Revelation of John the Theologian

The author of Revelation several times calls himself John ^[1] . In addition, the author mentions that he was on the island of Patmos when he received his first vision ^[2] :

I, John ... was on an island called Patmos, for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. ... and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet, which said: I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last; write what you see in the book ... ^[3]

Therefore, the author of the book of Revelation is sometimes called John of Patmos .

Traditional Version

The traditional version attributes the authorship of this book to the Apostle John the Theologian . Although the language of the Apocalypse differs from the gospel written by John the Theologian due to the fact that, according to the pathologist and theologian Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev) , the Apocalypse speaks the language of the Old Testament symbols about the New Testament realities ^[4] , at the same time, the analysis of language images, vocabulary and syntax executed by Wilhelm Busse , allows Lopukhin to speak in favor of John the Theologian as the author of Revelation ^[5] .

Modern versions

The traditional version is questioned by some modern scholars ^{[6] [7]} , since the problems and presentation style of the Apocalypse are significantly different from the Gospel from John and the Epistles of John. It should be borne in mind that in the apostolic milieu there were several John's, which could be a later tradition combined into one figure. Thus, when enumerating his teachers, the early Christian author Papias distinguishes between “John the disciple of the Lord” and another disciple, the “presbyter John,” whom he personally knew and transmitted many stories. On this occasion, Eusebius of Caesarea notes: “If you do not consider the author of the Revelation, known by the name of John, the first John, then it means that all these visions were second” ^[8] .

The revelation was written exactly no later than the beginning of the II century, since Papius of Hierapolis knew him ^[9] . Irenaeus of Lyons dates the Revelation to the end of the reign of Domitian (81-96), many modern biblical scholars share this version ^[9] . In the 19th century, a version appeared about the creation of the book in the 60s of the 1st century (“early dating”), in the 19th century the majority of researchers adhered to this version, but in the 20th century, most biblical scholars again began to adhere to the “late dating”, that is, during the reign of Domitian ^[10] .

The text of the book itself does not allow us to conclude that one of the two dates is unconditionally faithful. The main argument for the "early" dating is the beginning of chapter 11, which refers to the "dimension of the temple." Proponents of early dating consider this text an indication of the Temple of Jerusalem , destroyed by the Romans only in the year 70. However, most authors (both ancient and modern) understand these words symbolically ^[9] .

Mentions and quotes from the book of Revelation of John the Theologian are already found in Christian authors of the 2nd century, including Irenaeus and Tertullian . Eusebius, setting out church tradition on this issue, relates the writing of the Apocalypse to the last years of Domitian's reign ( 81 - 96 years ). Irenaeus of Lyons (circa 180 ) says: “It was not seen long ago, but almost during the lifetime of our generation, at the end of Domitian’s reign” (Against Heresies, 5.30.3). This testimony is confirmed by Clement of Alexandria (who speaks of a "tyrant"), Origen, and other, later authors. Evidence in favor of such dating are the circumstances mentioned in the book (the decline of churches, severe persecution). In addition, John reports that he received the revelation in exile on the island of Patmos , and Domitian was just known for the fact that he loved to get rid of people unwanted in this way.

The question of the canonicity of Revelation has long remained open. In the 4th century, some authors even attributed it to the heretic Kerinf . Among the Church Fathers, who denied the canonicality of Revelation, were St. Cyril of Jerusalem and, apparently, St. Gregory the Theologian , who does not mention him at all in his message, “What Books of the Old and New Testaments are appropriate to read.” The Apocalypse is also absent in the list of canonical books of the Bible, approved (rule 60 ^[11] ) by the 364 Laodicean Local Council . At the turn of the fifth century , however, the opinion of Athanasius the Great about the canonicity of the Apocalypse prevailed; it was confirmed by the local cathedrals of Ippon (383 year) and Carthage ( 419 year ; rule 33 ^[12] ).

