Daniel and Revelation Committee Series Volume 7

Daniel and Revelation Committee Series

Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3 Volume 4 Volume 5 Volume 6 Volume 7

Selected Studies on Prophetic Interpretation Symposium on Daniel The Seventy Weeks, Leviticus, and the Nature of Prophecy Issues in the Book of Revelation Doctrine of the Sanctuary: A Historical Survey ( !"#$%!&'( Symposium on Revelation) Book 1 Symposium on Revelation) Book 2

S"m$osium on Revelation
E,e%etical and General Studies Book (

Editor Frank B. Holbrook

Biblical Research Institute General Con erence o Seventh!da" #dventists Silver S$rin%& 'D ()*)+

Co$"ri%ht - .**( b" the Biblical Research Institute& .(/). 0ld Columbia 1ike& Silver S$rin%& 'D ()*)+ #ll ri%hts reserved.

2he Scri$ture 3uotations throu%hout the volume are rom the Revised Standard Version o the Bible& unless other4ise indicated. 2he authors assume ull res$onsibilit" or the accurac" o all 3uotations cited in this book. Ventura Deskto$ 2"$esettin% and Desi%n b" 'artha 5unt& usin% 2imes Roman& ..6.7.

1rinted in the 8.S#. b" the Revie4 and Herald 1ublishin% #ssociation Ha%ersto4n& 'ar"land (.7+) Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data (Revised for vol. (9 S"m$osium on Revelation :Daniel and Revelation Committee series; v. <!79 Includes biblio%ra$hical re erences and inde,. I.Bible. =.2. Revelation>Criticism& inter$retation& etc. I.Holbrook& Frank B. II. Biblical Research Institute :General Con erence o Seventh!da" #dventists9. BS (?(/.(.S*< .**( ((?@.)< *(!7.)( ISB= )!*(/<7/!./!<

Ackno ledge!ents
Scri$tures 3uoted rom AB are rom The Jerusalem Bible, co$"ri%ht - .*<< b" Darton& 5on%man B 2odd& 5td.& and Doubleda" B Com$an"& Inc. 8sed b" $ermission o the $ublisher. Scri$tures 3uoted rom =#SB are rom the New American Standard Bible, 2he 5ockman Foundation .*<)&.*<(&.*<7&.*<?&.*7.&.*7(&.*77&.*7/&.*77. Scri$tures 3uoted rom =EB are rom The New English Bible, co$"ri%ht - 2he Dele%ates o the 0, ord 8niversit" 1ress and the Su"ndics o the Cambrid%e 8niversit" 1ress .*<.&.*7). Re$rinted b" $ermission. Scri$tures 3uoted rom =IV are rom the Hol" Bible& New International Version, co$"ri%ht - .*77&.*7?&.*?+& International Bible Societ". 8sed b" $ermission o Condervan Bible 1ublishers. Scri$tures 3uoted rom =DAV are rom 2he =e4 Din% Aames Version& co$"ri%ht .*7*&.*?)&.*?(& 2homas =elson& Inc.& 1ublishers. Scri$tures 3uoted rom RSV are rom the Revised Standard Version o the Bible& co$"ri%ht - .*+<&.*/(&.*7. b" the Division o Christian Education o the =ational Council o the Churches o Christ in the 8S#. 8sed b" $ermission. Scri$tures 3uoted rom 2EV are rom the Good News Bible 0ld 2estamentE Co$"ri%ht - #merican Bible Societ" .*7<; =e4 2estamentE Co$"ri%ht - #merican Bible Societ" .*<<&.*7.&.*7<.

#bbreviations
#nchor Bible
Ancient Christian Writers Assem*lies du Sei+neur (Bruges) The Ante- icene !athers Andre,s -niversity Seminary Studies Bulletin) American School of .riental Research Bi*lica Bulletin) /ohn Rylands 0i*rary Bi*liotheca Sacra 1he Bi*le 1ranslator 2atholic Bi*lical 3uarterly 2orpus iuris canonici 2oncordia 1heolo+ical 4onthly "aniel an# $e%elation Committee Dictionary of Ne, 1estament 1heolo+y Den5in+er6Schonmet5er: 7nchiridion Sym*olorum 7tudes 1he8olo+i9ues et Reli+feuses (&ont'ellier) 7van+elische 1heolo+ie ()en *+ White, 7arly :ritin+s 7;positors Bi*le 2ommentary 7;pository 1imes <rankfurter All+emeine =eitun+ (llen *+ White, 1he >reat 2ontroversy Herder ?orresponden5 -an#.uch /um euen Testament (Tu.ingen) Harvard 1heolo+ical Revie, Interpreter@s Bi*le 0nternational Critical Commentar1 Interpreter@s Dictionary of the Bi*le Israel 7;ploration /ournal Interpretation Irish 1heolo+ical 3uarterly International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (revA ed. 12721233) Journal of Biblical 0iterature

viii

/71S /ournal of the 7van+elical 1heolo+ical Society /RS /ournal of Roman Studies 4CC The 4i.rar1 o5 Christian Classics 4C4 4oe. Classical 4i.rar1 46 (+ *+ White+ 0ife Sketches 477 6e'tuagint A5" 4aterialdienst NICNT e8 0nternational Commentar1 on the e8 Testament NovT Novum 1estamentum NSRB e8 6co5iel# $e5erence Bi.le (1267) 9 ! icene an# 9ost- icene !athers N1A Ne, 1estament A*stracts N1D D.S Neue 1estament Deutsch N1S Ne, 1estament Studies PG &igne, Patrolo+ia +raecaB &igne, e#+ PC Pulpit 2ommentary PL Patrolo+fa latino) &igne+ e#+ RB Revue *i*li9ue R>> Die Reli+ion in >eschichte und >e+en,art $Revie, and Herald R1hPh Revue ae 1heolo+ie et de Philosophic 6BT 6tu#ies in Bi.lical Theolog1 6+9+C+:+ 6ociet1 5or the 9romotion o5 Christian :no8le#ge 1DN1 1heolo+ical Dictionary of the N1 1:N1 1heolo+isches :orter*uch 5um Neuen 1estament 1h= 1heolo+ische =eitschrift) -niversity of Basel CSp 0a Cie Spirituelle (9aris) C1 Cetus 1estamentum C1Sup C1) 6u''lements =N: =eitschrift fur die neutestamentliche :issenschaft ST =eitschrift fur systematische 1heolo+ie

I"

Contents
#ckno4led%emen ts Guide to 2ransliteration #bbreviations . #o the Reader . .

v vii viii ,iii

E,e%etical Studies
I. #$e Saints% &nd-#i!e 'ictory (ver t$e )orces of &vil **... + Filliam G! Aobnsson #$e C$urc$ in Conflict, (vervie ....... + #$e C$urc$ in Conflict, &-egesis ........ ./ II. #$e 0ark of t$e Beast ............. /. C. 'erv"n 'a,4ell #$e 0ark ............... /. Ro!an Cat$olicis! and t$e 1nited States ..... 23 So!e 4uestions Ans ered .......... .5. III. Conte-tual A66roac$ to t$e Seven Last Plagues ..... .++ 7ans 8. LaRondeIle I'. Babylon, Anti-C$ristian &!6ire .......... .9. Hans D. 5aRondeIle '. #$e Seven 7eads, Do #$ey Re6resent Ro!an &!6erors: . . . .77 Denneth #. Strand 'I. #$e # o Su66ers .............. 5;3 Richard 5ehmann VIL The Millennium .............. 225 Aoel Badma 'IIL <e =erusale!-#$e 7oly City .......... 5/+ Roberto Badenas II

General Studies
I". Sanctuary and =udg!ent ............ 539 Aan 1aulsen

X. "I. "IL

,in.
"I'.

#$e Re!nant C$urc$ and t$e S6irit of Pro6$ecy . > ?er$ard Pfandl #$e 0odern Pa6acy, Clai!s and Aut$ority =o$ann 7ein@ Ar!ageddon, Si-t$ and Sevent$ Plagues ... 7ans 8. LaRondeIle Sabbat$ 7y!ns for t$e 7eavenly Sanctuary (4u!ranA Filliam H. Shea C$rist, Son of 0an, La!b ....... Herbert Diesler

III A66endices

A. <ote on &AAen (7as Co!eA ...... C. 0ervyn 0a- ell B. Ar!ageddon, 7istory ofAdventist Inter6retations Hans D. 5aRondeIle C. Daniel and Revelation Co!!ittee, )inal Re6ort B. Richard 5esher& Frank B. Holbrook Inde-

GI

#o t$e Reader
#dventist teachin% and $reachin% rom the book o Revelation has al4a"s dra4n heavil" rom its last hal :cha$s. .(!((9. 2he studies com$osin% book ( o the S m!osium on "e#elation are devoted almost e,clusivel" to this $ortion o Aohn@s vision. 24o cha$ters e,e%ete Revelation .(!.+ and discuss amon% other thin%s the ima%e and mark o the beast. In this connection the reader 4ill a$$reciate an u$date on the role o the $a$ac" in our times& cha$ter .)& H2he 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit".H 2hree studies elucidate and a$$l" valid $rinci$les o $ro$hetic inter$retation to the subIects o the seven last $la%ues :Rev ./!.<9& Bab"lon the Great :Rev .7!.?9& and #rma%eddon :Rev .<9. # histor" o #dventist inter$retation o the latter subIect is a$$ended as an illustration o ho4 im$ortant it is or $astors and evan%elists to let Scri$ture& not current events& $oint us to sound inter$retations o the $ro$hecies. Since Seventh!da" #dventists stand virtuall" alone on their understandin% o the crucial subIect o the millennium& 4e believe!the e,$osition o this to$ic 4ill be 4elcomed b" ministers and members alike. General articles anal"Je ke" $assa%es dealin% 4ith the themes o Iud%ment& the $ro$hetic %i t in the remnant church& and Christ@s titles. 0ne article $rovides an insi%ht rom Kuroran that im$acts on the inter$retation o the e,$ression& Hthe 5ord@s da"H :Rev .E.)9. 24o e,e%etical studies o Revelation .* and (.!(( $rovide e,cellent insi%hts on the second advent o Christ and the =e4 Aerusalem& the Hol" Cit" o the redeemed. Finall"& 4e e,$ress our a$$reciation to the several authors :si, rom outside =orth #merica at the time o 4ritin%9 4hose ine contributions are included in book (E Robert Badenas 7erbert 8iesler Aan Paulsen =oel Badina 7ans 8- LaRondelle Gerhard 1 andl Aohann 7ein@ Ric$ard 5ehmann Filliam 7. S$ea Filliam G. Aohnsson C. 'erv"n 'a,4ell 8ennet$ #! Strand
D#=IE5 #=D REVE5#2I0= C0''I22EE

?eneral

Con erence o Seventh!da" #dventists

,m

I
&"&?&#ICAL S28DIES

Revelation .(!.+ Revelation ./!.< Revelation .7!.? Revelation .* Revelation () Revelation (.!((

C$a6ter I

#$e SaintsC &nd-#i!e 'ictory (ver t$e )orces of &vil

Filliam G. Aohnsson

#$e C$urc$ in Conflict, (vervie

&ditorial Syno6sis. 2he scenes that com$ose the core o Revelation@s visions& cha$ters .(!.+& are im$ortant to the Seventh!da" #dventist mission and messa%e and $resentl" are o interest to various %rou$s in the contem$orar" 4orld. 2he inter$retation o the $assa%e& sa"s the 4riter& H4ill be lar%el" determined b" the decisions 4e have reached about the nature and structure o the book !rior to$ our stud" o it. Four maIor HschoolsH o inter$retation contend or $ride o $lace in inter$retin% this %rand summation o Scri$ture. 2he $reterist method inter$rets the $ro$hec" in terms o events related to Aerusalem and Rome& but ails to see the movements o the $ro$hec" rom Aohn@s da" to the second comin% o Christ and a Hne4 heaven and a ne4 earth.H Futurism $laces the ul illment at the end o the a%e and ne%lects the e$istolar" orm o the document addressed to actual Christian con%re%ations in #sia 'inor. 2he timeless& s"mbolic HschoolH is to be reco%niJed as the descendant o the unsatis actor" alle%orical a$$roach to Scri$ture that lourished in the 'iddle #%es. 2he evidence o the visions themselves su$$orts the continuous!historical method as 4e see the %enerall" se3uential movement in the visions. Histor" be! comes the unrollin% o the $ro$hetic scroll itsel . # res$onsible e,e%esis o Revela! tion .(!.+& sa"s the 4riter& should address the te,t at three levelsE that o its s"mbolic $atterns& its meanin% or Aohn@s da"& and its historical ul illment intended b" God be"ond an" meanin% irst centur" Christians 4ould have ound in it. #$e book of Revelation is i!6regnated it$ (# allusions& and Revelation .(!./ $as its s$are of t$is biblical i!agery. Alt$oug$ the $assa%e must be e,e%eted in its o n rig$t> t$ere is strong evidence t$at links t$e subDect matter o Revelation .5-./ it$ t$e subDect !atter o the $ro$hecies of Daniel 7!?. 2he 6assage centers in conflict as t$e forces of evil o66ose C$rist and 7is $eo$le& but t$e latter are 6ortrayed as e!erging ulti!ately victorious and trium$hant.

rne saints End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o Evil

Section (utline
I. Introduction II. Si%ni icance of t$e 1assa%e III& Issues in Inter$retation I'. Consideration o Conte,t V. 5iterar" Structure

Introduction
2he dramatic $ro$hec" o Revelation .(!.+ $rovides the ke" to the entire book. Central in location and $ur$ose& it brid%es the un oldin% o Christian histor" rom Aohn@s da" to ours :cha$s. .!..9 4ith the concentration on the inal events o earth@s histor" :cha$s. ./!((9. 8nsur$assed in the %randeur o its themes& it ran%es rom 4ar in heaven to God@s $eo$le saved at last on 't. Cion. It $redicts a rei%n o terror a%ainst the $eo$le o God& in 4hich the lines o demarcation 4ill be shar$l" dra4n& orcin% the choice o either 4orshi$ o the HbeastH or death. # series o color ul characters 6arades throu%h these c$a6ters. Be see the 4oman& the 5amb& and the 6eo6le of ?od> o ten su erin% and dying or their aith. # %reat red dra%on& 6o erful and dece6tive> orks throu%h a con ederac" o evil& seekin% to subvert and destroy ?od%s follo ers. Be see a %ri$$in% $arod" o God@s kin%dom& as a satanic trinity a$e not !erely the $ersons o the Godhead but also t$e divine activities and ors$i6. #nd the $assa%e intri%ues us 4ith its m"ster" and cr"$tic clues. It calls or 4isdom@s insi%ht to deci$her the meanin% o the number <<<. #lthou%h Aohn a$$arentl" intended this number to $rovide the inal& decisive identi "in% mark o the beast& it has en%endered discussion and dis$ute rom the second centur" to our da"! #nd 4e ind other $uJJlesE Fho or 4hat is the beast itsel and its alter ego 4hich causes all the 4orld to follo it& and 4hat is the HmarkH o the beastL 2his cha$ter seeks to unlock the meanin% o Revelation .(!.+. It endeavors to disclose the overall structure o the $assa%e and to inter6ret its leadin% moti s. It does not ai! to set fort$ an e-egesis o eac$ detail of ever" verse. 2o do so 4ould re3uire a ver" len%th" study. 0ur task o inter$retin% Revelation .(!.+ 4ill take us throu%h si,ste$s. Fe shall take u$ in order the si%ni icance o the $assa%e& issues in inter!

2he Saints@ End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o Evil $retation& conte,t& structure& and e,e%esis. Finall"& 4e 4ill indicate brie l" the im$ortance o the $assa%e or Seventh!da" #dventist $roclamation. In this section 4e 4ill e,$lore the irst our areas& reservin% the e,tended e,e%esis and conclusion or the second section o the cha$ter.

Si ni!i"#n"e o! the P#ss# e

From the earliest da"s o our movement Seventh!da" #dventists have considered Revelation .(!.+ a hi%hl" si%ni icant $assa%e. Kuite recentl" it has attracted considerable attention amon% man" other Christians also. 2he books o Daniel and Revelation sha$ed #dventist sel !understandin%. Daniel 7!* and Revelation .(!.+& 4ith Revelation .+E<!.( in $articular& %ave our $ioneers a sense o $ro$hetic identit" and messa%e. Fe call men and 4omen back to the 4orshi$ o the livin% God and a4a" rom that o the beast. Aust as the beast rom the earth in cha$ter .7 seeks to $romote the beast rom the sea and its 4orshi$& so the three an%els o cha$ter .+ 4arn a%ainst this alse con ederac" and challen%e the 4orld to %ive alle%iance to the Creator o the heaven and earth. 2hus& in vital as$ects Revelation .7 and .+ are counter$arts& each ine,$licable 4ithout consideration o the other. 2hou%h to a lesser e,tent& cha$ter .( has been im$ortant to us also. Fe have looked to verse .7& cou$led 4ith Revelation .*E.)& as a ke" te,t in our sel !understandin%. #$e locus classicus or the understandin% o Revelation .(!.+ is 8riah Smith@s Thoughts on %aniel and the "e#elation& ' Here 4e ind those inter$retations so in luential amon% the $ioneers o the "oun% Seventh!da" #dventist Church& cradled in =orth #mericaE the 1a$ac"& the rise o the 8nited States o #merica and its eventual re$udiation o reli%ious libert"& the universal Sunda" decree& and the Vicarius (ilii %ei o the $a$al tiara.( &llen Fhite %ave her su$$ort to the maIor lines o the $ioneers@ inter$retation.7 In this cha$ter 4e do not $ur$ose to embark u$on a de ense o Smith@s e-egesis> even as e are not $rimaril" concerned 4ith criti3uin% it. 0ur chie aim is to stud" Revelation in its o4n ri%ht& so ar as $ossible allo4in% the te,t to $oint the 4a" to its o4n inter$retation. I 4as reminded o this need or the $rimac" o Scri$ture in dramatic
. Rev. ed. :=ashville. .*++9. Smith@s irst e,e%esis o Revelation& Thoughts, )riticaland *ractical, on the Book of Revelation, a$$eared in .?</. ( Ibid.& //?!<(7 7 Ellen ?. B$ite> The Great )ontro#ers :'ountain Vie4& CA> .*..9& /+&+7*!/)&/7*!?)&<)+.

2he SaintsM End!2ime Victor" (ver t$e )orces of &vil ashion some time a%o. I visited Salt Lake City> 1ta$EFion for the 'ormons. 2he $arallels it$ #dventism are striking> al!ost eerie. Bot$ arose in the northeast o the 8nited States near t$e same ti!eG bot$ clai! t$at the $ro$hetic %i t has been restored; bot$ give #merica a 6ro!inent 6lace in their teachin%s; both claim to set orth the true gos6el after t$e a6ostasy o the 'iddle #%es; both direct attention to t$e sanctuaryG both call or obedience to God@s commandments; bot$ claim to be the true church o the last da"s be ore Christ returns. #nd both look to Revelation ./.. 4as shocked to hear Revelation ./,2> 3 Huoted by the 0or!on %uide and then to be told that the $ro$het 0oroni fulfilled t$ese versesI But not onl" #dventists and 'ormons intensivel" stud" Revelation .(!.+. #s 4e a$$roach the "ear #D. ())) an a$ocal"$tic mood has suddenl" a$$eared in the Festern 4orld. 2he $ressin%& seemin%l" insoluble $roblems that have %ri$$ed societ" >behavioral& economic& international>e,acerbate the s$irit o %loom. #lon% 4ith the secular a$ocal"$tic man" evan%elical Christians sho4 a ne4 interest in eschatolo%". In $articular& the theor" o a Hsecret ra$tureH has %ained 4ides$read acce$tance. Fhile details var"& man" inter$retations o Revelation b" adherents to the Hra$tureH attribute almost the entire book :+E(!.*E(.9 to a seven!"ear $eriod o antichrist that ollo4s the Hra$tureH :itsel su$$osedl" indicated b" Revelation +E.>HCome u$ hitherH9. Fith hei%htened e,$ectations o an imminent Hra$ture&H the $ortra"al o antichrist in Revelation .(!.+ assumes ne4 $rominence. 0ccasionall" stories o a national cons$irac" centerin% in the m"stic number <<< : or e,am$le& involvin% the Internal Revenue Service o the 8nited States9 %ain credence. / 0ur stud" o Revelation .(!.+& there ore& $roceeds a%ainst the back%round o si%ni icant #dvcntist histor" and contem$orar" s$eculation.

Issues in Inter6retation
Be ore 4e can undertake an inter6retation of t$e !ain sy!bols of Revelation >the dra%on& the sea beast> t$e eart$ beast> t$e !ark> and t$e number <<<>4e must take u$ %eneral issues. Into no book of t$e Bible

Geor%e 0r4ell@s +,-. attracted e,traordinar" attention as the actual "ear + #s an e,am$le& a$$roached. / See& or e,am$le& .(& .*?.&7& .+. ti!e i%ure.

Denneth II. Food@s editorial& H2he IRS Rumor& et al.&H Ad#eniist "e#iew, 'arch 5ike4ise& ilms such as the H0menH scries have attached <<< to a salanic& end!

2he SaintsM End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o Evil !ay the res$onsible e,e%ete sim$l" $lun%e& disre%ardin% 3uestions o the historical settin%& $ur$ose& structure& and so on. Fith Revelation these $rior considerations are even more 4ei%ht". 1he interpretation of Revelation % $%" ,ill *e lar+ely determined *y the decisions ,e have reached a*out the nature and structure of the *ook prior to e;aminin+ these chaptersA 2hese decisions involve our understandin% o the unit" o the book& the nature o a$ocal"$tic $rediction& and the relation o Revelation to the 02 and in $articular to the book o Daniel. #n inter$retation o an" $ortion o Revelation 4ill be %overned b" one@s $reunderstandin% in each o these matters. 0bviousl"& a ull!blo4n e,amination o these areas 4ould reach be"ond the limited sco$e o the $resent cha$ter. Indeed& each $oint itsel has called orth much scholarl" stud" and could occu$" a mono%ra$h in its o4n ri%ht. R9r our $ur$ose& res$onsible e,e%esis su%%ests that 4e la" out our $reunderstandin%& not attem$tin% an e,haustive de ense& but sho4in% an a4areness o other o$tions and brie l" indicatin% 4h" 4e have chosen our $osition on each $oint. 1nity of t$e Book Since the time o H. Grotius :.<+.9& much critical stud" o Revelation has endeavored to account or its di iculties b" $ositin% a theor" o underl"in% sources. It has been conIectured that various Ae4ish or Christian a$ocal"$ses orm the basis o the book& or that Revelation 4as $ut to%ether out o t4o di erent 4ritin%s rom the same author.< For instance& Erbes and S$itta sa4 in Revelation .7 an a$ocal"$se 4ritten in the rei%n o Cali%ula and re lectin% the condition o 1alestine in #.D. 7*! +.; Fellhau!sen and A. Feiss& ho4ever& $ostulated t4o sources behind the cha$ter. 7 #$art rom a e4 recent scholars 4ho continue to advance literar"!critical theories : or e,am$le& A. 'ass"n%berde Ford@s thesis?>surel" aberrantN>o t4o HBa$tistH sources& cha$ters +!.. rom Aohn the Ba$tist and .(!(( b" a disci$le o his9& care ul stud" o Revelation in %eneral has turned a4a" rom such conIectures. Fhile the author dre4 u$on the und o 02 and nonbiblical s"mbolism& it seems clear that Hneither connected
< 1aul Feine& =o$annes Be$! and Ferner Geor% Dummel& Introduction o/ the New Testament, tr. #. A. 'altill& =r. :=ashville& .*</9& 7(/. 3 R. II. C$arles> A )ritical and E0egetical )ommentar on the "e#elation o/ St& John (&dinburg$> .*<79& .E77?!.). ? "e#elation, AB :=e4 Oork& .*7/9.

#$e saints@ lind!2imerVrctor" (ver the Forces o Evil sources nor secondar" inter$olations can be demonstrated.H 2he e,$osition o Revelation .(!.+ in this cha$ter thus $resu$$oses the essential unit" o the cha$ters in vie4 and the entire book. <ature of A6ocaly6tic Predictions Fe 4ill con ine our considerations here to the visions o Revelation& raisin% the 3uestion o the ul illment o these $redictions. #re 4e to look or s$eci ic events in histor" to 4hich the visions $ointL Do the visions ocus on the end!time& so that onl" the inal %eneration>those 4ho live throu%h the %reat tribulation immediatel" be ore the Second Comin%> see that ul illmentL #lternativel"& do the visions belon% to Aohn@s o4n era& linked to alse e,$ectations o an imminent 1arousiaL 0r are 4e to understand them in "et another 4a"L Inter$reters o Revelation in %eneral all into one o our cate%ories vis!a!vis these 3uestionsE #$e 6reterist sc$ool. 2he S$anish Aesuit #lcaJar :d. .<.+9 4as the irst to inter$ret Revelation +!.* as allin% totall" 4ithin the a%e o Aohn and the centuries immediatel" ollo4in%. 1reterist inter$reters o Revelation commonl" see the all o Aerusalem or the all o Rome as ul illments o maIor $redictions o the book. 2he" see in the evil con ederac" o cha$ter .7 the hostile i%ures o $a%an Rome& aided and ostered b" the im$erial cult #$e futurist sc$ool. 0n the other hand the uturist school rele%ates most o the book to the uture. It stems in lar%e measure rom the late si,teenth centur" S$anish Aesuit Ribera :Ribera& ho4ever& 4as not an out!and!out uturist; he $aid attention also to the historical settin% o Revelation9... #$e ti!eless sy!bolic sc$ool. 2his $ers$ective does not look or s$eci ic ul illments. Fhereas three schools are historical in $ers$ective& locatin% ul illments at the be%innin%& end& or durin% the $eriod o Christian histor"& this methodolo%" is nonhistorical. It sees the visions o Revelation in terms o basic $rinci$les b" 4hich God acts in histor". Fe ma" 4ith Iusti ication see this school as the descendant o the alle%orical method o inter$retation 4hich lourished in the 'iddle #%es. Continuous-$istorical sc$ool. Fhereas the above schools e ectivel" remove Revelation rom the Christian Era that intervenes bet4een Aohn@s
* Feine& 7(/. .) I have ada$ted this section rom a hel$ ul summar" o the subIect in Robert H. 'ounce& The Boo1 o/ "e#elation, =.C=2 :Grand Ra$ids& .*779& 7*!./. .. 2hat is& the $eriod intervenin% bet4een Aohn@s da" and the last thin%s is not in vie4E ibid.& +).

2he SaintsM End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o Evil century and the $eriod Iust $rior to the end& the continuous!historicist a66roac$ sees histor" as the unrollin% o the divine $redictions. Smith@s Thoughts on %aniel and the "e#elation and #dventist inter$retation %enerall" belong to this school. Be shall not attem$t to anal"Je the stren%ths and 4eaknesses o each o these schools. Rather& 4e list the actors that orm the basis or the a$$roach 4e ado$t in this e,$ositionE .. 2he Revelation had meanin% or the $eo$le o God to 4hom it 4as irst directed. Be must not ne%lect the e$istolar" orm&.( rememberin% that there were actual Christian con%re%ations at E$hesus& Sm"rna& 1er%amos& and so on. =or can e b"$ass the inIunction to read it aloud :.E79& 4ith the $romised blessin% on those 4ho should hear it. 1resumabl"& the Revelation was read to the earl" Christian con%re%ations& and the" did receive a messa%e fro! ?od. In m" Iud%ment& the uturist school comes to %rie on this datum. (. But the Revelation also looked be"ond Aohn@s da". 2he visions all move to the end& lookin% to the second comin% o Christ and the eventual emer%ence o Ha ne4 heaven and a ne4 earthH :(.E.9. 8nder the $reterist vie4& a lar%e $art o the book>and indeed& that %oal to4ard 4hich the 4hole 4ritin% moves >is devoid o meanin%. 1resumabl" it belongs amon% the dusthea$s o ailed $ro$hec". #s one 4ho a4aits the ?lad Return& I reIect this inter$retation. 7. Further& the book itsel $rovides evidence or a %enuine se3uential movement. Fe should note .E.*>H=o4 4rite 4hat "ou see& 4hat is and 4hat is to take $lace herea ter.H Fhile it is haJardous to ar%ue or a strict order o events& the ver" $resentation o the visions& all o 4hich culminate in the end& su%%ests some sort o develo$ment in time. Cha$ter .(& or instance& %ives evidence o se3uence. 2he 4oman is $re%nant; she %ives birth; the child is snatched a4a"; the 4oman lees to the desert; she inds $rotection in the 4ilderness or .(<) da"s; the dra%on makes 4ar 4ith the rest o her o s$rin%. Consider also cha$ter .7 itsel and its counter$art& cha$ter .+. In cha$ter .7 4e see a $arade o monsters>dra%on& sea beast& land beast 2hat a se3uence o some sort is bein% ollo4ed is su%%ested b" the ollo4in% evidenceE a. 2he land beast $romotes the sea beast& 4ho in turn derives e,istence rom the dra%on. 2hat is& the land beast unctions because the sea beast alread" has a $lace :and the dra%on be ore the sea beast9. b. 2he dra%on& havin% ailed to destro" the hol" Child& $ursues the
.5 Rev .,/>..G (E.; etc.

2he Saints@ End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o Evil HseedH o the 4oman :.(E.7&.79; in seekin% to accom$lish this $ur$ose he %ives H$o4er& seat& and authorit"H to the sea beast :.7E(9. c. 2he sea beast receives a mortal stroke& but is healed :.7E79. d. 2he sea beast@s $eriod o su$remac" is H+( monthsH :.7E/9. e. 2he three an%els o .+E<!.( sound a $roclamation couched in the settin% o the dece$tions o the land beast; their 4ork is consummated b" the Second Comin% :.+E.+9. 2hus& the ver" orm o the vision orces us to understand some sort o historicist ul illment. Revelation .(!.+ ocuses on the $eriod bet4een the First and second advents o Christ& hi%hli%htin% the inal con ederac" o evil and the inal messa%e o 4arnin% to the 4orld. +. Fhile 4e should look to events in histor" as 4e seek to understand Revelation& 4e must also ackno4led%e that its s"mbols embod" a $hiloso$h" o divine activit"& a timeless $ortra"al o the stru%%le bet4een the orces o %ood and evil. 2hus& Revelation brin%s more than ho$e or the Second Comin%; it s$eaks e,istentiall" to all lo"al ollo4ers o the 5amb& es$eciall" to those 4ho are under%oin% o$$ression. In m" Iud%ment& there ore& a res$onsible e,e%esis o Revelation .(!.+ should address the te,t at three levelsE that o its s"mbolic $atterns& its meanin% or Aohn@s o4n da"& and the historical ul illment o the vision. 0nl" b" such means ma" 4e be true to the com$le, nature o the data. In our e,$osition 4e shall %ive some attention to the irst t4o levels. Holdin%& ho4ever& that the vision had ul illment intended b" God be"ond an" meanin% that the irst centur" Christians ma" have ound in it& 4e shall %ive most stud" to the third& or historicist& level..7 Relation to t$e (ld #esta!ent For man" "ears students o Revelation have been a4are o the book@s close relation to the 02 Revelation is im$re%nated 4ith 02 allusions& althou%h it does not contain a sin%le verbatim 3uotation rom that source. Clearl"& Revelation .(!.+ embodies s"mbolism and ideas rom Daniel 7!?. 2he sea beast is a com$osite o the our beasts o Daniel 7>leo$ard& bear& lion& and ten homs. It like4ise e,hibits characteristics o the Hlittle hornH o Daniel 7> blas$hem" and $ersecution. Be ind the same time $eriod as in Daniel 7E(/>.(<) da"s :time& times and a hal ; or +( months& Rev .(E<&.+; .7E/9.
.7 0ur inter$retation& there ore& is in continuit" 4ith t$e a$$roach o 8riah Smith but s$o s a develo$ment or enlar%ement be"ond it.

.)

2he SaintsM End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o Evil 2he sea beast also sho4s $arallels 4ith the Hhorn rom littlenessH o Daniel ?. Indeed& the e,$licit descri$tions o the Daniel ? horn@s de iance o God>not onl" blas$hem" but standin% u$ a%ainst Hthe $rince o the hostH :vs. ..9& attackin% the sanctuar" :vss. ..!.+9& and causin% lar%e!scale a$ostas" rom true 4orshi$ :vss. .(&(+9>closel" $arallel the account o the sea beasts de$redations. Further& the element o dece$tion& brou%ht out b" the land beast@s activities in Revelation .7& to some de%ree corres$onds 4ith the account o this Hhorn@sH $ractices in Daniel ?E(7! (/. Fhile e must e,e%ete the vision o Revelation in its o4n ri%ht& it is nevertheless a$$arent that our $rior inter$retation o Daniel 4ill in luence the outcome. In this cha$ter 4e shall merel" state& 4ithout attem$t at $roo & our understandin% o the visions o Daniel 7!?E .. 2he "ear!da" relationshi$& a bastion o historic #dventist inter$retation& underlies the time $eriods o these cha$ters :recent studies have advanced convincin% su$$ort or the "ear!da" idea9..+ (. 2he visions o Daniel 7 and ? outline a continuous!historical develo$ment rom the time o Daniel to the Second Comin%../ 7. 2he Hlittle hornH o Daniel 7 and the Hhorn rom littlenessH o Daniel ? $oint $rimaril" to the s"stem o alse 4orshi$ embodied in the ideas o the $a$ac"& $articularl" durin% its he"da" in the 'iddle #%es..<

Consideration of Conte-t
Fe 4ill notice both the immediate and the lar%er settin% o cha$ters .(!.+& as 4ell as the thematic elements o the $assa%e.

I!!ediate Setting 2he $assa%e is bounded b" Revelation ..E.* and ./E+. 2his section o Revelation comes in the midst o the our se$tets>the seven churches& the seven seals& and the seven trum$ets $recedin% it& and the seven bo4ls ollo4in% it. Fhile 4e ind no mention o the number 7 in the section& 4e ma" in act see it in terms o seven scenes. 2he author@s re$eated HI sa4@M :or e3uivalent9 marks o the scenes :.(E.!7; .7E.&..; .+E.&<&.+; ./E.9. #s 4e
./ See Billia! 7. Shea& Selected Studies on *ro!hetic Inter!retation, DARC(0 series& vol. . :Silver S6ring> 0D, Biblical Researc$ Institute> .*?(9& /<.*7. .9 Sec )rank B. 7olbrook. ed&& S m!osium on Daniel, DARC(0 series& vol. ( :Silver S$rin%& 0D, Biblical Researc$ Institute& .*?<9. .2 Ibid. ..

2he Saints@ End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o Evil have alread" su%%ested& the section centers in con/lict>the orces o evil o$$ose the $eo$le o God but eventuall" the latter emer%e victorious. Fe ma" title thesection H2he Saints Victorious 0ver the Con ederac" o Evil&H and break do4n its constituent $arts as ollo4sE .. .(E.!.7>2he Dra%onMs 4ar are a%ainst Christ and the 4oman. (. .7E.!.)>2he sea beast@s attacks on the saints. 7. .7E..!.?>2he land beast@s con ederac" 4ith the sea beast a%ainst the saints. +. .+E.!/>2he saints& God@s lo"al ollo4ers. /. .+E<!.7>God@s last 4arnin% to the 4orld. <. .+E.+!()>2he Second Comin%& harvest o the 4orld. 7. ./E.!+>2he saints trium$hant..7 24o eatures o this conte,t call or $articular comment. First& the entire vision o the con lict o the orces o evil and the saints is set a%ainst the backdro$ o the 'ost Hol" 1lace o the heavenl" sanctuar" :..E.*9. Fhile each vision o Revelation has a heavenl" settin%& the descri$tion o ..E.* marks an advanceE in this vision $eo$le 4ill choose either antichrist or Christ& so the Hark o the covenantH rom the outset reminds the reader o the 4orshi$ o the true God and His hol" la4. Second& cha$ter .7 ma" be understood as the am$li ication o .(E.7!.<. In both cases the dra%on is $ersecutin% the church& or .(<) da"s. Revelation .(E.7!.< $resents this $eriod rom the $ers$ective o the $eo$le o God>ho4 the" are hel$ed& their lo"alt" to God& and the $eriod o their 4itness. #s in Daniel 7E(/& this $eriod is Htime& times& hal a time.H Revelation .7 turns the coin& $ortra"in% the same $eriod rom the $ers$ective o the dra%on. Instead o three and one!hal times& 4e read o +( months o $ersecution and blas$hem" :as in ..E(>the $eriod o this $articular rei%n o evil9. 2he dra%on& de eated in his e orts a%ainst the Hol" Child& unleashes his 4rath a%ainst the ollo4ers o the Child. He 4orks throu%h t4o $articular a%encies>the sea monster and the land monster. 5ar%er Settin% Fe also must see the $assa%e in terms o the overall develo$ment o the book. Scholars diver%e 4idel" in their understandin% o the $attern o Revelation. In %eneral& 4e ind three vie4sE :.9 no $attern can be ound;.?
.3 Fe have ada$ted this outline rom Aohn Fick Bo4man& The %rama o/ the Book o/ "e#elation :1hiladel$hia& .*//9& 7/. .? See Rev .E.); +E.; <E.; 7E.& (; ..E.*; ./E.&/.

.(

2he Saints@ End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o Evil :(9 se3uential& so that the visions sho4 a $ro%ression in time& each buildin% on the $revious one& rom the time o Aohn to the Second Comin%; .* and :79 reca$itulation& each vision %oin% over the same %round as the other.() In m" Iud%ment& the most insi%ht ul solution so ar to this $roblem comes rom Denneth #. Strand o #ndre4s 8niversit". #lert to the literar" $atterns o the book& he sees Revelation as a chiasm and divides Revelation into HhistoricalH and Heschatolo%ical&H ./E. bein% the turnin% $oint. 8nder the historical section& the visions are to be inter$reted essentiall" by the continuous!historical $rinci$le. From ./E. to the close o the book& ho4ever& the" ocus on the events o the end. In this eschatolo%ical section the uture is described in terms that re3uentl" echo the historical $ortion o Revelation. Fhile 4e do not a%ree 4ith ever" detail o 1ro essor Strand@s a$$roach& (( e acce$t his essential outline o Revelation. Doin% so has im$ortant im$lications or the inter$retation& as 4e shall notice.

Literary Structure
0ur considerations alread" in this cha$ter indicate that cha$ters .7 and .+ bear a distinctive relationshi$ to each other. 2he literar" structure underscores this relationshi$. .. Cha$ter .7 closes 4ith the account o those 4ho 4orshi$ the beast in orehead or in hand& si%ni "in% either voluntar" or involuntar" 4orshi$ o the anti! God $o4er. 2he descri$tion o this %rou$ is ollo4ed immediatel" b" a descri$tion o the $eo$le lo"al to God>the .++&))) 4ho ollo4ed the 5amb 4herever He %oes. 2he contrast is radical and dramatic& the literar" device is $o4er ul. (. Cha$ter .7 sets out the means used to $ro$a%ate the 4orshi$ o the beast :vss. ..!.?9. In cha$ter .+ God also communicates 7is invitation and 4arnin%s to the 4orldE 2he three an%els o verses <!.( $ortra" the divine !edia blitJ. 7. 2hus& Revelation .7E..!.? and .+E.!.( sho4 a corres$ondin% liter!
.C &.g.> Paul S. 'inear& 6 Saw a New Earth2 An Introduction to the Visions o/ the A!ocal !se :Fashin%ton& DC> .*<?9. 'inear& ho4ever& sees s"mbolic 6atterns in the book; he does not ind an" un oldin% o histoi" in Revelation. 5; &.g.> Ada! darke> #lbert Barnes& and E. B. Elliott. (. Interpreting ihe Book o/"e#elation :Forthin%ton& (7> .*7<9. (( &.g.> e see ./E+ rather than ./E. as the end o the vision that commences at ..E.*. .7

#$e Saints@ End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o Evil ar" structure. 2he $attern is a chiastic one. Strand has $ointed out the overall chiasms o RevelationE It seems clear that these structures e,tend to details. Fe ma" sketch the chiasms o Revelation .7E..!.+E.( as ollo4sE

0ur structure indicates that cha$ters .7 and .+ are counter$arts& 4ith cha$ter .( $rovidin% the introduction& backdro$& and summar" o their content. Cha$ter .( makes it $lain that& 4hile the $eo$le o God in their stru%%le a%ainst the con ederac" o evil occu$" center sta%e or most o the time& the leaders in the con lict are Christ and Satan.

#$e C$urc$ in Conflict, &-egesis

&ditorial Syno6sis. Fhile Revelation .( initiates a ne4 line o $ro$hec"& its surve" o salvation histor"& $articularl" its inclusio :vss. 7!.(9 ! Christ@s victor" at the cross and the moral castin% do4n o Satan > introduces the scenes and $rovides the reasons or the church@s con lict durin% the Christian Era. S"mboliJed b" a %reat red dra%on& the allen Satan stands& as it 4ere& at the meetin% o land and sea to orm an unhol" trinit" 4ith his a%ents in an on%oin% 4ar a%ainst God and 7is $eo$le. 0ne a%ent 4ill come rom the sea :the leo$ardlike monster& .7E.!.)& .?9; another& rom the land :the t4o!horn beast& .7E..!.79& su%%estin% the 4orld4ide sco$e o satanic o$$osition. Revelation .7 unveils in detail the t4o eras o $ersecution $reviousl" sum! mariJed in cha$ter .(E the .(<) "ears o the 'iddle #%es& and the inal end!time attack a%ainst God@s $eo$le over the la4 o God !PcharacteriJed b" the en orce! .+

2he Saints@ End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o Evil ment o the Hmark o the beastH or the rece$tion o the Hseal o God.H #%ainst the risin% tide o coercion instituted b" the t4o!hom land beast& the three an%elsM messa%es > God@s last 4arnin% and a$$eal to the inhabitants o 1lanet Earth > 4ill reach an intensit" not hitherto attained. 2he messa%es 4ill distin%uish the true $eo$le o God as observers o His commandments& includin% the Sabbath& and as kee$ers o the aith& the scri$tural bod" o teachin%s that center in Aesus. #$e d"namic o the three an%els@ messa%es lie in their certaint"& authorit"& and timeliness > and es$eciall" in their u$holdin% o Aesus Christ as the %reat center o attraction to a 4orld acin% doomsda".

Section (utline
I. E,e%esis o Revelation .( II. E,e%esis o Revelation .7 III. E,e%esis o Revelation .+ IV. Si%ni icance or 1roclamation

4e have seen alread"& the cha$ter breaks in Revelation .(!.+ corres$ond to the main divisions o the $assa%e. Fe here ore ind it convenient to se$arate the e,e%esis b" cha$ters.

&-egesis of Revelation .5
(utline Cha$ter .( alls into three distinct sectionsE
.. 2he leaders in the stru%%le bet4een %ood and evil :vss. .!<9 7eaven :sk"L9. Radiant 4oman& dra%on& the 4oman@s child Dra%on Settin%E 'ain charactersE 4aits to devour the ne4born child Child cau%ht u$ to heaven& 4oman lees into

Chie actionE ResultE

4ilderness (. Con lict in heaven :vss. 7!.(9 Settin%E Heaven 'ain charactersE 'ichael and His an%els& the devil and his an%els
. "Sky" 4ould distin%uish t$e settin% rom the HheavenH o vss. 7!.(; sun& moon& and stars urther su%%est the translation $s1 &$

./

2he Saints@ End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o &vil #ctionE Cosmic 4ar are ResultE Satan and an%els de eated& cast out into the earth 7. 2he dra%on $ursues the 4oman :vss. .7!.79 Settin%E Earth 'ain charactersE 2he 4oman& the dra%on& the 4oman@s descendants #ctionE 0n%oin% $ersecution b" the dra%on ResultE 2he 4oman $rotected; dra%on no4 attacks her descendants( #$art rom the inter$retation o the s"mbols& the chie issue concerns the relationshi$ o verses 7!.( to the rest o the cha$ter. 2he irst si, verses $resent an on%oin% narrative that breaks o abru$tl" 4ith the be%innin% o verse 7 and continues in verse .7. Fhat then are the role and tem$oral relationshi$ o verses 7! .( to this narrativeL Be can better address these 3uestions a ter 4e have inter$reted the main characters o the cha$ter. Sy!bols Commentators o Revelation .( re3uentl" $oint out a$$arent similarities bet4een the narrative o the dra%on& the 4oman and the child& and $a%an m"ths. For instanceE 2hat $artial $arallels can be ound in the ancient olklore o man" nations cannot be denied. In Greek m"tholo%" the $re%nant %oddess 5eto& $ursued b" the dra%on 1"thon& is brou%ht sa el" to the island o 0rt"%ia :Delos& in a variant orm o the m"th9 4here she %ives birth to #$ollo& 4ho then returns and kills the dra%on. In E%"$tian m"tholo%"& the red dra%on Set!2"$hon $ursues Isis and is later killed b" Horus& her son. Bab"lonian m"th tells o the overthro4 o 2iamat& the seven!headed 4ater monster& b" 'arduk& the "oun% %od o li%ht. Fhile Aohn 4as $robabl" a4are o such ima%er" in the thou%ht 4orld o his da"& it seems much more likel" that the s"mbols o Revelation .(& like those else4here in the book& are sha$ed b" the 02 rather than b" $a%an m"tholo%".

Dragon. 2he dra%on& the chie villain o Revelation .(& is identi ied or
( 2he sentence 4hich is to be translated& H#nd it Qthe dra%onR stood on the seashore Qreadin% estaths :he stood9 rather than the variant estathSn :I stood9R&H is not included in the outline since it more naturall" links 4ith the action o cha$ter .7. 7 'ounce& "e#elation, (7/.

.<

2he SaintsM End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o Evil us in this cha$ter. 2he descri$tion o verse * desi%nates it as the ancient ser$ent& the devil& Satan& and the deceiver o the 4hole 4orld. 2his our old account is si%ni icant or the inter$retation o cha$ter .( and the entire $assa%e& cha$ters .(! .+. 2he ancient Hser$entH takes us back to the account o the tem$tation and Fall in Genesis 7>an allusion 4hich& I 4ill su%%est later& is si%ni icant for understandin% this cha$ter. HDevilH 3diabolos4 means slanderer& and in the ne,t verse the dra%on is described as the accuser o the brothers& 4ho accuses them da" and ni%ht be ore God. HSatanH ori%inall" meant Hadversar"H and Satan is the adversar"& the $rosecutor 4ho accuses God@s $eo$le in the heavenl" court. Finall"& Hthe deceiverH $re$ares us or Revelation .7& 4here Satan 4ill 4ork throu%h his cohorts& the sea beast and the land beast> to subvert the entire 4orld to his 4orshi$. Revelation .(E7 describes the dragon as havin% seven heads and ten homs 4ith cro4ns on its heads. 2he allusion is to Daniel 7E7. Revelation .7E* and .) indicates that the heads re$resent kin%doms throu%h 4hich Satan has orked to o$$ress God@s $eo$le throu%hout the a%es. Revelation .7E. marks an interestin% develo$mentE here the sea beast, 4hich also has seven heads and ten homs& has cro4ns on its homs rather than on its heads. 2he sea beast& $o ever> receives rom the dra%on its $o4er& seat& and authorit". Bo!an. 2he radiant 4oman stands in $eril o the dra%on. #lthou%h she is not s$eci icall" identi ied in Revelation .(& the account makes the meanin% clear. Encircled 4ith the radiance o sun& moon& and stars& bearer o the Hol" Child& she is the obIect o the dra%on@s 4rath. 2he dra%on seeks to attack her at the time o the birth and subse3uentl" $ursues her relentlessl"; but she is hel$ed miraculousl". 2he 4oman re$resents God@s aith ul o all a%es& althou%h the thrust o Revelation .( is the $eriod subse3uent to the comin% o Aesus Christ. Cion as the mother o the $eo$le o God is a common biblical theme :see Isa /+E.; Gal +E(<9. Fe o ten ind the church likened to a $ure 4oman or a bride. + In Revelation the radiant 4oman o cha$ter .( stands in stark contrast 4ith the 4hore o cha$ter .7 decked out in %old& scarlet& and $recious stones. 2he order o the s"mbols in Revelation .( is si%ni icant or understandin% the entire $assa%e cha$ters .(!.+. Fe immediatel" meet the 4oman and the dra%on that o$$oses her; the vision does not start 4ith the heavenl" con lict bet4een the orces o %ood and evil. 2he theme that runs
+ Son% of Sol <E.); Isa (<E.7; /+E/; <<E7!*; =er (E(; 7E.+; <E(!+; 0ic +E.); ( Cor ..E(. .7

Sae,cDaR ce4'Ha$4a
8E1HB' ##BEH2 lC2BB

The Saints@ End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o Evil throu%hout cha$ter .(& sur acin% even in the central section verses 7!.(& is the dra%on@s relentless $ursuit o God@s $eo$le& and their aith ulness to God des$ite all its e orts. C$ild. 2he 4oman@s Child like4ise leaves us in no doubt. # male& He 4ill rule all nations 4ith an iron rod :c . 1s (E*; Rev .*E..!./9. Further& He 4as cau%ht u$ to God and to His throne. 2he descri$tion $oints conclusivel" to the incarnation o the Son o God. 2he %ra$hic account ocuses on the dra%on@s e orts to devour the child at the moment o birth& remindin% us o Herod@s slau%hter o the in ants at Bethlehem. It seems likel"& ho4ever& that more than this %rim incident is intended. Aust as the account $asses over the ministr" o Aesus and His cruci i,ion& colla$sin% the entire Christ!event into this one incident& so Herod@s e ort to destro" the Christ child enca$sulates the e orts o Satan to destro" Christ and His mission throu%hout the entire $eriod o His ministr". #i!e $eriods. 2he time $eriods mentioned in the cha$ter are no4here de ined. 2he in ormation %iven& ho4ever& is hel$ ul in several 4a"sE .. 2he $arallel descri$tions in verses < and .+ make clear that H.(<) da"sH is e3uivalent to Htime& times& and hal a time.H (. 2hese time re erences not onl" link the $ro$hec" o cha$ters .(!.+ 4ith Revelation ..E(&7 and .7E/& but lock in this dramatic central vision o Revelation 4ith the book o Daniel :Dan 7E(/; .(E79. 7. 2he "ear!da" relationshi$ cannot be established rom this cha$ter; ho4ever& the descri$tion indicates that literal time is not intended. 2he .(<) da"s6three and a hal times era re$resents a s$eci ic $eriod 4hen God $rovidentiall" cared or His aith ul ones in the ace o Satan@s $ersecutions. 2hat $eriod does not e,tend to the Second Comin%. 2he vision makes clear that a/ter the .(<) da"s6three and a hal times the dra%on 4ill concentrate its e orts on the 4oman@s descendants. Deliverance. 2he deliverance :nourishment9 o the 4oman is inter4oven 4ith E,odus t"$olo%". Satan@s $ursuit is similar to 1haraoh@s chasin% a ter the children o Israel as the" led rom E%"$t :E,od .+E?9. 2he t4o 4in%s o the %reat ea%le remind us o E,odus .*E+ and Deuteronom" 7(E.)&... God rained do4n bread rom heaven and nourished His $eo$le in the desert :see E,od .<E+ .; c . Hos (E.+9. #lthou%h some commentators have endeavored to $in$oint s$eci ic $laces on earth& such as =orth #merica& as the ul illment o these verses& it seems more likel" that the intent is thisE God assures the su erin% Christians that no matter ho4 ierce the trials the" ma" be called u$on to bear& He is 4atchin% over His church and 4ill sustain them. .?

2he Saints@ End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o Evil (ffs6ring. 2he e,$ression denotin% the rest o her descendants :vs. .79 ocuses the intent o cha$ter .(>and indeed o Revelation .(!.+. 1anoramic in s4ee$& the ull $assa%e embraces the histor" o God@s $eo$le rom the comin% o Christ to the end o all thin%s& but concentrates on the trials the" 4ill ace in the end!time. Bar in 7eaven Fhat is the relation o verses 7!.( to the rest o the cha$terL 24o distinct $ossibilities o inter$retation con ront us. .. Be ma" understand these verses as an interru$tion o the narrative. Verses 7!.(& $laced in a di erent time settin%& describe the castin% out o Satan and his an%els rom heaven lon% be ore the events described in verses .!<. 8nder this inter$retation& verses 7!.( 4ould unction as a H lashbackH that hel$s to e,$lain the on%oin% stor" o cha$ter .(. 2hese verses 4ould sho4 that the con lict on earth has 4ider rami ications; it is the se3uel to& and continuation o & 4ar in heaven. (. Ho4ever& 4e ma" understand verses 7!.( in a di erent li%ht& indin% in them the heavenl" counter$art to Christ@s victor" on the cross. Several reasons ar%ue $ersuasivel" or such an inter$retationE a. Verses .!< and .7!.7 clearl" run in continuous narrative. b. Verses < and .+ corres$ond to each other. 2hese verses orm an in5clusio around verses 7!.(. 2hus the inclusio unctions to e,$lain the nature o the con lict bet4een the 4oman and the dra%on described in verse < and in verses .7!.7. c. Verse .7 links the castin% out o the dra%on into the earth 4ith its $ersecutin% o the 4oman 4ho had borne the Child. 2hat is& the dra%on@s ailure to destro" the Christ child seems to be e3uated 4ith its de eat in the heavenl" 4ar are o verses 7!*. d. Verse .) tells us that 4ith the castin% out o Satan& salvation& $o4er& God@s kin%dom& and the authorit" o Christ ha#e come& Verses 7!.( seem to echo t4o other scri$tures in $articular. #s Aesus told o His comin% death and its results& He said& H=o4 is the Iud%ment o this 4orld& no4 shall the ruler o this 4orld be cast outH :Aohn .(E7.9. 2he second $assa%e is Genesis 7E./E HI 4ill $ut enmit" bet4een "ou and the 4oman& and bet4een "our seed and her seed; he shall bruise "our head& and "ou shall bruise his heel.H
/ #s described in The Great )ontro#ers & 'ilton in H1aradise LostJ $resents a similar $icture.

.*

2he Saints@ End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o &vil Revelation .(E7!.( describes the bruisin% o Satan@s head& as he su ers irreversible de eat rom Christ@s victor" on the cross; Iust as verses .!< allude to his bruisin% o Christ@s heel. 0ther verses o the =2 re er to Christ@s victor" over the hosts o evil an%els throu%h His death :Col (E./; . 1et 7E((; Aude<9.<

&-egesis of Revelation .+ Sy!bols

5eavin% aside s$eculations about allusions to the m"thical 5eviathan and Behemoth& 4e shall $robe the reli%ious $atterns or structures that the s"mbols $ortra". Dualis!. Revelation .7 is a strikin% cha$ter. Seen in its immediate conte,t the vivid ima%er" su%%ests dualism, con/lict, and !arod & 2he ollo4in% table %ives insi%ht into the stron% dualism that under!%irds this section o Revelation.
)orces of ?ood 'ichael :.(E79 5amb:.(Ell;.+El9 #o%els o 'ichael :.(E79 't.Cion:.+El9 Voice o man" aters :.+E(9 7@6( times o 4itness (.5,2>.+9 .++&))):.+E.9 Father@s name :.+E.9 2hrone o God :.(E/; .+E79 Foreheads:.+E.9 Forshi$ o God :.+E<&79 Praise to ?od :.+E79 Glor" to God :.+E<&79 Deat$ to enemies :.+E.7!()9 5o"alt" to God :.+E.(9 Fithout %uile :.+E/9 Call to e,alt ?od :.+E<!.(9 1niversal invitation :.+E<9 Faith ul remnant :.(E.79 )orces of &vil Dra%on :.(E7; .7E(9 Beast:.7E.9 #n%els o the dra%on :.(E79 Seashore :.7E.9 Sea :.7E.9 +( months of success :.7E/9 HEarth!d4ellersH :.7E.(!.<9 =ame o beast :.7E.79 2hrone o beast :.7E(9 Foreheads :.7E.<9 Forshi$ o beast :.7E?9 1raise to beast :.7E+9 Blas$hem" :.7E.&/&<9 Death to enemies :.7E./9 #lle%iance to beast :.7E.+!.79 Dece$tion :.7E.+&./9 Call to e,alt beast :.7E.(!.79 8niversal com$ulsion :.7E.(9 'ass alle%iance :.+E.<9

< Ellen Fhite also a$$lies Rev .(E7..( to Christ@s victor" on the crossE H2he castin% do4n o Satan as an accuser o the brethren in 7eaven 4as accom$lished b" the %reat 4ork o Christ in %ivin% u6 7is li eH 3S!irit o/ *ro!hec QFashin%ton& DC> .*<*& acsimile re$roduction of .?7? editionR& 7E.*+9.

2;

2he Saints@ End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o Evil 2hus& in Revelation .7 the lines are dra4n shar$l". 24o leaders& t4o orces& t4o reli%ions are $ortra"ed. 2he 4orld is divided into t4o cam$s>and onl" t4o. Conflicts. 2he element o con lict is $rominent. Fe read o 4ar in heaven itsel & then 4ar on earth. #lthou%h the dra%on is unsuccess ul in his schemes to devour the Hol" Child& he $ursues his evil e orts b" attackin% the ollo4ers o the Child. He seeks to com$el& to deceive& to threaten& and to annihilate& 4orkin% no4 throu%h the t4o monsters set orth in Revelation .7. He aims at a 4orld s"stem in 4hich he himsel 4ill be the obIect o 4orshi$. #n" and all 4ho %et in the 4a" o the ul illment o his schemes are to be sin%led out and eliminated. In this con lict God is not 3uiescent. #s dece$tions and threats o bo"cott and e,ecution multi$l"& 7e 4orks throu%h His $eo$le& 4ho stand ast b" Hthe commandments o God and the aith o AesusH :.+E.(9. 2he" too seek to 4in the 4orld>but or the 5amb instead o the dra%on. 2he" earlessl" unmask dece$tions o the draconic orces& declare the bankru$tc" o t$e s"stem o $seudo!reli%ion 4hich the dra%on throu%h his a%ents seeks to brin% about& and sound a 4arnin% o un3uali ied doom on those 4ho& b" 4ill or b" e,$edienc"& become $art o the universal draconic movement. Parody. 2he element o $arod" is hei%htened in Revelation .7. Fe see an unhol" trinit" emer%in%E the dra%on& the sea monster& and the land monster. 2he $arallels are strikin%& $articularl" bet4een the sea beast and the 5amb. Both receive a stroke :Hdeadl" 4oundH>but the monster receives it in the head9; both e,$erience a HresurrectionH; both have a Hsanctuar"H :the heavenl" as o$$osed to the earth itsel 9; both have ollo4ers; both elicit 4orshi$. 1erha$s& even the cr"$tic number o the sea beast& <<<& is desi%nated to hei%hten the $arod". 2he number < :in con! trast 4ith the number 7 and com$leteness9 ma" re$resent im$er ection& dece$tion& and blas$hem" tri$led& raised to a hei%htened de%ree. 2he third member o the satanic trilo%" a$es the 4ork o the Hol" S$irit 2his t4o!hom monster arises out o the earth& 4hich had hel$ed the 4oman :.(E.<9& and has the a$$earance o a lamb. But he serves the sea beast& $er ormin% miracles :note that the ire rom heaven o these dece$tions has its counter$art in the ire o the t4o aith ul 4itnesses o Revelation ..E/9& and thereb" deceivin% the earth! d4ellers. 2hus& Revelation .7 sets out the dra%on@s messiah and his re$resentative. 2he satanic trinit"& their activities& their claims& their 4orshi$& their ollo4in%>all caricature God& 7is bein%& His character& His church& His 4orshi$.7
3 Sec =.P.0. S4eet@s co!!cntaiy> "e#elation :1hiladel$hia& .*7*9& ()7!.*& for develo$ment of this (.

2he Saints@ End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o Evil #t this irst level& then>the level o %eneral s"mbolism>Revelation .7 is a %ra$hic descri$tion o the %reat controvers" bet4een %ood and evil. Ellen Fhite occasionall" uses such %eneral s"mbolism. For e,am$le& H#ntichrist& meanin% all 4ho e,alt themselves a%ainst the 4ill and 4ork o God& 4ill at the a$$ointed time eel the 4rath o Him 4ho %ave Himsel that the" mi%ht not $erish but have eternal li e.M@? Revelation sho4s the con lict bet4een %ood and evil is universal and reaches even into heaven itsel . It teaches that orce& dece$tion& and su$ernatural $henomena are brou%ht to bear on all those 4ho seek to 4orshi$ the true ?od. It indicates that there can be no neutralit" in this controvers"& that 4e %ive our alle%iance to either Christ or Satan. #nd it also $oints to the outcome o the con lictE #lthou%h the ollo4ers o Christ su er hardshi$ and $ersecution on earth because o their aith& inal victor" 4ill be theirs. #$e 0eaning for =o$n%s Day Christians in ever" time and $lace ma" take the s"mbolic $atterns 4e have su%%ested above and ind si%ni icance or their times. Because the %reat controvers" is a%elon% and universal& the $rinci$les o Revelation .7 ind re$eated a$$lications in the histor" o God@s $eo$le. Scri$ture al4a"s unctions thus to instruct& admonish& and com ort the $eo$le o God. =o doubt Christians livin% at the end o the irst centur" 4ould have ound contem$orar" si%ni icance in the s"mbols o Revelation .7. # small& illicit sect& the" 4ould have seen satanic orces and desi%ns behind the mi%ht o im$erial Rome& raised a%ainst them b" =ero and Domitian and to all ever more heavil" in the succeedin% ()) "ears. Fe notice a stron% movement rom Romans .7 to Revelation .7. In the ormer the state is ordained o God& but in the latter it has become an a%ent o Satan. 1erha$s the" sa4 also elements o the im$erial cult behind the land beast 4hose e orts 4ere directed to4ard the e,altation o the sea beast. 2he combination o reli%ion and state $ortra"ed b" Revelation .7 4ould have evoked echoes o their current e,$eriences. Havin% made these observations& ho4ever& 4e must raise this 3uestionE =o matter 4hat a$$lications Christians o the irst centur" or later ma" have seen in Revelation .7& are these the /ul/illment o the $ro$hec" itsel L Fe turn& then& to the historicist inter$retation o the $assa%e.
$arod". K &llen ?. Fhite& Selected 6essages, Book 7 :Fashin%ton& DC> .*?)9& +)(. 22

2he Saints@ End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o Evil 7istoric )ulfill!ent Revelation .7 is built around our leadin% subIects>the sea beast& the land beast& the Hmark&H and the cr"$tic number <<<. Be shall take u$ each in turn. .. Sea Beast :vss. .!.)9. Fe note the characteristics o the sea beast as brou%ht out in the $assa%eE a. It arises rom the sea. 2he dra%on is $ictured as a4aitin% the a$$earance o the beast rom the sea in order that it :the dra%on9 ma" advance it@s evil $lans. 2he dra%on stands at the meetin% o land and sea. 0ne o its a%ents 4ill come rom the sea and the other rom the land. B" this means the 4orld4ide sco$e o the draeonic activit" is indicated. b. 2he beast that arises rom the sea is termed a therion :.7E..9. 2his term is used or 4ild animals& or ra$acious beasts& or animal!like bein%s o a su$ernatural kind.* In vie4 o the use o this 4ord and the activities o the beast& 4e are Iusti ied in callin% it the Hsea monster.H c. 2he sea monster has ten horns and seven heads. In this res$ect it is like the dra%on himsel :.(E79 and the beast o Revelation .7 :vs. ..9. d. 2he sea monster has diadems on it@s horns; the dra%on has them on it%s heads. In Revelation .7 a beast o similar a$$earance is uncro4ned :vs. 79. e. 2he sea monster has a blas$hemous name on its heads. 2he beast o Revelation .7 is ull o blas$hemous names :.7E79. . 2he sea monster has characteristics o a leo$ard& a bear& and a lion. 2hus& it is a com$osite o the beasts o Daniel 7& in both t"$es and number :the beasts o Daniel 7 to%ether orm seven heads and ten horns9. %. From the 4aitin% dra%on& the sea monster receives it@s $o4er& throne& and authorit" :.7E.!(9. h. 0ne o its heads received a deadl" stroke 3!tSge4&.) 2his 4ound 4as not merel" on one head; the monster itsel 4as stricken unto death :vs. .+9. In order to catch the orce o the $arod" 4e must realiJe that the e,$ression used or the blo4& hos es!hagmeriSn, is identical 4ith the descri$tion o the slain 5amb o Revelation :.7E?; /E<9. In .7E.+ this stroke is said to be Hb" the s4ord.H i. 2he severe blo4 4as healed. 2he recover" o the monster rom its mortal stroke is like a resurrection rom the dead :.7E.+9.
C R.C.7. 5enski& The Inter!retation o/ St& John7s "e#elation :Columbus& (7> .*+79& also !entions t$e source o t$e beast : rom beneath9 as $ointin% to its brutish nature. .) #$e sa!e 4ord is translated as H$la%ueH else4here in Revelation.

2<

2he SaintsM End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o Evil I. 2he recover" o the sea monster causes 4onder :vs. 79. k. Earth d4ellers 4orshi$ the dra%on because o the sea monster :vs. +9. .. 2he" 4orshi$ also the monster itsel because o its seemin% invincibilit"E HFho is able to i%ht 4ith itLH :vs. +9. m. 2he beast e,ercises authorit" or +( months :vs. /9. Fe are not to consider that this +(!month $eriod be%ins a/ter the healin% o the atal 4ound. Rather verses /!.) o the cha$ter are in $arallel thou%ht 4ith verses . !+. 2he irst our verses introduce the sea monster and %ive an overall descri$tion; the ollo4in% si, verses re$eat the account b" elaboratin% and e,$lainin%. n. 2he sea monster s$eaks H%reat thin%sH :close $arallels 4ith Daniel 7E?&..&()&(/9. o. 2he sea monster blas$hemes GodE it blas$hemes His name& His sanctuar"& and those 4ho d4ell in heaven. .. H2hose 4ho d4ell in heavenH stands in contrast 4ith Hthose 4ho d4ell on earthH in verses ?&.(&.+. $. 2he sea monster i%hts a%ainst the saints and overcomes them or +( months :vss. /&79. 3. It has universal authorit" :vss. 7&?9. r. 2he edothe :it 4as allo4ed9 o verses /& 7 sho4s that& 4hile the sea monster seeks to 4in the alle%iance o the 4orld and to rule over all& an" $o4er that it has comes about onl" b" God@s $ermissive decree. It has no inherent ri%ht to rule or 4orshi$.NH Inter6retation. 2his descri$tion o the sea monster and his activities is remarkabl" ull. Fe are to look or a reli%io$olitical $o4er to arise bet4een Aohn@s time and the Second Comin%>one that 4ill continue or H+( months&H demand and command 4ides$read alle%iance& %o into decline& recover& and in the events immediatel" $recedin% the Return& be aided b" the land monster. Fe $reviousl" have %iven reasons in su$$ort o a historicist inter$retation o the vision. Inasmuch as the maIorit" o commentators still ado$t a $reterist vie4& ho4ever& it is necessar" to $oint out that no satis/actor /ul/ilment in the /irst centur A&%& can be ad#anced& #ttem$ts to identi " the Hdeadl" strokeH 4ith the rei%ns o Cali%ula or =ero all short o the s$eci ication o the $ro$hec". 2he Roman Em$ire sim$l" 4as not mortall" hurt b" the rule or death o either o these or an" other em$eror. In a nut!
.. #$e RS' !issed the sanctuar" settin% o the vision& translatin% vs. < as J$is d4ellin%& that is& t$ose 4ho d4ell in $eaven.J .( #$ereby the reader is assured that& re%ardless of t$e sea !onster%s dominance or a time& he 4ill at len%th be dealt 4ith b" ?od.

24

#$e Saints@ End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o Evil

shell& historians search in vain or a irst!centur" event big enough to it the vision. Some scholars o Revelation are no4 admittin% the untenabilit" o the $reterist $osition.H I 4e rule out the $reterist vie4& 4e are le t 4ith three o$tions or un! derstandin% the visionE :.9 AohnMs vie4 o the uture 4as 4ron%& :(9 his $redictions 4ill "et ind ul illment : uturism9& or :79 4e must ind develo$! ments in histor" on a scale lar%e enou%h to match the s$eci ications o the vision. #cce$tin% Revelation as ins$ired& 4e reIect the irst o$tion; 4e $re! viousl" sho4ed the 4eakness o the uturist vie4; 4e there ore look to a historicist $osition. #n obIection o ten raised a%ainst historicism is that it is too subIective >every inter$reter inds ul illment in the ne4s$a$er headlines. .+ Be grant the $roblem o subIectivit" and admit that this school o inter$retation has su ered at times rom misuse. But 4e su%%est that e are on sa er %round 4hen e ado$t a broad vie4& a wide $ers$ective in scannin% histor" to understand the $ro$hec". In m" vie4& Daniel 7!? $rovide the ke" to Revelation .7. 2he cor! res$ondences are im$ressive in activities and time $eriodE Revelation is echoin% Daniel and elaboratin% u$on it. Fe are %iven a clue too obvious to miss in the com$osite character o the sea monsterE Revelation .7 $resu$$oses the vision o Daniel 7. #s the latter cha$ter $oints to the line o kin%doms and ocuses on the blas$hemous Hlittle homH $o4er& so Revelation .7 be%ins 4ith a terse descri$tion that locks the vision in 4ith DanielP $ro$hec" and elaborates the ver" same $o4er. Seventh!da" #dventists have $ointed to the rise and 4ork o the 6a6acy as a ul illment o these t4o visions. 0ur $ioneer inter$reters o Daniel and Revelation sho4ed clearl" its reli%ious!$olitical nature& its usur$ation of the $riesthood o Christ in the heavenl" sanctuar"& its $ersecution o Hheretics&H its $eriod o su$remac" durin% the 'iddle #%es& its decline 4ith the comin% o the #%e o Reason& and its resur%ence in !ode! ti!es..9 2b inter$ret the sea monster o Revelation .7 as the $a$ac" seems some4hat out o kee$in% 4ith the s$irit o the times. In an a%e 4hen Chris!
.7 E.%.& 5cnski& 'inear. ./ 0ouocc> /5. .9 #$e J/5 !ont$sJ is usually reckoned to be the .&(<) "ear 6eriod A.D. /7?!.7*?. Some Adventists understand t$e $ealing o t$e deadl" stroke to be 'ussolini@s concordat 4ith the $a$ac". (t$ers suggest t$at the H4oundH is the se6aration of church fro! state& 4ith t$e J$ealingJ bein% a reunitingEa 6rocess still incom$lete.

25

2he SaintsM End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o Evil tianit" in %eneral aces the onslau%hts o secularism and 4hen amon% Christians ecumenism has become $o$ular& the inter$retation smacks o narro4ness and bi%otr". In res$onse 4e su%%est that three actors must be ke$t in mindE :.9 Fe di erentiate bet4een individual believers and the $a$ac". 2he latter is a s stem o doctrine and 4orshi$ 4hich the $ro$hec" addresses. Fe do not raise 3uestions as to the sincerit" and $iet" o individual Roman Catholics. :(9 I the inter$retation seems harsh 4e should remember that the 1rotestant Re ormers 4ere $ersuaded o its validit"..< :79 Fe need a lon% vie4 o histor"& one that is able to hold to%ether the s4ee$ o develo$ments rom Aohn@s da" to ours& one that is not undul" distorted b" our o4n times. Be ore leavin% the e,$osition o Revelation .7E.!.) 4e should brie l" notice a maIor obIection to our inter$retation. #t times adherents to the $reterist vie4 have ar%ued that the Revelation .7 beast $rovides the identit" o the sea beast in Revelation .7. 2he" su%%est that the seven heads and ten homs sho4 that the same $o4er is re erred to. It is ar%ued that the descri$tion>Hthe seven heads are . . . seven kin%s& ive o 4hom have allen& one is& and the other has not "et comeH>clearl" locates the beast in Aohn@s o4n centur". 2his solution is not as 4aterti%ht as it irst a$$ears& ho4ever. First& 4e should be4are o colla$sin% the visions o Revelation .7 and .7. 2he act that the sea beast is cro4ned 4hile the beast o cha$ter .7 is not should alert us to di erentiation. Second& neither the HmountainsH.7 :vs. *9 nor
$%

the Hkin%sH :vs. .)9 identi " Rome& as some scholars no4 reco%niJe.H Com! mentators cannot a%ree as to the identit" o the / S . S .& nor can the Roman em$erors be made to it the subse3uent descri$tions in .7E..!.7. 2hird& under Strand@s anal"sis o Revelation& the vision o cha$ter .7 comes 4ithin the Heschatolo%icalH section. 2hat is& the sea monster o cha$ter .7 e,hibits characteristics that 4ill be seen a%ain in the orces o evil that coalesce immediatel" be ore the Second Comin%..* Fhat then o the seven heads and ten horns o the dra%on and the sea monsterL 2he dra%on& alone o the unhol" trilo%" o Revelation .7& is iden! ti ied>it is Satan :.(E*9. 2he sea beast is Satan@s a%ent; this is 4h" the Hearth d4ellersH actuall" 4orshi$ Satan as the" 4orshi$ the sea monster.
.< 'ounce& +)& notices that t$e ollo4ers o Aoachim of Flora :t4el th centuryA identified the Po6e as the beast. 2his anti$a$al inter$retation as ado6ted b" the Protestant Refor!ers. .7 #$e a66eal to Ro!e as the cit" of the seven J$illsJ is ar etchcd. .? Bg.> 'inear& (7/!+<. .* Strand& +*./+!//.

26

2he Saints@ End!2une Victor" 0ver the Forceso2Evil Fith both entities& the seven heads and ten homs echo the beasts o Daniel 7& su%%estin% b" this s"mbolism the $olitical $o4ers throu%h 4hich Satan 4orks to urther his ends. It ma" be the case that 4e should endeavor to locate seven actual nations and ten actual kin%s and kin%doms in histor" as o$$ressors o the saints and the ul illment o the vision. 0n the other hand& the numerolo%" o seven and ten su%%ests rather that the totalit o $olitical a%encies is in vie4& since Satan al4a"s em$lo"s $olitical $o4ers to $romote his $ur$oses.!H 2he detail concernin% the diadems is $robabl" si%ni icant. 2he" are on the dra%on@s heads& but on the sea beast@s homs. #%ain Daniel 7 %ives us the clueE 2he chan%e or ne4 develo$ment ma" be due to the la$se o time. Satan@s de$redations throu%h the sea monster come lon% a/ter his e orts to kill the hol" Child. 2he descri$tion o the sea beast in the Greek te,t lists the homs be/ore the heads :a uni3ue detail 4hen com$ared 4ith the other descri$tions o these similar!lookin% i%ures& Rev .(E7; .7E79 and thus also dra4s attention to this chan%e in em$hasis. 5. Land !onster :vss. ..-.3A. 2he second beast o Revelation .7 is o interest because o its relation to the sea monster. 2he descri$tion o its activities ocuses to Iust one $ointE It unctions to e,alt the sea monster. It is& in act& the alter ego o the irst beast. In $ursuin% this %oal its hallmark is dece$tion. It is called the H alse $ro$hetH in Revelation .<E.7& and the alse $ro$het 4ho does miracles in Revelation .*E(). 2hese eatures o the second beast 4ill become obvious as 4e list its characteristics rom Revelation .7E..!.7E a. It also is termed therion :4ild animal9. Des$ite docile a$$earances to the contrar"& the second beast in act is ra$acious in nature. Fe ma" term it the land monster to brin% out this hostile character :vs. ..9. b. It arises out o the earth :vs. ..9. #t times Seventh!da" #dventist commentators have contrasted earth 4ith sea :vs. .9& su%%estin% that $ereas the latter si%ni ies densel" $o$ulated areas& the ormer re ers to uninhabited re%ions. 2his inter$retation ma" be correct. HEarthH 3ge4, ho4ever& has several distinct usa%es in Revelation. (. It seems likel" that 4e are to understand HearthH in .7E.. rom the descri$tion o the dra%on@s attacks on the 4oman in cha$ter .(. Here 4e read that Hthe earth came to the hel$ o the 4omanH :vs. .<9. 2he act that the beast
5; (r> t$at t$e entire $olitical $rocess has beco!e subIect to $is schemes. 5. 'inear& (<7& notes that eart$ H orms the common denominator or all the antichristic orces!beasts> kin%s& $otentates& mi lionaires& merchants& and d4ellers.H 0n $. (<+ he %ives our denotations o %1 :earth9& the final one bein% t$e realm in 4hich ?od in licts 7is $unishments.

27

##ie SaintsM End!2ime Victor" (ver the )orces of &vil

o Revelation .7E.. arises out o the land& then& 4ould be in kee$in% 4ith its dece$tive character. 2he vision is sa"in%& in the re%ion o a$$arent sa et" the dra%on 4ill 4ork dece$tivel" to continue its 4ar are a%ainst the 4oman. It there ore seems reasonable to in er that HearthH in verse .. is the com$lement o HseaH in verse .& both to%ether si%ni "in% the universal s$here o the draconic de$redations. Such a vie4 is su$$orted b" .(E.(T HFoe to "ou& ) earth and sea& or the devil has come do4n to "ou in %reat 4rath& because he kno4s that his time is shortNH c. 2he land monster has t4o horns like a lamb :vs. ..9. 1resumabl" the horns are in kee$in% 4ith the dece$tive nature o the land monster>instead o draconic horns& it a$es the 5amb. d. =evertheless its true nature reveals itsel . 2he 1ai :and9 is adversa! tiveE $8But9 it s$oke as a dra%onH :vs. ..9. 5ike the sea beast& the second beast is an a%ent o the devil in its attacks on the church. e. #uthorit"E 2he land beast e,ercises all the authorit" o the irst beast and in its $resence :vs. .(9. . It com$els the Hearth d4ellersH to 4orshi$ the sea beast& that has been healed rom the mortal stroke :vs. .(9. %. It does H%reat miraclesH :as in .*E()9& causin% ire to come do4n rom heaven :vs. .79. 2he nature o this H ireH is unclear; $resumabl" it is the satanic counter$art to the si%ns $er ormed b" the t4o 4itnesses :..E/9. h. 2he miracles o the land monster deceive the Hearth d4ellersH :vs. .+9. i. It causes an Hima%eH to be made to the sea monster and %ives it breath in order that it mi%ht Hs$eakH :vss. .+&./9. I. It en orces 4orshi$ o the ima%e o the sea monster& on $ain o death :vs. ./9. k. 2hus& it brin%s about a $arod" o the universal church& b" causin% $eo$le o all stations in li e to ado$t its $seudo4orshi$ :vs. .<9. .. It en orces a HmarkH 4hich is termed the HnameH o the sea beast and the Hnumber o his name&H b" bo"cottin% those 4ho re use to acce$t it :vss. .<!.?9. m. 5ike the sea monster be ore it& the activities o the land beast do not stem rom inherent ri%ht or authorit". 2he" come about onl" because God has $ermitted them :edoths, Hallo4ed&H vss. .+&./& RSV9. But that $ermis! sion im$lies its eventual 4ithdra4al. 5ater in Revelation the land beast& also described as the dece$tive alse $ro$het o the end!time& 4ill meet an in%lorious ate :cha$. .*E()9. Inter6retation. Can 4e identi " this second monster o Revelation .7L (?

