I can in no way detect that the Holy Spirit produced it …they are supposed to be blessed who keep what is written in this book; and yet no one knows what that is, to say nothing of keeping it … My Spirit cannot adapt itself to the book. For me this is reason enough not to think highly of it: Christ is neither taught nor known in it. —Martin Luther, Preface to the Revelation (1522) The Book of Revelation is an ancient letter complete with an initial salutation and final blessing. Yet it is much more than a letter. It is a prophecy, but not a detailed step-by-step list of predictions whose secrets will be decoded in due season. Its imagery is violent, but its message comes from the Prince of Peace. It is steeped in Old Testament allusions, but often redefines their implications. It is an apocalyptic message whose purpose is to explain spiritual realities behind events of the day. It digs deep into the spirit with a confusing collection of interrelated symbols and visions. It is a Greco-Roman drama, flipping between scenes with musical interludes. It engages the imagination, not logic. It functions as an integrated whole that invokes the senses. John the seer, eats a book, visits the throne room of God, hears trumpets and orchestras, feels the smoke of a furnace, and smells the sulfur coming from the mouth of horses. It is baffling to the rational mind, but clearly describes with metaphors and pictures things difficult to explain in any other way. Interpreted responsibly, Revelation is important to every generation including our own. Interpreted irresponsibly, it is pure speculation with no meaning at all. While Revelation does not inform us of the exact details of what is coming, it promises that God’s kingdom will prevail. Heaven and Earth will merge and God’s will for the Universe most certainly will come to fruition. Revelation encourages followers of the Way to continue as faithful citizens of the heavenly kingdom, and to look forward to the day when its reality fully enters our physical realm. Genesis and Revelation are appropriate bookends to the 66-book library that we know as the Bible. The Roman World It is impossible to understand the book of Revelation without first understanding the world of the late first century AD when it was written. Let’s enter that world through the words of what a Roman official might report. As one might expect, he is loyal to the empire and hostile to followers of the Way. Rome is the world’s dominant superpower. Its citizens confidently proclaim the doctrine, Pax Romana, peace of Rome. Its manifest destiny is to rule the Mediterranean and all surrounding lands, expanding ever outward till all peoples, tribes and nations come under its influence. The purpose is to bring peace, rule of law, order, security, and stability to the ends of the earth. All of this will be accomplished through military might, peace through strength. Barbarous tyrants in rogue nations must be subdued and destroyed. As long as the gods smile on the mission and the military continues to do its important work, the dream will move forward. Rome’s democratic system is the gift to the world, for which its subjects should be grateful. May she live forever. Amen! Roman rulers are placed in power by divine right. They are the friends of the gods and the mediators who represent humanity. After the death of Julius Caesar, a comet was observed hovering in the sky for seven days. This was a sign from the gods. Emperors are more than mere men. They are not quite equal to the gods, but will live with them and achieve immortality. Each emperor, starting with Augustus, is the Lord, the Son of the gods, the Savior of the world. This is the Good News for all peoples of the empire. The Roman Imperial Cult is the fastest-growing world religion. It is happy to recognize the local gods of the provinces. Newly discovered gods are simply added to the blessed pantheon. Rome embraces diversity. It is important, however, that the center of all worship be directed towards the great city which is blessed by her god, Roma. People demonstrate patriotism by attending regular empire-wide celebrations and processions. These are generally well-received. The populace enjoys receiving coins thrown to them by celebrities. Sacrifices are an essential part of the rituals; it is important to maintain favor with the gods so Rome’s divine mission will continue unimpeded. These activities promote unity and patriotism. Long live Rome. On periodic Lord’s Day celebrations, all of the peoples venerate the emperor at imperial temples. This is to show appreciation for the genius bestowed upon him by the gods. Abundant statues throughout the empire remind the people of their obligations. Impressive temples portray the greatness of the empire. The structure at Pergamum, for example, is one of the seven wonders of the world; it is a magnificent sight to see. These temples serve a double function as well: They are centers of commerce. You cannot buy or sell apart from the workings of these institutions. The merchants and traders regularly conduct their affairs through temple facilities, which are situated prominently at many city centers. Romans are suspicious but respectful of the Jews. They serve one God and would rather fight to the death than be willing to submit to modest Roman requirements. They are a stubborn people. Things would be better for them if they would just obey. Worship requirements in the Roman world are quite modest. It is driven by a few demonstrations of patriotic loyalty. One must correctly and precisely follow the rituals and recognize the divinity of the emperor. Nevertheless, because the Jewish system is ancient, even more so than that of Rome, the Jews have been generously granted special exemptions. Followers of Christus are another story. At first these zealots were considered to be no more than a splinter sect of Judaism, similar to the Essenes. But no. After the Jewish war, they’ve been expelled from the synagogues. Now they have transformed themselves into an entirely new form of atheism. They call their movement, the Way. This portends trouble. Even some Roman citizens are joining their insurgency. The empire