The oldest known to date Greek manuscripts of Revelation is a papyrus dating from the middle or second half of the 3rd century (the so-called third papyrus of Chester Beatty, referred to in the literature as * P ⁴⁷ ). The study showed that initially this papyrus codex consisted of 32 sheets, but to this day only 10 sheets from the middle of the codex have been preserved in slightly damaged form. Several early uncial manuscripts, including the Sinai Codex , also contain the text of Revelation. But in general, it should be noted that the Revelation of John is the least well-documented book of the New Testament in Greek manuscripts. It has been preserved in approximately 300 lists, of which only 10 manuscripts are unital, and not all are complete (for comparison, the total number of manuscripts known to date containing some particular New Testament texts in Greek exceeds five and a half thousand).

One of the reasons for the paucity of early texts may be the fact that reading from the book of Revelation was never part of the liturgical practice of the Eastern Church, possibly because the composition of the service was formed before the book was finally included in the New Testament canon (and at present, the book of Revelation does not read during worship in the Orthodox Church , with one exception, which is described below). Therefore, in particular, excerpts from Revelation are absent in Greek lecturers (liturgical books containing excerpts from the Holy Scriptures read during worship), which are one of the important manuscript sources ^[13] .

At the same time, the second chapter of the current Typicon ( Jerusalem Charter ) prescribes the reading of the Apocalypse by Great Lent at the “Great Reading” as part of the all-night vigils (between Vespers and Matins) ^[14] , which was absent in the Studios (due to the absence of vigils as such) and the Evergetid charters ^[15] .

In the Catholic Church , it is currently read at Sunday Masses during the Easter period (in liturgical year C), and songs from it are included in the Liturgy of the Hours .

Contents

In its content and style, the Apocalypse differs sharply from other texts of the New Testament; it contains the revelation received by John from God . Through visions, John revealed the upcoming birth of Antichrist on Earth , the second coming of Jesus Christ , the end of the world , the Last Judgment . The book contains images that have become a topic for numerous theological interpretations: apocalyptic horsemen , a Babylonian harlot , a woman clothed in the sun, and others. The Apocalypse mentions the Number of the Beast - 666, during the course of history various decipherments of the meaning of this number were suggested many times.

The book of Revelation ends with a prophecy that God's victory over the devil will crown a difficult struggle. In the renewed creation (“a new heaven and a new earth”) God will dwell among people in the eternal Heavenly Jerusalem . The book of Revelation ends with the words, “She, come, Lord Jesus!”, Which forever became for Christ's disciples an expression of ardent desire to bring this coming victory closer.

Revelation sums up everything that has been said about this in the biblical tradition. John resorts to images borrowed from the Old Testament prophecies, emphasizing the continuity of the Old Testament and New Testament revelations.

Structure, sequence of visions

1. Prologue. The appearance of the Son of Man and a message to the seven churches.

   A vision of the Son of Man, clothed in peir , in the midst of seven lamps and holding seven stars in his hand.

   Epistle to the seven churches .

2. Ascension of John to the throne of heaven, a vision of the One Seated on it. The throne is surrounded by twenty-four elders ( πρεσβυτέρων , elders ) in white robes and four animals ( ζῴων ), who constantly worship God.
3. Removal by the Lamb of the slain of seven seals ( σφραγῖσιν ) from a sealed book ( βιβλίον ):
   1. the first seal is a white horse ( ἵππος λευκός ) with a winning horseman holding a bow;
   2. the second seal is the red horse ( ἵππος πυρρός ) with the horseman taking the world from the earth ( εἰρήνην );
   3. the third seal is a black horse ( ἵππος μέλας ) with a horseman carrying hunger to the earth;
   4. the fourth seal is a pale horse ( ἵππος χλωρός ) with a rider named " death ";
   5. fifth seal - those killed for the Word of God are clothed in white robes;
   6. the sixth seal is the day of anger: the great earthquake ( σεισμὸς ), the fall of stars from the sky, the sky becomes like a scroll ( βιβλίον ), the moon like blood, the sun like a hair shirt .