2he SaintsM End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o Evil #$e vision indicates that 4e are to look or a maIor $o4er that 4ill& b" dece$tive means& urther the cause o the $a$ac". Further& this $o4er 4ill a$$ear to4ard the close o human histor"& a ter the $eriod o the H+( monthsH o $a$al mi%ht. It is to be a $o4er that is avo4edl" reli%ious in unction. 0ur #dventist $ioneers sa4 in the rise o the 8nited States o #merica a ul illment o the land beast. 2he" $ointed to eatures such as the t4o homs& re$resentin% a re$ublican orm o %overnment and reli%ious libert". 2he" also sa4 in nineteenth centur" develo$ments& such as Sunda" la4s& evidence that the dra%onlike character o certain reli%ious elements o the 8nited States 4as bein% unmasked. Let us rankl" ackno4led%e that the ull understandin% o the ul illment o this $ro$hec" o the land monster still a4aits us. 2he irst monster@s activities as set out in Revelation .7 have alread" been ul illed& and histor" 4itnesses to the $a$ac" as the $o4er desi%nated. Si%ni icant eatures of t$e second monste s dece$tions are not "et clear& ho4ever>es$eciall" t$e miracles that cause man" to be led astra"& and the Hima%eH to the sea monster. Further& the vision indicates a sta%e o action 4hich embraces the 4hole 4orld. # Sunda" la4 a$$licable onl" to the 8nited States clearl" is inade3uate. Ho4 the entire mass o humanit" 4ill be dra4n into the vorte, o dece$tion is not a$$arent at $resent. B" these remarks 4e do not su%%est that the inter$retation o our s$iritual ore athers 4as 4ron%. 2he 8nited States occu$ies a uni3ue $lace in 4orld a airs& one ar %reater than nineteenth centur" observers could have antici$ated. In this res$ect the #dventist $ioneers had oresi%ht 4ell ahead o their contem$oraries. Fe merel" su%%est that the ull disclosure o the meanin% o the land monster still a4aits us and that the inal dece$tive activities o the %reat controvers"& 4hile heavil" involvin% the 8nited States& 4ill be 4orld4ide. +. 0ark of t$e beast 2he Greek charagma si%ni ies an im$rinted mark& a %raven mark or line& character& inscri$tion.(H In the descri$tion o Revelation .7E.<&.7 the mark identi ies the ollo4ers o the sea monster. It is en orced b" the land monster 4ho seeks thereb"
55 C$artes> 7<(!<7& observes that charag;na 4as a technical desi%nation o t$e im$erial cult : rom Deiss!annA. 7e sees the $uttin% o the !ark on t$e ri%ht hand and the bro4 as a travest" o t$e tepnulim. $But ultimatel the mar1s on the brows o/ the /aith/ul&&& and o/ the worshi!ers o/ the east had the same origin& Both were intended to show that the wearers o/ the mar1s are under su!ernatural !rotection 5 the ormer under t$e $rotection o ?od> the latter o SatanH :$. 7<7& italics bisA. 2&

2Se SaintsM End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces of &vil to se$arate and eliminate all 4ho re use to receive the mark. 2he bo"cott described in verse .? is not or the $ur$ose o causin% hardshi$ to the saints. Rather& it is to e,$ose them $ublicl"& so that the" ma" be killed :vs. ./9. Christians su erin% under the $ersecutions o the im$erial cult 4ould have seen in the certi icates o con ormit" an a$$lication o the HmarkH o Revelation .7. 2he settin% o the Hmark&H ho4ever>Iust $rior to the Second #dvent>sho4s that its ull meanin% is "et uture. Fhat is this HmarkHL It centers in the name o the sea monster. 2his is sho4n b" the ollo4in%E :.9 Fe ma" translate the $hraseolo%" m verse .7 as Hthe mark>the name o the monster or the number o its nameH; :(9 the monster has a blas$hemous name :.7E.9; :79 the saints are victorious over the monster& its ima%e& and Hthe number o its nameH :./E(9; and :+9 the saints have the names o the Father and o the 5amb 4ritten in their oreheads :.+E.9. 2he Hmark&H then& centers in lo"alt". It is the counter$art o the Hseal o GodH o cha$ter 7. In the inal events o 1lanet Earth& as the entire human race is divided into Iust t4o cam$s& one %rou$ 4ill %ive alle%iance to the sea monster and the other& des$ite all o$$osition& 4ill remain lo"al to God. 2he HmarkH and the HsealH res$ectivel" identi " all $eo$le. In that inal crisis the commandments o God 4ill emer%e as a standard o lo"alt" :.(E.7; .+E<!.(9. 2he Sabbath in $articular 4ill be the litmus test; one@s relationshi$ to it 4ill disclose his basic relationshi$ to God and His la4. 2hus& 4hile the nonobservance o the Sabbath! or Sunda"!observance is not the HmarkH $er se Iust no4& both are inte%ral to its end!time en orcement. 2he Sabbath& ancientl" the Hsi%nH o the $eo$le o God :E,od 7.E.7; &@ek ()E()9& 4ill a%ain come to the ore to sho4 the 4orld those 4ho $ut God irst. /. Cry6tic nu!ber <<<. =o verse o Revelation has attracted more attention than this. Oet onl" here does it occur in the book and onl" one other allusion is made to it :./E(9. Further& des$ite the man" attem$ts to deci$her it& no consensus has been reached. In m" vie4& the ollo4in% observations are $ertinentE :.9 arithmos gar anthro!ou estm :literall"& H or a number o a man it isH9 ma" mean either Hit is a human number&H or Hit is the number o a man.H 2he ormer is to be $re erred& since the vision is identi "in% the sea monster& 4ho is clearl" a reli%io$olitical $o4er and more than an individual. #ttem$ts to see =ero:n9 as the ul illment o the $ro$hec" have erred at this $oint.(7 Corn!(7 #$$l"in% <<< to =ero calls or s$ellin% his name as =ero:n9; the te,tual variant o <.< is to be <;

#ne SamtsPDnd!22meVic or" 0ver tHB202ceS 02EV8 $utations that re3uire a chan%e o lan%ua%e& doin% the arithmetic in 7ebre or 5atin& also seem to %o be"ond the te,t. :79 #ttem$ts to ar%ue fro! the trian%ular(+ are even more unlikel". #n" e,$lanation o the cr"$tic number 4ill have to be tentative. It is $ossible that the inscri$tion #icarius/ilii del o the $a$al tiara is the name indicated b" the $ro$hec"& as man" Seventh!da" #dventist e,$ositors have tau%ht. But in m" vie4 the te,t su%%ests that <<< is the code or the name of the sea monster& 4hich is blas$hem". It $oints to a $arod" o $er ectionE im$er ection u$on im$er ection& des$ite the beast@s monstrous claims.

&-egesis of Revelation ./
(utline
Like cha$ter .(& cha$ter .+ alls into three distinct sections. Fe ma" see more readil" the construction and thematic lo4 o the cha$ter rom the ollo4in% dia%ram.

&art$%s )ilial ?eneration #. 2he 1eo$le 5o"al to God :.+E.!/9 .. 2heir leader > the 5amb (. 2heir $lace > 'ount Cion 7. 2heir number !.++&))) +. 2heir character>unde iled /. 2heir devotion > ollo4 the 5amb B. God@s 'edia BlitJ :.+E<!.(9 .. First an%el>Iud%ment announced (. Second an%el>Iud%ment delineated 7. 2hird an%el>Iud%ment described :#. 1arenthetical #side!.+E.79 C. Earth@s Final Harvest :.+E.+!()9 .. Harvest o the ri%hteous (. Harvest o the 4icked

c$ained on t$is basis. 5/ Si- hundred si-ty-si- is t$e trian%ular o a trian%ular 2he trian%ular o ? is 7< and the trian%ular of +2 is 222. See S4eet& (.?!.*. (t$er com$utations su%%ested include lateinos and he latino asiteia, each of $ic$ e,$ressions totals <<< in ?reek.

7.

2nePm ePEna!2PmeVlctor"0verthe Forces o Evil Leading 0otifs In this section 4e 4ill isolate the ke" terms and themes o Revelation .+& attem$tin% to e,$lain them and their role in the develo$ment o the $assa%e. 2he La!b. 2his term& the chie desi%nation or Christ in Revelation& occurs (? times in the book. It is a marvelous choice. Fhen 4e stand back& as it 4ere& and behold the $anorama o the book& 4ith the orces o evil $aradin% as a series o monsters& 4e catch our breath at the 5ord@s ans4er to these evil& ra$acious creatures >a 5ambN Furthermore& a slain 5ambL As Revelation .+ o$ens& the contrast 4ith cha$ter .7 is brilliantl" e ective. Instead o the land and sea 4e ind 'ount Cion; instead o eree& dece$tion& and reli%ious $ersecution 4e see the 5amb. Fe should notice that the Greek term here or Hlamb&H as throu%hout Revelation& is amion& 2he term or the sacri icial lamb in Aohn@s Gos$el& ho4ever& is amnos :Aohn .E(*& 7<9. 2he 5amb o Revelation derives His authorit" rom His sacri icial death :see cha$. /E<!.79& but H5ambH b" no means denotes 4eakness. Amion $oints to martial characteristicsE 2he 5amb is leader o the hosts o heaven and the $eo$le lo"al to God on earth. 2he ver" title H5ambH enca$sulates the $arado,ical nature o the %oodE a$$arentl" hel$less but in realit" enormousl" stron%& stru%%lin% 4ith dece$tion and o$$ression& and victorious at last. #$e .++&))). #s the beast has its number& a cr"$tic number si%ni "in% $arod" and im$er ection& so God has the number o His $eo$le. 2hat number $oints to com$leteness. 0n the basis o the $arallel occurrence :Rev 7E+!.79 it seems unlikel" that a literal inter$retation is intended.(/ 2he .++&))) are characteriJed b"E .. A C$ristlike c$aracter. 2he" bear the name o the 5amb and the name o the Father in their oreheads>no HhandH mark or them. 5. 1ndefikd. In a 4orld that has $rostituted true 4orshi$& the" are $ure in heart. HVir%insH :or& HchasteH9 si%ni ies idelit" to God :c . Rev (E.+& ()9& not celibac". +. ?uileless. 2he beast and its ima%e :cha$. .79 are characteriJed b" dece$tion& orce& and m"ster"; but the .++&))) b" o$enness& clarit"& and honest". /. &-6erience. 2he son% o the .++&))) stems rom the con lict throu%h
(/ <ote the s$eci ication o .(&))) rom each o the .( tribes o Israel :vss. +!/9 and the descri$tion o vs. *. Sec Beatrice =eall& J?ood =e4s #bout the .++&)))&H Ad#entist "e#iew, #$ril (&.*?7. <2

The 6amts=>#-TTmeVrct.i1?%e5lne-roTCC6-orT8n

4hich the" have $assed. 2he" have Hcon3uered the beast and its ima%e and the number o its name@M :./E(9. 2heir lo"alt" has been tested and re ined in the crisis o the end!time. 9. Devotion to t$e La!b. 2he" have $ut the 5amb irst on earth& choosin% to be identi ied 4ith Him in ace o o$$osition& ar%ument& hardshi$& and denial; no4 the" ollo4 the 5amb 4herever He %oes. Angels. Si, an%els are mentioned in this cha$ter& the irst three $ro! claimin% God@s invitations and 4arnin%s to the 4orld Iust be ore the Second Comin%& the last three rea$in% the harvest o earth. 1resumabl" these t4o sets o three corres$ond>divine Iud%ments ollo4 divine messa%es. 8n3uestionabl"& the an%el i%ures o the cha$ter are s"mbolic. 2he last t4o an%els are $ortra"ed in a scene rom the %ra$e harvest>e,ce$t that in the last verse o the cha$ter the HAuiceH lo4in% rom the 4ine$ress o God@s 4rath is bloodN Fhen Christ returns He Himsel is the rea$er and an%els assist Him :c . 'att .7E(+!7)&7<!+79. 5ike4ise 4ith the irst three an%els o Revelation .+. 2he" $ortra" three divine messa%es that are to encircle the %lobe :4e should remember that the Greek aggelos is not restricted to an%el i%uresE its basic meanin% is Hmessen%erH or Henvo"H9. 2hese messa%es in turn call the last!time %eneration back to the 4orshi$ o the livin% God& declare the bankru$tc" o s$iritual Bab"lon& and 4arn a%ainst the 4orshi$ o the beast. #$ree an%elsM messa%e. Revelation .+ is much more concerned 4ith the irst three an%els than 4ith the second three. Fe should note es$eciall" three as$ects o the irst three>the time o their messa%es& their sco!e,
#nd their content:

.. #i!e. 2hat the messa%es o Revelation .+E<!.( are to be located in the $eriod immediatel" $recedin% the return o Aesus and not throu%hout the Christian Era is sho4n b" t4o lines o evidence in the $assa%e. First& the messa%es call men and 4omen to 4orshi$ God instead o the beast and its ima%e. Revelation .7& ho4ever& has sho4n that the ima%e o the beast onl" comes into bein% a ter the H+(!monthH :.(<) "ears9 $eriod o the beast@s su$remac". Second& the three messa%es are ollo4ed b" the Second Comin% >4hich comin% is described in terms o Iud%ment on those 4ho have chosen alle%iance to the beast rather than to God. 5. Sco6e. 1roclamation rom midheaven& sho4in% the orce o the im!
(< Some commentators have su%%ested a corres$ondence bet4een t$e latter three an%els o Rev .+ it$ the three H4oesH of Rev ?E.7. Such an inter$retation& ho4ever& 4ould involve a uturistic vie o Rev * > somethin% to be discarded on ot$er %rounds.

<<

me ##iilu'(I)ni!!le*i"to'+,ve'*he To'"es o! (vil $act; 4orld4ide in reach& crosses continents and barriers o ethnicit"& lan%ua%e& and culture. +. Content In a later $art o the e,$osition& 4here 4e s$eci " the characteristics o God@s $eo$le as revealed in Revelation .+& 4e 4ill elaborate as$ects o the content o the messa%es o Revelation .+E<!.(. Here 4e merel" list items o that contentE An eternal %os$el )alse religious s"stems re$udiated # Iud%ment!hour messa%e Barnings against beast> ima%e& !ark A call to 6ut ?od first Co!!and!ents of ?od )ait$ of Creation =esus In vie4 o the data o the te,t itsel & the 'ormon a$$lication o Revelation .+ is ound to be invalid. #lthou%h 'ormons could make a case or themselves based on the time element and the sco$e o their activities& in several res$ects their teachin%s all short o the s$eci ications o the $assa%e. In $articular& 'ormon doctrine con uses the Creator6creature relationshi$& lacks the doctrine o the Iud%ment 4ith the accom$an"in% 4arnin% o the third an%el& and ails to em$hasiJe all the commandments o the Decalo%ue.(7 +& =udg!ent In Revelation& God@s Iud%ments are $ut s3uarel" in the uture. Far rom bein% somethin% alread" done at the cross& the time o divine Iud%ment is the time 4hen God intervenes to 4ra$ u$ the %reat controvers". 2he $eo$le o God& in Revelation o ten sho4n as a su erin%& $ersecuted minorit"& lon% or God@s Iud%ment. God@s Iud%in% 4ill be the time o their vindication as the o$$ressin% orces 4ill be $ut to rout :Rev <E*!..9. Revelation .+E7 announces that the time o God@s Iud%ment has come. 2he conte,t o Revelation .(!.+& as 4ell as the other occurrences o the Iud%ment theme in the book&(? indicate that the ul illment o this messa%e must be in the $eriod Iust be ore the Second Comin%. It 4ill be a/ter the +( months o the sea monster@s o$$ressive rule :Rev .7E.!.)9 and "et be/ore the return o Aesus :Rev .+E.+9. 2hus& the Seventh!da" #dventist doctrine o the $readvent Iud%ment&
(7 2he Sabbath commandment is a source o embarrassment to man" 'ormons. #r%uin% that true doctrine 4as lost durin% the 'iddle #%es and has been restored in these times& the" are at a loss to ind a biblical basis or settin% aside the ourth $rece$t o the Decalo%ue; their a$$eal is onl" to HrevelationH :Aose$h Smith9. (? Aohn uses a variet" o Greek 4ords to denote the conce$t o Iud%ment. See Rev ./E+ 3di1aiSma4< .7E.; ()E+ :ta4io9; .+E7; .<E7; .?E.); .*E( 3/cnsis42 <E.); ..;.?; .<E/; .?E?; .*E(&..; ()E.(&.7 31rinV4&

<4

2he SaintsM End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forceso2Evil usuall" called the investi%ative Iud%ment& inds con irmation in Revelation .+. #lthou%h the time element is not as s$eci ic as Daniel ?E.+& it dovetails 4ith that $ro$hec". 9. Bors$i6. #$is is a leadin% moti o Revelation .+. 2he .++&)))& 4ho ollo4 the 5amb 4herever He %oes& are sin%le!minded in their adoration. Like ise the messa%es o the three an%els are linked b" the common thread o 4orshi$. 2he irst an%el issues a call to 4orshi$ God the Creator in the settin% o the Iud%ment hour; the second declares and e,$oses the s"stem o alse 4orshi$; the third issues a dire 4arnin% a%ainst the 4orshi$ o the beast and its ima%e. Indeed& the theme o 4orshi$ runs throu%hout Revelation. 2he action takin% $lace in the various visions is re3uentl" interru$ted b" son%s o $raise& $ra"ers& and adoration. 2he book in its overall em$hasis leads the reader to e,alt the true and livin% God& to $ut Him irst in the li e no matter ho4 severe the o$$osition ma" be. It is not sur$risin%& there ore& that in the account o the end!time crisis bet4een the orces o %ood and the orces o evil :Rev .7!.+9& the moti o 4orshi$ should ind a $rominent $lace. 2. Babylon. In the 02& t4o cities $la" a leadin% role>Aerusalem and Bab"lon. 2he" stand or more than $olitical and national entities. 2he" re$resent the reli%ion o Oah4eh and the alse& counter reli%ious s"stem. In Revelation& 4here all the books o the 02 lo4 to%ether& Aerusalem and Bab"lon a%ain a$$ear. Aerusalem no4 is the ne4 cit"& the abode o the redeemed& 4here the %ates are never shut& and the 5ord God is the li%ht. Bab"lon& b" contrast& is the 4orld!s"stem that is doomed to come to nau%ht at the Second Comin%. Bab"lon re$resents all human attem$ts to $rovide the 4a" o salvation& all those $lans and $ro%rams that& because the" are built alone on human reason and devices& attem$t to rustrate the divine $lan or the 4orld. #s ancientl" Bab"lon& Hthe beaut" o the Chaldees e,cellenc"H :Isa .7E.*& DAV9 ell in a s$ectacular demise& so s$iritual Bab"lon& des$ite its a$$arent stren%th and con idence& 4ill crumble in ruins 4hen Aesus returns to earth.(* 2hus& the messa%e o the second an%el o Revelation .+ is the com$lement o the irst. 'en and 4omen in all nations& as the" are directed to return to the 4orshi$ o the Creator& must be led to re$udiate all s"stems and schemes& avo4edl" reli%ious or other4ise& that run counter to alle%iance to Christ.
(* See F. D. =ichol& ed.& The S%A Bible )ommentar 7 :Fashin%ton& DC& .*/79E ?(?!7). 7/

. ne aamis Dnd! . ii%%PicIbl"GLverHtPe2brces<2EviI Seventh!da" #dventists believe that the" are $roclaimin% the three an%els@ messa%es $redicted in Revelation .+. 2he irst and second an%els@ messa%es seemed es$eciall" si%ni icant to the #dvent believers in the .?+7! .?++ $eriod. 2he" elt the orce o the time element that located their da" in the $ro$hetic time scheme. 2he" observed the re$udiation o the $reachin% o the Second Comin% b" the $o$ular churches. Clearl"& the three an%els o Revelation .+ have even %reater si%! ni icance to #dventists toda". In a manner that the 'illerites could not have ima%ined& the call to 4orshi$ the Creator!God is %oin% to ever" na! tion& kindred& ton%ue and $eo$le. 2he rise and s$read o evolutionar" theor" has invested the irst an%el@s messa%e 4ith relevanc" be"ond the conce$tion o the irst believers. HBab"lonH toda" embraces ar more than a$ostate Christian churches. It includes them& but has a 4orld dimension commensurate 4ith the 4orld thrust o the irst an%el. 2hese messa%es& 4e believe& 4ill s4ell louder and still louder. In $ar! ticular& the voice o the third an%el is "et to reach its ull intensit". 0nl" in the scenes o the last %reat con rontation bet4een the ollo4ers o Christ and the ollo4ers o Satan 4ill the 4arnin% a%ainst receivin% the mark o the beast ind its com$lete ul illment. ?odLs Peo6le Identified Given the various moti s o Revelation .+& it is eas" to become cau%ht u$ in discussion o details o the $assa%e and to ail to %ive due 4ei%ht to the chie concern. In li%ht o the overall vision o Revelation .(!.+& it seems clear that the main si%ni icance o Revelation .+ is its delineation o the $eo$le o GodE those lo"al to Him des$ite the dece$tion and o$$osition associated 4ith the end!time crisis. 2his is the $oint o the irenic& beauti ul o$enin% scene :.+E.!/9; it is also the $oint o the inal scene o the vision that be%ins at ..E.*& as those 4ho have overcome the beast and its ima%e stand on the sea o %lass :Rev ./E(!+9. In the $revious section 4e noted characteristics o the .++&))). Goin% be"ond these $oints& in li%ht o the total descri$tion o Revelation .+& 4e ma" identi " ten marks o the $eo$le o GodE .. 2he" $ave t$e everlasting %os$el. 0nl" in Revelation .+E< is the %os$el termed Heternal.H 2he messa%e o the irst an%el is everlastin%& in contrast to the teachin%s o Bab"lon and the conce$ts associated 4ith the beast and its ima%e. God@s $eo$le o the last da"s have %ood ne4s to %ive to the 4orld. 0ur 7<

2he SaintsM End!2ime Victor" 0ver the Forces o2Bvil

messa%e centers in the $erson and 4ork o =esus Christ& 7e 4ho is our ri%hteousness. 2he Greek reads& $an eternal %os$el.@M Fhile there is onl" one true %os$el& one 4a" o salvation under the $rovisions o the everlastin% cove! nant& that %os$el is sha$ed in its $resentation b" circumstances and times. In the end!time the $roclamation o the %ood ne4s is %iven in the conte,t o the arrival o the Aud%ment hour. 5. #$ey $ave a orld ide 6rocla!ation. 2hrou%hout the t4entieth centur" God has been $er ormin% a modem miracleE He is %atherin% to%ether a societ" rom the nations& a ello4shi$ 4ithout e3ual amon% the various denominations and or%aniJations o the 4orld. 2he Seventh!da" #dventist Church is small& but it is uni3ue. #mon% the entities listed b" the 8nited =ations& 4e have 4ork in about .*) countries& and or the most $art those 4here 4e have no 4ork do not involve lar%e numbers o $eo$le. 2he sense o 4orld4ide mission and 4orld4ide ello4shi$ is $art o the %enius o #dventism. It never must be lost. +. #$ey call u6on 6eo6le to 6ut ?od first 2he challen%e o Revelation .+ is the challen%e o the irst commandmentE H2hou shalt have no other %ods be ore meH :E,od ()E79. God@s $eo$le have His name 4ritten in their oreheads and their messa%e to earth@s last %eneration be%ins& H1ear God.H 2hus& the issue 4ith 4hich the histor" o 1lanet Earth closes is the issue 4ith 4hich the %reat controvers" be%anE Fill the created bein% let God be GodL 0ut o the inal race o human bein%s on earth 4ill be those 4hose lo"alt" to God is un3uestionin%& 4ho $ut Him above ever" human s"stem and ever" human inducement. /. #$ey ors$i6 ?od as t$e Creator. Revelation a irms that the true God is 4orshi$ed as the Creator. 2his is a theme o the irst $raise chorus o the book :Rev +E..9 and it a$$ears rom time to time. In Revelation .7!.+& 4here God and His 4orshi$ are o$$osed b" counter eit s"stems& the true God is kno4n b" His creatorshi$. Fhen men and 4omen are destro"in% the earth He made& His true $eo$le are mind ul o the Creation and call the 4orld to ackno4led%e Him as its author. 9. #$ey announce the time of ?od%s Dudg!ent. 2his is the time or 4hich God@s $eo$le have lon%ed and $ra"ed& to 4hich the book o Revela! tion has been movin% :see& or e,am$le& Rev <E.)9. Be ore God@s acts o Iud%ment in the $ast& as at the Flood& the $la%ues u$on E%"$t& and the destruction o Aerusalem& He sent messa%es o 4arnin%. =or does the $eriod o the inal Iud%ment at the close o human histor" $ass b" 4ithout His $rovidin% 4atchmen or the times.
<7

Ttiie6aln5e-Bna-TTme Victor1 ?%er 5heTorces o1BvS 2he theme o Iud%ment is out o ste$ 4ith the thinkin% o modem $eo$le& but it is thorou%hl" biblical. #dventists must constantl" in orm and remind the 4orld that Hthe hour o God@s Iud%ment has come.H Even no4 4e are in the time o God@s inal 4ork Iust be ore the Second Comin% that 4ill rin% do4n the curtain on 1lanet Earth. For the unbeliever& the 4ord o God@s Iud%ment is a thin% o terror; but or the believer& the kno4led%e that 4e are in the time o the Iud%ment si%nals ho$e and the $ros$ect o our everlastin% home. Revelation .+E<&7 is %ood ne4s to us>it sho4s God acting as moral arbiter o the universe. 2. #$ey call or se$aration fro! all alse syste!s of ors$i6. God is a HIealousH God& that is& He shares His 4orshi$ 4ith no other. 0nl" He is entitled to 4orshi$. 0urs is a $luralistic societ"& and the reli%ions o mankind $roli erate. But i God is one& i Christ is the onl" name %iven on earth 4hereb" 4e must be saved& i His cross stands uni3ue as the dividin% $oint o human histor"& the $eo$le o God must not shrink rom the scandal o $articularit". Fith love and tolerance to4ard all& 4e nonetheless a irm the sin%ularit" o God@s s"stem o 4orshi$. From its ince$tion Christianit" has been a divider o $eo$le. Its call to ackno4led%e Aesus as Saviour and 5ord inevitabl" im$lies se$aration rom other s"stems. 3. #$ey call for lo"alt" to God. 2he" a$$eal to the 4orld to 4orshi$ God& not the beast $o4er& and 4arn a%ainst receivin% its mark. In the events that characteriJe the close o human histor"& God@s $eo$le emer%e as men and 4omen o coura%e and ortitude. 2he" are alert and in ormed b" the Scri$tures& so as not to be deceived b" the miraculous $henomena associated 4ith the alse s"stem o 4orshi$; the" are resolute in their convictions& not s4a"ed b" $ersuasion or coercion; above all the" are lo"al to their God& $re$ared to su er loss& $h"sical hardshi$ and even death itsel to maintain their relationshi$ 4ith Him. K. #$ey kee6 t$e co!!and!ents of ?od. Devotion to Christ is sho4n& not so much b" $ro ession and cries o H5ord& 5ord&H as b" actions. In the inal crisis& the ourth commandment assumes a si%ni icant $lace. 2he call o the irst an%el dra4s attention to the Creator. Dee$in% the Sabbath is evidence o one@s acce$tance o this call. From a certain $oint o vie4 one da" ma" a$$ear to be as %ood as another as a da" o 4orshi$; but 4hen God has desi%nated the $eriod o hol" time& obedience must be e,$licit. C. #$ey kee6 t$e aith of Aesus. 2his e,$ression does not mean that the $eo$le o God have aith in Aesus :althou%h the" do9& because the aith o Aesus is somethin% the" 1ee!& H2he aithH $robabl" re ers to the Christian tradition& the bod" o teachin%s that center in Aesus. Aude 7 ma" <3

2he SaintsM End!2ime Victor" (ver the Forces o Evil $rovide a $arallelE Hthe aith 4hich 4as once or all delivered to the saints.H Fhen God@s lo"al ollo4ers kee$ the aith o Aesus the" remain true to basic Christianit"> the" Hkee$ the aith.H 2he =EB& in a ree translation& has ca$tured the essential ideaE Hremainin% lo"al to Aesus.H .;. #$ey a4ait 6atiently t$e return of t$eir Lord. In Revelation .+E.(& H$atienceH 3hu!omone4 is better translated as Hendurance.H #lthou%h the comin% o Aesus seems to be dela"ed& althou%h doubts and ears assail& His $eo$le never lose ho$e. 2he" endure to the end. 2he" kno4 that He 4ho $romised is aith ul and one da" He 4ill return. Bu eted b" alse ideas& assaulted b" reli%ious con ederac"& threatened b" the civil $o4ers& the" kee$ on 4aitin% 4ith stead ast lo"alt".

Si%ni icance or 1roclamation

Ever" Seventh!da" #dventist should read Revelation .(!.+ o ten. He should read the $assa%e until he understands it thorou%hl"& and return to it a%ain and a%ain or orientation in the herita%e o the $ioneers. He must catch the orce o the distinctive doctrines& the distinctive 4a" o li e& and the distinctive 4orldvie4 and sense o mission that the $assa%e sets orth. #nd havin% absorbed the $assa%e& his $roclamation should take on characteristics and 3ualities that link u$ 4ith the $ast. Be do not su%%est that #dventists toda" can rest content 4ith re$eatin% the 4ords o $ast $reachers& or $roclamation must al4a"s come resh and directed to the needs and situation o the ever chan%in% Hno4.H =or do 4e su%%est that Revelation .+ should orm the basis or ever"& or most& sermons& or the cha$ter itsel $resu$$oses the bod" o Christian belie s& somethin% that $reachers dare not take or %ranted in their audiences. Ho4& then& 4ill Revelation .(!.+ be si%ni icant or $roclamation toda"L #$art rom the content o the $assa%e itsel >somethin% not to be overlooked>4e must catch the d namic o the $roclamation& namel"E .. In t$e note o certaint that characteriJes t$e $assa%e. Certaint" that 4e live in the da"s Iust $rior to the Second Comin%. Certaint" that God is callin% out a $eo$le lo"al to Him rom ever" nation and tribe. Certaint" that true 4orshi$ is not to be com$romised. Certaint" that the 2en Commandments& and the Sabbath in $articular& sho4 our lo"alt" to God. 5. In t$e note ofauthorit t$at !arks t$e $assa%eM 2hree an%el messen%ers l" in midheaven& and the" %ive God@s invitation and 4arnin% to men and 4omen. =o4& reli%ious authorit" itsel is a trick" matter; in the name o God various misdeeds have been& and are& committed. Various <2

@1he 6aints= (n#-lime Victor1 ?%er the !orces o5 (%il

$eo$le claim to be God@s mouth$iece or to have been instructed b" a divine voice to conve" messa%es or to do evil or craJ" thin%s. Met> i 4e are to take seriousl" the Bible and Revelation in $articular& e cannot avoid the matter o authorit". 2he #dventist $reacher& standin% in the $ul$it& is ul illin% the $rediction o Revelation .+. It is a sta%%erin% claim. 2hat claim can lead to $ride& $resum$tion& hi%h!handedness& and lovelessness. Fe need a s$ecial measure o humilit" and %race to live 4ith it. But live 4ith it 4e must. 0ur $reachin% cannot be o smooth thin%s. It must come 4ith the conviction and 4insome a$$eal o the an%el messen%ers o Revelation .+. +. In t$e timeliness of t$e !essage. 2he $assa%e s$eaks directl" to our da"& alertin% us to the si%ni icance o our times in God@s eternal $lan. It calls us to 4ake u$& to o$en our e"es& and to see ourselves in li%ht o eternit"& to be read" to meet our returnin% 5ord. /. In t$e sole!n warning in $ic$ t$e !essages of Revelation ./ are couc$ed. 'ost Christians b"$ass the book o Revelation. Some theolo%ians have used dero%ator" lan%ua%e to describe it& su%%estin% that in some as$ects its in luence is Hevil.H Doubtless cha$ters .(!.+& amon% other $ortions o the book& contain ideas that 4ould sound stran%e rom man" modem $ul$its. 2hese cha$ters& 4hich center in lo"alt" to the 5amb and adoration o Him& also set orth in terrible terms the terrible 4rath o the 5amb. 2he three an%els are urgent in their summons& or time is short and the ate o the beast!4orshi$ers is too horrible to contem$late. #dventist $reachers must not ail to %ive the 4arnin% messa%e. Fe are 4atchmen on the 4alls o Cion and 4e dare not be delin3uent in our res$onsibilities. 2here is a heaven to 4in and a hell to shun& and the end! time sets orth the o$tions 4ith dramatic clarit". 5et us be care ul& ho4ever& to sound the note o 4arnin% in the conte,t o the Heverlastin% %os$el.H Aesus& the 'an o matchless charms& is to be the center o ever" sermon. He is the 5amb& and His cross must ever be u$li ted be ore the $eo$le. =o sermon& no matter 4hat the audience or the occasion& should ail to $oint the 4a" to ho$e and healin% in Him. 2o %ive 4arnin% 4ithout directin% to Christ is merel" to shout& H2he house is on ireNH to $eo$le tra$$ed in a burnin% buildin%. Certaint"& authorit"& 4arnin%>these characteristics 4ill link our $roc! lamation 4ith that o the $ioneers. Like them& 4e must be %rounded in the Scri$tures& dail" nurtured b" the livin% Ford. 2hat Ford 4ill enable us to $reach 4ith $o4er so that the three an%els 4ill s$eak in mi%ht" voices to the 4hole 4orld.
4;

C$a6ter 7 #$e 0ark of t$e Beast

C. 'erv"n 'a,4ell
&ditorial Syno6sis. #lthou%h man" commentators o the $ast have linked the Hmark o the beastH 4ith the church o Rome& Seventh!da" #dventists have advanced a ste$ urther and have identi ied it 4ith the coercive& end!time en orce! ment of Sunda" observance in o$$osition to the seventh!da" Sabbath o the 2en Commandments. Sunda" observance is an institution that the Roman communion $as ostered throu%hout its lon% career as a $rime evidence o its authorit" in s$iritual matters in the Christian church. #$e #dventist $osition is based s3uarel" on the identi ication o the sea beast 4hose HmarkH is to be en orced. 2he sea beast :Rev .7E.!.)9& the little horn 4ith t$e e"es and mouth o a man that emer%es rom the head o Daniel@s ourth beast :Dan 7E?&(/9& and the Hman o sinH or Hla4lessnessH in 1aul@s $ro$hec" :( 2hess (E.! ?9 have been identi ied b" Christians rom the earliest times as the same $o4erE the Hantichrist.H 1re!Re ormation 4riters re%arded the antichrist as a sin%le indi! vidual :a conce$t that has become $o$ular a%ain toda" amon% man" conservative Christians9. But the 1rotestant Re ormation brou%ht the insi%ht that these $assa%es $ortra" not an individual& but an ecclesiastical s stem, lon% $resent in the church& namel"& the $a$ac". Seventh!da" #dventists acce$t the 1rotestant anal"sis o these $assa%es as cor! rect& and hold that to be true to the Scri$tures& 4e must ind the HmarkH in associa! tion 4ith the $a$ac". 24o lines o $ro$hec" conver%e on this $ointE :.9 Daniel@s $ro$hec" that the little horn 4ould Hthink to chan%e the times and the la4H :Dan 7E(/9& a orecast that could have re erence onl" to God@s la4 o the 2en Command! ments; and :(9 the $ro$hec" o Revelation that characteriJes God@s $eo$le as 1ee!ers o/ =is commandments :Rev .(E.7; .+E.(9 4ho 4ill ace the end!time en! orcement o the mark under $enalt" o bo"cott and death. Histor" is re$lete 4ith evidence that the Roman communion>e,ertin% 4ide in luence in the Fest >ver" earl" ado$ted and coerdvel" en orced Sunda" sacred! ness in o$$osition to the Sabbath. 2he $ro$hetic assessment is correctE 2he $a$ac" has sou%ht to chan%e the 2en Commandments& $articularl" at the $oint o the ourth $rece$t. God@s seal to His la4 and& thereb"& a si%n o His authorit" as Creator. +.

2 ieFark oFthe Beast

2he $redicted inal con lict in this 4orld over the la4 o God>centerin% on the en orcin% o Sunda" observance contrar" to the seventh!da" Sabbath command is more than a contention over da"s. It 4ill involve the s$iritual condition o all classes. 2his is indicated b" the a irmations b" God that %enuine observance o His Sabbath is a si%n o the believer@s rece$tion and submission to 7is sancti "in% %race :E,od 7.E.7; EJek ()E.(9. 2hose 4ho are lo"al or dislo"al to God in the inal crisis and 4ho receive either God@s seal or the beast@s mark 4ill thereb" dis$la" the kind o characters the" have develo$ed in their $robationar" time.

C$a6ter (utline
I. 2he 'ark II. Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States III. Some Kuestions #ns4ered

#$e 0ark
Section (utline
I. Introduction II. 1rinci$les o Inter$retation 2he 'ark in Vision IV 2he 'ark 0utside Vision IV

III. IV.

V. Identi "in% the Beast VI. Summar"

Int'odu"tion
Seventh!da" #dventists ri%htl" vie4 the mark o the beast as one o the most im$ortant to$ics in the book o Revelation. God@s o4n 4arnin% about it is the most ear ul in Scri$ture. It orms the core o the third an%el@s messa%e o Revelation .+E*!.(>
42

2he 'ark #nd another an%el& a third& ollo4ed them& sa"in% 4ith a loud voice& JIf an" one 4orshi$s the beast and its ima%e& and receives a mar1 on his orehead or on his hand& he also shall drink the 4ine o God@s 4rath& $oured unmi,ed into the cu$ o his an%er& and he shall be tormented 4ith ire and sul$hur in the $resence o the hol" an%els and in the $resence o the 5amb. #nd the smoke o their torment %oes u$ or ever and ever; and the" have no rest& da" or ni%ht& these 4orshi$ers o the beast and its ima%e& and 4hoever receives the mar1 o its name.H Here is a call or the endurance o the saints& those 4ho kee$ the commandments o God and the aith o Aesus. Fhen Seventh!da" #dventists think about the mark o the beast& the" think o HSunda" observance.H It@s an identi ication that %oes back to the $ioneer o Sabbath observance in #dventist histor"& Aose$h Bates. In the second edition o his irst book on the Sabbath Bates asked& Is it not clear that the irst da" o the 4eek or the Sabbath or hol" da" is a mark o the beast. It surel" 4ill be admitted that the Devil 4as and is the ather o all the 4icked deeds o Im$erial and $a$al Rome. It is clear then rom this histor" that Sunda"& or irst da"& is his Sabbath throu%hout Christendom.

By .?// A. =. #ndre4s had matured the conce$t o receivin% the mark of the beast to include kno4led%eable observance o Sunda" as a traditional Catholic hol" da" in o$$osition to the true SabbathE
Fe s$eak o those 4ho have the li%ht o truth and act contrar" to it. 2hose 4ho have never "et understood that the observance o Sunda" is a tradition o the QCatholicR athers 4hich makes void the ourth command! ment& are not re erred to. It is the brin%in% o this Sabbath o the a$ostas" to the test that 4ill constitute it the mark o that $o4er that should think to chan%e times and la4s. (llen *+ White=s comments in the 1333 an# 1211 e#itions o5 1he >reat 2ontroversy ha%e .ecome classic@<
. Aose$h Bates> The Seventh Day Sabbath a *er!etual Si i, (d ed. :=e4 Bed ord& 0A> .?+79& /*. C . =a!es Fhite& The !resent Truth, =o. C> #$ril .?/)& <7E JIt is ... the observance o the irst da" o the eek as a hol" da" of rest instead of t$e Sabbat$.J ( A. =. #ndre4s& J#$e #$ree 0essages of Revelation "I'> <!.(&H Revie" and =erald, #$ril 7&.?//& ()7. 7 :'ountain Vie4& CA> .KKK and .*.. cds.9& <)/. Cf. &llen ?. B$ite> The S!irit o/ *ro!hec . :Fashin%ton& DC> .C2C> acsimile re$roduction o .??+ editionA, +(7& similar but states t$e mat! ter more brie l".

4<

2he 'ark o the Beast =ot one is made to su er the 4rath o God until the truth has been brou%ht home to his mind and conscience& and has been reIected. ... #$e decree Qdemandin% Sunda" observance in $lace o Sabbath observanceR is not to be ur%ed u$on the $eo$le blindl". Ever"one is to have su icient li%ht to make his decision intelli%entl". 2he Sabbath 4ill be the %reat test o lo"alt"& or it is the $oint o truth es$eciall" controverted. Fhen the inal test shall be brou%ht to bear u$on men& then the line o distinction 4ill be dra4n bet4een those 4ho serve God and those 4ho serve Him not.... Fhile one class& b" acce$tin% the si%n o submission to earthl" $o4ers& receive the mark o the beast& the other& choosin% the token o alle%iance to divine authorit"& receive the seal o God. Re lection toda" on all that the term has come to mean to Seventh!da" #dventists su%%ests an enriched de inition such as thisE #$e !ark of t$e beast Is illful> kno ledgeable> end-ti!e a66roval of coercive Sunday observance in opposition to clear lig$t on t$e Sabbat$ Huestion and in harmony it$ classic Ro!an Cat$olicis!. As suc$L t$e !ark of t$e beast is evidence of 6ersonal character !atured in o66osition to ?od.

2o this de inition 4e must add the observation that the mark o the beast& 4hen it is received in ul illment o $ro$hec"& 4ill be a 4orld4ide $henomenon. #ccordin% to Revelation .7& the lamb!homed earth beast 4ill cause
all, both small and %reat& both rich and $oor& both ree and slave& to be marked on the ri%ht hand or the orehead& so that no one can bu" or sell unless he has the mark& that is& the name o the beast or the number o its name.

#$ree 0aDor 'ie s Fe reco%niJe& o course& that man" de initions o the mark o the beast have been o ered b" $ersons 4ho are not Seventh!da" #dventists. 1ret!erist scholars& or e,am$le& 4ho locate the ul illment o all $ro$hec" in the $ast& sa" that the mark o the beast 4as somethin% in licted on Christians b" =ero. =ot that $reterists have ever $roved that =ero did a$$l" a mark to Christians; the" are Iust certain that =ero 4as the beast. Dis$ensationalists on the other hand have said that the mark o the beast is the number <<<& to be branded on $eo$le in the end!time b" the ruler o a revived Roman Em$ire. 2hese di erent de initions>#dventist& $reterist& and dis$ensation!
44

2he 'ark alistEcannot all be ri%ht. But it is strikin% that all o them see the mark as havin% somethin% to do 4ith RomeE the $reterists& 4ith an ancient Roman em$eror; the dis$ensationalists and other uturists& 4ith a uture Roman ruler; and the Seventh! da" #dventists and other bistoricists& 4ith the Roman Catholic Church.

(ur Pur6ose It is the $ur$ose o this cha$ter to ree,amine the basis or the Seventh! da" #dventist inter$retation %iven above. It 4ill anal"Je :e,e%ete9 the $rinci$al Bible $assa%es involved& trace the ul illment o $ro$hec"& and a$$l" 4hat is learned to the mission o the Seventh!da" #dventist move! ment and to the Christian@s $rivate li e.

Princi6les of Inter6retation
It is 4ise& 4hen undertakin% serious Bible stud"& to revie4 the $rinci$les o inter$retation :hermeneutics9 under 4hich one intends to o$erate. 7ere are ei%ht hermeneutical $rinci$les that seem es$eciall" a$$ro$riate to this $resent stud". Princi6le . Inasmuch as all Scri$ture is %iven b" ins$iration o God :( 2im 7E.<9& and inasmuch as the God o truth s$oke throu%h all His di erent 4riters :Heb .E.; . 1et .E..& etc.9& the Bible is an ins$ired unit and one $art o it can be used le%itimatel" to hel$ e,$lain another $art o it.

Princi6le 5 2he themes o Revelation are closel" linked to the themes o Daniel and also to the themes o 'atthe4 (+!(/ and ( 2hessalonians (. + Because t$e themes o these our $ortions o the Bible are closel" linked& the" are hel$ ul in inter$retin% Revelation& and vice versa. Princi6le + 2he maIor $ro$hecies o Revelation& like those o Daniel& 'atthe4 (+! (/& and ( 2hessalonians (& have much in commonE :a9 the" stretch rom the $ro$het@s da" to the Second Comin% as Iust noted; :b9 the" deal mainl"
/ In Daniel& the $ro$het our times outlines histoi" rom $is o4n da" to the end!time. In 'att (+! 59 C$rist $redicted the uture rom the all o Aerusalem to t$e Second Comin%. In ( 2hess ( Paul traced $ro$hec" fro! his o4n da" to the Second Co!ing.

45

2he 'ark o the Beast but not e,clusivel"/ 4ith the harsh side o $olitical and reli%io$olitical entities; :c9 the" 4arn o maIor a$ostas" and $ersecution; and :d9 the" $romise a Christ!centered outcome 4ith re4ards or the ri%hteous and destruction or the 4icked. 2hou%h these $ro$hecies have much in common& the" are not identical. Each $ro$hec" makes its o4n contribution to our in ormation. #nd thou%h in %eneral the" $ro%ress rom the $ro$hets da" to the end o time& the" do not necessaril" do so in sim$le se3uential narrative orm. Revelation .(!.+ in $articular $resents a braid rather than a strand o histor"& re$eatedl" antici$atin% in ormation that is elaborated later and revie4in% and au%mentin% in ormation %iven earlier. Princi6le / 2he historicist a$$roach is the onl" Iusti iable ke" to inter$retin% the $ro$hecies involvin% man" Hda"sH and H4eeks.H Evidence that a da" in such $ro$hecies re$resents a calendar "ear and that a 4eek re$resents seven calendar "ears is abundant in Scri$ture as demonstrated in volume . o this current Daniel and Revelation series. Princi6le 9 Fhen Daniel& 'atthe4 (+!(/&( 2hessalonians (& and Revelation deal $ro$heticall" 4ith maIor reli%ious and $olitical entities& the" deal selectivel" 4ith those entities that most directl" a ect God@s 4orshi$ers& $rimaril" =e s and Christians and secondaril" 'uslims. Ae4s and Christians have been the $eo$le best ac3uainted 4ith Bible $ro$hec" and thus have been the best able to bene it rom it. 'uslims& besides 4orshi$in% the true God& esteem both Aesus and the 0ld 2estament& makin% Bible $ro$hec" valuable or them also. #s God@s 4orshi$ers have e,tended their areas o habitation rom the 'iddle East to Euro$e& to the #mericas& and to most $ortions o the %lobe& $ro$hetic oresi%ht has ke$t $ace 4ith them. In the irst centur" #D.& 4hen $ro$hetic ul illment ocused on events
/ In contrast to Dan 7 and ?& 4hich $ortra" 4orld em$ires as ierce animals& Dan ( $resents human %overnment at its bestE #$e i!age is o Je-ceeding bri%htness.H In Revelation& t$e beasts> alse 6ro6$et> scarlet!clothed 4oman& and man" other sy!bols $ortra" the dark side o human e,! $erience& but in cha$s. ( and 7 Aesus o ers com$liments to !ost o the seven churches. Even to 2h"atira& the !ost hostile o t$e churches and the one man" historicist commentators identi " 4ith medieval Roman Christianit"& =esus sa"s in Rev (E.*& HI kno4 "our orks> "our love and aith and service and 6atient endurance& and that "our latter 4orks e,ceed the irst.H =onetheless& Daniel and Revelation deal mainl" 4ith Ihc harsher as$ects of eart$ly realities.

46

2he 'ark and $ersons in the Roman Em$ire& our em$ires la" shoulder to shoulder across EurasiaE the Roman& 1arthian& Dushan& and Han Em$ires; < but o these our em$ires& the Roman covered the territor" 4here most o the Ae4s and Christians lived at the time. 2hus it4as that the Roman Em$ire occu$ied the maIor ocus o Daniel@s $ro$hecies a$$licable to the irst centur". But 4hen& in the medieval centuries& the most d"namic orm o Christianit" 4as to be ound in 4estern Euro$e& the em$hasis o $ro$hec" shi ted to 4estern &uro6e> the area o the Hten tribes.H Fith the rise o the earth beast& the $roclamation o the three an%els@ messa%es& and the %lobal s$read o Christianit"& t$e ocus o $ro$hec" enlar%ed to include the 4hole 4orld.

Princi6le 2
Revelation& 4ith its numerous Hsevens&H marvelous s"mbols& color ul descri$tions& re$etitive $hrases& and lar%e and small mirrorlike arran%ements :HchiasmsH9& is obviousl" a master$iece. In so hi%hl" 4rou%ht a literar" 4ork as Revelation& a$$ro$riate attention should al4a"s be $aid to the im$lications o literar" structure. 0ur stud" o the mark o the beast ill be es$eciall" aided b" lookin% at such elements o literar" structure as Hintroductor" sanctuar" scenes&H Hintroductor" enca$sulatin% scenes&H and H$arenthetical scenes.H Princi6le 3 The 4ritin%s o Ellen G. Fhite have $roved a %reat blessin% to millions o $eo$le o various aiths. Seventh!da" #dventists ou%ht not to de$rive themselves o somethin% that others $riJe>es$eciall" no4ada"s& as challen%e a ter challen%e serves to make her ins$iration the more a$$arent. Conse3uentl"& Ellen Fhite@s inter$retations o the Bible should be taken seriousl" i she has 4ritten on the subIect under stud".

Princi6le K
?od is no res$ecter o $ersons :#cts .)E7+9& and $ro$hec" is o no $rivate inter$retation :( 1et .E()9. 2hus& it ollo4s that $ro$hetic inter$retations o ered b" Bible students in the $ast should not be overlooked. #t the same time& 4e remember that human understandin% o truth is $ro%ressive>and also that some as$ects o Daniel@s $ro$hecies 4ere closed b" God until the end o the .(<) da"s :Dan .(; Rev .)9.
< See Filliam H. 'c=cill& The "ise o/ the Bfot :Chica%o& .*<79& 7.7; also& C. 'erv"n 'a,4ell& God #ares, (vols. :Boisc& Idaho& .*?.&.*?/9& .E7<.

47

2he 'ark o the Beast

#$e 0ark in 'ision I'

2o ind out most directl" 4hat the Bible sa"s about the mark o the beast& 4e be%in 4ith an outline o Revelation@s Vision IV :the H%reat controvers"H division& Rev .(!.+9. 2he $rocess demands some concentration but is re4ardin% and indis$ensable. #s observed above& Revelation .(!.+ does not $resent an uncom$licated thread o histor" but rather a 4oven braid. # clear $ro%ression rom Aohn@s da" to the Second Comin% is readil" discerned& but there is much HintroductionH and Henca$sulation6M 4ith considerable $assin% a%ain over the same %round to $rovide additional in ormation. Ever"one kno4s that Daniel ..& the ourth s4ee$!o !histor" vision in the book o Daniel& is more com$le, than the ima%e vision in Daniel (. Similarl"& Revelation .(!.+& the ourth s4ee$!o !histor" division in the book o Revelation& is considerabl" more com$le, than the seven!church vision.

Introductory Sanctuary Scene (..,.CA

2he %reat controvers" division o Revelation& nominall" cha$ters .(!.+& actuall" be%ins 4ith the inal verse o cha$ter ... 2his verse :Rev ..E.*9 $rovides the division@s Hintroductor" sanctuar" scene.H 2he ark is seen in heaven@s 'ost Hol" 1lace. HGod@s tem$le in heaven 4as o$ened& and the ar1 o/ his co#enant 4as seen 4ithin his tem$le; and there 4ere lashes o li%htnin%& voices& $eals o thunder& an earth3uake& and heav" hail.H Each o the our visions in the irst hal o Revelation :cha$s. .!.+9 is introduced b" a sanctuar" scene involvin% a di erent item o urniture and ocused on each division@s $rinci$al messa%e. 2he seven!letters division is introduced b" a lam!stand scene& callin% attention to Christ@s $ersonal interest in His church. 2he seven!seals vision is introduced 4ith a scene
T

around God@s hol"!$lace throne :the table o she4bread& $erha$s9& revealin% God@s $o4er and Christ@s redem$tive %race and assurin% us o heaven@s concern or souls under $ersecution and distress. 2he seven!trum$et se%! ment is introduced b" a scene at the golden altar, the $lace 4here $ra"ers are heard rom God@s $eo$le and 4here Iud%ments are dis$atched a%ainst their enemies. 2he introductor" sanctuar" scene that be%ins the %reat controvers"
3 In one o her earliest visions> &llen ?. Fhite sa4 Ha throneH on 4hich bot$ the )at$er and the Son 4ere seated and /rom which the" !oved successivel" into the 0ost Hol" 1lace. See Ellen ?. B$ite> Earl >itings :Fashin%ton& DC> .*+/9& /+!/<. 2his throne outside t$e 'ost Hol" 1lace is $resumabl" located in the hol" $lace and is $resumabl" t$e one referred to in Rev + and /.

43

2he 'ark

division reveals the ar1 o/ the co#enant in the 'ost Hol" 1lace. It thereb" s$otli%hts the la4 o God as the $rinci$al concern o the %reat controvers" division& or Vision IV 2he im$ortance o this sanctuar" scene or the inter$retation o the !ark o the beast cannot be overestimated. 2he onl" division in the irst hal o Revelation 4hich identi ies God@s saints as commandment 1ee!ers is the %reat controvers" division. It iden! ti ies the saints as commandment kee$ers t4ice& in .(E.7 and .+E.(. Inas! much as commandment kee$ers are shar$l" distin%uished rom those 4ho receive the mark o the beast& 4e $erceive at once that commandment brea1ers are the ones 4ho 4ill receive the mark o the beast. 2he introductor" sanctuar" scene is ollo4ed b" nine additional scenes& t o o them a$$ro$riatel" described as H$arenthetical scenesH and t4o as Hintroductor" enca$sulatin% scenes.H Scene . (.5,.-2A, An Introductory> &nca6sulating Scene 2he %reat red dra%on& the 4ar in heaven& the $ure mother and her Seed& and the 4oman@s li%ht into the 4ilderness or .(<) da"s are all introducedE
#nd a %reat $ortent a$$eared in heaven& a 4oman clothed 4ith the sun&... she 4as 4ith child.... #nd another $ortent a$$eared in heaven; behold& a %reat red dra%on.... His tail s4e$t do4n a third o the stars o heaven& and cast them to the earth. #nd the dra%on stood be ore the 4oman. U. that he mi%ht devour her child.. U but her child 4as cau%ht u$ to God and to his throne& and the 4oman led into the 4ilderness& 4here she has a $lace $re$ared b" God& in 4hich to be nourished or one thousand t4o hundred and si,t" da"s.

Because the 4ar in heaven& summariJed here& is enlar%ed on in the second scene& and because the .(<) da"s& summariJed here& are enlar%ed on in the third and i th scenes& this scene ma" be called an Hintroductor" enca!sulating$ scene. 5ike several other scenes in Revelation& it resembles one o those Chinese bo,es that has a series o other bo,es nested inside. Scene 5 (.5,3-.5A 2he controvers" bet4een Christ and Satan& enca$sulated in the irst scene& is described more ull" in this second one. 2he dra%on@s de eat is considerabl" enlar%ed u$on.
=o4 4ar arose in heaven& 'ichael and his an%els i%htin% a%ainst the dra%on;... #nd the %reat dra%on ... 4as thro4n do4n to the earth& and $is an%els 4ere thro4n do4n 4ith him. #nd I heard a loud voice in heaven&
-&

The &ark o5 the Beast

sa"in%&H... the accuser o our brethren has been thro4n do4n.... #nd the" have con3uered him....H

Scene 7 :.(E.7!.79 2he dra%on $ersecutes the 4oman; but the earth& 4hich later 4ill $roduce a $ersecutin% beast o its o4n& on this occasion $rotects the 4oman or a time& times& and hal a time :V.(<) da"s9.
2he 4oman 4as %iven the t4o 4in%s o the %reat ea%le that she mi%ht l" rom the ser$ent into the 4ilderness& to the $lace 4here she is to be nourished or a time& and times& and hal a tune. 2he ser$ent $oured 4ater like a river out o his mouth a ter the 4oman& to s4ee$ her a4a" 4ith the Hood. But the earth came to the hel$ o the 4oman& and the earth o$ened its mouth and s4allo4ed the river 4hich the dra%on had $oured rom his mouth. Follo4in% the $eriod o $ersecution& the dra%on $ersecutes the 4oman@s remnant& 4ho are described as kee$ers o God@s commandments. 2hen the dra%on 4as an%r" 4ith the 4oman& and 4ent o to make 4ar on the rest Q V remnantR o her o s$rin% Q V seedR& on those 4ho 1ee! the commandments o/ God and bear testimon" to Aesus QGreekE have6hold the testimon" o 6 rom AesusR.

Scene + :.7E.!+9E Introductor"& Enca$sulatin% Scene

# leo$ard!bodied beast rises out o the sea. 2his ne4 beast combines the characteristics o the our beasts o Daniel 7& 4hich also rose out o the sea. 2he dra%on hel$s to establish this sea beast b" %ivin% it the dra%on@s o4n $o4er& seat& and %reat authorit". I sa4 a beast risin% out o the sea& 4ith ten horns and seven heads.... #nd the beast that I sa4 4as like a leo$ard& its eet 4ere like a bear@s& and its mouth 4as like a lion@s mouth. #nd to it the dra%on %ave his $o4er and his throne and %reat authorit". In s$ite o the dra%on@s e,trava%ant s$onsorshi$& the sea beast eventuall" su ers an a$$arentl" mortal 4oundE 0ne o its Qthe sea beast@s sevenR heads seemed to have a mortal 4ound. Sur$risin%l"& the beast recovers>and both it and the dra%on are 4orshi$ed b" Hthe 4hole earth&H 4hich :in scene 79 had $reviousl" o$$osed the dra%onE
5;

The &ark

Its mortal 4ound 4as healed& and the 4hole earth ollo4ed the beast 4ith 4onder.

2his Hintroductor"H scene is Henca$sulatin%H in that it tells about the. seemin%l" mortal 4ound& 4hich is discussed in %reater detail in the i th scene& and it tells about the earth@s 4orshi$ o the beast& 4hich is discussed in %reater detail in the si,th scene.? Scene / :.7E/!.)9 For +( months :V.(<) da"s9 the sea beast behaves like the little horn o Daniel 7E
2he beast 4as %iven a mouth utterin% hau%ht" and blas$hemous 4ords& and it 4as allo4ed to e,ercise authorit" or ort"!t4o months; it o$ened its mouth to utter blas$hemies a%ainst God& blas$hemin% his name and his d4ellin%& that is& those 4ho d4ell in heaven. #lso it 4as allo4ed to make 4ar on the saints and to con3uer them.

# ter its $eriod o success& ho4ever& the beast is ca$tured and seriousl" 4oundedE
If an" one is to be taken ca$tive& to ca$tivit" he %oes; i an" one sla"s 4ith the s4ord& 4ith the s4ord must he be slain. 2hat the sea beast 4as to blas$heme God@s dwelling recalls at once the introductor" sanctuar" scene& in 4hich Aohn@s attention 4as called to the ark o God@s covenant in the 'ost Hol" 1lace o the heavenl" sanctuar". 7ere is another indication that the central sin o the sea beast is desecration o one or more o God@s commandments.

Scene 2 (.+,..-.KA
2he earth& 4hich had $rotected the 4oman durin% the .(<) da"s& no4 $roduces another beast& one 4ith lamblike horns.
I sa4 another beast 4hich rose out o the earth; it had t4o horns like a lamb....

2his earth beast has onl" t4o horns& not ten like the dra%on and the sea beast. It a$$arentl" has but one head :no other is mentioned9& not
? Fora discussion o the literar" arran%ement o Rev .7;l!.)&secFiNNiamH. Shea& H2ime 1ro$hecies o Daniel .( and Revelation .(!.7&H in S m!osium on "e#elation, Book .& DARC(0 scries& ed. Frank B. Holbrook :Silver S$rin%& 'DE Biblical Researc$ Institute& .**(9& 7/.!<).

/.

2he 'ark o the Beast seven like the dra%on and the sea beast. #nd unlike the dra%on& 4hich has seven cro4ns :.(E79& and the sea beast& 4hich has ten :.7E.9& the lamb!homed earth beast has no cro4ns at all. Kuite evidentl"& it re$resents a $olitical entit" uni3ue in $ro$hetic histor"& unlike an" that have come be ore it. Bel"in% its mild a$$earance& ho4ever& this ne4 beast turns out to $ractice the same old behavior as the dra%on and the sea beast. For 4hen it s$eaks& it s$eaks Iust like the :hau%ht" and blas$hemous9 dra%on& and a ter the sea beast is healed& the earth beast sets u$ an ima%e o the sea beast and demands that $eo$le 4orshi$ it. ... and it s$oke like a dra%on. It e,ercises all the authorit" o the irst beast ... and makes the earth and its inhabitants 4orshi$ the irst beast& 4hose mortal 4ound 4as healed.... biddin% them make an ima%e or the beast 4hich 4as 4ounded b" the s4ord and "et lived.... #lso it causes all... to be marked on the ri%ht hand or the orehead& so that no one can bu" or sell unless he has the mar1, that is& the name o/ the beast or the number o its name. 2his is the irst mention in the Bible o the mark o the beast. Fe no4 come to t4o H$arenthetical scenes.H 1arenthetical scenes are as characteristic o the literar" st"le o Revelation as are introductor" sanctuar" scenes and introductor" enca$sulatin% scenes. Scene 3 (./,.-9A, Parent$esis A In a lea$ be"ond histor"& the .++&)) t>4ith God@s name on their oreheads> are revealed sa e 4ith the 5amb on the sea o %lass ollo4in% the Second Comin%E 2hen I looked& and lo& on 'ount Cion stood the 5amb& and 4ith him a hundred and ort"! our thousand 4ho had his name and his Father@s name 4ritten on their oreheads ... and the" sin% a ne4 son% be ore the throne. 2hese .++&))) ha$$" sin%ers are identical to the .++&))) servants o God 4ho receive God@s HsealH in their oreheads in Revelation 7E.!7. HIn their mouth no lie 4as ound& or the" are s$otlessH :.+E/9. 2hus Revelation $rovides us 4ith t4o end! time %rou$sE those 4ho bear the name or seal o God and those 4ho receive the name or mark o the beast.

52

2he 'ark Scene K (./,2-.5A, Parent$esis B 2hree an%els $ublish the everlastin% %os$el and call ever"one to 4orshi$ the Creator. 2he" $roclaim the arrival o the Iud%ment hour and the all o Bab"lonE 2hen I sa4 another an%el Qthe irst o a ne4 %rou$ o threeR l"in% in mid!heaven& 4ith an eternal %os$el... and he said 4ith a bud voice&H... 4orshi$ him 4ho made heaven and earth& the sea and the ountains o 4ater.H #nother an%el& a second& ollo4ed& sa"in% HFallen& allen is Bab"lon the %reat&...H 2he third o these an%els hales the $atient endurance o Christ@s aith ul commandment kee$ers and 4arns about the dire $unishment a4aitin% those 4ho 4orshi$ the beast and receive its markE #nd another an%el& a third& ollo4ed them& sa"in% 4ith a loud voice& HI an" one 4orshi$s the beast and its ima%e& and receives a mar1 on his orehead or on his hand& he also shall drink the 4ine o GodMs 4rath& $oured unmi,ed into the cu$ o his an%er& and he shall be tormented 4ith ire and sul$hur in the $resence o the hol" an%els and in the $resence o the 5amb. #nd the smoke o their torment %oes u$ or ever and ever; and the" have no rest& da" or ni%ht& these 4orshi$ers o the beast and its ima%e& and 4hoever receives the mar1 o its name&$ Here is a call or the endurance o the saints& those 4ho 1ee! the commandments o/ God and the aith o Aesus.

Scene C (./,.5-5;A 2he Son o man a$$ears at the Second Comin% to rea$ earth@s harvest.
2hen I looked& and lo& a 4hite cloud& and seated on the cloud one like a son o man& 4ith a %olden cro4n on his head& and a shar$ sickle in his hand.

2he %rain :the ri%hteous9 are ound to be ull" ri$e& and the %ra$es :the 4icked9 are also ound to be ri$e. Both are rea$edE
#nd another an%el came out o the tem$le& callin% 4ith a loud voice to him 4ho sat u$on the cloud& H1ut in "our sickle& and rea$& or ... the harvest o the earth is ull" ri$e.H So... the earth 4as rea$ed. #nd another an%el came out o the tem$le in heaven& and he too had a shar$ sickle. 2hen another an%el came out rom the altar&... and he called 4ith a loud voice to him 4ho had the shar$ sickle& @2ut in "our sickle&
5<

2he 'ark o the Beast

and %ather the clusters o the vine o the earth& or its %ra$es are ri$e.H So the an%el s4un% his sickle on the earth and %athered the vinta%e o the earth.

2he Em$hasis on Forshi$

Be have come to the end o the outline& but lookin% back at Revelation .(!.+ 4e realiJe that the ke" verb H4orshi$H occurs no e4er than ei%ht times& a eature that deserves comment. .!(. H'en worshi!ed the dra%on&... and the" worshi!ed the beastH :.7E+9. 7. H#ll 4ho d4ell on the earth will worshi! it Qthe sea beastR& ever" one 4hose name has not been 4ritten... in the book o li e o the 5amb that 4as slainH :.7E?9. +. HIt Qthe earth beastR... makes the earth and its inhabitants worshi! the irst beast& 4hose mortal 4ound 4as healedH :.7E.(9. /. HIt Qthe earth beastR deceives those 4ho d4ell on earth& biddin% them make an ima%e or the beast 4hich 4as 4ounded b" the s4ord and "et lived; and it 4as allo4ed to %ive breath to the ima%e o the beast so that the ima%e o the beast should even s$eak& and to cause those 4ho 4ould not worshi! the ima%e o the beast to be slainH :.7E.+!./9. <. 2he irst o three end!time an%els calls on ever"one to $worshi! him 4ho made heaven and earth& the sea and the ountains o 4atersH :.+E79. 7!? Q2hird an%elR& JIf an" one worshi!s the beast and its ima%e& and re! ceives a mark on his orehead or on his hand& he also shall drink the 4ine o God@s 4rath.... and the" have no rest& da" or ni%ht& these worshi!ers o the beast and its ima%e& and 4hoever receives the mark o its nameH :.+E*!..9. 2hese ei%ht $assa%es sho4 that the core o the end!time issue 4hich involves the mark o the beast is the 3uestion o 4orshi$. Fhile the H irst an%elH calls the attention o ever"one on earth to the beauties o the %os$el& the realit" o the Iud%ment& and the truth that God is in act the Creator o heaven and earth& an in ernal Htrinit"H o dra%on& sea beast& and earth beast is bus" deceivin% humanit" 4ith the debasin% alsehood that it has $o4er to create somethin% in its o4n ima%e and breathe into it the breath o li e& even as God in Genesis ormed man in 7is o4n ima%e and breathed li e into him. 2he in ernal trinit" does orm an ima%e and breathe li e into it& but onl" as Hit is allo4edH to do so :.7E./9& and the result is an entit" rebellious& vicious& and deadl".*
C God #ares (E+./. 54

#$e 'ark

Su!!ary
)ro! this scene!b"!scene surve" o Vision IV :Rev .(!.+9 4e have co!e to learn a %reat deal about the mark o the beast. An end-ti!e $henomenon. #s or the time 4hen the mark o the beast is to be im$osed on $eo$le& 4e have observed that it 4ill be im$osed a/ter the dra%on has ou%ht his 4ar in heaven and been cast out :scene (9& a/ter the dra%on has attacked the 4oman@s bab" :scene .9& a/ter the dra%on has %iven its $o4er& seat& and authorit" to the beast :scene +9& a/ter the .(<) "ears o $ersecution :scenes .&7&/9& a/ter the in liction o the mortal 4ound :scenes +&/9& a/ter the mortal 4ound is healed :scenes +&<9& and a/ter the ima%e o the healed beast has been set u$ :scene <9; and it 4ill be e,$erienced at or a/ter the time 4hen the three an%els announce the arrival o the inal Iud%ment and deliver their startlin% 4arnin% about the mark :scene ?9& and Iust be/ore the comin% o the Son o man or the inal harvest :scene *9. Fe conclude that the mark o the beast is an end!time $henomenon. Its basic nature. #s or the nature o the mark o the beast& 4e have observed that it is associated 4ith the 4ron% ul 4orshi$ o the beast& as also 4ith the 4ron% ul 4orshi$ o the dra%on and o the ima%e o the beast :scenes /& <9& in contrast to the true 4orshi$ o the Creator : irst an%el@s messa%e& scene ?9. Fe have also seen that the mark o the beast has to do 4ith commandment breakin%. Fe kno4 that the mark o the beast has to do 4ith commandment breakin% because :a9 the sanctuar" scene 4hich introduces the %reat con! trovers" division ocuses on the commandments :Hthe ark o his testament 4as seenH9& because :b9 the beast attacks God@s d4ellin%& the heavenl" sanctuar" 4here the Hark o QHisR covenantH can be seen& and because :e9 the onl" $eo$le 4ho don7t receive the mark o the beast are t4ice de ined :in .(E.7 and .+E.(9 as commandment 1ee!ers& From these observations 4e conclude that the mark o the beast is a si%n o rebellion a%ainst God and His sanctuar" and constitutes disobedience to His la4. Further& as to the nature o the mark o the beast& 4e have observed t$at it is identi ied 4ith the HnameH o the beast :scene < and scene ?& the t$ird an%elMs messa%e9 in contrast to the HnameH o the 5amb& 4hich is on t$e oreheads o the .++&))) :scene 79. In the Bible& the 4ord HnameH is commonl" associated 4ith character. Fhen God $roclaimed His HnameH in E,odus 7+& 7e $roclaimed His character as com$assionate and kind. =acob%s na!e !eant Hsu$$lanterH or Jc$eat.J B$en $e overcame his
55

2he 'ark o the Beast name 4as chan%ed to Israel& Ha $rince o GodH :Gen (/E(<; 7(E(?9. Aesus called Ce$has H1eter&H because he 4as like a stone :Aohn .E+(9. #nd so on. Fe re lect on the character o the beast as $ortra"ed in Revelation .(!.+ and note that the beast not onl" rebelled a%ainst God but also $ersecuted God@s $eo$le. Fe conclude& there ore& that inasmuch as the mark o the beast is the same as the name o the beast :Rev .7E.79& $eo$le 4ho 4ill carr" the mark o the beast 4ill be $eo$le 4ho& like the beast& not onl" rebel a%ainst God and His d4ellin% but also share in $ersecutin% God@s true $eo$le. Re lection on the ri$e harvests at the end o Revelation .+ directs us to vie4 the characters :names9 o the t4o %rou$s as com$letel" $olariJed and thorou%hl" matured. 2he %ra$es are ri$e; the %rain is ull" ri$e. 2he 4orshi$ers o God have chosen b" aith to acce$t Christ@s sancti "in% %race until the" have become %raciousl" and invincibl" like Aesus. 2he 4orshi$ers o the beast have ado$ted the beast@s attributes until the" have become 4ill ull" and unchan%eabl" like the beast.

#$e 0ark (utside Vision I'

So ar 4e have con ined our stud" o the mark o the beast to Revelation .(!.+& because this is 4here the beast and its mark are s$oken o $rimaril". But the mark is re erred to in our other $laces in Revelation. Besides& much can be learned about the mark b" lookin% at God@s HsealH in Revelation and His Hsi%nsH in the 0ld 2estament. #$e 0ark in Revelation .9-5; 2he mark o the beast is re erred to& e,$ressl" or b" clear in erence& our times in Revelation ./!()E Revelation .9,5. 2he $eo$le :the .++&)))9 4ho 4ill stand on the sea o %lass one da"& sin%in% the victorious son% o 'oses and the 5amb& 4ill be those 4ho have Hcon3uered the beast and its ima%e and the number o its name&$ Fe recall that the number and name o the beast are the same as its markE Hso that no one can bu" or sell unless he has the mar1, that is, the name o the beast or the number o/ us name$ :.7E.79. So Revelation ./E(& 4hen com$ared 4ith scene 7 :.+E.!/9& con irms that an"one 4ho receives the mark o the beast 4ill be e,cluded rom the .++&))). Revelation .2,5. 2he irst o the seven last $la%ues causes H oul and evil soresH to break out on the $eo$le H4ho bore the mark o the beast and 56

2he 'ark 4orshi$ed its ima%e.H Inasmuch as the seven last $la%ues all on $eo$le 4ho are livin% in the end!time& .) here is con irmator" evidence that the !ark o the beast is an end!time $henomenon. Com$arison 4ith the third an%eFs messa%e is also hel$ ul& or that messa%e sa"s that $eo$le 4ho %et t$e mark o the beast 4ill su er HGod@s 4rath& $oured unmi,ed&H and Revelation ./E. sho4s that it is in the seven $la%ues that the 4rath o God is $oured out ull stren%th... 2he mark o the beast must be a ver" evil thin% to arouse such ri%hteous indi%nation on the $art o a lovin% heavenl" Father. Revelation .C,5;. #t the be%innin% o the millennium the lamb!horned earth beast& here called the H alse $ro$hetH.( 4ho deceived $eo$le into 4orshi$in% the sea beast and receivin% its mark& is to be thro4n 4ith the sea beast into the lake o ire. Revelation 5;,/. 2he $eo$le 4ho sit on thrones durin% the thousand "ears ill be $eo$le 4ho have not received the mark o the beast. # ter this $assa%e :()E+9 there is no urther re erence to the mark o the beast. 2here is no re erence to it amon% the $eo$le resurrected at the
.; Be ill not $ere ar%ue the distinction bet4een the tru!6ets and t$e $la%ues. #s lon% a%o as #$ril .3>.S//& on $. ()* of t$e Revie" and =erald o t$at dale> =. <. Andre s 6ointed out that t$e seven last $la%ues are identical 4ith the 4rath of ?od 4hich is to all under the seventh tru!6et. And eleven years earlier& in A >ord to the $?ittle (loc1$ :.?+<9 Aames Fhite sho4ed t$at t$e 6lagues 4ere all uture :in contrast to the vie4 Filliam 'iller had $eld that the $la%ues began in t$e Re ormation and only t$e last one or t o 4ere still uture9. In !ore recent times 8ennet$ A. Strand& Inter!reting the Boo1 o/ "e#elation, 5d. cd.& rev. and enl. fro! The $pen Gates of %eaven, .*7)&.*7( :Forthin%ton. (7> .*7<&.*7*9 has abl" de!onstrated t$at the tru!6ets belong in t$e historical $alf of Revelation :cha$s. .!..9& stretchin% rom the $ro$het@s da" to t$e Second Co!ing> 4hile t$e $la%ues belon% in the end&time hal o t$e book :cha$s. ./!((9. I have s$o n t$e same& buildin% on Strand@s argu!ents> in God #ares 5,9/-25>/5.-59. #$e !ark o t$e beast is an end-ti!e 6$eno!enon. 2he first $la%ue& $ic$ alls after the heavenl" sanctuar" doses at the veiy end o t$e end!time& alls on $eo$le $o at that ver" time bear t$e mark o the beast. .. Revelation ./E.& RS'> sa"s that in the $la%ues the 4rath o God is Hended&H but this choice of 4ord !ust be a !istake> inasmuch as t$e dread ul 6unis$!ent at the close of t$e !illenniu! is stilt future. #$e ke" underl"in% ?reek ord is translated in ( Cor .(E* as J!ade $er ectHE J0y %race is made !er/ect in eakness.J God@s grace 4as not HendedH in 1aul@s 4eaknessN It orked full stren%th to !eet Paul%s need. #$e idea in Rev ./ is t$at in t$e $la%ues ?od%s rat$ is 6oured out ull stren%th& 4ithout additive or dilution. B$at is 6oured out is .)) $ercent 6ure $er ect rat$. .5 #$e la!b-$o!ed earth beast is s$oken of as a JbeastJ onl" 4hen irst seen :Rev .7E..9. #s such it rounds out t$e t$ree animals of Rev .5-./ as (.A t$e great red dragon> :(9 t$e leo$ard!bodied sea beast& and :79 itsel & the la!b-$o!ed eart$ beast. #$ereafter> t$e earth beast is re erred to as Jt$e false $ro$het.H In Rev .<E.7& ro%s e!erge fro! t$e mouths of Jt$e dragon... the beast ... and the alse $ro$het.H In Rev .*E()& Hthe beastH is ca$tured and it$ it Hthe alse $ro$hetH 4ho had orked si%ns to deceive $eo$le into receiving its mark. In Rev ()E.)& Jt$e devilH :4hich in .5,C is identi ied 4ith the dra%on9 is thro4n into t$e lake o fire> $ere Hthe beastH and Hthe false $ro$hetH had been thro4n earlier.

57

#$e 'ark o the Beast

close o the thousand "ears. 2he sea beast 4hose character :or name9 is the mark o the beast& and the alse $ro$het :the earth beast9 that coer!civel" im$osed the mark o the beast& are both destro"ed at the be%innin% o the millennium. Durin% the millennium onl" the dra%on remains o the unhol" trio. #nd at the end o the millennium the dra%on is called b" his true name& sim$l" HSatan.H Stri$$ed o his $retensions and o the various beast masks that he has 4orn& he stands naked in his rebelliousness& as do his miserable ollo4ers. God s$are us rom their ate. 0arks and Seals in Bible #i!es # e4 4ords in %eneral about marks and seals in Bible times ma" $rove hel$ ul. 2he Roman %overnment& in $o4er in =2 times& o ten branded convicts. #t times it also branded militar" recruits& usuall" 4ith a tattooed abbreviation o the name o the rei%nin% em$eror. 04ners sometimes branded $ersistent runa4a" slaves on their oreheads& o ten 4ith the letters (@G :orAug@i#us or u%itive. :2he idea that slaves 4ere routinel" e,ecuted in =2 times is not authentic.9 H2he slave 4as marked on the orehead&H sa"s the Theological %ictionar o/ the New Testament, Hand the soldier 4as usuall" marked on the handH.7>Hon the orehead or on the hand&M@ as in Revelation .7E.<&.7. Fe read that Hthe S"rians consecrated themselves to the %ods Hadad and #tar%atis b" si%ns branded on the 4rist or neck.H Forshi$ers o other %ods 4ere %iven marks on other $arts o their bodies. 2he earl" historian Herodotus sa"s that a runa4a" slave 4ho %ot the mark o Hercules at a certain tem$le in E%"$t became the slave o the %od& and even his ormer o4ner 4as orbidden to la" hands on him. .+ So a mark could be the si%n o a %od@s servant and a %uarantee o the %od@s $rotection. In the vision o EJekiel *E.!? ever"one in Aerusalem 4as to die durin% =ebuchadneJJar@s invasion e,ce$t the sincere and earnest $eo$le 4ho received God@s $rotectin% mark on their oreheads. God@s HservantsH 4ho receive His HnameH and HsealH on their oreheads in the end!time are $rotected rom the seven last $la%ues. 2he ordinar" Greek 4ord or the bod" marks 4e@ve been talkin% about 4as stigma& 0ther 4ords used 4ere semeion :si%n9& s!hragis, and charag5 ma& In the Bible te,ts 4here the terms actuall" occur& s!hragis is used or
.7 Dittell@s T%NT 7E</*. For several references to !arks on slaves see #$o!as Bicdc!ann> Greek and "oman Sla#er (Balti!ore> .*?.9& es6. .*7!*+. .+ Herodotus& The *ersian >ars (E..7; 0ode! 5ibrar" edition& .7). Cf. 8ittell> TD'T 7E<<).

53

2he 'ark

t$e JsealJ o ?od and charagma or the HmarkH o the beast& but research sho4s that or $ractical $ur$oses in %eneral Greek usa%e& all the terms ere more or less interchan%eable../

#$e Seal of ?od

Revelation s$eaks o t4o %rou$s bearin% t4o di erent insi%niaE the .++&))) 4ho carr" the seal o God :4hich is e3uivalent to God@s name9 and t$e $eo$le 4ho receive the mark o the beast :4hich is e3uivalent to the beast@s name9. 2he $eo$le 4ho receive the mark o the beast 4ill 4orshi$ t$e beast and its ima%e. 2he $eo$le 4ho receive the seal o God are the $eo$le 4ho 4ill res$ond $ositivel" to the irst an%el@s call to 4orshi$ God and 4ho are described in the third an%el@s messa%e as the saints 4ho kee$ ?od%s commandments. 2hus& t$e HsaintsH :.+E.(9 o the third messa%e are the HremnantH :.(E.79 o the 4oman 4ho kee$ the commandments o God>and 4ho are $ersecuted b" the an%r" dra%on. 0ne o the 4a"s the dra%on $ersecutes t$ese commandment kee$ers is throu%h the e orts o the lamb!homed earth beast& 4ho commands ever"one to 4orshi$ the beast and its ima%e or be denied the ri%ht to bu" and sell. ?od%s # o (ld #esta!ent Signs In 02 times God marked His $eo$le 4ith t4o reli%ious si%nsE ritual circumcision and the seventh!da" Sabbath. Circu!cision. Ritual circumcision& ori%inall" %iven to #braham as a si%n or s"mbol o the covenant& became in time& re%rettabl"& little more than an ethnic distinction. #ccordin% to 1aul it ceased to have savin% si%ni icance 4hen the Ae4ish $eo$le as an ethnic %rou$ ceased to be uni3uel" God@s chosen $eo$le :Gal /E.!<; <E./!.<9. Sabbat$. 2he other si%n& the seventh!da" Sabbath& 4as besto4ed on t$e entire human race at Creation. H2he Sabbath 4as made or manH> or mankind :'ark (E(79. 2hus& it 4as o ered to the Ae4ish $eo$le 4hen their race a$$eared on the scene. God said to the Israelites at 'ount Sinai& HOou shall kee$ m" sabbaths& or this is the sign bet4een me and "ou throu%hout "our %enerations& that "ou ma" kno4 that 6& the ?ord, sancti/ ou&... It is Sisign or ever bet4een me and the $eo$le o Israel that in si, da"s the ?ord made hea#en and earth, and on the seventh da" he rested& and 4as re reshedH :E,od 7.E.(!.79.
.9 Sec Dittell& T%NT 7E</?.

