CHAPTER 2
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
In doing literary analysis we need to understand the
background of the book, such as: the author, and the purpose. The authorship of
the Revelation repeatedly identifies himself as “John” (chs. 1:1, 4, 9; 21:2;
22:8). However several known early
Christian figures named “John” has been proposed as the author of Revelation,
including (1) John the son of Zebedee, the brother of James and the disciple of
Jesus, (2) John the elder, (3) Cerinthus, (4) John Mark, and (5) John the
Baptist. [1] There are three views about
the authorship of Revelation; John the apostle and beloved disciple of Christ,
John the elder, and someone using “John” as a pseudonym. Traditionally for most
Christian and Jews, it is believed that John the apostle is the author of the
book. Jacques Doukhan asserted the author was John the Apotle of Jesus. [2] In addition according to
Ranco Stevanovic John the Apostle was the author and He wrote the book of
Revelation by himself as a prisoner on the island of Patmos. [3]
Otherwise Dionysius of Alexandria was sure that the
author’s name was “John” since that claim is made in Rev 1:9; 22:7-8, but he
was unsure which “John” this might be. He eliminated John the apostle and John
Mark and finally suggested that the author was one of the two Johns buried at
Ephesus.[4] However it is necessary to ponder, as Kenneth Matthew
Jr said: “An entire body of literature
has grown up around each point regarding John and the book of
Revelation. Whether the son of Zebedee wrote Revelation or not is hotly
debated. Commentators opine that is it not important who wrote the book, as
that knowledge does not affect the message.[5]
Description of Scene Rev 4
In
this scene, John saw twenty four thrones and their occupants around the throne.
They are called presbyterous
(“elders”) and they are the first come to John’s attention in this heavenly
being.[6] The description of scene in
Rev 4 is an enthronement where the Christ begins his Authority as the King of
Kings. It seems that Revelation 4-5 is
the inauguration of Christ as the King/Priest co-regent on the Father’s throne,
which is a necessary pre-requisite before His King/Priest ministry in heaven’s
sanctuary, which occupies most of the remaining chapters of Revelation.[7]
Scholars
Interpretation of Phrase of the “Twenty Elders”
This group of heavenly
elders has been somewhat of a mystery to Bible commentators over the years. Attempts
to identify the elders have fallen into to broad categories, one saying that
they are men and the other that they are angels. Each category has three
variations, the former one saying that the men are either representatives of
Israel, representatives of the church, or representatives of both. [8]
Jurgen Roloff contended that
they are angelic being. “ Rather, everything favor the notion that the elders
signify not transfigured human beings but angelic figures.[9] In addition Hoffmann Said they are simply
angels. However according
to Seiss the twenty four elders denote to human beings, not to the angels. This
is ascertained by the song they sing, in which they speak of having been
gathered out of the tribes and peoples on the earth.[10] In
addition Philip Hughes asserted in his book, The Book
of the revelation: These elders represent the totality of the redeemed
mankind.[11] Furthermore he stated, The
ancient interpretation of the number-twenty four makes good sense, namely, that
it signifies the twelve patriarchs of Israel plus the twelve apostles, who
together stand for the saints of both
the Old and New Testament eras, or, in other words the church universal.[12] In addition Gill in his
expository added, “so these twenty four elders before the throne of God, in his
temple, represent the whole Israel of God, all the members of the Gospel church
state, from the first to the last of it.” [13]
Another
interpretation compares the 24 elders with the 24 courses of the Levitical
priesthood. As the priests ministered before God in the earthly sanctuary, so
John sees 24 elders ministering in the heavenly sanctuary.[14] H.A.
Ironside in His Book Lectures on the
Book Revelation perceive that those twenty four elders are representation of
Leviticus priesthood. The elders in
heaven represent the whole heavenly priesthood_ that is, all the redeemed who
have died in the past, or who shall be living at the Lord’s return.[15]
[1]See Jacques Doukhan , Secrets of Revelation: The
Apocalypse Through Hebrew Eyes (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 2002), 10.
[2]Eusebius Hist. ecll. 7.25.11-14, as cited by Aune
David, Word Biblically Commentary; revelation (Dallas, Texas: Word Book Publisher, 1997), p.xlix
[3]Stevanovic Ranco,
Revelation of Jesus Christ: Commentary on the book of Revelation (Berrien Spring, MI: Andrews University, 2002),
p. 5
[4]Eusebius Hist. ecll. 7.25.11-14, as cited by Aune
David, Word Biblically Commentary; revelation (Dallas, Texas: Word Book Publisher, 1997), p.xlix
[5]Matthew Jr. Kenneth. Revelation Reveals Jesus; vol. 1 (Greenville, TN: Second Coming
Publishing, 2012), 28.
[6]Thomas L. Robert,
Revelation 1-7; An Exegetical
Commentary (Chicago: Moody, 1992), p.344
[7]Thomas L. Robert,
Revelation 1-7; An Exegetical
Commentary (Chicago: Moody, 1992), p.344
[8]Ibid.
[9]Roloff Jurgen, The Revelation of John A Continental Commentary, (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993), 69
[10]
Seiss J.A., The Apocalypse, Lecture
on the Book of Revelation, ( Grand rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979),
p.103
[11]
Hughes Philip Edgcumbe, The Book
of Revelation, (Grand rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1990),
p. 72
[12]
Hughes Philip Edgcumbe, The Book
of Revelation, (Grand rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1990),
p. 72
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