won’t tolerate this for long. Unless they give proper homage to Lord, Savior Caesar, the authorities will be forced to take action. Like the Jews, most Way-followers will not submit to empire requirements. They worship a dead man as some kind of a god, claiming that he rose from the dead and is the Jewish messiah. What does this even mean? They are weak. Way-followers won’t even fight; they die willingly for their superstition. How preposterous is that? Their worship is emotional. This is very suspicious and weird. It is particularly worrisome that they meet privately in their homes. This potentially presents a serious threat to Roman rule. Who knows what they are plotting? It can’t be good. This new superstition will undoubtedly be forcibly dealt with. Interrogations with threat and torture should prove effective. Those who relent are released. Those who resist are executed. These steps should be sufficient to wipe out this recent form of atheism. Till now, the actions against Way-followers have been sporadic. It is difficult to establish an empire-wide policy that is implemented uniformly by all the proconsuls. The Roman Imperial Cult requirements could never be enforced directly from Rome. There is simply not enough available manpower. Local authorities are entrusted to do the hard work. There are rewards directed to effective proconsuls. The more loyal ones receive more benefits. All wealth and power originate from the central glorious city. About thirty years ago, there was a major fire in Rome. A rumor quickly spread charging that the Way-followers were to blame. Caesar Nero took quick action. Some Way-followers were covered in tar and burned alive. Others were sent to the Coliseum to face the lions. After his suicide, these attacks on Way-followers diminished. The empire had a difficult time twenty years ago. In the year of the four emperors many thought that its entire system would fall into ruins. Senators pointed out the dark side of Roman rule, including economic oppression, and a great divide existing between the rich and poor. The upper classes tightly control the economy. Tacitus, a Roman senator and historian, writes: They have plundered the world, stripping naked the land in their hunger… they are driven by greed, if their enemy be rich; by ambition, if poor… They ravage, they slaughter, they seize by false pretenses, and all of this they hail as the construction of empire. And when in their wake nothing remains but a desert, they call that peace. — Tacitus, AD 55-125, The Agricola and the Germania, (1894). Nevertheless, Rome is entering into a new period of peace. May it again gain the favor of the gods and endure forever! John the Seer Another journalistic report follows. This one might come from a local official in Asia Minor. He is less patriotic to Rome and is somewhat familiar with the burgeoning Christian movement. He tries to be neutral in his reporting. It is the fifteenth year of Domitian’s reign. John, the Seer, is on the island Patmos, a small island about 60 miles off the coast of Ephesus. He is a follower of the Nazarene Christus, and he has close ties with many congregations in Asia Minor. His testimony as a traveling prophet is likely why he is now exiled. John’s clockwise circuit includes seven metropolitan areas including Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. There are likely other cities where he frequents, like Troas to the north and Miletus to the south, but he gives particular attention to these seven. The Lord’s Day holidays require everyone to give homage to Caesar. Way followers claim that Christus is Lord, not Caesar. They reject homage to Caesar and claim every Sunday to be their Lord’s Day. As can be expected, Way followers are at most danger during these times. They refuse to participate in required rituals and temple sacrifices. There are signs that Way-followers are wavering. It is sixty-five years since the crucifixion of Christus; only a few eye witnesses of his supposed resurrection remain. This Christus has not yet returned as hoped. Romans mock by saying, “Dead people go to Hades and never come back.” Jews claim that ignorant fishermen stole the dead man’s body and then proceeded with fraudulent claims. Things are as they always have been. Nothing seems to change. Meanwhile, the demands from the Imperial Cult and pressures from the locals are hard for Way-followers to resist. There are many who are asking, “Can’t we assimilate and follow the Way in secret?” Will this Way movement persist? Time will tell. Then and Now Well, here we are, some 2000 years later. The Way did indeed survive and prosper. It eventually defeated that seemingly invincible Roman empire. The Gospel message has reached billions globally and has transformed lives. One could argue that John’s revelatory visions provided needed encouragement to the fledgling 1st century movement. It gave them the battle plan which faithful followers pursued ever since. Revelation proclaims: “Don’t conform to the cultural pressures of the day. Come out of her, the political and economic systems that can be so oppressive. Worship the King of Kings; he is Lord, not Caesar.” As revelation spoke to the first century Way-followers, it also speaks to us. The battle plan remains. It comes with an eternal promise. There will be a time when heaven and earth will merge into a restored creation. When? After the Good News is fully proclaimed worldwide, and evil fully runs its course. Then the ‘not yet’ will be ‘now.’ All of our tears will be wiped away. Evil and death will be no more. Yes, but John insists that Jesus is coming soon. When is soon? When the Father, God says so. In the meantime, we have work to do. It is a privilege to participate with the Lord in establishing his kingdom on Earth whereby all his enemies will be defeated. Nothing is wasted; everything we do matters. So much for the introduction. Stay tuned for the next article. Thanks for listening, Dan Harvey, author of Wrestling with Faith, secondlooknow.com
I like it, dan!
This was fabulous. What an excellent way of laying down the context in a way way that makes such a baffling book comprehensible!
Absolutely…Thank you Dan!