52

2he 'ark o the Beast

2he Sabbath is a si%n sho4in% that God made us and that He sancti ies or remakes us. 2he settin% or God@s statement at Sinai 4as im$ressive. 2here 4ere Hthunders and li%htnin%s& and a thick cloud u$on the mountain& and a ver" loud trum$et blast.... and the 4hole mountain 3uaked %reatl"H :E,od .*E.<! .?9. Fhen the tabernacle& the earthl" model o the heavenl" sanctuar" :and the $recursor o Solomon@s tem$le9& 4as com$leted& God had 'oses $lace a co$" o the 2en Commandments& carved in stone& inside the Hark o the covenantH :or Hark o the testament@M9 in the tabernacle@s innermost room& the 'ost Hol" 1lace..< In the sanctuar" scene 4hich introduces Vision IV :..E.*!.+E()9 the heavenl" tem$le o$ened so Aohn the Revelator could see dee$ inside. He sees heaven@s Hark o his covenant.H #s he looked& there 4ere H lashes o li%htnin%& loud noises& $eals o thunder& an earth3uake& and heav" hail.H Evidentl" God 4as takin% Aohn back to 'ount SinaiN God is callin% us too back to 'ount Sinai& back to the sanctuar"& back to Aesus our Hi%h 1riest& to the 2en Commandments& and the Sabbath. =o4 4hat about the seal o GodL In ancient times $eo$le si%ned their documents in the same 4a" the" sealed them. 2he" stam$ed them 4ith a si%net rin% or seal. So Hto si%nH and Hto sealH 4ere the same thin%. God@s Hsi%nH in the oreheads o the .++&))) is the same as His HsealH and the same as His Hname.H #braham 5incoln& 1resident& the 8nited States. Aohn Smith& 'ana%er& )irst Federal Bank. God si%ned His name this 4a" on the Sabbath commandmentE H5ord God& Creator& Heaven and Earth.H HRemember the sabbath da"& to kee$ it hol".... the seventh da" is a sabbath to the ?ord ow God&... or in si, da"s the ?ord made hea#en and earth, the sea& and all that is in them& and rested the seventh da"; there ore the 5ord blessed the sabbath da" and hallo4ed itH :E,od ()E?!..9. 2he HsealH o God in Revelation is the same as God@s Hsi%nH in the 02; it is the Sabbath a$$ro$riatel" observed as a 4itness to God@s creatorshi$ and as an evidence o His re!creatorshi$& His role as sancti ier. So 4hat is the mark o the beastL 5on% be ore there 4as a Seventh!da" #dventist& Sir Isaac =e4ton observed that the mark o the beast and the seal o God are o$$osites..7 He ma" not have been the irst to do so& or it is $lain&
.< See &-od 7(E./&.<; (/E.<&5.G <u! .)E77. .7 See Seventh&day Ad#entists Answer (uestions on Doctrine :Fashin%ton& DC> .*/79& .?).

6;

2he 'ark as 4e have seen above& that the .++&)))4ho receive the seal o God are 4holl" distinct in the end!time rom the $eo$le 4ho receive the mark o the beast Be have noticed that those 4ho receive the seal 4orshi$ God and kee$ 7is commandments; 4hereas those 4ho %et the mark o the beast disobe" ?od%s commandments and 4orshi$ the beast and its ima%e. Forshi$ o ?od and obedience to God@s commandments are $rominent eatures o our stud" o the mark o the beast. #s 4e have Iust observed& the Bible calls or a 4eekl" da o 4orshi$; the seventh!da" Sabbath o the ourth commandment& a$$ointed in honor o the Creator o heaven and earth. In Revelation .+& the an%el 4ho calls $eo$le to 4orshi$ God identi ies Him as the Creator o heaven and earth& virtuall" 3uotin% rom the ourth commandment. 2hen another an%el identi ies the $eo$le 4ho res$ond $ositivel" to this a$$eal as saints 4ho kee$ the commandments o God and sa"s that those 4ho res$ond ne%ativel" b" 4orshi$in% the beast receive the mark o the beast. 2he in erence is unmistakable that the mark o the beast has somethin% to do 4ith alse 4orshi$ on a da" other than the seventh!da" Sabbath. #ccordin% to Daniel 7E(/ the little horn 4hich& like its Revelation .7 counter$art the sea beast& 4as to $ersecute God@s $eo$le durin% the .(<) da"s& not onl" $ersecuted and blas$hemed but also thou%ht Hto chan%e the times and the la4.H It did not seek to remove the 2en Commandments& onl" to modi " or chan%e them& in the $rocess re usin% to obe" 4hat God had e,$ressl" re3uested. Here is a $arallel to the sea beast@s re usal to 4orshi$ God and kee$ His commandments.

#$e 0ark of t$e Beast and Personal C$aracter Fe have reco%niJed that the mark o the beast is the same as its name :.7E.79; thus the $eo$le 4ho %et the mark o the beast in their orehead or hand %et the name o the beast in their orehead or hand. B" contrast& the .++&))) commandment kee$ers stand on 't. Cion 4ith the 5amb@s name and His Father@s name in their oreheads :.+E.9. Fe recall that the Sabbath o the ourth commandment& as God@s Hsi%nH and Hseal&H 4as %iven as a s$ecial means or hel$in% 4orshi$ers o God develo$ characters like His o4n. Fe conclude that rece$tion o the Wark o the beast involves ne%ative character develo$ment& the cultivation o characters resemblin% that o the beast& 4ho breaks the Sabbath com! mandment& blas$hemes God and His sanctuar"& and $ersecutes God@s true $eo$le. <.

iiicfviarR(##ne Beast

Identifying t$e Beast

Fe have $aid close attention to the content o Revelation .(!.+ and to 4hat the Bible sa"s about the mark o the beast and its counter$art& the seal o God. In order to identi " the mark o the beast as certainl" as $ossible& it is a$$ro$riate that 4e make a care ul stud" o the sea beast& the beast o the Hmark o the beast.H Doin% so re3uires us to look at Daniel 7& 'atthe4 (+& and ( 2hessalonians (& as 4ell as Revelation. In makin% this com$arison& 4e are bein% true to our hermeneutical $rinci$les :.9 that because all Scri$ture is ins$ired o God& one $art o it can be used le%itimatel" to hel$ e,$lain another $art; and :(9 that because the themes o Daniel& 'atthe4 (+!(/& and ( 2hessalonians ( are closel" linked to the themes o Revelation but are not $recisel" identical& the" are $otentiall" use ul in inter$retin% Revelation and also in makin% their o4n contributions. Identifying )eatures of t$e Sea Beast (Rev .+A Descri6tive introduction. .. Its multi$le bod" is com$osed o $arts o the our beasts o Daniel 7& 4ith the same total number o heads and horns :vs. (9. (. It has cro4ns on its ten horns& but none on its seven heads :vs. .9. BeginningNduring t$e /5 !ont$s. 7. 2he dra%on %ives it H$o4er&H H%reat authorit"&H and the dra%on@s o4n HthroneH :vs. (9.
4+ 0t recei%es A8orshi'A (%ss+ 4,3)+

/. It utters Hhau%ht" and blas$hemous 4ordsH a%ainst God@s HnameH and His Hd4ellin%H :vss. /& <9. <. It makes H4ar on the saintsH and overcomes them :vs. 79. 7. It is allo4ed to o$erate or +( months :vs. /9. ?. It under%oes Hca$tivit"MM and a Hmortal 4oundH H4ith the s4ordMM :vss. 7&.)&.+9. )ollo ing t$e /5 !ont$s (esc$atologicalA. *. Its 4ound is healed. .). In res$onse to the dece$tive& miracle!4orkin% $ro$a%anda o the earth beast& it acce$ts coerced 4orshi$ rom almost ever"one on earth :vss. ..! .79. ... It coo$erates 4ith the dra%on and the alse $ro$het :the earth beast9 in tellin% the lies that brin% the kin%s and armies o the 4orld to the battle o #rma%eddon :.<E.7!./9.
62

The &ark

.(. It has a mark& 4hich the earth beast im$oses on $eo$le& and it has a numberE <<< :vss. .<!.?9. .7. #t the Second Comin%& it and the alse $ro$het :the earth beast9 are thro4n alive into the lake o ire :.*E()9. Identifying )eatures of t$e Little 7orn (Dan 3A Prior to t$e .52; days. .. It arises out o the H ourth beastH :vss. ?&(+9. (. It a$$ears a ter ten other horns are in $lace :vs. (+9. 7. It is HlittleH 4hen irst seen but in time becomes H%reater than its fello sJ :vss. ?&()9. +. It H$utQsR do4n three kin%s&H so that as it arises Hthree o the irst hornsH are H$lucked u$ b" the rootsH :vss. ?&(+9. During t$e .(<) days. /. It has He"es like the e"es o a man& and a mouth s$eakin% %reat thin%s&H and it s$eaks H4ords a%ainst the 'ost Hi%hM@ :vss. ?&(/9. 2. It is to H4ear out the saints o the 'ost Hi%hH :vs. (/9. 7. It is to Hthink to chan%e the times and the la4H :vs. (/9. ?. It is allotted s$ecial $o4ers or Ha time& t4o times& and hal a timeH
(%s+ 25)+

)ollo ing t$e .52; days (esc$atologicalA. *. 2hen Hthe court shall sit in Iud%mentH and take a4a" its dominion :vs. (<9. .). It is ultimatel" Hconsumed and destro"edH :vs& (<9. Related &le!ents in C$rist%s Pro6$ecy (0att 5/A .. 2he Second Comin% 4ill not occur until a ter Hman" QbelieversR.? all a4a"& and betra" one another& and hate one anotherH :vs. .)9. (. 2he Hdesolatin% sacrile%eH :a alse reli%ious entit" that causes desolation and 4hich in 5uke (.E() re ers to desolatin% armies surroundin% Aerusalem9 s$oken o b" the $ro$het Daniel& is at some $oint to be seen standin% in the hol" $lace& God@s tem$le :vs. ./9. During t$e JdaysJ of t$e great tribulation. 7. 2here is to be a H%reat tribulation& such as has not been rom the be%innin% o the 4orld until no4& no& and never 4ill beH :vs. (.9. +. HFor the sake o the electH 4ho 4ould other4ise not be le t alive&
.K #$e 4ord HbelieversH is su$$lied here because onl" believers can H all a4a".H 8nbelievers are alread" in a allen state.

6<

2he 'ark o the Beast the Hda"sH o the tribulation are to be HshortenedH :vs. ((9. After Jt$ose daysJ oft$e great tribulation (esc$atologicalA. /. HImmediatel" a ter the tribulation o those da"sH si%ns are to a$$ear in sun& moon& and stars :vs. (*9. <. Follo4ed at last b" the Second Comin% :vss. (*&7)9.

Related &le!ents in Paul%s Pro6$ecy (5 #$ess 5A .. 2he second comin% o Christ 4ill not occur until the HrebellionH :the H allin% a4a"&H DAV; the Ha$ostas"6@ Greek9 comes irst :vs. 79. Prior to t$e Jti!e.J (. H2he m"ster" o la4lessness is alread" at 4ork Qin 1aul@s da"RH :vs. 79. 7. 2he Hman o la4lessnessH :Hman o sin&H DAV9 is to be revealed :vss. 7&?9. +. For the time bein% :in 1aul@s da"9& Hhe 4ho no4 restrainsH is $revent! in% ull develo$ment o the m"ster" o la4lessness and 4ill continue to do so until he is removed Hout o the 4a"H :vs. 79. /. But Hthe man o la4lessnessH 4ill be revealed Hin his timeH :vs. <9. Later> Jin $is ti!e.J <. H2he la4less one 4ill be revealedH :vs. ?9 and the m"ster" o la4! lessness 4ill be develo$ed :vs. 79. 7. 2he la4less one Htakes his seat in the tem$le o God& $roclaimin% himsel to be God@M :vs. +9. Probably esc$atological> involving 6eo6le $o $ave already c$osen to refuse t$e trut$. ?. 2he la4less one 4ill o$erate Hb" the activit" o SatanH 4ith $o4er and H$retended si%ns ... and 4ith all 4icked dece$tion or those 4ho... re used to love the truth.H God sends a Hstron% delusion& to make them believe 4hat is alse& so that all ma" be condemned 4ho did not believe the truthH :vss. *!.(9. &sc$atological. *. 2he la4less one 4ill be destro"ed b" Christ at His second comin% :vs. ?9. (bservations Even a casual readin% o these our lists Iusti ies the conclusion o man" commentators that the our $ro$hecies re er to the same entit"& that the beast o the Hmark o the beastH is the same as the little horn o Daniel 7& the abomination o desolation o 'atthe4 (+& and the HmanH and Hm"ster"H o la4lessness in ( 2hessalonians (.
64

2he 'ark

'atthe4 (+ and ( 2hessalonians ( are $lainl" linked to each other& 4ith their re erences to an u$comin% a$ostas"& time restraints& and the Second Comin%. Both re er to somethin% evil encroachin% on God@s d4ellin% $lace :Htem$le&H ( 2hess (; Hhol" $lace&H 'att (+9. Daniel 7 and Revelation are $lainl" linked to each other& 4ith their re erences to our beasts :Dan 79 and to a beast com$osed o the same our beasts :Rev .79& to seven heads and ten homs& to blas$hem"& $ersecution& to encroachments on God@s hi%hest $rero%atives :His la4& Dan 7; His d4ellin% $lace& Rev .79& and to the same s$eci ied time rame :Ha time& t4o ti!es> and hal a time&H Dan 7; +( months. Rev .79. 2hat 'atthe4 (+ is linked to Daniel is indicated e,$ressl" b" Christ@s re erence to the behavior o the desolatin% sacrile%e Hs$oken o b" the $ro$het Daniel.H #ll our $ro$hecies are oriented to a time rame 4hich e,tends into t$e end!time& and all our are concerned about a $o4er that 4as to encroach on God@s uni3ue $rero%atives. Inasmuch as all our $ro$hecies are linked to%ether in si%ni icant 4a"s and a$$ear to overla$& 4e are Iusti ied b" the rule o econom" in seekin% their tar%et in a sin%le entit". 0n this assum$tion& the data can reasonabl" be com$iled into a sin%le scenario somethin% like thisE Before t$e .52; days (t$e /5 !ont$s> t$e days> t$e ti!eA. (.A (n t$e $ead o the ourth beast& :(9 a ter the our beasts have a$$eared& and :79 a ter ten horns have been observed& and :+9 a ter cro4ns have been observed on the ten homs& an entit" 4as to a$$ear that :/9 combined the attributes o all our beasts o Daniel 7 and that 4ould also :<9 constitute a movement o rank a$ostas". Be ore it lourished it 4ould be $resa%ed b" :79 the Hm"ster" o ini3uit"&H its more robust $otential bein% :?9 restrained b" an unnamed restrainer. During the .(<) da"s :the /5 !ont$s> t$e days> t$e ti!eA. 5ater& :*9 4ith the restrainer removed& the evil entit" 4ould :.)9 $luck u$ three o the other homs& :..9 receive le%itimac"& $o4er& and site o o$eration :HthroneH9 rom the dra%on& and :.(9 increase remarkabl" in siJe until it 4as notabl" lar%er than the other horns. It 4ould even :.79 assume manlike acial eatures& 4hich it 4ould use :.+9 to blas$heme God. It 4ould success ull" :./9 claim 4orshi$ or itsel :.<9 as i it 4ere God& even schemin% to :.79 enter God@s d4ellin% :His tem$le or sanctuar"9& :.?9 sit on God@s seat& and :.*9 alter God@s la4s :Hchan%e the times and the la4H9. It 4ould :()9 horribl" $ersecute God@s saints& killin% man" o them& but in God@s %race :(.9 its $ersecution 4ould be limited to Ha time& t4o times& and hal a time&H or H ort"!t4o months.H
65

2he 'ark o the Beast After t$e .(<) da"s (t$e +( !ont$s> t$e days> t$e ti!eA. 2he termination o its da"s or $ersecution 4ould be ollo4ed at once b" :((9 astronomical 4onders& :(79 a ca$tivit" and an intended!to!be mortal blo4 4ith a s4ord& and :(+9 the seatin% o the Iud%ment. But :(/9 it@s deadl" 4ound 4ould heal and :(<9 it 4ould be allo4ed one last lin% at trul" dauntin%& miracle!4orkin% deceit ulness& %atherin% the 4orld to #rma%eddon in coo$eration 4ith the dra%on and 4ith the earth beast& 4hich 4ould im$ose the beast@s mark on $eo$le& and then at last :(79 Christ 4ould a$$ear and utterl" destro" it. Fe 4ill discuss these identi "in% items more ull" in the ne,t section under the title& H2he Beast #s Roman Catholic.H

Su!!ary
So ar e have done little more than read the Bible re lectivel". Fe have adhered to our inter$retational $rinci$les& allo4in% the 4hole Bible to e,$lain its $arts& reco%niJin% that the irst our maIor $ro$hecies o Revelation run rom the $ro$het@s da" to the end!time& %ettin% hel$ rom the literar" or%aniJation o Revelation& and so on. Fe have learned that the beast o the Hmark o the beastH $arallels the career o the little horn o the ourth beast o Daniel 7& and it 4as to be s$onsored b" the dra%on o Revelation .(. It 4as to blas$heme& $ersecute& and encroach on God@s $rero%atives or a $eriod o .(<) da"s& a ter 4hich it 4ould su er an ecli$se. But it 4as to be revived immediatel" $rior to its ultimate destruction at the Second Comin%& and durin% this interval o revival it 4ould deceive and $ersecute a%ain& coerce alse 4orshi$ a%ain& and %ather $eo$le to #rma%eddon& 4hile the earth beast im$osed on all its ollo4ers the Hmark o the beast.H Fe have learned that the mark o the beast is an end!time $henomenon o ultimate %ravit". #cce$tin% it 4ill $rovoke the utmost 4rath o God and 4ill certainl" kee$ $eo$le out o heaven. 2he nature o the mark is the character o $eo$le 4ho are matured in rebelliousness& bent on Fi%htin% Christ& disobe"in% God@s commandments& blas$hemin% the Creator and His heavenl" sanctuar"& and attem$tin% to coerce God@s true $eo$le& under $ain o death& to disobe" God alon% 4ith them. 2he s$eci ic as$ect o commandment breakin% $articularl" to be noted is violation o God@s sacred si%n and seal& the seventh!da" Sabbath.

..

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States

Ro!an Cat$olicis! and t$e 1nited States

Section (utline
I. Introduction II. 2he Beast #s Roman Catholic III. RomeE Chie E,$onent o Sunda" 0bservance IV. 2he 8nited States and the 'ark V. Fhat Di erence Does It 'akeL

Introduction
Be%innin% at least in the ourteenth centur" #.D.& the sea beast o Revelation .7& the beast o the Hmark o the beast&H has been $erceived as Roman Catholic. Commentators 4ho have e,$ressed this $erce$tion have included Aohn 1urve" :F"cli e@s associate9& #ndreas 0siander& =ikolaus von #msdor & Heinrich Bullin%er& and =icholas Rid!le" :all 4ell!kno4n Re ormers9& Sir Isaac =e4ton :the British scientist9& Sir Aohn =a$ier :the Scottish mathematician9& Aohn Cotton :the earl" #merican $reacher9& 2imoth" D4i%ht :1resident o Oale9& and a variet" o other amous $ersons. It 4as a standard $erce$tion also durin% the international Second #dvent a4akenin% and continues to be so amon% Seventh!da" #dventists. It should be noted& ho4ever& that no commentator $rior to the rise o #dventism a$$lied the mark o the beast s$eci icall" to the Sabbath!Sunda" issue.. 0ne o our inter$retational $rinci$les holds that because God is no res$ecter o $ersons :#cts .)E7+9& and $ro$hec" is o no $rivate inter$retation :( 1et .E()9& it ollo4s that $ro$hetic inter$retations o ered b" Bible
. 2he list and the observation are su$$lied b" Se#enth5da Ad#entists Answer Buestions on %octrine :Fashin%ton& DC> .*/79& .?)!?.& based on in ormation in 5eRo" Ed4in Froom& *ro!hetic (aith o/ Cur (athers, + vols. :Fashin%ton& DC> .*+<!.*/+9.

67

2ne@'arD oFine Beast

students in the $ast should not be entirel" overlooked toda". #t the same time& 4e remember that human understandin% o truth is $ro%ressive and that some as$ects o Daniel@s $ro$hecies 4ere closed b" God until the end o the .(<) da"s :Dan .(; Rev .)9. 2he $ortion o the mark o the beast $ro$hec" that 4as not in erred until the nineteenth centur" is the $art dealin% 4ith Sabbath and Sunda". Fe 4ill duscuss this as$ect a little urther on. But no4 4e 4ish to e,amine the 4idel" held conviction that the beast is Roman Catholic. Fe ri%htl" res$ect this $osition on the basis o our seventh inter$reta! tional $rinci$le but& o course& 4e must e,amine it. 2he chie alternate vie4s current toda" are the $reterist& 4hich holds that the beast 4as one or more Roman em$erors :=ero or e,am$le9& and the dis$ensational! uturist& 4hich holds that the beast is a 4orld dictator slated to a$$ear durin% the Hseventieth 4eekH o Daniel *. But neither =ero nor an" other Roman em$eror is kno4n to have im$osed a mark on $eo$le to %et them to 4orshi$ him; and racturin% the sevent" 4eeks has been discredited else4here in this Daniel and Revelation series. I 4e look or other $ossibilities& 4e must be %uided b" our inter$reta! tional $rinci$les. #n" $ossibilit" must it the historicist stand on Ha da" or a "earH and be located in a $rinci$al area inhabited b" or havin% a stron% im$act on $eo$le 4ho 4orshi$ the true God. 1erha$s the Islamic 0ttoman Em$ire comes to mind. It re$laced the Eastern em$ire in some 4a"s similar to the 4a" the Roman Church re$laced the Festern em$ire& and it had a %reat im$act on the course o Christianit". But such a su%%estion must be reIected. In no sense can Rome be described as H%ivin%H Constantino$le to the 0ttomans& 4ho ou%ht lon% and hard to %et it. #nd the 0ttoman Em$ire& %reat and lon%!lived as it 4as& endured not .(<) "ears but less than hal as man"& rom .7(< to .*(7. So is the leo$ard!bodied sea beast Roman CatholicL Scientists charac! teristicall" be%in 4ith a h"$othesis& then test it. Biblical researchers should not be denied the same method. Fe tarr" 4ith the identit" o the beast not because the Iob has not been done 4ell else4here& or it has& but in the ho$e o addin% a e4 ne4 con! siderations and because some $eo$le 4ho see themselves as historicists have be%un recentl" to 3uestion the identi ication. Fe 4ill con ine ourselves to a e4 hi%hli%hts in this section but $rovide additional data and assessments in the third section o this cha$ter.
63

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States

#$e Beast As Ro!an Cat$olic

#$e Ro!anness of t$e Sea Beast Commentators have been ri%ht in seein% the leo$ard!bodied sea beast as Roman. 2his is irst o all im$licit in its relationshi$ to the %reat red dra%on o Revelation .( and also in its links to the beasts and horns o Daniel 7. 2he %reat red dra%on& 4hich %ives its $o4er& throne& and %reat authorit" to the leo$ard!bodied sea beast :Rev .7E(9& is the Roman Em$ire. 2o be sure& in .(E* the dra%on is introduced as Hthe Devil& and Satan.H But $lainl" it re ers also to the Roman Em$ire& actin% as a mask or the devil. 2he entit" that historicall" Hstood be ore the 4oman .. . that he mi%ht devour her child 4hen she brou%ht it orthH :.(E+9 4as Herod in the irst instance and 1ilate in the second& both o$eratin%>one as a local kin%& the other as a $rocurator>under the authorit" o the Roman Em$ire. 5ike4ise& the little horn o Daniel 7 arose on the ourth beast& that is& as a kind o e,tension o the Roman Em$ire. #nd 4e have seen in the $revious section that the little horn and the sea beast s"mboliJe the same $o4er or entit". JRo!eJ and JRo!anJ Defined Fhen 4e read that the armies that %ave Rome to the $a$ac" 4ere commissioned in Constantino$le& it@s eas" to become con used. So a brie e,$lanation is in order. Fhen the Roman Em$ire %re4 lar%e& e ective em$erors ound the" had to travel around it e,tensivel">attended b" literall" thousands o clerks& bureaucrats& soldiers& and servants& %luttin% the roads or miles and causin% in inite consternation in the to4ns 4here the" chose to s$end the ni%ht6 #o reduce the di icult" o %overnin% the entire Roman Em$ire rom a sin%le center& the Em$eror Diocletian :(?+!7)/9 divided the em$ire into t4o maIor $arts& Eastern and Festern& 4ith a se$arate but coo$eratin% em$eror in each $art. 2he $lan under4ent several revisions. =ominall"& the ca$ital o the Festern em$ire 4as the cit" o Rome& 4here the ancient Senate still continued to meet>but the em$eror hardl" ever lived there& $re errin% 'ilan& or locations in 4hat 4e no4 call Ou%oslavia and France. In the +))s the Festern em$eror normall" resided in Ravenna& in north!
5 See A.7.0. Aones& The ?ater "oman Em!ire, D-.5EFD :=orman& (8> .*<+9. 7<<!<7.

.&

1he &ark o5 the Beast east Ital". 8nder Constantine :7)<!7779 the ca$ital o the Eastern $art o the em$ire became Constantino$le& a ectionatel" kno4n as =e4 Rome& even thou%h the Eastern em$eror o ten did not live there either. But the entire em$ire& thou%h divided and hardl" ever ruled rom Rome& still 4as kno4n as the Roman Em$ire. 5a4s $roclaimed in one $art ere le%all" bindin% in both $arts and 4ere kno4n as Roman la4s; and an arm"& even 4hen commissioned in Constantino$le& 4as kno4n as a Roman arm".7 2he conce$t o HRomeH 4as not limited to either s$ace or time. Fhen Charlema%ne came to the cit" o Rome or his coronation at Christmas& #!D. ?))& he claimed to be the ne4 Roman em$eror& even thou%h his ca$ital 4as at #achen in 4hat is no4 kno4n as 4estern German". #nd 4hen Charles V aced 5uther at the Diet o Forms in ./(. he did so as head o the HHol" Roman Em$ire&H ounded b" 0tto I in #.D. *<(. 2his brie e,ercise in de inin% terms hel$s us see that 4hen the 0stro%oths eliminated the Heruls under orders rom the em$eror in Constantino$le& the" did so under Roman orders. Similarl"& 4hen General Belisarius 4as commissioned in Constantino$le to eliminate the #rian Vandals in =orth # rica and the #rian 0stro%oths in Ital"& he obe"ed as a Roman %eneral in char%e o a Roman arm". 2he %reat red dra%on o im$erial Rome did indeed %ive the cit" o Rome to the $a$ac". 0ur e,ercise also hel$s us see ho4 Christians in the 'iddle #%es and be"ond could continue to vie4 their Christianit" as HRoman.H Indeed& in one sense their church 4as more Roman or centuries than the em$ire itsel & or its head3uarters 4ere almost al4a"s located in Rome.+ #lthou%h the ancient Roman Em$ire as such lon% a%o ceased to e,ist& Catholics believe that Rome continues in a vital sense in their denomination toda". 2he Catholic Church is avo4edl" Roman. Its o icial name toda"& as it has been throu%hout most o its lon% histor"& is the Hol" Catholic and #$ostolic Church o Rome. 1ro essor Aohn 5. 'cDenJie o the 8niversit" o =otre Dame has stated clearl" since the second Vatican Council& that HRoman Catholics believe that their Romanism is a re lection o the authentic Christianit" o their church.H/
7 #lternativel"& as time 4ent on& the %overnment of the Eastern em$ire came also to be kno4n as HB"JantineH a ter B"Jantium& the ancient village on the site o 4hich Constantine ounded Con! stantino$le. + 2here ere e,ce$tions& es$eciall" durin% the so!called Bab"lonian Ca$tivit" o .7)*!.777& 4hen t$e $o$es 4ere com$elled to reside in Avignon> in southern )rance. / Aohn L> 'cDenJie& S=.> The "oman )atholic #hurch, ed. &. ;. =a!es> 7istory of Religion Series :=e4 Oork& .*<*9&,ii. (n the other hand& attem$ts have been made b" some #merican Cat$olics to mute this Romanness& evidentl" to ease the 4a" or 1rotestant A!ericans to become

7;

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States C$aracteristics 0 course& durin% the 'iddle #%es there 4as much more Romanness in the Roman Catholic Church than location& im$ortant as that 4as. 0ne thinks o the $o$e@s dictatorial $o4ers& similar to those o a Roman em$eror. #nd o $ersecutions> actuall" ar more severe than the $a%an em$ire in licted on Christians>that Christian Rome in licted on $ersons it sus$ected o Hheres".H 2he crusades a%ainst the Cathari and the #lbi!%enses& brutal su$$ression o 1rotestantism in the =etherlands& and the shame ul massacre o St. Bartholome4@s Da"& all come to mind. #nd the so!called S$anish In3uisition. Even the New )atholic Enc clo!edia ackno4led%es that& HIud%ed b" contem$orar" standards& the In3uisition& es$eciall" as it develo$ed in S$ain to4ard the close o the 'iddle #%es& can be classi ied onl" as one o the darker cha$ters in the histor" o the Church.H< 1articularl" $ain ul is the observation that in carr"in% out its $ersecutions Catholic Rome as late as the t4el th centur" ado$ted rom $a%an Rome the $ractice o Iudicial torture. 8nder the em$ire& Roman civil la4 3Aus ci#ile4 allo4ed sus$ects to be tortured in court in order to %et them to con ess their assumed crimes. In contrast 4ith the Festern standard toda"& until $roved %uilt" a $erson is to be considered innocent Romans assumed that an accused $erson 4as $robabl" %uilt">thus Iudicial torture 4as a reasonable $art o the $unishment 2he invadin% Germanic tribes held the modern Festern $osition& innocent till $roved %uilt".7 But 4hen volumes o the old Roman civil la4 4ere rediscovered in the .())s& the Roman Church almost immediatel" a$$roved Iudicial torture o sus$ected heretics. As the Ne, 2atholic 7ncyclopedia re'orts, 8nder the in luence o Germanic customs and conce$ts& torture 4as little used rom the *th to the .(th centuries& but with the re#i#al o/ "oman law the $ractice Qo tortureR 4as reestablished in the .(th centur".... In
Catholics. See& e.%.& the 4idel" distributed The (aith o/ 6illions :Huntin%don& I<> .*<7&.*7+9& b" Aohn (%Brien 4ho& like 'cDenJie& tau%ht at the 8niversit" o =otre Da!e. 2 Sec articles> HIn3uisition&H H#uto!da!Fe&H and HSt. Bartholome4@s Day> 'assacre o .H 3 B$en around ?/) a church court tortured the monk Gottschalk or his non!Catholic vie4s on $redestination& a stron% $rotest 4as lod%ed b" the $eo$le o 5"ons& 4ho 4ere descendants o the invaders. 2hese $eo$le reminded their Ro!an Catholic bisho$ that even 4hen $eo$le are overtaken in a ault& the Bible sa"s t$ey should be Hrestored in a s$irit o %entleness.H See ?eorge &. 0cCracken and #lien Cabaniss& cds.> Earl 6edie#al Theolog , in =o$n Baillie& Aohn 2. 'c=eill& and 7enry P. 'an Duson& eds.> LCC :1hiladel$hia& .*/79. *E.<?!<*. 7.

#$e 0ark of t$e Beast

.595 OPo6eP Innocent I' sanctioned t$e infliction of torture by t$e civil aut$orities u6on $eretics> and torture came to have a recogni)ed place in t$e 6rocedure of t$e inHuisitorial courts.K

2hus in the most brutal and non!Christian as$ect o its medieval activit"& the Roman Church 4as a direct and d"namic descendant o the Roman Em$ire. Audicial torture 4as not the onl" as$ect o the church@s Romanlike cruelt". Durin% $ersecutions& $o%roms& and other $unishments insti%ated or a$$roved b" the Roman Church& $eo$le mi%ht be hun% rom their eet so their torsos could be sa4n do4n the middle rom %roin to scal$. 0thers mi%ht be slo4l" $ierced throu%h b" s$ikes inside the Iron 'aiden o =urember%. 2here 4ere man" %houlish tools o cruelt">and an estimated t4o& three& or even our million victims. Ei%ht"! ive $ercent o the victims are believed to have been 4omen& e,cruciatin%l" done to death 4ith the red hot $incers& the breast ri$$er& the e,$andable va%inal $ear& and other devices.* So the Roman Church ul illed the $ro$hec" about Hmakin% 4ar on the saints.H It also ul illed the one about utterin% hau%ht" and blas$hemous 4ords. 0ne 4ell! kno4n e,am$le 4ill su ice& as historicist 4orks on $ro$hec" $rovide man" others. #t the Fi th 5ateran Council in ./.(& Iust be ore the Re ormation be%an& Christo$her 'arcellus addressed 1o$e Aulius II& H2hou art the She$herd& thou art the 1h"sician& thou art the Governor& thou art the Husbandman& inall"& thou art another God on earth 3tu enim !astor,&&& tu deniGue alter %eus in terns4$ His 4ords are $reserved in a maIor Catholic historical collection..) 2he Catholic Church also ul illed the $ro$hec" about thinkin% to chan%e the times and the la4. But no4 4e must look at the be%innin% and endin% dates or the .(<) "ears.

#$e .52; Days 2he Seventh!da" #dventist $osition& like that o the 'illerite #dvent!ists be ore them& is that the .(<) da"s o $ro$hec" 4ere ul illed bet4een /7? and .7*?& or bet4een a$$ro,imatel" those dates. Fe need to ask& Is there reall" a basis or the amiliar Seventh!da" #dventist understandin% o /7?andl7*?L
3 Ne, 2atholic 7ncyclopedia) #'t. /To'tu'e0/ italics su''lie#+ & Ro1e't Held) InDftiisition6In9uisici&n: A Bilin+ual >uide toAAA 1orture Instruments (PEoaace) 1235)+ 1; 2. ,. M#nsi0 ed.0 Sacro!! 2oncilionanAAA 2olleclio) <2@761+

72

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States 2he 3uestion is im$ortant not onl" because Seventh!da" #dventists em$hasiJe the .(<) da"s but also because the .(<) da"s are mentioned in Scri$ture not once or t4ice but seven times. #$ree times the" a$$ear as Ha time& t4o times Qor @times&@ Rev .(E.+R& and hal a timeH :Dan 7E(/; .(E79; t ice the" a$$ear as H ort"!t4o monthsH :Rev ..E(; .7E/9; and t4ice& sim$l" as Hone thousand t4o hundred and si,t" da"sH :Rev ..E7; .(E<9.

#$e Mear 9+K Fe read a%ain& in scene + :.7E.!+9& that the dra%on :in this case& the Roman Em$ire9 %ave to the leo$ard!bodied sea beast Hhis $o4er and his throne and %reat authorit".H Fe note the location o the cro4ns 4hen the %reat red dra%on %ave these elements o authorit" to the beast. 2he dra%on had cro4ns on its se#en heads and none on its ten horns; the beast& ho4ever& had cro4ns on its ten horns and none on its seven heads. 2hus the arrival o the sea beast in Revelation .7 announced a de$arture rom the era o the Roman Em$ire and an entrance into the era o the invadin% tribes. .. Fhereas Revelation .( be%an 4ith the birth o Aesus& Revelation .7 be%ins around #.D.+7<. In Daniel 7E(+ Daniel did not become a4are o the little horn that re$! resented Catholic Rome until a ter the ten horns 4ere in $lace; and he ob! served that the little horn arose Hout o this kin%dom&H that is& out o the ourth beast!kin%dom& im$erial RomeE # ter the ten horns :the invadin% Germanic tribes9 4ere essentiall" in 6lace :that is& a ter +7<& the nominal date or the all o Festern Rome9& .( t$e little hom :Catholic Christianit"9 took on %reat $o4er; as it did so& three o the other homs :three o the invadin% tribes9 4ere $lucked u$. # HthroneH is an obvious s"mbol o authorit". Inasmuch as this $assa%e already contains the 4ords H$o4erH and Hauthorit"&H 4e e,$ect the term in this instance to conve" a more literal meanin%. Basicall"& a throne is a $lace 4here an im$ortant $erson sits. 0ther ancient 4ords or HthroneH are t$e ?reek cathedra, used or a bisho$@s throne& and the 5atin sedes, $ic$ sho4s u$ in En%lish as Hsee.H In the Catholic church& the building in
.. #$at t$e cro4ns do serve as time !arkers is con irmed b" com$arison o the dra%on and sea beast it$ t$e red beast in Revelation .7. 2he red beast $as seven $eads and ten homs& like the dra%on and the sea beast& but it has no cro ns at all. An an%el in ormed Aohn that $e had entered the ti!e o Iud%ment. HCome. I 4ill s$o you theAud neitt o the %reat harlotH :.7E.9. 2he era since .7*?6.?++ has been notable as an era o dcmocratiJation& es$eciall" in Euro$e. .5 H#lmost t$e 4hole o the Bestern em$ire 4as... b" +7< ruled b" German kin%s.H Aones& The ?ater Roman *mpire, 5/9.

7<

2he 'ark o the Beast 4hich a bisho$@s throne :or cathedra4 is located is called a Hcathedral.H 2he cit in 4hich a cathedral is located is called a Hsee.H 2he ultimate see in Catholicism is the Hol" See> the cit" 4here the throne o the bisho$ o Rome& the $o$e& is located. 2his is the cit" o Rome& 4hich or man" centuries 4as 4holl" under the $o$e@s control. Since the .*(* 2reat" o the 5ateran 4ith Ital"& the $o$e@s see has been con ined to Vatican Cit"& but this .)?.7 acre tract lies on Vatican Hill& 4holl" 4ithin the cit" o Rome. So ho4 did the dra%on& the Roman Em$ire& %ive its $o4er& its authorit"& and the !lace o its rulershi$ :its Hthrone&H or see& or cit"9 to the Roman ChurchL #nd 4hen did it do soL Fe have alread" noted that Em$erors rarel" lived in Rome>even thou%h Rome remained the nominal ca$ital o the em$ire. 2he Senate continued to meet there until at least /7?& and the $lace 4as re%arded 4ith m"stical reverence as the Eternal Cit". B" livin% else4here& the Em$erors allo4ed a ca$able $o$e to become the most visible leader in the cit". In addition& several em$erors o ered s$eci ic elements o authorit" to the $a$ac". For e,am$le& 4hen Bisho$ Hilar" o #ries :in 4hat 4e call France toda"9 re used to obe" a command issued b" 1o$e 5eo I :++)!+<.9& 1o$e 5eo $ersuaded the Roman Em$eror Valentinian III :+(/!+//9 to issue a decree re3uirin% %overnors o $rovinces to en orce the 1o$e@s commandsE =othin% shall be attem$ted b" the Gallican bisho$s& or b" those o an" other $rovince& contrar" to the ancient custom& 4ithout the authorit" o the venerable $o$e o the Eternal Cit". But 4hatsoever the authorit" o the #$ostolic See has enacted& or shall enact& let that be held as la4 or all. So that i an" bisho$ summoned be ore the $o$e o Rome shall ne%lect to attend& let him be com$elled to a$$ear b" the %overnor o the $rovince. 2here 4as another actor in luencin% the uture& the estates in Ital"& France& and north # rica 4hich various em$erors and Roman nobles besto4ed on the $o$e. Income rom these estates enabled $o$es to $rovide si%ni icant 4el are bene its to the $oor in times o distress& thereb" considerabl" increasin% their o4n $o$ularit" and in luence. 2hus even be ore +7< the Roman Em$ire :the dra%on9 had been
.7 Edict o Valentinian III& #.D. ++/; trans. in Hcni" Bcttcnson& %ocuments o/ the )hristian )hurch, (d. ed. :5ondon& .*<79& 7(!77. 74

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States $re$arin% the 4a" or the trans er o $o4er& throne& and %reat authorit" to the Catholic Church :the beast9. =evertheless& in +7< the $o$e did not immediatel" come into undis$uted $ossession o Rome. #t irst a mi,ture o tribes controlled the area& led b" 0dovacar& a member o the Herul tribe. By +*7 the 0stro%oths& actin% under orders rom the Catholic Roman Em$eror Ceno& head3uartered in Constantino$le& neutraliJed the #rian Heruls and their allies :the irst o the three horns to be u$rooted9 and $laced themselves in char%e o Ital". But the 0stro%oths themselves 4ere #rian. 2he 0stro%oths 4ere kind to the Catholics most o the time& but not al ays. Fhen the Bur%undian tribe :located in 4hat 4e call France toda"9 became Catholic and be%an $ersecutin% local #rians& 2heodoric $unished them severel"& killin% some o them and takin% a4a" a number o their churches. .+ #nd in /(<& 4hen the Eastern Em$eror& Austin& a Catholic& 4as $ersecutin% #rians in his $art o the em$ire& Din% 2heodoric bundled o Po6e Aohn I to Constantino$le& char%in% him to $ersuade Austin to sto$ the $ersecution. Fhen the $o$e returned to Ital" onl" $artiall" success ! ul& 2heodoric an%ril" humiliated him and ke$t him in e,ile at Ravenna& until he died a short time later../ 2hus ar the dra%on had not "et delivered Rome into the $o$e@s hands. But Eastern Em$eror Austinian :/(7!/</9& a devout Catholic and ne$he4 o Austin I> sent his General Belisarius rom Constantino$le 4ith a Roman ar!y to eliminate the #rian Vandals in =orth # rica. B" /7+ that Iob 4as done and the second horn 4as u$rooted. H2he Vandals disa$$eared like a mist.H .< 2hen Austinian ordered Betisarius to enter Ital" and 4i$e out the third horn& the #rian 0stro%oths. 2he 0stro%oths made a strate%ic retreat. #s Belisarius and his small arm" entered Rome in December /7< b" one %ate& the 0stro%othic %arrison %uardin% the cit" marched out b" a di erent %ate. But soon the 0stro%othic arm" arrived& in %reat numbers. 2hus as late as the end o /77& Belisarius@s arm" 4as dramaticall" outnumbered b" the 0stro%oths and 4as& in act& held ca$tive 4ithin the cit" o Rome& besie%ed by the 0stro%oths the" had come to con3uer. Ho4ever& disease and inade3uate %eneralshi$ decimated the Goths& 4hile brilliance and darin% aided Belisarius. In the s$rin% o /7? the Gothic arm"& lar%el" demoraliJed& 4ith!
./ =. B. Buiy> %istory o/ the *a!ac in the +,th )entur 3+-E.5+-H-4 :5ondon. .*7)9& ..7. .9 =.<.D. Dell"& The $+ford %ictionar o/ the ,hpes :0, ord Q <e Oork& .*?<9& /+!//& insists t$at t$e re$orts t$at 2heodoric 6ut Aohn in Iail Jare certainly alse.H .2 C B. Previte-(rton> The Shorter )ambridge 6edie#al =istor :Cambrid%e& .*/79& .?*. 75

2he 'ark o the Beast dre4 rom Rome& its numbers ade3uate to cause considerable dama%e to Ital" over the ne,t several "ears but ver" %reatl" reduced H rom tens o thousands to a e4 men& survivors 4ho hadH su ered the rava%es both o the $estilence and o the enem". .7 Fhen Belisarius 4as recalled to Constantino$le& the tattered Goths& in the absence o im$erial troo$s& attem$ted to recon3uer Ital". But u$on the rea$$earance o an im$erial arm" in //.& this time led b" =arses& the real Gothic 4eakness became a$$arent In //7 the 0stro%oths& decisivel" de eated in /7?& inall" ceased to e,ist as a tribe..? 2he turnin% $oint or the histor" o Rome came in /7?& 4hen the Catholic arm" o the Roman Em$ire drove the atall" en eebled #rian 0stro%oths a4a" rom the HEternal Cit".H.* In the amous 4ords o 2homas Hod%kin@s multi!volume 4ork& Ital and =er In#adersI the calamitous de eat in /7? Hdu%H the H%rave o the Gothic monarch" in Ital".H #ntici$atin% the inevitable termination o 0stro%othic control alread" in /77& Austinian had a$$ointed a $raetorian $re ect to %overn the $eninsula.(. B" /7?& there ore& the sti$ulations o $ro$hec" had been met and the $ro$hetic .(<) "ears could be%in. 2he ten horns 4ere in $lace and cro4ned; three o them had subse3uentl" been u$rooted& and the %reat red dra%on o Revelation .( and .7 had e ectivel" handed over to the leo$ard!bodied sea beast its $o4er& seat& and %reat authorit". .3CK and t$e 0ortal Bound Fhenever Seventh!da" #dventists think o the close o the .(<) da"s& the" recall that on Februar" ./&.7*?& t4elve hundred and si,t" "ears a ter /7?& the $o$e 4as taken into ca$tivit" b" a French militar" unit. It ha$$ened as Revelation had oretold& 4ith remarkable accurac". H0ne o its heads seemed to have a mortal 4oundH :.7E79. In verse .) 4e ind a $ro$hetic $roverb that s$eci ies the nature o the mortal 4ound; it 4ould involve a Hs4ordH :militar" action9 and a Hca$tivit"HE HI an" one is to be taken ca$tive& to ca$tivit" he %oes; i an" one sla"s 4ith the s4ord& 4ith the s4ord must he be slainH :.7E.)9.
.7 1roco$ius& =istor o/ the >ars, <.<..; 5ocb 7&777. Proco6ius accom$anied Belisarius. .? In the 4ords o 2homas Hod%kin& Ilat and =er In#aders, (d. ed.& ? vols. in * :0, ord& .??/!.?**9& +E</7& H2he" disa$$eared.H .* 2he event has been described in some detail in various $laces. See C. 'erv"n 'a,4ell& JAn &-e%etical and Historical E,amination... o the .(<) Da"s o 1ro$hec"H :'.#. thesis& Seventh!da" #dventist 2heolo%ical Seminar"& .*/.9; and& or a less detailed account& God #ares .E.(7&.7*!+.. () Vol. +& (/). (. Aones& The ?ater "oman Em!ire, (?7.

76

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States

Durin% the French Revolution& under orders rom the revolutionar" French %overnment& General #le,ander Berthier issued a $roclamation in Rome on Februar" ./& .7*?& in ormin% 1o$e 1ius VI and the $eo$le o Rome that the $o$e should no longer $e0ercise an /unction& $DD General Berthier 4as carr"in% out an order issued b" the central French %overnment. Fhen the armies o France 4ere enIo"in% victories in Ital" in .7*7& =a$oleon received a communication rom the Director" dated .7 1luviose o the "ear O si%ned b" 5a Revelliere!5e$eau,& Barras& and Reubell& sa"in% that Hthe "oman religion Qitalics su$$liedR 4ould al4a"s be the irreconcilable enem" o the Re$ublic.H It must be struck in France; but Hthere is one thin% more essential& to the attainment o the end desired& and that is to destro"& i $ossible& the centre o unit" o the Roman Church; and it is or "ou Q=a$oleonR... to realiJe this aim i "ou consider it $racticable.H (7 Ho4 the $o$e 4as arrested 4hile celebratin% the t4ent"!third anniver! sar" o his coronation& then hurried o to one $lace a ter another; and ho4 $e died in e,ile a "ear or so later& his bod" le t l"in% around or some time unburied& has o ten been told. #nd it is none the less an im$ressive ul ill! ment o $ro$hec" or the retellin% o it. Su!!ary Fe conclude that evidence is abundant that the leo$ard!bodied sea beast o Revelation .7 is Roman Catholic. It a$$eared as Festern Rome 4as $assin% a4a". It received le%itimac"& authorit"& and ca$ital seat rom the Roman Em$ire. It e,$erienced the s$eci ic events $ro$hesied to mark the be%innin% and endin% o a uni3ue .(<) "ear career. #nd durin% its .(<) "ears it mani ested the blas$hemin% and $ersecutin% character traits s$e! ci icall" oreseen. 'ore can be said about the ull meanin% o /7? and .7*?; the matter is addressed a%ain in the third section o this cha$ter& HSome Kuestions #ns4ered.H But no4 4e 4ill e,amine the 3uestion 4hether Roman Catholicism has ul illed the little!hom $ro$hec" about chan%in% the times and the la4.

55 Aohn #dol$hus& The =istor o/ (rance D :5ondon& .?)79& +29. 5+ A. #ulard& )hristianit and the (rench "e#olution, trams& ?ad FraJer :5ondon& .*(79& ./.& e!6$asis su$$lied.

77

2he 'ark o the Beast

Ro!e, C$ief &-6onent of Sunday (bservance

In our search to understand the mark o the beast& 4e have been led to identi " the leo$ard!bodied sea beast :the beast o the Hmark o the beastH9 4ith the little horn o Daniel 7 and to identi " both the beast and the little hom as HRoman Catholic.H Fe have not com$leted the identi ication& ho4ever. Fe have le t until no4 a discussion o the $hrase&H QheR shall think to chan%e the times and the la4H :Dan 7E(/9. 2his $hrase& HQheR shall think to chan%e the times and the la4&H thou%h s$oken about the little horn& a$$lies e3uall" to the sea beast& inasmuch as the little horn and the sea beast constitute the same entit". 2he sea beast is hostile to God@s la4. 2his is evident rom the %eneral messa%e o Vision IV& the %reat controvers" division :Rev .(!.+9& in 4hich the $ro$hec" o the sea beast occurs. God@s true $eo$le& those 4ho do not submit to the dra%on and 4ho do not receive the mark o the beast& are described t4ice& in .(E.7 and .+E.(& as commandment kee$ers& im$l"in% that the beast is a commandment breaker. #dditionall"& the %reat controvers" division is in! troduced 4ith a sanctuar" scene :..E.*9 that calls attention to God@s tem$le& His heavenl" dwelling, containin% the ark o God and the 2en Commandments. 2his introductor" scene $re$ares us to $erceive an attack on God@s la4 4hen 4e read in .7E<& Hit o$ened its mouth to utter blas$hemies a%ainst God& blas$hemin% his name and his dwelling&'(+ Is it conceivable that a Christian church could o$enl" advocate disobedience to the 2en CommandmentsL 2he Catholic Church does not normall" teach $eo$le to commit adulter" or murder. 0n the other hand& it is common kno4led%e that the Catholic Church boldl" claims to have chan%ed the Sabbath commandment; and its attitude to4ard the Sabbath is es$eciall" si%ni icant in vie4 o our earlier stud" that the mark o the beast is the o$$osite o the seal o God& and that the seal o God has to do 4ith Sabbath!kee$in%. But almost all Christian churches or centuries have $re erred Sunda" to the Sabbath. Is there evidence that the Roman Catholic Church has in the $ast $la"ed an outstanding role in coerci#et avorin% Sunda" at the e,$ense o the SabbathL

(+ Di iculties in t$e ?reek te-t or the remainder o Rev .7E< should not obscure t$e $lain meanin% o the $art cited.

73

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States #$e Ancient C$urc$es Be consider irst the $lace o the Catholic Church amon% the other ancient churches o Christendom. In the si,th centur"& the centur" in 4hich /7? ell& in addition to the Festern Roman :or Roman Catholic9 Church& 4e ind the =orth # rican Church& 4e ind the E%"$tian or Co$tic Church& the Ethio$ian Church& the #rmenian Church& the =estorian Church& and the Greek!s$eakin% Eastern branch o the Catholic Church :4hich in time became the Greek 0rthodo, Church9. 0 these churches& the Roman Catholic Church 4as in earl" times>and remained or centuries>the most cons$icuous in coercive advocac" o Sunda" and coercive deni%ration o the Sabbath. But Rome@s uni3ue role re%ardin% Sabbath and Sunda" 4as not evident until near the end o the second centur". Survey of &arly State!ents and Conditions 2o vie4 the role o the Roman Church in true $ers$ective& it is hel$ ul to %o back at least to the second centur" :the #.D. . 00s9. Fe have s$ace to e,amine onl" a $ortion o the available evidence& the totalit" o 4hich s$o s convincin%l" that even in the second and third centuries the Sabbath 4as alread" %enerall" lost si%ht o & and that Sunda" 4as alread" 4idel" celebrated. 2his reIection o the Sabbath in avor o Sunda" 4as not con ined to Rome>nor to #le,andria and Rome>des$ite a 4ides$read im$ression amon% seventh!da" Sabbatarians toda" that this 4as the case.(/ &-a!ination of t$e literature fro! t$e second and early t$ird centuries reveals t$at essentially t$e sa!e Sabbat$ and Sunda" theolo%" as tau%ht all around t$e Ro!an &!6ire at t$at time. Sunda" as $onored in recognition o the resurrection of C$rist> and Sabbat$ 4as do4n%raded as a66licable onl" to =e s> not to C$ristian Gentiles. =ustin 0artyr :ca. .;;-.29A. It is 4ell kno4n amon% Sabbatarians that in the middle o the second centur" Austin re$orted in his (irst A!olog , HSunda" is the da" on 4hich 4e all hold our common assembl".H (< Ho4ever Austin 4as a 4ell! traveled $erson& 4hose re$ort ma" not re$resent $ractices in Rome alone.! Internal evidence $rovides an a$$ro,imate date o
(/ 2he issue o Sabbath6Sunda" observance in the earl"& $osta$oslolic centuries 4as nol a to$ic dis! cussed b" D#RC0'. 2he thesis advanced :$$. 7*!*.9 re$resents the $ersonal inter$retation of t$e data b" the author& not that o the committee. > Ed. 52 =ustin> (irstA!oloI , <7. A<)> .E.?<. 53 In $is mart"rolo%" Austin is 3uoted as sa"in% at his trial that he 4as then in Rome or the second

72

2he 'ark o the Beast around ./). Be 3uote no4 rom his (irst A!olog , cha$ter <7E #nd on the da" called Sunda"& all 4ho live in cities or in the countr" %ather to%ether to one $lace& and the memoirs o the a$ostles or the 4ritin%s o the $ro$hets are read.... Sunda" is the da" on 4hich 4e all hold our common assembl"& because it is the irst da" on 4hich God... made the 4orld; and Aesus Christ on the same da" rose rom the dead. For He 4as cruci ied on the da" be ore that o Saturn; and on the da" a ter that o Saturn& 4hich is the da" o the Sun& havin% a$$eared to His a$ostles and disci$les& He tau%ht them these thin%s& 4hich 4e have submitted to "ou also or "our consideration. Austin here He %ives the reasons or meetin% on Sunda" as he understands them& namel" that God be%an His 4ork o creation on Sunda" and Christ rose rom the dead on Sunda". He identi ies Sunda" care ull" as Hthe da" a ter that o SaturnH :Saturda"9. He sa"s that Hall Christians 4ho live in cities or in the countr"H %ather or their common assembl" on Sunda". He does not sa" that onl" those 4ho live in Rome do so. He sa"s that HSunda" is the da"H on 4hich the" meet& not one o the da"s. #s or the Sabbath& Austin elt no obli%ation to observe it& even thou%h he considered himsel a commandment kee$er. (? 2he elderl" Christian 4ho converted him had told him not to chan%e his manner o li e on the Sabbath. (* In an" case the Sabbath 4as not needed b" Gentiles& 4ho had been converted. It 4as %iven onl" to the =e s> on account o their stubbornness and the hardness o hearts. 2o the Ae4ish rabbi& 2r"$ho& Austin said& a$$arentl" 4hile in the cit" o E$hesus& HFe QChristiansR too 4ould observe the leshl" circumcision& and the Sabbaths&... i 4e did not kno4 or 4hat reason the" 4ere enIoined "ou QAe4sR&>namel"& on account o "our trans%ressions and the hardness o "our hearts.H7) Sunda" observance& to the detriment o Sabbath observance& 4as 4ell established and 4ides$read b" the middle o the second centur". Irenaeus : 5 ca. .7/!ca. .C9A. In Gaul :France9 4e encounter Ire!neaus& 4ho came rom near E$hesus around #.D. .?) to re$lace a bisho$ in Gaul 4ho had Iust been mart"red. #s Irenaeus took u$ his ne4 4ork& he ound man" Gnostic Christians u$settin% his churches. 2o o$$ose them& he 4rote a siJable volume on man" as$ects o the Christian aith.7.
ti!e. See #=F& .,+;9. (? Austin& (irst A!olog & </& A<)> .E.?/. (* Austin& %ialogue with Tr !ho, 77& A<)> .E()<. 7) Austin& %ialogue with Tr !ho, .?& #=F& .E()7. 7. Irenaeus& Against =eresies, A<)> .E7./!<7.

3;

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States 0n the Sabbath 3uestion& Irenaeus insisted that the Gnostics 4ere 4ron% 4hen the" ar%ued that Aesus broke the Sabbath. Irenaeus e,$lained that Aesus did not break the Sabbath 4hen He healed $eo$le on that da". 7( Irenaeus em$hasiJed this $oint so stron%l" that he sounded like a Sabbath!kee$er himsel . =ot so& or he $ointed out that Aesus ke$t the Sabbath HAerusalem bein% as "et in sa et".H 77 Irenaeus meant b" this that it 4as ri%ht or Aesus to kee$ the Sabbath as lon% as the Aerusalem 2em$le 4as still standin%; but once the tem$le 4as destro"ed :as it 4as in #!D. 7)9& the la4 o the Sabbath 4as terminated. Since then& Christians have not needed to be told to Hkee$ one da" idle&H because the" 4orshi$ God in their hearts ever" da".7+ Irenaeus s$oke o three kinds o la4E one to be obe"ed b" all& another or Ae4s until the all o Aerusalem& and another a$$licable to no one. But>incredible as this ma" sound>Irenaeus tau%ht that the Sabbath commandment 4as not a $art o the Decalo%ue& the onl" one o the three kinds o la4 that $eo$le still need to kee$; there ore& no one needs to kee$ the literal Sabbath. #$eo6$ilus of Antioc$ (late second centuryA. # contem$orar" o Irenaeus& but resident o the 5evant& he tau%ht a vie4 o the Sabbath similar to that o Irenaeus& even omittin% the Sabbath rom the decalo%ue. #ertullian :c. .<)67)!c. 5.9N5;A. In the Roman colon" o Cartha%e& =orth # rica :near modem 2unis9& near #!D. ())& the brilliant la4"er and Christian la"man& 2ertullian& de ended Aesus a%ainst the Gnostics& as Irenaeus did. 5ike Irenaeus& 2ertullian insisted that Aesus ke$t the Sabbath and did not break it. 7e QAesusR maintained the Sabbath as 7is o4n institution.... 2hus Christ did not at all rescind the Sabbath; He ke$t the la4 thereo & 4hile im$artin% to the Sabbath!da" itsel & 4hich rom the be%innin% had been consecrated b" the benediction o the Father& an additional sanctit" b" 7is o4n bene icent action. For He urnished to this da" divine sa e%uards.7/ 2o $rove that Aesus did not break the Sabbath& 2ertullian 3uoted 'atthe4 /E.7& HI am not come to destro" Qthe la4R& but to ul ilH :DAV9. Is it $ossible that 2ertullian 4as a Sabbathkee$erL
32 I'en#eus0 "#ainst $eresies, 4+3, A !, 1@47;-71+ 33 *eaaeusAA+ainstHervsies) 4+12, A !, 1@476+ 3- I'"n#"us0 The Proofofthe "postolic Preackin# &.0 3C40 $.5$%.. 35 1mu-tan)A+ainst4arcion) 4+12, A !+ <@<6<-64+

?.

2he 'ark o the Beast =ot at allN For he $roceeded at once to sa" that the Sabbath 4as abolished. It 4as not abolished b" some =e4 2estament God distinct rom the 0ld 2estament Creator God& as the Gnostics ar%ued. But it 4as abolished. It 4as abolished b" the one true God>b" the ver" same Creator God o both 2estaments 4ho made the Sabbath in the irst $lace. 2he abolition o the ancient la4 4e ull" admit& and hold that it actuall" $roceeds rom the dis$ensation o the Creator. Instead o the Sabbath& 2ertullian avored Sunda"& 4hich& like most other Christians& he sometimes called Hthe 5ord@s da"H and at other times called Hthe ei%hth da"H :the da" a ter the seventh9. Fe count astin% or kneelin% in 4orshi$ on the 5ord@s da" to be unla4 ul.77 2o the heathens each estive da" occurs but once annuall"E "ou QChristiansR have a estive da" ever" ei%hth da". Ignatius :ca. *?6..79. 2he statement b" Bisho$ I%natius o #ntioch :S"ria9 dated as earl" as ../& the amiliar one about Hno lon%er sabbatiJ!in% but livin% accordin% to the 5ord@s da"6li e&H can be seen as a statement in o$$osition to the Sabbath.7* Incredible as the thou%ht ma" a$$ear at irst %lance& I%natius $robabl" 4as sa"in% that the Sabbath 4as reIected even b" the 0ld 2estament $ro$hets.+) (rigen :ca. .?/!ca. (/+9. Christians in #le,andria :E%"$t9 avored alle%oriJin%& and in the earl" third centur" 0ri%en& teacher at the catecheti!cal school there& 4as a $rince o alle%oriJers. 5ater he carried his talent to Caesarea. In one o his more elaborate alle%oriJations& 0ri%en once described true Sabbathkee$in% in terms that make him a$$ear to have been a Sabbathkee$er himsel .
7< 2ertullian& Against 6arcion, /.(. A<)> 7E+7.. 77 2ertullian& The )ha!lel, 7& A<)> 7E*+. 7? 2ertullian& $n Idolatr , .+& A<)> 7E7). 7* I%natius& To the 6agnesians, K-CG cf. A<)> .E<(!<7. =ote that onl" t$e shorter version o the letters %iven in #=F is %enuine. #$e lon%er version is later& $ossibl" rom the ourth centur". +) H2he divine $ro$hets lived accordin% to Aesus C$rist 31ola )hriston lesoun eJesan4& 2here ore the" also ere $ersecuted&... If then the" Qthe $ro$hetsR $o alked in ancient customs came to a ne4 ho$e& no lon%er livin% or the Sabbath :nic1ed sabbatiJontes4 but or the 5ord@s Day :or Lord%s li eR 3alia 1ola 1uria1en Ko6es4 on Qor throu%hR 4hich also our li e s$ran% u$ throu%h him and his deat$>... $o then shall e be able to live 4ithout him of $o! even the $ro$hets 4ere disci$les in the S6irit: :I%natius& To the 6agnesians, ?!*& LCL> .E()+!/.9 Austin. Irenaeus& and 2ertullian all believed that the $atriarchs $rior to 0oses did not observe the Sabbath& and =us-tin 3%ialogue, +<; A<)> .E(.?9 sa"s that 2r"$ho the rabbi a%reed it$ him on this.

32

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States

I "ou la" aside all secular 4ork and kee$ a4a" rom all mundane thin%s and do onl" s$iritual 4orks& attend church& 6ay attention to the divine lecture and literature&... and look not at $resent visible thin%s but onl" at invisible and uture thin%s > that is the ri%ht observance o the Christian Sabbath.H+.

But 0ri%en 4as alle%oriJin%& describin% a li est"le rather than a 4eekl" observance. In his a$olo%"& Against )elsus 3)ontra )elsum4, 0ri%en said e,$licitl" that Christ Himsel abandoned H$h"sical circumcision& and a literal sabbath.H Ho4ever& or the sake o believers 4ho need Hda"sH because the" have not "et matured into a ull s$iritual li est"le& Christians& instead o Sabbath& observe the 5ord@s da" and 1re$aration da"+( 4eekl" and 1assover and 1entecost annuall". 7 Sabbat$k 6ers> 4ides$read. 2he evidence does not& ho4ever& indicate that no one at all observed the true Sabbath in the second and third centuries. Austin kne4 o some Ae4ish and even some Gentile Christians 4ho observed the Sabbath.++ 2ertullian kne4 a Hcertain e4H $eo$le 4ho anno"ed $i! b" standin% Io"ousl" or $ra"er on Sabbath& the 4a" ever"one did on Sunda". +/ #nd 4e ma" assume that the anti!Sabbath comments made b" Baraabas in #le,andria& +< b" I%natius to the 'a%nesians&+7 and later b" Clement o #le,andria +? and Victorinus o 1ettau+* im$l" the e,istence in local areas o observers o the true Sabbath in the second and third centuries. =onetheless& the evidence indicates that a maIorit" o the Christians in the lar%e centers %ave u$ the Sabbath ver" earl". Robert '. Aohnston has sho4n us& in act& that some rabbis Iealousl" insisted that Gentiles ought not to kee$ the Sabbath. For e,am$le& Rabbi =ose ben Hanina said& H# non!Ae4 4ho observes the Sabbath 4hilst he is uncircumcised incurs liabilit" or the $unishment o death. Fh"L Because non-=e s 4ere not commanded concernin% it.H/)
+. =omC DL on Numbers, *G .(E7+?!/7& trans. Ra$hael GonJales& cited in C. 'erv"n 'a,4ell and 1. Gerard Damstee%t& cds.& Source Boo1 /or the =istor o/ Sabbath and Sunda :HBerrien S$rin%s& 'I& .**)9 /5 A!ong second- and third!centur" Christians& Frida" 4as almost universall" a ast da". +7 0ri%en& Against )elsus 3)ontra )elswn4, (.7; ?.((& trans. Henr" Chad4ick; c . #=F& +E+7(& <+7. // =ustin> %ialogue with Tr !ho, A Jew, +7& #=F& .E(.?!.*. /9 #ertullian> $n *ra er, (7& #=F& 7E<?*. /2 Bamabas, E!istle, ./. A<)> .E.+<!+7. +7 Sec above. /K See cs6. )lement, 6iscellanies, <..<& A<)> (E/.(!.+. /C 'ictorinus> $n the )reation o/ the >orld, A<)> 7E7+.P(. 9; 'idrash Deuteronom" Rabbah .E(.; Soncino cd.& (7!(+. See Robert '. Aohnston& JPatriarc$s> 3<

The 'ark o the Beast

2he Sabbath& the rabbis said& 4as a si%n o the union bet4een God and the Ae4s& so or a Gentile to kee$ it 4ould be like an intruder thrustin% himsel bet4een a kin% and his 3ueen. Su!!ary of secondNt$ird century data. E,amination o the Christian literature that has come do4n to us rom the second and earl" third centuries :that is& e,amination o ar more e,am$les than 4e have had s$ace or here9 su%%ests that essentiall" the same Sabbath and Sunda" theolo%" 4as tau%ht all around the Roman Em$ire at that time. Sunda" 4as honored in reco%nition o the resurrection o Christ& and Sabbath 4as do4n%raded as a$$licable onl" to the Ae4s and nona$$licable to Christian Gentiles. Constantine%s )irst Sunday La Constantine and his sons issued several Sunda" la4s& the irst o 4hich has become Iustl" amous. Issued 'arch 7&7(.& it readE
#ll Iud%es and cit" $eo$le and the cra tsmen shall rest u$on the venerable Day o the Sun. Countr" $eo$le& ho4ever& ma" reel" attend to the cultivation o the ields& because it re3uentl" ha$$ens that no other da"s are better ada$ted or $lantin% the %rain in the urro4s or the vines in trenches. So that the advanta%e %iven b" heavenl" $rovidence ma" not for the occasion o a short time $erish. It has o ten been noted that this 4as a secular rather than a reli%ious la4& and ri%htl" so. E,amination reveals& urther& that it directl" a ected onl" a small $ercenta%e o the $o$ulation. #imed at cit" $eo$le& it s$eci icall" e,em$ted armers and villa%ers>and most $eo$le at the time 4ere armers and villa%ers.

Sabbat$ Revival
Documents that have come do4n to us rom the middle and later $arts o the ourth centur"& the same centur" as Constantine@s irst Sunda" la4& re$resent a chan%e in attitude to the Sabbath. Christian 4ritin%s no4 e,$ress Io" in the Sabbath and vie4 the Sabbath as a s$ecial da" second onl" to Sunda". 2he chan%e in attitude to4ard the Sabbath is remarkable!Sur$risin% as it ma" sound& the Council o 5aodicea& 4hich around 7<) orbade idleness on the Sabbath& 4as $art o the $rocess 4hereb" the Sabbath under4ent a revival. 2hat ver" same Council reGuired the %os$els to
Rabbis> and the Sabbath&H -.SS +D;D :Aul" .*7+9E *+!.)(. 9. Preseived in #ode+ /ustmiar"s, +..5.+.

34

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States be read and the 5ord@s su$$er to be celebrated on Sabbath. 2he in luence o this council 4as lon% lastin%. #$e A6ostolic constitutions. #bout this same time :77/L9 the author o the A!ostolic )onstitutions, a hi%hl" in luential document& tau%ht that Hsolemn assembliesH 4ere to be held on both Sabbath and Sunda". It called on em$lo"ers to allo4 their servants time to attend these solemn assemblies on both Sabbath and Sunda". Fhile insistin% that the Sabbath 4as not a da" or idleness& the A!ostolic )onstitutions held that the 2en Commandments demand observance o the Sabbath/(>a ar cr" rom Austin and Irenaeus in the second centur" and 2ertullian in the earl" third& each o 4hom ound 4a"s to neutraliJe the Sabbath o the 2en Commandments. In Constantino$le in 77<& Christians assembled in church on Sunda". /7 But b" the end o the centur"& the Christians in Constantino$le assembled on both Sabbath and Sunda".!+ In #sia 'inor& Gre%or" o ="ssa called the Sabbaths and the 5ord@s da"s Hsisters.H// #nd in 1ontus around +))& #sterius o #masea s$oke o Sabbath and Sunda" as a HteamH o HmothersH and HnursesH 4ho %ather the $eo$le to%ether or instruction. The ?ausiac histor & 2he revived res$ect or the Sabbath is clear in The ?ausiac =istor , 4ritten b" 1alladius a ter he traveled rom 1alestine in 7?? and s$ent .( "ears livin% amon% the monks in E%"$t. He ound monks observin% both Sabbath and Sunda". Some celebrated communion on Sabbaths and Sunda"s. Some monks s$ent the ive da"s alone& con%re%atin% or 4orshi$ onl" on Sabbaths and Sunda"s. #nd t4o monks in di erent $laces asted ive da"s a 4eek& enIo"in% ood onl" on Sabbaths and Sunda"s. /7 :#u%ustine said in 7*< that man monks in monasteries ate onl" on Sabbaths and Sunda"s. /? 1alladius@s observations are im$ortant& or the revival o interest in the Sabbath that be%ins around the middle o the ourth centur" coincides 4ith the s$read o monastidsm out o E%"$t about that same time. &6i6$anius :ca. 7./!+)79. 2his bisho$ o Salamis reIoiced in his *ananon that a sabbatic li est"le had re$laced literal Sabbath observance./* 2his conce$t& that a ne4 li e!st"le re$laces literal Sabbath obser!
95 -postolic )onstitutions (E7<; /E(); ?E77& A<)> 7E+.7&//C>+*/. 9+ Be read t$at in order to meet 4ith the local church& Arius $ad to ait to Hassemble 4ith the church on t$e day follo ing the Sabbath.H :Socrates& #hurch %istory. ..7?& <P<P Q(R& (E7+!7/.9 9/ So@o!en> #hurch =istor , ?.?& <P<) :(9& (E+)+. 99 De #astigat"ne 0$n Reproof1, !G /2,+;C> cited in SD- Bi le Students7Source Boo1, an& +.+S& /< #sterius& =omil M, on 6at? +,2+L, *G +)E((/& cited in S%A Bible Students7Source Boo1&art&@DA& 93 Palladius> 2ausiac =istor , 7&()& 7(&+?& ACB> (+E+.. 7)!7.&*(&.7.. 9K Augustine> Letter 7<& to Casulanus& +.?& <P<) :.9& .E(<7. 9C &6i6$anius> *ananon, ..K.2> !G +.E(.7. 65

2he 'ark o the Beast vance& 4as held b" man" earl" 4riters& includin% Austin& Irenaeus& and 2er!tullian& 4hose names 4e have mentioned.<) =evertheless& 4hen E$i$ha!nius had occasion to mention the Sabbath a%ain some4hat later& he noted that b" this time Hin a e4 $lacesH some Christians 4ere actuall" assemblin% on the literal Sabbath.<. Socrates (b. ca. 7?)9. Hal a centur" later Christian meetin%s on Sabbath 4ere so 4ides$read that around #.D. ++) Socrates o Constantino$le could re$ort that Halthou%h all churches throu%hout the 4orld celebrate the sacred m"steries on the sabbath o ever" 4eek& "et the Christians at #le,andria and at Rome& on account o some ancient tradition& have ceased to do this QGreekE do not do thisR.MM<( 2his statement b" Socrates has o ten been inter$reted to mean that Sab! bathkee$in% had continued 4ithout a break since the time o Christ #ctuall" the statement is not addressin% kee$in% the Sabbath hol"& but celebratin% the 5ord@s Su$$er :the Hsacred m"steriesH9 b" $riests on the Sabbath. 2his observance o the 5ord@s Su$$er on Sabbath 4as in harmon" 4ith the vote taken at the Council o 5aodicea& but in contrast to the noncelebration o the 5ord@s Su$$er on Sabbath in the second and third centuries. Fhat Socrates@ statement illustrates is a re#i#al o interest in the Sabbath. 'an" actors contributed to this interest in the Sabbath& one o 4hich a$$ears to have been the s$read o monastidsm rom E%"$t in the late 7))s and earl" +))s 4hich 4e mentioned. It is notable that the e,istence o Sab!bath!and!Sunda" lectionaries :collections o Bible selections or use in monasteries9 is attested onl" rom the ourth centur" on4ard. It is notable& too& that in Festern Euro$e& it 4as Cassian& a mon1 4ho around +./!+7) unsuccess ull" advocated some kind o Sabbath observance alon% 4ith Sunda". ?eneral su!!ary. Fe summariJe be ore $roceedin%. Sunda" observance and Sabbath reIection 4ere not characteristic o the Roman Church alone in the earl" centuries; the" 4ere characteristic o the state o Christianit" at the time. 2his observation is in harmon" 4ith 1aul@s statement in ( 2hessalonians (E7 that the m"ster" o ini3uit" :or Hla4lessnessH9 4as
<) )or e-a!6le> Justin, %ialo//u with Ti !ho, .5> #=F&.;())E H2he ne4 la4 re3uires "ou to kee6 6cr$etual sabbath.... I there is any $erIured $erson or a thie amon% "ou& lei him cease to be so; if any adulterer& let $i! re6entG then he has ke$t the s eet and true sabbaths of ?od. If any one $as i!6ure hands& let him 4ash and be $ure.H Cf. Irenaeus& Against %eresies, +..<; #=F& .E+?.& %#$e Sabbaths tau%ht that 4e should continue day b" da" in ?od%s service.J Irenaeus& *roo/ o/ the A!ostolic *reaching, C2G ACB> .<& H=or 4ill he be commanded to leave idle one day of rest& $o is constantly kee$in% sabbat$> t$at is& %ivin% $o!age to ?od in t$e te!6le of ?od> $ic$ is man@s bod"& and at all ti!es doin% the 4orks o Iustice.H <. E$i$hanius.Fanarion& 7.(+& *G +(E?(*&?7.. <( Socrates& )hurch =istor , /.((& <P<) :(9& 5,.+5.

36

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States alread" at 4ork even in the middle o theAirst centur". Be have also taken note o evidence or a revival o the Sabbath be%innin% in the ourth centur"& coincidin% 4ith the s$read o monasticism out o E%"$t.

Ro!e and t$e Sabbat$

Be have been tracin% the %eneral histor" o Sabbath and Sunda" in the Christian churches o the irst ive centuries. =o4 4e 4ill see ho4 the attitude o the HRoman Church&H the Catholic Church in Festern Euro$e& di ered rom that o the other $rinci$al churches amon% 4hich Christianit" came to be divided. Durin% the ourth and i th centuries& the Sabbath 4as res$ected alon%side Sunda" in the Co$tic& Ethio$ian& #rmenian& and Greek!s$eakin% churches. 2he =orth # rican Church also honored it 4ith o$tional $reachin% on that da". <7 But the =orth # rican Church 4as destro"ed b" the 'uslim invasion o the seventh centur". 2he #rmenian Church clun% lo"all" to the Sabbath or centuries& <+ the Co$tic Church observes it in some orm even toda"& and the =estorian Church& 4hich b" e,ce$tion did not acce$t the Sabbath!>these too 4ere overrun b" the 'uslims. #lthou%h the" 4ere $ermitted b" their 'uslim overlords to continue to e,ist& the" became stereot"$ed and 4eak. 2he Greek!s$eakin% church celebrated the Sabbath alon% 4ith Sunda" or man" centuries and still observes it in certain 4a"s; ho4ever& Islam overran much o its broad territor" :modern 2urke"& and the Balkans& but not Greece9 and con3uered Constantino$le in .+/7. So the church that remained the most d namic o/ all the churches 4as the church o the Roman Fest& and it 4as this "oman )hurch 4hich& durin% the .(<) "ears& most cons$icuousl" o$$osed the Sabbath& en orcin% Sunda" in its $lace. 2he Roman Church became the authentic ul illment o the little horn o Daniel 7 and o the sea beast o Revelation .7. In addition to ul illin% other s$eci ications o $ro$hec"& it did more than the other churches to Hthink to chan%e the times and the la4@M and to Hblas$heme God@s d4ellin%.H 2he Roman Church 4as characteriJed& mar1ed, b" a coercive attitude avorin% Sunda" and o$$osin% the Sabbath.
2+ See =. <. #ndre4s and 5. R. Conradi& =istor o/ the Sabbath and (irst %a o/ the >ee1 :Fashin%ton& DC& .*.(9& +<<. 2/ 8ennet$ #. Strand& ed.& The Sabbath in Scri!ture and =istor :Fashin%ton& DC> .*?(9& .<(!<7&.<7 n..(). 29 BenIamin ?eorge Filkinson. Truth Trium!hant2 The )hurch in the >ilderness :'ountain 'ie > CA> .*++9 4as a $ioneer& i an inaccurate one& o this inter$retation 4hich sees the Roman Church as ($e $rinci$al o$$onent of ihe Sabbath.