      Four angels restrain the wind until the capture of God's servants. 144,000 captured.

   7. Seventh seal - silence in the sky, as if for half an hour.
4. Seven angels having seven trumpets ( Seven trumpets ), prepared to blow:
   1. the first angel is hail ( χάλαζα , chalaza ) and fire mixed with blood; and a third of the trees burned, and all the green grass burned;
   2. the second angel - a large mountain, blazing with fire, was cast down into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, and a third of the animated creatures living in the sea died, and a third of the ships perished;
   3. third angel - a large star fell from the sky (“ Wormwood ”); and the third part of the waters became wormwood, and many of the people died of the waters, because they became bitter;
   4. fourth angel - the third part of the sun, moon, stars was eclipsed, and the third part of the day was not bright - just like the night;
   5. the fifth angel - a star that fell from heaven to earth, opened a storehouse ( φρέαρ ) of the abyss; and the locust went out; and it was given to her to torture for five months only one people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads;
   6. sixth angel - and four angels were freed, bound by the great river Euphrates , prepared for an hour and a day, and a month and a year, in order to kill a third of the people. The phenomenon of riders on horseback with lion heads.

      The phenomenon of an angel with an open book. The author is given a book, sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the womb.

      The order to measure the temple of God and the altar, forty-two months for the Gentiles.

      Two witnesses of God for 1260 days testify, after which the beast comes out and kills them. After 3.5 days, they are resurrected. Great earthquake.

   7. Seventh angel - voices report that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of the Lord and His Christ. Opening of the Temple of God with the ark in heaven.
5. Apparitions of the characters of Revelation.
   1. A vision of a woman clothed in the sun pursued by a red dragon.
   2. War in heaven between Archangel Michael and the dragon.
   3. A beast emerges from the sea with seven heads and ten horns , which has been given power for 42 months.
   4. The appearance of another beast with lamb horns. Acceptance by people of the mark of the beast in the form of the number 666 .
   5. The appearance of the Lamb on Mount Zion with 144,000 redeemed ( 14: 1 );
   6. The phenomenon of three angels flying in the middle of heaven:
      1. the first is to proclaim the everlasting gospel ( 14: 6 );
      2. the second is the message of the fall of Babylon ( 14: 8 );
      3. the third is to warn that those who have accepted the mark of the serpent will be tormented in fire and brimstone;
   7. A voice from heaven and the appearance of the Son of Man in a golden crown, with a sharp sickle in his hand.

      An angel leaves the temple and asks Seated on a cloud for harvest; Like Christ reaping the harvest on earth;

      Another angel with a sharp sickle, after the call of an angel who has power over the fire, cuts off clusters of grapes on the earth and throws them into the grindstone of God's wrath.

6. 1. the first bowl is ulcers;
   2. the second bowl is the bloody sea;
   3. the third bowl is bloody rivers;
   4. the fourth cup is intense heat from the sun;
   5. the fifth cup is the obscurity of the kingdom of the beast;
   6. the sixth bowl - the desiccation of the Euphrates River ( 16:12 )

      Three unclean spirits gather the kings of the earth to Armageddon ;

   7. the seventh cup is a great earthquake, the fall of pagan cities, the cup of wrath for Babylon the great , a hail from heaven.
7. Visions of God's courts and the new earth.
   1. God's judgment on Babylon.

      Vision of a wife on a beast crimson. An angel reveals the secret of his wife and beast.

      Three News of Babylon:

      1. angel from heaven - "Babylon fell"
      2. a voice from heaven - “come out of her, my people”
      3. strong Angel, throwing a stone into the sea - "and it will be gone."
   2. The wedding supper of the Lamb.

      Vision glorification of God in heaven: as it were of a large people, 24 elders and tetramorphs .

