first must speak to them and issues of their day.

"I know your tribulation and your poverty... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life... He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death." (Rev 2:9-11).

4. Revelation is a call to Persevere. Experiencing persecution at the hands of Roman authorities 1st century believers were tempted to compromise. Some of them gave into this pressure and were in real spiritual danger. They struggled to find their social and religious identity in the pagan environment. Roman values clashed with the embrace of Israel’s God and exclusive loyalty to him.

“…you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith... But I have a few things against you... repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth." (Rev 2:13-16)

5. Revelation is about John’s day.

The author says his visions will happen

“very soon” (Rev. 1:1, 22:6). We must

take this declaration seriously. If our

modern interpretation would make no

sense to John’s audience then we should

rethink our interpretation. Revelation was

supposed to bring comfort to some 1st

century believers but also a stern warning

of judgment to others.

"Those whom I love, I reprove and

discipline; therefore be zealous and

repent. Behold, I stand at the door

and knock..." (Rev 3:19-20)

Photo: Artemis of Ephesus

6. Revelation is also about future. In

Jewish thinking time is cyclical and

prophetic fulfilments of the same promises

may reoccur throughout history. They may

be fulfilled multiple times on various levels

throughout various ages until the end of

all things comes to its close.

“... and the dead were judged from

the things which were written in the

books, according to their deeds…

and Hades gave up the dead which

were in them... then death and Hades

were thrown into the lake of fire.”

(Rev 20:12-14)

Son of Manin Ancient Judaism

Ancient Jewish literature is full of accounts of various heavenly visions of majestic and exalted beings, revelations, secrets and conversations with angels. There are vision of future and even glimpses of the very throne of God.

Ancient Jewish literature is full of accounts of various heavenly visions of majestic and exalted beings, revelations, secrets and conversations with angels. There are vision of future and even glimpses of the very throne of God.

In the midst of all this literature one notices the image of a being in heaven that is often called “the Son of Man”. The title can be understood as describing someone who resembles a human being.

John’s Revelation utilizes the language of these Jewish books and draws images similar to those writings. Jesus is describes in most majestic terms. But just like the image of the Son of Man his nature and relationship to the one who sits on the throne is shrouded in idiomatic language.

John’s Revelation utilizes the language of these Jewish books and draws images similar to those writings. Jesus is describes in most majestic terms. But just like the image of the Son of Man his nature and relationship to the one who sits on the throne is shrouded in idiomatic language.

One has to read with an open heart of faith and make connections with Son of Man traditions, whit familiar passages of other Jewish books to make sense of it all.

14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. (Rev 1:14-16)

John’s vision reminds us of angel-like encounter in another apocalyptic book:

“On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris, I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze...” (Dan 10:4-6)

Both encounters testify, though somewhat differently, that both men (in Daniel and in Revelation) wore white linen robe with a golden girdle.

In both descriptions this figure had eyes like flaming torches, feet of burnished bronze, face that shone like a sun and voice that sounded like a sound of rushing waters. This is a remarkable similarity indeed. However, other than this remarkable similarity, there are also distinct differences.

The Son of man in Revelation is seen with the hair that is white like wool and snow (vs.14) and in the middle of the description two more important visual descriptions are added – he held in his hand seven stars and from his mount proceeded the two-edged sword.

The whiteness of the hair evokes another text curiously also located in the Book of Daniel. The Almighty God of Israel is described as the Ancient of Days, who does not only wear white robe, but also has head of white hair. We read of that magnificent encounter in Daniel 7:9-10:

“I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames; its wheels were a burning fire. “A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; Thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads upon myriads were standing before Him; the court sat, and the books were opened.” (Daniel 7:9-10)

The Revelation text can be compared with the descriptions of angel-like heavenly being (Son of Man) in Daniel. It bears resemblance in some important details (white robe and wool-likwhair) and seems to be mixed with the description of the Ancient of Days.

The Revelation text can be compared with the descriptions of angel-like heavenly being (Son of Man) in Daniel. It bears resemblance in some important details (white robe and wool-likwhair) and seems to be mixed with the description of the Ancient of Days.

Is this deliberate? One cannot say that the characters were merged on purpose, but some resemblance is evident. The Book of Enoch also contains much of the language similar to Revelation.

In Enoch God is called “Head of Days” (“Ancient of Days” - in Daniel) and also “the Lord of the Spirits”. In this passage God is described to have white hair like wool.

“And there I saw One who had a head of days, and His head was white like wool, and with Him was another being whose countenance had the appearance of a man, And his face was full of graciousness, like one of the holy angels. And I asked the angel who went with me and showed me all the hidden things…

In Enoch God is called “Head of Days” (“Ancient of Days” - in Daniel) and also “the Lord of the Spirits”. In this passage God is described to have white hair like wool.