37

2he 'ark o the Beast

Against t$e 4uartodeci!ans. 2o ollo4 characteristic develo$ments in the Roman Church& 4e observe that the Roman Church@s $otential or coercive endorsement o Sunda" a$$eared ver" earl"& indeed& be ore the end o the second centur"& 4hen Victor I& bisho$ o Rome& became irritated b" the so!called Kuartodecimans :HFburteenthersH9. 2he Kuartodecimans& 4ho lived in and near E$hesus& observed Easter on 1assover da"& the .+th o the Ae4ish month =isan& re%ardless o the da" o the 4eek on 4hich it ell. Rome 4anted Easter celebrated e,clusivel" on a Sunda". 2his much is %enerall" kno4n. Fhat is not so 4idel" reco%niJed is that in its $re erence or celebratin% Easter on Sunda"& the church o Rome 4as little di erent rom man" o the other cit" churches. Fhen $re$arin% to launch his attack a%ainst the Kuartodecimans& Bisho$ Victor o Rome conducted a $oll o the $astors o the main cit" churches in the Roman Em$ire. Eusebius& the amous church historian& tells us that Hvictor received re$lies in /a#or o/ the Sunda Easter rom the bisho$s o Caesarea& Aerusalem& Corinth& Gaul& 0srhoene& and the various bisho$s in 1ontus& alon% 4ith& he sa"s& Ha %ood man" others.H 5ater in his account& Eusebius re ers to additional bisho$s& those in #yre> 1tolemais& and #le,andria& 4ho also avored the Sunda" Easter. 2hus 4e conclude that around #!D. .*) virtuall" all kno4n con%re%ations& e,ce$tin% onl" the Kuartodeciman con%re%ations in the $rovince o #sia& 4ere in the custom o celebratin% Easter on Sunda". It is inaccurate to assume Rome 4as the onl" church to observe Easter on Sunda". But>and the HbutH is most im$ortant>the onl" church that e,com! municated the Kuartodecimans or their nonobservance o the Sunda" Easter& 4as the church in Rome. # ter Bisho$ Victor o Rome e,communicated the Kuartodecimans& he 4as rebuked b" several o the other bisho$s. 2he rebuke sent to him b" Irenaeus o Gaul is $reserved or us b" Eusebius. Irenaeus and these other bisho$s all observed Easter Sunda"; but the" di ered rom Rome in a cru! cial res$ect. 2he" did not 4ant to $ersecute the Kuartodecimans the 4a" the Roman Christians did. Here is a be%innin% o Rome@s characteristic coerci#e $re erence or Sunda". #$e Ro!an Sabbat$ ast #round the "ear ())& shortl" a ter the Kuar! todeciman controvers"& the church o Rome be%an to en orce a Sabbath ast.<<
22 &vidence that t$e Ro!an Sabbat$ fast be%an around the year ()) comes in $art fro! #crtullian%s KK

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States

2his Sabbath ast& 4hich 4as $robabl" not a com$lete ast but ma" have orbidden 4ine and an"thin% made o %rain and oil& like bread& 4as a con! tinuation o the re%ular Frida" hal ! ast 4hich man" Christians at the time 4ere observin% all around the Em$ire. Bein% a ast& it $revented the celebration o the 5ordMs Su$$er. (nce a%ain& as in the Kuartodeciman controvers"& most other churches re used to %o alon% 4ith this Roman innovation. Indeed& $racticall" the onl" churches 4hich ever observed RomeMs Sabbath ast 4ere the churches located in Festern Euro$e. #nd or some time not all even o these Festern con%re%ations observed it. 2he lar%e cit" con%re%ation in 'ilan& for e,am$le& ca$itulated to the Roman Church in this re%ard onl" a ter man" "ears o stru%%le. #lread" Rome 4as $la"in% its $ro$hetic role as $rinci$al coercive $ro$onent o Sunda" and o$$onent o the Sabbath. Resistance to Sabbat$ revival. In the ourth centur"& as Sabbath obser! vance s$read alon% 4ith monasticism rom E%"$t to other $arts o the Roman 4orld& the Christians in Festern Euro$e 4ere cons$icuous or not ado$tin% the conce$t. Fe have mentioned that the monk Cassian tried in vain to introduce a kind o Sabbath observance in southern France. 'ore recentl" The )on#ert7s )atechismE7 has been 4idel" 3uoted or its statement that the Catholic Church at the Council o 5aodicea around 7<) trans erred the solemnit" o the da" rom Sabbath to Sunda". #lto%ether& the s"nod o 5aodicea $assed our canons dealin% 4ith the Sabbath 3uestion. Canon .< re3uired the Gos$els to be read on Sabbath& and Canons +* and /. re3uired that durin% 5ent the 5ordMs Su$$er 4as to be celebrated on Sabbath as 4ell as Sunda"& and onl" on those t4o da"s.
5#0DICE#& C#=0= .<. ! 2he Gos$els are to be read on Sabbath& 4ith the other Scri$tures Qa$$arentl" at Communion services; see canon +*& belo4R. 5#0DICE#& C#=0= (*. > Christians must notIudaiJe b" restin% on the Sabbath& but must 4ork on that da". rather honorin% the 5ord@s Da"; and& if the" can& restin% then as Christians. But i an" shall be ound to be IudaiJers& let them be anathema rom Christ. 5#0DICE#& C#=0= +*. > Durin% 5ent& the Bread must not be o ered e,ce$t on the Sabbath Da" and on the 5ord@s Da" onl".

attack on it in his $n (asting :#=F& +E.)(!..+9& dated around ()?& and fro! the seventh!centut" Liber Pontificalis> "hich attributes the authoriJation o t$e fast to 1o$e Callistus :(.7!((9. <7 Peter Gciermann& The #onvert3s )atechism o/ )hristian Doctrine :St. Louis> .*7)9& /).

32

2he 'ark o the Beast

5#0DICE#& C#=0= /.. > 2he nativities o 'art"rs Qactuall"& the death da"s& on 4hich mart"rs 4ere considered to have been born to eternal li eR are not to be celebrated in 5ent& but commemorations o the hol" 'art"rs are to be made on the Sabbaths and 5ord@s da"s.

Canon (* is ver" stron% in its o$$osition to com$lete rest on the Sab! bath. It can be e,$lained onl" on the basis that b" #.D. 7<) the Sabbath had lon% since sli$$ed out o vie4 as a da" o com$lete rest or most Christians; "et 4e can ri%htl" in er that some $eo$le 4ere still restin% on the Sabbath& or the council 4ould have elt no reason to enact the rule a%ainst doin% so. Because 5aodicea is in the Eastern $art o the Roman Em$ire& this canon reveals that Eastern :as 4ell as Festern9 Christians o$$osed the Sabbath& at least to some e,tent. But the other three canons reveal a res$ect or the Sabbath in the East. Canons .<& +*& and /. re3uire the Gos$els to be read :at church services9 on the Sabbath& and the 5ord@s Su$$er to be celebrated on Sabbath even durin% 5ent. 2hat amous claim m The )on#ert7s )atechism that at the Council o 5aodicea the Catholic Church chan%ed the solemnit" rom Sabbath to Sunda" is remarkable as a claim& but as histor" it is la4ed. #s 4e have seen& the Council o 5aodicea 4as not a Festern council; it 4as a local Eastern& Greek!s$eakin% s"nod at 4hich& so ar as 4e kno4& Rome had no voice. For another thin%& the Roman Catholic >est re used to heed one o the canons in 3uestion $assed b" the Council o 5aodicea. 2he re3uirement that the 5ord@s Su$$er be celebrated on Sabbath 4as i%nored in Rome until a ter .)/+& seven hundred "ears a ter the 5aodicean CouncilN 2his hel$s illuminate Socrates@ statement that the sacred m"steries 4ere observed in all the churches :around #.D. ++)9 e0ce!t at #le,andria and Rome. In 7?.& some t4ent" "ears or so a ter the 5aodicean Council& Roman dele%ates 4ere $resent at the First Council o Constantino$le& 4here the" took $art 4ith a lar%e number o dele%ates rom other churches in a$$rovin% the man" canons o 5aodicea alon% 4ith attendin% to man" other items o business.<? #nd over the centuries& be%innin% $erha$s ()) "ears later& the canon about not 4orkin% on Sunda" 4as invoked in various $laces in the Fest a%ainst $eo$le 4ho 4anted to re rain rom 4orkin% on Sabbath. But the Council o 5aodicea 4as not 3uite the Roman Catholic 4atershed some have at times thou%ht it to have been. In an" case& the Festern church
<? )or a list of Festern docu!ents that included t$e canons o 5aodicea over t$e centuries> see Bemhard Blumcn%ranJ& Jui/s et )hretiens dans Ie 4onde Cccidental, .LF5+F,E :1aris and La 7aye> .*<)9& .7<& n. <<.

2;

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States sim$l" i%nored the canon o 5aodicea 4hich re3uired the 5ord@s Su$$er to be celebrated on Sabbath. Some three centuries a ter the Council o 5aodicea :that is& in <*(9 the im$ortant Kuinise,t Council met in Constantino$le. 2his Eastern council com$lained about the continuin% Roman $ractice o astin% on Sabbath. In act& it $assed a canon attem$tin% to $ersuade the Romans to dro$ the $ractice and take their re%ular meals on Sabbath& Iust as Eastern Christians did. K8I=ISEG2& C#=0= //.>Since 4e understand that in the cit" o the Romans& in the hol" ast o 5ent the" ast on the Saturda"s QGreekE Sab5 baths9, contrar" to the ecclesiastical observance 4hich is traditional& it seemed %ood to the hol" s"nod Qthe 0uinise,t Council itsel R that also in the Church o the Romans the canon shall immovabl" stand ast 4hich sa"sE HI an" cleric shall be ound to ast on a Sunda" or Saturda" :e,ce$t on one occasion onl" Qthe Sabbath be ore Easter Sunda"R9 he is to be de$osed; and i he is a la"man he shall be cut o .H #n ancient scholar commented rue ull"& H2he s"nod took in hand to correct this ailin% o the 5atins; but until this time the" have arro%antl" remained in their $ertinacit"& and so remain toda".H7)

Re-Cat$olici@ing of t$e Best

2he tribes that invaded the Roman Em$ire in the i th centur" 4ere either $a%an or& i Christian& o the #rian variet". #$e three HhornsH that ere Hu$rooted&H the Heruls& Vandals& and 0stro%oths& 4ere #rian. 0ver an e,tensive $eriod& the survivin% tribes ultimatel" turned Catholic. 2he Salian Franks be%an the $rocess b" acce$tin% Catholicism in +*<. Council of (rleans> /7?. So 4hat do 4e ind ha$$enin% to Sabbath and Sunda" in ne4l" CatholiciJed FranceL In /7?& the "ear 4hen the H%raveH o the 0stro%oths 4as Hdu%H at Rome and the .(<) "ears be%an& a 4ell attended church council in 0rleans $assed its Canon (?& a re%ulation 4hich orbade com$lete rest on the 5ord@s da" :indicatin% that some $eo$le in France 4ere alread" advocatin% a sabbatic Sunda"9 but 4hich re3uired abstinence rom heav" arm 4ork>$lo4in%& harvestin%& $runin%& attendin% to hed%es& etc.>on Sunda" to $rovide reedom or $eo$le to attend church. Fe 3uote rom He ele@s abbreviated $ara$hrase. 7.
2C <P<P :(9& .+E7*.. 7) Ibid. 3. C$arles Aose$h He ele& A =istor o/ the )ouncils o/ the )hurch, trans. Filliam R! Clark& / vols.

*.

0R5E#=S& C#=0= (?. > It is a Ae4ish su$erstition that it is unla4 ul to ride or drive on Sunda" Q5atin& 5ord@s da"R or do an"thin% or the decoration o house or $erson. But ield labours are orbidden& so that $eo$le ma" be able to come to church and 4orshi$. I an"one acts other4ise& he is to be $unished& not b" the lait"& but b" the bisho$.

2his Catholic Sunda" la4& 4hich ma" be the irst reli%ious Sunda" la4 $assed in the Fest& di ered rom Constantine@s earlier la4 o 'arch 7& 7(.& in three res$ectsE :a9 it re%ulated a%ricultural 4orkers& the bulk o the $o$ulation& 4ho 4ere not re%ulated b" Constantine@s la4 o 7(.& :b9 its $ur$ose 4as stated as reli%ious& namel"& to allo4 4orkers to attend church& and :c9 it 4as enacted b" the church rather than b" the state. Isidore of Seville. In /)7 the Franks de eated the Visi%oths in France and in /)? drove the survivors over the 1"renees to Ioin the rest o their tribe in S$ain. Intermittent 4ar are bet4een the tribes continued throu%h most o the centur". In /*<& ho4ever& the Visi%oths became Catholics& like the Franks. #round the "ear <))& Bisho$ Isidore o Seville e,$ressed contem$t or the Visi%othic arm" that let itsel be annihilated on a Sunda" b" re usin% to i%ht on a hol" da".77 =onetheless& he considered Sunda" %reater than the Sabbath on account o Creation& Christ@s resurrection& and :like 0ri!%en9 the irst allin% o the mannaE
It is clear that Sunda" 4as alread" ver" solemn in the Hol" Scri$tures. It is indeed the irst da" o the 4orld& the da" 4hen the an%els 4ere created; the da" 4hen Christ 4as resurrected; the da" 4hen the Hol" S$irit ell u$on the a$ostles; the da" 4hen the manna 4as %iven or the irst time in the 4ilderness.... For the Ae4s alread" then our Sunda" 4as %reater than Sabbath. 7+

Daniel #u%sbur%er7/ tells us that this statement 4ritten b" Isidore in S$ain 4as co$ied verbatim b" the amous churchman and Bible translator
(&dinburg$> .?*7!.?*<9& +E()?!*. 7( #$e full Latin te+t is available in 'ansi& Sacrorum )onci=orum C,.C. #$e translation in #ndre4s and Conradi> %istory of the Sabbath, +?/& is $el6ful in t$at it re$resents t$e entire Latin te,t& $ereas 7cfcle %ives onl" a reduced 6ara6$rase. But t$is translation is sin%ular in t$at it has the council reHuiring 6eo6le onl" H re3uentl"H to abstain fro! far! ork on t$e 5ord@s da". 2he translator overlooked t$e fact that t$oug$ se!e :orta"49&4hen standing alone can be t$e adverb Joften> re3uentl"&H $en used in t$e construction vel... vd, Heither... or&H it can onl" be a for! o the nounse!es 3see!es4, Ha hed%e.H As 7efelc%s $ara$hrase de!onstrates> this canon forbade $eo$le to en%a%e in far! 4ork on t$e Lord%s da" every eek> not Iust JfreHuently.J 77 Isidore of Seville> %istory of the Goths, Vandals, and Sue#i, .D, trans. ?uido Donini and Gordon B. )ord =r.> 5nd cd. (Leiden. .*7)9& (). 7+ 4uoted by Daniel #. #u%sbur%er in Strand. The Sabbath in Scri!ture and =istor , .*.. 7/ Ibid. &2

Roman Catholicism and t$e 8nited States Bede in Britain; b" #lcuin& the British scholar 4ho served cons$icuousl" in the court o Charlema%ne in France and German"; and b" Rabanus 'aurus& the ninth! centur" #rchbisho$ of the German cit" o 'ainJ. Po6e ?regory t$e ?reat #t about this same time& around #.D. <))& /o!e Gre%or" the Great came u$on Hcertain men o $erverse s$irit&H as he called them& 4ho 4ere teachin% $eo$le to abstain rom all 4ork on Sunda" and also to abstain rom all 4ork on the Sabbath. His remarks about them& delivered in a letter to the citiJens o Rome& have become amous amon% Seventh!da" #dventists. #mon% other thin%s he asked& HFhat else can I call these but $reachers o #ntichrist& 4ho& 4hen he comes& 4ill cause the Sabbath da" as 4ell as the 5ord@s da" to be ke$t ree rom all 4ork.H7< Gre%or" 4ent on to sa" that in $lace o the literal Sabbath& Christians Hhave the true Sabbath in our Redeemer Himsel .H 2o sa" e must restore t$e literal Sabbath 4ould re3uire us also to reinstate literal circumcision
T7

and animal sacri ices. Describin% $eo$le 4ho advocate restin% on Sabbath as H$reachers o #ntichristH is stron% lan%ua%e. Here a $rominent $o$e o Rome used such lan%ua%e around #D. <)). Alleged letter fro! t$e Lord. #lso around <)) the amous ?etter /rom the ?ord, sur aced& sometimes kno4n as the ?etter /rom =ea#en& It seems to have a$$eared irst on one o the 'editerranean islands o the east coast o S$ain. From there it traveled to the north and east and 4as still bein% 3uoted centuries later. 8nder the most terrible threatenin%& this document called on $eo$le to Hkee$ '" commandments and venerate the hol" da" o the 5ord.H Remember Qit saidR the tables o 'oses '" servant& and the la4 and $rece$ts 4hich I %ave him to $reach to the $eo$les& that the" mi%ht ear 'e and kee$ '" la4.... I "ou do not correct "our 4a"s I 4ill send "ou 4orms and locusts that 4ill eat "our harvests and ra$acious bulls that 4ill devour "ou& because "ou did not kee$ the hol" da" o the 5ord. #n"one 4ho does not kee$ it 4ill be accursed. 0n the 5ord@s da" "ou must not 4ash "our clothes nor 4ash or cut "our hair. Fhoever does so& let him be accursed. I tell "ou once more that I 4as ... resurrected on the 5ord@s da".... In that da" I made heaven and earth... and sancti ied the da" o the 5ord and established the observance o the rest to ever"one on that da".... Be ver" aith ul in kee$in% the da" o the 5ord& not even %atherin% ve%etables rom "our
32 See SD- Bi le Students7 Source Boo1 :Fashin%ton& DC> .*<(9& art. .+7.. 77 ?regory I> Selected E!istles, <P<) :(9. .7E*(.

2<

2he 'ark o the Beast

%ardens on the da" o the 5ord. I "ou 4omen dare to do such thin%s& I 4ill send u$on "ou 4in%ed snakes to beat and devour "our breasts. .. . # liction a ter a liction 4ill come u$on "ou.... #nd i "ou do not 4ant to correct "ourselvesP be read" or a $unishment in the month o =ovember.

2his ?etter /rom the ?ord is note4orth" or its le%alistic Sunda" obser! vance $ur$ortedl" based on the ourth commandment& underscored 4ith erocious threats. 5ocaliJed at irst& the document itsel and the conce$t it re$resented s$read 4idel" over time& hel$in% to ul ill the $ro$hec" about chan%in% times and the la4. #$e ?reat Sc$is! of .;9/. #r%uabl" the most dramatic evidence o Rome@s coercive $re erence or Sunda" in o$$osition to the Sabbath comes rom the Great Schism o .)/+. 2he researches o R. 5. 0dom& re$orted in the irst issue otAndrews @ni#ersit Seminar Studies :.*<79 under the title& H2he Sabbath in the Great Schism o #. D. .)/+&H sho4 that Hone o the main issues involvedH in this momentous se$aration o East rom Fest in .)/+ H4as the matter o astin%... on the Sabbath& the seventh da" o the 4eek.H Sabbath observance 4as not the onl" bone o contention. 2he use o unleavened bread in the communion service& celibac" o the lo4er cler%"& and o course the $rimac" o the $o$e 4ere other issues. But Sabbath observance tri%%ered the inal 3uarrel that brou%ht about the schism. 0 icial corres$ondence 4as e,chan%ed& the ire o 1o$e 5eo DC 4as aroused& and le%ates 4ere dis$atched rom Rome to Constantino$le to demand that the 0rthodo, leadershi$ chan%e its 4a"s and con orm to Rome. In brie & around *E)) on Sabbath mornin%& Aul" .<& .)/+& the Roman le%ates an%ril" $laced on the hi%h altar o the Church o Ha%ia So$hia& the $rinci$al edi ice o the Greek 0rthodo, Church& a document e,com! municatin% the cler%" and churches o the Greek 0rthodo, $ersuasion. 2he Roman le%ates chose this $lace and this moment because the deacons 4ere bus" then $re$arin% to celebrate the 5ord@s Su$$er on a Sabbath& Cardinal Humbert& one o the Roman le%ates& soon a ter4ard 4rote a treatise in 4hich he criticiJed the Greek 0rthodo, Christians or carr"in%
7? See Robert 1riebsch& ?etter /rom =ea#en on the Cbser#anceo/7the?ord7s %a ((-ford, Basil Black4ell& .C+2A. A $artial translation is available in A. =. #ndre4s and L. R. Conradi> =istor of the Sabbath and (irst Day o/ the >01 :2akoma Park> 0D> .*.(9& /..!.(. # uller translation> b" Ra$hael ?on@ale@> is available in 'a,4ell and Damstee%t& Source Boo1 /or the %istory o/ Sabbath and Sunda &

24

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States

on Han observance o the Sabbath similar to that o the =e s.J In his treatise t$e Cardinal recited a statement& $robabl" le%endar" but attributed to Po6e S"lvester I o the time o Constantine& in 4hich that $o$e said that Hever" Sabbath da" Qon accountR o the burial Qo ChristR is to be estimated in e,ecration o the Ae4s.H 0n the other hand& 1atriarch 'ichael Cerularius& $rinci$al $riest o the Greek 0rthodo, Church& 4ent so ar on behal o the Greek Christians as to sa" that H4e are commanded also to honor the Sabbath eGuall with the ?ord7s da 8Sunda N, and to kee$ :it9 and not to wor1 on it&$ Fhat ha$$ened ne,t in Ital" is in itsel o considerable interest. Fith attention ocused or a 4hile on the 3uestion o Sabbath observance& the Roman Church res$onded to $o$ular a%itation b" rela,in% the Sabbath ast and b" dedicatin% the Sabbath>not to Aesus& 5ord o the Sabbath& but to t$e Hblessed vir%in.H Let us note care ull" that Roman Christianit" in .)/+ 4as 4illin% to e,communicate and consi%n to eternal hell ire millions o ello4 Christians because the" insisted on doin% somethin% s$ecial to honor the Sabbath. #$is decisive act o reli%ious coercion in the matter o Sabbath observance e$itomiJes Rome@s eli%ibilit" as the ul iller o the little hom o Daniel 7E(+&(/ and the sea beast o Revelation .7E.!.). #$o!as AHuinas. But the Roman Church did not sto$ there. In the thirteenth centur" 2homas #3uinas& 4hose authorit" as a Catholic theo! lo%ian is une3ualed& declared s$eci icall"& HIn the =e4 5a4 the kee$in% o the Sunda" su$$lants that o the Sabbath& not in virtue o the $rece$t o the la4& but throu%h determination b" the church and the custom o the Christian $eo$le.H7* 7ere is a salient develo$ment. 2homas& the sin%le most res$ected teacher o Roman Catholicism& tau%ht that the chan%e rom Sabbath to Sun! da" 4as indeed brou%ht about b" the Roman Catholic Church>Hthrou%h determination b" the church and the custom o the Christian $eo$le.H 2homas urther distin%uished bet4een moral and ceremonial as$ects of the Sabbath commandment. He insisted that the da on 4hich the com! mandment 4as to be observed 4as ceremonial and subIect to the church@s 6o er o the ke"s. Even the Sabbath@s moral as$ects& he said& 4ere to be observed less strictl" under %os$el reedom.?)
72 Thom#s ABuinas, S,mna Iheolo+iae) 2a2ac+ 122-4 a# 4, cite# in 6tran#, Sa**ath in Scripture and History) 2;5-;6+ 6% Se" 6tran#, Sa**ath in Scripture and History) 2;6+

25

Tne4#'!" 1'ine Be#st

Havin% %one this ar& 2homas $roceeded to declare the literal kee$in% o the Sabbath commandment to be both HdeadH and Hdeadl".@M ?. Fhen an honored church leader in the name o Christ declares the kee$in% o a commandment to be Hdeadl"&H that leader and the church that honors him have surel" Hs$oken %reat thin%s a%ainst the most Hi%h.H Fhen that same church trans ers the authorit" o the ourth commandment to Sunda" and does so 4himsicall" on the basis o 4hat it eels is im$ortant& it has surel" sou%ht to Hchan%e the times and the la4.H H2he $o$e can modi " divine la4&H said 1etrus de #ncharano. ?( H2he Sabbath& the most %lorious da" in the la4& has been chan%ed into the 5ord@s da" ... b" the authorit" o the church&H thundered the #rchbisho$ o Re%%io at the crucial Council o 2rent.?7 JIt o$ened its mouth to utter blas$hemies a%ainst God& blas$hemin% his name and his d4ellin%H :Rev .7E<9. Borld ide o66osition to Sabbat$. I toda" much o the 4orld outside Euro$e has been more or less ChristianiJed& much credit %oes to Festern Euro$e. 2he s$read o Christianit" has been carried out mostl" b" Festern Christians>b" Roman Catholics& and b" 1rotestants 4ho& or the most $art& continue some o the $ractices o Rome. #mon% the eatures o Rome 4hich 1rotestants have taken 4ith them around the 4orld have been both the observance o Sunda" and an insistence that Sabbath ou%ht not to be observed. Conclusion Sunda" observance in $re erence to Sabbath observance has charac! teriJed most o Christianit" rom the second centur" to toda". Coercive o$$osition to the Sabbath and coercive en orcement o Sunda" in its $lace have constituted a characteristic mark o the leo$ard!bodied sea beast rom its irst a$$earance. But our e,e%etical stud" led us to see that the Hmark o the beastH is an end!time $henomenon a$$lied to humanit"& not b" the leo$ard!bodied sea beast but b" the Iamb!horned earth beast. Fe $roceed no4 to a stud" o the earth beast& then to some inal conclusions re%ardin% the nature o the mark o the beast itsel .

31 Thomas 38uin#s0 Summa theolo+iae) 2a2ae+ 122+4 a# 1, "ited in 6tran#, Sa**ath in Scripture and $istory, 2;6+ 32 See Lu"ius !crraris, Prompia Bi*liotheca) 3 %ols+ (Venice@ Cas'a 6torti, 1772), art+ /P#9#0 II./ 3< M#nsi0 Sacror,n 2onciliomm <<@522,5<;C seeS%" Bi*le Students@Source Book) arts+ 144<,$---.

&.

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States

#$e 1nited States and t$e 0ark

En orcement o the mark o the beast is done b" a ne4 beast& mentioned in Revelation .7E..!.7. Aohn sa4 it comin% u$ out o the earth. 2hen I sa4 another beast 4hich rose out o the earth; it had t4o horns like a lamb and it s$oke like a dra%on. It e,ercises all the authorit" o the irst beast in its $resence& and makes the earth and its inhabitants 4orshi$ the irst beast& 4hose mortal 4ound 4as healed.... #lso it causes all& both small and %reat& both rich and $oor& both ree and slave& to be marked on the ri%ht hand or the orehead& so that no one can bu" or sell unless he has the mark& that is& the name o the beast or the number o its name. #ttem$ts made in the 'iddle #%es to understand the lamb!homed beast 4ere doomed to ailure. Durin% the .(<) "ears& and es$eciall" to4ard the end o that $eriod& the earth 4as hel$in% the 4oman& s4allo4in% u$ $ersecution b" the leo$ard!bodied beast :the H irst beastH9 on behal o the dra%on. It 4as scarcel" $ossible or $eo$le to understand the s"mbolism until the leo$ard!bodied beast received its mortal 4ound. 1ro$hec" is best inter$reted a ter it has been at least $artiall" ul illed. Aesus said&X:N have told "ou be ore it takes $lace& so that when it does ta1e !lace, "ou ma" believeH :Aohn .+E(*9. 2he mortal 4ound came to be understood correctl" durin% the French Revolution& 4hen it 4as in $rocess o bein% in licted. 2he French Revolution occurred in the "ears ollo4in% .7?*. 2he $o$e 4as taken $risoner in .7*?.

C$aracteristics of t$e La!b-7o!ed Beast Inasmuch as the lamb!homed beast causes $eo$le to 4orshi$ the irst beast H4hose mortal 4ound 4as healed,$ 4e kno4 that the $ro$hec" about t$e lamb!homed beast ocuses on events a ter the 4ound 4as in licted& that is& a ter .7*?. 2he lamb!horned beast has onl" t4o horns& not ten horns like the %reat red dra%on and the leo$ard!bodied beast o Revelation .7 and the monstrous beast o Daniel 7. Evidentl" it has onl" one head. :It is not said to $ave our heads or seven heads like some other s"mbolic animals.9 Its horns are lamblike. =othin% about it resembles an" $art o the %reat red dra%on or the leo$ard!bodied& lion!headed& bear! ooted sea beast. Fe conclude that the lamb!horned animal is a uni3ue beast& a distinct s"mbol o a ne4 entit" 4hose e,istence is essentiall" di erent rom the others in the se3uence o animal em$ires.
27

2his ne4 beast is not Rome or an" $art o the ormer Roman Em$ire. Be must look or its arrival some4here else than in Euro$e. (rigin and activit". 2he lamb!homed beast emer%es out o the earth. 2he our beasts o Daniel 7 rose out o the sea& a storm" sea. 2he leo$ard! bodied beast& 4hich 4as com$osed o Daniel@s our beasts& also rose out o the sea. 2he harlot o Revelation .7 sat on a beast that stood in the sea. But the lamb!homed beast rose out o the earth& 2he di erence must be im$ortant H2he 4aters that "ou sa4& 4here the harlot is seated& are $eo$les and multitudes and nations and ton%uesH :Rev .7E./9. Fhen in closel" related $ro$hecies HearthH is contrasted 4ith HseaH and HseaH re$resents vast $o$ulations& 4e $erceive that HearthH re$resents an area 4ith a limited $o$ulation. 2his ne4 animal@s homs are lambli1e&I 24ent"!ei%ht times in Revela! tion :(* in the RSV9 HlambH re ers to Aesus Christ. Horns are used re$eatedl" in Daniel and Revelation as s"mbols o %overnmental $o4er. So the earth beast& 4hen Aohn irst sa4 it& 4as usin% its %overnmental $o4er in a %entle& almost Christlike manner. But it Hs$oke like a dragon&$ 2he dra%on is a s"mbol or Satan and or earthl" %overnments that carr" out Satan@s dece$tive and o$$ressive $lans. In the %reat controvers" division o Revelation the dra%on re$resents Rome. So di erent rom Rome in its a$$earance :lamblike& not dra%on!like9& so di erent in the area 4here it arose :the earth rather than the sea9& and so di erent in the time o its emer%ence :around .7*?& not in ancient times9& the lamb!horned beast nonetheless ends ultimatel" in deceivin% and o$$ressin% Iust like Rome. It s$eaks like the Roman dra%on and e,ercises the $o4er that the Roman dra%on %ave to the irst beast. HIt 4orks %reat si%ns Qor miraclesR& even makin% ire come do4n rom heaven to earth in the si%ht o menH :.7E.79. I this $rediction re ers to 4hat ha$$ened to Hiroshima and =a%asaki in .*+/& it has been dramaticall" ul illed. 1robabl" there is a more si%ni icant ul illment to come that 4e have not ima%ined. @#lso it causes all, both small and %reat& both rich and $oor& both ree and slave& to be marked on the ri%ht hand or the orehead& so that no one can bu" or sell unless he has the mark& that is& the name o the beast or the number o its nameH :.7E.<!.79.
?+ 'an" breeds of s$ee6 have no homs& on either t$e males :rams9 or the emales :e4es9. Ho4ever& t$e rams o the co!!onest shee$ in biblical 1alestine& the broad!tailed shee$ 3C#islaacaudata4 did have horns& $rominent curled ones. See an" Bible dictionar". 2he s"mbolic ram o Dan 3 also $ad horns.

23

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States

# nation that can cause all $eo$le to do somethin%& God@s ollo4ers alone e,ce$ted& must be a $o4er ul nation& a 4orld leader. Identity. Fhat is this %entle& lamb!homed s"mbol that Aohn sa4 risin% out o the earth& out o a relativel" uninhabited area& the =e4 Forld& around the time o the French Revolution& 4hen the 0ld Forld leo$ard!bodied sea beast 4as receivin% its mortal 4oundL Fhat nation alone its all these s$eci ications and is also a $reeminent 4orld leaderL 2he 8nited States o #merica comes to mind at once. But it is clear that the $ro$hec" does not concern the 8nited States o #merica alone. 2he lamb!horned beast is to cause $all, both small and %reat& both rich and $oor& both ree and slave&H to receive the mark o the beast. It is %oin% to see to it that $no one$ can bu" or sell 4ithout 4earin% the mark. #nd it 4ill do so in coo$eration 4ith the HbeastH o revived 0ld Forld Catholicism. Ever" $erson and ever" nation comes under the $urvie4 o this remarkable $ro$hec". But 4hen irst seen& the lamb!horned beast is not "et e,ercisin% such o$$ressive 4orld leadershi$. Its horns are like a lamb@s& tin" and so t. #$e 1nited States of A!erica 0n Aul" +& .77<& the Declaration o Inde$endence stated& HFe hold these truths to be sel !evident& that all men are created e3ual& that the" are endo4ed b" their Creator 4ith certain unalienable ri%hts& amon% 4hich are li e& libert"& and the $ursuit o ha$$iness.H 2hese are beauti ul& %entle& almost Christlike 4ords. HCon%ress shall make no la4 res$ectin% an establishment o reli%ion& or $rohibitin% the ree e,ercise thereo &@M said the First #mendment& ado$ted 4ith the rest o the Bill o Ri%hts in .7*.. 2he %randest achievement o the #merican Constitution 4as the cre! ation o a nation 4ith a riendl" se$aration o church and state. 2he 4orld had never seen such a thin%. Ever" other nation since ancient times had ta,ed its $eo$le to su$$ort a state reli%ion& and most had o$$ressed reli%ious dissidents. 2he French Revolution& a little later than the #merican Revolution& e,$erimented 4ith a hostile se$aration o church and state. In time& 'ar,ist countries e,ceeded France@s tem$orar" e,am$le. But #merica& 4ith its riendl" se$aration o church and state& salaried no cler%"?/ and ta,ed no con%re%ation. It $ermitted denominations to
K9 0ilitary cha$lains are salaried b" the A!erican %overnment as re$lacements or the civilian $astors 4hom soldiers are de$rived o 4hen the" enter the militar". See& e.%.& 5eo 1 e er& )hurch, State, and /reedom, re#& cd. :Boston& .*/7&.*<79& .<*E HCha$lains in the armed orces ma" be

22

2BelFarkonhe Beast $roli erate and su$$orted none o them. Its Con%ress said& HIn God 4e trust&H but elected not to identi " Him e,clusivel" as the God o Christians. 2he 8nited States its the $ro$hec" 4ith $recision. #t its rise it revealed lamblike 3ualities and emer%ed in a relativel" un$o$ulated area& Hthe earthH in contrast to the 0ld Forld@s seethin% and cro4ded Hsea.H =ative #mericans :or HIndiansH as the" 4ere then called9 roamed the shores and $lains 4hen the ne4 settlers arrived& but in small numbers. #n in ormed estimate $laces their number at a million or so in the more than three million s3uare miles 4hich later became the 8nited States.?< 2he Htou%hest battle... ever ou%ht on =e4 En%land soilH bet4een settlers and Indians involved onl" 7))) native #mericans and lasted no lon%er than three hours.?7 La!blike $ornsNdragonlikc voice. But the $ro$hec" sa"s that the lamb!homed beast 4ould s$eak Hlike a dra%on.H S$eci icall"& it 4ould erect an Hima%e o the beastH 4hich had received the mortal 4ound& causin% it to Hbreathe&H and 4ould attem$t to com$el ever"one to 4orshi$ it. #nd b" the si%ns 4hich it is allo4ed to 4ork in the $resence o the beast& it deceives those 4ho d4ell on earth& biddin% them make an ima%e or the beast 4hich 4as 4ounded b" the s4ord and "et lived; and it 4as allo4ed to %ive breath to the ima%e o the beast so that the ima%e o the beast should even s$eak& and to cause those 4ho 4ould not 4orshi$ the ima%e o the beast to be slain. :.7E.+!./9 #n ima%e is somethin% that closel" resembles somethin% else. # statue 4orshi$ed b" idolaters is a likeness& an ima%e& o the %od bein% 4orshi$ed. In .7E.+! .7 the Hima%e o the beastH is a re$lica or co$" o the beast. 2he 0ld Forld leo$ard! bodied beast 4as a $ersecutin% union o church and state& a reli%ious s"stem 4edded to national %overnment and em$o4ered b" it to o$$ress dissidents and heretics. In $articular& it 4as outstandin% in its o$$osition to the Sabbath and in its advocac" o Sunda". 2he ima%e o the beast 4ill there ore be a $ersecutin% union o church and state& a reli%ious s"stem 4edded to national %overnment and em$o4ered b" it to o$$ress dissidents and heretics& es$eciall" those dissidents and heretics
necessary under t$e constitutional guarantee of freedo! of conscience. A solder drafted into t$e armed forces and sent to cam$ ar fro! home is de6rived o the o$$ortunit" to visit his church.H ?< See> e.%.& Sa!uel &liot 'orison& The $+ford %istory of the -merican !eople (<e Mork> .*</9& ./; and 'er4"n S. Garbarino& JIndian> #merican&H >orld Boo1 Enc clo!edia :.*779& .)E.(7&.+Kn. ?7 'orison&!Pmencon !eople, ..)& re errin% to t$e ?reat S4am$ Fi%ht o =ovember .*&.<7/& 4ith the =arra%ansetts.

.))

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States 4ho kee$ the Sabbath and re use to observe Sunda". A de!onic trinity. 2here is a trinit" here& a demonic trinit"E the dra%on& the sea beast& and the earth beast. #ll unite in one $ur$ose& to set u$ an ima%e o one o them :the sea beast9 and breathe li e into it. Fhat a distortion o the Creation account in Genesis . and (N #nd the" celebrate the healin% o the beast>its virtual resurrection rom its mortal 4ound>b" viciousl" en orcin% 4orshi$ on Sunda"& the da" lon% a%o set u$ in o$$osition to the Sabbath to do alle%ed honor to the resurrection o Christ. Sevent$-day Adventist inter6retation. 2hat Revelation .7 oretells uture Sunda" le%islation& Aose$h Bates reco%niJed as earl" as Aanuar" .?+*& ?? 4hen he 4rote in h'sA Seal o/ the ?i#ing God, $. 77& H2his un%odl" $o4er Qo Rev .7E.<R... 4ill "et& as it no4 a$$ears& enact a la4 or the e,$ress $ur$ose o makin% all bo4 do4n and kee$ the 1o$e@s Sabbath.H 2hat the 8nited States 4as the Hun%odl" $o4erH that 4ould enact the Sunda" le%islation& 4as $resented irst amon% #dventists t4o "ears later& 4hen A. =. #ndre4s so inter$reted the $ro$hec" in the "e#iew and =erald or 'a" .*&.?/.. #ndre4s observed :as 4e also have observed in this cha$ter9 that Hthose $o4ers 4ith 4hich the $eo$le o God are connected& are the onl" ones noted in $ro$hec".H It seemed HevidentH to #ndre4s Hthat the territor" o this last $o4er is to be the ield o the QthreeR an%elsM messa%es Qo Rev .+E<!.(R& the land 4here the cro4nin% truths o the %os$el& ere it inishes its course& are to be brou%ht out.H 2o hel$ con irm his inter$retation o the lamb!horned beast as the 8nited States& #ndre4s 3uoted e,tensivel" rom a note4orth" .?/) editorial in the Irish %ublin Nation, 4hich contrasted the contem$orar" develo$ment o t4o ver" di erent em$ires& the Russian in the east and the #merican in the 4est.
KK &llen ?. B$ite> in Testimonies /or the #hurch :'ountain 'ie > CA> .*+? ed.9& /E.77& sa"s that Jt$irty-si- years a%o I as sho4n t$at... the observance o an institution o the $a$ac" 4ould be en orced u$on the $eo$le b" a Sunda" la > 4hile t$e sancti ied restda" o Aehovah 4ould be tra!6led under oot.H 7er re erence a66ears to be to her vision o #$ril 7&.?+7& $ublished b" =ose6$ Bates 4ith t$e dateline #$ril 7&.?+7. #$e $ertinent $ara%ra$h is& JI sa all that Svould not receive the mark o the Beast> and o $is Ima%e& in t$eir oreheads or in their hands&@ could not buy or sell. I sa t$at t$e nu!ber :<<<9 of t$e I!age Beast as made u$; and that it 4as the Beast t$at c$anged t$e Sabbath& and t$e Ima%e Beast had follo ed on a ter& and ke$t the 1o$e@s& and not ?od%s Sabbath. #nd all e ere re3uired to do& as to give u$ ?od%s Sabbath& and kee$ t$e Po6e%s> and t$en 4e s$ould have t$e mark of the Beast> and o his I!age.J (#$is $ara%ra$h is o!itted fro! t$e re6rint in*arty />tings QFashin%ton& DC> .*+/R& 7(!7/& 6er$a6s because o t$e ambi%uit" o t$e ter! HIma%e Beast.J #$e vision 4as ori%inall" 4ritten in the orm o a 6ersonal letter to =ose6$ Bates> early in Ellen B$ite%s career.9

.).

2he 'ark o the Beast

In the east Q4rote the Dublin editor in .?/)R there is arisin% a colossal centaur called the Russian Em$ire. Fith a civiliJed head and ront& it has the sine4s o a hu%e barbaric bod". 2here one man@s brain moves 7)&)))&))). 2here all the traditions o the $eo$le are o a%%ression and con3uest.... 2here but t4o ranks are distin%uishable > ser s and soldiers.

B" contrast& 4rote the Irish editor& in the 4est an

#merican em$ire is E'ERGI=G. Fe Islanders have no conce$tion o the e,traordinar" events 4hich amid the silence o/ the earth, are dail" addin% to the $o4er and $ride o this %i%antic nation. Fithin three "ears territories more e,tensive than ... France and Ital" $ut to%ether& have been Guiet/ , and in almost Hmatter o courseH ashion anne,ed to the 8nion. #lread" has 'innesota its ca$ital& > St. 1aul > 4hich has its Iournals& churches& schools& $arties& interests and s$eculations.... 2he settlers in Cali ornia are oundin% cities& electin% dele%ates& ma%istrates& sheri s& and Con%ressmen& as methodicall" and as intentl" as i the" trod the beaten $aths o li e on the #tlantic shore o the continent. QEm$hasis as in the "e#iewN& A. =. #ndre4s com$ared the t4o lamblike horns 4ith the little horn o Daniel 7. He noted that the little horn re$resented the union o the o$$ressive $a$al church 4ith the various o$$ressive Euro$ean state %overnments. He ar%ued that b" contrast the t4o lamblike horns re$resented the nono$$ressive 1rotestant denominations in #merica and the nono$$res!sive Re$ublican %overnment o the 8nited States. But& #ndre4s mourned& the lamb!homed beast is to s$eak like the dra%on and is the same entit" as the alse $ro$het Its t4o!homed reli%ious and secular mildness becomes there ore a sham. #lread"& indeed& the #merican %overnment in #ndre4s@s da" 4as condonin% slaver"& and #merican churches had dis ello4shi$ed members 4ho cherished the Second Comin%. I Hall men are born ree and e3ualH Q#ndre4s askedR& ho4 do 4e then hold three millions o slaves in bonda%eL ... Fh" are men Qi.e.& #dvent!istsR or no other crime than that o lookin% or the comin% o Aesus Christ& e,$elled rom the churches o those 4ho $ro ess to love His a$$earin%QLR*)
?* 2he ounders o t$e 1nited States re%arded Jde!ocracyJ as undesirable. Instead the" set u$ a Hre$ublicanH for! o %overnment& 4ith re$resentative delegates voted into e,ecutive& Iudicial& and le%islative o ices b" !en (not 4omen9 $o met s6ecified 6ro6erty Hualifications. *) In .?// 1ria$ S!it$ made a 4oodcut sho4in% t$e 8nited States as a kind o t4o!homed lion 4ith a ho%like face and vicious teeth. After the Civil Bar resulted in t$e e!anci6ation o the slaves& t$e animal@s a$$earance softened noticeabl". &arly in t$e t4entieth century Adventist artists be%an $icturin% #merica as an #merican bison :or bu alo as it is amiliarl" kno4n9& snortin%

.)(

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States #ndre4s@s understandin% o the lamb!homed beast became standard amon% Seventh!da" #dventists. It has been im$roved in detail but remains essentiall" unchan%ed. 2he accurate 4a" in 4hich $ortions o the $ro$hec" have been ul illed encoura%es con idence in the ul illment o the rest o it. #merica did arise in a relativel" $eace ul ashion& in a relativel" un$o$ulated area& and about the time o the deadl" 4ound; com$arativel" s$eakin%& she has mani ested %entle behavior& and she has %ro4n stron% and $o4er ul. 2he 8nited States has become the $reeminent 4orld leader in si%ni icant 4a"s& ollo4in% the colla$se o the Soviet 8nion. *. =onetheless& it is natural to 4onder about the un ul illed $arts o the $ro$hec". In vie4 o #mericans 4onder ul Constitution and marvelous record o lamblike libert"& is it reall" easible to e,$ect that the 8nited States 4ill some da" stoo$ to en%a%e in 0ld Forld!t"$e $ersecution o a reli%ious minorit"L #nd in vie4 o %lobal disunities& 4ill the 4orld ever be su icientl" interested in the Sabbath and Sunda" issue to care enou%h to en orce Sunda" le%islationL In res$onse& 4e remember that Bible $ro$hec"& not histor" or s$eculation& is the ke" to our kno4led%e o the uture. Aust the same& the $ro$hec" of .7E.)!.? can be better a$$reciated a ter a %lance at selected events in #merica@s $ast& certain eatures o the 8nited States Constitution& and the $osition that Sunda" occu$ies at $resent around the 4orld. Sunday Around t$e Borld Does Sunda" have an" $articular standin% at the $resent time in countries around the 4orldL 2he ans4er is Oes& on all ive continents. =orth and South #merica are obviousl" HChristianH areas& and in them %overnment o ices and lar%e actories are closed virtuall" ever"4here on Sunda". In Euro$e the same situation a$$lies& even thou%h the 4estern Euro$ean countries are o ten described as H$ost! ChristianH and the eastern ones have been under the rule o Communism. In eastern Euro$e :no4 includin% Russia& the Baltics& and 8kraine9 either Catholicism or 0rthodo," has remained si%ni icantl" stron% in s$ite o Communism. Sub!Saha!ran # rica is increasin%l" comin% under Christian in luences and there& too&
smoke. See> e.%.& the illustrations in Aonathan Butler@s article& 2he Seventh!da" #dventist Drea!>J Ad#endst =eritage, Summer .*7<&7!.). C. #$e 1.S. e!erged as t$e $reeminent 4orld leader a ter the Second Borld Bar but soon $ad to s$are Its $reeminence 4ith the Soviet 8nion. #$e ?ulf Bar o .**)!.**. and the colla$se o the Soviet 1nion in .**. reestablished #merican leaders$i6. :For a hel$ ul article& see Cli ord Goldstein& HSu$er$o4er A!erica in 1ro$hec"&H in Ad#entist "e#iew, December/&.**.&.(!.+.9

.)7

The M#': o! the Be#st %overnment o ices and maIor actories choose to close on Sunda". #nd 4hat about #siaL 2he 1hili$$ines are ChristianiJed and South Dorea is becomin% more so. Sunda" is the da" o rest in those lands. Even in non!Christian China& 4ith its ... billion inhabitants& actories choose to close on Sunda". 2hus in all ive continents& =orth and South #merica& Euro$e& # rica& and #sia& Sunda" has a uni3ue status almost ever"4here even at the $resent time.

#$e 1nited States Su6re!e Court Inter6reting t$e Constitution. Fe turn no4 to the 8nited States in $articular. 2he 8nited States Su$reme Court durin% the nineteenth centur" achieved the ri%ht to determine the Hconstitutionalit"H o both state and na! tional la4s and to annul la4s it deemed unconstitutional. *( For the most $art& the Su$reme Court has been a bul4ark o $ersonal liberties in the name o the Bill o Ri%hts. Ho4ever& human nature bein% 4hat it is& the Su$reme Court has on occasion been o$$ressive and on other occasions has reversed itsel . In .??.& or e,am$le& it ruled that the Constitution a$$roves income ta,es& but in .?*/ it ruled that the Constitution o$$oses income ta,es. *7 2he in amous Dred Scott decision o .?/7 is an e,am$le o its abilit" to inter$ret the Constitution o$$ressivel". 2he Court solemnl" sanctioned slaver" and ormall" a irmed that under the Constitution no =e%ro could be a citiJen o the 8nited States. In reachin% this astonishin% inter$retation& the Court misa$$lied the Fi th #mendment in the Bill o Ri%hts& the #mendment 4hich $rotects ever"one@s Hli e& libert"& or $ro$ert".H 2he Court de ined a slave as a slave owner7s !ro!ert , even thou%h in doin% so& it 4ill ull" disre%arded the slave@s ri%ht to enIo" his o4n $ersonal libert &,. 2he authorit" o the Su$reme Court to inter$ret the Constitution in its o4n 4a"& even in o$$osite 4a"s as $o$ular sentiments chan%e& im$lies that no ne4 #mendment 4ould be needed or the national %overnment to
*( 0rdinaril" the 1.S. Su6re!e Court rules on a $articular state or ederal la4 onl" a ter :.9 the la4 has been en orced to t$e 6oint of a conviction& and :(9 an a$$eal $as been made to a ederal circuit court and finally to t$e Su6re!e Court itsel . 2hus t$e nu!ber o la s t$at the Su$reme Court revie4s is relativel" small. C+ #$e cases involved ere S!ringer#& @nited States :.??.9 and *olloc1 #& The (armers7?oan and Trust #ompany :.?*/9. Income ta-es beca!e le%al again in t$e 1nited States it$ t$e ado6tion in .*.7 of the Si-teent$ A!end!ent. See #l red 7. 8elly and Fin red #. Harbison& The American )onstitution2 Its $rigins and %e#elo!ment, 7rd ed. :=e4 Oork& .*+?&.*//&.*<79& /<(! 77. *+ Dclt"and Harbison& The American )onstitution, 7?+!*..

.)+

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States

im$ose antireli%ious le%islation& des$ite the Bill o Ri%hts. #ll that 4ould be needed is a Su$reme Court 4illin% to alter $revious inter!retations o the Constitution in res$onse to $erceived $o$ular demand. #s Charles Evans Hu%hes& 4ho became Chie Austice in .*7)& said :in .*(<9& For $ractical $ur$oses Hthe Constitution is 4hat the Su$reme Court sa"s it is.H*/ Prea!ble 'ersus Bill of Rig$ts. Fhen the Su$reme Court reverses it! sel or a$$ears to misinter$ret the Constitution& it is not 4orkin% rivolousl". 2hou%h man" #mericans are una4are o the act& in $er ormin% its duties& the Court o ten balances the $rovisions o the Bill o Ri%hts 4ith the $rovisions o the 1reamble. 2he 1reamble is the $ara%ra$h that be%ins 4ith the amous $hrase& HFe the $eo$le o the 8nited States.H It lists the lo t" reasons 4h" the Constitution 4as created in the irst $laceE H2o orm a more $er ect 8nion& establish Austice& insure domestic 2ran3uilit"& $rovide or the common de ence& $romote the %eneral Fel are& and secure the Blessin%s o 5ibert" to ourselves and our 1osterit"....H In the .??)s& 4hen 'ormons 3uoted the First #mendment to Iusti " $ol"%am" as a eature o their unusual reli%ion& the Su$reme Court 0$$osed them on the basis that the 1reamble $rotects Hdomestic 2ran3uilit"H and the Hcommon Fel are.H 2he court decided it unthinkable that $eo$le should be allo4ed to $er$etrate harm ul acts in the $ursuit o their reli%ion> or such acts 4ould violate the reedom o other individuals. But man" thinkin% #mericans dee$l" re%retted the action o the Su$reme Court 4hen& in .*+)& it authoriJed elementar" schools to com$el children to salute the #merican la%& even thou%h some o the children& as Aehovat s Fitnesses& believed it 4as idolatr" to do so. In this instance the Su$reme Court treated the reli%ious reedom o the Bill o Ri%hts as o less value than the Hmore $er ect QnationalR 8nionH and the Hcommon de enceH mentioned in the 1reamble. H=ational unit"&H declared the Court& His the basis o national securit".H Ho4ever& intense $ublic criticism obli%ed the court to reverse itsel three "ears later. Durin% the Second Forld Far& 7)&))) Aa$anese #mericans 4ere sud! denl" $laced in Hrelocation centersH under orders issued b" an #rm" %eneral at the re3uest o the 1resident and 4ith the a$$roval o Con%ress. Austi "in% the le%al inIustice o treatin% national citiJens in this manner& the Su$reme Court insisted in the name o Hcommon de enceH that a
&5 See )ell+ #nd $arhisoa, "!erican 2onstitution) 4,$-207<2-<<+ &. Se" Pfeffer, 2hurch) Stale) and <reedom) 6<4-44+ The 5irst case 8as 4inersville School District vA &obias (124;)C the secon# ;#s Wst C,yma Stale Board of 7ducation vA Bamette (124<)+

.)/

2Re 'ark o2 ie@Beast e4 #mericans o Aa$anese ancestr" 4ere traitors& a 4ar 4as in $rocess at the time& and H4ar is an a%%re%ation o hardshi$s.H*7 Commentin% on #merica@s treatment o these 7)&))) lo"al citiJens o Aa$anese ancestr"& t4o 4idel" read constitutional authorities have since solemnl" 4arned us& In uture 4ars& no $erson belon%in% to a racial& reli%ious& cultural& or $olitical minorit" can be assured that communit" $reIudice and bi%otr" 4ill not e,$ress itsel in a $ro%ram o su$$ression Iusti ied as Hmilitar" necessit"&H 4ith resultin% destruction o his basic ri%hts as a member o a ree societ". 2his 4arnin% that in a time o militar" crisis Hno $erson belon%in% to a $religious &&& minorit"H can be assured that communit !reAudice 4ill not use the situation to Iusti " destruction o his basic ri%hts hel$s uncom ortabl" to make our understandin% o Revelation .7 believable. Sunda"!closin% la s. 2he colonies that develo$ed into the ori%inal thirteen states o the 8nited States all had reli%ious Sunda" closin% la4s& inherited lar%el" rom Euro$e. Establishment o the 8. S. Constitution did nothin% to remove these Sunda" la4s or the ne4 Sunda" la4s enacted b" states rom time to time& because the First #mendment a$$lied to HCon%ress&H not to the states.H But the Raurteenth #mendment :.?<?9 made the First #mendment a$$licable to the states& ollo4in% 4hich states be%an to do4n$la" the reli%ious %oals o their Sunda" la4s in avor o the 4el are %oals. 2he state!enacted Sunda" la4s o the $ast do not constitute a ul illment o .7E..!.?. In Revelation .7 it is the lamb!horned beast as a 4hole& not an" o its $arts :such as the states9& that im$oses the mark o the beast. Further& 4e have seen that no one receives the mark o the beast until the true issues come clear. #merica@s state Sunda" la4s alread" have been enacted; the clari "in% o the issues is "et uture. It is instructive to observe that the 8nited States Su$reme Court has consistentl" ound the state Sunda" la4s that have come under its Iurisdiction to be constitutional.
*7 2he Su$reme Court case is Oorematsu #& @nited Slates :.*++9. Sec e.g.> Cart Brent S4isher& =is5 toric %ecisions o/ the Su!reme )ourt, an #nvil Book :1rinceton& =A& .*/?9& .25. *? Dell"and HartYison&.6lmX4an )onstitution, ?+.. ** #$e First #mendment be%ins& $)ongress s$all !ake no la4 res$ectin% an establishment o reli%ion& or $rohibitin% t$e ree e-ercise thereo ;...H .)) 2he 8.S. Su$reme Court did not a$$l" t$e reli%ion clauses o the First #mendment b" means o the Fourteenth #mendment to slate la4s until t$e .*+)s& but much earlier than t$is ($e slates 4ere a4are that it had the ri%ht to do so. See> e.%.& Filliam Addison Blakely> American State *a!ers and "elated %ocuments on (reedom in "eligion, +th rev. ed. :Fashin%ton& DC> for the Reli%ious 5ibert" #ssociation& .*+*9& +77&/)7.

.)<

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States 2he irst Sunda" case to come to the Court 4as Soon =ing #& )rowle :.??/9..). Soon Hin% 4as a Chinese laundr"man 4ho violated a Cali ornia la4 that orbade laundr" labor a ter .) o@clock at ni%ht and all da" Sunda". Soon Hin% 4as arrested or 4orkin% late one ni%ht& not or 4orkin% on Sunda"& but the Court took an interest an"4a" in the Sunda" $rovisions o the Cali ornia la4 in 3uestion. Austice Ste$hen A. Field& in statin% the decision o the Court& declared& H5a4s settin% aside Sunda" as a da" o rest& are u$held not rom an" ri%ht o %overnment to le%islate or the $romotion o reli%ious observance& but rom its ri%ht to $rotect all $ersons rom the $h"sical and moral debasement& 4hich comes rom uninterru$ted labor.H .)( 2o .*<. no e4er than our Sunda" cases reached the Su$reme Court to%ether. 24o concerned discount stores that 4anted to sta" o$en on Sunda" to enhance their sales in s$ite o state la4s that re3uired them to close. #$e other t4o involved 0rthodo, =e s 4ho o$ened their stores on Sunda" to com$ensate or closin% them on Sabbath in sincere observance o the Ae4ish reli%ion. #ttorne"s 4ho de ended the store o4ners in all our cases re erred the Su$reme Court Austices to the reli%ious histor" o earl" #merican Sunda"!closin% la4s and claimed the ri%ht o all our stores to sta" o$en on the basis o the First #mendment. Ei%ht o the nine Austices reIected this ar%ument& notin% instead that the la4s in 3uestion 4ere not reli%ious but 4ere elfare la4s intended to $rotect $eo$le rom over4ork and to $rovide a eekly da" or amilies to s$end to%ether. 2he Court divided si, to three on the Ae4ish cases& Gallagher #& )rown Oosher Su!er 6ar1et and Braun/eld #& Brown&.)7 2he three dissentin% Austices 4ere dee$l" concerned about the hardshi$ im$osed on 0rthodo, =e s b" bein% orced to sta" closed on Sunda" a ter conscientiousl" closin% sho$ on the Sabbath. But the maIorit" o the Austices 4ere unmoved. Austice Dou%las& one o the three dissenters& earnestl" $rotested that Hthe Court balances the need o the $eo$le or rest& recreation& late slee$in%& amil" visitin%& and the like a%ainst the command o the First #mendment that no one need bo4 to the reli%ious belie s o another. 2here is in this real! no room or balancin%.H.)+
.). See Farren 5. Aohns& %ateline, Sunda , V&SA& :'ountain Vie4& C#& .*<79& *7!*+. .;5 4uoted in #nson 1hel$D Stokes> #hurch and State in the @nited States, 7 vols. :=e4 Oork& .*/)9 7E.7.!7(. .;+ See Pfeffcr> #hurch, State, and ,reedom, (?.!?7; Aohns& %ateline Sunda , .77!/*. .;/ 4uoted in =o$ns> Dateline Sunda , .//!/<. .;3

2he 'ark o the Beast Histor" su%%ests that no ne4 #mendment to the Constitution 4ill be needed 4hen $o$ular o$inion demands a national Sunda"!closin% la4. 2he Su$reme Court 4ill need onl" to ind a con%enial 4a" to inter$ret the Bill o Ri%hts in terms o the 1reamble and $o$ular demands. State Sunday la s and t$e 6o er of 6reDudice. Since the earl" .*<)s& 4hen the our cases Iust mentioned 4ere revie4ed b" the 8.S. Su$reme Court& en orcement o Sunda"!closin% la4s in the 8nited States has lar%el" allen b" the 4a". 'an" Sunda" la4s lon% on the books o various states and cities have been removed. 'ost businesses that choose to o$en on Sunda"s seem able to do so 4ithout hindrance. So is the en orcement o Sunda" le%islation less likel" in #merica@s uture toda" than it 4as& sa"& t4o hundred "ears a%oL 2he ans4er is that it seems so& but a$$earances are o ten deceivin%. For instance& durin% much o the nineteenth centur"& 4hen most states had Sunda" la4s in $lace& the Sunda" la4s either 4ere not en orced or 4ere not en orced 4ell. # ter decades o indi erence& in certain states& notabl" 2ennessee and #rkansas& Sunda" la4s 4ere ener%eticall" en orced durin% the .??)s and on into the earl" .*))s. 2he sudden ne4 en orcement 4as ocused $rinci$all" on Seventh!da" #dventists. 2"$icall"& #dventists 4ere arrested or 4orkin% 3uietl" on their arms out o si%ht o an" $ublic road. 0ne #dventist 4as arrested or $aintin% the back side o his church or an hour or t4o on a Sunda". #nother 4as arrested or cho$$in% 4ood or the kitchen stove; another& or re$airin% a 'ethodist 4ido4@s roo in rain" 4eather 4ithout e,$ectation o $a". In man" cases non!#dventists in the area 4orked on their arms and cho$$ed 4ood on the same Sunda"s 4ithout bein% arrested. In most cases the #dventists 4ere ined b" local courts& man" s$ent time in Iail& a e4 did time in a chain %an%. #$$eals to state su$reme courts and even to ederal circuit courts usuall" brou%ht no relie . Sevent" or more #dventists su ered in these 4a"s& one o 4hom died in conse3uence o his $rison term. #nd 4hat brou%ht about this sudden en orcement o lon% dormant Sunda" la4sL In some cases& at least& it 4as resentment over the conversion o local citiJens to the Seventh!da" #dventist aith..)/ 2he e ective $roclamation o the Sabbath to ever" nation& tribe& ton%ue& and $eo$le in the ver" last da"s $redictabl" 4ill %enerate resentment a%ain& even amon% $eo$le 4ho 4ill not have bothered about Sunda" la4s $reviousl".

.)/ Blakel".6t4ncon Stale *a!ers, +/7!/.(.

.)?

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States Ree!erging Cat$olic Po6ularity Fhen the status o Roman Catholicism toda" is com$ared 4ith 4hat it 4as in the .?))s& there can be no doubt that the healin% o the deadl" 4ound is advancin% ra$idl". C$anging orld attitudes. In .7*? =a$oleon intended there 4ould never be another $o$e. In .?).& ho4ever& he si%ned a church!state treat" or HconcordatH 4ith a ne4 $o$e. #s $ro$hec" had oreseen& the mortal blo4 4ould onl" 4ound& not kill& the Catholic Church. 0n the other hand& in .?7) the ne4l" emer%in% nation o Ital" dee$ened the church@s 4oes b" takin% a4a" the 1a$al States. 2he 1a$al States constituted an inde$endent countr" 4hich occu$ied .<&))) s3uare miles in the center o the Italian $eninsula& counted a $o$ulation o 7&)))&)))& and had been o4ned b" the $a$ac" or centuries. De$rived o his o4n countr"& 1o$e 1ius IG in a hu & and all the $o$es a ter him till .*(*& con ined themselves in an ancient residence& the Castel Gandol o& $ortra"in% a $icture o the once!%rand $a$ac" su erin% under house arrest. But in .*(* Benito 'ussolini si%ned a concordat %rantin% the $o$e ull authorit" over the State o Vatican Cit"& .)?.7 acres inside the cit" o Rome $ic$ included St. 1eter@s Cathedral. 0nce acain the $o$e 4as a monarch
D<

< l't=

as 4ell as a $riest. 2he mortal 4ound 4as bein% healed. M Genial& o$en!hearted 1o$e Aohn GGIII :$o$e .*/?!.*<79 and the $rocedural re orms voted at his Vatican Council II urther restored Catholic in luence in the 4orld. 2oda"& 1o$e Aohn 1aul II ma" be the most res$ected man alive. In .*?< leaders o man" di erent reli%ions& includin% non!Christian reli%ions& assembled in #ssisi& Ital"& to $ra" or $eace at the $ersonal invitation o 1o$e Aohn 1aul II. C$anging attitudes in A!erica. 2he on%oin% healin% o the deadl" 4ound has been clearl" re lected in #merican $o$ular o$inion. 2he ne4 trend can best be evaluated b" com$arin% it 4ith attitudes a centur" or more a%o. In the .?))s stron% tides o #merican hostilit" lo4ed a%ainst the Roman Church. Ibr e,am$le& in .?/( 4hen 1o$e 1ius IG sent a block o %ranite to be included in the Fashin%ton monument& then under construction& mass $rotests occurred. So intense 4as #merican outra%e that the masons did
.;2 At the ti!e and for so!e time a ter4ards Seventh!da" #dventists s$oke of t$e .*(* concordat as t$e actual Hhealin% o the deadly ound.J )ro! the $ers$ective o the .**)s e can sa" that the .C5C concordat 4as a ver" si%ni icant ste6 in the $ealing $rocess.

.)*

2he 'ark o the Beast not dare hoist the stone into $lace. 24o "ears later eelin%s 4ere still runnin% so hi%h that irate #mericans ound 4here the stone la" in a stora%e shed& itted a chain around it& and dra%%ed it into the 1otomac River..)7 #merican distrust o Catholicism 4as still ver" much alive a centur" later& even a ter 'ussolini@s .*(* concordat. In .*/. 4hen 1resident Harr" S 2ruman asked the Senate to a$$rove his nomination o an ambassador to the State o Vatican Cit"& #merica 4as $lun%ed into a vorte, o $rotest. HHardl" a 1rotestant church %rou$ in the countr" ailed to e,$ress its o$$osition ormall" and o ten acrimonioust".H 1resident 2ruman 4ithdre4 his $ro$osal..)? But in 'arch .*?+& thirt"!three "ears later& 1resident Ronald Rea%an@s nomination o Filliam #. Fison as ambassador to Vatican Cit" 4as 3uickl" a$$roved b the Senate& ?.!.7. 0nl" a e4 voices 4orried about church and state. .)* In the meantime& in .*<) the 8nited States had elected Aohn F. Denned"& a Roman Catholic& to be its $resident. In .*</& .))&))) #mericans had illed Oankee Stadium to hear 1o$e 1aul VI sa" mass. In .*?) 1o$e Aohn 1aul II had also been tumultuousl" 4elcomed to the 8nited States. Conservative 1rotestants 4ho o$$ose abortion be%an vie4in% the 1o$e not as a threat but as an all". Inso ar as these chan%es re$resent a reduction o bi%otr"& 4e reIoice. Fe are concerned& ho4ever& that the" also re$resent a denial o histor" and& more seriousl"& a tendenc" a4a" rom the se$aration o church and state to4ard the union o the t4o& 4hich al4a"s in the $ast has brou%ht much inIustice and miser". B$at Does t$e )uture 7old: Havin% 4atched Daniel@s em$ires ollo4 one another $recisel" as $redicted& havin% seen Aesus ul ill the 7) 4eek $ro$hec"& the little horn rise and think to chan%e times and la4& and the .(<) da"s come to an end& there is somethin% o 4hich 4e can be $er ectl" sureE Bible $redictions come true. 2he $ro$hec" about the 8nited States 4ill be ul illed. #merica 4ill le, her a4esome $olitical $o4er to im$ose a $attern o reli%ion that 4ill directl" o$$ose the 2en Commandments. She 4ill lead the 4orld to
.)7 Stokes& )hurch and State in the @nited Slates .E?77. .)? 1 e er& )hurch& Slate, and /reedom, 7)(. .)* In another s4itch o attitudes& the H2hird Dudle" 5ectureH at Harvard 8niversit"& ori%inall" endo4ed :in the .7/)s9 to sound a 4arnin% ever" our "ears a%ainst the HRomish Church&H 4as assi%ned to 1o$e Aohn 1aul IIN 2he $onti a$$reciated the invitation but had to decline! See Geor%e Huntston Filliams& H2he Ecumenical Intentions o 1o$e Aohn 1aul II>J ffTR 7/6( :.*?(9E.+.!7<. ..)

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States ollo4 her e,am$le. #nd she 4ill not be alone. #ccordin% to the $ro$hec" she 4ill have the coo$eration o a ull" healed Roman Church& o$eratin% 4ith old! ashioned Jeal in countries throu%hout the 4orld. 2he event or condition that 4ill stimulate #merica and the Roman Church to behave this 4a" cannot be oreseen $recisel". Factors likel" to $rom$t the ne4 attitude to4ard $ersecution are some %lobal calamit" combined 4ith success in the $roclamation o the three an%els@ messa%es. 2hese could be linked in the $ro$a%anda o the three H ro%sH that come rom the mouths o the dra%on& the beast& and the alse $ro$het to %ather the 4orld to #rma%eddon :.<E.7!.<9...)

Su!!ary
2he 8nited States its the $ro$hec" o the lamb!horned earth beast insofar as the $ro$hec" has been ul illed. Its $ast behavior hel$s make understandable its urther role in ul illin% the $ro$hec". 2he chan%in% attitude o #mericans to4ard Catholicism su%%ests an eas" transition to the enforce!ent o Catholic values. #nd the 8.S. Su$reme Court@s acilit" at reinter$retin% the Constitution sho4s that& in res$onse to a chan%e in 6ublic o$inion& the Court can easil" discover a constitutional $rete,t or endorsin% coercive reli%ious le%islation. Sunda" is alread" a da" set a$art in most countries o the 4orld. Some un oreseen calamit"& combined 4ith t$e activities o the three an%els o Revelation .+ and o the three H ro%sH of Revelation .<& 4ill stimulate the Catholic Church and other coo$erative reli%ious %rou$s to Ioin 4ith the 8nited States in settin% u$ a 4orld4ide Hima%e o the beastH and in in lictin% the mark o the beast on all 4ho sanction this& their ultimate orm o Sabbath!Sunda" t"rran".

B$at Difference Does It 0ake:

#$$ro,imatel" one billion $eo$le toda" consider themselves Christian. 2he" acce$t the $rinci$le o one s$ecial da" ever" 4eek. Fhat di erence does it make to God 4hether the" 4orshi$ on Saturda" or Sunda"L Does God reall" care about such mattersL #mericans in $articular have been educated to treat ever"one the sa!e H4ithout re%ard to race& color& %ender& or creed.H Such characteris!
..; Revelation .<E.7!.< can be readily construed as $arenthetical material interru$tin% the $resenta! tion o the seven $la%ues. #s such& it can be a$$ro$riatel" inter$reted as not bein% con ined to t$e si,th $la%ue but rather as re$resentin% activities that both $recede and coincide 4ith the 6lagues. Ill

2he 'ark o the Beast

tics come 4ithout a $erson@s choice and cannot be chan%ed. But one@s belie s"stem is another matter entirel"& or it can be chan%ed at 4ill. 0ark of t$e Beast, &nd-#i!e P$eno!enon Does the s$eci ic da" become si%ni icantL In our e,e%esis section 4e concluded that the mark is an end!time $henomenon. #ccordin% to the $ro$hec" in Revelation .7 the mark is not $laced on an"one until a ter #merica has e ected a coercive union o church and state. Coincident 4ith this develo$ment is the inal ul illment o 'atthe4 (+E.+ about the %os$el@s bein% $reached Hthrou%hout the 4hole 4orldH be ore the end comes and the $roclamation o the three an%els@ messa%es Hto ever" nation and tribe and ton%ue and $eo$leH be ore the Son o man a$$ears on the clouds. Hence the mark o the beast 4ill not be a$$lied until $eo$le have had o$$ortunit" to kno4 the truth and make a res$onsible decision. #cts .7E7) comes to mind& H2he times o i%norance God overlooked Q4inked at& DAVR& but no4 he commands all men ever"4here to re$ent.H (bedience and e-cuses. #r%uments that de$reciate the im$ortance o the Sabbath are heard& even in the hi%hest theolo%ical circles& /enced not kee$ the Sabbath& or Christ nailed the la4 to the cross. Fe should not kee$ the Sabbath& or doin% so 4ould be le%alism. Fe cannot kee$ an" o the la4& or 4e are born 4ith human natures marred b" ori%inal sin. # o thousand "ears a%o Christ sho4ed that heart elt obedience is not le%alism but love& HI "ou love me& "ou 4ill kee$ m" commandmentsH :Aohn .+E./9. So 4e should obe". #nd 4hen the H.++&)))H are livin% on earth 4ithout %uile in their mouths and 4ith the seal o God u$on them& ever"one 4ill have indis$utable evidence that throu%h the $o4er o Christ the la4 o God can be obe"ed. 2hose 4ho receive the mark o the beast 4ill be those 4ho $ersist in disobe"in% the Sabbath commandment 4hen doin% so has become in ever" sense ine,cusable. (bedience and ors$i6. #ccordin% to the three an%elsM messa%es& $eo$le in the end!time either 4orshi$ God H4ho made heaven and earth&H or the" 4orshi$ the beast. Forshi$ is thus basic in determinin% 4ho receives the mark o the beast. 2he En%lish 4ord H4orshi$H comes rom H4orth!shi$&H meanin% some! thin% that 4e do in res$onse to 4hat 4e think someone is 4orth. #nd trul" our 4orshi$ choices>4hom 4e choose to 4orshi$ and ho4 4e choose to 4orshi$>reveal our inmost sense o values. Fhen 4e 4orshi$ God e choose the ri%ht God; but i 4e 4orshi$ ..(

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States

God in a 4a" o our o4n choosin% rather than His& 4e sho4 that a ter all 4e do not value God as hi%hl" as 4e value ourselves or someone else. Becomin% an%r" 4ith $eo$le 4ho obe" God is characteristic o $eo$le 4ho insist on 4orshi$in% God in their o4n 4a". 2he seventh!da" Sabbath is the $reeminent da" or 4orshi$. God& the Creator o heaven and earth& sa"s that Hthe seventh da" is the Sabbath o the 5ord "our God.H He e,$lains that it is a reminder o His creatorshi$& H or in si, da"s the 5ord made heaven and earth& the sea& and all that is in them.H 2he seventh!da" Sabbath is God@s chosen reminder that 4e are His creatures and He is our 5ord. Fhen at the end o time $eo$le have a clear chance to kno4 the truth about the Sabbath but insist on 4orshi$in% God on their o4n chosen da"& the" 4ill reveal that the" are 4orshi$in% someone or somethin% other than the God the" sa" the" are 4orshi$in%. 2he" 4ill be 4ithout e,cuse& e,chan%in% the truth about God or a lie and 4orshi$in% and servin% the creature rather than the Creator :Rom .E(.!(/9. (bedience and fait$. 2he issue o Sabbath versus Sunda" is a matter o aith& o ri%hteousness b" aith. Do 4e %enuinel" belie#e that the Bible is true& that God is our Creator and RedeemerL Do 4e have the H aith o AesusHL #$e Bible sa"s& HI 4ill $ut m" s$irit 4ithin "ou& and cause "ou to 4alk in m" statutes and be care ul to observe m" ordinancesH :EJek 7<E(79. J#$is is the covenant 4hich I 4ill make it$ the house o Israel a ter those days> sa"s the 5ordE I 4ill $ut m" la4 4ithin them& and I 4ill 4rite it u$on t$eir heartsH :Aer 7.E779. Do e believe that God@s S$irit can trans orm us. make us hol"& and thus enable us to kee$ the Sabbath hol"L #t the end o time& 4hen there is no more e,cuse or disobedience& or a $erson to $ersist in breakin% the Sabbath 4ill be Hunri%hteousness throu%h doubt.H It 4ill be tantamount to accusin% the true God o not tellin% the truth. (bedience and t$e %os$el of t$e kingdo!L In 'atthe4 (+E.+& Aesus sa"s& H2his %os$el o the 1ingdom shall be $reached throu%hout the 4hole 4orld& as a testimon" to all nations '!asin tois ethnesin, Mall the Gentiles@9; and then the end 4ill come.H 2he term H%os$el o the kin%domH im$lies the headshi$ o a kin%; and kin%shi$ im$lies a relationshi$ o obedience. 2he term HlordH is similar to Hkin%&H and in Romans .)E*& 1aul sa"s that 4e 4ill be saved i 4e belie#e in our hearts that God raised Aesus rom the dead and i 4e con ess 4ith our mouths that Jesus is ?ord& 'illions o Christians are ha$$" to ackno4led%e Christ as Saviour rom ..7

2he 'ark o the Beast the $enalt" o sin but do not acce$t Him as Saviour rom the $o4er o sin in dail" li e. 'illions are ha$$" to ackno4led%e Him as the 5ord the" can $ra" to or miracles but not as a 5ord 4hose 4ord the" intend to obe" ull". 'an" in the Iud%ment 4ill $oint to miracles the" $er ormed in the name o the 5ord Aesus Christ but 4ill be turned a4a" 4ith the verdict& HI never kne4 "ou; de$art rom me& "ou evildoersH :'att 7E(.!(79. 'an" 4ho call Aesus H5ordH are buildin% houses on sand; thou%h the" have heard His 4ords& the" have not obe"ed them :'att 7E(+!(79. 2he onl" obedience that God can acce$t in the inal anal"sis is that 4hich is done 4ith all our hearts& minds& and stren%th throu%h the $o4er o the ind4ellin% S$irit& or He is savin% 4hole $ersons& not 4ords or out4ard $ro essions. Be ore Christ returns& the %os$el o the kin%dom>the true %os$el o heart elt obedience>4ill be $roclaimed throu%hout the 4orld as a 4itness to all Gentiles. 0$$osition to this true %os$el& the %os$el o the kin%dom& the %os$el that includes God@s beauti ul truth about His Sabbath& 4ill 3uali " a $erson or the mark o the beast. Religious Coercion in t$e &nd-#i!e 'ost cultures throu%hout histor" have $racticed reli%ious coercion& and man" still do so& 4ithout their $eo$le@s receivin% the mark o the beast. Fhat 4ill make the di erence at the end o timeL Reli%ious coercion at the end o time 4ill take on ne4 $ro$ortions. 2he coercive anti!Sabbath theolo%" o the 'iddle #%es had about it an aura o naivete. 'an" $eo$le seem not to have realiJed that the Sabbath could $ossibl" be the ri%ht da". Fith the rise o 1uritanism in Britain around .<))& there arose a %reat a%itation about the Sabbath 3uestion&... but even then the Sabbath 3uestion had nothin% to do 4ith the choice o the da" to be observed& onl" 4ith the wa in 4hich it 4as to be observed. Fe4 o the sabbatic 1uritans seem to have %ras$ed the idea that Sunda" could be the 4ron% da". 2he" believed that the seventh da" 4as a $er$etual si%n o the ne4 covenant. Fith reasonin% that seems absurd to us& but seemed $er ectl" lo%ical to those intelli%ent $eo$le& the" insisted that God had shi ted the seventh da" rom Sabbath to Sunda"& 4hile still kee$in% it the seventh da". ..( Recent research sho4s that some 1uritans& al4a"s in
... See& e.%.& Finton 8. Solber%& "edeem the Time :Cambrid%eE 7arvard 1niversity 1ress& .*779& cha$.7. ..( See& c. %.& the 1uritan classic b" =icolas Bo4nde& The %octrine o/7the Sabbath, *laine/ ?a de (orth :5ondon& ./*/9; and Denneth #. Strand& ed.& The Sabbath in Scri!ture and =istor :Fashin%ton&

..+

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States

the minorit"& discovered the biblical Sabbath and ar%ued a%ainst Sunda" +++ observance. .. ! 2hose 4ho live in the end!time have s$ecial insi%hts& based on uller kno4led%e o the Scri$tures and centuries o e,$erience 4ith true reli%ious reedom. 2his $rovides o$$ortunit" to contrast the 4ickedness o coercive Sunda" le%islation 4ith the relative innocence o true reli%ious reedom. 2his makes the observance o Sunda" and the reIection o Sabbath ar more serious than in the 'iddle #%es. H2he $o$e can modi " divine la4&H claimed 1etrus de #ncharano. H2he Sabbath& the most %lorious da" in the la4& has been chan%ed into the 5ord@s da"... b" the authorit" o the church&H declared the #rchbisho$ o Re%!%io at the crucial Council o 2rent. 1erha$s in the 'iddle #%es $eo$le could be e,cused or sa"in% such thin%s. Fe cannot. 2oda" 4e kno4 better. 2he o$enin% o the 'ost Hol" 1lace in the heavenl" sanctuar"& revealin% the ark o the covenant& has called attention in a substantiall" ne4 4a" to the on%oin% intercessor" ministr" o Christ. Fhat a contrast bet4een coercin% believers to break God@s la4 and intercedin% or sinners and teachin% them ho4 to kee$ the la4N 1eo$le in man" $laces $ossibl" can be e,cused or believin% that the 1o$e has divine authorit" to chan%e God@s la4 and to coerce $eo$le to kee$ Sunda" at the e,$ense o the Sabbath. But under the inal $roclamation o the %os$el o the kin%dom and the three an%els@ messa%es& and o Chris s ministr" in the 0ost Hol" 1lace& the" 4ill have a chance to kno4 better& much better& 4hat the real truth is. I then the" insist on doin% 4ron% and on tr"in% to make others do 4ron%& their $ersistence 4ill be $eculiarl" abhorrent. (bedience and inal decision ti!e. Aust be ore Aohn sa4 the Son o man a$$ear on the clouds o heaven& he sa4 three an%els l"in% 4ith earth@s inal $resentation o the %os$el. He heard the u$! to!date version o the everlastin% %os$el that the" 4ould $reach& announcin% that the inal Iud%ment had b" then alread begun, callin% $eo$le to 4orshi$ the Creator& and 4arnin% them that i the" chose to 4orshi$ the beast& the" 4ould have to su er the seven $la%ues :the 4rath o God9 and eternal loss. It 4as to be a messa%e or a time o ultimate decision makin%. Immediatel" $rior to $robation@s close a ourth an%el Ioins the other three 4ith an ur%ent messa%e rom Christ Himsel & HCome out o her QBab"lonR& m !eo!le, lest "ou take $art in her sins& lest "ou share in her
DC> .*?(9& ((*!+7. $$3 B'i#n W+ Ball, 1he 7n+lish 2onnection: 1he Puritan Roofs of Seventh$day Advenast Belief (Cam.ri#ge@ 2#mes Cl#':0 1231), 1<3-57+

../

2he 'ark o t$e Beast $la%ues; or her sins are hea$ed hi%h as heavenH :Rev .?E+& /9. Here Christ con ronts $eo$le 4hom He ackno4led%es as His o4n 4ith their des$erate& ur%ent need to make a ne4 decision. Fith Bab"lon@s sins havin% become more enormous than ever and the seven last $la%ues loomin% closer Christ@s lo"al ollo4ers in Sunda"kee$in% churches must make a decision to ollo4 Christ utterl" or be lost. 2he 4ords o Aoel come to mind& directed as the" are to the Iud%ment hour at the end o timeE H'ultitudes& multitudes& in the valle" o decisionN For the da" o the 5ord is near in the valle" o decisionH :7E.+9. 2he 4ords o EliIah on 'ount Carmel also itE HHo4 lon% 4ill "ou %o lim$in% 4ith t4o di erent o$inionsL I the 5ord is God& ollo4 him; but i Baal& then ollo4 himH :. D%s .?E(.9. Aoshua@s inal a$$eal to the Israelites takes on ne4 meanin%E HChoose this da" 4hom "ou 4ill serve& 4hether the %ods "our athers served in the re%ion be"ond the River Qthat is& be"ond the Eu$hrates& in 'eso$otamiaR& or the %ods o the #morites in 4hose land "ou d4ell; but as or me and m" house& 4e 4ill serve the 5ordH :Aosh (+E./9. For a %eneration acin% the mark o the beast& Aoel@s a$$eal or totall" sincere re$entance seems uni3uel" a$$ro$riateE HOet even no4&H sa"s the 5ord& Hreturn to me 4ith all "our heart& 4ith astin%& 4ith 4ee$in%& and 4ith mournin%; and rend "our hearts and not "our %arments.H Return to the 5ord& "our God& or he is %racious and merci ul& slo4 to an%er& and aboundin% in stead ast love& and re$ents o evil. :(E.(!.79 (bedience and ?od%s love. God& our heavenl" Father& has %iven us a la4 that is Hhol" and Iust and %oodH :Rom 7E.(9. I He had chan%ed it at an" time& it 4ould have become unhol"& unIust& and bad. 2he Sabbath in $articular He Hmade or manH :'ark (E(79& on our behal & or our %ood. Fhen our irst $arents broke His la4& God mi%ht have chan%ed the rules to avoid $unishin% them& but this 4ould onl" have been or their harm. Rather& or the sake o all o us& God chose to leave his Hhol" and Iust and %oodH la4 e,actl" the 4a" He made it in the irst $lace& send the Hol" S$irit to hel$ us obe" it& and take the H4a%es o sinH u$on Himsel & at in inite cost. In the Christian Era& a bod" o church leaders elt ree to do 4hat God Himsel re used to do. 2he" elt ree to chan%e God@s la4& and also to harass& $ersecute& and e,communicate Christians 4ho lo"all" chose to obe" it. ..<

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States In the near uture& $eo$le 4ho still eel ree to honor this chan%e in ?od%s la4 in s$ite o %reat li%ht to the contrar" 4ill 3uali " themselves or the mark o the beast. (bedience and t$e seal of ?od. 2he H.++&)))H 4ho receive God@s seal in their oreheads :7E.!?9 are described as havin% God@s name and the 5amb@s name in their oreheads :.+E.!/9. Full" matured Sabbathkee$ers have ?od%s name in their oreheads in t$e sense that the" have allo4ed God@s S$irit to chan%e their characters until the" resemble God@s character. God is love. His la4 is love. Fhen $eo$le obe" Him ull"& the" love. God is hol". His la4 is hol". Fhen $eo$le obe" Him ull"& the Hol" S$irit lives out in their lives the $urit"& honest"& and unsel ishness that mark the character o God Himsel . 2o kee$ the Sabbath hol"& $eo$le need a distinct and dee$!seated chan%e in their basic thou%ht $atterns& a chan%e that is mani ested ever" da" o the 4eek. Aesus told =icodemus that even a %ood man like he needed to be Hborn a%ainH>that is& to be Hborn rom aboveH :as the mar%in sa"s9 and Hborn o the S$iritH :see Aohn 79. Aesus sa"s the same to all o us. Fe can never kee$ a 4hole Sabbath da" hol" unless 4e come into such ello4shi$ 4ith Christ& come under the in luence o the Hol" S$irit so consistentl"& that 4e live $urit"& honest"& com$assion& hel$ ulness& and lo"alt" to God ever" da" o the 4eek. God@s $eo$le at the ver" end o time will be Hs$otless&H ree rom lies& true and honest& chaste& $ure& and kind. In the $o4er o the Hol" S$irit& the" 4ill kee$ God@s commandments even 4hen aced 4ith starvation and e,ecution. But ho4L 2he" 4ill con3uer the dra%on Hthrou%h the 4ord o their testimon"&H and the" 4ill love not their lives Heven unto deathH :Rev .(E..9. 'ore than this& the overcomers have Hthe blood o the 5amb.H In! deed& the" have the 5amb. 2he" have 'ichael the %reat 1rince 4ho stands u$ or His $eo$le :see Dan .(E.9. In some marvelous and m"sterious man! ner Christ has come knockin% and has been 4elcomed into their hearts. 7e has brou%ht 4ith Him all the H%old& e"esalve& and 4hite raimentH the" can $ossibl" need :see Rev 7E./!((9. HOou shall kee$ m" sabbaths& or this is a sign bet4een me and "ou... that "ou ma" kno4 that N> the ?ord, sancti/ ou$ :E,od 7.E.79. 2his is ho4 the H.++&)))&H the Hsaints&H God@s Hremnant&H "oun% and old& esca$e the mark o the beast and kee$ all the commandments o God and stand com$lete in holiness and $urit" as God@s ull" ri$ened %rain. By contrast& b" reIectin% Christ@s $ersonal a$$eal to come out o ..7

2he 'ark o the Beast Bab"lon and to let Him come victoriousl" into their hearts& $eo$le at the end o time 4ill 3uali " or the mark o the beast. #$e 0ark As C$aracter Develo6!ent #s the seal o God :true Sabbath holiness9 re$resents the character o the ull" ri$ened %rain o Revelation .+E./& so the mark o the beast re$resents the character o the ri$ened %ra$es o Revelation .+E.7!(). Because the mark $ertains to events so ver" late in earth@s histor"& 4e kno4& as 4e have alread" observed& that it relates to a situation a ter the %os$el o the kin%dom has been $reached throu%hout the 4orld :'att (+E.+9. Individuals 4ill receive the mark onl" 4hen the" have had a chance to hear the evidence $reached and to see it lived in the beauti ul Christ!like lives o the H.++&))).H 2he mark is a si%n o rebellion& a kind o (@G++7 stam$ed on $eo$le 4ho deliberatel" and kno4in%l" run a4a" rom God in the li%ht o this sort o evidence. #s A. =. #ndre4s noted in the 'a" .*& .?/. "e#iew and =erald, the mark o the beast a$$lies to Hthose 4ho understandingt turn a4a" rom the commandments o God& and in their stead obe" the institution o the beastH :em$hasis su$$lied9. HFhoever 1nows 4hat is ri%ht to do and ails to do it& or him it is sinH :Aas +E.79. 2he mark o the beast in the H oreheadH re$resents mental assent to erroneous belie and behavior. 2he mark in the HhandH re$resents activit" carried on in harmon" 4ith such assent. # $erson@s H oreheadH ma" not be entirel" com ortable 4ith 4hat the HhandH does& but actions s$eak louder than 4ords. #$e !ark of t$e beast is illful> kno ledgeable> end-ti!e a66roval of coercive Sunday observance in opposition to clear lig$t on t$e Sabbat$ Huestion and in harmony it$ classic Ro!an Cat$olicis!. As suc$> t$e !ark of t$e beast is evidence of 6ersonal character !atured in o66osition to ?od...9
..+ (or/ugiti#us, or u%itive. See earlier remarks on Roman custom& $. /?! ../ # modern de inition o t$e number <<< rein orces the conce6t of the mark o t$e beast as c$aracter develo$ment. It comes rom Beatrice =eall& The )once!t o/ )haracter in the A!ocal !se with Im!lications /or )haracter Education :Fashin%ton& DC> .*?79& ./7!//& %ivin% credit or some o her ideas to Herman 7ockse!a and 7ans 5aRondelleE HSi, is le%itimate 4hen it leads to sevenG it re$resents man on the irst evenin% o his e,istence enterin% into the celebration o ?od%s creative $o4er. 2he %lor" o the creature is ri%ht i it leads to the %lor" o ?od. Si, hundred si-ty-si,& ho4ever& re$resents the re usal o man lo $roceed to seven& to %ive %lor" to God as Creator and Redeemer. It re$resents man@s i,ation 4ith himsel & man seekin% %lor" in himsel and his o4n creations. It s$eaks o the ullness o creation and all creative $o4ers 4ithoul ?od Et$e $ractice o the absence o God. It demonstrates that unre%eneratc man is $ersistentl" evil. #$e ..?