      The horseman on a white horse with the host of heaven defeats the kings of the earth and their armies.

   3. Satan is bound for a thousand years.
   4. The first resurrection and the millennial kingdom with Christ.
   5. Events after the millennium.

      Satan is liberated, seduces the peoples of the earth, Gog and Magog, and gathered them to battle.

      Fire came down from heaven from God and devoured them.

      The devil is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.

   6. The vision of the court at the great white throne.

      Second Sunday, everyone’s court.

      He who was not recorded in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

   7. A vision of a new sky and a new earth.

      Jerusalem coming down from heaven.

      The river of life and the tree of life.

8. Conclusion Calls, warnings and promises.

Text

Revelation of St. John the Evangelist (King James Version)

Engels considered the Revelations of John to be the best source for judging what Christianity was at the time of its inception ^[16] .

• A series of trellises with scenes from Revelations Angers Apocalypse (14th century) in Angers, France.
• 15 engravings- xylographs of Albrecht Durer for the publication of Revelation by Koberger (1498), which brought European fame to the German artist because of the general fear of the end of the world in 1500.
• A series of 28 engravings with scenes from Revelation by Jean Duve (1546-1555).
• "A Short Story of the Antichrist" Vl. Soloviev (1900).
• The series of British films " Omen " (1976-2006) is based on the plot of "Revelation."
• In the television series " Supernatural " (USA, 2005), the 3rd , 4th and 5th seasons are devoted to the theme of the Apocalypse.
• In the television series Dexter , the main antagonist of season 6 imitated scenes from Revelation.
• In the novel by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, “Weighed down by Evil, or Forty Years Later” , an original interpretation of the personality of John and the events on Patmos Island that led to the writing of “Revelation” is given.
• Feature film “Apocalypse: Revelation of St. John the Evangelist”

At least one more book (apocrypha) is known, bearing the same name - “The Revelation of John the Evangelist”, it is also filled with apocalyptic visions, but it is a book of much smaller volume (see: Revelation of John the Evangelist, in the book: “New Testament Apocrypha” St. Petersburg Amphora. 2016, p. 403-412)

• Vladimir Solovyov . Three talk
• Julia Voznesenskaya . Pilgrimage of Lancelot
• Omen , a series of novels

• Audio bible. Revelation of John the Theologian in mp3
• Revelation of John (Apocalypse) in Greek with Russian interlinear translation .
• Russian synodal translation of the Apocalypse with comments
• Apokalischis Stagw wwannna fєol0ga (church-glory.)
• Apokali
• Apocalypse in Greek with interlinear Russian translation
• St. Andrew of Caesarea. Interpretation of the Apocalypse of St. John the Evangelist
• Charles Henry Welch. Interpretation of the book of Revelation (Apocalypse)
• Charles Homer Giblin. Apocalypse of John. Open book of prophecy

Research

• St. Andrew of Caesarea . Interpretation on the Apocalypse. [ written between 563 and 614, the first of the patristic comments of the Apocalypse had a huge impact on subsequent theologians ]
• Leo Tikhomirov . Apocalyptic doctrine of fate and the end of the world , Sergiev Posad, 1907
• about. Sergiy Bulgakov . Apocalypse of John
• about. A. Men. Reading the Apocalypse (lecture)
• about. A. Men. Reading the Apocalypse (book)
• about. A. Men. Revelation of sv. John the Evangelist (article)
• D. Guthrie. Introduction to the New Testament: Book of Revelation
• Averky (Taushev) , Seraphim (Rose) . Interpretation of the Apocalypse. - M. , 2008.
• Archbishop Averky (Taushev) . Apocalypse or revelation of St. John the Evangelist. St. Petersburg: "Acacia", 1998.
• dr. O. V. Binyukov http://apokalipsis.ucoz.ua/ Interpretation of the Revelation of John the Theologian (chap. 1-3)