…concerning that Son of Man, who he was, and whence he was, (and) why he went with the Head of Days? And he answered and said unto me: This is the Son of Man who hath righteousness, with whom dwells righteousness, and who reveals all the treasures of that which is hidden, because the Lord of Spirits hath chosen him, and whose lot hath the pre-eminence before the Lord of Spirits in uprightness forever.” (1 Enoch 46:1-3)

Photo: Greek Papyrus Manuscript of the Book of Enoch

As in many apocalyptic passages the Son of Man figure is in the presence of the Lord of the Spirits. In this passage (which John probably knows) he is not the one with white hair.

As in many apocalyptic passages the Son of Man figure is in the presence of the Lord of the Spirits. In this passage (which John probably knows) he is not the one with white hair.

Perhaps this is John’s way of intentionally blending the Father and the Son. The angel-like heavenly being in the Book of Revelation is also seen by John holding seven stars in his right hand.

While it is important to try and identify as much as possible that symbolism behind the seven stars, it is more important to see that the fact that he is holding them all in his right hand speaks of his great authority and power. Rev 2:20 explains - “stars are the angels of the seven assemblies”. For now the important point is that these seven stars, no matter what they represent, are under full and unquestionable control of the heavenly being that speaks to John.

The Image of the Son

of Man

So many artists attempted to depict this image from Rev 1:16 in their art and mostly without much success. We are drawn to the awkwardness of John’s further description of the Son of Man - “from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword”.

So many artists attempted to depict this image from Rev 1:16 in their art and mostly without much success. We are drawn to the awkwardness of John’s further description of the Son of Man - “from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword”.

Sword is the ultimate symbol of armed strength and victory in the ancient world. There are many different kinds of swords. The swords that were two-edged were particularly deadly since they were able to cut from both side of the blade.

Understanding the genre of Revelation we know that the double-edged sword is a metaphor. The imagery is trying to convey that the mouth of the Son of Man wields great power, like that of a double-edged sword. It is able to wound and to slay the enemies.

“And the Lord of Spirits seated him on the throne of His glory, and the spirit of righteousness was poured out upon him, and the word of his mouth slays all the sinners, and all the unrighteous are destroyed from before his face.” (1 Enoch 62:2)

The Second Temple literature and Bible has a number of passages showing that the mouth can be a very deadly weapon. In some places merely words slay, in other passages it is fire and sometimes it is the breath.

“And I beheld, and lo! The wind caused to come up out of the heart of the seas as it were the form of a man. And I beheld, and lo! This Man flew with the clouds of heaven. And wherever he turned his countenance to look everything seen by him trembled…

The Second Temple literature and Bible has a number of passages showing that the mouth can be a very deadly weapon. In some places merely words slay, in other passages it is fire and sometimes it is the breath.

…and whithersoever the voice went out of his mouth, all that heard his voice melted away, as the wax melts when it feels the fire.” (4 Ezra 13:3)

…and whithersoever the voice went out of his mouth, all that heard his voice melted away, as the wax melts when it feels the fire.” (4 Ezra 13:3)

The Son of Man has immense power in this depiction. Like in Daniel he comes “with the clouds of heaven”. His gaze alone makes things tremble. The sound of his voice makes things melt as if he is breathing fire. Though this is not a sword, the idea is the same. This angel-like being is powerful enough to destroy with his voice alone.

Prophet Isaiah writes similar words: “And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.” (Isaiah 11:3-4)

Whether it is a double-edged sword in the mouth of the Son of Man, or his voice melts all things, or he strikes the earth with the rod of his mouth the effect it of this description is very intentional.

Whether it is a double-edged sword in the mouth of the Son of Man, or his voice melts all things, or he strikes the earth with the rod of his mouth the effect it of this description is very intentional.

The overall idea here is that this heavenly being described by John in verse 16 is full of power as evidenced by him holding the seven starts and a potent sword preceding forth from him presumably to assure the seven assemblies of their safety.

One very important but additional detail is that the sword comes out of his mouth. If we ponder this issue a little, we will be struck by this small, but extremely significant detail.

One very important but additional detail is that the sword comes out of his mouth. If we ponder this issue a little, we will be struck by this small, but extremely significant detail.

Swords are always held by the hands of the worriers. To be precise, the sword is always held in the strongest hand (usually the right hand), signifying full control over the weapon.

The point in this text is not that the hands of the Son of Man are already full, but that the powerful sword under consideration here is God’s words.

The writer of the so-called Epistle to the Hebrews put it this way: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)

Revelation was composed at the time of persecution of early Christ-followers by the Roman government. This apocalyptic message is a bright hopeful future amidst difficult times.