Roman Catholicism and the 8nited States # o Sides at t$e &nd of #i!e Scri$ture indicates clearl" that at the end o time $ersonal choices 4ill cause ever"one to be on one side or the other. =o one 4ill be le t in the middle. 0ne side 4ill 4orshi$ the Creator :Rev .+E79. #$e other side 4ill 4orshi$ the beast and its ima%e :.7E.(; .+E*; .<E(; .*E()9. 0ne side 4ill be trust4orth" and true& 4ithout an" lies in their mouths :.+E/9. 2he other side 4ill have acce$ted the lies o the alse $ro$het :.*E()9. 0ne side 4ill be $ure and s$otless :.+E+& /9. 2he other side 4ill be co4ardl"& aithless& $olluted& murderers& omicators& sorcerers& idolaters& liars :(.E?9. (ne side 4ill have their names in the book o li e :Dan .(E.9. 2he other side 4ill have had their names blotted out o the book o li e :Rev .7E?9. 0ne side 4ill be unable to bu" or sell but 4ill esca$e the $la%ues :.7E.7; .?E+9. 2he other side 4ill be able to bu" and sell : or a time9 but 4ill then su er the $la%ues :.7E.7; .+E*!..; .<E(9. (ne side is com$osed o %uests invited to the 5amb@s Io"ous 4eddin% su$$er :.*E*9. 2he other side is ed to birds o $re" at the terrible su$$er o God :.*E.7!(.9. (ne side $raises God and sin%s Io" ull" in the $resence o the 5amb :./E(!+; .+E79. 2he other side curses God and su ers torment in the $resence o the 5amb :.<E*!..&(.; .+E*!..9. 0ne side enters the eternal kin%dom :Dan 7E(7; Rev ((E.+9. 2he other side su ers $ermanent $unishment :Rev .+E*!..9. (ne side has the seal o God :7E.!79. 2he other side has the mark o the beast :.7E.<; .+E..9. 2he easiest thin% to do 4hen the ima%e o the beast is set u$ 4ill be to go 4ith the cro4d. 1eo$le 4ho have believed the ser$ent@s lies& that God@s la s either should not& ou%ht not& or cannot be obe"ed& 4ill ind com$liance easy. 2he" 4ill be in luenced b" Satan@s si%ns and 4onders :see ( 2hess (E*!.(9. 2he" 4ill Hbo4H do4n to the ima%e>and receive the mark o the beast& indicatin% their submission and obedience to human authorit".
beasts o Rev .7 re6resent man e,ercisin% his soverei%nt" a$art rom ?od> man con ormed to t$e ima%e of t$e beast rather than to t$e ima%e of ?od. 'an a$art rom ?od becomes bestial& de!onic... - #$e mark o t$e beast& then& is a reDection o the soverei%nt" o ?od ! the Sabbath $rinci$le 4hich is desi%ned to encoura%e man to seek his di%nit" not in himsel or in nature& but in co!!union 4ith God and $artici$ation in ?od%s rest. It is t$e Sabbath 4hich distinguis$es bet4een the creature and the Creator& 4hich reveals $o deserves 4orshi$ and 4ho does not. It is the Sabbath 4hich demonstrates ?od%s soverei%nt" and !an%s de$endence. Si- $undred si-ty-sib" contrast is the s"mbol o the 4orshi$ o the creature rather than t$e Creator.J

..*

2he 0ark o the Beast But those $o c$eris$ Aesus and t$e Jfait$ of =esusJ and $ave learned to Hcon3uerH as C$rist con3uered (Rev 7E(.9. ill c$oose at t$e risk of t$eir lives to honor ?od and ors$i6 7i! in t$e ay 7e $as directed. #$ey 4ill consider lo"alt" to t$eir Creator and Redee!er t$e most i!6ortant consideration $ossible. #$ese coura%eous ones 4ill soon find t$e!selves singing on t$e sea of %lass :./E.!/9. A66eals by &llen ?. B$ite Inas!uc$ as t$e end-of-ti!e co!!and!ent kee6ers c$eris$ t$e gift o $ro$hec"& it is a$$ro$riate to close this 6ortion of the cha$ter it$ a$$eals fro! &llen ?. B$ite> selected fro! The Great #ontroversy. Be are livin% in the most sole!n $eriod o t$is orld%s $istory. #$e destiny of earth@s teemin% !ultitudes is about to be decided. (ur o n future 4ell!bein% and also the salvation of ot$er souls de6end u6on t$e course $ic$ e no $ursue. Be need to be guided b" t$e S6irit of trut$. &very ollo4er of Christ s$ould earnestl" inHuire, JLord> $at ilt #$ou have me to do:J Be need to bumble ourselves before t$e Lord> it$ astin% and $ra"er& and to meditate !uc$ u$on 7is ord> es6ecially u6on t$e scenes o the Dudg!ent. Be should no seek a dee6 and living e-6erience in the thin%s o ?od. Be have not a !o!ent to lose. Events of vital i!6ortance are taking 6lace around usG e are on Satan@s enchanted %round. Slee$ not& sentinels of ?odG t$e oe is lurkin% near> read" at any !o!ent> should "ou become la, and dro sy> to s$rin% u6on you and make you his $re"...< Fear ul is the issue to 4hich t$e 4orld is to be brou%ht. #$e 6o ers of earth& uniting to ar a%ainst the commandments o ?od> ill decree t$at Hall& both small and %reat& rich and $oor& ree and bondH (Revelation .7E.<9& shall confor! to the custo!s o t$e c$urc$ b" t$e observance of the false sabbath. All $o re use com$liance ill be visited 4ith civil $enalties& and it 4ill finally be declared that t$ey are deserving of death. (n the ot$er $and> t$e la4 o ?od enDoining t$e Creator@s rest day demands obedience and t$reatens rat$ against all $o transgress its
..7

$rece$ts. But not one is !ade to su er t$e rat$ of ?od until t$e trut$ $as been brou%ht home to $is mind and conscience> and $as been reDected. 2here are !any $o $ave never $ad an o66ortunity to $ear t$e s6ecial trut$s for this time. #$e obli%ation o the fourt$ co!!and!ent $as never been set
..< The Great )ontro#ers , <).. ..7 Ibid.> 2;/.

.()

Some 4uestions #ns4ered be ore them in its true li%ht. He 4ho reads ever" heart and tries ever" motive 4ill leave none 4ho desire a kno4led%e o the truth& to be deceived as to the issues o the controvers". 2he decree is not to be ur%ed u$on the $eo$le blindl". Ever"one is to have su icient li%ht to make his decision

intelli%entl". 2he Sabbath 4ill be the %reat test o lo"alt"& or it is the $oint o truth es$eciall" controverted. Fhen the inal test shall be brou%ht to bear u$on men& then the line o distinction 4ill be dra4n bet4een those 4ho serve God and those 4ho serve Him not. Fhile the observance o the alse sabbath in com$liance 4ith the la4 o the state& contrar" to the ourth commandment& 4ill be an avo4al o alle%iance to a $o4er that is in o$$osition to God& the kee$in% o the true Sabbath& in obedience to GodMs la4& is an evidence o lo"alt" to the Creator. Fhile one class& b" acce$tin% the si%n o submission to earthl" $o4ers& receive the mark o the beast& the other choosin% the token o alle%iance to divine authorit"& receive the seal o God...)

So!e 4uestions Ans ered Dates, #$eir 7istorical Setting

I HVarious obIections are sometimes raised even b" historicists to 56 the s$eci ic datin% Seventh!da" #dventist commentators have " a$$lied to the .(<) da"s. But these obIections can be ans4ered. (bDections to 9+K Some $arts o Euro$e remained un!CatholiciJed or u$ to t4o centuries a ter /7?. Some countries in northern Euro$e reIected the $o$e durin% the Re ormation& several centuries be ore .7*?. So the obIection is sometimes raised that /7? is too earl" to be%in the .(<) "ear $eriod and .7*? is too late to end it. Several s$eci ic obIections are sometimes raised
..K Ibid.> <)/.

.(.

2he 'ark o the Beast as ell. )or e,am$le& in //.& t$irteen "ears a ter 9+K> Po6e 'igilius> on a visit to Constantino$le& as c$ased do n t$e street by t$e &!6eror%s $olice& and $en $e $ad barely !ade $is ay into a c$urc$ and grabbed the altar or re u%e& as dra%%ed a ay and co!6elled by t$e &!6eror to si%n a $articular document. . And 6o6es ere i!6risoned or in ot$er ays denied their reedom so!e ort" or !ore ti!es bet een 9+K and .3CK. #$e e,uberant Cardinal 'annin% once observed> 6er$a6s it$ e-aggeration> H2hirt" Q$o$esR ere com$elled to leave Ro!eG four ere i!6risoned> four ere unable to set oot in Ro!eG seven reigned in e-ile in #vi%non; !aking in all ort"! ive& or one-fift$ in t$e line of t$e Sovereign Pontiffs.J5 #$ese obIections are valid& but the" do not !ean t$at the leo6ard-bodied sea beast o Revelation .7 is not a sy!bol of Ro!an Cat$olicis!G and t$ey do not mean that the little $orn of Daniel 7 is not eit$er. In fact> the" hel$ to con irm this identi ication. #t t$e sa!e ti!e> t$ey caution us to de ine our terms. #$e little horn and t$e sea beast are not to be taken as s"mbols o !erely an individual 6o6e or even o the lon% line o 6o6es taken to%ether :the H$a$ac"H9. =or are t$ey to be seen as sy!bols of t$e Roman Catholic Church considered sim$l" as a reli%io$olitical institution> or o .(<) "ears o unbroken do!ination b" t$e 6o6e over all 6olitical issues in Bestern Euro$e or& or that !atter> of .52; years of absolute $a$al su$remac" over the Cat$olic c$urc$es :let alone t$e Protestant churches9 in Bestern &uro6e. 'o such period e+ists. Fe 4ill return to a discussion o /7? shortl"& but irst let us de ine certain terms. Definition of t$e Beast and t$e Little 7orn Be must look intelli%entl" or $at t$e 6ro6$ecy foresa . The sea beast o Revelation .7 and t$e little hom o Daniel 3 are sy!bols of an institution> a kind of kin%dom. Second #$essalonians 5 s6eaks of t$e J!an of sin>J suggestive of t$e $a$ac"& and also about a6ostasy> a Jfalling a ay>J and a J!ystery o ini3uit"&H directin% our attention to the ideals> beliefs> and 6$iloso6$ies o a for! o Christianit" that $as de6arted seriously fro! t$e Scri6tural nor!.
. A.=.D. Dcll"& The C0/ord %ictionar o/ the *o!es :0, ord& <M> .*?<9& <.; 2homas Hod%kin& Ital and =er In#aders, (nd cd.& ? vols. in * :0, ord& <M> .??/!.?**9& +E/*+!*/. 2he document con! demned the so!called Hthree cha$tersH and in e ect ne%ated the Christolo%" o the Council o Chatcedon that tau%ht that Christ had t4o natures in one $erson. Festern Catholics 4ere in avor o the Chalcedonian Chrislolo%"& but Austinian 4as attem$tin% to $lacate numerous 'ono$h"sites in his Eastern em$ire& ( Henr" Ed4ard 'annin%& The Tem!oral *ower o/ the View o/ Jesus )hrist, (nd cd. :5ondon& .?<(9& .??. .((

Some Kuestions #ns4ered

Fe conclude that the sea beast o Revelation .7 and the little horn o Daniel 7 are s"mbols ot"oman )atholicism as a s"stem>:a9 a set o ideals& belie s& and $hiloso$hies :b9 mani ested in certain $ractices and institutions& notabl" the Roman Catholic Church& and :c9 summed u$ in the line o $o$es :the $a$ac"9. Fith this de inition in mind& 4e can s$eak o Roman Catholicism :the m"ster" o ini3uit"9 commencin% in 1aul@s da" and continuin% ri%ht throu%h .7*? until it is destro"ed b" the bri%htness o Christ@s second comin%& in the $rocess under%oin% various e,$eriences. Essence o the .(<) da"s. 2hen& as 4e look at $ro$hec" a%ain& 4e see that 4ithin the overall career o the sea beast .(<) $ro$hetic da"s have been marked o 4ith s$eci ic delineators. 2he $eriod be%ins 4ith the %ivin% o $o4er& throne& and %reat authorit" to the $o$e as the visible head o the s"stem; it ends 4ith the in lictin% o a ca$tivit" and an a$$arentl" mortal 4ound. #$e Hmortal 4oundH s"mbol a$$lied to the beast in its ideolo%ical as$ect si%ni ies a marked decrease in the e ectiveness o Catholicism; a$$lied to t$e beast in its institutional as$ect it re ers to an attem$t to neutrali@e the central head3uarters o the Catholic Church; and a$$lied to its administrative as$ect& it re ers to the $o$e@s $ersonal ca$tivit" in .7*?. #$e beast as Ro!an Cat$olicis!. Fhen 4e look at the beast as a s"mbol o a set o ideas& 1o$e Vi%ilius@s li%ht do4n the streets o Constantino$le reveals not the 4eakness but the stren%th o )atholicism& 2he document the em$eror 4anted si%ned 4as un$o$ular 4ith man" others& but the em$eror did not chase them all do4n the street. His $olice chased Vi%ilius because o his status as $erceived Hhead o all the hol" churchesH :as Austinian had declared him to be in /779. 2he em$eror 4as determined to modi " Catholic belie in a 'ono$h"site direction& and he believed that i had this one man@s si%nature& his %oal could be achieved. In a moment o 4eakness the $o$e ultimatel" si%ned the document& but the se3uel 4as a t4o!4a" stren%thenin% o Catholicism in Festern Euro$e. Austinian@s behavior to4ard the $o$e %alvaniJed the Festern bisho$s to increased activit" in de ense o their )atholic /aith& Second& the em$eror elt bound to re4ard Vi%ilius 4ith the 1ra%matic Sanction o //+& 4hich made him the chie le%al o icer in Rome.7
+ J#$e novel of 99/ Ot$e Prag!atic Sanction of 99/P has this %reat im$ortance that it le%all" made t$e bisho$ of Ro!e t$e su6ervisor of t$e ad!inistration Rof Ro!eA.... OItP is e3uivalent to the 6o6e taking t$e %overnment o t$e C$ristian ca6ital in his o4n hands.H A. Calmette& 2e 6ond

.(7

2he 'ark o t$e Beast

#nd 4hat about the dela"ed conversions o some o the tribesL 2he Hlittle hornH 4as little 4hen Daniel irst noticed it& a ter he had seen the other horns. But it %re4. #nd as it %re4& three o the other horns 4ere removed to %ive it s$ace. In time& it blas$hemed and $ersecuted. #nalo! %ousl"& the sea beast arose out o the sea& revealin% more and more o itsel as it did so. 2hus the lan%ua%e o $ro$hec" alerts us to look or de#elo!ment in the mani estations o Roman Catholicism. S"mmetricall"& a $attern o %ro4th in the earl" sta%es su%%ests a $attern o decline in the later sta%es. Fe should not be sur$rised 4hen 4e leam that the Visi%oths did not acce$t Catholicism until the Council o 2oledo in /?*& or En%land till the <))s& or the 5ombards till <*?. =or are 4e to be sur$rised that Catholicism be%an to lose its %ri$ on Euro$e as earl" as .7)) 4ith the emer%ence o nationalism& and continued to lose its %ri$ 4ith the rise in the same centur" o Hnominalism&H a $hiloso$h"4hich ar%ued that individuals are more im$ortant than institutions. Several northern Euro$ean countries %ave u$ Catholicism durin% the Re ormation o the ./))s. 5osses durin% the 2hirt" Oears Far :.<.?!.<+?9& 4hich be%an as a con lict bet4een Catholics and 1rotestants& 4ere so disastrous that all Euro$ean %overnments& even the Catholic ones& concluded the" 4ould never a%ain i%ht to de end reli%ion& Catholic or an" other. #nd in the .7))s& a ne4 $hiloso$hical movement& the HEnli%htenment&H led most remainin% Catholic intellectuals to become ske$tical. In the $rocess 4e must not or%et Daniel (E+7& 4hich sa"s that the kin%doms into 4hich the Roman Em$ire 4ould be divided 4ould never en! tirel" Hcleave one to anotherH :DAV9. 2hus& $ro$hec" 4arned that nothin%> b" im$lication& not even Roman Catholicism>4ould com$letel" unite Euro$e at an" time. Roman Catholicism& vie4ed as a $articular set o ideals& belie s& and $hiloso$hies& enIo"ed increasin% in/luence o#er the minds o/ >estern Euro5 !eans durin% the earl" $art o the .(<) "ears :around /7?!.)))9& 4as dominant durin% the central $art :.)))!.7))9& and 4aned durin% the last $art :.7))!.7*?9. #nd the $ro$hetic $eriod 4as to be marked at its be%in! nin% and endin% b" s$eci ic events& the %rantin% o $o4er& throne& and authorit" and later b" a ca$ture and the stroke o a s4ord. 5et us clari " urther ho4 Catholicism as a conce$t could be dominant even 4hen the $o$e as a ruler 4as momentaril" in contem$t. #s the $o$es
feodal (ParisA> 7(& (((; sec also Daniel #. #u%sbur%cr& J#$e Beginning o the .(<) Days of Pro6$ecyJ :un$ublished 6a6er 6resented to the Bible Researc$ )ello s$i6> .*/(; a co$" is on file at t$e B$ite &state Researc$ Center> #ndre4s 1niversity> Bcrrien S$rin%s& 'I9.

.(+

Some Kuestions #ns4ered

ca!e into o4nershi$ o ever lar%er $a$al estates& the" came also into numerous $olitical and militar" skirmishes. 2he $o$e@s inter erence in the internal a airs o Euro$ean countries also brou%ht him into con lict. =o onder he 4as o ten im$risoned and several times $revented rom settin% foot in Ro!e. But the $eo$le 4ho ou%ht the $o$e in such dis$utes 4ere ordinaril" %ood Catholics. # strikin% e,am$le o this discrimination o lo"alties occurred in .)/7& 4hen some =orman adventurers 4ere $lunderin% villa%es in southern Ital". 1o$e 5eo DC led an ill!trained arm" to disci$line the =ormans but 4as de eated at the Battle o Civitate. 2he victorious =ormans trium$hantl" $re$ared a sti treat" or the $o$e to si%n& but the" $resented it to him as $enitent sinners& on their 1neesP. 2hou%h the" dominated the $o$e as a $rince& the" 4ere dominated b" him as a Catholic. Better kno4n toda" is the HanticlericalismH o man" Catholics around t$e 4orld. 'an" Catholics 4ho hold devoutl" to the $o$e as the Hol" Father 4hose ministr" is essential to their salvation& nonetheless insist that $e and his bisho$s have no ri%ht to involve themselves in $olitics. #lthou%h durin% the .(<) "ears& the $o$e 4as o ten de eated and several times im$risoned& his treatment in .7*? 4as 3ualitativel" di erent. In .7*? he 4as over$o4ered and im$risoned 4ith the $ur$ose o terminatin% his religious si%ni icance. 9+K Set in a 0aDor #ransitional &ra Fe return no4 to /7?& not to look at it as a s$eci ic date but as a date set in an era o e$ochal chan%e 4ith momentous conse3uences. Historians 4ho tem$oriJe 4ith s$eci ic dates can dra4 con idence rom broad brushstrokes that $aint the .(<) "ears as stretchin% rom the e$ochal era o the all o Rome and the rei%n o Austinian to the e$ochal era o the French Revolution. 2he close o the i th and be%innin% o the si,th centuries marked a %enuine turnin% $oint in human a airs / So %reat 4ere the chan%es that Ed4ard Gibbon be%an the second division o his monumental %ecline and (all o/ the "oman Em!ire 4ith the a%e o Austinian I :Eastern em$eror& /(7! /</9. In the ourth centur" the Festern em$ire& 4hich had under%one much civil stri e in the third centur"& 4as lar%el" uni ied and stabiliJed. # remark!
/ C B. Previte-(rton> The Shorter )ambridge 6edie#al %istory :Cambrid%e& .*/79& +7*. / See #u%sbur%cr& H2he Be%innin% o the .(<) Days o 1ro$hec"&H on the vast cultural chan%es t$at !arked t$e onset of t$e si,th centur" and 4hich hel$ to su$$ort the date /7?.

.(/

2he 'ark o the Beast abl" uni orm HGreco!RomanH culture $revailed almost ever"4here& evidenced b" $ublic baths& im$ressive basilicas& collonnaded cit" streets& and the use o 5atin. Roman civil la4 3Aus ci#ile4 4as ever"4here the norm. Even more im$ortant or our $ur$oses& about A.D. +)) both Eastern and Festern $arts o the em$ire 4ere nominall" ChristianiJed. B" +)) the em$erors 4ere Catholics& 4ho re3uired the $eo$le to be Catholics. Bisho$s& churches& and church councils lourished. But in the i th centur" this stabilit" 4as broken u$ and its Catholicit" challen%ed. Invadin% tribes carved u$ the Festern em$ire& each controllin% as lar%e an area as it could %ras$. 2"$icall"& the tribes allo4ed man" as$ects o established la4 and culture to continue. But chan%es 4ere inevitable. 5atin be%an to be re$laced 4ith earl" orms o the Euro$ean lan%ua%es 4e kno4 toda". 2he invaders con iscated one!third :sometimes t4o!thirds9 o a lando4ners@ $ro$ert". 2o$ %overnment o icials 4ere likel" to be members o the rulin% tribes. Si%ni icant to our stud" is the 4ar are that 4ent on bet4een the tribes and amon% clans 4ithin some o the tribes no4 that the overarchin% control o the em$ire had been removed. Results& es$eciall" in Ital"& included the destruction o traditional rulin% amilies& the de%radation o industr" and a%riculture& devastatin% bouts o amine and $estilence> and an o$$ortunit" or the $a$ac" to assume to$ leadershi$. Fhen Belisarius entered Rome in /7< as $art o the Eastern em$eror@s Catholic cam$ai%n to be rid o the #rian 0stro%oths& Rome 4as still a s$lendid and lourishin% metro$olis. It 4as still a cit" o baths& tem$les& $alaces& collonnaded streets& and e,trava%ant entertainments. 2he old Roman Senate continued to sit there. 2he 0stro%othic Din% 2heodoric had 4anted it this 4a". But a ter the ear ul de eat o the 0stro%othic orces at Rome in the s$rin% o /7?& a determined remnant o the 0stro%oths continued a ho$eless stru%%le that 4as e,tremel" dama%in% all over the Italian $eninsula& accom$anied b" amine& $estilence& and even bubonic $la%ue. Fithin a decade or so& classical civiliJation $erished in Rome and throu%hout Ital". In cities burnt& desolated and mutilated& ruins remained the sole evidence o ormer s$lendor.... 2he ni%ht o barbarism had descended on the 5atin 4orld& a darkness in 4hich no li%ht 4as visible& other than o the ta$ers o the church and the lonel"&student!lam$ o the monk broodin% in his cloister.
< Ferdinand Gre%orovius& =istor o/ "ome in the 6iddle Ages, trans. Annie Hamilton& ? vols. :5on!

.(<

Some Kuestions #ns4ered

Sa"s one t"$ical 'edievalist& the $eninsula seemed almost de$o$u! lated>and Hnothin% remained or the inhabitants but to die.H 2hus Hthe Gothic Far makes a breakH in Ital"@s histor"& brin%in% the land to Hthe threshold o the Dark #%es.H7 # Seventh!da" #dventist medievalist has this to sa"E 2he vacuum created in Rome b" the crumblin% o the Gothic monarch" had been elt durin% the 4ar "ears and it 4as durin% these disastrous "ears that the 1a$ac" 4on the hearts and the minds o the ill! ated Romans b" its irm stand and liberalit". Should 4e settle or the be%innin% o the recon3uest in /7<L 2he real sho4do4n or Rome& 4hich is the essential element as ar as the 1a$ac" is concerned did not come until /77!/7?.? 2he si,th centur" 4as one o transition. #s it be%an& Ital" 4as ruled b" the 4ise 0stro%oths; as it closed& she 4as the un4illin% host o the barbarous 5ombards. #s it be%an& Ital" 4as united; as it closed& she 4as torn a$art under the divided rule o 5ombards& B"Jantines& and $o$es. #s it be%an& a dim %lo4 o enli%htenment still lickered in Euro$e; as it closed& She li%ht 4as nearl" out. #s it be%an& the $o$es 4ere limited b" the 4hims o the kind but overbearin% Cloths; as it closed& the $o$es 4ere su$reme in Rome. #s it be%an& Euro$e 4as dominated mostl" b" $a%ans and #rians; as it closed& the #rians 4ere %one and Catholicism 4as makin% %reat strides. #s it be%an& 2heodoric 4as the arbiter o Euro$e; as it closed& 1o$e Gre%or" the Great* had taken his $lace. But 4e return to the most im$ortant issue& that o reli%ious chan%e. #$e tribal invasions and the subse3uent colla$se o the em$ire and o Festern Roman civiliJation as a 4hole brou%ht a severe challen%e to Roman Catholicism. 2he #n%lo!Sa,ons& #lemans& and Franks 4ho in! vaded 4hat 4e kno4 as En%land& 4estern German"& and northern France 4ere $a%an. 'ost o the other tribes 4ere Christian& but the" 4ere o the #rian variet". Indeed& the #rian list included three $articularl" stron% tribes& the Visi%oths& the 0stro%oths& and the Vandals. #s earl" as +.)& the #rian Visi%oths became the irst enem" to invade the cit" o Rome since $rehistoric times. 0nl" ort"! ive "ears later :in +//9 the #rian Vandals invaded Rome& literall" HvandaliJin%H it. 2he #rian Visi%oths settled in east!
don> .?*+!.*)(9. (E(!7. in #u%sbuiPcr& H2he Be%innin% o the .(<) Days>J K. 3 Previte-(rton> 6edie#al =istor , .*)!*(. K Augsburger> JBeginning of the .(<) Days>J (+. C =. B. Bury> =istor o/ the *a!ac o/ the Nineteenth )entur 3+-E.5+-H-4 :5ondon& .*7)9& .7(. ?regoly !ediated bet4een Em$eror 0aurice and t$e Visi%oths.

.(7

2he 'ark o t$e Beast ern France and S$ain& 4here the" allo4ed the Catholics onl" %rud%in% reedom. #$e #rian Vandals settled in =orth # rica& 4here the" vi%orousl" $ersecuted Catholics and e,iled lar%e numbers o bisho$s. 2he #rian 0stro%oths settled in Ital" and under 2heodoric %ave the Catholics a lar%e measure o reedom; but 4hen #rians in the eastern $art o the em$ire 4ere bein% $ersecuted under Em$eror Austin I> 2heodoric thorou%hl" humiliated the $o$e& as e have seen above. 2hus the tribal invasions 4ere not onl" an over4helmin% $olitical and demo%ra$hic challen%e to the em$ire; the" constituted also a severe challen%e to the Catholic Church& or to a considerable de%ree the" achieved a de!CatholiciJation o Euro$e. Here 4as a ver" serious situation or the Roman Church. I it 4as to become dominant in Euro$e& the situation 4ould have to be reversed. #nd& o course& it 4as& over time. In act& b" the time the three #rian tribes had been eliminated and their #rian orm o Christianit" had been eliminated 4ith them& the vi%orous Franks& b" +*<& had taken on the Catholic aith and& b" /)? had humbled i not converted the #rian Visi%oths. :2he" de eated the Visi%oths in /)7 and drove the survivors over the 1"renees into S$ain in /)?.9.) #nd the $rocess did %o on& until a ter a cou$le o centuries or so& Roman Catholic theolo%" and $ractice 4ere once more trium$hant in Festern Euro$e. B" contrast& 4e mi%ht mention that the Greek 0rthodo, Church e,$erienced a stead" decline in territor"& membershi$& and economics& mainl" as a conse3uence o 'uslim e,$ansion. Its decline contributed in various 4a"s to the Catholic success. ..

(bDections to .3CK #n obIection sometimes raised to .7*? as a terminatin% "ear or the .(<) da"s is that the Catholic Church didn@t die then& even tem$oraril". 'illions o Catholics remained and& in act& $ressure rom them led =a$o! leon to si%n a ne4 concordat 4ith the ne,t $o$e& in .?).. 2he res$onse is that the $ro$hec" does not re3uire that the beast
.) #u%sbur%er& JBeginning o t$e .(<) Days," +.& 2his first decisive use of force b" the Catholic )ranks in o$$osition to t$e #rian Visi%oths !akes a convenient startin% 6lace or the .(*) "ear! da" $ro$hec" o Daniel .(E... H2he rise o Chlodovec QKovisR.. .seems in man" 4a"s ar more e$och!makin% t$an t$e event o +7<.... It !arks t$e beginning o a ne era... throu%h its lastin% conseHuences for civiliJation.H H. Grisar& =istor o/ "ome and the !opes .E..)!..; in #u%sbur%er& HBe%innin% o the .(<) Days>J ./. .. See& c.%.& Audith Herrin& The (ormation o/ )hristendom :1rinceton& .*?79.

.(?

So!e 4uestions #ns4ered

@I actuall" die. 2rue& the $roverb!$ro$hec" in Revelation .7E.) sa"s that Hhe P; that kills 4ith the s4ord must be killed 4ith the s4ordH :=DAV9&.( but the , direct $ro$hec" in .7E7 is more $reciseE H0ne o its heads seemed to have @ a mortal 4ound& but the mortal 4ound 4as healed.H .7 2he $assa%e sa"s ; nothin% about a resurrection& onl" a healin%. So 4e are not to look or an actual death& but onl" or a serious 4oundin%. #nother obIection holds that because verse 7 :about the 4ound9 comes be ore verse / :about the +( months9& the 4ound 4as to be ul illed be ore the .(<) da"s 4ere to be%in and so could not re er to an event in U; .7*?. 2his obIection overlooks the literar" arran%ement o the ull $assa%e :.7E.!.)9..+ # urther obIection $oints out :as 4e observed at the be%innin% o this @ section9 that the $o$e had been taken $risoner several times $rior to .7*?& eliminatin% .7*? as uni3ue. 2he $a$ac" had e,$erienced other militar" de eats and even ca$tivities durin% its lon% .(<) "ears& but the .7*? ca$tivit" 4as uni3ue in at least t4o si%ni icant as$ects. :.9 It came as the clima0 o/ se#eral centuries o/ decline in the in luence o Catholicism on the minds o Euro$eans& and :(9 it 4as not merel a militar or !olitical cou! but 4as a stroke deliberatel" intended to terminate the $a$ac" orever. Catholic in luence in Euro$e had be%un to decline in the .7))s 4ith t$e rise o nationalism and nominalism& and 4as hastened b" the Re ormation& the 2hirt" Oears Far& and the so!called Enli%htenment. Evidence o its lo state even in survivin% Catholic countries can be ound in Catholic
;'ite's.

Reli%ious eelin%& H4hich had lon% since %ro4n cold in German"&H had become in #ustria H4ell!ni%h e,tinct to4ard the close o the ei%hteenth centur".H./ In France& Hthe ei%hteenth centur" 4as the least Christian and the least French centur" in the histor" o France.H.< S$ain 4as lon% more lo"al to the $o$e than Ital"& but 4hen the e,iled
.( So the RSV and similarl" the DAV and some other versions. 2he =IV and AB and some other versions ma" be $re erred; HI an"one is to be killed 4ith the s4ord& 4ith the s4ord he 4ill be killedH :=IV9; H2he s4ord or those 4ho arc to die b" the s4ordH :AB9. .+ So t$e RS' has it. 2he underl"in% ?reek> translated literall"& is JAnd one of its $eads havin% its t$roat cut as if in order to cause death& and its stroke o death as :success ull"9 treated.J ./ )or a discussion& o the literar" arran%ement o Rev .7& see n. ?& in t$e irst section o this c$a6ter :H2he 0arkJA. .9 =o$n #lJo%& %istory o/ the #hurch, trans. F. =. 1abisch and 2homas S. By!e> + vols. :=e4 Mork> .*.(9& 7E<7*. .2 ?eorges ?oyau> art. HFrance&H )atholic Enc clo!edia <E.7(.

.(*

2he 'ark o the Beast $o$e sou%ht as"lum in S$ain& it 4as denied him& e,ce$t on such conditions as could not in reason be com$lied 4ith..7 Fhen 1ius VI died the ne,t "ear in FranceP Hhal Qo R Euro$e thou%ht .. ! that 4ith the 1o$e the 1a$ac" 4as dead.H.) #s e,$lained earlier& $revious de eats and ca$tivities had been carried out b" lo"al Catholics 4hose %oals 4ere $olitical. In .7*? the settin% 4as the least Catholic era thus ar in modern Euro$ean histor"& and the %oals 4ere both $olitical and reli%ious. #s e observed& the French instructions to =a$oleon 4ere that Hthere is one thin% more essential& to the attainment o the end desired& and that is to destro"& i $ossible& the centre o unit" o the Roman Church; and it is or "ou Q=a$oleonR... to realiJe this aim i "ou consider it $racticable.H .* .3CK Set in a 0aDor #ransitional &ra 2he lo4 ebb o Catholicism at the end o the ei%hteenth centur" is not the onl" indication that .7*? ell in a maIor transitional era. 2here 4ere man" other indications as historians have observed. 1ro essor Filliam H. 'c=eill& or e,am$le& in his hi%hl" acclaimed master4ork& The "ise o/ the >est, s$eaks o a %reat HFestern e,$losionH that carried Euro$ean conce$ts and technolo%" around the 4orld. In %eneral harmon" 4ith numerous other scholars& 'c=eill dates this Festern e,$losion as commencin% in .7?*& the "ear 4hen the French Revolution be%an.() H#t the outbreak o the French Revolution in .7?* Qobserves 'c=eillR& the %eo%ra$hical boundaries o Festern civiliJation could still be de ined 4ith reasonable $recision. B"... .*.7& this 4as no lon%er the case. Festern histor" had mer%ed into 4orld histor".H(. 'c=eill anal"Jes the Festern e,$losion under three maIor subheads& Hterritorial e,$ansion&H Hindustrialism&H and Hdemocratic revolution.H #ll three as$ects have a direct bearin% on the $ro$hecies that 4e are e,aminin%. 2he 4ell!kno4n e,$ansion o colonialism& es$eciall" the British Em$ire in the .?))s 4as onl" $art o a %iant $rocess that thrust Euro$ean cul!
.7 Ric$ard %u!!a, A Brie/ Account o/ ihe Sub#ersion o/ the *a!al Go#ernment& +H,,, (nd ed. :5ondon& G. G. and =. Robinson> .7**9& /7. .? ?eorge 2revor& Rome7 (rom the (all o/ the >estern Em!ire :5ondon& n.d.9& ++.. .* #ulard& )hristianit and the (rench "e#olution, trans. 5ad" FraJer :5ondon& .*(79& ./.. () Filliam H. 'c=eill& The "ise o/ the >est :Chica%o& .*<79& 77)!<(. (. Ibid.& 77).

.7)

Some Kuestions #ns4ered

ture and civiliJation over ver" lar%e areas o # rica and #sia and %reatl" e,$anded their in luence over =orth and South #merica. In addition& the industrial revolution& 4hich be%an in Britain in the second hal o the .7))s& $rovided Festern technolo%">such as steam en%ines or actories& steam trains& steam boats& $o4er $rintin% $resses& the tele%ra$h& and advanced 4ea$onr"> or the rest o the 4orld. Festern territorial e,$ansion& combined 4ith the ne4 industrialism& made $ossible the %rand distribution o Christianit" that led Denneth Scott 5atourette to call the .?))s the HGreat Centur"H o Christian missions& a
>>

centur" o Haboundin% vitalit" and un$recedented e,$ansion.H> 2hus& Festern e,$ansion :both secular e,$ansion and missionar" e,! $ansion9 and Festern industrialism ma" be seen as strikin% ul illments o the $ro$hecies around the close o the .(<) "ears. Daniel .(E+ $redicted that at the end o the .(<) "ears Hman" shall run to and ro& and kno4led%e shall increase.H Aohn heard a voice at the end o these "ears callin% or the $roclamation o the %os$el to Hman" $eo$les& and nations& and ton%ues& and kin%sH :Rev .)E..& DAV9. 2he third as$ect o 'c=eill@s Festern e,$losion& the Hdemocratic revolution&@M brin%s us to the French Revolution& 4hich surel" deserved a $lace in $ro$hec"N It chan%ed 4orld histor" b" inducin% the s$irit o modem nationalism and b" $roducin% modern universal conscri$tion& leadin% in turn to the immense armies and drasticall" murderous 4ars that characteriJe our times.(7 2ra%icall"& the rise o democrac" led directl" to %eneral conscri$tion and the mass armies 4e kno4 toda"& based on the $hiloso$h" that i a na! tion belon%s e3uall" to all citiJens& all citiJens should be e3uall" 4illin% to i%ht or it. H8ntil the French Revolution all Euro$ean 4ars had been ou%ht 4ith mercenar" and $ro essional armies& $aid or b" the %overnment&H a historian reminds us. 2he irst %eneral conscri$tion& the 777le#ee en masse,$ 4hich the French %overnment im$osed as a conse3uence& H4as the irst modern e,am$le o conscri$tion o the man$o4er o an" Euro$ean nation.... So 4as bom the idea o a national 4ar& and& 4ith the le#ee en masse, the means 4ere made available or 4a%in% it... Euro$e 4ould never be the same a%ain. H(+
(( Denneth Scott 5atourette& A =istor o/ )hristianit :=e4 Oork& .*/79& .)<.. 5+ )or an e,cellent brief discussion o modem nationalism and its relation to the French Revolution& sec Ste4ard C Easton& The =istem =eritage /rom the Earliest Times to the *resent :=e4 Oork& .*<.9& cha$. .7. 5/ Easton& >stem =eritage, /)/!<.

.7.

2he 'ark o the Beast

2he "ear .7*? 4as o %reat si%ni icance in and o itsel & but it also 4as surrounded b" ver" im$ressive develo$ments that marked the evolution o a ne4 era>actuall"& the commencement o the Htime o the end&H earth@s last era. Conclusion In an earlier section 4e looked at s$eci ic events in /7? and .7*? that ul illed s$eci ic as$ects o $ro$hec". In this res$onse to some 3uestions 4e have looked at e$ochal chan%es that surrounded the t4o dates. His!toricists can be con ident that the .(<) da" $ro$hec" 4as ul illed in the career o Roman Catholicism.

.7(

C$a6ter !

Conte-tual A66roac$ to t$e Seven Last Plagues

Hans D. 5aRondelle
&ditorial Syno6sis. #dventist interest in the seven last $la%ues :Rev ./!.<9 has usuall" ocused on the si,th& the battle o #rma%eddon. #lthou%h Aames Fhite asserted in .?<( that Hthe %reat battle is not bet4een nation and nation& but bet4een earth and heavenH :RH& Aanuar" (.& .?<(9& #dventists in %eneral have $roIected a $olitical scenario. #ttention irst centered on the dissolution o the 2urkish Em$ire as the ul illment o the $la%ue@s s"mbolismE the dr"in% u$ o the Eu$hrates river. 2hen& bet4een Forld Far I and II the ocus shi ted to the Ha4akenin%H nations o the 0rient as the con lict came to be $erceived as a 4ar bet4een the nations o the east and 4est& centerin% in 1alestine. But the advent o the =uclear and S$ace #%e have rendered such s$eculations untenable& and there has been a health" return to the Scri$tures& $ermittin% them to de ine their o4n terms and s"mbols. 2hus& the 4riter o this cha$ter ar%ues or a conte,tual a$$roach to the entire $ro$hec" of the seven last $la%ues > an a$$roach that dra4s on both 02 ima%er" and end!time em$hasis as 4ell as on the =2 and the immediate conte,t in the book o Revelation. #llo4in% the Bible to e,$lain itsel has led to the discover" o its e,tensive use o t"$olo%". For e,am$le& Israel@s historical e,$eriences& the E,odus rom E%"$t and the later deliverance rom Bab"lon& orm a t"$olo%ical substructure in the =2& es$eciall" in the book o Revelation. In the =2 Christ becomes the antit"$ical 1assover 5amb 4hose sacri icial death liberates the ne4 Israel& the church. #s the 'essiah& He leads the church out o this 4orld to rei%n in the ne4 earth :Canaan9 orever. 0n the sea o %lass& like the reIoicin% thron%s o ancient Israel at

the Red Sea& the redeemed 4ill sin% the son% o 'oses and the 5amb. 2he seven last $la%ues are like4ise tied into the E,odus t"$olo%". Four o them re lect the $la%ue Aud%ments God sent u$on their E%"$tian o$$ressors :blood& boils& darkness9. 2he si,th and seventh $la%ues on Bab"lon the Great re lect the ancient dr"in% u$ o the Eu$hrates and the subse3uent all o Bab"lon b" the con3uerin% armies o C"rus. Aust as the colla$se o that ancient em$ire brou%ht .77

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues reedom to the Israelite ca$tives& so the t"$olo%icall" e,$ressed $ro$hec" o the destruction o s$iritual Bab"lon indicates deliverance or God@s end!time $eo$le rom their oe. Revelation .<& the $ortra"al o the seven last $la%ues& is locked into the vision o Revelation ./ 4here the seven $la%ues are declared to originate /rom the Htabernacle o 2estimon"H :./E?& =IV9& another e,odus moti . #t the same time the cha$ter is locked into Revelation .7E.!.*E.) 4hich $rovides an elaboration and e,$lanation o the si,th and seventh $la%ues& the colla$se and destruction o Bab"lon the Great. I the Bible student studies the inal a$ocal"$tic 4ar :#rma%eddon9 in the li%ht o its 02 antecedents and in the immediate conte,t o Revelation& takin% co%niJance o the Bible@s t"$olo%"& he 4ill be led to inter$ret this Hbattle on the %reat da" o God #lmi%ht"H as a 4ar o cosmic and universal dimensions a%ainst God& His Christ& and His aith ul& remnant $eo$le b" an end!time Bab"lonian reli%ious!$olitical con ederation. 2hus& the conte,tual a$$roach > vie4in% this subIect throu%h the total 4itness o the Bible>rules out a $urel" $olitical 4orld 4ar& and $rotects the Bible@s teachin% on the end!time stru%%le bet4een %ood and evil rom the instrusion o elements orei%n to the Scri$ture $ers$ective.

C$a6ter (utline
I. Im$ortance o the 1roblem II. 1rinci$les o Inter$retation III. E,odus 2"$olo%"E # Biblical Substructure IV. E,odus 2"$olo%" in Revelation V. Revelation .<E Correlations Fith Conte,t VI. Si,th6Seventh 1la%uesE E,$lained b" Revelation .7!.* VII. Har!'a%edonE 2he Bible@s Final Far

I!6ortance of t$e Proble!

In the book o Revelation the seven last $la%ues are $resented as the out$ourin% o the 4rath o God in ull stren%th :Hunmi,ed&H .+E.); ./E.& RSV9 on a 4orld in rebellion a%ainst God. 2he last and most terrible $la%ue>the seventh>is the decisive moment o the colla$se o HBab"lon the GreatH and the disa$$earance o this creation :Rev .<E.*!()9.
.7+

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues

#lthou%h the %atherin% o the reli%ious and $olitical $o4ers to H#rma! %eddonH is $ictured 4ithin the rame4ork o the si,th bo4l or $la%ue :.<E.(!.<9& it is %enerall" a%reed that the actual Hbattle on the %reat da" o God #lmi%ht"P@!4ill take $lace durin% the se#enth $la%ue. In .?** Ellen G. Fhite 4rote& JBe need to stud" the $ourin% out o the seventh vial. 2he $o4ers o evil 4ill not "ield u$ the con lict 4ithout a stru%%le. But 1rovidence has a $art to act in the battle o #rma%eddon.H ( It is a 4ell!kno4n act that or several %enerations Seventh!da" #d! ventist $ublic evan%elism has relied es$eciall" on Revelation .<& the si,th and seventh $la%ues in $articular& to su$$ort the imminence o the second comin% o Christ. 0n the other hand it is no secret that stron% obIections have been raised b" Seventh!da" #dventist Bible teachers& and serious 3uestions have been asked b" some o our denominational leaders 4ith re%ard to the s$eculative nature o the 'iddle East em$hasis and the secular H#rma%eddonH 4ar $ro%nostications. 2"$ical o the con usion $resent in our a$ocal"$tic inter$retation o the last $la%ues is the testimon" o Elder #. V. 0lsen durin% the .*/( Bible Con erence in Fashin%ton& DCE7 Oears a%o I overheard one o our ministers& 4ho had re3uentl" 4ritten articles or the ne4s$a$ers o his cit" on the 2urkish 3uestion& sa" to a %rou$ o 4orkers& HI 4ill never 4rite another article on this subIect or the $ublic $ress& because ever" time I tell 4hat the 2urk is %oin% to do he makes a ool o me b" doin% somethin% entirel" di erent.H B" his erroneous inter$retations and his un4arranted $redictions& this %ood brother had created embarrassment both or himsel and or the church. 2he most recentl" $ublished challen%es are& H2he 5ocation and Si%! ni icance o #rma%eddon in Revelation .<E.<& H+ and HFho Fill Fi%ht the Battle o #rma%eddonLH / In these articles the 'iddle East ocus is radi! call" removed rom the #dventist inter$retation o #rma%eddon. In this cha$ter 4e 4ill address the $articular $roblem area o the seven last $la%ues.

. 2he =IV is used throu%hout this cha$ter unless other4ise noted. ( F. D. =ichol& ed.& The S%A Bible )ommentar H :Fashin%ton& DC& .*/79E *?7. + A. '. (lsonN#$e 1lace o 1ro$hec" in (ur 1reachin%&H in $ur (irm (oundation ( :Fashin%ton& DC> .*/79E /+7. + F. H. Shea& mA@SS .? :.*?)9E ./7!<(. / R. Camora& in These Tones, Februar" .*?(&?!.).

.7/

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues

Princi6les of Inter6retation
# milestone in the $ro%ressive understandin% o Hol" Scri$ture 4as reached in the $ublication o the book& A S m!osium on Biblical =er5meneutics, E $re$ared b" the Biblical Research Institute and $ublished on behal o the .*7+ =orth #merican Bible Con erences in the Seventh!da" #dventist Church. It contains our cha$ters s$eci icall" on H1rinci$les o Biblical Inter$retationH :cha$s. .)!.79. #otal Scri6ture 6rinci6le. B" 4a" o summar"& 4e advance the $ertinent hermeneutical $rinci$les that a ect our a$$roach to the last Bible book. From the investi%ative vanta%e $oint the conte,t o the 4ord is the sentence& unit& book& or books b" the same author. Be"ond this the conte,t o each o the books o the =2 is the canon o the =2 and the canon o the 02 is the conte,t o each o the books o the 02. Finall" the entire Scri$ture is the conte,t or each 4ord& sentence& unit& and other division. 2he conce$t o allo4in% the Scri$ture in its totalit" to illuminate the meanin% o a $articular te,t>the sola scri!tura $rinci$le>o$ens u$ the dimension o a dee$er level o meanin% and a uller im$ort than could be seen b" the immediate conte,t. #%ainst the dan%er o subIectivism in inter$retation& Hasel states& H# sa e %uide to lead to the ri%ht understandin% o the uller im$ort and dee$er meanin% o Scri$ture is another ins$ired
++E=,EE >?6 A3

4riter. 2"$olo%" 6rinci6le. 2he ull si%ni icance o Scri$ture as intended b" God is brou%ht to li%ht not onl" b" 4a" o the actual ul illment o $redic! tive $ro$hecies but also through the t !ological sense o Israel@s histor".
2hus the t"$e is al4a"s incom$lete until the antit"$e brin%s out the uller im$ort and dee$er meanin% o the t"$e. God as the author o Scri$ture $laced 4ithin the t"$e a $re i%uration o 4hat is later identi ied as antit"$e.... 2here is a stron% t"$olo%ical relationshi$ bet4een the 02 and the =2.*

2he essa" b" B?.C. 'urdoch& in the same book& elaborates more on the nature o biblical t"$olo%" :$$. (.7!.?9. His conclusion is basicall"&
2 ?. 0. 7yde> cd. :Fashin%ton& DC. .*7+9. 3 ?. ). 7asel> JPrinci6les of Biblical Intci$retation&H in - Symposium on Biblical %enneneutics, ed. ?ordon 0. 7yde :Fashin%ton& DC, Biblical Researc$ Institute. .*7+9& .?(!?7. ? Ibid.& .?<. C Ibid.> .?7.

.7<

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues

H2"$olo%" can be le%itimatel" used in inter$retation o the 02 to brin% out the corres$ondence bet4een God@s methods o dealin% 4ith His $eo$le be ore and a ter the cross o Christ>thus sho4in% that His overall $lan o salvation is one.H.) Finall"& the $resent 4riter has tried to de ine and a$$l" the theolo%ical $rinci$le o t"$olo%"& statin% that the 02 t"$es are e,$ressions o a relationshi$ 4ith Oah4eh& 4hile the =2 antit"$es are de ined b" their relationshi$ 4ith Christ...
Ever" time the a$ocal"$se o Aohn mentions and a$$lies a Hebre4 name or $lace or re ers to an 02 $erson or event& the t"$olo%ical $attern calls or determination o the ori%inal redem$tive!historical value o such a term in relation to God@s covenant 4ith ancient Israel. 0nl" then can the $ro$er Chnstolo%ical and ecclesiolo%ical meanin% be dra4n b" structural analo%". 2he t"$olo%ical $rinci$le a$$lies not onl" to the name Israel but also to the names o Israel@s enemies > such as Bab"lon& E%"$t& and Edom > so that the ancient enemies o God@s $eo$le unction as t"$es o the enemies o the true church o Christ Aesus& :c . Rev .*E.7&./& and Isa <7E.!<9.(

&-odus #y6ology, A Biblical Substructure

# t"$olo%ical inter$retation o Israel@s historic E,odus rom E%"$t 4as initiated b" the 02 $ro$hets themselves as the" oretold an e,odus rom the Bab"lonian ca$tivit"..7 #lthou%h Israel@s subse3uent e,odus out o Bab"lon under Cerub!babel and EJra in /7< and +/7 B.C. ma" be inter$reted as I!artial /ul/illment o these t"$olo%ical $ro$hecies& the aith o Israel ke$t lookin% or4ard to the eschatolo%ical deliverance b" the 'essiah Himsel . 0nl" His comin% 4ould restore to Israel all the covenant blessin%s :Cech *&.+; 'al7!+9. Bemhard F. #nderson@s outstandin% anal"sis o the E,odus t"$olo%" in Isaiah concludesE.+
.; B.?.C 0urdoc$> HIntroduction o S"mbols& #y6es> #lle%ories& and 1arables&H in A S m!osium on Bi lical %ermeneutics, (.<. .. 7ans8. LaRondellc> HInter$retation o 1ro$hetic and #$ocal"$tic Eschatolo%".H in- S m!osium on Bi lical %ermeneutics, (77. #s a concrete e-a!6le> t$e &liDa$-6ro!ise of 'al +E/!< has been orked out !ore fully on $$. (7*!+.. Sec also 2he EliIah to Come>'an or 'essa%eLH in 6m5uo"& Aanuar"& .*?.&+!?. .5 Ibid.> 5+/. .+ 7os 5,./-.9G =er (7E/!?; &@ek ()E77!+(; and Isa ..E.)!.(; +7E.<!.*; /.E.)!..; /(E.!.(. ./ B-B.Anderson> J&-odus T !cAog 7mSecondlsaiah,$ Israel7s *ro!hetic =eritage, cd&O&>&A&ndeT5 son and B. 7arrelson :=e4 Mork> .*<(9& cha$. .(& 3uotations fro! .*)&.*(&.*+!*/.

.77

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues

It is erroneous to assume that the ne4 e,odus is the same as the old& as thou%h the end!time 4ere a return to $rimeval time.... In the ne4 e,odus& historical conditions 4ill be marvelousl" trans ormed. . .. 2he ne4 e,odus is not a return to the old in a %reat historical c"cle. It is a ne4 event& a ne4 creation QIsa +?E<!7 3uotedR&... 2he E,odus& then& is a Ht"$eH o the ne4 e,odus 4hich 4ill ul ill in a more 4onder ul ashion& 4ith a dee$er soteriolo%ical meanin%& and 4ith 4orld!4ide im$lications& Oah4eh@s $ur$ose revealed b" 4ord and deed in the be%innin%.

2he God 4ho 4ould accom$lish this eschatolo%ical e,odus is the I #'& that is& the God o Israel@s historic E,odus rom E%"$t :Isa +7E.); E,od 7E.+9. 2he ne4 #%ent o the uture %atherin% o the aith ul remnant 4ould be the Servant o Oah4eh& the 'essiah :Isa +*E<9../ 2his t"$olo%ical relationshi$ bet4een Israel@s E,odus under 'oses and the uture messianic act o liberation is o ten e,$ressed in rabbinic literature. 2he 'essiah 4as e,$ected to re$eat 4hat 'oses had done. He 4ill send ne4 $la%ues u$on the o$$ressors o the eschatolo%ical Israel. He 4ill a%ain brin% orth 4ater out o the rock and send do4n manna rom heaven. Aust as in E%"$t& the inal deliverance 4ill take $lace at 1assover. 2he standin% ormula used is& Has the irst deliverer& so the last deliverer.H 'ore than has been commonl" realiJed& the t"$olo%ical structure bet4een the historical E,odus and the 'essianic deliverance is also undamental or the =e4 2estament. 2his has been demonstrated no4 b" several scholars or the books o 'atthe4& .7 o Luke and #cts&.? o Aohn&.* or 1aul@s theolo%"() and or the =2 as a 4hole.(. 2he Christolo%ical 1assover t"$olo%" is e,$ressed most e,$licitl" in . Corinthians /E7; . 1eter .E.?!.*; and Aohn .E(*& 7<; .*E77& 7< :E,od
./ C . E. Aacob& Theolog o/ the $ld Testament (7ar6er> .*/?9& 77*; F. Foulkes& The Acts of God :2"ndale& .*//9& (.!((. .< Documentation b" A. Acrcmias& in T%NT :Diltcl!Freidrichsert9& vol. +; s.v. 'ouses& #7b; and in Strack!Billerbeck.Go4nenBarJ4n NTaus Talmudund6idrash .E?/!??. .7 F. D. Davies& The Sermon on the 6ount :=e4 Oork& .*<<9; R. #. )rance> HIn all t$e Scri6tures !A Stud" o Aesus@ 2"$olo%"&H T ndale Bulletin, .*7)&.+!./. .? A. 'anek& H2he <e E,odus in the Books o 5uke&H No#T ( :.*/?9E ?!(7. .* R. H. Smith& HE,odus 2"$olo%" in the Fourth ?os6el>J 8B2 ?. :.*<(9E 7(+!+(. () 7. Sa$lin> J#$e <e E,odus of Salvation #ccordin% to St. 1aul&H The Root o/ the Qme, ed. A. Fridrichsen :Festminster& .*/79& cha$. /. (. R. E. =i,on& The E0odus in the NT :Fheaton& IL> .*<79; ). #. 1i$er& H8nchan%in% Pro!ises, E,odus in the <#>J fnt .. :.*/79E <!((. )or a general biblical overvie4& see 7. 8. 5aRondcllc& H2he Sensus 1lenior o Israel%s Restoration Pro!ises, 2he <# #y6ology o Israel%s E,odi )ro! E%"$t and Bab"lon&H 8n$ublished lecture given or the &vang. #$eol. Society in 2oronto& Canada& December (?&.*?..

.7?

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues .(E+<9. It ma" be traced back to Christ Himsel 4hen He substituted the emblems o the 5ast Su$$er or the 1assover ritual or His church as the ne4 Israel :'att (<E(?9(( 2he =2 has develo$ed rom its Christolo%" an ecclesiolog in 4hich the church stands or a ne4 e,odus $eo$le& commissioned b" 'essiah Aesus to be the li%ht o the 4orld and to $roclaim salvation to all $eo$les on the earth.(7 Fe need re er onl" to . Corinthians .)E.!..; . 1eter (E*!.); and Hebre4s ?E?!.7 to con irm the conclusion that the ne4!covenant church has been constituted b" Christ and His a$ostles as the eschatolo%ical e,odus $eo$le& a chosen $eo$le and a Hro"al $riesthood.H 2he same blessin%s and curses o the old covenant a$$l"& there ore& in an intensi ied 4a" to the ne4!covenant $eo$le. 2he $ur$ose o the t"$olo%ical use o Israel@s E,odus b" the =2 seems clearE the old covenant contains the divine admonitions and historical $re! i%urations& both in deliverance and Iud%ment& re%ardin% God@s actions in the last Iud%ment and the inal deliverance o His aith ul covenant $eo$le. =o4 these thin%s occurred as e,am$les 8tu!oi9, to kee$ us rom settin% our hearts on evil thin%s as the" did. :. Cor .)E<9 2hese thin%s ha$$ened to them as e,am$les Qtu$ikosR and 4ere 4ritten do4n as 4arnin%s or us& on 4hom the ul illment o the a%es has come. :. Cor .)E..!.(9 In his valuable dissertation T !olog in Scri!ture,I Richard '. David!son concludesE 2here is an historical corres$ondence bet4een 02 and =2 $ersons& events& and institutions. B" divine desi%n the 02 realities are advance!$resentations o corres$ondin% :but absolutel" HescalatedH9 =2 realities& and there is a de#oir5etre relationshi$ bet4een the 02 realities and the =2 ul illments.

7e discerns three as$ects in the eschatolo%ical ul illment o the 02 e,$ectationsE .. HInau%uratedH eschatolo%" at the irst advent o Christ.
55 #. 7olt@> Die )hrisiologie derA!o1a/ !se des Johmnes :Berlin& .*<(9& ++!+/& re errin% to others. 5+ Sec 7. 8. 5aRondelle& *ro!hec in Scri!ture, *rinci!les o/ Biblical Eschatolog , cha$. 7& H2he &cclcsiological Inter$retation o Israel@s RemnantH :Berrien S$rin%s& 0I> .*?79; also HIsrael and t$e C$urc$>J in 6inistr , =uly .*?.&.(!.+; JIs the C$urc$ S$iritual IsraelLH in 6inistr , Se$tember .*?.&.7!.*. 5/ Andre s 1niversity Seminar" Doctoral Dissertation Series& vol. ( :Berrien S$rin%s& 0I> .*?.9& 7*7.

.7*

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues (. H#$$ro$riatedH eschatolo%" in the church :cor$oratel"& individuall"& and sacramentall"9. 7. HConsummatedH eschatolo%" in conIunction 4ith the 1arousia.(/ He names these three as$ects o ul illmentE the HChristolo%ical&H the Hecclesiolo%ical&H and the Ha$ocal"$ticH res$ectivel". 2he a$ocal"$tic as$ect o t"$olo%ical ul illment is the s$eci ic ocus o the book o Revelation.

&-odus #y6ology in Revelation

Passover La!b, C$rist. 2he most re3uentl" used title or Christ in the Revelation is amion, H5ambH :(? times9.(< 2he irst time Christ is introduced as a lamb& it is Hstandin%& as i slainH in the center o the throne o God :Rev /E<& =#SB9. #$$arentl" this ima%e intends to conve" a $ro ound theolo%ical messa%eE Christ is $resented in the heavenl" council as H4orth"H to break the seals and to o$en the scroll& because He& as $the ?ion o the tribe o Audah& the Root o David&H as $o4er ul 'essiah& has sacri iced Himsel as the lamb to set a 4hole $eo$le ree. Heaven considers the most essential and 4orth" characteristic o Christ to be =is sacri/icial death on behal o others. 2his death is made the oundation and condition or His ri%ht to o$en the scroll that contains the destin" o the 4orld and o each $erson in it. #ll Christ@s unctions as the a$ocal"$tic 4arrior& deliverer& and Iud%e are based on His redeemin% death as the 5amb.(7 2he e,odus theme o Christ& e,alted as the 1assover 5amb& becomes a$$arent in the e,$lanator" acclamation o the (+ elders 4hen the" res$ond in Ha ne4 son%HE Oou are 4orth" to take the scroll and to o$en its seals& because "ou 4ere slain& #nd ,ith your *lood you purchased !en for &od !'om e%er1 tri.e an# language #nd 'eo'le #nd n#tion. Fou have made them to *e a kin+dom and priests to
serve our &od,

,23 and they ,ill rei+n on the earthA @Rev 5@2-1;)

(/ Ibid.& 7*<. (< #. 7olt@> +)!+.& e ectivel" re utes the $osition o F. S$itta& Strdt/ragen der Geschichte Jesu :Gottin%en& .*)79& .7(!77& 4ho contends that onion should be translated HramH in t$e #$ocal"$se. (7 Rev <E.<; 7E.+&.7; .7E.+; .+E.&.); .7E?. (? 7olt@> +/+<; re errin% to others. E. Schiissler FiorenJa& JRede!6tion as 5iberationE #$oc l,9f.

.+)

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues

2his do,olo%" o the elders in heaven reveals the nature and the conse3uence o Christ@s uni3ue worthiness to become the 5ord and Saviour o the 4orld. He alone has stood the test o lo"alt" to God in su erin% and death and revealed a su$reme 4orthiness o character 4hich entitles Him to receive a cosmic rei%n and res$onsibilit".(* 2he victor" o Christ is e,$ressed in the 4onder ul $arado,E an omni$otent 1ersona%e :seven homs9 is the slain 5amb :/E<9. But the conse3uence o this uni3ue sacri icial death is the liberation o a universal $eo$le or God. 2his is 4ell summariJed b" F. C. Van 8nnikE
He is the one 4ho died and is alive or ever more :...?9. He has been tested in his su erin%s and has %ained the victor". 2he %reatness o his 4ork is described in vs *E rom all nations he has ransomed slaves and he has made them& ormer slaves& rom all $eo$les& even $a%ans :N9& to be the hol" $eo$le o God& $riests and kin%s& the t"$ical $rero%ative o Israel :E, lP .9.P

2he salvation o a $eo$le rom all nations and lan%ua%es has not been accom$lished b" sheer orce but throu%h the $rice o Christ@s li eblood. HFith "our blood ou!urchased men or GodH :/E*9. 2his is the 1assover!5amb moti to%ether 4ith the e,odus theme. In this 4a" the book o Revelation connects its Christolo%" and ecclesiolo%" in an unbreakable union. &sc$atological e-odus. 2he Hne4 son%H :/E*!.)9 de initel" ocuses on the uture eschatolo%ical e,odus o the church trium$hant out o this 4orld order to serve God on the earth made ne4. 2his is e,$ressed in the concludin% $hrase& Hand the" will rei%n on the earthH :/E.)97. and is later more oll" un olded in the =e4 Aerusalem vision :Rev (.E.&7; ((E/9. 2his a$ocal"$tic e,odus moti 4ith its uture!eschatolo%ical rei%n o the saints on earth has been 4orked out im$ressivel" b" Elisabeth S. FiorenJa in her dissertation& *riester(ur Gott,LD in 4hich she contrasts this
and /E* .&H )BB 7< :.*7+9; (()!7(& see ((?. 5C SccB.C'an 1nnik>J JBort$y Is the La!b%-#$e Back%round o A!ocM$in6elangesBibliGues& &n $o!!age au R. P. Beda Ri%au,.& cds.> A. Desca!6s and R-PA. dc Halleu, :Duculot& .*7)9& //9-2.G =. =crc!ias> s.v. amnos 1tl, TD'T .,+/5SL9> concludes& J#$e statements of the #$oc. about C$rist as am"n 6ortray Him as Redee!er and BoridrulerJ :7+/9. +; 'an 1nnik> /2;. +. )or t$e uture tense 3basileusousin, /E.)9& see B. 0. 0et@ger>S Te+tual )ommentar on the Gree1 New Testament :=e4 Oork. .*7/9& 77<. +5 !riester ,ur Gott. Stuaien )um =errscha/tsund !riestermo%fin derA!o1a/ !se :'inister& .*7(9& 52+-C;G also& JReligion und 1olitik in der (ffenbarung dcs =o$annes>J in Biblische "and5 emerhmgen, )estsc$rift fur R- Sc$nackenburg. 7. 'crklein und =. Lang in &c$ter Veria%& ./.

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven Last 1la%ues a$ocal"$tic or4ard look 4ith the enthusiastic!%nostic misunderstandin% o the rei%n o the saints as bein% a s$iritual matter alto%ether. 77 Her conclusion is illuminatin%E Aust as the slau%hter o the $assover lamb initiated the E,odus o Israel rom the bonda%e o E%"$t clima,in% in the covenant at Sinai& so the death o Christ liberated a $eo$le rom the 4hole 4orld to become the universal& ne4 Israel or God. #s ancient Israel& so this $eo$le o God is the basileia Qkin%domR or ?od. But the basileia tou theou Qkin%dom o GodR :.(&.)9& 4hich 4ill be the basileia tou 1osmou Qkin%dom o the 4orldR :..&./9& is still uture and must break throu%h rom heaven to earth b" means o the eschatolo%ical $la%ues > to be released b" the 5amb and the 4itnesses o God > because the earth no4 is still dominated b" the anti%odl" $o4ers and their ollo4ers.7+ 2his elaboration on the meanin% o the 5amb@s o$enin% o the scroll indicates 4h" Revelation />in the 4ords o Van 8nnik>has Ha decisive $lace in the structure o the 4hole book; 4hat has been described there cannot be le t out or missed& because then the se3uel becomes unintelli%ible.H7/ Seal of ?od. #nother element o the E,odus t"$olo%" has been reco%niJed in the sealing o .++&))) servants o God rom all the tribes o Israel :7E.!?9. 0nl" those 4ho have the seal o God on their oreheads 4ill be $rotected a%ainst the comin% 4rath o God and the 5amb :<E./!.79. 0ne cannot miss the echo rom Israel@s E,odus 4hen a mark o blood rom the 1assover lamb had to be $laced over the door o ever" Israelite house in E%"$t to $rotect those 4ho trusted God rom the $la%ue o death :E,od .(E7&((!(797< Bilderness andering. 2he s"mbolic H4oman led into the desert to a $lace $re$ared or her b" GodH :.(E<&.+9& 4hich recalls the E,odus stor". 2he Iud%ments o the seven trum$ets in Revelation ?!* dra4 clearl" rom the $la%ues 4hich 'oses called do4n on E%"$t. But the series o the seven last $la%ues in Revelation ./!.< orm& in the 4ords o G. B. Caird& Ha more
.*7+&(<.!7(. 77 See es$. E. S. FiorenJa& H#$ocal"$tic and Gnosis in the Book o Revelation and 1aul&H JB? *( :.*779E /</!?.. 7+ *riester (ur Gott, (?*& o4n translation. 7/ Van 8nnik& ++/. 7< See Ellen G. Fhite& in "e#iew and=erald, Februar" <&.*))& 3uoted in The S%A Bible )ommentar 7E*<?!<*; G. B 5add&# Theolog o/ the NT, <(7. 0ne should not overlook& ho4ever& the blendin% o the e,odus mark 4ith that o EJek *.

.+(

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues

co!6lete and s"stematic use o E,odus t"$olo%" than in an" other $art o AohnPsbook.H77

Last 6lagues. 2he theme o the last $la%ues is basicall" the same as that o the ten irst $la%ues>the endin% o $ersecution b" the removal o the $ersecutor. #s Oah4eh vindicated His covenant and liberated Israel rom the house o bonda%e b" means o a series o $la%ues& so Christ 4ill brin% about the inal deliverance o His aith ul $eo$le b" sendin% a%ain a series o $la%ues in 4hich the 4rath o God is com$leted :Rev ./E.9. Song of 0oses and t$e La!b. 2he e,odus t"$olo%" culminates in the vision o the trium$hant aith ul ones in heaven& 4ho 4ill sin% $beside the sea$ $the song o/ 6oses the ser#ant o/ God and the song o/ the ?amb$7&
Great and marvelous are "our deeds& 5ord God #lmi%ht". Aust and true are "our 4a"s&
:ing o5 the ages For nationsG,+++ for your ri+hteous acts have *een revealedA ($e% 15@<-4)

2his is the son% o the remnant church a ter her trium$h over the beast and its ima%e. Its obvious allusion to the son% o the irst deliverance& sun% by 'oses and the Israelites on the shore o the Red Sea&7* makes Israel@s e-6erience under 'oses a t"$e o the inal deliverance o the church b" C$rist as her %lorious #ntit"$e :E,od ./E.!.?9. 2he em$hasis o the h"mnic litur%" o Revelation ./E(!+ is not the Iud%ment o God on His ene!y but the ri%hteousness o His %reat redem$tive acts. Allusions to bot$ &gy6t and Babylon. #n im$ortant eature o the seven last $la%ues is the act that 4hile our eschatolo%ical $la%ues ind a strikin% corres$ondence to the $la%ues o Eg !t :4aters turned to blood, E,od 7E.7& .*!(.; boils, E,od *E?!..; dar1ness, E,od .)E(.!(79& the si,th and seventh $la%ues>the dr"in% u$ o the %reat river Eu$hrates and the all o Bab"lon :Rev .<E.(& .*9>are obviousl" borro4ed rom the all o ancient Bab lon :Isa ++!+7; Aer /)!/.9. 2he e,e%esis o the seven last $la%ues needs to 4ork out this structure in detail. 2he intent o the announcement about the all o a$ocal"$tic Bab"lon is clear :Rev .+E?9E God calls His $eo$le now to an actual e,odus rom Bab"lon& in vie4 o her im$endin% retributive $la%ues :.?E+!<9. 2he $la%ues o
+3>/ #ommentary on the Revelation of St. /ohn the Divine :=e4 Oork& .*<<9& .*7. +K #$e reading of ethnBn, Hnations&H is eHually su$$orted as aionon, but His more in accord 4ith the conte-t :vs. +9H :B. 0. 0et@ger> - Te+tual )ommentar on the Greek NT, 7/79. +C Sec R. 7. 'ouncc& The Boo1 o/ "e#elation :Grand Ra6ids> .*779& (?<!?7. .+7

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast Plagues Revelation combine the t"$olo%ical& historical Iud%ments on E%"$t and on Bab"lon in order to assure the remnant church& be"ond all shado4 o doubt& o the certaint" o the comin% Iud%ment o God on end!time HBab"lonH and HE%"$t.H Christ thus com orts His $eo$le 4ho stand irm in the inal crisis that their uture e,odus rom the house o bonda%e to the =e4 Aerusalem is unshakabl" %uaranteed b" the same aith ul covenant God 4ho brou%ht about Israel@s e,oduses rom E%"$t and Bab"lon. 2his t"$olo%ical $ers$ective rom 02 histor" $rovides the theolo%ical meanin% and messa%e o the inal $la%uesE the cosmic5uni#ersal e0odus o/ the new5co#enant !eo!le& 2hus this t"$olo%ical li%ht re3uires a Christ!church a$$lication o 02 s"mbols and ima%er".+)

Revelation .2, Correlations Bit$ Conte-t

#nal"sis o the literar" com$osition as 4ell as o the theolo%ical theme o Revelation is im$ortant& because its structure and theolo%ical $ers$ective are closel" interrelated and orm an or%anic 4hole. =umerical structure dominates the com$osition. It is %enerall" a%reed that the number 7 is the or%aniJin% $rinci$le o the book. Colin Bro4n discerns Hseven $arallel but cumulative visions o histor" culminatin% in the vision o the =e4 Aerusalem& corres$ondin% to the seven da"s o creation o Gen. I.H+. 0thers divide Revelation into si, main $arts 4hich in turn o ten consist o seven smaller $ortions. +( 2he unit" o Revelation>includin% the $re ace :.E.!79 and the e$ilo%ue :((E<!(.9>is e,$ressed in a meanin% ul 4a"& b" a seven old Hblessin%.H+7 2hree recent outlines o the structural com$osition o Revelation are those o ered b" D. #. Strand& in Inter!reting the Boo1 o/ "e#elation5I #! Oarbro Collins& in The )ombat 6 th in the Boo1 o/ "e#elation5IM and
+) For an e-tensive treat!ent o t$is hermcneutic sec LaRondelle> !rophecy in Scri!ture, cha$s. />9. +. In Colin Bro n> ed.> #$e New International Dictionary o/ the New Testament Theology, 7 vots. :Grand Ra6ids> .*7?9& (E*7. :trans. 4ith additions and corrections& rom the German Theo5 lo//schesBe i//sle0icon aim Neuen Testament, cd. Lot$ar Coencn& Erich Beyreut$er> and 7ans Bietenard9. +( B Lo$se> Das'eue Testament %ewsch .. :Goltin%en& .*7.9E ?!*; E. 5ohme"er& Die C//enbarung des Johannes, 7<#> .2 :2iibin%en& .*/79E .K9G 0. C. #enney> Inter!reting "e#elation, 7rd $r. (?rand Ra$ids& .*779& +K. +7 Rev .E7; .+E.7; .<E./; .*E*; ()E<; ((E7&./. ++ :#nn #rbor& 'I& .*7<9& outlines on /.!/(. +/ Harvard Diss. in Rcl <o. * :'issoula& '2& .*7<9& outline on /..

