The Opening Vision

1. The Opening Vision Revelation 1:1-20

2. Date and Context • Consensus suggests towards the end of the reign of Domitian (ca 95 AD) Dominus et Deus Noster. • Some sporadic persecution of Christians at this time, but references to martyrs in the work focus more on “witness” than on death. • Emperor Cult and worship of Goddess Roma is widespread and is deemed by the author to be utterly at odds with the plan of God. • Author: not to be identified with the author of the Gospel of John.Links with Gospel are present especially in the use of the Lamb imagery but genres and theology are very different. • Describes himself as prophet, servant, never as apostle.

3. Reading Revelation - an idea of context • Pliny the Younger, Governor of Bithynia, writing to the Emperor Trajan about Christians 115 AD: • “… I have handled those who were denounced to me as Christians as follows: I asked them whether they were Christians. Those who responded affirmatively I asked a second and third time, under threat of the death penalty. If they persisted in their confession I had them executed…An unsigned placard was posted, accusing a large number of people by name. Those who denied being Christian either now or in the past, I thought necessary to release, since they invoked our gods according to the formula I gave them and since they offered sacrifices of wine and incense before your image which I brought in for this purpose along with the statues of our gods, I also had them curse Christ. It is said that real Christians cannot be forced to do any of these things.”

5. Points to Note • It is NOT a prediction of the end of the world! • It does NOT follow a linear chronological sequence in its presentation of the visions • The key themes of God’s victory over evil through the Lamb is revisited in a developmental manner through the structure of the “Sevens” (Letters, Seals, Trumpets, Bowls) • The Symbolism is rooted in the Old Testament – 500 texts alluded to in 393 verses!

6. Prologue and Introductory Vision 1:1-20 1: 1-3 Prologue 1:4-8 Introduction: in form of NT Letter 1:9-20 Introduction to the First Vision

7. Prologue 1:1-3 • The “apocalypse” of Jesus Christ: Is it about him or from him? Surely god does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets” Amos 3:7 • Made known to John who “witnessed” (ἐμαρτύρησεν) to the word of God and to the witness (τὴν μαρτυρίαν) of Jesus Christ. • The Blessing (7x in Revelation, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7,14 focus each time is on the reward for faithfulness) • Reading aloud – an aspect of Jewish liturgy that was part of the early Christian tradition from the start.

8. Introduction to the Letter 1:4-8 (1) • John, to the seven Churches that are in Asia.Churches identified from 2:1-3:22. Seven is the number for wholeness. • The Greeting is Trinitarian with particular emphasis on Christ • “Grace and Peace” a characteristic Christian greeting: Who is, who was and who is to come.God: see also 1:8, 4:8 and OT roots in Ex 3:14-15, Is 41:4. • The seven Spirits – God is the source of fullness of the Holy Spirit.

9. Introduction to the Letter (2) Most attention is given to defining Jesus: • Jesus Christ the faithful witness, • the firstborn from the dead, 1Cor 15:20, Col 1:18 • the ruler of the Kings of the earth Ps 89:27 And to what he has done • He loves us • He has freed us in his blood • He has made us to be a Kingdom, • Priests to his God and Father Ex 19:6, Is 61:6 • To him Glory is to be given and all within the frame of who God is: The Alpha and Omega

10. Introduction to the First Vision 1:9-20 • 1:9 Introduction of the Seer • 1:10 The Task is given • 1:12-16 The Vision of Christ • 1:17-20 Christ Speaks

11. I, John A brother (fellow Christian) Sharing with them: The Tribulation (thlipsis - θλῖψις) see 2:9,10,22 also 2Cor 1:4 The Kingdom (βασιλείᾳ - basileia)see 1:6 The Patient Endurance (hypomene - ὑπομονῇ) 2:3,9,10; 13:10, 14:12 These are key elements of the Christian experience present throughout the New Testament but seen in a particular light in Revelation. John is in exile because of his witness.

12. The Task 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day The experience is related to Sunday worship and this provides an interpretative key to the whole vision: It takes place while the community are gathered to celebrate Sunday. A loud voice like a TRUMPET – an indication of a transcendent revelation that will recur throughout. Write in a book see Isaiah 30:8 Seven Churches Though named they represent the whole Church

13. The Christ Who Speaks - • Seven Golden Lampstands: The Divine Presence (Ex 25:37,Zech 4:1-3) • One like a Son of Man: (Dan 7:13) • Clothed with a long robe (Ex 28:4, Wis 18:24) – The Priest • and a golden sash across his chest – (Daniel 10:5) - The King • Hair white as wool – (Dan 7:9) Like the Ancient of Days – Divine! • Eyes – (2:18) All knowing • Feet like burnished bronze – (Dan 10:6) A Divine Messenger • Voice like the sound of rushing water (Ezek 1:24, 43:2) • Seven Stars in his right hand (see 1:20) The transcendent aspect of Church • Two edged sword - Heb 4:12 The Word of God. • Face shining - Matt 17:2

14. The Christ who Speaks (2) 1:17 Falling down dead at the vision of God: Ex 19:21, Is 6:5 1:18 It is Christ crucified and risen and totally identified with God who touches him with his right hand (empowers) 1:19-20 Write what you have seen: reveal what is the plan of God: that which must take place i.e the unfolding plan of God!

15. The Opening Vision • What is described cannot be considered visually but is a multi layered symbolic conceptualisation of who God is and what is revealed in Christ. • It can only be understood in terms of the Scriptures and the Christ event that is already known to those who are gathered for the liturgy. • Context of taking place “On the Lord’s Day” and being “in the Spirit” are crucial for grasping what unfolds in the rest of the book. • We are now prepared for the Penitential Rite!