Revelation was composed at the time of persecution of early Christ-followers by the Roman government. This apocalyptic message is a bright hopeful future amidst difficult times.

When the fate of Jesus-worshiping congregations was not clear - John is shown what must soon take place. Before he is able to see all of the heavenly drama prophetically enacted he is already overcome by this heavenly being that he sees.

…and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. (Rev 1:16-18)

The picture of royal authority and magnificence is further amplified by the shining sun-like light emanating from the Son of Man. In Mathew 17:1-2 at the transfiguration event of Christ similar description was used.

There we read that: “Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.” The difference is that Jesus’ transfiguration was temporary and Revelation image is permanent.

The picture of royal authority and magnificence is further amplified by the shining sun-like light emanating from the Son of Man. In Mathew 17:1-2 at the transfiguration event of Christ similar description was used.

So overwhelming was the vision of John that he found himself on the floor struck with paralyzing fear. The hand of the Son of Man quickly touched John and the words of comfort were soon authored by him.

So overwhelming was the vision of John that he found himself on the floor struck with paralyzing fear. The hand of the Son of Man quickly touched John and the words of comfort were soon authored by him.

The Son of Man told him not to be afraid, since he was once dead, but now is alive forever and not only that –the ultimate authority over death itself and the entire kingdom of darkness now belonged to the resurrected Son of Man (the keys of death and of Hades were now in his hand).

Holding keys to a particular domain is a clear sign of ability to exercise authority connected to that domain. Keeping doors closed or opening then always restricts or allows access.

Photo: Roman Era Key

In Matt 16:19 Peter is promised the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew 23:13 Jesus speaks of Pharisees and Scribes not entering the Kingdom and keeping others locked out as if they had the authority to do so. In Luke 11:52 parallel the Pharisees have taken away the “key of knowledge” so people cannot enter.

Holding keys to a particular domain is a clear sign of ability to exercise authority connected to that domain. Keeping doors closed or opening then always restricts or allows access.

Photo: Roman Era Key

1 And the angel took me and led me thence to a fifth heaven. 2 And the gate was closed. And I said, Lord, is not this gate-way open that we may enter? And the angel said to me, We cannot enter until Michael comes, who holds the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; but wait and thou shalt see the glory of God. 3 And there was a great sound, as thunder. (3 Baruch 11:1-3)

In 3 Baruch 11:1-3 Michael the archangel holds the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Photo: 2 Baruch (SyriacApocalypse of Baruch)

A Midrash ascribed to Rabbi Akivacites this tradition, “In that hour the Holy One, blessed be He, takes the keys of gehinnom and gives them to Michael and Gabriel before the eyes of all the righteous, and says to them: Go and open the gates of gehinnom… Forthwith Michael and Gabriel go and open the 40,000 gates of gehinnom”.

A Midrash ascribed to Rabbi Akivacites this tradition, “In that hour the Holy One, blessed be He, takes the keys of gehinnom and gives them to Michael and Gabriel before the eyes of all the righteous, and says to them: Go and open the gates of gehinnom… Forthwith Michael and Gabriel go and open the 40,000 gates of gehinnom”.

Not only the Kingdom of Heaven has gates that can be locked and unlocked, but also the Kingdom of Hell (Hades), the underworld (Mat 16:18). Jesus as the resurrected Son of Man has the authority not only in heaven, but also in Hell (Hades).

In the light of this popular idea, it makes sense that the face of Jesus shines like the sun at its strength (vs.16). Jesus calls himself the first and the last possibly referring to the Alpha and Omega title. But he is also the risen one, the one who is alive right now.

In the light of this popular idea, it makes sense that the face of Jesus shines like the sun at its strength (vs.16). Jesus calls himself the first and the last possibly referring to the Alpha and Omega title. But he is also the risen one, the one who is alive right now.

One can see the three aspects (past, future and present) in this symbolic statement. Perhaps this is yet another allusion to Jesus’s connection to God? This phrase is similar to the skillfully veiled reference of YHWH, the one “who is and who was and who is to come” in Rev.1:8-9.

19 “Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. 20 “As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Rev 1:19-20)

In verse 19 John is told to write three things:

The things he saw The things which are The things which will take

place after these things.

In verse 19 John is told to write three things:

The things he saw The things which are The things which will take

place after these things.

This is the very first clue that the readers of the letter of Revelation get about the possible structure of John’s composition. Some features of the structure or Revelation will be shown in the upcoming lessons.

There are many arguments about the message of Revelation among its interpreters. Some see it all as future yet to come; while others recognize that many things John describes have occurred in John’s life time.

Whether one takes the historical approach or a purely futuristic one, one has to acknowledge that some passages in Revelation appear to refer to the first century while others to the future that was yet to come.

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