.++

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues E. Schiissler FiorenJa& in HCom$osition and Structure o the Book o Revelation.H+< For our $ur$ose 4e limit ourselves to the basic settin% o Revelation .2 in its immediate conte,t

Fe acce$t the tentative outline o D! Strand :in cha$ter /9 4hich discerns in Revelation t4o maIor $arts& related to each other b" a clearl" demonstrable $arallelism o themesE a mostl" historical $art :.E.(!.+E()9 and a/uture5eschatolog1al $art :./E.!((E/9. 2his classi ies Revelation .< as the comin% Iud%ment on a 4orld4ide Bab"lon 4hich is in rebellion a%ainst God and at 4ar a%ainst His saints :.<E.&/!<9. 2he narrative o Revelation .< is related structurall" to the $recedin% cha$ter ./& 4here the origin o the seven $la%ues is revealed as comin% rom the tem$le in heaven& rom Hthe tabernacle o 2estimon"H :./E/!?9& another E0odus moti/@&+7 2he $la%ues even constitute the substance o the 4arnin% o the third an%els@ messa%e in cha$ter .+ :.+E*!.)9E
I an"one 4orshi$s the beast and his ima%e and receives his mark on the orehead or on the hand& he& too& 4ill drink o the 4ine o God@s ur"& 4hich has been $oured ull stren%th into the cu$ o his 4rath. He 4ill be tormented 4ith burnin% sul ur in the $resence o the hol" an%els and o the 5amb.

2his 4arnin% identi ies the 4rath o God 4ith the 4rath o the 5amb. Revelation .< un olds this 4rath o the 5amb as the seven last $la%ues. Revelation .< is also connected structurall" 4ith the subse3uent cha$ters .7E.!.*E.). 2hese unction as subordinate e0!lanator discourses on Revelation .<. 2he" have been called the HBab"lon #$$endi,H :Collins9 or Ha$$ended interludeH to Revelation .< :FiorenJa9.+? It is im$ortant& urthermore& to observe that an antithetical $arallelism e,ists bet4een the an%elic e,$lanations o the Iud%ment o/ Bab lon, the harlot :.7E.!.*E.)9 and o the descent rom heaven o the =ol )it , Jerusalem, the wi/e o/ the ?amb :(.E*!((E/9.+* Si%ni icantl"& each e,$lanator" discourse is %iven b" one o the bo4l an%els :o Revelation .<9E
0ne o the seven an%els 4ho had the seven bo4ls came and said to me& HCome& I 4ill sho4 "ou the $unishment o the %reat $rostitute& 4ho sits on man" 4aters.H :.7E.9
/2 #B( 89 :.*779E 7++!<<& outlines on +2+-2/. +7 Cf. E,od 7.E.?; 7?E(.; =um .E/). /K Collins> The #om at 4odf, 7(; )ioren@a> HCom$osition&H +.> calls Rev .7E.!.*E.) an Ha$$ended interlude to t$e bo4l se6tet.J The SD- Bi le #ommentary also inter$rets Rev .7 as a clari "in% elaboration of t$e si-t$ and sevent$ 6lagues o Rev .< :7E?+*9. +* C. H. Giblin& HStructural and 2hematic Correlations in the 2heolo%" o Revelation .<! ((&H Bib // :.*7+9E +?7!/)+.

.+/

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues

0ne o the seven an%els 4ho had the seven bo4ls ull o the seven last $la%ues came and said to me& HCome& I 4ill sho4 "ou the bride& the 4i e o the 5amb.H :(.E*9

2hese t4o indicators :.7E.; (.E*9 correlate s$eci icall" 4ith the clima0 o the $la%ues in Revelation .<. Bab"lon unctions $rimaril" as the antithesis o the =e4 Aerusalem. 2he disa$$earance o the $resent creation :.<E()9 $re$ares or the $resentation o the ne4 creation :(.E.9. 2he correlation o the $assa%es o Revelation .<E.7!(. and .*E..!(. is one o a $ro%ressive un oldin% and clari ication o the last $la%ues. 2he narrative o the seventh $la%ue must& there ore& be inter$reted throu%h the correlated section o Revelation .*E..!(.E? 4ith its t4o old theme o re3uital and re4ard. 2he correlation inds e,$ression in the seventh $la%ue b" the divine voice rom the throne& HIt is doneNH :.<E.79& 4hen the 4rath o God destro"s Bab"lon& and once a%ain b" the same voice rom the throne 4hen the =e4 Aerusalem has come do4n on earth& HIt is doneNH :(.E<9. 2hese structural correlations o Revelation .< 4ith the e,$lanator" discourses and the Iud%ment narratives o the ollo4in% cha$ters orm the literar" settin% o the last $la%ues. 2he" should e,ercise a de inin% unction in the inter$retation o these $la%ues. It re3uires that 4e inter$ret each $la%ue in the li%ht o the 4hole series& and the series in the li%ht o its immediate literar" conte,t. 2he thematic unit" o Christ@s vindication o His ne4!covenant $eo$le in Revelation .(!(( $oints to the harmon" and continuit" o the theolo%" o Revelation 4ith 02 theolo%".

Si,th6Seventh 1la%uesE E,$lained b" Revelation .7!.*

2he ne4 element in Revelation .7 is the un oldin% o a ormal distinction 4ithin Bab"lon itsel E Bab"lon sits as a harlot :cit"9 Hon man" 4atersH /) 4ith 4hom the kin%s o the earth are committin% adulter" and 4ho makes the inhabitants o the earth into,icated 4ith the 4ine o her adulteries :.7E.!(9. In the scene that ollo4s the 4oman Bab"lon is $ortra"ed sittin% on a scarlet beast& covered 4ith blas$hemous names and havin% seven heads and ten horns. In her hand she holds a %olden cu$ illed 4ith abominable thin%s& 4hile she is drunk 4ith the blood o the saints& o those 4ho bore 4itness to Aesus :.7E7!<; c . .?E(+9. 2he main distinction 4ithin Bab"lon is bet4een the cit" and the 4aters&
/) # t"$olo%ical $ers$ective based on =er 9.,.+.

.+<

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven 5ast 1la%ues bet4een Bab"lon and the Eu$hrates& bet4een the harlot and the beast 4ith the ten homs. 0r to state the matter 4ithout s"mbolic terminolo%"& the distinction is bet4een the reli%ious leaders and the $olitical $o4ers o Bab"lon. 2he essence o the an%elic inter$retation :.7E?!.?9 o the divine Iud%ment on Bab"lon is the victorious soverei%nt" o God 4ho 4ill allo4 the mutual destruction o the t4o constitutive $arts o Bab"lon; the Bab"!Ionian beast 4ill destro" the Bab"lonian harlot. 2he beast and the ten homs "ou sa4 4ill hate the $rostitute. 2he" 4ill bring her to ruin and leave her naked; the" 4ill eat her lesh and bum her 4ith ire. :.7E.<9 2his an%elic discourse in Revelation .7E?!.? is the ke" not onl" to the structural and thematic unit" o cha$ters .< and .7 :the Iud%ment o Bab"lon& $la%ues < and 79 but also to the theolo%ical inter$retation o #rma%eddon and the dr"in% u$ o the Eu$hrates 4aters o Bab"lon& the fall o Bab"lon& and the comin% o the kin%s rom the cosmic East. 2he S%A Bible )ommentar a irms the structural and thematic unit" o Revelation .<!.* in its comment on Revelation .7E.> Bab"lon@s criminal career reaches a clima, under the si,th $la%ue :see on ch. .<E.(!.<9& 4hereas the sentence decreed is e,ecuted under the seventh :see on chs. .<E.7!.*; .7E.7!.7; .?E+& ?; .*E(9. #ccordin%l"& $art one is concerned most $articularl" 4ith events under the si,th $la%ue& and $art t4o 4ith those under the seventh. 2hus ch. .7 is a delineation o the inal crisis& 4hen Satan $uts orth his su$reme e ort to annihilate God@s $eo$le :c . ch. .(E.79 and 4hen all the $o4ers o earth are arra"ed a%ainst them :c . GC <7+9. God $ermits Satan and the human a%encies allied 4ith $i! to carr" or4ard to the ver%e o success their $lot to annihilate the saints. But at the moment the blo4 is to be struck God intervenes to deliver 7is $eo$le. 2he hosts o evil& arrested in the ver" act o attem$tin% to sla" the saints& stand 4ithout e,cuse be ore the bar o divine Iustice :see Dan. .(E.; c . EF (?(!(?/; GC <7/&<7<; 5S ..79./.

Har!'a%edonE #$e Bible%s )inal Bar

2he subsection o Revelation .<E.7!.?>in the settin% o the si,th and seventh $la%ues>develo$s the $reviousl" introduced theme o the cosmic!universal 4ar o a 4orld demonicall" united in rebellion a%ainst God&
5$ The S%" Bi*le 2ommentary 7@342+ .+7

Conte-tual A66roac$ to t$e Seven Last Plagues

Christ& and His covenant $eo$le. /( 2his 4ar theme is urther un olded in Revelation .7E.(!.+ and .*E..!(. 4here Christ is $ortra"ed as the divine 4arrior 4ho comes rom heaven to make 4ar on behal o His threatened covenant $eo$le& His aith ul remnant. He 4ill deliver them rom their eschatolo%ical enem"& the Satanic trinit"E the ser$ent!dra%on and his t4o allies& the beast and the alse $ro$het./! 24o basic $rinci$les o hermeneutical 4ei%ht need to be irml" estab! lished be ore an" de inite historical a$$lication o =ar56agedon, $o$ularl" called #rma%eddon& can be undertakenE .. 2his a$ocal"$tic 4ar needs to be inter$reted in kee$in% 4ith its $ro%ressive clari ication 4ithin the book o Revelation. In other 4ords& the H#rma%eddonH 4ar must be e,$ounded b" means o its o4n biblical end! time conte,t so that its theme its harmoniousl" and or%anicall" 4ithin the Christocentric structure o Revelation. (. 2he theme o the a$ocal"$tic 4ar needs to be inter$reted in un! damental harmon" 4ith the 02 revelation o the inal 4ar as its basic ta$root& in kee$in% 4ith the biblical theolo%" o the total canon o Hol" Scri$ture. Both a$$roaches>via its immediate =2 conte,t and via its 02 root conte,t>inter$ret the//ar56agedon 4ar in $rinci$le as a reli%ious!$olitical 4ar o cosmic and!universal dimensions a%ainst God& His Christ and His aith ul remnant $eo$le. 2his conte,tual a$$roach sa e%uards the thematic unit" o biblical eschatolo%". It does not authoriJe a secondar" a$$lication o the a$ocal"$tic 4ar to an" secular& $olitical 4orld 4ar or even to an anti! Semitic 4ar. 2he Christocentric ocus o the a$ocal"$tic 4ar a%ainst God comes in basic con lict 4ith the 02 'iddle East ocus. 2he =ar56agedon 4ar o Revelation .(!.* is ine,orabl" subordinated to the %os$el hermeneutic and& there ore& must be vie4ed and de ined in terms o Christ and His end!time $eo$le. 0ld 2estament terms and ima%es :Israel& Bab"lon& 'ount Cion& etc.9 are a$$lied in the =2 4ithout their ethnic and %eo%ra$hic literalism. 2he theme o the =ar56agedon 4ar deserves a s$ecial anal"sis rom its 02 t"$olo%ical and a$ocal"$tic $ers$ectives.
95 Rev .E7; <E./!.7; .(E.7; .7E./!.7; .+E.7!(). 9+ Rev .2,.7; .7E.+; .C,.*!(). See 0. Rissi& /:ie ,uture o/ the >orld, #n E,e%etical Stud" o Rev .*& ..!((&.9. SB#. Sec. Ser.& (7 :=a$crville& I5& .*<<9& .?!(? :on Rev .*E...(.9& 4ho states& H# decisive feature in t$is $icture of t$e $arousia is t$at =o$n never gives u$ $is Christolo%ical con! ce$tion. )or him t$ere is only one battle and victor" of C$rist> 4hich already lies in the $ast.... Since t$e issue $as alread" been decided in t$e death of =esus> the eschatolo%ical 4ar& or 4hich ?od%s ene!ies 6re6are> 4ill not take 6laceJ :$$. (<!(79.

.+?

Conte,tual #$$roach to the Seven Last 1la%ues Finall"& one as$ect o this end!time 4ar needs to be noted. Fe ma" $hrase it as a 3uestionE Fhat is the nature o the $artici$ation o the ne4! XZvenant saints in the a$ocal"$tic 4arL #ns4erE In Revelation the saints are s$irituall" active in the 4ar are a%ainst the orces o darkness>H2he" overcame him QSatanR b" the blood o the 5amb and b" the 4ord o their testimon"; the" did not love their lives so much as to shrink rom deathH :.(E..9. 2he church is admonished e,$licitl" to reIect an" militar" action or revolutionar" resistance :.7E.); c . 'att (<E/(9 and is called to ado$t a $as! sive role in the uture!eschatolo%ical con lict& even to the $oint o mart"r! dom./+ 2he saints 4ill $artici$ate in Christ@s victor"& not in His battle :.7E.+9.// 2errible as the" 4ill be& the seven last $la%ues carr" a com ortin% and reassurin% messa%e or God@s $eo$le. 2he divine Deliverer& 4ho rescued ancient Israel rom E%"$t and Bab"lon& 4ill intervene a%ain. 7e 4ill deliver 7is ne4!covenant& remnant $eo$le rom the 4orld4ide a$ocal"$tic E%"$t and Bab"lon and take them to the =e4 Aerusalem above.

9/ Rev (E.)&.+G 7E.)...; <E*!..; ()E+. Sec discussion in A. M. Collins& J#$e 1olitical Pers6ective o t$e Revelation to =o$n>J /B2 C2 :.*779; (+.!/<. es6. (+<!+*. 99 ;. B. Dlasscn& J'engeance in the #$ocal"$se of =o$n.J #B( (? :.*<<9E 7))!7..; #. O. Collins& J#$e Political 1ers$ective&H (+7!+?. ./C

C$a6ter I'

Babylon, Anti-C$ristian &!6ire

Hans D. 5aRondelle
&ditorial Syno6sis. 1o$ular amon% both Roman Catholic and 1rotestant scholars is the vie4 that the Bab"lonian harlot :Rev .79 s"mboliJes the ancient cit" o Rome& situated on seven literal hills and ruled b" seven selected d"nasties o Roman em$erors rom #u%ustus to Domitian. Some have attem$ted to combine this $reterist $osition 4ith a uturist ul illment& so that the Bab"lonian harlot6beast ma" have both a irst!centur" and an end!time a$$lication. =either vie4& ho@vever& is in a%reement 4ith the $ro$hetic data in the scri$tural settin%. 2he $reterist6historical!critical $osition ails to take into account all the described eatures o the related beasts in Revelation .7 and .7. #ctuall"& Revela! tion .(!.7 $rovide the scri$tural oundation or identi "in% the harlot6beast s"mbol. 2he Bab"lon o Revelation .7 is not a $olitical but a reli%ious entit". 2he =2 Bab"lon 4ill $la" a maIor role in the inal events that lead u$ to the seven last $la%ues and #rma%eddon. 2he second vie4& Ha moderate uturism&H i%nores the act that Daniel is the main $ro$hetic model or the book o Revelation. Daniel@s uni3ue st"le o a con5 tinuum or histor"> a continuous historical $ers$ective that culminates in the end! time events > is embodied in the substructure o Revelation. 2here are no %a$s $ortra"ed in Christian histor" bet4een its initial settin% and its end!time culmina! tion in the restoration o God@s eternal kin%dom. 2he 4riter demonstrates his ar%ument b" s$ellin% out the stron% links bet4een the sea beast :Rev .79 and the little horn :Dan 79. 2he t4o $ro$hecies identi " the same anti!Christian $o4er. In turn. Revelation .(!.7 $rovide the immediate con! te,tual basis or identi "in% the Bab"lonian harlot. 2he t"$olo%ical links bet4een the =2 harlot :Rev .79 and the 02 harlotr" o ancient Israel indicate that the Bab"lonian harlot is not bein% used as a s"mbol o $olitical Rome but o a $redicted Christian a$ostas" that 4ould develo$ 4ithin the church& break covenant 4ith God& become an o$$ressor o His true ollo4ers& and $la" a si%ni icant role in the events o the end!time. ./.

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire

)or furt$er study on t$e configuration of end-ti!e Babylon t$e ?reat (Rev .3-.KA> t$e reader is directed to t$e riter%s article> JAr!ageddon%s Si-t$ and Sevent$ Plagues> c$a6ter .5 in t$is volu!e.

C$a6ter (utline
I. Revie4 o Inter$retations II. Covenant Conte,t III. Conte,tual Foundations I'. Satan@s Counter eit 2rinit" V. Biblio%ra$h"

Revie of Inter6retations PrcteristN7istorical-Critical Positions

/ [7r most e,e%etes the harlot Bab"lon s"mboliJes the ancient cit" o rI Rome 4hich ruled over the Roman Em$ire& re$resented in turn b" !#! the blas$hemous beasts o Revelation .7 and .7. 2he seven heads o the beasts& inter$reted b" the an%el to si%ni " Hseven hills on 4hich the 4oman sitsH and also Hseven kin%sH :.7E*9& are a$$lied to the literal hills on 4hich Ro!e 4as built and to seven selected d"nasties o Roman em$erors rom #u%ustus to Domitian.. # stron% ar%ument in avor o Rome is the $resent tense o the verb Hto ruleH in Revelation .7E.?& =IV :literall"& Hhas dominionH9. H2he 4oman "ou sa4 is the %reat cit" that rules over the kin%s o the earth.H In act& both Ae4s and Christians used to call Rome a second HBab"lon.H( # modem re$resentative o this $reterist vie4 is Elisabeth Schiissler FiorenJa. She states that Aohn@s #$ocal"$se is a H$ro$hetic inter$retation o the situation o the Christians in #sia 'inor at the end o the irst cen!
<3

tur".HH 2o her& the book o Revelation concentrates solel" on the universal! $olitical con lict bet4een Christ@s claim as ?ord and the Roman civil
. #$e inter$retation that a$ocal"$tic Bab"lon re$resented the Roman Em$ire 4as common amon% the church fat$ers and is 6o6ular amon% Ro!an Cat$olic and 1rotestant Bible scholars. ( See TtVNT&S@& S$eci ic references are ( Baruch ..E.; Sib. (r. 9,./+>./?; . Pet /E.7; Hi$$ol"tus& )hrist and Antichrist, 7<; #u%ustine& De #iv. Dei, .<..7; .?.(.(7. 7 TheA!ocat !se, 7erald Bibl. Booklets :Chica%o& .*7<9& +7.

./(

Babylon, #nti!Christian Em$ire

reli%ion and its im$erial cult that claimed totalitarian $o4er and divine honorsE Caesar is 5ord and God.+ 2hus& the basic messa%e o Revelation is that Christians must resist the idolatrous totalitarianism o an" o$$ressive 4orld 6o er> because the" s$are in the kin%shi$ o Christ. 8n ortunatel" rom her $ers$ective& the idea has not in luenced Hestablished Christianit"H in an" real sense& admits t$is Roman Catholic author./ 'ainline Christianit"& in her o$inion& has reduced end!time salvation to a $urel" s$iritual deliverance o the soul rom this 4orld. #s a conse3uence& the mainline churches have acce$ted t$e theolo%ical $olic" o Aohn@s o$$onentsE Hada$tation o the $resent societal rulin% $o4ers.H< 2his vie4 is attractive or its reli%ious!moral a$$lication to our $resent a%e. Ho4ever& its di icult" is that the Roman Em$ire does not ul ill all the described eatures o the beasts in Revelation .7 and .7. 2he ne4 Bab"lon 4ill $la" a maIor role in the /inal events& leadin% u$ to the Iud%ment o the seven last $la%ues and #rma%eddon :Rev .<9& and there ore& cannot be restricted to the ancient Roman Em$ire and its em$eror 4orshi$. PreteristN)uturist Co!binations 2hese e,e%etical data 4ere ackno4led%ed b" some older Roman Cath! olic scholars. 2he" resolved the matter b" inter$retin% Bab"lon as the $a%an cit" o Rome in the $ast and, more s$eci icall"& as a !agan "ome again in the /uture&H But here a%ain this uturism does not a%ree 4ith the $ro$hetic s4ee$ o the $ro$hec". Aohn the revelator outlines an unbroken succession o $ersecutin% $o4ers rom $a%an Rome until the inal Iud%ment& s"mboliJed b" the seven successive HheadsH on the beast. 2he inter$retin% an%el e,$lained& H2he" are also seven kin%s Qor kin%domsR& ive o 4hom have allen& one is& the other has not "et comeH :Rev .7E*&.)9. =o %a$ o time is su%%ested here. Geor%e E. 5add& nevertheless& tried to combine both o$$osin% vie4s in his arran%ement o a double ul illmentE HRome 4as a historical orerunner o #ntichrist.... 2he beast is both Rome and the eschatolo%ical #ntichrist and... an" demonic $o4er 4hich the church ma" e,$erience at the
/ Ibid.> /.!/*. 9 Ibid.> 2;. 2 Ibid. 3 Sec t$e statements of Ribcra& Bellannine& Vie%as& 0alvenda> Cornelius of La6ide> and 0anning> in L. B Froom& The *ro!hetic ,aith of $ur ,athers 5 (Bas$ington> DC> .*+?9E +?<!/)/; also vol. + (.C/2A> 3++-+3. .9+

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian &!6ire hands o the 4orld& 4hether b" Grst!centur" Rome or b" later evil $o4ers.P Fhen 5add o$ts or a method o Hblendin% the $reterist and the uturist methods&H he thereb" acce$ts a 4ide %a$ o man" centuries o church histor". 2hus& the Christian Era remains lar%el" outside the ocus o the Revelation. 5add@s vie4 o a Hmoderate uturismH reco%niJes the validit" o both the contem$orar" and the end!time ocus o $ro$hec"& that is to sa"& the amiliar double! ocus $ers$ective o the 02 $ro$hets. But he i%nores the uni3ue st"le o a continuum o histor" in Daniel@s $ro$hetic outlines. 5add@s method disre%ards the main $ro$hetic model o Aohn@s #$ocal"$seE the uni3ue Danielic $attern o/ a continuous historical !ers!ecti#e that culminates in the end!time events o the divine Iud%ment and the restoration o the kin%dom o Israel@s God. #$eological Idealis! Ernest 5ohme"er de ended an e,treme $osition. 2he %reat $rostitute :Rev .79 could not s"mboliJe Rome or an" historical cit"& because all cities 4ould have been destro"ed durin% the seventh $la%ue :recorded in Rev .<9. Conse3uentl"& the harlot must si%ni " a demonic i%ure& the satanic $o4er o the a$ostate 4orld& as in ancient m"tholo%".* 2his detachment o end!time Bab"lon rom actual histor" is based on the alse $remise that cha$ter .7 ollo4s chronolo%icall" a ter cha$ter .<. In actual act Revelation .7!.? are a urther elaboration o the si,th and seventh $la%ues. 'ost o all& the inter$retation comes in basic con lict 4ith the realism o biblical t"$olo%"& 4hich al4a"s retains its concrete salvation!historical ul illment. Literalist A66roac$ 0$$osite this theolo%ical idealism is the absolute literalism de ended b" some dis$ensationalists 4ho e,$ect the literal rebuildin% o the old cit" o Bab"lon& in conIunction 4ith the end!time restoration o national Israel andAudah. .) Because several ke" elements o the 02doom oracles on Bab"lon have
? A )ommentar on the "e#elation o/ John (?rand Ra$ids& .*7(9& .7&.+. C Die C//enbarungdesJoharmes, 7<#> .< :2iibin%en& .*/79E .7?!+7. .) C$arles 7. Dyer> J#$e Identity of Babylon in Rev +H5+S,$ BSac .++6/7/ :.*?79E 7)/!7.<; +7+! +*& concludesE JIn summar" it has been s$o n t$at Aeremiah /)!/. is describin%a still uture destruction o the literal city of Babylon. P.. the Bab"lon in Revelation .7!.? is t$e uture rebuilt cit" of Bab"lon on the &u6$ratesJ :$. ++*9.

./+

Babylon, #nti!Christian Em$ire

never been ul illed literall" :Aer /)&/.9& it is assumed that the" re3uire an absolutel" literal ul illment in the time o the end. 2his conce$t o literalism su ers rom a undamental misconce$tion o the nature o biblical t"$olo%" 4hich never e3ualiJes t"$e and antit"$e. B" de inition the antit"$e e,$ands& intensi ies& and sur$risin%l" rene4s the historical t"$e throu%h its ul illment in and throu%h ChristH 0ne evan%elical =2 e,e%ete comes to the radical conclusion that Bab"lon :Rev .7!.?9 does not si%ni " an" $olitical or reli%ious $o4er& but is solel" an Heconomic entilv&H 4hich 4ill o$$ress all men b" an international commercial colla$se. .( He ar%ues that the term HharlotH 3!omK4 is not used in Scri$ture to re er to an ecclesiastical entit"& but Hto actual Q$urel" commercialR cities similar to that in cha$ter .?.Hi7 2his reductionist e,e%esis does not %ive $ro$er 4ei%ht to the theolo%ical ocus o Hol" Scri$ture. 2he cities o Bab"lon& 2"re& =ineveh& and Aerusalem 4ere not $rimaril" commercial harlots. Rather& the" 4ere reli%ious a$ostates in their sel !e,altation& idolatr"& and hostilit" a%ainst Oah4eh& His truth& and His true covenant $eo$le..+ =erusale!-Babylon A66roac$ Aose$hine 'assin%berde Ford de ends the thesis that the harlot Bab"lon re$resents Aerusalem& 4here the $ro$hets 4ere slain& not Rome :'att (7E(*!7*9. She ar%ues this $osition on the assum$tion that Revelation +!(( 4as 4ritten $rimaril" as a Ae4ish!Christian a$ocal"$se be/ore the all o Aerusalem in #.D. 7)../ BasAc to this identi ication is the author@s theolo%ical statementE HIt is the co#enant 4hich makes the bride& the breakin% o it 4hich makes the adulteress.H.< 2he =e4 Aerusalem o Revelation (. then becomes the counter$art o the old& de iled Aerusalem. )ord sees the name HBab"lonH on the harlot@s orehead as an ironic
.. See !y The Israel of God in !rophecy (Berrien S6rings> 0I> .*?79& cha$. +. Even t$e New Sco/ield Reference Bible :.*<79 suggests that Bab"lon in Rev .7!.? should be understood s"mbolicall" for Ro!e> as an alliance o an end-ti!e $olitical e!6ire and an ecclesiastical a6ostate C$ristendo! 0'SRB, .7<7!7). on Revelation .?E(9. .5 #$o!as R. Ed%ar& JBabylon, &cclesiastical> 1olitical& or FhatLH JETS (/67 :Se$tember .*?(9E 777!/.. .+ Ibid.> 7+). 7e $oints to #yre and =ineveh as commercial cities bein% com$ared 4ith a harlot in ba(7E.7;=ah7E+. ./ Sec =ah .E(.7!..&.7!./& or =ineveh; &@ck (<E(; (?E( :c . ( #$ess (E+9& .7!.?& or #yre. .9 Revelation, AB (?arden City> =O& .*7?9& 7&+ : rom t$e circle o Aohn t$e Ba$tist9. A66eal is made to Rev ..,K. .2 Ibid.> (?/!?<& o er ive reasons or Bab"lon@s identi ication 4ith the aithless Aerusalem; in kee$in% it$ t$e t$eology of Kumran :em$hasis in citation is added9.

.//

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian &!6ire

s"mbol o Aerusalem@s le4d $riesthood& 4hose hi%h $riest 4ore the name Oah4eh on his orehead :E,od (?E7<!7?9. 2his harlot is there ore a H$riest! harlotH :c . EJek .<E7(!+79. 2he author e,$andsE HIn the $icture o the adulteress 4hat one ma" have is a $arod" o the hi%h $riest on the Da" o #tonement 4earin% the vestments s$eciall" reserved or that occasion and holdin% the libation o erin%.H.7 2he attraction o this ori%inal inter$retation is its continuation o the covenant rame4ork o the 0G in $articular& its re erence to the cultic da" o Iud%ment. Its 4eakness is the im$licit denial o the undamental Chris! tocentricit" o Aohn@s #$ocal"$se. 2he Aerusalem a$$lication remains oriented to the old!covenant $eo$le o God& instead o to the ne4!covenant $eo$le& the church o Aesus Christ& as stressed in Revelation .!
$A

7..) Furthermore& ho4 can one conceive o this Aerusalem harlot as Hsittin% u$on&H or Hac3uirin% soverei%nt"H over&.* im$erial Rome :the beast9L Sy!bolic-1niversal A66roac$ Some evan%elical e,e%etes have o$ted or the s mbolic5uni#ersal inter! $retation o a$ocal"$tic Bab"lon. 2he s"mbols o Revelation are taken as $icture lan%ua%e or a timeless and universal realit" 4hich has man" his! torical counter$arts. As 1aul S. 'inear e,$lains& HBab"lon embraces more than one em$ire or culture. It is de ined rather b" dominant idolatries than b" %eo%ra$hical or tem$oral boundaries.@.() #ccordin%l"& Aerusalem and Rome are onl" some o the multi$le mani estations o Bab"lon in histor". (. 2his vie can be ado$ted convenientl"& there ore& b" those $reterist inter! $reters 4ho seek a timeless relevance o biblical a$ocal"$tic. #dela O. Collins Aud%es that HAohn@s $robable e,$ectations Qa revived =ero comin% rom the east to con3uer RomeR 4ith re%ard to historical events 4ere not ul illed.H But she discerns& nevertheless& in the clima, o Revelation .7 :4hich $redicts the destruction o the harlot b" the beast and the ten kin%s9 a moral lesson, 4hich is valid or similar historical situationsE the 4ill to $o4er Hdoes not unite; it divides.H(( 1aul #lthaus& more than others& has combined the $reterist a$$lication o Revelation to the Roman Em$ire 4ith the $er$etuall" actualiJing
.3 Ibid.> 5KK. .? A. '. Ford considers Rev .!7 and ((E.<a& ()b& (. as later additions b" a =e is$ C$ristian disci$le of =o$n the Ba6tist. Ibid.> +. .* #s A. '. Ford e,$lains Rev .7E. 31aihSmenSs4< ibid.& (77. () HBab"lon&H I%B .E77?. 5. A. =o$nson> *+pB# .5,92+. (( The -pocalypse, +rd6r. :Filmin%ton& D&> .*?79& .55.

./<

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire

BT3 C

in historical events o the battle bet4een Christ and Satan.!H To him the historical actualiJations o $ro$hec" : or e,am$le& in Rome and =ero& or in the medieval $a$ac"9 are merel" t !ical tem$orar" embodiments o the essentiall" s$iritual con lict o the a%es. He& there ore& dra4s a shar$ distinction bet4een the !ro!het7s!rediction o non!essential historical events and his basic religious message o God@s redem$tive 4ill. 2he church should seek the antichrist constantl" as a realit" in the $resent or consider him as a threatenin% $ossibilit" in her immediate uture.(+ #ll rivalr" 4ith Christ& each e ort to su$$lant Him or to usur$ His authorit"& is anti!Christendom.(/ 2hus& various $henomena in church histor" have been Austl" identi ied& accordin% to #lthaus& as the antichrist in their timeE the late medieval idea o the $a$ac"& the social %os$el movement 4ith its $ros$ect o the millennium& the messianism o 'ar,ist communism& the sel !dei "in% nationalism. HBut the church should consider irst o all the $ermanent $ossibilit" o becomin% anti! Christian hersel .@.(< 2he $ro ession o the Re ormers that the $a$ac" 4as the antichrist& in his o$inion& must not be do%matiJed into a timeless& orthodo, creed. Such a statement o aith can be %enuine and res$onsible onl" Hi the battle a%ainst Rome or us toda" carries the same %ravit" and actualit" as it had or 5uther& t$at is& i at this ront is re3uired rom us the decision bet4een aith and un! belie & bet4een obedience and disobedience to the truth o the %os$el.H(7 Fhile #lthaus stresses %enuine biblical moments o truth& his theolo%ical method o actualiJin% the $ro$hetic messa%e does not do ull Iustice to the as$ect o the continuous historical develo$ment o a$ostas"& as $resented in the a$ocal"$tic outline series o Daniel and Revelation.

Coven#nt ConteDt
Revelation $laces the ne4 Bab"lon in a ne4!covenant conte,t. 2his is because the #$ocal"$se is a uni ied 4hole& centered in Christ as the kin% and in His church as the ne4 Israel :Rev .E/& <9. #cce$tin% Aesus as the true lamb and hi%h $riest means %ivin% u$ the old Aerusalem and the
5+ Die 2ei)ten Dinge :Giiteisloh& .*/79& (<+!7). 5/ Ibid.& (?7. 59 Ibid.& (?+& HGc%ensatJ %e%en ihn in der Form dcr A$ntic$kcit !it ihm& der @Stcllvertrctun% Christi.@H 52 Ibid.& (?+!?/. (7 Ibid.> (?/.

./7

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire s"na%o%ue as cultic centers :Rev (E*; 7E*9& so as to 4alk b" the li%ht o the ne4! covenant tem$le in heaven :Rev .E.)!.(; ..E.*9. 2he literar" structure o Christ@s messa%es to the seven churches :Rev (!79 is no4 reco%niJed to be that o a biblical covenant. (? It reminds the universal church that Christ is her 5ord& 4ho besto4s at once covenant blessin%s on His lo"al ones and covenant curses on the alse $ro$hets and the im$enitent a$ostates. 2he church lives in a covenant ello4shi$ 4ith the same God 4hom Israel 4orshi$edE HConsider there ore the kindness and sternness o GodH :Rom ..E((& =IV9. 2he intent o the book o Revelation is not to %rati " human curiosit" b" unctionin% as a $olitical almanac o the uture. Rather& its $ur$ose is to ur%e the church to remain aith ul to the eternal %os$el o God :Rev .+E<& 79 in her inal con rontation 4ith the antichrist as the alse messiah
>;

and his counter eit reli%ious cultus :Rev .7E..!.79.> I the church in her ecclesiastical structure and 4orshi$ becomes an a$ostate& alse church& she 4ill become a harlot church like old Aerusalem. #s such she 4ill ultimatel" receive God@s covenant 4rath& the 4rath o the 5amb :Rev <E.<9. But Christ 4ill al4a"s sustain and $rotect His /aith/ul remnant $eo$le :Rev .(E.7; .+E.(9& described s"mbolicall" as Hvir%insH 4ho have not "ielded to idolatr" :Rev .+E+& =DAV9. In Aohn@s #$ocal"$se all the 02 $romises and threats are trans ormed into blessin%s and curses o Aesus Christ7) Revelation is Christ@s covenant book to His church& alertin% her to reli%ious dece$tion and theolo%ical heresies 4ithin the church& and incitin% her to be aith ul to His covenant. Revelation ma" be vie4ed& there ore& as Hthe most $ro ound and movin% teachin% on Christian doctrine and disci$leshi$ ound an"4here in Hol" Scri$ture.H7. Bab"lon in the #$ocal"$se is com$osed theolo%icall" as the antichrist& as the archenem" o Christ@s aith ul ollo4ers :Rev .7E<9. Ho4ever& the covenant rame4ork is the basic $oint o orientation or understandin% the ne4 Bab"lon. #s G. R. Beasle"!'urra" has said& H2he burden o the Revelation is one 4ith that o the 0ld 2estament $ro$hec"& but trans$osed into a ke" determined b" the ne4 covenant.H7(
(? Sec D. #. Strand& H# Further <ote on the Covenantal )or! in the Book of Revelation&H A@SS (.67 :.*?79E (/.!<+; B. S$ea> L#$c Covenantal Form of t$e Letters to t$e Seven C$urc$es>J A@SS (.6.:.*?79E 7.!?+. (* Cf. 7. Oia/t,%ieC//mbaningdesJohannes, 7<#> .<a :2ubin%en& .*7+9; (.*. 7) a. Ellen G. Fhite& The Acts o/ the A!ostles :'ountain Vie4& CA> .*..9& 9K9G JIn t$e Revelation all t$e books o the Bible !eet and end.H 7. #. Aohnson& in E0!B) .(E7**. 7( JRevelation>J The New #entury Bi le )ommentar :Grand Ra6ids> .*?79& (<..

./?

Babylon, #nti!Christian Em$ire

2he s"mbolic lan%ua%e o Bab"lon as the %reat H$rostitute@M in Revelation .7 is co#enantal language that continues the rame4ork o the covenant o the 02 $ro$hets. 2he $ro$het Cechariah had $ortra"ed Israel7s PckednessH as a hidden Bab"lonian 4oman :Cech /E/!..9. Isaiah& Hosea& Aeremiah& and es$eciall" EJekiel&77 described a$ostate Israel and Aerusalem as the wi/e o/Qahweh 4ho had become in their time the %reatest $rostitute on earth. She 4ould not esca$e her Iud%ment& the covenant 4rath o God. =e@ebel !odel. # strikin% e,am$le is the manner in 4hich Aeremiah described the aithless Aerusalem o his o4n da"sE a harlot& adorned and $ainted like AeJebel so as to seduce the nearin% enem"& but 4ho 4ould nevertheless be desolated b" her ormer loversE
#nd "ou& ) desolate one& 4hat do "ou mean that "ou dress in scarlet& that "ou deck "oursel 4ith ornaments o %old& that "ou enlar%e "our e"es 4ith $aintL In vain "ou beauti " "oursel . Oour lovers des$ise "ou; the" seek "our li e. :Aer +E7)& RSV9

It has not esca$ed some Bible translators and e,e%etes 7+ that Aeremiah and EJekiel a$$arentl" too1JeJebel as the model or their reli%ious characteriJation o a Aerusalem that had orsaken the covenant o Oah4eh :see ( D%s *E7); EJek (7E+)9. Kueen AeJebel 4as res$onsible or the $ersecution and murder o GodMs $ro$hets :. D%s .?E+; .*E(; (.E./9& and Aehu 4as sent b" the 5ord to Haven%e the blood o '" servants the $ro$hets&... at the hand o AeJebelH :( D%s *E7& =#SB9. 0 decisive im$ortance& ho4ever& is the act that Aesus con irmed the theolo%ical $attern that the co#enant !eo!le mi%ht turn to shed the blood o their o4n $ro$hets and saints. He called the teachers o the la4 and 1harisees o His time Hdescendants o those 4ho murdered the $ro$hets&H and Aerusalem the cit" that killed the $ro$hets and stoned those sent to it :'att (7E7.&77& =2V9. He also $ronounced this Iud%mentE H#nd so u$on "ou 4ill come all the ri%hteous blood that has been shed on earthH :'att (7E7/& =IV; c . 5uke ..E/)9. #s Aeremiah o old& He announced& H5ook& "our house is le t to "ou desolateH :'att (7E7?& =IV; 7/ c . Aer +E7)a; ((E/9.
++ ba .,5.G 7os 5,5>+; =er 7E.!7&?&*; &@ek .<E./!7+. 7+ =#SB& =DAV& Jerome Bible )ommentar & +9 #$e ter! ervmos (desolateA should be retained and not deleted> as some manuscri$ts do; see B. 0. 0ct@gcr>-/ Te+tual #ommentary on the Greek 'e" Testament 02ondon, .*7/9& <..

./*

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian &!6ire

Christ summed it u$ in 7is e,clamation& HSurel" no 6ro6$et can die outside AerusalemNH :5uke .7E77& =IV9. =esus% covenant theolo%" thus sheds li%ht on the meanin% o the all o the harlot cit"& Bab"lon& in Revelation .7!.*. 2he henneneutical ke" to understand the covenant lan%ua%e o Aohn@s #$ocal"$se lies in discernin% its Christian!t"$olo%ical $ers$ective& as estab! lished b" Christ 4hen 7e s$oke out a%ainst HAerusalemH and her blood" covenant a$ostas".7< In Revelation .7!.* Bab"lon is $ictured as the end!time H3ueenH AeJebel& 77 drunk 4ith the blood o Christian saints:.7E+&<; .?E7; c . .?E(+; .*E(9. Earlier the risen Christ had identi ied AeJebel 4ith the dece$tive teachin%s and the alse 4orshi$ that arose within the church o 2h"atira :Rev (E()9. 2hus& Christ $oints His in%er at an un/aith/ul church rather than at the Roman Em$ire. I the 02 stor" o Bueen JeJebel and her cruel reli%ious rule over =orthern Israel receives t"$olo%ical si%ni icance in the book o Revelation :(E()!(7; .7E7!<; .*E(9& then the $arallel stor" o Bueen Athaliah, 4ho had usur$ed the throne in Aerusalem and murdered all le%itimate heirs rom the house o David& ma" be considered to $ossess no less t"$olo%ical im$or! tance.7? 5ike AeJebel& #thaliah>the dau%hter o AeJebel and 4i e o Aehoram& kin% o Aerusalem>had introduced Baalism& includin% its coun! ter eit tem$le 4orshi$ and $riesthood& to Aerusalem :( D%s ..E.!(); ( Chr ((E.)!(7E(.9. (nly one heir o the house o David had esca$ed the massacre& the in! ant Aoash& 4ho as hidden sa el" in the $riests@ 3uarters o the tem$le o the 5ord.7* # ter si, "ears the aith ul hi%h $riest& 4ith the hel$ o the tem$le %uards& restored the Davidic kin%shi$ b" e,ecutin% #thaliah :( Chr (7E..!./9. 2he $eo$le o the land then rene4ed their covenant 4ith Oah! 4eh and destro"ed the tem$le o Baal& its $riests and idols :( Chr (7E.<& .79. 7ere e can observe ho4 God allo4ed reli%ious a$ostas" to rule within
3. C!. L. 3. Vos0 The Synoptic Tradition in the"pocafypse (:am'en, $&.5E. 225-26+$ #m inde1ted es'e#alt1to C CGndet,aaE)Hal0indseyandBi*lical Prophecy (6t+ Catherines, FN0 1273), $2.<<2+ 77 G. B. Caird. J#$e Revelation o St. =o$n>J %arper3s 'T )munen> :.*<<9& (.7E JIt is there ore 6ossible that =e@ebel 4as t$e 3ueen who sat or t$e $ortrait $e is no $aintin%H :on Rev .7E(9. 7? #$e t$e!atic corres$ondence bet4een #thaliah and t$e $ariot Bab"lon o Revelation .7 has been reco%niJed by &. =. Bruns :sec n. +)9. +C A. )arrar> The Rev. of St. /ohn ((-ford> .*<+9& ./.. reco%niJes a t$e!atic corres6ondence bet4een =oas$ and At$alia$> on the one hand& and the 0essianic c$ild and t$e ser6ent of Rev .(& on the ot$er $and.

.<)

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire

His old!covenant $eo$le& on such a 4ide scale and 4ith such a $olitical en! orcement that a$ostate reli%ion seemed to have trium$hed com$letel" in Israel. =evertheless& God had ke$t alive a aith ul remnant 4ithin a$ostate Israel. In God@s $rovidence& His truth and kin%dom emer%ed victoriousl" in this most critical e$och o Israel@s histor". 2he #$ocal"$se vie4s Israel@s e,$erience as a mani estation o the 4ar bet4een the ser$ent and the 4oman@s seed& announced in Genesis 7E./ :see Rev .(E.!+9. But a ter the 'essiah@s enthronement as the heavenl" kin%& the ser$ent@s 4ar a%ainst the 4oman and her seed onl" intensi ies. S6iritual Babylon, a ne $arlot 2he $ro$hetic drama in Revelation .( and .7& in 4hich the HharlotH :Bab"lon9 $ersecutes and murders the children o the $ure 4oman :the Israel o God& Rev .(E.7; .7E<9& su%%ests a basic re$etition o the histor" o AeJebel and her dau%hter #thaliah or the ne4! covenant $eo$le o God& the church. Because Revelation .7 $ictures the ne4 Bab"lon as the $ersecutin% arch!$rostitute& a eature not ound in Aeremiah@s $ortra"al& indicates all the more Aohn@s intention to desi%n an e,act antithesis bet4een t4o basicall" reli%ious bodies in Revelation .( and .7. #s E. A. Bruns describes the contrast&+)
2he 4oman o ch. .( bears a child to 4hom she %ives birth; the 4oman o ch. .7 holds a cu$ illed 4ith the blood o the other 4oman@s seed; moreover she is no mother but a $rostitute. Finall"& the 4oman o ch. .( is rescued and $reserved rom dan%er 4hereas the 4oman o ch. .7 is destro"ed.

Essential is the act that AeJebel and #thaliah im$osed their reli%ious a$ostas" on Israel b" their $olitical $o4er within Israel. 2he ne4 Bab"lon& like old Aerusalem& re$resents an a$ostate reli%ious $o4er that has become bitterl" hostile a%ainst the unadulterated& a$ostolic 4orshi$ and the true saints. Because the bride o Christ is the true church& +. the harlot in Aohn@s #$ocal"$se re$resents the allen Christian church. She behaves basicall" like AeJebel& 4ho has used her husband& Din% #hab& to $ersecute EliIah and the aith ul ones. #$ostate Christianit" 4ill& there ore& receive the same aven%in% Iud%! ment rom Christ as AeJebel receivedE 7e has Haven%ed the blood o his servants at herhand$ :Rev .*E(& last line& DAV9.+( #s un aith ul Aerusalem
/; #$e Contrasted Bo!en of #$ocal"$se .( and .7&H #B( (< :.*<+9& +/*!<7; citation is rom +<). /. =o$n +,5CG 5 Cor ..E(; &6$ /E(/!(7; Rev 5.,5. /5 Literally> ek cheiros aules, H rom her $and>J as in mar%in of <ASBG c . ( 8gs *E7& $at the hand o/ /e)e el," <ASB.8='. .<.

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire earlier& so 4ill the ne4 harlot cit" be made Hdesolate.@+7 Since the harlot Bab"lon rides on and em$lo"s the Hbeast&H or the $olitical 4orld $o4ers& in her battle a%ainst the true saints :Rev .7E.!<9& the 4ider sense o Bab"lon seems to include the union o church and state on a 4orld scale. 2his conclusion a irms that a$ocal"$tic Bab"lon consists o an alliance o ecclesiastical and civil!$olitical $o4ers. ++ Revelation .7E.< announces the verdict o heaven that ecclesiastical Bab"lon is to be destro"ed b" $olitical Bab"lon.+/ Conse3uentl"& 4e concur 4ith C. Van!der4aalE+< HRevelation .7 and .? are not talkin% about a heathen cit" or em$ire; the" are talkin% about Israel& the covenant $eo$le 4ho killed the $ro$hets :. Dn%s .*E.)&.+; 5am +E.79... the un aith ul church rather than the Svicked 4orld.MH 2he %ro4in% church o Christ allo4ed to develo$ within her bosom a ne4 AeJebel& 4ho created dece$tivel" a alse reli%ious cultus :see Rev (E()!(79 and inall" accom$lished the death o man" saints throu%h an alliance 4ith the $olitical $o4ers :Rev .7E.!<9. Revelation describes God@s Iud%ment on the ne4 Bab"lon in terms o the 02 covenant curses. Becomin% a H$rostituteH :.7E.9& to be burned 4ith ire& +7 the brin%in% to an end o music and marria%ePare all 02covenan!tal curses directed to Aerusalem or her enemies. S$eci icall"& the destruction o Bab"lon b" her o4n ormer lovers :Rev .7E.<9 is modeled a ter the doom oracle o the harlot cit" Aerusalem in EJekiel .<E7/!+.. 2he #$ocal"$se $roIects HBab"lon&H there ore& not as the Roman Em$ire+* but rather as HAerusalemH that kills her o4n $ro$hets and saints./) 2his covenant rame4ork has been reco%niJed b" A. 'assin%berde in the #nchor Bible commentar" on Revelation. Ho4ever& not the old!covenant harlot cit" is in vie4& but the new5co#enant harlot cit"N 2he theolo%ical nature o this ne4 a$ostate 4oman6 cit" is not $rimaril" her $olitical or economic $o4er& but her dece$tivel"
+7 Rev .7E.<; .?E.7&.*; c . 'att (7E7?; each time orms o the same term eremos are used. ++ C . 1. D. =ichol& cd.> The SD- Bible )ommentar 7 :Fashin%ton& DC> .*/79; ?/.E HIt $as ever been characteristic of a$ostate C$ristianity to atte!6t a union o c$urc$ and state> in order to consolidate reli%ious control over $ublic $olic" :c . +E?779.H +/ See The S%A Bible )ommentar 7E?/?; c . NS"B, .77)& n. on Rev .?E(. +< =al 2indsey and Bi lical *ro!hec , .7/&.77. +7 Rev .7E.<; cf. 5ev (.E*; &@ek .<E+.. +? Rev .?E((& 5+G c . =er (/E.); EJek 52,.+. +* Bit$7. B. S4ete 4e basicall" a irm& Hthe city of t$e Caesars 4as the contem$orar" re$resentative o Bab"lon. .. . But Rome does not& of course& e,haust St. Aohn@s conce$tion o Bab"lon.H 3)ommentar on "e#elation (?rand Ra$ids& .*77& re$r! o .*..R& ((<.9 /) Sec Rev .?E(+ and &@ek (+E<; La! +E.7; 'att (7E(*!7?.

.<(

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire religious natureE her idolatr"& and her bloodshed o the true saints. 0n this account Aohn 4as dee$l" a ectedE HI 4as %reatl" astonishedH :Rev .7E<& =IV9. His %reat sur$rise 4as not, o course& that $a%an Rome 4as $ersecutin% the saints& but rather that a )hristian Rome 4ould be drunk 4ith the blood o the saints. /. #s e,$lained b" Carl #uberien& 2he 4onder o Aohn inds its o4n e,$lanation in the e,traordinar" chan%e 4hich had $assed over the Foman Qsince Aohn had seen the 4oman o God in Rev .(R; the im$ression made on Aohn ma" be e,$ressed b" the 4ords o Isaiah :.E(.9E HHo4 is the aith ul cit" become a harlotNH 2his moves his ver" heart o hearts... that the Church o Christ should all so lo4.

Conte-tual )oundations In6ut of Revelation .5-.+

In order to attain the $ro$er $ers$ective on Revelation .7& it is essential to understand irst the meanin% o its oundational cha$ters& Revelation .(!.7. 2hose inter$reters 4ho restrict the identit" o the beasts o Revelation .7 and .7 to Im$erial Rome and to seven s$eci ic em$erors are orced to conclude that John miscalculated the course o uture events b" ollo4in% the $olitical e,$ectations o his o4n time. /7 2his conclusion i%nores and denies the solemn declarations o Revelation that its $ro$hec" comes to the church as the authoritative and trust4orth" 4ord o the risen Christ./+ Ho4ever& Revelation .7 should not be made the startin% $oint and the controllin% cha$ter o the 4hole book. // # more valid and ruit ul theolo%ical method 4ill be to relate the #$ocal"$se theolo%icall" to its or%anic 02 ta$roots& s$eci icall" to the $ro$hetic books o Daniel and EJekiel./< In this li%ht it becomes a$$arent that Revelation .(!.7 and .7 are Aohn@s
/. #$is is stressed b" Chr. Fords4orth& The NT in the Criginal Greek :5ondon& .?7(9& (E(/+& statin%& T#$e C$urc$ o Rome has stained hersel 4ith the blood o Christians&H throu%h Jt$e =ot C//ice of t$e In3uisition in Ital"& S$ain& #merica& and India.H 95 J#$e Pro6$ecies of Daniel and the Revelation o St. =o$n>J &nglis$ trans. :Edinbur%h& .?/<9& (77!7?. #uberien $resents ei%ht co%ent argu!ents or his thesisE H2he $arlot Bab"lon& is the church confor!ing to t$e 4orldH :(7/9; see (7<!?(. /7 R. H. Charies& "e#elation o/ St& John, ICC> (E7..77&?7 :Hin our author the demonic =eroH9. 9/ Rev .E.!(; .*E.); ((E<&.2>.?!.*. // P. S. 0inear. ISawaNew Earth :Fashin%ton& DC> .*<?9& (7<!+)& has sho4n the inade3uac" o the $revailin% a$$roach to Rev .7 :o callin% the roll o Roman em$erors9. 92 Present scholarshi$ has establis$ed t$ai the book o Revelation is siructurally and thematicall" de$endent s$eci icall" on Daniel and EJekiel. See the dissertation o G. D. Beale& The @se o/ %aniel in Jewish A!ocal !tic ?iterature and in the "e#elation o/ St& John :8niv. o #m. Pr.> .*?+9; A. '. Vo%cl%esan%& The Inter!retation o/EJeldelin the Boo1 o/ "e#elation :Harvard 8niv.& .*?/9.

.<7

Bab" onE #nti!Christian Em$ire $ro%ressive historical a$$lications o/ %aniel7s a$ocal"$tic orecast o the satanic 4ars a%ainst the Israel o God. Revelation .? is Aohn@s death son% over the anti!Christian Bab"lon& as the eschatolo%ical consummation otEJe1iel7s $oetic lament over the doom o Israel@s trade $artner& 2"rus :EJek (<!(?9 and o Aeremiah@s Iud%ment oracles on old Bab"lon :Aer /)!/.9.

In$ut o Aesus Christ

Illuminatin% as the discover" is o the man" literar" and theolo%ical $arallels bet4een Revelation and the CTMH the hermeneutical 1e to the understandin% o the #$ocal"$se lies rather in determinin% the thou%ht $atterns b" 4hich Aesus Christ inter$reted the 02 s"mbols& t"$es& and $ro$hecies& and ho4 He a$$lied them to His time and to the uture. 2his re3uires a basic insi%ht into the ormative in luence o the Gos$el 4ritin%s :s$eci icall" o Aesus@ $ro$hetic discourse9 on the )hristocentric $ers$ective o the visions o Revelation. Some scholars have established the hermeneutical !rinci!le that a kno4led%e o Aesus@ use o a$ocal"$tic terms :in the Gos$els9 is necessar" or the correct inter$retation o the #$ocal"$se o Aohn. /? 2here is a de inite $ro%ression o historical a$$lication to Christ and His enemies; ho4ever& in the #$ocal"$se Christ& the risen and ascended Din%& is seated on a heavenl" throne. #s Henr" B. S4ete /* indicated& Hthe Christ o the #$ocal"$se is the Christ o the Gos$els& but a chan%e has $assed over Him 4hich is be"ond 4ords.H 2he conce6t of t$e victorious> %lori ied C$rist in Revelation is unsur6assed in the =2; e,ceedin% every (# !essianic 6ro6$ecy. It !eets t$e need of t$e church in ti!es of 6ersecution and suffering at t$e $ands of 6olitical rulers and in times of te!6tation by t$e dece6tively religious claims and cultus o a6ostate church rulers. #$e A6ocaly6se stresses vi%orousl" t$e messa%e that t$e living Christ is never se6arated fro! 7is $eo$le. 7e is in t$eir !idst throu%h 7is S6irit and regulates t$e affairs of
/7 See the im$ressive list in R. H. Charles& The "e#elation o/ St& John, ICC& .E5GVIII!5GGVII. The Gree1 NT, eds. D. #land& et al. :H.B.S. 5ondon& .*<<9& ?*7.*()& lists over /)) 02 $assa%es as alluded to in Revelation. /? 5. #. Vos& The S no!tic Traditions in the A!ocal !se :Dissertation& Free 8niversit"& #msterdam& Dam$en& .*</9; see cha$s. 7& +& <. 0n Rev .7!.?& see $$. ./7!<7. R. Bauckham& HS"no$tic 1arousia 1arables and the #$ocal"$se&H NTS (7 :.*779; .<(!7<. See also R. H! Charles. The "e#elation o/ St& John, ICC& .E5GGIV!5GGVI :list o $arallels bet4een Revelation and other books o the =29. 0n the $ro$hetic discourse o Aesus in 'ark .7; 'att (+; 5uke (.& see 5aRondelle& HDid Aesus intend to return in the irst centur"LH 6inistr , 'a" .*?7&.)..7. /* )ommentar on "e#elation, CL".

164

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire His churches do4n throu%h the a%es& 4ithout an" %a$ o time& until He returns in %lor". Characteristic is the eature that Revelation o ers ho$e and com ort& re4ards and $unishment& or the uture in the covenant lan! %ua%e o the $ast.

In6ut of Daniel #lthou%h Aohn alludes to virtuall" all the books o the F+, the one he uses most com$rehensivel" is Daniel. S4ete comments& HIn $ro$ortion to its len%th& the Book o Daniel "ields b" ar the %reatest number Qo allusionsR.H<) It can be said that Aohn $ortra"s the HChristian truth throu%h the lens o Daniel&H as Christ had done earlier in His $ro$hetic discourse o 'ark .7. <. Revelation ado$ts s$eci icall" the Daniel model& the $eriod!iJation o salvation histor" b" means o successive kin%doms& the last o 4hich is destro"ed b" God@s Iud%ment and re$laced b" the divine kin%dom. Si%ni icant is the a$$arent $ro%ress in salvation histor". Fhile Daniel@s vision intended to sho4 H4hat 4ill ha$$en in da s to come Qin the latter da"s& RSVRH :Dan (E(?; c . (E+/9& Aohn@s #$ocal"$se 4ants Hto sho4... 4hat !ust soon 8tachei9 take $laceH :Rev .E.9. 2he added e,$ression HsoonH su%%ests H ul illment in the imminent uture& 4hich $erha$s has alread" be%un in the $resent.H<( 2his con irms 1aul@s disclosure that Hthe secret $o4er o la4lessness is alread at wor1$ :( 2hess (E79. Daniel 3 !odel. Revelation .(!.7 allude s$eci icall" to Daniel@s $ro$hetic $eriod o the 7P( times o $ersecution o the saints b" the blas$hemous Hlittle hom.H<7 Both Daniel and Revelation $ortra" the same eschatolo%ical enem" o God& o His sanctuar" truth& and o the $eo$le o God. But 4hile Daniel $aints him as the comin% antimessmh& Revelation de$icts him as the antichrist& 2he descri$tion o the sea beast :HHe 4as %iven $o4er to make 4ar a%ainst the saints and to con3uer them&H .7E79 aith ull" re lects the 4ords o Daniel concernin% the Hlittle hornHE H2his hom 4as 4a%in% 4ar a%ainst the saints and de eatin% themH :Dan 7E(.9. 2hese and other $hrases indicate Hthat Revelation .7 is modeled on
#<#

Daniel 7@H! and intends to be a Christ!centered a$$lication to the church a%e o Daniel 7. Revelation .7 inte%rates the s"mbolic eatures o the our
2; Ibid.. CLIII2. Beale> (*7!*+. 7e demonstrates t$at alread" Rev .E.&.*&() is $atterned after Dan (E(?!7)&+/P7& because of their identical 6$rases in ?reek :$$. .2K>(7/!7*9. 25 Ibid.. (7<. 2+ Dan 7E(/; .(E7; c . Rev .(E<&.+; .7E/. 2/ Beale> (+7. .29

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire beasts or 4orld kin%doms o Daniel 7 into one a$ocal"$tic sea beast :Rev .7E.& (9. 2his sea beast carries ten ro"al cro4ns on its ten horns& a clear allusion to the ten kin%s or kin%doms that 4ould emerge rom the ourth 4orld em$ire :the Roman Em$ire9 in Daniel 7E7&(+. 2his eature o the ten simultaneous horns leads us be ond the colla$se o the ancient Roman Em$ire in A.D. +7<. Both Daniel 7 and Revelation .7& there ore& lead into the 'iddle #%es. 2heolo%icall" s$eakin%& the blas$hemous sel !dei ication o the sea beast o Revelation .7E.!7 continues the blas$hemies o the HlittleH horn o both Daniel 7E?&(/& and ?E.)!l(.</ Revelation indicates the historic !rogression in Daniel 7 : rom the cruel ourth beast to the blas$hemin% little horn amon% the ten horns9 b" declarin%& H2he dra%on %ave the beast his $o4er and his throne and %reat authorit"H :Rev .7E(9. 2he intimate relationshi$ o the dra%on and the beast is a$$arent in that both $ossess seven heads and ten horns :c . .(E7; .7E.9. 2he historical $ro%ression o ul illment is su%%ested in the ne4 eature that the ten horns are cro4ned :.7E.9& 4hich the" 4ere not "et in Revelation .(. In the li%ht o the total historical $ers$ective o Daniel 7& the dragon in Revelation .(& 4ho stood in ront o the 4oman o God read" to devour the messianic child :.(E7!+9& unctions as the ourth beast o Daniel 7& that is& as the $ersecutin% Roman Em$ire.<< 2he dra%on@s 4ar a%ainst the 4oman continues& ho4ever& a/ter she has brou%ht orth the 'essiah :.(E<& .+!.79. 2hat is& Satan no4 $ursues the true church o Christ. 2he =2 testi ies to the mart"rdom and $ersecutions o the Christians b" both the s"na%o%ue and the Roman Em$ire. <7 But 4hile Rome %ranted the status o a religio licita to Audaism& e,em$tin% Ae4s rom the lo"alt" test o $atriotism b" the cultic act o em$eror 4orshi$& it 4a%ed a le%aliJed 4ar a%ainst the Christians& es$eciall" under the rule o Domitian& Decius& and Diocletian.<? Develo6!ent of c$urc$-state union. 0scar Cullmann e,$ressed it cor!
</ Ibid.> (7+. 22 Cf. 0att (E.7!(); 'ark ./E./!(). 1. *ngeat,A!ocat !se ++ %istoire de I3e+egese (#iibingen> .*/*9& avors the vie4 that behind the dra%on is t$e idea o a 6olitical 6o er o66osed to t$e 0essia$> as 7erod and Pilate. &. ?. Fhite states it $er ectl"E J#$us 4hile the dragon> $rimaril"& re6resents Satan> it is> in a secondar" sense& a s"mbol o $a%an Ro!eJ 3The Great #ontroversy O0ountain Vie4& CA> .*/)R& +7?9. <7 #cts 7; .(; (..(?; Rev .E*. 2K See 7. Berkho & Oirche und Oaiser :.*+79. See SD- Bi le Students7 Source Book, Co!!entary Re erence Series& vol. * :Fashin%ton& DC> .*<(9& <os. ..?+&..*(&..C2-..CK. 7. 7. 0il!an> The =istor o/ )hristianit :=e4 Oork& .??.9& (E()7!(++ :bk. (& c$a6. C> %#$e Persecution 1nder DiocletianH9.

.<<

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire rectl"E H#t this $oint Qthe demand o a lo"alt" test to em$eror 4orshi$R the Roman State remained continuousl"& u$ to the time o Constantine& a satanic $o4er.H<* # historic chan%e occurred& ho4ever& 4hen Em$eror Constantine in #.D. 7.( ado$ted the Christian church as the means b" 4hich to realiJe his dream o rulin% the Roman 4orld. 7) 2he Roman em$eror acted as the head o the church& orderin% an ecumenical council to create do%matic unit". #s the 1onti e, 'a,imus& he con erred ull Iudicial $o4ers on the bisho$s 4ho no4 censured and e,communicated even hi%h civil o icials. He enIoined b" la4 the civil observance o Sunda" :#.D. 7(.9. 2hus Constantine Hseated Christianit" on the throne o the Ro!an 4orld.H7. Em$eror 2heodosian the Great 4ent a ste$ urther b" declarin% that only 2rinitarian Catholics 4ere le%all" reco%niJed and that all nonmem!bers o the state church 4ere Hheretics&H 4ho Hshall be smitten irst b" divine ven%eance and secondl" b" the retribution o 0ur o4n initiativeH :#.D. 7?)9.7( Ca$ital $unishment 4as in licted on the Buarto5deciman Christians merel" because the" celebrated Easter on the da" o the Passover> instead o on the Sunda" i,ed b" the church la4.77 #u%ustine Iusti ied the coercion and $ersecution o heretics and schismatics b" declarin% that the Christian State stood in the hi%her service o the church to $reserve Catholic unit" and church disci$line b" the orce o im$erial la4s. 2his he called hol" 4ar 8helium %eo auctore9&7M He claimed that the millennium o Revelation () 4as ul illed b" the rulershi$ o the church 4hose bisho$s 4ere to Iud%e others no4& on behal o Christ.7< 2he church ul illed the $romise o the <e Aerusalem.77 Develo6!ent of Pa6al intolerance and 6ersecution. 2hus& #u%ustine became the ramer and the re$resentative o the theolo%" o intolerance.7?
2C The Stale in the New Testament, 7*!?) :3uoted b" Beasle"!'urra"& "e#elation, (.(9. 7) R. Seeber%& ?ehrbuch der %ogmengeschichte, Book (&+. For the ollo4in% $istorical sketch& I am lar%el" indebted to Aohannes Sch4ital& Gross1irche und Se1te :Hambur%& .*<(9& /7!<7. 3. &. ?ibbon> The %ecline and (all o/ the "oman Em!ire :=e4 Oork& .*+<9& .E/7<. 7( Code- #$eod. .<...( :intended $rimaril" a%ainst $a%anism9; 3uoted in S%A Bible Students 3Source Book, =o. .()(9. 77 See Gibbon& .E?//!/<. 7+ E!istula, *7&.<..?..*; ?7& 7.?; .?/& (7!(<; "etract, (. /. See 7. *. Deane. The *olitical and Social Ideas o/ St& Augustine :=e4 Oork& .*<79& cha$. /. 1. Bro4n& HSt. #u%ustine@s #ltitude to Reli%ious coercion&H J"S /+:.*<+9E .)7!.<; also in Bro4n& "eligion and Societ in the Age o/ St. Augustine :5ondon& .*7(9. 7/ Buaest& in =e!? <..) 3C!era 7. 7.+(? . and %e )i#itate%ei, .. (.9. 32 De )i#@ate %ei, ().*. 77 Ibid.. ().... 7? #u%ustine contended that it 4as merci ul to $unish heretics& even b" death& i this could save them or others rom the eternal su erin% 3)ontra Gaudentium +,.*; E!isl&, .)/9.

.<7

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire

Heres" 4as treated as a crime a%ainst civil societ" and 4as declared $unish! able 4ith death. Finall"& the $o$e in Rome claimed that he $ossessed& b" divine ri%ht& the su$reme Iudicial $o4er over both church and state. 7* #n" diver%ence rom the church and her ecclesiastical norms became branded as heres" and 4as $unished b" the aid o the civil $o4er. 2he Italian bisho$ #nselm o 5ucca $rovided the canonical oundation and the scholastic Ius! ti ication or the so!called Hhol" $ersecutionH o heretics and schismatics b" the $a$al church.?) 2homas #3uinas Iusti ied the e,termination o heres" b" e,communi! catin% heretics and $uttin% them to death. ?. 2hrou%h the establishment o the HCon%re%ation o Rome and 8niversal In3uisitionH and its $risons& in A.D. .(./& later called the HHol" 0 ice&H $a$al Rome sanctioned the church as a $ersecutin% and& throu%h civil en orcement also& an e,ecutin% $o4er. ?( It %ave the $o$es a terrible 4ea$on to use in $olitical a%%randiJement& in order to establish the kin%dom o Christ on earth b" human orce. 1o$e Gre%or" VII :Hildebrand9 in the %ictatus *a!ae claimed the ri%ht to enthrone and dethrone kin%s& to 4ear the im$erial insi%nia& and that all em$erors had to kiss his eet. 2he $a$al church had become a $o4er o this 4orld& claimin% theocratic su$remac" over all kin%doms. Bet4een .)*/ and .+)) the $o$es summoned and authoriJed si, crusades or Christian Hhol" 4arsH a%ainst the 'uslims in the 'iddle East& to con3uer the Hhol" landH 4ith its Hhol" se$ulcherH or Christ& or restore other territories to the Christian church& Hthe onl" true soverei%n State o Christ on earth.H ?7 In 'arch .()? 1o$e Innocent III even issued a call or a Hhol"H
7* ?rcg4iy 'II in t$e Dictatus *a!ae o A.D. .)?7; Po6e Innocent III established the InHuisition in A.D. .()? and Boni ace 'III> 4hose Bull J1na! SanctamH :.7)(9 created the doctrine o the t4o s4ords o the Po6e, t$e s$iritual and the te!6oral. Sec L. &. )roo!> The *ro!hetic (aith o/ $ur ,athers . :Fashin%ton& DC> .*/)9& <<+!?(& J#$e Su!!it o Pa6aI Po er #ttained.H ?) In books .( and .+ of #nsclm@s canonical collection :bet4een .)?. and .)?<9; in !2, .+*&+?/ . See detailed docu!entation in Cari Erdmann& J#$e 0ri%in o t$e Idea o Crusade>J &nglis$ trans. rom ?er!an :1rinceton 8nrv. 6r.> .*779& (++!+7 :cha$. ? is very revealin%9. See also I. von Dollinger> Das!apsttum, ne4 cd.> =. )ricdric$ :'unich& .?*(9& re$rinted& Darmstadt& .*<*. ?. Swwna Theologica, D& 3. ..& art. 7. 7is Swuna Theologica 4as endorsed b" Po6e Leo "III as the classical e-6osition o Catholic Doctrine. ?( Sec Henr" C. 5ca&6l =istor o/ the InGuisition o/ the 6iddle Ages, 7 vols. #lso the historical re er! ences or HIn3uisitionH in the S%A Bible Students7Source Boo1, =os. ?7/!??(; see es$eciall" the 1a$al 1rocedures o In3uisition& =o. ?77. Chr. Fords4orth& TheN&T (E(// on Rev .7E<& comments& HShe has inserted an 0ath in her 1onti ical& 4hich re3uires Bisho$s to @$ersecute and 4a%e 4ar a%ainst all@ 4hom she calls 7heretics7$ 3*onti/icale "omanus, <7& ed. Rom. .?.?9. 2he S$anish In3uisition alone re$orts to have burned to death 7.&*.( $ersons; see S%A Bible Students7 Source Boo1, =o. ??(. ?7 See #$e Age of the Crusades.J Ten E!ochs o/ )hurch =istor , ed. =. Fuller (<e Mork> .?*<9& vol. 2.

.<?

Babylon, #nti!Christian Em$ire

'"

4ar a%ainst the heretics in southern France& the #lbi%ensians. 1a$al Rome sustained her totalitarian rule b" $h"sical re$ression and the secular s4ord& Iust as Im$erial Rome had done be ore. 2he 4a%in% o 4ar 4as al4a"s a $olitical act. HHol" 4ars.H ho4ever& 4ere the result o the ate ul union o the reli%ious and the secular order& the so!called )or!us
2hristianumA

Even Catholic theolo%ians such as 2homas and Gertrude Sartor" came to the a$$allin% conclusionE H=o reli%ion in the 4orld :not a sin%le one in the histor" o mankind9 has on its conscience so man" millions o $eo$le 4ho thou%ht di erentl"& believed di erentl". Christianit" is the most mur! derous reli%ion there has ever been.H?/ Hans Dun% rankl" admits&?< H2o our horror 4e are becomin% increasin%l" aware toda o the act that all this Qsendin% heretics& schismatics& Ae4s& and others to hell b" means o tortureR has nothin%>nothin% at all>to do 4ith Him in 4hose name it 4as sta%edE Aesus o =aJareth. =o& no one can sa" that He 4illed an" o this.H Church rulers claimed to act in )hrist7s stead& But Christ& our e,am$le& never sou%ht the $o4er o earthl" %overnments. C$urc$-state alliance, c$aracteristk of antic$rist 7istory over4helmin%l" demonstrates the demonic conse3uences o the corru$tion o $o4er b" the church. )hrist e,$licitl" declared& H'" kin%dom is not o this 4orldH :Aohn .?E7<& =IV; Hdoes not belon% to this 4orld&H =EB9. 2hus& one cannot esca$e the conclusion that the alliance o the church 4ith earthl" %overnments stands in direct o$$osition to Christ@s 4ill& and thereb" constitutes the essential characteristic o the antichrist& Christ@s kin%dom bears no relation to $olitical kin%doms. 2he French la4 $ro essor Aac3ues Ellul has sho4n that the legislation aad!olitical en/orcement o the do%matic unit" o the church b" the Chris! tian em$erors& in their obsession to $arallel the $olitical unit" o the Roman Em$ire& 4as the be%innin% o the subversion o Christianit"& and in act& the chie/ /orm o/ anti5)hristianit & -I In his anal"sis& the mutation o Christianit" took $lace %raduall". 2he church ado$ted $a%an belie s and
K/ 8. 0. Setton> - %istory of the #rusades (0adison> BI> .*<*9& vol. (. cha$. ?& H2he #lbi%ensian Crusade.H K9 In der%olle Brennt ;ern ,euer :'unich& .*<?9& ??!?*& as 3uoted in 7. 8ung> Eternal ?i/eR :Gar! den Cit"& =O& .*?+9& .7(. #$e historical sc$olar B.&.7. 5cck"& =istor o/ the Rise and In/luence of the S!irit o/ "ationalism in *urope :re$rint; <e Mork. .*//9& (E+/& like4ise concluded& HIt can surely be no e,a%%eration to say t$at the Church o Ro!e $as in licted a %reater amount o un!erited suffering t$an any other reli%ion that has ever e-istedJ :as Huoted in Source Boo1 /or Bi le Students, =o. .(.( OBas$ington> DC> .*((R& 7+); in t$e .*(/ cd.& $. +<9. K2 Dun%& Eternal li/eR .+5. K3 The Su version o/ )hristianit :Grand Ra6ids> .*?<9& c$a6. 5.

.<*

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire rituals alien to the %os$el& and it inall" re$laced the messa%e o Christ 4ith an abstract $hiloso$hical s"stem o theolo%"& 4hich it im$osed on all. ?? Ellul summariJesE?* # statue o St. 1eter and a cross 4ere $laced on all the ancient monu! ments o Rome. 2he countere ect 4as the $a%aniJin% o the church@s Christianit". 2he a$ostles and $ro$hets became $riests in the most socio! lo%icall" reli%ious sense o the term& that is& successors o the $onti s Q$a%an $riestsR& the Salians& the #rvales& the sacri icin% $riests& the vestals& the au%urs& the lamens& etc. In the e"es o the $eo$le the" had the same unctions. 2he church ada$ted itsel inte%rall" to the $a%an 4orld. It acce$ted its orms and even its moralit". Fhile $a%anism a$$eared to be con3uered& its theolo%" and $hiloso$h" nevertheless trium$hed in the %i%antic com$romise o a subverted Christianit". *) 1olitical action to establish the kin%dom o Christ 4ith the hel$ o human la4s and e,ternal en orcement reveals a s$irit in undamental con lict 4ith the S$irit o Christ. 2he subversion o the Christian aith basicall" means Hthe trans%ression 4hat God has $osited.H*. #s Ellen G. Fhite e,$lains 4ith $ro ound insi%ht& H=ot b" the decisions o courts or councils or le%islative assemblies& not b" the $atrona%e o 4orldl" %reat men& is the kin%dom o Christ established& but b" the im$lantin% o Christ@s nature in humanit" throu%h the 4ork o the Hol" S$irit.@.*( 2hrou%h the %os$el o Christ and the Hol" S$irit& God ke$t alive and nourished the bod" o Christ& the 4oman in the 4ilderness :Rev .(E<&.+9. 2he church cannot die& because God@s aith ulness al4a"s maintains a true remnant o saints& chosen b" %race :Rom ..E/9. Resur%ences o truth have occurred re3uentl". 1erversions o the truth have been redressed& es$eciall" 4hen darkness seemed to $revail& b" a return to the biblical authenticit" o $ro$hetic truth. From 4ithin the Roman Catholic Church there arose an increasin% number o voices& startin% 4ith #rchbisho$ #mol o 0rleans at the S"nod o
?? A. Ellul& (/& mentions as an e-a!6le t$e ado$tion o the ?reek idea of the immortalit" o t$e soul. Diin%& Eternal ?i/eR .(+!+(& e-6oses the !agan ori%in o the $o$ular C$ristian conce$ts o an eternall" burnin% $ell> o $ur%ator"& and of the understandin% of C$rist%s Hdescent into $ell.J ?* Ibid.& 7*. See also t$e ad!ission o Cardinal =. 7. <e !an>-/n *ssay on the Development of #hristian %octrine, 7/*!<); c . Froom& .E7?(. *) See The Great )ontro#ers , /). *. Ellul& (... *( The %esire o/ Ages, /)*. She sa"s also& HOet t$e Saviour atte!6ted no civil refor!s.... 7e did not inter ere it$ the authorit" or administration o those in 6o erJ :/)*9. Cf. &llul> ..2> JBabylon> 4hich s"mboliJes Ro!e> orms the ocus o all earthl" evil in the orm of $olitical 6o er.J

.7)

Babylon, #nti!Christian Em$ire Reims in A.D. **. and #rchbisho$ Eberhard n o SalJbur% in #.D. .(+.& 4ho identi ied the universal $a$al church& 4ith her $riestl" sacramentalism and claims o secular absolutism as Bab"lon or the antichrist o $ro$hec".*7 Revelation .7E( is& there ore& o church!historical si%ni icanceE H2he dra%on Qas the satanic Roman Em$ireR %ave the beast Qas $a$al RomeR his $o4er and his throne and %reat authorit".H 2his trans/er o $olitical authorit" and the throne Qor ca$ital cit" o Im$erial Rome to $a$al RomeR took $lace in several sta%es. 2he $rocess be%an in #.D. 77) 4hen Constantine trans erred his throne to Constantino$le in the east and 4as com$leted in #.D. /77 4ith the im$erial Code o Austinian& 4hich le%aliJed the $o$e@s ecclesiastical su$remac" as Hhead over all churchesH in the east and the 4est and $laced the civil s4ord at his dis$osal.*+ 2his union o reli%ious and $olitical $o4er 4as dissolved onl" 4hen 1ius VI 4as dethroned on Februar" .)&.7*?& and the Re$ublic o Rome 4as $roclaimed b" =a$oleon@s re$resentative& General 5ouis #. Ber!thier.*/ 2he Civil Code o =a$oleon :.?)+9 made a distinct se$aration bet4een church and state& and thus re$udiated the Code o Austinian o /77. Caesaro!$a$ism had received a mortal 4ound.*< 2he cit" o Rome 4as not destro"ed 4hen the Goths ca$tured it in #.D. +.)& nor 4hen the Roman Em$ire 4as re$laced b" the nations o Euro$e in #!D. +7<. 2he $ro$hec" o the utter destruction and eternal desolation o the harlot cit" in Revelation .7!.? 4as& there ore& not ul illed in the all o the ancient Roman Em$ire. Rather& the cit" became the ne4 HHol" Cit"H o Christendom& because o the HHol" SeeH or throne o the Hhol" ather&H 4ho or man" centuries has stood Hin a more lo t" eminence than had ever been attained b" the Caesars.H 2he Iud%ment visions in Revelation .7!.? 4ill ind their ul illment onl" in the uture doom o the Bab"lonian Harlot& the inal con i%uration o reli%ious a$ostas". Links bet een Revelation .5 and .+. Fe summariJe in si, conclusions the connection bet4een the red dra%on o Revelation .( and the sea!beast o Revelation .7.
C+ See )- =ci'cr,A@drchlicheAutonomiewui!a!stlicherSentralismus :.*+.9& (?7& or documentation. L. &> Froom& The *ro!hetic (aith o/ Cur (athers :.*+?9& (E(.!7. :on Dante and 1etrarch9; c$a6. < :Savonorola9; cha$. ( :F"cli 9; .E7*<!?)< :Eberhard II9. C/ )or t$e significance of t$e Code of =ustinian> see )roo!> .E/)7!/.7; The Great )ontro#ers , /+! //. C9 See Froom& (E7+*!<+& J#$e Deadly Found Ends the .(<) Oears&H es$. $$. 7/*!<). C2 See ibid.& c$a6. 7/. C3 Bords ort$ :on Rev .7E(9& (/.. 7e adds& J#$e Bis$o6 of Rome& 4hen he is cro4ned& is saluted as Rector $re is, Ruler o the ForldH :(/(9. 7e re ers also to the $a$al coins that declare his clai!s to universal su6re!acy.

.7.

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian &!6ire .. Both satanic $o4ers orm an essential unit"& because each $ossesses the same seven heads and ten horns :.(E7; .7E.9. (. 2heir intimate relationshi$ reveals a $ro%ressive historical develo$mentE the dra%on :Im$erial Rome9 %ave the sea!beast :$a$al Rome9 his throne and $o4er and %reat authorit" :.7E(9. 7. 2he $ur$ose o both the dra%on and the sea!beast is to 4a%e 4ar a%ainst Christ and the Christian saints :Rev .(E.7; .7E79& in ul illment o Daniel@s vision o the ourth beast and its subse3uent little horn :cha$. 79. 2he ultimate %oal is that all earth d4ellers 4ill 4orshi$ the beast and the dra%on :.7E+&?9. +. 2he $ro$hetic time $eriod o +( months :Rev .7E/9 o the sea!beast and o the .(<) da"s or Ll/D times o the dra%on :Rev .(E<&.+9 corres$ond uni3uel" to the unhol" 4ar o the little horn o Daniel 7 :vs. (/9. 2he" brin% the Christian 'iddle #%es and the $a$al 4ar are 4ithin the ocus o a$ocal"$tic $ro$hec". /. Revelation .7 continues in %reater detail the 4ar are o the dra%on a%ainst the 4oman in Revelation .(. 2he dra%on summons u$ t4o earthl" a%ents into his serviceE the sea beast and the earth beast& the result bein% the ormation o a satanic trinit & <. 2he literar" st"le& de$ictin% the sea beast as a $arodic imitation o Christ& identi ies the sea beast as the antichrist2 a. 2he investiture o the beast stands in direct o$$osition to the enthronement o the 5amb :c . /E.(&.7 and .7E(9. b. 2he authoriJation clause that %ives the beast authorit" Hover ever" tribe& $eo$le& lan%ua%e and nationH so that it is 4orshi$ed :.7E+&7!?9 orms an ironic rea$$lication o the soverei%n authorit" o the Son o man and His rece$tion o universal 4orshi$ in Daniel 7E.+.*? c. 2he beast is described as receivin% a mortal 4ound 3hos es!hag5menen, Has i slainH9 but is a ter4ard resurrected rom death :stated three timesE .7E(& .(& .+9. 2he $hraseolo%" is similar to the descri$tion o the 5amb 4hich looks Has i slainH :hos es!hagmenon4 but is no4 resurrected to eternal rulershi$ :/E<&*&.(; .7E?9. 2his ironic $arod" o Christ@s mission $ortra"s the beast as a counter/eit lamb&$

&6 Se" G. ). Be#l"0 The -se of Daniel in /e,ish "poc( 0itA and in the )evelation of St( /ohn ()ni%+ 9ress o5 Am+), 2<4-<7+ 22 6o H+ 4+ "=Aragon, S2.0 in the /erome Bi*le 2ommentary on Rev 1<@1-1;, vol. 20 9. 43<+

.7(

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire

S#t#nBs Counte'!eit T'init+

Role of # o-7orn BeastN)alse Pro6$et In order to establish his counter eit trinit"& the dra%on em$lo"s a second 4orld $o4er& the earth beast :Rev .7E..!.79 4hich has $two horns S1e a lamb$ but s$eaks like a dra%on :.7E..9. 2he eature o Ht4o horns like a lambH is reco%niJed %enerall" as Ha $arod" o the messianic lamb and has an ironic relation to it.H.)) Its mission 4ill be to e,alt the sea beast and& b" means o dece$tive miracles& to make the 4hole 4orld 4orshi$ the revived sea beast :.7E.+9. 2he #$ocal"$se re ers to the second beast as Hthe alse $ro$hetH :.*E(); .<E.79. H2he alse $ro$hetH unctions as the counter eit o the Hol" S$irit. Fhile God@s S$irit came as the S$irit o truth to brin% %lor" to Christ :Aohn .<E.7& .+9& the alse $ro$het b" his miracles deceives the 4hole 4orld b" orcin% all men to 4orshi$ an Hima%eH o the antichrist :.7E.+&./9. 2he su%! %estion o counter eit imitation a$$ears a%ain 4hen this alse $ro$het $er! orms H%reat and miraculous si%ns& even causin% ire to come do4n rom heavenH :.7E.7& =IV9& Han ironic echo o the acts o the %reat 02 $ro$h! etsH.). and o the t4o $ro$hetic 4itnesses o the Christian #%e in Revelation ..E/. Fhile the sea beast 4as $rimaril" characteriJed b" his $ersecutin% $o4er& the earth beast or alse $ro$het unctions at irst more as the demonic medium or reli%ious dece$tion 4ithin the a!ostate church,.)( an as$ect ound also in Daniel@s antimessiah :Dan ?E(/9 and sel !4illed kin% :Dan ..E7(9. Daniel +NRevelation .+ Links #$e ormation o an eschatolo%ical Hima%eH o the resurrected sea! beast> to create a lo"alt" test to Bab"lon :Rev .7E.+& ./9 $rovides a t"$olo%ical connection 4ith the command o Din% =ebuchadneJJar to 4orshi$ the %olden ima%e o himsel on the 1lain o Dura :Dan 7E.9. .)7 2his illuminatin% corres$ondence bet4een Daniel 7 and Revelation .7 clari ies the real issue or the end!time $eo$le o God. In both the Danielic t"$e and Aohn@s a$ocal"$tic antit"$e the rulin% $o4ers en orce alse 4orshi$ as a lo"alt" test to Bab"lon. Both Daniel 7 and Revelation .7 mention
.;; Bcale> (+.. .;. Ibid> (+(. .;5 By P. S. 'inear& I Saw a New Earth, (/<& a$$lied t$e Jfatse $ro$hetH o Rev .7E..!.7 to Hdece$! tive $ro$hec" 4ithin t$e Church.H .;+ Bcale& (+7. .3+

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire a $olitical death decree, issued b" la4makers concernin% a reli%ious issue. Daniel@s messa%e o ho$e throu%h the miraculous deli#erance o the aith ul remnant.)+ serves as the $rotot"$e and assurance or the inal deliverance in the end!time crisis o the remnant church o Christ..)/

Su!!ary
2he literar" unit on the antichrist :Rev .79 demonstrates ho4 the continuous5 historical outline o Daniel 7 and the t !ological deliverance!e,$erience o Daniel 7 are united and to%ether a$$lied to Christ and His aith ul church. Daniel 7 $lainl" and demonstrabl" serves in Revelation .7 as the undamental standard and matri, or the location and timin% o the comin% antichrist. Daniel 7 4ith its continuous! historical $ers$ective is the controllin% $attern o Revelation .7. .)< 2he ne4 develo$ment and advance in the #$ocal"$se o Aohn is its historical and theolo%ical orientation to Christ& to His S$irit& and to His ne4!covenant $eo$le. Revelation .(!.7 reveal that Satan& as the ruler o this 4orld .)7 has erected a satanic kin%dom& consistin% o a counter eit triunit"& 4hich is $ortra"ed b" Aohn as Ha $arodic imitation o the structure o God@s kin%dom.H.)? 2he d"namic $arallelism o Revelation .( and .7 indicates that the anti!Christian sea beast :Rev .7E.)!?9 o$erates durin% the .(<) $ro$hetic da"s o the 4oman in the 4ilderness :Rev .(E<& .7!.<9. 2he earth beast :Rev .7E..!.79 arises to s$eak as the dra%on onl" a/ter the mortal 4ound o the sea beast has been healed& in order to 4a%e the inal 4ar a%ainst the saints. 2his inal 4ar are o the satanic trinit" corres$onds to the last 4ar a%ainst the church in Revelation .(E.7. 2he 3uestions are not ans4ered in Revelation .(!.7 on how Hthe mortal 4oundH o the beast is healed& and when the antichrist resumes his $olitical $o4er& and how he reactivates his $olic" o 4ar a%ainst the aith ul saints in the time o the end. Furthermore& ho4 should the earth beast& that is& the alse $ro$het& be identi ied and a$$lied historicall"L Fhat H4isdomH 4ill decode convincin%l" the number o the beast or #ntichristE <<<L Revelation .7 4as desi%ned to e,$and e,$licitl" on Revelation .7 as 4ell as on the si,th and seventh $la%ues :Rev .<9..)*
.)+ Cf. Dan 7E./&.7&(?&(*; .(E.. .)/ See 5aRondelle& #hariots o/ Sal#ation, .//!/*& or more historical ty6es o the inal drama. .)< For an in!de$th investi%ation o the connection bet4een Rev .7 and Dan 7& see Beale& ((*!+?. .)7 Luke +E/&<; Aohn .(E7.; E$h (E(; <E.(. .)? P.S. /Ainear,ISmTaNewEarth, (7.. .)* See cha$. .( in t$is volume& H#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh 1la%ues.H

.7+

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire

Bibliogra6$y Source 0aterial on Babylon

#$e )ommentaries on "e#elation, es$eciall" b" E. B. #llo& A. 5. D@#ra%on :in Jerome Bible )ommentar 4, C. #. #uberlen& F. Barcla"& I. 2. Beck4ith& '. Buttcher& F. F. Bruce& C. B. Caird& R. H. Charles& #. O. Collins& S. Ellul& #. Farrar& A. '. Ford& D. F. Hadora& #. Aohnson& F. Hendriksen& #. Du"$er& G. E. 5add& E. 5ohse& A. 1. 5an%e& C. '. 'a,4ell& R. H. 'ounce& E. Schussler FiorenJe& H. B. S4ete& A. F. Falvoord& '. Filcock& Chr. Fords4orth.

Books and Articles

#ndre4s& A. =. Three 6essages o/ "e#elation, cha$s. 7!+. Herita%e 5ibrar"& Revie4 and Herald 1ubl. #ssoc.& .?*( :re$r.& .*7)& b" Southern 1ubl. #ssoc.9.
Beale, *+ :+ 1he -se of Daniel in /e,ish Apocalyptic 0iterature and in the Revelation of StA /ohnA )ni%ersit1 o5 AmericaC e8 Iork, 4on#on, 1234+

Bruns& A. Ed%ar. @2he Contrasted Fomen o #$ocal"$se .( and .7&H )BB (< :.*<+9& +/*!<7. Collins& #. Oarbro. HRevelation .?E 2aunt!Son% or Dir%eLH m?7A!ocal !seAohan5niGueetl7A!ocal !tiGuedansleN&T&, .?/!()+. Ed.A. 5ambrecht! 5euvenE 8niv. Press> .*?).
Cru/, V+ A+ 1he 4ark of the Beast: A Study of2hara+ma in the ApocalypseA Amster#am@ Aca#+ 9ress, 127<+ "horme, (+ 0es Reli+ions de Ba*ylonie et d@AssyrieA 9aris, 9r+ )ni%+ #e !rance, 1242+ (Gul0 H+ 1he Su*version of 2hristianityA (T+ *ran# $a'i#s@ (er#mans, 1236+ Hoe'ste'0 W+ A"ie Bil#er in ?55en.arung 125+ un# 175+A 1heolA Studien und?ritiken 1;4 (12<2) 272-<;7+ *i.lin, C+ -+ 1he 1hreat of <aithA Analecta Bi.lica <1+ $ome@ 9onti5ical Bil+ 0nst, 1267(on2Thess2)+ -emer, C+ H+ 1he 0etters to the Seven 2hurches of Asia in 1heir 0ocal Settin+A H6 T 6u''l+ 6er+ 11+ 6he55iel#@ H6?T 9ress, 1236+ -islo', A+ 1he 1,o Ba*ylonsA e8 IorkC 4oi/eauJ Brothers, 1243+ &cCrea#1 9rice, *+ 1ime of the 7nd) cha'+ 7+ ash%ille@ 6outhern 9u.l+ Assoc+, 1267+

.7/

Bab"lonE #nti!Christian Em$ire 'inear& P.S. N Saw a New Earth& Fashin%ton& DC, Cor6us Books> .*<?&.7/!/7. 1ri%ent& *& A!ocal !se +D2 =istoric de I7e0egSse& 2ubm%enE 'ohr& .*/*. Ramse"& F. '. The ?etters to the Se#en )hurches o/ Asia&, cha$s. *!.). Baker re$r.& .*<7. Schlatter& #. %asAlte Testament in derJohanneischenA!o1at !se& Gutersloh& .*.(. Sch4ital& A. Gross1irche undSe1te& Hambur%E Saatkom!Verla%& .*<(. Shea& F. H. HChiasm in 2heme and b" Form in Revelation .?.HP @SS ()E7 :.*?(9& (+*!/<. Sie%bert& 8. HDie 2"$olo%ische Bedeutun% des Be%ri s Bab"lon.H A@SS .(E( :.*7+9& ..(!(/. Standish& R. R. and C. D. Standish. Ad#entism *roclaimed, cha$s. ..!.7. Hist. 2ruth 1ubl; Ra$idan& V#E Hartland Inst.& .*?+. Strand& D. #. M24o #s$ects o Bab"lon@s Aud%ment 1ortra"ed in Rev .?.H A@SS
2;@1 (1232), 5<-6;+

EE. JSo!e 0odalities of Sy!bolic 1sage in Revelation .?.H -.SS (+E. :.*?<9& 77!+<. >>. H2he Ei%ht Basic Visions in the Book o Revelation.HP @SS (/E. :.*?79& .7)! ((. VanHo"e& #. H5@8tilisation du 5ivre D@eJechiel dans 5@#$ocal"$se.H Biblica +7 :.*<(9& +7<!7(. Vo%el%esan%& A. '. The Inter!retation o/EJe1iel in the Boo1 o/ "e#elation& Harvard 8niversit"& .*?/. #nn #rbor& 'IE 8.'.I. Vos& 5. #. The S no!tic Traditions in the A!ocal !se, ./7!<7. Dam$enE Dok& .*</. Falsh& '. The >ine o/ "oman Bab lon& =ashvilleE Southern 1ubl. #ssn.& .*+/. Farren =r.> F. L. A!ostas in the Boo1 o/ "e#elation, .77!?/. Southern Ba$tist 2heol. Seminar"& .*7?; #nn #rbor& 'IE 8.'.I.& .*?7. Fere& 5. F. The (all o/ Bab lon in T !e and Antit !e& 'elbourne& #ustralia& .*/(. >>. The >oman and the Beast in the Boo1 o/ "e#elation& Berrien S$rin%s& 'IE First Im$ressions& .*?7 :re$r. in #ustr. ed.& .*/(9. Fords4orth& Chr. @nion >ith "ome& 5ondonE Chas. A. A. 2h"nne B Aames& .*(+& .7th ed. >>. Is the *a!ac *redicted b St& *aulR An InGuir & Cambrid%eE 2he Harrison 2rust& .*?/&7rd ed. :.st ed. .??)9.

.7<

C$a6ter '

#$e Seven 7eads, Do #$ey Re6resent Ro!an &!6erors:

Denneth #. Strand
&ditorial Syno6sis. 2hree times in the visions o the book o Revelation a s"m! bolic beast 4ith seven heads and ten horns is $resented :cha$s. .(& .7& .79& 2he first and third are red in color& 4hereas the second is described as a leo$ard!bodied animal. 2he irst has cro4ned heads; the second has cro4ned horns; the third a$$ears 4ithout cro4ns on either heads or horns. 2raditional $reterist inter$retation identi ies the second or leo$ard!bodied beast 4ith the Roman Em$ire and its seven heads 4ith a succession o seven Roman rulers 4ho rei%ned durin% the irst centur" o the Christian Era. 2he $reterist vie4 rests on the assum$tion that Revelation is limited in sco$e to Aoint@s o4n era& the irst centur". 2here ore& the leo$ardlike beast that blas$hemes God and $ersecutes His $eo$le must be the em$ire o Rome under its several rulers. Ho4ever& as the author demonstrates& this assum$tion mires do4n in di iculties the moment an attem$t is made to harmoniJe the $reterist identi ication 4ith the actual biblical data. 2he marks o identi ication su$$lied b" the 6ro6$ecy $oint to a $o4er that 4ould unction uture to Aohn@s da". Furthermore& eleven men :not seven9 ruled the Em$ire durin% the irst centur"& and $reterists are not in a%reement on 4hich seven to select and on 4hat rationale; none o the maIor $reterist inter$retations are able to $lace Aohn under the si,th head 4here t$e biblical data indicates he should be. In the a$ocal"$tic book o Daniel Hanimal headsH are never used to denote sin%le individuals. 2he our heads o the leo$ard :Dan 7E<; c . ?E?&((9 s"mboliJed Hkin%doms.H 5ike4ise& 4e 4ould e,$ect the seven heads o the Revelation beasts to re$resent kin%doms or 4orld $o4ers as 4ell. In Revelation .7E* the seven heads are also inter$reted as Hseven mountains.H 2he author observesE In the 02& mountains are used as i%ures or s"mbols or HnationsH or Hem$iresH :Dan (E7+!7/&++!+/; Aer /.E(/9& but ne#er or individual rulers. Fhile this cha$ter@s e,e%esis of the biblical material :es$eciall" $ertainin% to t$e seven!headed leo$ard!bodied sea beast9 re utes the $reterist claim& it also s$eaks to a current inter$retation that has arisen amon% some historicists. In recent
$77

2he Seven HeadsE Do 2he" Re$resent Roman Em$erorsL

"ears the idea has been advanced that the seven heads re$resent seven individual $o$es& the $resent $o$e bein% identi ied as the si,th head. 2he biblical act alread" established>that the Bible never uses animal heads or mountains as s"mbols o individual rulers>clearl" rules out as unsound an" attem$t to identi " the seven heads o Revelation 4ith individual $o$es& livin% or dead.

C$a6ter (utline
I. Introduction II. 5eo$ard!Bodied Sea Beast III. 2he Seven Heads IV. 2he Founded6Resuscitated Head V. 2he =umber <<< VI. Conclusion

Introduction
I U [he book o Revelation $ortra"s three s"mbolic animals that have \ seven heads and ten hornsE :.9 the dra%on in the sk" :Rev .(9& !#! :(9 the leo$ard!bodied beast rom the sea :Rev .79& and :79 the scarlet!colored beast in the 4ilderness :Rev. .79. #ccordin% to traditional H$reterism&H the most common and $ervasive vie4 o Revelation held b" $resent!da" =2 scholars& the leo$ard!bodied sea beast o Revelation .7 is a s"mbol or the Roman Em$ire o Aohn@s o4n da". . 2he beast@s seven heads are understood to re$resent a succession o seven irst centur" Roman em$erors. Some uturists :inter$reters 4ho believe that almost all o Revelation is to be ul illed at the end o the a%e9 have also ado$ted $reterism as a
. #$e 4ord Hem$ireH is %iven an initial ca$ital letter in t$is cha$ter 4hen re erence is to the Ro!an Em$ire& t$e reason being that such reference is to a s$eci ic 6eriod and t"$e o %overnmental administration in Roman histor". #$e &!6ire thus stands in contrast to t$e earlier Roman Re$ublic& 4hich 4as a HRoman e!6ireJ in the more %eneral sense. 2he Em$ire $eriod itsel is divided b" historians into t$e 1rinci$atc :(7 B.C.-A.D. (?+9 and t$e #utocrac" :(?+!+7<9. 0ur ocus& o course& is on the earl" decades o t$e 1rinci$ate& and there ore the ter!s H$rince$sH :H oremost citiJenH9 and Hem$erorH are used interchan%eabl" herein to designate t$e Roman ruler. Fhen 0ctavian :#u%ustus9 instituted the Princi6atc in (7 B.C> and throu%hout his entire rei%n as ell> he ostered a orm@o govern!ent 4hich consisted o authorities and institutions ado$ted and ada$ted rom those o the Ro!an Re$ublic. In this 3uasi!Re$ublican orm o %overnment& t$e HrulerH 4as thus a!rince!s&

173

2he Seven HeadsE Do 2he" Re$resent Roman Em$erorsL $art o their inter$retational stance. ( 2hese H$reterists6 uturistsH %ive Revelation .7 a double ocus& so that or them the leo$ard!bodied beast re$resents both the ancient Roman Em$ire and a still! uture antichrist. 7 1reterist commentators and e,e%etes ind in Revelation .7 several basic clues that alle%edl" substantiate their inter$retation; there ore& the cha$ter becomes a ke" in elucidatin% the central messa%e o the book. Since other im$ortant clues to the identit" o the seven heads are %iven in Revelation .7& that cha$ter also is im$ortant or the ormulation o the $reterist $osition.

Preterist 'ie
In short& $reterists see the book o Revelation as a $ortra"al o the reli%io$olitical situation in Aohn@s o4n time and locale& the late irst cen! tur" #.D. and the Roman $rovince o #sia :a se%ment o 4estern #sia 'inor borderin% on the #e%ean Sea9. 2o4ard the end o Em$eror Domi! tian@s i teen!"ear rei%n :?.!*<9& a severe $ersecution o Christians broke out in Roman #sia. Durin% this distress ul time& Aohn& 4ho had overall char%e o the Christian con%re%ations throu%hout that area& 4as e,iled to the Isle o 1atmos. 'ean4hile& his $arishioners su ered severel" at the hands o their Roman $ersecutors& even acin% im$risonment and death. It 4as durin% this e,ile on 1atmos that Aohn $enned the book o Revelation about #.D. */& a date acce$ted b" most =2 scholars& $reterists and non! $reterists alike& and substantiated b" stron% e,ternal and internal evidence.+
5 &.g.> ?eorge Eldon Ladd> A )ommentar on the Revelation o/ John (?rand Ra6ids> .*7(9; and Leon 'orris& The "e#elation o/ St& John2 An Introduction and )ommentar , 2"ndale =e4 2estament Commentaries& () :Grand Ra6ids> .*<*9. + Ladd> 6. .+& states his conclusion that Jt$e correct method o inter$retin% the Revelation is a blend!In%o the $reterist and the uturist methods.H For him& the Hbeast is both Ro!e and the eschato!lo%ical #ntichrist&H but then he also e,$ands this idea so as to include Han" demonic $o4er4hich the church !ust ace in her entire histor".H 'orris& $. (+& 3uotes a$$rovin%l"the ollo4in% some4hat si!ilar comment !ade earlier b" 5add in Ba1er7s %ictionar o/ Theolog :Grand Ra6ids> .*<)9& /7E J#$e beast is Rome and at the sa!e time an eschatolo%ical #ntichrist 4hich cannot be ull" eHuated it$ historical Rome....H It s$ould be noted that in the commentar" sections of their 4orks& 5add mani ests a ver" clear and stron% uturist stance o nondis6cnsationalist variet"& 4hereas 'orris is 3uite va%ue in this res$ect. / #$e testimon" o Irenaeus& ca. .?/& is ver" e,$licit in indicatin% t$at Hthe a$ocal"$tic visionH > i.e.& the book o Revelation > H4as seen not ver" lon% time since> but almost in our da"& to4ards the end o Domitian@s rei%nH 3Against =eresies /.7).7& A<)P> .E//*!/<)9. Cle!ent o Ale-andria a e4 "ears later makes re erence to =o$n%s release fro! Pal!os and e,$erience in seekin% a la$sed "outh 4ho had become a robber& this occurrin% 4hen Aohn 4as HoldH 3Bms ai#essal#etw, +(; c$a6. +( in En%lish translation is given in #=F& (E<)7!<)+ Qtitle o the ort in the #=F edition is >ho Is the Rich 6an That Shall Be Sa#edR94& #$e atmos$here o $ersecution t$at is stron%l" re lected in Revelation is $robabl" the !ost si%ni icant $iece o internal evidence.

172

2he Seven 7eads, Do #$ey Re$resent Ro!an Em$erorsL

#$e Seven 7eads Sy!bol 0ur s$eci ic task is to determine 4hether the seven heads o the leo$ard!bodied beast in Revelation do indeed re$resent seven em$erors o the ancient Roman Em$ire& as the $reterists contend. 2he ollo4in% dis! cussion 4ill ocus on those $articular elements o the $reterist stance that relate most directl" to the 3uestion o the identit" o the heads. 2hese ele! ments are as ollo4sE .. 2he identit" o the leo$ard!bodied sea beast itsel :said to be the Roman Em$ire9. (. 2he identi ication in Revelation .7E*!.) o the seven heads as both Hseven hillsH and Hseven kin%s.H 7. 2he re erence in Revelation .7E7 to the mortal 4oundin% and sub! se3uent resuscitation o one o the heads. +. 2he number clue <<< %iven in Revelation .7E.? as an identi ier o the beast.

Leo6ard-Bodied Sea Beast

2he $recise identi ication o the leo$ard!bodied sea beast :Rev .79 is obviousl" a undamental concern or ascertainin% the identit" o its heads. I the sea beast should be ound to re$resent the ancient Roman Em$ire& the heads mi%ht conceivabl" re$resent a succession o Roman em$erors :thou%h the" need not do so necessaril"9. 0n the other hand i the sea beast is ound to s"mboliJe some other entit"& the heads could not and 4ould not s"mboliJe Roman em$erors. 0n 4hat %rounds& then& have $reterists come to the conclusion that the sea beast is a s"mbol re$resentin% the Roman Em$ireL Preterist Line of Argu!ent 1reterist reasonin% be%ins 4ith the basic assum!tion that the sea beast re$resents the $articular entit" that brou%ht about the $ersecution in the Roman $rovince o #sia in the time o Aohn. In other 4ords Aohn@s descri$! tion o the sea beast $ersecutin% the saints& blas$hemin% God& etc. :.7E/!79& is assumed to $oint s$eci icall" to the situation 4hich Aohn and his Christian $arishioners aced>a situation 4herein Rome& o course& 4as the cul$rit In and o itsel & the ore%oin% ar%ument seems lo%ical enou%h& thou%h it cannot be considered de initive :that is& there is nothin% in the te,t that
13;

#$e Seven 7eads, Do #$ey Re6resent Ro!an &!6erors:

s$eci icall" re3uires it9. Its s$ecial $lausibilit" or $reterists rests on certain other data mentioned in the biblical te,t (and $articularl" on the $reterist inter$retation o those data9. Be mention s$eci icall"E the mortal 4ound and subse3uent resuscitation :.7E7&.(&.+9& the number o the beast :vs. .?9& and the rise o a second beast that causes mankind to 4orshi$ the sea beast :vs. .(9. 0nl" the last o t$ese items needs attention at t$is $oint inasmuch as the others 4ill be treated se$aratel" later on in this cha$ter. Second beast identification. 7< $reterists& it seems obvious that the second beast :.7E..!.79& a t4o!homed animal that rises rom the earth& a$tl" re$resents the cult o HRoma and #u%ustus&H re3uentl" re erred to as the Him$erial cult.H/ In the "ear .( B.C. #u%ustus o iciall" made this cult a $art o state 4orshi$. In Ital" and in Rome@s western $rovinces the em$eror himsel 4as not 4orshi$ed& but rather the vo4s and $ra"ers that 4ere o ered 4ere directed to #u%ustus 7genius :the tutelar" deit" or divine s$irit 4ho& accordin% to Roman thou%ht& $rotected and blessed him and his amil"9. In the eastern $rovinces& ho4ever& #u%ustus& rom the be%innin% o his rei%n as!rince!s in (7 B.C. :and even earlier9& < ostered 4orshi$ o the Roman ruler& buildin% on a lon%!entrenched tradition throu%hout the East o ruler 4orshi$. 2he im$erial cult in those eastern $rovinces o the Roman Em$ire 4as& there ore& or%aniJed in such a 4a" as to brin% about 4orshi$ ul obeisance not onl" to Roma& the deit" o Rome& but also to the $erson o the rulin% em$eror. 2hus it 4as that in the Roman $rovince o #sia and else4here in the East& the local inhabitants had to declare& and at times to demonstrate $ublicl"& their religious lo"alt" to the em$eror.7 2o4ard the end o the rei%n o Domitian there a$$ears to have been an intensi ication o the cul s activities in the Roman $rovince o #sia. Heav" sanctions>includin% death>4ere im$osed or ailure to submit to t$is kind o Hem$eror 4orshi$.H 2here a$$ears to have been some $ersecution o Christians in Rome as 4ell.? #lthou%h the era o em$ire4ide
9 0ost standard histories o Ro!e describe the cult. # s$ort but 6oignant 6resentation> 4hich clarifies t$e differences bet een East and Best and 6rovides so!e illustrative documents& a66ears in <a6$tali Le is and 0cycr Rcinhold& Roman )i#iliJation, vol. (& The Em!ire :=e4 Mork. .C99A> 2.-29. 2 In 5C B.C.> e.%.& (ctavian establis$ed 6rovincial asse!blies in the Eastern 6rovinces. (ne o t$e maIor functions o these assemblies 4as to !aintain and oster the im$erial cult in t$eir res$ec! tive $rovinces. 3 2i el; :Hcerti icatesH o com$liance9 $ave been discovered fro! a later 6eriod (t$at o t$e Dccian $ersecution& ca. (/)9. K In A.D. C9 Domitian had $is cousin>t$e consul )lavius Ctemcns e,ecuted& and $e had his niece

131

2he Seven HeadsE Do 2he" Re$resent Roman Em$erorsL TTTTTTT $ersecution had not "et arrived& the attitude o t$e em$eror 4as o ten a stimulus or local outbursts that 4ere ver" severe in their res$ective locales. * #nd Domitian& it must be noted& 4as an em$eror 4ho coveted divine titles& such as H5ordH and HGodH.)>a title 4hich Christians could not ackno4led%e as a$$l"in% to an" human bein%& no matter ho4 $resti%ious and $o4er ul that $erson mi%ht be. (verlooking biblical s6ecification. Various as$ects o the $reterist line o ar%ument or identi "in% the sea beast :and also the earth beast9 seem on the sur ace to be co%ent enou%h. But 4e ask. Have $reterists noted and6or inter$reted 4ith su icient care the s$eci ications o the biblical te,t and the events o histor" to assure that their inter$retation is correctL #s 4e shall see& our ans4er to this 3uestion must be em$haticall" in the ne%ative. 2here are certain clues>decisive ones>4hich indicate that the leo$ard!bodied sea beast o Revelation .7 s"mboliJes somethin% 3uite other than the ancient Roman Em$ire o Aohn@s time. 2his bein% the case& the t4o!homed earth beast could not re$resent the Roman im$erial cult& but must si%ni " instead an entit" havin% relationshi$ to 4hatever the sea beast does re$resent. Fe note in $assin% that in the biblical te,t& the earth beast rises a/ter the sea beast>in act& subse3uent to the sea beasts su erin% a mortal 4ound and e,$eriencin% a resuscitation :.7E..!.79. Roman histor" o the irst centur" #.D. has nothin% that can be considered a ul illment o this s$eci ication. #nd thus histor" itsel re$udiates the $reterist $osition re%ardin% the sea beast and earth beast relationshi$s.

Biblical Identity of t$e Sea Beast SeHuences co!6ared, Revelation .5-.+. Fe come no4 to the basic 3uestionE Fhat are the real biblical clues that identi " the sea beastL First& a Iu,ta$osition o the material in Revelation .7 4ith the in ormation %iven in Revelation .( su%%ests that there is a chronolo%ical di erence that the $reterist reconstruction overlooks 4hen it $laces the sea beast in Aohn@s o4n time in histor".
Flavia Domitilla& demons@ ife> banished td2andateria. See& e.%.& Dio Cassius& "oman =istor , <7..+. C #$e irst trul" 4ide!scale :Hcm$irc4ideH9 Roman $ersecution o C$ristians as the one ordered b" &!6eror Decius :(+*!/.9. .) Dio Cassius& "oman =istor , <7/.7& re ers in stron% terms to Domitian@s insistence on bein% con! sidered divine and to that em$eror@s $leasure in bein% called H5ordH and HGod.H

132

2he Seven HeadsE Do 2he" Re$resent Roman Em$erorsL

Fhen the ull conte,t o these t4o closel" related cha$ters is e,$lored& 4e ind that in cha$ter .( a three5ste! historical se3uenceE 2he dra%on o$$oses irst the man!child :Christ9& then the 4oman& and inall" the remnant o the 4oman@s seed or o s$rin%. In cha$ter .7 4e ind onl" a two5ste! se3uenceE the era o the leo$ard!bodied sea beast alone& and then the era 4hen the t4o!homed beast emer%es rom the earth& creates an ima%e to the leo$ard!bodied beast& and commands all human bein%s to 4orshi$ it and the leo$ard!bodied beast. Aust ho4 do the three ste$s o cha$ter .( and the t4o ste$s o cha$ter .7 relate to each otherL # basic clue is the act that the identical time $eriod is mentioned in both cha$ters>as H.(<) da"sH and as @P6J "earsH :.(E<&.+9& and as H+( monthsH :.7E/9. 2his time $eriod comes in the initial sta%e o the t4o!ste$ se3uence o cha$ter .7& but is connected 4ith the second sta%e o the three!ste$ se3uence o cha$ter .(. Fe illustrate this relationshi$ in i%ure ..

)igure .. C$ronological Relations$i6 Bet een Revelation .5 and .+ Revelation .5

Apostolic 7ra

Revelation .+
Apostolic 7ra

.. 2he dra%on attacks the Child :Christ9

post*"postalic Era

+& 2he dra%on attacks the 4oman H.(<) da"sH H7P "earsH
7nd$1ime 7ra

Post$Apostolic 7ra

.. 2he leo$ard!bodied sea beast H+( monthsH

7nd$1ime 7ra

7. 2he dra%on attacks the 4oman@s o s$rin%

+& 2he t4o!horned earth beast

Since the irst sta%e in cha$ter .( obviousl" relates to the #$ostolic Era& e 4ould assume that the second sta%e :e3uivalent to the era o the leo$ard!bodied sea!beast in .7E.!.)9 must be !ost5A!ostolic& Cro ned $orns indicate 6ost-A6ostolic &ra. 2his conclusion is con irmed b" urther te,tual evidence. In the e,$lanator" section o Revelation .7& 4here the ocus is rom the time rame o the 4riter& the sea beast@s ten horns are said to be Hten kin%s 4ho have not "et received a kin%domH 13<

2he Seven 7eads, Do 2he" Re6resent Ro!an &!6erors: :vs. .(& =IV9;.. that is& the had not et arisen as ruling entities in John7s da &++ Fhere do 4e ind an animal 4hose ten homs are crownedI In one $lace>and on/ one>in the entire book o Revelation do 4e ind this& namel"& cha$ter .7. 2here the cro4ned homs are on the leo$ard!bodied beast :vs. .9. :In contrast& the heads are cro4ned in .(E7& but neither heads nor homs are cro4ned in .7E7.9 2hus& on the basis o the e,$lanator" in ormation 4e ind in Revelation .7E.(& 4e must deduce that the $articular era in the beast@s e,istence that is re$resented in cha$ter .7 4as "et uture or Aohn. In this manner& the book o Revelation itsel clearl" indicates that the leo$ard! bodied sea beast is an entit" other than the ancient Roman Em$ire o the irst centur". Leo6ard-bodied beast linked to t$e la less one. 0ur conclusion is urther stren%thened b" the conce$tualiJation underl"in% 1aul@s discussion o the Hla4less oneH in ( 2hessalonians (. 1aul@s descri$tion o that entit"@s character and activities matches that o the leo$ard!bodied beast. Both descri$tions obviousl" relate to Daniel@s Hlittle hornH $ortra"ed in Daniel 7 :see es$eciall" vs. (/9. 2he three s"mbols re$resent the same $o4er. 2his& incidentall"& is also ho4 the matter 4as vie4ed b" the Church Father Irenaeus :ca. .?/9& the earliest $atristic 4riter 4hose e,$ositions on the to$ic are e,tant..7 1aul adds that there is an entit" 4hich kee$s the la4less one rom a$$earin% immediatel" :( 2hess (E<!79. 2hat entit" holdin% back the anti! christ ma" be identi ied as the Roman Em$ire& since accordin% to Daniel@s $ro$hec"& the Hlittle homH 4ould arise onl" a ter the ten horns had arisen :Dan 7E?&(+9. 2hat is& in act& the ver" 4a" $rominent earl" Church Fathers sa4 the matterE the" looked or the rise o the antichrist in connection 4ith the Roman Em$ire@s dissolution. Irenaeus and 2ertullian stated that the time o antichrist@s a$$earance 4as still uture&.+ but Aerome :ca. +))9 believed that antichrist 4as ver"
.. )or Scri6ture Huotations> t$e <I' ill be used t$roug$out t$is c$a6ter. .( It is im$ortant to reco%niJe that t$is verse is in t$e e0!lanation section or t$e vision& and that t$erefore it is fro! t$e riter%s $ers$ective in time. :Sec the irst cha$ter in Book . o this 5-boofc DARC(0 series on Revelation for a discussion o hermencutical $rinci$les.9 #$e clue to the shi t fro! t$e vision 6ro6er to t$e e,$lanator" !aterial is the statement in .7E*E H2his calls or a mind 4ith 4isdomH 0node ho nous ho esSSn so!hian4& .+ In -gainst %eresies /.(/..7& Irenaeus first Huotes rom ( #$ess (; then& a ter referring to t$e end of t$e last kingdo! 4hen the ten kings arise> $e Huotes rom Dan 3 regarding the Hlittle $o!J $ose a$$earance as more JstoutJ than the others and be ore 4hom three kin%s ere u6rooted. 7is discussion !oves> in /.(<..!(& to t$e Jstill clearer li%htH shed b" Aohn in the A6ocaly6se $en =o$n refers to the same ten $orns mentioned by Daniel. ./ Irenaeus> Against %eresies, 9-52..> s6eaks of t$e Hlast ti!esJ 4hen ten kin%s shall arise> Hamon% $o! t$e em$ire ORo!eP $ic$ no rules Ot$e earthR shall be $artitioned.H :2ranslation in

$6-

The Seven 7eads, Do #$ey Re$resent Ro!an Em$erorsL

near at hand. He connected the rava%es o the barbarian invasions and the dismemberment o the Roman Em$ire 4ith the $ro$hesied rise o the ten horns o Daniel 7 and Revelation .7. ./ Some o Aerome@s contem$oraries had a similar vie4. .< Assess!ent Fhat conclusion can 4e no4 reach re%ardin% the leo$ard! bodied sea beast and its seven headsL Fe have ound& s$eci icall"& that this beast s"mboliJed an entit" that 4ould unction in an era uture to AohnMs time. Fith this conclusion& all urther $reterist ar%uments relatin% to that beast and its seven heads also crumble. Fe could conse3uentl" terminate our stud" at this Iuncture& or our assi%ned task has been ul illed. =evertheless& it ma" be use ul to %ive some attention to the other $oints u$on 4hich $reterists build their ar%ument. In reiteration& these $oints are as ollo4sE :.9 2he seven heads o the beast are identi ied in .7E*!.) as Hseven hillsH and also Hseven kin%sH; :(9 there 4as a 4oundin% and resuscitation o one o the heads o the beast; and :79 <<< is a urther ke" b" 4hich to identi " the beast.

#$e Seven 7eads

#nal"sis o the $reterist identi ication o the seven heads o the leo$ard!bodied beast : P a succession o seven Roman em$erors9 naturall" should be%in 4ith the biblical evidence adduced or that inter$retation. 2he te,tual startin% $oint or $reterists is .7E*!.)E H2he seven heads are seven hills on 4hich the 4oman sits. 2he" are also seven kin%s. Five have allen& one is& the other has not "et come.H 1reterists also take note& as 4ell&
A<)> .E//+.9 2ertullian& -pology, 7(& is even more e-6licit. 7e irst mentions the need o $ra"er or Jt$e e!6erors> nay> or t$e com$lete stabilit" of t$e em$ire& and or Ro!an interests in %eneral.H 7e then goes on to say> HFor e kno that a mi%ht" s$ock i!6ending over the 4hole eart$ > in fact> t$e ver" end o all t$ings t$reatening dreadful oes E is only retarded by the continued e,istence o t$e Ro!an em$ire.H (#ranslation in #=F& +,/5-/+.A .9 =ero!e in A.D. /;C rote (referring to 5 #$ess 5,3.KA, J7e t$at lettct$ is taken out of t$e ay> and yet e do not reali@e t$at Antic$rist is near. Mes> Antic$rist is near $o! t$e Lord =esus C$rist %s$all consu!e it$ t$e s6irit of $is !out$.%J Letter .5+> to Agenic$ia> sect. .2> in t$e <P<)>5d series> 2,5+2. .2 A!ong =ero!e%s contem$oraries 4ith a vie so!e $at si!ilar to his ere Sul6icius Scvcrus and 0artin of #ours. Sut6icius re ers to 0artin> $o died in +C2> as $aving said that =ero 4ould reign in t$e Best and t$at antichrist $o as already bo!> ould rei%n in t$e East& it$ antic$rist finally defeating <ero and becomin% the universal ruler. Sul$icius see!s to $ave $ad t$e sa!e vie4 as 0artin concerning t$e nearness of antic$rist%s a66earance> but $e docs not see! to $ave acce6ted fully ot$er as$ects o 'artin@s cschatolo%"! Sul$icius Sevcrus> Dialogues (..7..+ :sec <P<)> 5d series. ..E+/9& and Sacred =istor , (.(* :sec <P<)> (d series. ..E...9.

$65

2He Seven 7eads, Do 2he" Re6resent Ro!an Em$erorsL o the re erence in .7E.. to the beast itsel as bein% an Hei%hthH kin%. 2he double identi ication in .7E*!.) o the $eads as Hseven hills@M and Hseven kin%sH is considered to be a clinchin% $iece o evidence. 1reterist inter$reters eel that the e,$ression M@seven hillsH must $oint to Rome& the Hcit" o seven hills&H .7 It then ollo4s naturall" that the term Hseven kin%sH must re er to Roman rulers!that is& to Roman em$erors.

JSeven 7illsJ or JSeven 0ountainsJ: 2he most crucial $oint that $reterists overlook or i%nore in identi "in% the HhilIs2kin%sH :.7E*!.)9 4ith Roman em$erors is the act that the term HhillsH o the =IV and a number o other En%lish versions is an im$ro$er& or at least $oor& translation. In the ori%inal Greek the 4ord is oros and should be translated Hmountains&H as it is in the DAV and =#SB and in other occurrences o the same 4ord in the book o Revelation. .? Since the 4ord HmountainsH is obviousl" s"mbolic in .7E*& $ro$er $rin! ci$les o inter$retation 4ould re3uire that e look or the scri!tural usa%e o the term HmountainH in cases 4here the term is em$lo"ed as a s"mbol. Fhen 4e do so& we ne#er /ind 77mountain $ used to s mboliJe an indi#idual monarch or ruler& Instead& e ind it used as a s"mbol or a nation or em$ire. In =ebuchadneJJar@s dream& or instance& the stone that strikes the ima%e on the eet subse3uentl" becomes a %reat mountain& illin% the 4hole earth :Dan (E7+!7/9. 2his mountain is s$eci icall" identi ied as GodMs everlastin% kin%dom :vss. ++!+/9. #nother e,am$le is %iven b" Aeremiah& 4ho re ers to the ancient Bab"lonian Em$ire as a Hdestro"in% mountainH that is to become a Hburnt mountainH :Aer /.E(/9..* 2his biblical usa%e o HmountainH as a s"mbol should lead us to look or a similar identit" o the seven heads in Revelation& since the" are called Hmountains.H 2he second identi "in% term in .7E*!.)& namel"& Hkin%s&H can
.7 2hat Ro!e as kno n as the Hcit" o seven hillsH is attested by amed classical riteis> suc$ as Vir%il :d. .* B.C.A and 7orace :d. ? B.C.A. #lso the C$ristian 4riter 2crtullian :ca. A.D. .*79 re ers to Jin$abitants of Ro!eJ as bein% the Hnative $o$ulation o t$e seven $illsJ 3A!olog , LM, inA<).+,//A. .K An im$ortant $oint t$at $as been broug$t to attention b" 1aul S. 0inear> N Sciw a New Earth :Fashin%ton& DC> .*<?9& (77& is that in Revelation all seven of t$e ot$er references tooros have been translated J!ountain>J not J$illJ :actuall" four of t$e ei%ht occurrences> includin% t$e one in Rev .7E*& are in t$e $lural& 4e9. #$oug$ 6er$a6s there arc e-a!6les o oros $ic$ mi%ht ell be translated Hhill&H ?reek also has anot$er ter! or HhillHE ounos. .* In the Daniel reference the ter! is t$e #ramaic tEr, in Aeremiah it is t$e 7ebre har. HIn ;. re er! cnccs $ere bot$ J$illJ and HmountainH a66ear :c.%&& ba +)E+; and in the 6lural in /5,.9G /+E.); and //E.(9& t$e ormer iU//b>i, and the latter is #or :both Hebre49. It !aybe ort$ noting that t$e e,$ression in ba /.,.9 concernin% Hthe hillsH bein% reduced to c$aff a66ears in t$e #argu! as Jt$e kin%domsH 4ill be cha .

$6.

#$e Seven 7eads, Do #$ey Re6resent Roman Em$erorsL fee understood in the same 4a"& as Hrulershi$s&H Hkin%doms&H or Hem$ires.H()

Ro!e%s JSeven 7illsJ, SeHuential: #mon% other incon%ruities in the $reterist inter$retation is the act that RomeMs Hseven hillsH 4ere not chronolo%icall" successive. Since the heads o the beast arose& e,isted& and ell one a ter another& the same should be true o the hills o Rome& i the $reterist vie4 4ere correct. $reterist inter$reters& ho4ever& have never been able to& nor can the"& e,$lain satis actoril" ho4 those seven literal& $h"sical hills on 4hich Rome as built have arisen and allen se3uentiall". )irst Century Succession of Ro!an &!6erors Fe turn no4 to the matter o ho4 the irst centur" succession o Roman em$erors matches the re3uirements o the biblical te,t. Had ive em$erors alread" terminated their rei%ns 4ith a si,th one rulin% at the time 4hen Aohn 4rote the book o RevelationL (. 2he list o Roman em$erors& be%innin% 4ith the Em$ire@s ounder& #u%ustus :Gaius Aulius Caesar 0c!tavianus& the ado$tive son o Aulius Caesar9& and continuin% to Aohn@s time o 4ritin% is as ollo4sE .. #u%ustus :(7 B.C.!#.D. .+9 (. 2iberius :.+!779 7. Gaius Cali%ula :77!+.9 +. Claudius :+.!/+9 /. =ero :/+!<?9 <. Galba :<?!<*9 7. 0tho :<*9 ?. Fellius :<*9 *. Ves$asian :<*!7*9 .;. 2itus :7*!?.9 ... Domitian :?.!*<9>#$$ro,imate time Aohn 4rote Revelation
5; &.g.> 4hen Daniel said to =ebuchadneJJar& HOou are that head o %oldH :Dan (E7?9& he 4as s$eakin% of <ebuc$adne@@ar%s kingdo! o Bab"lon. #$is is evident fro! the conte-t, H# ter "ou& anot$er kin%dom 4ill rise> in erior to yours. =e,t& a third kin%dom& one o bronJe& 4ill rule over t$e $ole eart$. Finall"& there 4ill be a fourt$ kin%dom& stron% as ironH :vss. 7*!+)9. (. #$e vantage $oint rom 4hich t$e s$eci ic identi ication o these em$erors is to be !ade is& o course> =o$n%s o n day. See n. .(& above. #lthou%h the te-t itself is

clear& adherents o t$e 6reterist 6osition are not a%reed as to $ic$ head as 6resent in Aohn@s da" > the si,th :4hat a nor!al readin% of t$e biblical te-t indicatesA> the seventh& or even an Hei%hth kin%H that is !entioned in Rev .3,...

$67

#ne Seven 7eads, Do #$ey Re$resent Ro!an Em$erorsL 2his list obviousl" contains too man" em$erors to meet the necessar" s$eci ications. Ho4 then shall a list be constructed that has Iust ive em$erors in se3uence $rior to the time 4hen Aohn 4rote Revelation& has a si,th em$eror rulin% at the ver" time o Aohn@s 4ritin%& and has a seventh one "et to comeL 5o%icall"& such a list should be%in 4ith #u%ustus& not onl" because he instituted and inau%urated the Roman Em$ire :as distin%uished rom the $re! cedin% Roman Re$ublic9& but also because it 4as durin% his rei%n that =2 histor" be%an. Some inter$reters $re er& ho4ever& to make 2iberius& #u%us! tus@ immediate successor& the irst em$eror in their succession list. It 4as durin% 2iberius@ rei%n that Christ@s ministr"& death& and resurrection occurred. 2hen too& there are still other inter$reters 4ho 4ould %o back in Roman his! tor" be"ond the 1rinci$ate so as to be%in their se3uence 4ith Aulius Caesar :d. ++ B.C.9. Finall"& there are a ver" e4 e,$ositors :the Hrare e,ce$tionH no4 and then9 4ho 4ould look or a later startin% $oint& 4ith =ero& or e,am$le. In all o the ore%oin% cases $reterist inter$reters are le t 4ith an e,! cessive number o em$erors. Conse3uentl"& the matter o determinin% $recisel" 4hich em$erors 4ere su$$osedl" intended b" Aohn has created endless con usion or such inter$reters. 2he various $ossibilities& but not all o them& are summariJed in i%ure (. #ccordin% to the table in i%ure (& there are /our $ossible startin% $oints used b" most $reterists& thou%h it is some4hat uncommon to ind =ero $laced in the initial $osition :as in column G4& #lso a$$arent rom that table is the act that several o the lists omit the names o three em$erors> Galba& 0tho& and Vitellius>4ho had onl" short rei%ns durin% the "ears <?!<*. In act& most $reterist inter$reters do e,cise these three names. 2he historical circumstances $rovide absolutel" no 4arrant or omittin% these rulers. 22iese three 4ere in ever" sense %enuine em$erors& havin% had ull con irmation b" the Roman Senate. (( In this connection& it is interestin% to note that Victorinus o 1ettau :ca. #!D. 7))9& the Christian 4riter 4ho $rovided the earliest e,tant 5atin commentar" on the book
(( Aose$hine 0assyngbcrdc Ford& Revelation, AB> +K :=e4 Oork& .*7/9& (*)& refers a$$rovin%l" to S. ?ict%s re!ark t$at t$e t$ree s$ort-reigned cm$erore of <?!<* ere not in t$e series of Caesars> and s$e $erself goes on to add, J(nly the Caesars of the =ulian and )lavian dynasty had e ective 6o er over t$e territoly in$abited by t$e =e is$ $eo$le.H But this sort of language betrays a lack of kno ledge of t$e realities of Ro!an $istory. 0 the so-called JCaesars>J HAulius CaesarJ as t$e onl" real JCaesarJ by amil". (ctavian :H#u%ustusH9 as such b" ado6tion. And t$e Claudian line also beca!e suc$ b" ado6tions> 4ith t$e J=ulio-ClaudiansJ being #iberius> Caligula> Claudius> and <ero. #$e )lavians used JCaesarJ as a title of $onor> so!et$ing $ic$ ?alba> (t$o> and 'itellius had also done. 0oreover> those three short!rci%ned em$erors had as !uc$ control over 1alestine as =ero had $en he reigned.

133

2he Seven HeadsE Do 2he"Re$resentHR<man Em$erorsL

Fi%ure (. Some 1reterist Identi icatioi "oman "ulers Aulius Caesar #u%ustus 2iberius Cali%ula Claudius =ero Galba 0tho Vitellius Ves$asian 2itus Domitian +? B&)&5.. B.C. (7 B.C.!#.D. .+ #.D. .+!77 #.D. 77!+. #.D. +.!/+ #.D. /+! <? #.D. <?!<* #.D. <* #.D. <* #.D. <*! 7* #.D. 7*!?. #.D. ?.!*< A .( 7 + / < 7 nso theSi even Head S F G . . ( (7 7 + / < + 7 /< 7

B C % E . . ( . . ( ( 7 7 + ( 7 7+ + / / < +/ /< 7 < 7 < 7 7

2he irst si, colun o/ "e#elation :=e Aose$hine 'ass"i table& 4hich she a t4o o 4hich are i here is her ourth unIusti ied $roce no scholar 4ho u G is a rather at"$

nns are ada$ted rom a table %iven b" 2homas S. De$ler& The Boo1 s4 Oork& .*/79& .77. Column G is ada$ted rom a table %iven b" n%berde Ford. "e#elation, #B& 7? :=e4 Oork. .*7/9& (?*. In Ford@s redils to Ed4ard Sie%man& there are a total o our columns& the irst dentical 4ith De$ler@s A and C :also m" desi%nation above9. 0mitted column& 4hich stran%el" doubles the name HVitelliusH and b" that dure %ets Domitian into the si,th $lace in the se3uence. I kno4 o iliJes this $articular se3uence. Indeed& even the se3uence in column ical one and does not have man" $ro$onents.

o Revelation& actuall" be%an his seven!head se3uence 4ith Galba& thus revealin% his ull acce$tance o the three short!rei%ned em$erors. (7 Even 4ith the elimination o Galba& 0tho& and Vitellius& the lists that are usuall" %iven b" $reterists sto$ short o $lacin% Domitian as si,th in the se3uence. In act& the t4o lists that come closest :F and G9 make 2itus& Domitian@s immediate $redecessor& the si,th em$eror in the se3uence. (+ In contrast& the ancient e,$ositor Victorinus $laces Domitian in the si,th $lace b" be%innin% 4ith Galba. #lthou%h he omits =ero com$letel" rom the seven!$erson se3uence& he stran%el" re ers to him as the Hei%hthH kin% mentioned in Revelation .7E...(/
(7 Victorinus& )ommentar on the A!ocal !se of the Blessed /ohn, comment on Rev .7E.) :see #=F& 7@<53)+ (+ #$ere are& of course> 6reterist co!!entators and e-egetes $o believe that Revelation 4as 4ritten durin% t$e reign o 2itus or t$at o Ves$asian. Some su%%est a ti!e even as ar back as the end of =ero@s rei%n. (/ Victorinus& comments on Rev .7E.) and .7E...

132

##SeSSeven7eads,#92#Bey re6resent Ro!an Em$erorsL In the inal anal"sis& all $reterist identi ications o the seven heads o the sea beast re3uire some adIustment o the biblical te,t and6or o histor". Such a $rocedure is& o course& hi%hl" sus$ect and can hardl" lead to sound conclusions. Indeed& an" mani$ulation o the evidence undercuts the ver" oundation on 4hich sound inter$retation must be based. Some Vit#l Aue'ies

Fe have no4 looked at several inconsistencies and anomalies in the $reterist identi ication o the beast@s seven heads. 2here are& nevertheless& some urther vital 3uestions that need to be asked concernin% an" list o em$erors that $reterist inter$reters mi%ht submitE .. Fould Aohn@s readers6hearers in the Roman $rovince o #sia have been an" less $er$le,ed than is modern scholarshi$ in tr"in% to determine a list o Roman em$erors that 4ould it the te,tual re3uirementsL (. Fould there be an" se3uence o seven Roman em$erors that mi%ht be es$eciall" meanin% ul or o $articular interest to those #sian ChristiansL 7. Could 4e e,$ect those irst centur" Christians to have been able& in the ourteenth or i teenth "ear o Domitian& to recall rom memor" a correct se3uential list o ive earlier Roman em$erors :e,cludin%& as $reterists toda" 4ould do& the three em$erors 4ith short rei%ns in <?!<*9L #ll three o these 3uestions obviousl" deserve ne%ative ans4ers. 2he oll" im$lied b" the third 3uestion above has been hi%hli%hted b" 1aul S. 'inear in a rhetorical 3uestionE HHo4 man" #mericans can im! mediatel" name the last seven $residentsLH (< 2his 3uestion $osed b" 'inear $oints in the ri%ht direction& but hardl" does Iustice to the ma%nitude and ormidabilit"o the task thatAohn@sori%inal readers and hearers 4ould have aced in tr"in% to think o a se3uence o earlier Roman em$erors. # ter all& most #mericans have learned the se3uence o 8nited States $residents in elementar" or secondar" school& i no4here else. 2his kind o lu,ur" 4as not available& o course& to the irst centur" Christians in Roman #sia. 2he len%th o $residential time in o ice $er 8nited Sstates $resident is about si, "ears :hal 4a" bet4een one and t4o terms o our "ears each9& 4hereas the avera%e len%th o rei%n or a Roman em$eror u$ to Aohn@s da"& but e,cludin% the three em$erors o <?!<*& 4ould be i teen "earsN In act& rom the time #u%ustus established the Em$ire in (7 B.C. until Aohn 4rote the Revelation 4as a$$ro,imatel" .(7 "earsN Even i 4e 4ere to e,!
(< 0inear> (+).

12;

#$e Seven 7eads, Do 2he" Re$resent Roman E2m$erorsL elude the unusuall" lon% rei%n o #u%ustus& the time la$se 4ould be about ?. or ?( "ears and the avera%e len%th o rei%n 4ould be about t4elve "ears.

Assess!ent 2he crucial $oint to consider in connection 4ith the ore%oin% anomalies is that none o them 4ould have arisen i the biblical te,t had been read and treated $ro$erl"& 4ith due 4ei%ht %iven to the best translation and the correct meanin% o Revelation .7E*. 2he re erence in that te,t to Hseven mountains&H immediatel" alerted Aohn@s #sian $arishioners to the act that the s"mbol re$resented a series o successive world em!ires& Fas there such a series o 4orld em$ires $rior to Aohn@s da"& 4ith one em$ire in e,istence at the ver" time 4hen he 4rote RevelationL Indeed so. #nd the evidence or this is su icientl" clear in the 02& a source 4hose contents 4ere both 4ell kno4n and trul" meanin% ul to the irst!centur" Christians in the Roman $rovince o #sia :E%"$t& #ss"ria& Bab"lon& 1ersia& Grecia& Rome9.

#$e Bounded and Resuscitated 7ead

#nother im$ortant item that su$$osedl" under%irds the $reterist identit" o the beast@s seven heads as Roman em$erors is the re erence to the mortal 4oundin% and resuscitation o one o those heads :.7E79. 'ost $reterist inter$reters eel that here is an a$t 4a" to re er s"mbolicall" to the death o Em$eror =ero and to the subse3uent Nero redi#i#us m"th :=ero@s alle%ed return to li e9. Ho4ever& a e4 inter$reters 4ould choose another Roman em$eror& such as Gaius Cali%ula or Ves$asian.(7 <ero%s Reign and De!ise 2he li e and rei%n o =ero& the ado$tive son o Em$eror Claudius& 4ere notoriousl" 4icked. 0 more interest to him than matters o state 4ere music :in act& he elt that at his death the 4orld 4ould lose a %reat vocalist (?9& theatrical $er ormance& and es$eciall" $artici$ation in chariot races. (* 2o
(7 Cali%ula took ill and t$en as restored to health& and Ves$asian 4as e,iled b" =ero and then recalled. #$ere even are inter$reters 4ho believe t$e mortal 4ound 4as a re lection o Aulius Caesar%s assassination in ++ B.C. and t$at the resuscitation took effect throu%h #u%ustus@ establishment of t$e Princi6ate. 5K #acitus> Annals, A!!endi0 to Book +E, .+& states that durin% =ero@s directin% o the $re$aration or his deat$ and inter!ent> he sig$ed in a $iteous manner and then added the remark here Huoted. See also Suetonius& Nero, /C. 5C Cf.> e.%.& #acitus> Annals, .+../&.<; ./.7/&77; .<.7; A!!endi0 to Boo1 +E,/&7&.(.

121

#$eSevenS#eads, Do #$ey Re6resent Ro!an &!6erors:

the Roman mind& these activities 4ere not a$$ro$riate for an em$eror. B" #.D. <7& the "ear be ore the end o =ero@s rei%n& riots broke out a%ainst his rulershi$& $articularl" in Gaul and S$ain. #bout mid"ear in #D. <? he 4as deserted b" the 1raetorian Guard :the cohort o troo$s assi%ned to $rotect the em$eror9 and re$udiated b" the Senate. Indeed& the Senate 3uickl" $roceeded to a$$oint Galba as em$eror. In vie4 o these circumstances& =ero kne4 he must lee. But 4hereL 5ocations raced throu%h his mind& es$eciall" E%"$t and S$ain. Ho4ever& earin% or his sa et" in an" Roman $rovince& he o$ted instead to acce$t an invitation to the suburban villa o his aith ul reedman riend& 1haon. #t that locale& some our miles rom the cit" o Rome& =ero received 4ord that the Senate had declared him a $ublic enem" and that he 4as to be e,ecuted 4ith all the Hancient ri%or.H 2his kind o death 4ould be both e,tremel" humiliatin% and e,traordinaril" $ain ul& or it entailed stri$$in% the condemned $erson o all clothin% and beatin% him to death in a $ublic ceremon". Fhen the soldiers 4ho had been dis$atched to arrest him a$$roached 1haon@s villa& =ero& in order to avoid ca$ture and urther A%nom"& committed suicide b" slittin% his throat 4ith a s4ord. 2his took $lace on Aune *& #.D. <?.7) Ru!ors about <ero # ter =ero@s death& rumors s$ran% u$ :es$eciall" in the East9 that he 4as not reall" dead but had led to 1arthia :a nation located east o 'eso$otamia& in 4hat toda" is kno4n as the Iranian 1lateau9. From there he 4as e,$ected to return 4ith an arm" to retake his throne. In a later sta%e o the m"th& the realit" o =ero@s demise 4as acce$ted& but it 4as believed that there 4ould be either a resuscitation o =ero himsel or the rise o a $erson 4hose character and activities 4ould be similar to those o =ero. 'ost modem $reterist inter$reters assume that Aohn looked u$on Em$eror Domitian as the ul illment o the Nero redi#i#us m"th. Several 3uestions must no4 be asked about the $reterist identi ication o =ero@s death and the Nero redi#i#us m"th 4ith the 4ounded and resuscitated head o the beast :.7E79E .. Ho4 4ell does =ero@s death meet the biblical s$eci ications concernin% the mortal 4ound and the healin% o that 4oundL (. Ho4 $rominent and si%ni icant 4as the Nero redi#i#us m"th durin% the latter $art o the irst centur"L
3% The #etails #'e iven 1+@CacEtvs)Annals) Appendi; to Book +,,$3<$-.

122

#$e Seven 7eads, Do #$ey Re6resent%P.o!an%&!6erdrs: 7. Did Christians in %eneral>or an"one else& or that matter> believe that Domitian re$resented a sort o HreincarnationH o =eroL

<ero%s Suicide Co!6ared Bit$ t$e Biblical #e-t In res$onse to the irst o these 3uestions& 4e $resent several salient $oints hi%hli%hted b" 1aul S. 'inear :the or%aniJation and enumeration %iven these $oints is& ho4ever& mine9E .. In the biblical te,t Hthe 4ound& althou%h irst assi%ned to one o its Qthe beast@sR heads& is later assi%ned t4ice to the beast itsel :Rev .7E.(& .+9.H #lthou%h the em$ire and the rulin% em$eror ma"& in a sense& be considered as interchan%eable in that Han em$ire@s authorit" is vested in the em$eror&H this identi ication ceases 4hen the em$eror leaves o ice.7. (. #s a corollar" to the $oint Iust noticed& 4e ma" add that =ero@s death Jdid not Ieo$ardiJe the $o4er o the em$ire& because he died as a u%itive and enem" o the state.H Rather& his death demonstrated Hthe su$erior $o4er o the state.H7( 7. 2he healin% o the 4ound led $eo$le Hto ackno4led%e the invulnerabilit" o the beast :not o the head9H; it Hencoura%ed the beast to %reater blas$hem"H and increased the beas s $o4er o dece$tion. 2here is Habsolutel" no evidence that the rumored resuscitation o =ero actuall" had such e ects as these&H but rather& the Hle%end o =ero@s $endin% return rom 1arthia 4as even considered a threat to the em$ire and its rulers.H77 +. 2he beas s H4ound 4as not sel !in licted& but Q4asR %iven to the beast b" its enem".H Furthermore& can H4e ind an" case in a$ocal"$tic literature in 4hich the beast intentionall" commits suicideLH7+ /. Consideration must be %iven not onl" to Aohn@s t"$ical usa%e o the 4ord Hs4ordH but also to his t"$ical usa%e o the 4ord H4ound.H In Greek the 4ord translated @M4oundH O!tegS, a term 4hich is consistentl" rendered as H$la%ueH in its other t4elve occurrences in Revelation. =ever does Aohn use either o these terms>Hs4ordH or H$la%ueH> or a sel !in licted 4ound& such as =ero@s suicide. 2hus& i 4e Hare %uided b the vocabular" o the $ro$het&H 'inear $oints out& H4e must conclude that the s4ord 4as the s"mbol o God@s 4rathH and that the H4ound 4as a God! in licted $la%ue.H7/ #mon% these and other ar%uments b" 'inear& some considerations are
7. 'inear& (/)!/.. +5 Ibid.> (/.. ++ Ibid.> (/(. 7+ Ibid. +9 Ibid.. (/7. $&3

i seSff 7eads,.92 2 ie" Re$resent Roman Em$erorsL relativel" stron%er than others. 2heir combined orce and total 4ei%ht& ho4ever& are im$ressive and the" certainl" colla$se the $reterist thesis that =ero@s death and the Nero redi#i#us m"th meet the s$eci ications o the biblical te,t in Revelation .7E7&.(&.+.7< #$e <ero Redivivus 0yt$ Sibylline oracles. Fe res$ond no4 to the second basic 3uestion& 4hich re3uires that 4e scrutiniJe a bit more closel" the Nero redi#i#us m"th itsel and its alle%ed $lace in histor". It a$$ears that the main literar" e,$ression o this m"th occurred in& and 4as $er$etuated b"& some o the doom utterances in the Sib lline Cracles, book + :dated to4ard the end o the irst centur" o the Christian Era9 and book / :com$iled about the middle o the second centur"9. 2hese so!called oracles 4ere 4ritten bet4een the second centur" B.C. and the i th centur" #.D. in imitation o the Greek Sib"l>a $a%an $ro$hetess. 2he t4elve e,tant books :out o an ori%inal ./ 4orks9 contain a mi,ture o $a%an& Ae4ish& and Greek items. In book +& 4ithin the conte,t o a broad historical surve" dealin% 4ith 4orld kin%doms rom #ss"ria to Rome and settin% orth doom $roclamations a%ainst a variet" o $laces :such as& Sicil"& Greece& 2hebes& Rhodes& Corinth& Cartha%e& 5aodicea& and #rmenia& et al.9& there is an allusion to the Roman attack on Aerusalem that laid 4aste the tem$le o God :obviousl" the destruction o #D. 7)9. It is here that 4e ind the ollo4in%E ... and then shall a %reat kin% rom Ital" lee a4a" like a deserter& unseen& unheard o & be"ond the ord o Eu$hrates& a ter he has $olluted his hands 4ith the hate ul murder o his mother& doin% the deed 4ith 4icked hand. #nd man" round his throne shall drench the soil o Rome 4ith their blood& 4hen he has led be"ond Qor& HoverHR the land o 1arthia.... 2hen shall come to the 4est the stri e o 4ar stirred u$& and the e,iled man o Rome& linin% u$ a mi%ht" s4ord& crossin% the Eu$hrates 4ith man" tens o thousands.
7< 2hou%h 'inear has been vei" $erce$tive in his obIections to the traditional $reterist $osition& his o n alternative solution is also so!e $at de ective& $articulari" in that it )ails to ado6t the a$ocal"$tic $ers$ective o a continuum in histoi". Rat$er than ollo4in% t$e lead 4hich could have been obtained in Dan 7& he colla$ses the seven $eads more or less into sim$l" a matter o Aohn@s intent to focus Ju6on the $resent sta%e in t$e messianic stru%%leH :$. (+79. 2here is& o course& a ocus on that sta%e& but a good deal o the em$hasis also is u$on a $hase uture to Aohn :namel"& the era o t$e sea beast and t$en o its com$anion& t$e earth beast9. 77 Sib lline Cracles, +.+*!.(+&.77!.7* :4ith the 3uoted material bein% rom +...*!.(+&.77!.7* in the edition o H. =. Bate& The Sib lline Cracles2 Boo1s III5V Q5ondon& S1CD& .*.?R& ??!]*9. In the edition o 'ilton S. 2en"& The Sib lline Cracles, Translated /rom the Gree1 into English Blan1 V1rse :=e4 OorkE #'S 1ress& .*77; re$rinted rom the edition o .?**9& the material a$$ears on $$. .).!7 and is identi ied as +.<.!.<(&.7<!.?).

124

2he Seven 7eads, Do #$ey Re$resent@RbmanHEm$er<rs7

In Book / there are several re erences that clearl" allude to =ero. 0ne o these statements $ro$hesies %reat evil at the return o a $erson H4ho shall make hone"!s4eet son%s 4ith a voice o melod"& $la"in% the actor& and shall sla" both his 4retched mother and man" besides.H 7) Else4here in book / there is mention o a $erson havin% Hthe letter i t"&H 4ho be! comes kin% and s$reads %reat con usion and evil. He is a $erson 4ho Hshall return& makin% himsel e3ual to God&H but 4hose Hnothin%nessH 4ill be revealed b" God. 7* Some o the re erences in book / could 4ell have ed the notion held b" a e4 later Christian 4riters that =ero 4as to return as the end!time antichrist.+) But Iust ho4 in luential 4ere the Sib llmesH 2hese oracles took the orm o a cr"$tic& o !beat kind o literature that b" no means %ained 4ides$read acce$tance. In act& the so!called oracles o the sib"ls& eminine soothsa"ers& 4ere commonl" held in lo4 esteem b" the more educated and kno4led%eable classes o $eo$le. Fhile it is true that the above!cited statements a orded the Nero redi#i#us m"th a sort o He,tension o li eH or chronolo%ical lon%evit"& this act cannot be considered as Iusti ication or the s4ee$in% statements made b" man" modem commentators and e,e!%etes that the m"th 4as ver" 4idel" kno4n and believed> even Huniversall"H so in the East>durin% Aohn@s time. Ru!ors. Some rumors that =ero had not reall" died did sur ace& a $oint 4e have alread" noted. Fhat is im$ortant to reco%niJe& ho4ever& is that the most reliable o the secular sources o the irst several centuries #!D.>includin%& or e,am$le& the Roman historian 2acitus :4ho 4rote his Annals and =istor earl" in the second centur"9>reIected such rumors as bein% mere abrications that 4ere s$urred on b" the rise o various individuals im$ersonatin% =ero. 5ike4ise& the earliest and most credible amon% the Christian 4riters %ive no credence or credibilit" to the Nero redi#i#us m"th& i in act the" even kne4 o it. (fficial recognition of <ero%s deat$. 2he alsit" o the conce$t that =ero actuall" survived his suicide and 4as in hidin% amon% the 1arthians or else4here is evidenced& irst o all& b" the events that immediatel" ollo4ed his death. 2hese included $ublic reco%nition o his demise& the trans!
7? Ibid.& /..+.!.+7 :Bate ed.& **; in the 2err" ed.& the re erence a$$ears on $. .(. and is desi%nated as/..*...*79. C ./.7<.!7?/ :Bate ed.& ..)!...; in the 2err" ed.& .77!7+& 4ith desi%nation as/.+?/! /.<9. 7* Ibid-> /.(*!7+ (Bate cd.& *+; in the #eny ed.& ../& 4ith desi%nation as 7*P+*9. +) See es$eciall" t$e second reference cited in n. 7?. )or that section in book 9> Bate has inserted a headin% t$at reads> J#$e comin% of #ntichrist :=ero9E the %reat Far& and the $eace o the ri%hteous.H Regarding the Christian 4riters& sec n. +*& belo4.

125

#nQSeSn0eadsnS#$ey Re6resent Ro!an &!6erors: er o his remains to #u%ustusM mausoleum& and the su%%estion b" an em! bass" rom the 1arthian ruler Volo%eses that $onor be $aid to =ero@s memor" :the $rimar" unction o the embass" 4as to con%ratulate Galba as the ne4 em$eror9.+. 2o this clear evidence o the stron% o icial reco%nition o =eroMs %enuine demise 4e ma" add the unanimous testimon" o the Roman his! torians o the irst several centuries o the Christian Era. +( =one o these historians had an" notion 4hatever that =ero mi%ht have esca$ed death someho4 on his ate ul suicide da" in Aune o the "ear <?. #s urther evidence o the realit" o =ero@s death and the reco%nition %iven it& 4e ma" take note o the act that there 4ere $ublic acclamations re errin% to Em$eror 0tho as H=ero 0tho.H +7 2his 4ould have been hi%hl" unlikel" i the real =ero had still been around. Indeed& even the rise o =ero $retenders& a matter 4e mention belo4& is an indication that =ero 4as no lon%er alive. 2he act that some o these im$ostors resided or a 4hile in 1arthia is rather stron% evidence a%ainst the validit" o the Nero redi#i#us m"th. 2he" could hardl" have resided in 1arthia i the real =ero 4as there too& makin% $re$arations or an invasion o Rome. I!6ersonators. Im$ersonators o =ero be%an to a$$ear 4ithin a "ear a ter his death. 2he irst such 4as a =ero Hlook!alikeH 4ho in #!D. <*& 4ith a %rou$ o Hva%rants&H landed on the island o C"thnus. ++ 2he man not onl" resembled =ero in $h"sical eatures& but also had a sin%in% voice much like that o =ero. 2he dece$tion 4as rather limited in outreach& thou%h it tem$oraril" aroused considerable local interest 2he Hillusion&H as 2acitus calls it& vanished 3uickl"& ho4ever& 4hen the $retender 4as ca$tured and killed.+/ In #!D. 7* 2erentius 'a,imus& another individual re$uted to be much like =ero& also im$ersonated the latter. +< He led 4ith some adherents to 1arthia and there caused a stir b" $lannin% to invade Rome. E. F. Benson has concluded that it 4as the esca$ades o this individual that %ave rise to the Nero redi#i#us m"th in the orm in 4hich it is set orth in book + o the Sib lline Cracles& Re erence is made there to the east4ard li%ht o Ha %reat kin% rom Ital"H 4ho had murdered his mother :4hich the real =ero had
41 6ee, eA+A)1aAdtvs)A,ta*) Appendi; to Book %&)%") .D E.%!& #acitus and Suetonius in t$e earl" second centiu" and Dio Cassius in the early third centur"! +7 Sec 2acitus& =istw , ..7?. ++ Ibid.& (.?!*. +/ Ibid.& (.*. +< Conaras. ....KG c . 2acitus& =istor , ..(. (=o$anncs Conaras as a By@antine historian who early in t$e t4el th century 6re6ared an e6ito!e or HversionH of Dio Cassius% Roman =istor &4

126

#$e Seven 7eads, Do #$ey Re6resent Roman Em$erorsL indeed done9 and 4ho 4ould cross the Eu$hrates River 4ith a lar%e arm".+7 #bout a decade later& "et another =ero $retender ound tem$orar" re u%e in 1arthia& but he 4as e,tradited to Rome. +? In his case and in the case o the other im$ostors& the ollo4in% 4as small. =one received an" trul" substantial endorsement as bein% the real =ero. #nd& as ar as 4e can tell& this recurrin% conce$t o a Nero redi#i#us terminated 3uickl" 4hen the res$ective $retender and his ollo4ers 4ere discredited and su$$ressed. 2hat 4hich did %ive the m"th some4hat o an e,tended li e 4as& as 4e have seen& its incor$oration into the Sib lline Cracles& 2hese cr"$tic and m"stical messa%es ma" have in luenced a e4 Christian 4riters in the ourth and i th centuries to think that =ero 4ould be resurrected :or that he had been miraculousl" ke$t alive9 and 4ould a$$ear either as a orerunner o the last!da" antichrist or be an HantichristH himsel . +* But the earliest Church Fathers& as 4ell as the earliest and most reliable secular 4riters& did not a$$ear to $lace much trust in the so!called oracles o the sib"l> oracles that 4ere considered to be not onl" s$eculative but 4ere o ten 4orded so as to be o$en to di erin% inter$retations.

<ero Redivivus and Do!itian

Fe e,amine no4 the issue o our third 3uestionE Fas the em$eror Domitian re%arded as a HreincarnationH o =eroL 'odem $reterist inter$reters 3uite %enerall" believe that Aohn looked u$on Domitian as bein% the HresuscitationH o =ero. But Iust ho4 co%ent is this o$inionL #nd ho4 does it mesh 4ith th- re3uirements o the biblical te,tL .. First& the biblical te,t indicates that it is the #er same head that su ers the mortal 4ound that e,$eriences a subse3uent healin% or revivi ication :.7E79. 2here ore& i =ero is considered to be the reci$ient o the 4ound& it must also be =ero :not Domitian9 4ho $ersonall" is resuscitated. (. 2he biblical te,t re ers rather em$haticall" to the blas$hemies uttered b" the sea beast :.7E/!<9. =ero& ho4ever& did not covet divine titles& nor did he vaunt an air o divinit"; hence he does not meet this s$eci ication o the biblical te,t. Domitian did& o course& ind $leasure in bein%
/3 &d ard Fhite Benson& The A!oca/ !se2 An Introductor Stud ofthe "e#elation o/ St& John the Divine (London> .*))9& .</. /K Suetonius& 'ero, /7. +* Benson& .<?!7)& re ers to 5actantius :ca. 7.+9& Sul$icius Severus& and 0artin o 2ours :as 3uoted b Sul$icius9. 2he" are t$e only C$ristian riters 4hom he could find 4ith a belief that =ero ould be returning as an eschatolo%ical Fi%ure. 7e adds that Augustine o 7i66o :d. +7)9& a contem$orar" o 0artin and Sul$icius& indicated t$at some $ersons elt =ero had been ke$t alive& Ha 6resu!6tion Q4hichR 4as to $i! ver" marvclous.H

127

The Seven Heads20o 2he" Re$resent Roman Em$erorsL called H5ordH and HGod&H/) an attitude that mi%ht readil" be considered blas$hemous. But here he stood more in the tradition o Gaius Cali%ula than in that o =ero./. 7. 2here are urther contrasts bet4een =ero and Domitian. (or instance& =ero@s $ersecution o Christians 4as $rinci$all" one s$asmodic outburst. Domitian on the other hand a$$ears to have ostered a more HstudiedH or H$lannedH attitude to4ard $ersecution& but one 4hich the Christian 4riter 2ertullian described as not lastin% lon%& because Domitian Hhad somethin% o the human in him.H/( #%ain& =ero 4as a lavish H$la"bo"H em$eror& 4hereas Domitian 4as basicall" a concerned and able administrator>althou%h also morose& sus$icious& and t"rannical& es$eciall" to4ard the end o his rei%n. /7 +. In the biblical te,t& the sea beast is Ioined b" an assistant& the t4o! horned earth beast& 4ho enters the scene 4hen the sea beast@s deadl" 4ound is healed& makes an idol to that irst beast& and calls u$on all $eo$le to 4orshi$ the sea beast. #s ar as I have been able to determine& no one has ever discovered or su%%ested an" $erson that 4ould meet these s$eci ications in connection 4ith Domitian. /. Finall"& there is no evidence 4hatsoever in an" o the reliable secular sources or in the earliest Christian $atristic 4riters to su%%est that Domitian 4as ever considered& in an" sense& a HreincarnationH o =ero or a Hrevivi icationH o the s$irit o =ero. 2he closest e come to such a statement is 2ertullian@s mention in his A!olog :4ritten about the "ear .*79 that =ero 4as the church@s irst $ersecutor and that Domitian like4ise 4as a cruel $ersecutor./+ 2ertullian& ho4ever& %ives no hint 4hatsoever that he himsel :or an"one else9 looked u$on Domitian as ul illin% the Nero redi5 #i#us m"th. Assess!ent Benson& 4ho made a thorou%h%oin% investi%ation o the historical status o the so!called Nero redm#us m"th& has care ull" scrutiniJed both secular
/) Dio Cassius& "oman =istor , <7./.7. /. Cali%ula 4as so ena!ored it$ the thou%ht o bein% divine that he built an i!6ressive bridge rom the 1alatine hill to t$e Ca$itoline hill& this in order to be able to co!!unicate !ore readily it$ his Hbrother %od&H =u6iter Ca$itolinus. /( rcrtu@ian, A!olog M :in A<)> 7E((9. /7 Dio Cassius& Roman ffistmy, <7..7!.<& %ives !any details o Do!itian%s rei%n of terror fro! #.D. *7!*<. #ctuall"& as re$orted in <7../& there 4ere already evidences in A.D. *. that Do!itian 4as t"rannical. /+ 2ertullian& A!olog M& $&6

2he Seven HeadsE Do 2he" Re$resent Roman Em$erorsL and Christian ancient sources. His conclusions are 4orth notin% here. 0n the basis o the in ormation obtained rom secular 4riters& Benson statesE

2he circumstances Qrelatin% to =ero@s deathR 4ere es$eciall" $ro! vocative o $retenders. But this is no e,ce$tional dis$la" o them > # batch o im$ostors in the "ear ollo4in% his Q=ero@sR death& all insi%ni icant& one ten and one t4ent" "ears a ter his death& both in the interests o 1arthia > and Dion Chr"sostom@s %ibe.

2he %ibe to 4hich Benson re ers is ound in Dion@s MM4ild& coarse& sarcastic Dialo%ue on the Foll" o 'ankind&H and is to the e ect that HallH o Dion@s contem$oraries 4ished that =ero 4ere still alive and that $most$ of them ancied that he 4as so. Dion@s $oint is that Hbad as he 4as& =ero as ver" lavish& and that the $eo$le care or nothin% but this& es$eciall" in the time o stin%" em$erors.H/< It so ha$$ens that =ero@s immediate successor& Galba& 4as reno4ned or stin%iness and austerit"& even den"in% soldiers some unds that had been $romised them./7 Concernin% the evidence rom secular sources& Benson states urther& Hthat the idea Qthat =ero had survived his re$orted suicideR 4as loated is certain enou%h& QbutR to attribute im$ortance to it is absurd. It 4as credited b" no one o credit.H/? #s e turn to Benson@s conclusion re%ardin% t$e 4itness o the earl" Christian 4riters& 4e must note that he scrutiniJed ever" $ertinent statement o eminent Church Fathers do4n to the i th centur". He then set orth his conclusion as ollo4sE
2here is no mention amon% these real teachers :in the earl" Christian churchR o =ero@s ever havin% been alive a ter his suicide >none o a Huniversal Christian e,$ectationH o his return > none o Domitian@s o erin% an" re$roduction o him& or an" ul ilment o an" $ro$hecies about
52

him.

In vie4 o the evidence dra4n rom the best in both ancient secular and Christian sources& it 4ould a$$ear that i Aohn believed Domitian to be some sort o reincarnation o =ero& he 4ould have been entirel" uni3ue in this belie N Fe can be ull" con ident that Domitian 4as b" no means
99 Benson& .<<. 92 Ibid.> .</!<<. /7 Re$orted& e.%.& b" 2acitus& =istor , IS< also b" Dio Cassius& "oman =istor , <+.7. 9K Benson> .<<. /* Ibid.& .7(. $&&

#lieSeven7eads, #9o #$ey Re6resent Ro!an &!6erors: envisa%ed in the book o Revelation as re$resentin% a revivi ication o =ero. Indeed& as 4e sa4 in the earlier $art o this cha$ter& the entit" re$resented b" the sea beast 4as still uture in Aohn@s da"; $ence> neither =ero nor Domitian could have had an" relationshi$ to the $articulars set orth in the biblical te,t.

The Num1e' ...

Fe e,amine no4 a inal ar%ument that $reterists use as evidence or identi "in% the leo$ard!bodied beast as the em$ire o RomeE the numeral <<< :.7E.?9. 2hat te,t states& H2his calls or4isdom 3so!hia42 I an"one has insi%ht 8ho e0//n noun9, let him calculate the number o the beast& or it is man@s number. His number is <<<.H 2he beast here re erred to is the leo$ard! bodied sea beast& as the conte,t makes clear. In the %eneral $reterist vie4& this number <<< is an e,am$le o/gema5 tria, a cr"$tic $rocedure 4herein letters o the al$habet stand or numbers that are meanin% ul in identi "in% names. #ccordin%l" most $reterists ind in .7E.? a urther si%ni icant clue to substantiate the identi ication o the sea beast 4ith the Roman Em$ire and its heads 4ith a succession o Roman em$erors. It is usuall" su%%ested that number values o the letters in the name o Em$eror =ero add u$ to <<<. 2he 4a" this is accom$lished 4ill be noted later& to%ether 4ith an evaluation o that $rocess. I!6ortant ?eneral Considerations Be ore $roceedin% to anal"Je the name o Em$eror =ero and its alle%ed numerical value& 4e state here three %eneral considerations that are o vital im$ortanceE .. #ccordin% to the Bible the number <<< is a$$lied to the beast itsel & not to one o its heads. But =ero& accordin% to the $reterist vie4& 4as one o the seven heads. (. 'inear has observed thatgematria a$$ears to be orei%n to the book o Revelation.<) It is a $henomenon that is not at all characteristic o Aohn@s 4ritin%. 2his bein% the case& 4ould 4e here :.7E.?9 have a sole e,ce$tionL Should not Aohn@s normal a$$roach to the use o numbers lead us to look in some other direction than the e,$loration o ho4 the letters in Em$eror =ero@s name could add u$ to <<<L
<) 0inear> (/7. 2%%

#$e Seven HeadsE Do #$ey Re6resent Roman Em$erorsL 7. 'inear has also $ointed out that the ver" %reat ran%e o $ersons 4hose names have become candidates or the ul illment o the <<< renders the 4hole $rocedure sus$ect.<.

Ro!an <a!es> and t$e <a!e of J<eroJ Fe discuss brie l" the nature o Roman names as a $reliminar" ste$ be ore assessin% ho4 the name o =ero is %enerall" utiliJed b" $reterists to match the number <<<. Roman names characteristicall" consisted o three $artsE the !rae5nomen :%iven name9& the nomen :the name o the gens or HclanH9& and the cognomen : amil" name9. #do$tions :had occurred or several o the em$erors be ore =ero& as 4ell as in his o4n case9 could chan%e and6or enlar%e the names. Furthermore& Roman em$erors o ten tended to use honori ic titles& the most common o these bein% H#u%ustusH :Greek& sebas5tos4, a avorable acclamation %iven to 0ctavian or his victories and activities that led to an era o securit" and $eace 4ithin t4o decades a ter the assassination o Aulius Caesar in ++ B.C. 2he name HCaesarH eventuall" became a title or Roman em$erors& thou%h it 4as ori%inall" a amil" name>the amil" name o Gaius Aulius Caesar :HAulius CaesarH9& and also transmitted :alon% 4ith the clan name HAuliusH9 to someo hissuccessorsb"means o ado$tion. For instance& 2iberius 4as b" birth a member o the )'awiiangens :2iberius Claudius =ero9& but 4hen ado$ted b" #u%ustus he entered the Aulian gens and the Caesar amil". #s or =ero& he 4as the son o Gnaeus Domitius #henobarbus and bore the name 5ucius Domitius #henobarbus. Fhen he 4as ado$ted b" Em$eror Claudius in the "ear #.D. /)& he became a member o the daudianPe4& a ste$ 4hich made $ossible his succession to the em$eror!shi$ 4hen Claudius died in #.D. /+. 2hrou%h this ado$tion 5ucius 4as also %iven a ne4 nameE H=ero Claudius Caesar&H or more ull" H=ero Claudius Caesar #u%ustus Drusus Germanicus.H 2o4ard the end o his rei%n =ero added as a sort o titular !raenomen the desi%nation Him$eratorH :the term rom 4hich our 4ord Hem$erorH derives9. 2his 4as an honori ic title 4hich in earlier Roman histor" had been accorded to victorious Roman %enerals at their trium$hal a$$earance in the cit". Durin% the Em$ire $eriod& ho4ever& it 4as the $rero%ative o the !rince!s to hold that title as commander!in!chie o all the Roman militar" units.
2. Ibid.. (/<.

2;1

2he Seven HeadsE Do 2he" Re$resent Roman Em$erorsL 2o 4hat does the ore%oin% discussion add u$L 2he $oint to notice is that there are& in realit"& man" o$tions 4hen decidin% on Iust 4hat name o =ero should be chosen or the <<< calculation. 0 icial contem$orar" documents bearin% Em$eror =ero@s name commonl" identi ied him as H=ero Claudius CaesarH or H=ero Claudius Caesar Germanicus.H #t times the desi%nation H#u%ustusH 4as also incor$orated into the series o names. 2he Roman historians& ho4ever& tended to re er to him sim$l" as H=ero&H $erha$s to distin%uish him rom 2iberius Claudius =ero :H2iberiusH9 and 2iberius Claudius Drusus =ero Germanicus :HClaudiusH9& 2here are also some documents that re er to him as H=ero Caesar&H and others that use sim$l" the desi%nation HCaesarH or Hthe Caesar.H It is interestin% to note that 4hen the a$ostle 1aul a$$ealed or a hearin% b" Em$eror =ero& onl" the term HCaesarH 4as used. ! Preterist 6rodecure. #lthou%h it 4ould seem lo%ical to include the name HClaudiusH in the calculation o <<< :inasmuch as it 4as =ero@s ado$tion into the Claudian gens that o$ened the 4a" or him to become em$eror9& the orm o the name actuall" chosen b" most $reterists is H=ero Caesar :or Caesar =ero9.H #n n is then added to H=ero&H thus $roducin% H=eron.H =e,t& a transliteration is made into Hebre46#ramaic characters& resultin% imoL iru 3mwnGsr4& Finall"& the number values o those Hebre4 characters are totaled to e3ual <<<. I H=eroH rather than H=eronH 4ere to be used& the total 4ould be <.< <7 #lthou%h there is some manuscri$t evidence in avor o the number <.<& the $re$onderance o evidence su%%ests that <<< is the ori%inal and correct number. 2here is obviousl" an intentional $la" on the number <& hei%htened b" the tri$le re$etition o it.<+ It is a Hhuman number&M@</ and thus re$resents incom$leteness and inade3uac". 2his contrasts 4ith the number 7 that is
<( #cts (/E.)!..; see also (/E.(& (.; (<E7(; (7E(+. <7 2homas S. De$ler& The Boo1 o/ "e#elation :=e4 Oork& .*/79& .+?& $oints out an alternative method used b" some $reterist inter$retersE namel"& to %ive to the letters in the Latin 4ord Neron numerical e3uivalents 4hich total <<<>4ith <.< i the name ere %iven si!6ly as Nero :as it ri%ht ull" ou%ht to be9. 2his 4a" of com$utin% the <<< and <.< is& in an" case> not 4idel" used& and it certainl" is not re$resentative o mainstream $reterist tradition. <+ Ireaaeus, Against =eresies, /.7)..& indicates his belie that the <<<> t$at is& si+ hundreds $lus si0 tens $lus si0 units > indicates a ullness o a$ostas" and that <.< is indeed a faulty nu!ber 4hich he is Hinclined to thinkH ha$$ened as a sli$ on the $art o co$"ists. 7e states urther that $ersons assumin% the 4ron% number or antichrist H4ill easil" be led a4a" b" himH $en $e a$$ears& not reco%niJin% him. :2ranslation rom #=F& .E//?!/*.9 </ 2he $hrase arilhmos anthr!ou can $ro$erl" be translated& Ha human nu!ber.J In fact> concernin% Rev .7E.7b!.?& 'inear& (/?& su%%ests that Hit 4ould be 3uite in order to translate t$e $hrase QasR @2he brand& the name o Ihe beast& or the number o its na!e... is an ordinar human number& His number is <<<.@ H

2;2

#$e Seven HeadsE Do 2he" Re$resent Roman Em$erorsL used re3uentl" throu%hout the book o Revelation and else4here in Scri$ture to desi%nate totalit"& ullness& and com$lete ade3uac". 2he number 7 !ay thus be considered as a Hdivine number&H the number <& a Hhuman number.H Preterist 6roble!s. Fith the ore%oin% back%round& 4e are no4 read" to comment on the $roblems inherent in the $reterist linka%e o the numeral <<< 4ith the name H=eron CaesarHE .. Since there are a number o choices as to 4hich o =ero@s several names to use& is it not arbitrar" and arti icial to select H=ero CaesarHL (. #ddin% the n to H=eroH a$$ears to be an unIusti iable device& in s$ite o a so!called illustration rom 'urabbarat. << # statement $enned by 7enry #. Sanders in .*.7 is still relevant. # ter re errin% to the trans! literation o H=eron CaesarH into Hebre4 characters& Sanders %oes on to state that H4e ma" 4ell 3uestion& 4hether even an i%norant Ae4 could have so s$elled the name o =ero durin% the irst centur".M@<7 7. 2he $rocedure o transliteratin% a 5atin name into Hebre4 charac! ters is hi%hl" 3uestionable. /. #$e transliteration o HCaesarH into Gsr is 3uite at"$ical. In numerous e,am$les I have ound T.;%L: :G sr4 to be the orm consistentl" used. 2his as6ect o the $reterist transliteration $roblem 4as also noted b" Sanders.<? /. 2he biblical te,t calls or Hinsi%ht.H Ver" little insi%ht 4ould be re! 3uired or the $reterist t"$e o mani$ulation that secures <<< rom H=eron Caesar.H <. Fhat is even more si%ni icant about the Hinsi%htH needed is the act t$at it is s!iritual discernment that is called or& as the %eneral content and tone o Revelation make absolutel" clear. 2he ollo4ers o God and the
22 D. R. 'illers& HRevelation .7E.? and a Scroll rom 'urabba@at&H BASC", no. .7)& $. </& has called attention to an #ramaic document $ublished& discussed& and %iven in a $artiall" reconstructed te-t in the J#e-tcsJ volume :1art .9 o/ %isco#eries /rom theJudaen %esert, Vol. (& no. .?& and given in 6$otogra6$ic re$roduction in the H1lanchesH volume :1art (9 o the same 4ork& 1I. (*. In lookin% at the $hoto%ra$h o this rather ra%mentar" document as it is $ieced to%ether& I do not $ave t$e sa!e confidence as 7itlers that there is no roo! or a od/i a ter the Go!h& Forkin% fro! 6$otogra6$s is $a@ardous> in an" event. <evert$eless> in this te-t as it a$$ears in the 6$otogra6$> a s!alt $art of the Go!h is missin% :this letter can nevertheless be identi ied9& but lacking too is t$e rest of t$e 4ord > indeed& also t$e rest o the line. 2he assum$tion is that the s6elling is "r on t$e basis of esti!ated s$ace or t$e letters& but throu%hout the te,t the scribe as not consistent in his s$acin% o letters& sometimes even runnin% them to%ether. In an" case& even if Gsr docs occur occasionally in te,ts :as Hillers indicates& based on Aastro4@s Tatmudic ?e0icon4, $y should e %ive $riorit" to an uncommon orm o the 4ord rather than to the usual fonnU : <7 7enry #. Sanders& H2he =umber o the Beast in Revelation&H JB? 77 :.*.?9& *7. 2K Ibid. 2%3

2he Seven 7eads, Do #$ey Re$resent Ro!an Em$erorsL 5amb are to distin%uish bet4een the 5amb@s activit" on the one hand and the o$$osition activit" on the other. 7. #s a corollar" to the ore%oin% $oint& 4e take note o the act that the em$hasis in Revelation is not sim$l" on the number o the beast but even more so on the mark and name o the beast <* 2hese& to%ether 4ith the number& stand in direct antithesis to the seal o God and the name o God and the 5amb.7) ?. Indeed& the battle dealt 4ith in Revelation .7 and else4here throu%h! out the book is a s$iritual stru%%le o such ma%nitude that it seems trivial to brin% =ero :or or that matter& Domitian9 into the $icture as the direct anti! divine& antithesis to the slain and resurrected 5amb. Certainl"& somethin% much more crucial and si%ni icant is in vie4. #s 4e have noted in another conte,t earlier& this $assa%e about the leo$ard!bodied sea beast re lects and e,$ands Daniel@s messa%e concernin% an entit" that is to constitute the last %reat enem" o God@s $eo$le& an enem" ins$ired b" none other than the devil himsel . 2hat the antidivine trinit" o dra%on& sea beast& and earth beast re$resents a $arod" o the divine trinit" o Father& Son& and Hol" S$irit has been noted b" various 4riters on the basis o the strikin% com$arisons and contrasts that can be made bet4een the t4o. Such com$arisons and contrasts reveal a de inite conce$tual linka%e. 7. 2he issues are much too lar%e to ind ade3uate ul illment in a sin%le em$eror. #s a urther observation& 4e ma" call attention to an interestin% e,am$le otgematria that a$$ears in an earlier 3uoted statement rom the Sib lline Cracles7, namel"& that =ero@s number is H i t".H 7( 2his number& 4hich re$resents the Greek numerical value otN, di ers& o course& rom the convoluted and unsustainable linkin% o =ero@s name to <<<. #lthou%h
<* Sec .7E.7; ./,C>..; ./E(; ()E+. 7) Sec es$eciall" .+E. in com$arison 4ith 7E(!+; also 7E.( and ((E+. 7. In t$e $arod"& the sea beast@s character and e-6erience as a counterfeit of C$rist and the earth beast@s activities as a counter eit of t$e 7oly S6irit are es6ecially striking. )or e-a!6le> Dust as Christ acHuired 7is authorit" rom t$e )at$er> so t$e sea beast acHuired $is fro! the dragonG as Christ has aith ul 4orshi$ers& so also t$e sea beast $as $is ors$i6ersG and as C$rist died and as resurrected> so too the sea beast& e ind& or e-a!6le> the follo ing, #$is beast calls attention to the sea beast rat$er than to himsel & Iust as the 7oly S6irit%s activity is one of e-alting Christ& not Himsel :c . Aohn .<E.7!.+9. #$e earth beast is called t$e Jfalse 6ro6$etJ :a term used for $i! in Rev .<E.7; .*E(); and ()E.)9& $ereas the 7oly S$irit is the true 6ro6$etic S6irit :see Rev .*E.); Aohn .+E.7; and . Pet .E.)!.(9. &ven t$e eart$ beast%s bringing fire fro! $eaven :Rev .7E.79 a66ears to be a mimicr" o t$e da" o Pentecost e-6erience of t$e 7oly S6irit%s descent on t$e a6ostles as ton%ues of ire :#cts (E.!+9. 7( Sib lline $racles, /.(* :Bate ed.9 or /.7* :2en" cd.9. 2he state!ent occurs in a $ortion of book / that identi ies a nu!ber o Roman rulers b" the nu!erical value of t$e initial letters o t$eir names in Greek& the lan%ua%e in 4hich the Sib" lines 4ere ori%inall" 4ritten.

2;4

#$e Seven HeadsE Do 2he" Re6resent Roman Em$erorsL

this $articular $oint ma" not have the same stron% evidentiar" status as the ones enumerated above& the contrast revealed b" it is nevertheless strikin% and 4orth" o at least $assin% notice.

Conclusion
2he ore%oin% discussion has revealed the considerable amount o inconsistenc" and untenabilit" that e,ists in the several basic $reterist ar%uments 4e have noted. Fhether the $reterist $osition is the common traditional orm that 4e have revie4ed in this cha$ter& or 4hether it includes an" o the variations su%%ested b" $reterist inter$reters& the ver" stance o $reterism is itsel ho$elessl" la4ed. 2he $roblem lies in the oundational center o the $reterist stance& and there ore& is one that a licts all $reterist inter$retations in s$ite o an" and all idios"ncrasies that ma" e,ist amon% individual 4riters. 2hat Hroot $roblemH is the $ers$ective that limits the sco$e o Revelation@s messa%e to Aohn@s o4n era. 2he biblical evidence reveals& as 4e have seen& that the leo$ard!bodied sea beast& its seven heads& and its ten horns relate to thin%s that 4ere still uture or Aohn. Such Church Fathers as Irenaeus& 2ertul!lian& and Aerome also bore 4itness to this same essential act. 0ur stud" $rovides onl" an evaluation o the $reterist $osition concernin% the seven heads in Revelation. =o alternative inter$retation has been su%%ested. =evertheless& a trust4orth" inter$retation o the seven $eads must rest on this undamental actE 2he 4ord HmountainsH :as used s"mbolicall" in Scri$ture9 indicates Hkin%domsH or Hem$ires&H not individual rulers. Fhen the seven heads are vie4ed in this li%ht& 4e are reminded that 02 sacred histor" %ives clear re erence to 4orld kin%doms 4hich in $re!Christian times o$$ressed God@s $eo$le& and that the 02 $ro$hecies %iven in the book o Daniel e,$and the in ormation so as to include a 4orld $o4er in e,istence in Aohn@s o4n da"& $lus a urther one that 4ould arise a ter Aohn@s time. 2his biblical material& and the 4hole biblical $ers$ective& 4ould have been readil" intelli%ible and meanin% ul to Aohn@s $arishioners& somethin% that cannot be said concernin% a list o Roman em$erors. It is im$ortant or us to bear in mind that the ver" $ur$ose o the book o Revelation 4as to %ive s$iritual kno4led%e and stren%th to $ersecuted ollo4ers o the
L#m1.

=ot a list o Roman em$erors; not the death and a re$orted resurrec!
2;5

2he Seven HeadsE Do 2he" Re$resent Roman Em$erorsL tion o =ero; not the number <<< as an identi ier o =ero>not an" nor all o these could& in an" sense& ul ill Revelation@s noble $ur$ose. 2he 02 4itness and the a$ostolic testimon"& on the other hand& carr" a messa%e that a orded abundant com ort and ho$e or the irst centur" Christians and have done so& as 4ell& or all ollo4ers o Christ ever since. In Scri$ture there is assurance that God has al4a"s cared or His $eo$leE that in histor" itsel He is ever $resent to sustain them& and that in the %reat eschatolo%ical denouement He 4ill %ive them ull vindication and an incom$rehensibl" %enerous re4ard in li e everlastin%. 2he book o Revelation $icks u$ and e,$ands beauti ull" this same theme& and thus Revelation is not b" an" means some sort o o beat a$ocal"$se that is out o tune 4ith biblical literature in %eneral; it conve"s the ver" heart and substance o the biblical messa%e. Indeed& as Revelation em$haticall" $oints out& the H5ivin% 0neH>the 0ne 4ho con3uered death and the %rave :.E.?9> 4ill never orsake His aith ul ollo4ers and that even 4hen the" su er mart"rdom the" are victorious :.(E..9& 4ith the Hcro4n o li eH a4aitin% them :see (E.); (.E.!+; and ((E+9.

2;6

Cha$ter VI 2he 24o Su$$ers

Richard 5ehmann

&ditorial Syno6sis. #s $rinted in our common Bibles 4ith their cha$ter divisions& Revelation .* serves as a brid%e bet4een the scenes o Iud%ment on the Bab"lonian Harlot :cha$s. .7!.?9 and the a$$earin% o Christ as a 4arrior!kin% to overthro4 all the a%encies o evil that have ou%ht a%ainst Him and His $eo$le
(12@11-21)+

2he irst $art o the cha$ter resounds 4ith a inale o $raise to God > Hal! leluia > or His Iud%ment and destruction o the %reat Harlot and& thereb"& or His aven%in% the blood o His $eo$le 4ho had been mart"red under her re%ime :.7E<; .*E.!(9. 2he last $ortion o the cha$ter :vss. ..!(.9& de$ictin% Christ as a returnin%& con3uerin% kin%& shirts the ocus or4ard to His millennial rei%n :cha$. ()9 and the creation o a ne4 heaven and earth :cha$s. (.! ((9. 2he common thread& or moti & that a$$ears to tie the t4o halves o the cha$ter to%ether is that o a Hsu$$er.H 2hose are blessed 4ho are called to the marria%e su$$er o the 5amb :.*E7!*9; but the im$enitent > slain b" the Farrior!Din% > become the %ruesome su$$er o the o4ls o the air :.*E.7!(.9. In his anal"sis o the t4o maIor com$onents o Revelation .*& the author $rovides a number o interestin% e,e%etical insi%hts.

C$a6ter (utline
I. Introduction II. #n 0ratorio in Heaven III. Rider and Heavenl" #rm" I'. 2he Great Su$$er o God

2;7

2he 24o Su$$ers

Introduction
Cha$ter .* o Revelation divides naturall" into t4o distinct $artsE :.9 an invitation to $raise God& includin% the announcement o the 4eddin% su$$er o the 5amb :vss. .!.)9& and :(9 the a$$earance o a %lorious rider ollo4ed b" a %ruesome east in 4hich the birds o the sk" $artici$ate :vss. ..!(.9. 2he mutual relationshi$ bet4een these t4o $arts has been 3uestioned. l Some %o so ar as to su%%est di erent sources or the verses 4ithin each sectionP2he maIorit" o Bible scholars 3uestion the status o Revelation .*!(( :usuall" as a result o various millenarian theses9. But some reco%niJe a real unit" bet4een cha$ters .*!(( and the rest o the book. In a recent article& F. Shea sho4ed that Revelation .*E.!? constitutes a literar" unit linked to the heavenl" scene in Revelation / and describin% the reaction o heavenl" bein%s to the Iud%ment o the %reat $rostitute. + #$art rom this su%%ested linka%e& it is evident that the re$eated halleluIahs in this section are motivated b" the Iud%ment events described in cha$ters .7 and l?./ Several h"$otheses have been $ut or4ard 4ith re%ard to the chronolo%ical situation o this cha$ter. Fe shall not enter into discussion here on the man" millenarian theses on 4hich this 3uestion lar%el" de$ends. < Since commentators are unanimous in reco%niJin% in the rider on the 4hite horse the return o Christ& 4e shall associate the $recedin% scene 4ith this %lorious return. 7 #n anal"sis o the scenes in this $ortion o Revelation 4ill enli%hten us on their mutual relationshi$.
. &.g.> 0. &. Boismard& H5@#$ocal"$sc de =ean>J in Introduction a la Bible, ed. aouv. #. Geor%e& 1. Grelot& 2ome III> vol. + :Desclee& 1aris& .*779& 7.& sees in Revelation t4o $rimitive te,ts 4ritten at di erent dates by the same author& t$en melted into a si!6le te,t b" a di erent hand. 2o the Hrst te,t 4ould belon% Rev .*E..!(. and to t$e second .*E.!.). For a 4ider division see also H. Stierlin& ?a V#ritesur? 7A!ocal !se& Essa/ de reconstitution des /e0tes originels :Buchet6Chas!tel& Paris> .*7(9. ( H. Stieriin sees in .*E*c a conclusion o an ori%inal book. Id> .((. R. 7. C$arles inserts .<E/b!.7 a terversc + and makes it$ vcises *b and .) an inter6olation. The Revelation o/ St& John, I##, vol. ( :Edinbur%& .*7<9 7 E.%.& &. CuviIIier> H#$ocal"$se (). 1rediction ou 6redicationJ in ET" M, :.*?+679E 7+/. R.C.7. Lenski> The Inter!retation o/ St& /ohn7s Revelation (0innea6olis> .*<79& considers on $. /7+ that .7E.!.*E.) constitutes a unit. + HRevelation / and .* as literar" Reci$rocals&H A@SS DD :.*?+6(9E (+*!/7. / E& Corsini $oints out the Harti icial nature o the actual subdivision of the book into cha$tersH and Ioins vss. .!? 4ith cha$. .?. ?7A!oc//t !se m/iintenant, Sew' :1aris& .*?+9& (//. < 0n these $ositions see the interestin% t$esis b" =. Badina> 2e 6illenhim d7A!oca/ !se DF2.5E :Collon%es!sous!Saleve& .*?79. 7 See also F& D. =ichol& ed.& The SD- Bi le )ommentar I :Fashin%ton& DC> .*/79E ?7..

2;3

2he 24o Su$$ers

An (ratorio in 7eaven
2he irst scene is situated in heaven :vss. .!?9. # narrator& 4ith a voice as loud as that o a %reat multitude& calls to $raise :vss. .!79. 2he t4ent"! our elders and the our livin% creatures take u$ the invitation in turn :vs. +9& ollo4ed b" another call to $raise b" a voice comin% rom the divine throne :vs. /9. 1ossibl"& the narrator& 4ith an even louder voice than at the be%innin%& once a%ain Iusti ies his call :vss. <!?9. 2he scene can be com$ared to an oratorio at the heart o 4hich di erent choirs call out to hail and ans4er one another around a sin%le theme> halleluIahN? (t$er than the our times it is mentioned in Revelation .*& the 4ord HhalleluIahH a$$ears no4here else in the =2. Even in the Greek translation o the 02 :Se$tua%int9& it is ound onl" in the 1salms sun% at the maIor estivals.* It seems to have its ori%in in the 4orshi$ services established b" David. 2he term& there ore& had a litur%ical use. It illustrates the link that could e,ist bet4een the $rimitive church and that o the s"na%o%ue in the irst centur". 2he 4ord is made u$ o t4o $artsE halhl :$raise9& "ah 3Qahweh4& 2he Greek e3uivalent is %iven in verse /& H$raise GodH 3aineite /M Theo4& 2hus& in its irst meanin% HhalleluIahH is an invitation to $raise God :im$erative mood9& 4hereas toda" the term means the $raise itsel . Fe believe that it must be understood in Revelation .* in its ori%inal meanin%& as a call& an invitation. .) Furthermore& the second Hebre4 term in this cha$ter& Hamen&H also e,$resses a 4ish& askin% that somethin% be done :vs. +9... #ccordin% to the maIorit" o commentators& the irst halleluIah is $roclaimed b" a cro4d o an%els..( F. Shea $arallels the voice o Hman" an%elsH :/E?!.+9 4ith that o the H%reat multitudeH in .*E.. .7 0thers con!
? C . ibid.& 4hich brin%s this $crico$c nearer to 1s (+E7!.) and sees in it a choral arran%ement com! $osed o t4o anthems and t4o res$onses. C Be s$all distinguis$ the great Hallcl& Ha $rivile%ed scries o si, Psal!s> ..7!..?& 4hich are recited on ha$$" occasions. Psal!s ..+ and ..+ are recited in Passover liturgies be ore the seder (Pasc$al Su66erA> 4hereas Pss ../!..? are sun% at t$e end o it.H #. Choura3ui& 5 7@ni#ers de la Bi le 9 :5idis& Paris> .*?+9E 7(/. #$e little 7allel is made u6 of Pss .+<!./). .; Its ?reek eHuivalent in vs. / is an im$erative second $erson $luralE ameite& .. H#menH does not only !ean that one $as understood and a%reed 4ith t$e e,$ressed 4ish& but also that as much as $ossible one co!!its $i!self to contributin% to its accom$lishment. C . #. Fciscr& (oi, Labor et )ides (?eneve> .*7<9& 52> concernin% . D%s .E7<. .5 Also &llen ?. Fhite& Testimonies to 4inisters :'ountain Vie4& CA> .*<(9& +7(. .+ JRevelation 9 and .C as Literary Reci6rocals>J inA@SS (( :.*?+6(9; (/(. 2%&

2he 24o Su$$ers sider the halleluIah to be $roclaimed b" the redeemed& .+ b" mart"rs&./ and still others distin%uish an%els :vs. .9 rom the redeemed :vs. <9..< #s or us& 4e believe that it is not Aohn@s intention to attribute the son% o $raise to an"one. Fe admit that this son% ma" be e,$ressed b" either the an%els or the redeemed& but such 4as not the intention o the author. Fithout ne%lectin% the im$ortance o the ties established b" F. Shea bet4een cha$ters / and .*& 4e eel that it ma" be instructive to notice the di erences that se$arate them. 2he structure can be the same& but the meanin% di erent. Cha$ter / al4a"s s$eci ies 4ho is deliverin% the $raise; cha$ter .* lacks this $reciseness..7 Revelation / clearl" states that the an%els are sin%in% and %ives their number. Revelation .*E.& < remains va%ue and uses com$arisonsE H4hat seemed to beH 3hos4&+L Fe should also notice Aohn@s customar" use o the direct s$eech in $raiseE Oou QGodR are 4orth" :+E..; /E*9. Indirect s$eech comes onl" in /E.( as a res$onse to the irst $raise. 0n the contrar"& in cha$ter .* onl" indirect s$eech o a more %eneral nature is usedE He QGodR has Iud%ed; He has aven%ed :vs. (9. #nother $articularit" is ound in verse /. Charles $ointed out the $roblem o $/rom 8a!oN the throneH 4hen one 4ould e,$ect Hout o Qe#ER.H .* :Comin%"rom the throne rather than comin% out o/ the throne.9 2his more %eneral orm or desi%natin% the ori%in o the voice seems intentional to us. I the an%els& or the redeemed& are sin%in%& 4h" does the te,t use hos :H4hat seemed to be&H vs. .9 and the sin%ular orm or tV#oice#73!hone/I4, 4hereas in verse 7 the $lural orm o the verb& Hthe" criedH :eire1ah9 is used. #n abnormal correlation ma" underline a s$ecial intention. Fe must there ore consider these $articularities () as si%ni icant In sum& the te,t does not a$$ear to %ive attention to the authors o the $raise& but ocuses instead on three itemsE
./ )?E&)har!eatier,@ne ?ecture de?7A!)Oal !se,)ahienE#an//lel'3)et/, *aris, +,HS42 L+& .9 C . R. H. Charles& The "e#elation o/ St& John >uh Introduction, 'otes and Indices& ICC& ( :Edin! bur%& .*7<9E ..?. C$arles> for $i!self> esteems that the Seer His be%innin% his descri$tion 4ith the outer ranks o the heavenl" bein%s and 6roceeding in4ard to4ard t$e t$rone.J 2hus $e sees as in 7E..& irst t$e an%els& t$en the elders> and Finall" the livin% creatures. .2 Cf. =. 7. #le,ander& ? 7A!ocal !se #ersel!ar #erset, 'aison de la Bible& (nd ed. :Gencve& Paris> .*?)9. 77(. .7 )?M2'le1wsa!honWnaggelontol,27l,e1ousahos!hSnSnme/ ilen& .? D. G. Bamhouse ollo4in% Robertson com$letel" or%ets the e,istence o hos2 "e#elation, An E0!ositor )ommentar :Grand Ra$ids& .*?(9& 7+*. .C The "e#elation o/ St& John, .(+. () By HabnormalitiesH e mean unusual characteristics in a te,t in relation to the Hnormalit"H o the book or c$a6ter 4here the" are inserted.

(.)

The T8o 6u''ers

.. =ea#en as the $lace o the $roclamation. (. 2he ser#ants on earth as the subIects o the $roclamation. 7. 2he !roclamation itsel as a call to $raise. # voice in heaven& the t4ent"! our elders& the our livin% creatures& and those surroundin% the throne are unanimousE the" call the servants on the earth to $raise the 5ord or His 4orks in their behal . But be ore %ivin% $rominence to the ke" character o this em$hasis e must make a detailed verse!b"!verse anal"sis o the h"mnic section. )irst <arrator (vss. .-+A 2he obIect o the First $roclamation is to Iusti " the re3uested $raise. God has $assed sentence on the %reat $rostitute. His action is double in nature& t"$ical o Iud%ment in the 02E :.9 It establishes the character o God as true and Aust. (. :(9 It also establishes the character o His servants 4ho are Haven%ed&H that is to sa"& the" are reestablished in their inte%rit". I God is declared to be true and Iust& it is because in His intervention in histor"& sa"s #. =eher& He Hsets one in the realit" o his ri%ht& the other on the contrar"& in the realit" o his 4ron%.H(( 2he $roclamation o the Iud%ment here is not intended as a chronolo%ical $oint o re erence in histor". Aud%in% in act His not onl" $assin% sentence& the 4ord is used to describe all $hases o the $rocedure rom the !o!ent that the liti%ant $arties come to $lead their case u$ until the Final decision.H (7 It is the a$$earin% o the 4hite horse and its rider that enables us to locate the $roclamation as bein% on the eve o the inal settlement. 2he t4o aorists o verse ( :Hhe has Iud%ed 8e1rinenN$< Hhe has aven%ed 8e0edi1esenQ4 can lead us to believe that the Iud%ment has been settled be ore the $roclamation& in accordance 4ith the descri$tion o cha$ters .7 and .?. Fe notice& ho4ever& that the descri$tion in these cha$ters does not mean that all is inished. 'an" verses are in the uture tense. 2he beast is the real su$$ort o the $rostitute :.7E79& and inall" he HassimilatesH (+ or devours her :.7E.<9. 2he $rostitute remains actin% in the beast. 2he Iud%ment carried out on the $rostitute inds its com$lete ul illment 4hen the beast is thro4n into the lake o Fire :.*E()9.(/
5. &. =acob> Theolog0 de I7Ancien Testament, Delac$au- et =iestiP :=euchatel& .*//9& 7. 55 A =eher&6l D'& (<(& 3uoted b" Aacob& 77. (7 Aacob& 77. 5/ By Jassi!ilateJ e mean to take or sel & make one@s o4n. #$e beast is still dan%erous b" virtue o the act t$at in devourin% the $rostitute it takes her $lace. 59 Cf. .7E.+ 4here the beast and the ten homs make ar a%ainst the 5amb. (..

2hus& 4hile a4aitin% the com$lete ul illment o the sentence& an invi! tation is sent to $raise God& or the aven%in% o His servants is to be con! sidered as accom$lished. #ccordin% to the second halleluIah :vs. 79& t$e Aud%ment has eternal conse3uences. In .?E? the burnin% as announced< in .?E.? it 4as seen< in .*E7 it is declared com!lete& 2he $unishment recalls that o Sodom and Gomorrah :Gen .*E(?9 and the radical character o God@s Iud%ment :( 1et (E<& 7E.)!.(9.(< 2he Bab"lonian city-6rostitute s$all not rise u$ a%ain rom its ashes.(7 Mes> salvation& %lor"& and 6o er reall" belon% to our God.(? Ie#venl+ Choi' @vs. -E 2he t4ent"! our elders and the our livin% creatures are heavenl" bein%s described in Revelation as bein% near the throne o God :+E+!?9. #$ey seem to stand 4ith the believers.
K >L

2he elders are o ten ound in an attitude o $rostration and $raise. It is be ore these heavenl" bein%s that the .++&))) sin% a ne4 son% :.+E79. #s 4itnesses to God@s 4orks in avor o the redeemed& the" adore the Creator :+E.)!..9 and Saviour :/E?!.)9 and %ive their a$$roval :HamenH9 to the in! vitation to $raise God or His Iud%ment on the %reat $rostitute :.*E+9. Considerin% the meanin% that e attributed to the 4ord Hamen&H 7) it can be understood that the elders not onl" Ioin the irst narrator@s voice& but also commit themselves to the realiJation o the invitation to $raise b" assumin% the a$$ro$riate attitude>the" bo4 do4n and 4orshi$. 2he end!time con lict& 4hich involves the $rostitute6beast $o4ers and God@s $eo$le& ocuses on the true obIect o adorationE :.9 the sea beast& his ima%e and mark :.7E./!.7;l t()9& or :(9 God& the Creator :.+E<!7& *!..9. In contrast 4ith a humanit" that turns its back on God& the t4ent"! our elders and the our livin% creatures all do4n be ore Him 4ho is seated on the throne. Voice )ro! t$e #$rone :vs. /9 #n anon"mous voice s$eaks rom the throne. 7. 2his voice could be attributed to God i it did not use the $ossessive HourH :H1raise our God&
(< Sec also Isa 7+E.). (7 #$is could be eared $en one kno s t$at a mortal ound can $eal. (? JIn t$e ?reek eac$ of t$e virtues here ascribed to ?od is 6receded b" the de inite article. 2his suggests t$e fullness> the sum total& of each attributeJ 0The S%A Bi le )ommentar 7E?7.9. (* Rev +E.); /E?&.+; ..E.<. 7) Cf. n. ... 7. So translates <I'. R. C Lenski> The Inter!retation o/ John7s "e#elation (0innea6olis> .*<79& /7*& e!6$asi@es t$e anony!ous c$aracter of t$e voice.

(.(

all "ou his servantsM@9.7( 2he $ur$ose or observin% the location o the s$eaker is to %ive the command an authoriJed character. 77 2his call is addressed to God@s servants. It is the onl" address indicated in this h"mnic section. Charles identi ies the servants as mart"rs 4ho are no4 in heaven&7+ a h"$othesis 4e must reIect on other scri$tural %rounds. In .)E7 and ..E.? the term desi%nates the $ro$hets. In .E. Aohn himsel bears this title and seems to e,tend it to believers. 2he 4ord then ma" have various meanin%s accordin% to its conte,t. Here :.*E/9 one could think that it desi%nates a distinct cate%or" o God! earers& the Hsmall and %reat.H #ll the more so as certain manuscri$ts $lace HandH 31ai4 be ore Hthe God! earin% onesH 3!hoboumenoi4&LM But this 1ai could ver" 4ell have an e$e,e%etical unction :Hthat is& to sa"H9 as its absence demonstrates in the most im$ortant manuscri$ts : or e,am$le& H"ou 4ho ear him Qthat is& to sa"R& small and %reatH9. 'oreover Hsmall and %reatH has never been used to desi%nate a cate%or" o believers. Ho4ever& S. 5auchliH ound evidence or a com$ound structure in these h"mns in verses <!7 in 4hich the elements o each trilo%" :multitudes& 4aters& thunder$eals& vs. <; reIoice& e,ult& %ive %lor"& vs. 79 seem to $resent several as$ects o a same realit".77 Fe believe then that Hservants&H H"ou 4ho ear him&H and Hsmall and %reatH desi%nate the same realit" o $eo$les. Fhat is this realit"L Fe 4ould 3uite 4illin%l" %o alon% 4ith 1. 1ri%ent 4ho reco%niJes under this title the believers o all time. 7? Indeed the invi! tation carries t4o $recisions o a universal natureE HallH 3!antes4 and Hsmall and %reatH 3mi1roi 1ai megahi4&L, In Revelation Hit is asserted that ever" Christian has a callin% to be a 4itness& a saint& a servant o God and ma"be a $ro$het... and these 4ords im$l" a aith ulness that could lead to mart"r! dom&@M states 1ri%ent.+) Fe do not& ho4ever& reIect the idea that the term ma" desi%nate the
LD )/& )harles, The "e#elation o/ St& John >ith Introduction, .(+; 5. Bonnet& ?e Nou#eau Testament &&& :5ausanne& .?7<9& 777& attributes it to the our livin% bein%s. 77 R. #. #ndereon& @n/olding the "e#elation, ?th ed& rev. :'ountain Vie4& C#& .*?.9& .?*& $oints out in Revelation a con lict o authorit" in the throne moti E throne o God6throne o Satan. 7+ Charles& The "e#elation o/ St& John >ith Introduction (E.(/. But such a h"$othesis is based on a conce$t o the state o the dead that 4e do not share. 7/ It 4ill be remembered that in #cts the HGod! careisH desi%nate a cate%or" o $rosel"tes. See Rev ..E? 4here the distinction is more noticeable. +2 4uoted by C. Bnitsc$>Lo #lone de23-pocalypse, Labor et Fides :Gcneve& .*<<9& 7)7. +3 $chlos, huda/Ss, rmi$Ss (vs. 2AG chaovmen, agalliomen, aSsomen :vs. 79. 7? 1ri%ent& ? 7A!ocal !se de Saint Jean, (?.. +C 2his latter is found a%ain in .C,.K 4ith t$e sa!e accent on universalit". +) 1ri%ent& ? 7A!ocal !se de Saint Jean, (?..

(.7

2ne 24oSu$$ers

an%els. In the 02& 4ith 4hich Revelation is imbued& the an%els are called Hministers that do his 4illH :1s .)7E()& (.9. 1salm .+? calls them to 4orshi$ :vs. .9. #ccordin% to Daniel 7E.) the an%els serve and $raise God. 2hese heavenl" bein%s are ound near the throne o God rom 4hence the voice comes.+. Finall"& accordin% to Revelation ((E?& *& the" are servants o God in the same 4a" as is Aohn himsel . 2he e,$ression Hsmall and %reatH could conve" the hierarchical ranks o the an%els. 2he universal nature o the $roclamation& ho4ever& is too im$ortant to be limited to onl" an%els. 2he term Hservants6@ there ore& $robabl" includes believers as 4ell as an%els& or the entire universe is concerned b" the choice $resented to ever" 4orshi$er in Revelation>God or the beast and his ima%e.

Last <arrator :vss. <!?9

# loud voice& stren%thened b" re erence to oceans and thunder& e,tends the irst narrator@s declarations b" Iusti "in% the $raise. 2his time attention is not directed to4ard the $rostitute& but to4ard the 5amb@s radiant bride. 1ri%ent $oints out the di erence bet4een these t4o $roclamationsE H2he irst son% o $raise to %o orth... e,tols the God 4ho demonstrates his Iustice in $unishin% Bab"lon. 2his cannot su ice. 2his 4orshi$ cannot satis " the God 4hose Iustice is not e,hausted in $unishment. 2here ore& a voice comes rom the throne callin% or continual $raise. 2he aith ul must e,tol God more ittin%l". In act& their res$onse surrounded b" a more $ronounced maIest" than their irst $ra"er& is %oin% to celebrate the God 4hose rei%n is %loriousl" mani ested in the salvation o man.H +( 0 course& as 1ri%ent said& the aith ul have Iust reason to $raise God> their salvation is assured. 2hat 4e admit. 2he use o the irst $erson $lural :Hour&H herrion4 u$holds such a thesis :vs. <9. But let us noticeE .. #s in verse .& the $o4er o the voice :vs. <9 is %iven in com$arative terms 3h//s, as Hlike&H H4hat seemed to beH9. (. It is $ro$er to $raise God not onl" or 4hat He has done or onesel & but also or 4hat He has done or the 4eddin% su$$er and the bride. 7. 2he HourH:6iLmX76i9 o verse < is missin% in im$ortant manuscri$ts. 2o conclude these remarks& 4e sa" that $raise suits $er ectl" the
/. 2heir service is evoked more t$an <) ti!es in Revelation. +( Prigent> ? 7A!ocal !se de Saint /ean, (?.. )or Corsini> 23-pocafypse mamtenant, (//!/<& I$e di erence bet een t$e t4o songs corres6onds to a distinction t"$ical of =o$n bet een t o economies of salvation.

(.+

#$e # o Su$$ers

believers because it concerns them& but it is not e,$ressed b" them>or rather not "et. 2he" are onl" invited 4ith the 4hole universe to $raise God. 2he son% o cha$ter .* is not& as some consider it& an ans4er to the call o .?E()>HReIoice over her& ) heaven& ) saints and a$ostles and $ro$hets& or God has %iven Iud%ment or "ou a%ainst herNH I God is adored in heaven :.*E+9& on earth it remains uncertain; hence& the voice@s $o4er in callin% or $raise to God.+7 Indeed the beast& the alse $ro$het& and the dra%on have not "et been destro"ed. 0nl" b" aith can the servants o God Ioin in this invitation. 8ntil the end o histor"& it is b" aith onl" that the" !ay sin%. =evertheless& their aith is not 4ithout assurance. =ot onl" did God Dudge the %reat $rostitute :vs. (9& but He has also mani ested His rei%n :vs. <9 and ensured the 4eddin% su$$er o the 5amb :vs. 79. 5et us consider these last t4o im$ortant $ieces o in ormation. #$e lords$i6 of ?od :vs. <9. Verse < accumulates conce$ts aimed at em$hasiJin% the all!$o4er ulness o God. 2his lordshi$ has alread" been con essed in ..E./&.7 and .(E.). It su%%ests a com$lete obedience o the believers to God@s 4ill. It is this unconditional obedience that a ects God@s servants. #$e edding su66er of t$e La!b :vs. 79. 2he mentionin% o the 4ed! din% su$$er o the 5amb is une,$ected. Aohn 4ill develo$ this theme in cha$ter (.. He antici$ates the subIect here& $ossibl" as a $arallel to the H%reat su$$er o GodH in verse .7. 2he theme o a 4eddin% su$$er is not ne4 in the Scri$tures. It is amiliar in the 02 and re3uent in the $arables o Aesus about the comin% kin%dom. It announces the much a4aited reunion bet4een the church and $er Bride%room.++ 0nl" in 'atthe4 /E.( is ound a similar invitation to Io" and %aiet". 2here it is linked to the su erin% o the $ro$hets and believers. # coin ! cidenceL 2his theme o su erin% is also $resent in our te,t in the H5ambH title that the Bride%room bears. It 4ill remain Heternall" to the church that she 4as redeemed b" His $recious blood and onl" because o this can she a$$ear at His side as a %lorious church.H+/
+7 # dichotom" is sometimes $resent in Revelation bet4een heaven and earth. In .(E.)!.(& or e,! am$le& a stron% voice invites heaven to be Io" ul but 4arns earth o the hardshi$s it a4aits. // In accordance it$ ancient tradition :see R. 7. 0ouncc> The Boo1 o/ "e#elation, <IC<# QGrand Ra6ids> +,HH9, 7+)9& after t$e betrot$al :( Cor ..E(9 and the $uri "in% bath (&6$ /E(<9 comes t$e long a4aited marria%e feast. /9 Bonnet> 2e Nou#eau Testament&&&, 77?& n. 7.

(./

#$e T"o Su66ers

#$e Bride :vss. 7!*9. Should a distinction be made bet4een the Bride and the %uestsL+< Should one insist on the $recisions %iven in Revelation (.E(& *& .) 4here the =e4 Aerusalem is desi%nated as the BrideL +7 2he luctuations in this ima%er"!char%ed lan%ua%e used or e,$ressin% heavenl" realities cause us to hesitate. 5enski& or his $art& considers that the Bride and the %uests are identical as the $arable evokes di erent acets o the m"ster" o salvation. +? 2o be more $recise& 4e could sa" that the term Hbride64i eH e,$resses the communal character o the church. 2he H%uestsH or the H riendsH are those 4ho individuall" have res$onded to the call o Christ. 5et us notice that the te,t states that Hhis Bride has made hersel/ read 8etoimasen heau/enN$ and at the same time ine linen was gi#en 3edotht4 her to 4ear. 2he bride $artici$ates activel" in her $re$aration. 0 course& the church does not $ut on her o4n 4orks. 2he" are %iven to her. But the %race o Christ does not $ermit the church to take re u%e in $assiveness. In the letters to the seven churches& the res$onse o him 4ho hears is constantl" solicited. 2he theme o obedience and $ersonal commitment to $erseverance is omni$resent in Revelation.+* 2his $o4er ul announcement is ull o $romise. 2here is no dela" in the accom$lishment o God@s $lan. 2he Bride is read". 2he #lmi%ht" has taken care o the essentials. Some ind it di icult to harmoniJe such a declaration 4ith the doctrine o Iusti ication b" aith./) 2he" see .*E7!? as bein% in contradiction 4ith statements such as <E.. 4here the 4hite robe is %iven. #lso& there is consid! erable discussion on 4hat meanin% should be %iven to di1ai//mata :ri%hteous deeds9E Iust 4orks& 4orks o Iustice& ri%hteous acts& etc.H Charles re%ards it as a %loss attached to the end o verse ?./( Fhether e resort to the Greek or to the conte,t& 4e must reco%niJe that obedience is an a$ocal"$tic theme. Verse ? reall" declares Hthat a
.E #f. Ba!$ouse> Revelation, -n E0!ositor )ommentar , +95. +7 Cf. The SD- Bi le #ommentary 7E?7(. #$e robe of t$e Bride is 6ure 31atharon4 like the %old that !akes u$ the =e4 =erusale! :(.E.?& (.9. #$is is or us a nor!al c$aracteristic o a6ocaly6tic riting. Cf. 0ounce> The Book of Revelation, 7+.. WLcos-i, The Interpretation ofJohn.s Revelation) 542C #lso Asdersoa)-nfolain+ the Revelation) 134+ +* Cf. the use of douloi :servants9 as a desi%nation or obedient believersG on commitment to $erseM vcrance b" ?od%s true follo ers> see 7E.+; .(E..&.3G .+E.(; (.E7! /) D. )ord> )risis D (<e castle> CA> n.d.9E <*7& is cicariy e!barrassed. 1nable to situate himsel in the conte-t> he co!es back to a general dog!atic $oint of vie . 9. #$e variet" of translations is as %reat as t$e nu!ber of co!!entaries. Cf. B!tsc$> 2a )larted de I7A!oca/ !se, 7)7. 52 C5+ $+ -+ Charies, The )evelation of StA John :ith Introduction, 123@ Aa correct gloss,A 2$.

#$e # o Su66ers

trans ormed li e is the $ro$er res$onse to the call o the heavenl" bride! %room.H/7 #$e blessing :vs. *9. From heaven 4e come back to earth. Aohn hears a command to 4rite./+ 2he hearin% 4as 4onder ul. But the im$ortant thin% is to be numbered amon% the chosen. 2his is 4h" the echo o 4hat is $roclaimed in heaven no4 takes the orm o a $romiseE HBlessed are those who are invited to the marria%e su$$er o the 5ambH :.*E*9. #ll the im$lications o the $recedin% $raise are summariJed in one sen! tence or the believers. Even thou%h the believers ma" be su erin%& even thou%h the e,tent o the Iud%ments $ronounced on the %reat $rostitute ri%htens them& the" alread" can be called blessed& because the" are invited . to the 4eddin% su$$er o the 5amb. 2hese 4ords are certain; the" are the ver" 4ords o God.

Rider and 7eavenly Ar!y

2his section takes us back to heaven :vss. ..!.<9. In an earlier vision =o$n looked throu%h a door in heaven :+E.9; no he sees all heaven o$ened u6on a %lorious scene>a $o4er ul rider intervenin% in the 4orld as a =udge. 2here are ver" e4 Bible scholars 4ho do not reco%niJe the rider to be t$e a aited 'essiah. 2he scene& ho4ever& is sur$risin%.// Christ comes or 4ar& but there is no battle. He bears a name that He alone kno4s; "et he is $resented as the Ford o God. His robe is di$$ed in blood& but combat has not "et be%un. 7e is to strike do4n the nations 4ith a shar$ s4ord& but He does not use it /< Christ a$$ears like a Roman %eneral on a 4hite horse& celebratin% His victor" even be ore the battle has been en%a%ed./7 2hese considerations lead us to ocus our attention on the theolo%ical contents o the vision rather than on its scenic as$ects. 2he vision belon%s to the %reat Iud%ment c"cle be%innin% in cha$ter .7 and endin% 4ith cha$ter (). 5enski correctl" $oints out that the evil $o4ers are destro"ed in the reverse order o their a$$earin%. Indeed 4e see the dra%on a$$ear in cha$ter .(& the t4o beasts in cha$ter .7& and the
9+ R. 7. 0ounce> The Book of Revelation, +/;. 9/ By an Han%elH according to RS'> <#'G t$e ?reek te-t does not s$eci ". Some refer to .7E.; others to ((E?&*; and still ot$ers go back no fart$er t$an vs. / and t$e voice rom the t$rone. #$e o$tion of an angel seems to be confir!ed b" t$e 3uali ier given to t$e vision in vs. .). 99 Cf. )ord. #risis 5,2C3. 92 See Rev .*E(.& $o ever. 93 Cf. Ale-ander> 2 7A!ocal !se versetpar #el#et, ++K.

(.7

2he 24o Su$$ers

Bab"lon $rostitute in cha$ter .7. 2he se3uence reverses itsel 4ith the destruction o Bab"lon :Rev .7!.?9& then o the beast and its alse $ro$het :Rev .*9& and inall" the dra%on :Rev ()9./? I Revelation .7E.+ marks the be%innin% o the Iud%ment c"cle& it ma" be noticed that the 'essiah does not intervene directl" in this as$ect o the battle. 2he $rostitute is torn a$art b" her o4n lovers :.7E.<9. 8ltimatel"& ho4ever& the beast& the alse $ro$het& and the dra%on are destro"ed b" the invisible but $o4er ul hand o God as is reco%niJed b" the $assive orm o the verbs :.*E(); ()E.)9. Fithin the rame4ork o a structural anal"sis& /* 4e ma" note that the i%ure o the 5amb belon%s to the same level as the $rostitute; <) the Rider& to the same as the beast and the alse $ro$het; <. and Heaven& to the same as the dra%on.<( 2his means that the battle is situated at each o these levels re%ardin% the claims o each involved $art". 2hus& .. 2he Iud%ment o Bab"lon establishes the 5amb in His ri%ht to redeem :/E*&.)9 as o$$osed to the $rostitute@s claim over the 4itnesses o Aesus :.7E<9. (. 2he Iud%ment o the beast and the alse $ro$het establishes Hthe Ford o GodH in His ri%ht to rei%n as o$$osed to the claim to soverei%nt" b" the $o4ers o this 4orld& and the beast and o the alse $ro$het :.*E.*!()9. 7. 2he Iud%ment o the 4icked establishes God in His Iustice as o$$osed to Satan@s claims over the mart"rs 4ho are aith ul to the testimon" o Aesus and to the Ford o God :()E+9. 2his is 4hat an anal"sis o the details o the vision con irms. 'ounted on a 4hite horse&<7 the Rider comes to Iud%e and to i%ht :to make 4ar9. 2he t4o terms are s"non"mous&<+ but ma" em$hasiJe t4o as$ects o the same realit"E to de end his o4n :Iud%e9& He $ushes back the adversar" : i%ht9. </ In .7E+ the 4orshi$ers ask& H4ho can i%ht a%ainst Qthe
/? The Inter!retation of /ohn7s Revelation, /+7. /* C . A! Calloud& A. Delor!c> =. P. Du6lanticr> H5@#$ocal"$se de =ean, 6ro6ositions 6ourune anal"se structurale&H iaA!oca/ !seset theologiedel7es!erance, cd. 5. 'oulobou& 5ectio Divina C9 :Cer & 1aris& .*779& 7<). <) Rev .7E.+. <. Rev .*E.*!(.. <( Rev ()E.!(&.); c . in Rev .(E/ t$e vertical movement to ard ?od. <7 (6inion is divided on t$e relationshi$ bet4een this rider and t$e one in 2,5. Prigcnt> 2 7A!ocal !se +e/at 86ea6t& (*.& e3uates them on the basis o the idea o Iud%ment! C$arles> The Revelation o/ St& /ohn %<i Introduction, .+.> !akes a clear distinction. D. Ford $oints out t$e di erence in the Hcro4nsHE Ste!hanas in 2,5 and aiaaemata in .*E.(. Any analysis 4ill de6end on t$e inter$retation given to the irat rider. <+ C . Rev .*E(. 29 Cf. =acob> Theoloffe de I7Ancien Testament, 7*.

(.?

2he 24o Su$$ers

beastRLH 2he ans4er is clearE He 4ho i%hts 4ith Iustice a%ainst those 4ho %ive themselves over to shamelessness and 4orshi$ idols. He i%hts 4ith the s4ord o his mouth :(E.<9. Here is the idea o a 4ar a%ainst underl"in% s6iritual oundations. Aesus is the #men& the aith ul and true 4itness 4hose 4ord is sure :7E.+9. He con ronts the alse $ro$het 4hose $romises are nothin% but lies :.*E()9. His e"es $enetrate like blaJin% Fire :.*E.(; c . .E.+9. (n 7is head are !any diade!s> ro"al cro ns and not re4ards or the saints.22 2his lack of $recision contrasts it$ the dra%on@s claim to seven :.(E79 and t$e leo$ard beast@s to ten :.7E.9. Is it understood b" this that& in virtue o 7is victor"& Christ alone is 4orth" to rei%n over the 4orld and . ear the ro"al emblemsL<7 2he idea o an unlimited soverei%nt" ma" be retained <? b" evokin% a secret name.<* 0 all the $ro$osed solutions7) 4e shall kee$ the one that sees in the name :kno4n b" the rider alone and b" the redeemed& (E.7; 7E.(9 the ver" name o GodE7. 2he name e,$resses absolute lordshi$ o the cruci ied 0ne in 4hom believers have $laced their trust& as 1hili$$ians (E*!.. sa"s so 4ell. Christ is e,$ressl" called the Ford o God. 2his title denotes the e ec! tiveness o the divine intervention& its $o4er. 7( 2he Ford never returns to God 4ithout havin% irst taken e ect&77 and is not o a di erent nature than God Himsel .7+ 2he Aud%e is 4earin% a robe di$$ed in blood. 7/ Is the blood His o4n& or that o the van3uishedL Here the commentators clash. Fhile ackno4led%in% an allusion to Isaiah <7E.!<& E. Char$entier acce$ts onl" a su erin% Christ and re uses the identi ication o the blood 4ith that o His
<< C . The S%A Bible )ommentar 7E?7+. 2he %lorious Son o man 4ears a cro4n 3Ste!hanas4 or He is the irst victor o evil :.+E.+9. 23 C & =o$nson> "e#elation, The E0!ositor7s Bi le )ommentar .(E/7+. <? C . 'ounce& The Boo1 o/ "e#elation, 7++. fiC C$arles> The Revelation o/ St& /ohn <ith Introduction (E.7(& sees $ere an inter$olation of three reasons, :.9 References to a name has no 6lace in a descri$tion. :(9 #$e unkno4n character o the na!e is contradicted in the ne,t verse. :79 (!itting this verse 6er!its a !ore balanced ?reek construction. Bit$ Prigcnt> 2. 7A!ocal !se de Saint /ean, (*7& e shall em$hasiJe the insufficiency o t$ese argu!ents. It is clear that the ru6ture o t$e la"out is not indicative of a
gl;2S.Cf.'S../.

TF C!. R. I. Moun"e0 <44-45C The S%" Bible Co!!entary 7@37<-74+ 7. Fith Cullmann& 1ri%ent& 'ounce. 35 Cf. 7cb +E.( and 0ounce> The Book o/ "e#elation, +/2. 77 C . Isa //E... 7+ Aohn .E.&.+; . Aohn .E.. 7/ HS$rinkledH says D. ?. Bamhousc accordin% to # 2. Robinson in "e#elation2 An E0!ositor #ommentary (?rand Ra$ids& .*?(9& 7/?. (.*

2he # o Su$$ers

enemies.7< 0thers sa" it cannot be Christ@s blood as the battle has not "et taken $lace.77 Fe a%ree 4ith R. H. 'ounce that 4e should not misunderstand the nature o a$ocal"$tic 4ritin%s. Here Christ is victorious even be ore battle is en%a%ed. H 2he mention o the blood a$$ears no4here else& and the combat takes $lace 4ith the s4ord o His mouth. 2he $ur$ose o the blood on the robe is to Hs"mboliJe his victor" in the comin% con lict.H 7* 2he heavenl" armies are linked 4ith this victor". In accordance 4ith scri$tural analo%"& it could be concluded that an%els com$ose them. ?) But some hesitate to link an%els 4ith the horses o victor" ?. and to see them dressed in 4hite $ure linen& a distinctive characteristic o saints :vs. ?9. Still others& usin% .7E.+ as a re erence and other analo%ies& ?( reco%niJe the mart"rs.?7 In this verse Christ is also called Din% o kin%s and 5ord o lords. Christ and the church are so intimatel" united in the same su erin% and the same i%ht in the Revelation?+ that it is not sur$risin% to see the redeemed linked 4ith Christ@s victor". 2his is& o course& understandable in a$ocal"$tic lan! %ua%e 4hich o ten antici$ates chronolo%ical elements. 22ie an%els and the redeemed are not mutuall" e,clusive conce$ts in an inter$retation o the heavenl" armies. Fe have seen that the" are concerned to%ether 4ith the HhalleluIahH and are both co4orkers or coservants 3sundouloi4& #t the end o this section three ima%es are taken rom the 02 to describe the combat commanded b" the 5eader o the heavenl" arm" :vs. ./9E The shar! sword issuin% rom His mouth to strike do4n the nations is an allusion to Isaiah ..E7& +. It $laces us immediatel" in a Iud%ment conte,t. ?/ Re erence to the rod o/ iron is taken rom 1salm (E*. 2he $salm kee$s
7< .rn 2ecture de ?7A!oca/ !se, Ca$icrs Evan%ile& .. (Ccrf> ParisA, +.. 77 Charics& The "e#elation o/ St& John >ith Introduction (E.7/& all the more so he said& as the accom! $an"in% armies arc dressed in ine $ure 4hite linen. He considers it to be the blood o the 1arthes@ kin%s and their armies. 7? The Boo1 o/ "e#elation, 7+/. 7* Ibid. ?) Ps .)7E(.; .+?E(; 0att (+E7.; 5uke 5,.+G 5 #$css .E7& etc. Cf. 5cnski& The Inter!retation&&&, MM.5MM& 31 C5+Hohnson, Revelation) #H#A 62 Hoid0 2risis) 2@7;;C "!0 Rev $35.J ('h :&A 3< Charles, 1he Revelation of StA /ohn :ith Introduction 2@1<5C &ounce, <46+ K/ Cf. Rev .5 $ere t$e Son and t$e o!an%s other $osterit" are different> but still t$e obDect of the sa!e assaults on t$e $art of the dra%on. ?/ Sec also ( 2hcss (E?.

22;

2he 24o Su$$ers

us rom overs$iritualiJin% the combat& or it deals 4ith a real destruction o the nations.?<
!inall1 8ith the ,inepress of the 8ury of the ,rath of >od 8e are sent

back to Isaiah <7E7; Aoel 7E.7; and $ossibl" Aeremiah .7E.7& .+& all three te,ts s$eakin% o a radical and de initive Iud%ment. ?@ 2his last ima%e is hammered out in Greek 4ith our %enitivesE o/ the 4ine$ress o/ the ur" o the 4rath o God. It em$hasiJes the solemnit" and the absoluteness o
M 4t

t$e e,ecution. Even thou%h the 'essiah is accom$anied b" armies& He alone treads the 4ine$ress& rules or strikes alone. He alone dis$enses Iustice. He alone holds the $osition o a divine Aud%e& or He is Din% o kin%s and 5ord o
lor#s+

2he debate over 4here He bears his name matters little; *) the essential $oint is the name 4hich Honce a%ain insists on the divine nature o Christ! Iud%eE Is He not the ver" Ford o GodLH*. Here in verse .< 4e have the $ur$ose o the visionE to establish Christ in His ri%ht to Iud%e b" virtue o His divine nature. #nd Iust like the redeemed 4ho are associated 4ith Him in ()E+& here :vs. .+9 the" ollo4 Him in His 4ork a%ainst those 4ho had a seemin% victor" over them :.7E<9.

2he Great Su$$er o God

2he ne,t scene brin%s us back to earth :vss. .7!(.9. #n an%el standin% in the sun^ calls in a loud voice or the o4ls to come to a %ruesome su$ ! $er& to sa" the least. 2he $resence o t4o meals in the same cha$ter reminds us that no one can esca$e makin% a choice :vss. *&.79. Either 4e res$ond to the %racious invitation to the 4eddin% su$$er o the 5amb& or 4e number ourselves 4ith His o$$onents and are 4ritten on the menu o scaven%ers. 2his terri "in% ima%e o birds devourin% horses and humans brin%s to
K2 Cf. Ladd> Huoted b" 'ouncc& The Boo1 o/ "e#elation, 7+<!+7. K3 See also Rev .+E.)&.C>(). KK Cf. Ba!$ouse> "e#elation, 7/*. KC #S.!nyat,23-p47atypsede Saint Jean, (*7E HIt is he 4ho is the ultimate e,$ression o the 4rath o ?od. 4ith t$e di erence rom the Ae4ish a$ocal"$tic and t$e 4u!ran te-ts $ere !ilitary assistance fro! the aith ul is e,$ected.H See also =o$nson> Revelation, /77. C; #$e theories are numerous. Sec Lenski> The Interpretation o/ St& /ohn7s Revelation, //<; C$aries> The Revelation o/ St& John >ith Introduction, .77& t$at leads u$ to a childish vision& 0. R. 'incent alread" in >ord Studies in the New Testament, 5nd ed. (0cLcan> 'A> .???9& <77!7?. *. *ngcat,?7A!oco/ !sede Saint Jean, (*7. C5 #$e 6ur6ose o his 6osition is to re$resent the universal nature of $is intervention. All the birds hear $i!. C . 'ounce& The Boo1 o/ "e#elation, 7+?. E. B. Elliot su%%ests that it e-6resses the su$reme ro"alt" t$at dictates these 4ords. %oraeA!ocat !dcae + :5ondon& .?<(9E /7.

((.

2he 24o Su$$ers mind a battle ield :vs. .?9. It is situated in the inverse order o events because the battle does not take $lace until verse .*. In 0riental thou%ht& becomin% ood or animals o $re" 4as the lo4est de$th o shame.*7 2his is the curse that han%s over those 4ho disobe" God :Deut (?E(<9. 2he" 4ill have no burial. 2he ima%er" is dra4n rom EJekiel 7*E.7!(). It reminds us that God@s calls should be taken seriousl"& and that a Iud%ment 4ill indeed take $lace. D. G. Barnhouse sa"s that the ive re$etitions o the 4ord H leshH su%%est that man is bein% $unished or havin% 4alked a ter the lesh. *+ But lesh in a s$iritual sense is not a Aohannine theme. #ll men are concerned 4hatever their rank or race. It is not a 3uestion o a $urel" s$iritual i%ht& */ even thou%h the combat is not re$orted. 2he re erences are too realistic& and the entire theme is develo$ed around the de initive distruction o the $o4ers o evil& and as verse .? $oints out& o those 4ho lent them their su$$ort. 2hese armies are assembled as 4ere the su$$orters o Herod and 1ilate.*< 2he kin%s and the leaders do not re$resent an" $articular $eo$le& but all evil $o4ers.*7 2he beast and the alse $ro$het are thro4n alive into the lake o ire. #s Enoch and EliIah 4ent to heaven alive& so these t4o are thro4n HaliveH into the lake o ire. H2o %o do4n into Sheol alive in the 02 is to be struck 4ith a violent or $remature death :=um .<E7)&77; 1s //E.<9.H*? 2he main $oint o the messa%e seems to ocus on the inal destruction in ire and sul$hurH o E .. 2he beast& 4hose relationshi$ 4ith the beasts o Daniel 7 .)) and 4hose actions de ine it as a $olitical!reli%ious $o4er :Rev .7E.!.)9. (. 2he alse $ro$het& likened to the second beast o .7E..!.?.). 4hose eatures $oint out the reli%ious character o the irst beast in its action a%ainst God :.7E<& .(! .+9.ro( #lter e%o o the irst beast& .)7 it is the 4itness o all alse reli%ions that turn the 4orshi$ers a4a" rom obe"in% the
2< C!.L. Bonnet, 0eNouveau 1estamentAAA) <3;, n+ 5+ 24 Revelation) An 7;pository 2ommentary) <6;-61+ 25 With $+ -+ &ouncc, 1he Book of Revelation) <42+ 26 C!< 4uke 2<@12C Acts -525023C 9s 2+ 27 C5+ the ten horns o5 the #ragon in 12@<+ *? 1ri%ent& ? 7A!ocal !se ae Saint Jean, (**& 4ho& ho4ever& makes a distinction bet een death b" the s4ord and death in Gehenna. 2o us the results seem to be the same. ** 2he re erence to sul$hur %ives a oul!smellin% as$ect to the scene. .)) C . Rev .7E(. .). C . 5enski& The Inter!retation o/ St& John7s "e#elation, and 1ri%ent& ? 7A!ocal !se de Saint Jean& .)( 2he alse $ro$het re$resents the role o alse reli%ion in $ersuadin% man to 4orshi$ the anti. Christian $o4er.H 'ounce& The Boo1 o/ "e#elation, 7+*!/). .)7 1ri%ent& (*?.

222

2he 24o Su$$ers

true ?od to make them become disci$les o the beast and Satan. 0n seein% such a daJJlin% victor" and the establishment o Christ in His di%nit" as Din% o kin%s& on hearin% the announcement o the end o in ernal $o4ers and the $roclamation o the victor" o the redeemed& the reader is $rom$ted to Ioin Aohn and the heavenl" bein%s in bo4in% do4n and 4orshi$in%. 8nitin% his 4eak voice 4ith that o the $o4er ul thunders& he echoes the heavenl" invitation b" $roclaimin%& HalleluIahN

22<

C$a6ter 'n S

#$e

0illenniu!
Aoel Badina
&ditorial Syno6sis. 2he eschatolo%ical eatures o several biblical doctrines @ come to their ruition in the millennium& the $ro$hec" o Aohn ound in Revelation I 7X2 (). Such subIects as the second comin% o Christ& death : irst6second9& resurrec!Y tion :ri%hteous6unri%hteous9& Iud%ment :millennial revie46e,ecutive9& destruction o the lost :includin% Satan and allen an%els9& and the ne4 earth :ne4 Aerusalem9 @;E orm inte%ral as$ects o this $eriod. E@;l 1robabl" no other $ro$hec" in Revelation has been the subIect o more dis!P a%reement& nor has an" $ro$hec" im$acted on so man" Christians and commu!P nions& a ectin% their reli%ious vie4s and actions. 7W& 2he author surve"s the three maIor inter$retations Christians continue to hold P on this subIect. 2hese are labeled %enerall" accordin% to the relationshi$ the millennium is %iven in connection 4ith Christ@s adventsE :.9 *remillennialism H ; Christ@s return !recedes and initiates the one thousand "ears. :(9 *ostm@lennial5 tsm Christ@s rctwa /ollows the one thousand "ears. :79 Amillenmalism > the one !& thousand "ears s mboliJes the Christian Era bet4een Christ@s t4o advents. 1remillenialism itsel develo$ed three di erent orms :dis$ensational& historic&

heavenl"9. 2he author anal"Jes the irst t4o inter$retations& contrastin% them 4ith the third& or #dventust& vie4 4hich is brie l" summariJed rom the $ro$hec" and other biblical data that buttress Revelation (). 2he author desi%nates the #d!ventist vie4 as a Hheavenl" $remillennialismH inasmuch as the biblical $assa%es $oint to the millennial rei%n o Christ and the redeemed as takin% $lace in heaven > in contrast to all other $re millennial $ositions that locate it on the earth in its $resent sin!cursed condition.

C$a6ter (utline
I. Introduction II. 'aIor Inter$retations III. #dventist Inter$retation I'. 2heolo%ical 'eanin%

225

#ne 0illenniu!

Introduction
D relation ()E.!.)& 4hich deals 4ith a one thousand "ear $eriod Eommonl" kno4n as Hthe millennium&H is an im$ortant $assa%e hat has %reatl" in luenced Christians in their eschatolo%". HS"stems o eschatolo%" have o ten been identi ied in terms o the 4a" the" treat the 3uestion o the millennium.H. 2he subIect has also in luenced the ideolo%ical and $olitical vie4s o both Christians and atheists. For e,am$le& 'ar,ism 4as a kind o secular miltennialism. ( 2he $ast $olitical stance o the 8nited States to4ard the nation o Israel& the #rab nations& and Russia 4as based in $art u$on one s$eci ic kind o $remillennial inter$retation o the book o Revelation. 'ore and more historians and sociolo%ists are stud"in% the relation bet4een societ" and the conce$t o the millennium amon% both Christian and non!Christian $eo$les. @#t least three thousand studies o millenari! anism have been $rinted in this centur".H7 2he 4ord millennium is not itsel a biblical term& ho4ever& but comes rom the 5atin mille :thousand9 and annum :"ear9. In theolo%ical $arlance& the 4ord millennium re ers to the one thousand "ears mentioned si, times in Revelation (). 2his is the onl" biblical te,t that mentions this $articular one thousand "ear $eriod.+ Revelation ()E.!.) is described as Hone o the most debated $assa%es in the Ford o God.@M/ HAud%in% rom the amount o attention %iven b" man" 4riters to the irst ten verses o cha$ter ()& one 4ould Aud%e it to be the sin%le most im$ortant se%ment o the book o Revelation. 2he $assa%e has %enerated considerable discussion amon% e,e%etes.
$ &eoryE(Ladd," Co!!entary on the Revelation (*ran# $a'i#s, 1272), 252+ ( R. G. Clousc& H'illennium& Vie4s o &H E#angelical %ictionar o/ Theolog , cd. Falter #. El4ell (?rand Ra6ids> .*?+9& 7.?. + 7illel Sc$ art@> H'illcnarianism&H The Enc clo!edia o/"eligum, cd. 0ircca &liadc :=e4 Oork& .*?79& *E/7). Some $olitical and sociolo%ical as$ects of millenarianism in Euro$e are described b" <or!an Conn in The !ursuit o/ the 4illennium7 "e#olutionar 6illenarians and 6 stical -narchists of the 4iddle -ges, rev. and e,$anded ed. :=e4 Oork& .*7)9. 2he notion o millennium $as in luenced t$e mentalit" o #mericans. See 0. D. Bi"ant and D. F. Da"ton& eds.& The )oming Oingdom2 Essa s in American 6illennialism and Eschatolog :Ban"to4n& =O& .*?79; and #i!ot$y P. Beber> ?i#ing in the Shadow o/ the Second )oming2 American *remillemualism, +-HM5+,-D, enlar%ed ed. (?rand Ra$ids& .*?79; and =. Bettis and S. D. Aohanncsen& eds.& The Return o/ the 6illennium (Banyto n> =O& .*?+9. / #$e one t$ousand years !entioned in Ps *)E+ and ( Pet 7E? arc not references to the a$ocal"$tic !illenniu!. 9 Bilbur 0. Smith& JRevelation>J The > cli//e Bi le )ommentar :Chica%o& .*<(9& ./.*. < Robert H. 'ounce& The Book o/ "e#elation, 0C<#> .7 (?rand Ra6ids> .*779& 7/..

226

2he 'illennium In the di erent theolo%ical s"stems o the Christian churches it is linked on the one hand to individual and cosmic eschatolo%" :death& Second Comin%& resurrection& inal Iud%ment9& and on the other hand to ecclesiolo%" and related to$ics :church& Israel& kin%dom o God9. Since there is no a%reement bet4een the churches on these issues& there is no a%reement either amon% e,e%etes on the inter$retation o this te,t. H2he inter$retation o this cha$ter has been a source o %reat debate and even con lict in the church.H7

0aDor Inter6retations
2hree di erent inter$retations o Revelation () have been %iven throu%hout the () centuries o Christianit".? A!illennialis! #millennialism has been the most 4idel" held vie4 throu%hout most o the Christian Era. 2hrou%h the in luence o #u%ustine :d. #!D. +7)9 amil!lennialism 4as $o$ulariJed& eventuall" becomin% the o icial vie4 o the Roman Catholic Church and the 0rthodo, Church. Conservative 1rotestant re ormed %rou$s& includin% man" 1resb"terians& are also amillennialists. A sy!bol. 2he amillennialist inter$retation is mostl" s"mbolic& not literal. #millennialists do not inter$ret Revelation () as re errin% to a uture& literal thousand "ear rei%n o Christ a ter His comin%. 2he" believe instead that the millennium re$resents the era bet4een the irst and second advents o Christ. 2he bindin% o Satan is a s"mbol 4hich means that Satan has been de eated b" Christ :'att .(E(*; 5uke .)E.7!.?& Aohn .(E7.!7(9; his activit" is reduced :not totall"9& so he cannot $revent the $reachin% o the %os$el. 2he millennial rei%n is no4 or the church on earth& 4hich is the kin%dom o God. H2he kin%dom o God is no4 $resent in the 4orld as the victorious Christ is rulin% his $eo$le b" his Ford and S$irit.H* 2he irst
75add. K #$ese are %enerall" classi ied in relationshi$ to Christ@s second advent as :.9 $remiilennialism > t$e Ad#ent!recedes t$e one thousand yearsG :(9 $ostmillennialism >the #dvent ollo4s the one t$ousand yearsG :79 a!illennialis! > no millennium as such; the one thousand years s"mboliJes t$e era bet een the irst advent and Second Advent. For more in ormation& see Robert ?. douse> ed.& The 4eaning o/ the 6illennium2 (our Vwws :Do4ners ?rove> IL> .*779; and 'il!lard A. Erickson& )ontem!orar $ptions in Eschatolog 2 A Stud o/ she 6illennium :Grand Ra6ids> .*779. C Ant$ony #. Hockema& The Bible and the (uture :Grand Ra$ids& .*7*9& .7+. 227

2he 'illennium

resurrection s"mboliJes either the ne4 birth o aith in Christ& or ba$tism..) But some amillennialists believe that Revelation () must be vie4ed as re errin% to the church trium$hant& namel"& the souls o deceased believers 4ho rei%n no4 4ith Christ in heaven. 2he" inter$ret the irst resurrection as the ascent to heaven o the souls o believers. . i Finall"& amillennialists do not vie4 Revelation .* and () as a chronolo%ical se3uence. Cha$ters ()!(( are believed to orm the last o seven sections into 4hich the" divide the book o Revelation. Since the sections are vie4ed as bein% chronolo%icall" $arallel to each other& HRevelation ()E. takes us back once a%ain to the be%innin% o the =e4 2estament era.H.( #s a result& the millennium is made to occur be ore the Second #dvent& not a ter. Rebuttal. 2he amillennialist inter$retation o Revelation () is dis! missed b" $remillennialists :Seventh!da" #dventists included9 or several reasons. First& the Greek term eJesan :come to li e9 in verse + re ers to the literal resurrection o the bod"& as it does also in verse /& and not to ba$tism or to souls in heaven. Second& Satan is not "et bound& but is ver" active on earth durin% the Christian Era :c . Rev .(E.(9. 2hird& $remillennialists read cha$ters .*!() as a chronolo%ical se3uence& and believe& there ore& that the millennium 4ill occur a ter& not be ore& the Second #dvent. R9urth& the historical ar%ument is on the side o $remillennialistsE 2he Christians o the irst three centuries 4ere not amillennialists& but $remillennialists. .7 2he shi t rom $remillennialism to amillennialism in the i th centur" 4as not due to e,e%etical reasonsE
2he histor" o inter$retation 4ould su%%est that an" inter$retation o Revelation () other than the natural one Qi.e.& $remillennialismR arises not /rom inducti#e e0egetical studies, but rom theolo%ical $resu$$ositions o an anti!millenarian character. 2he irst anti!millenarians dis$ara%ed the natural inter$retation o Revelation& not /or e0egetical reasons because the" thou%ht the book did not teach a millennium& but or theolo%ical reasons because the" did not like millennial doctrine.
.) R. 8ue$ner> H'illenarianism in t$e Bible.H New )atholic Enc clo!edia :.*<79& *E?/(. .. #$is vie4 $ies back $artl" to #u%ustine :see 7ockc!a> .?79& but as ull" develo6ed or the irst ti!e in t$e si-teent$ centur" b" t$e Aesuit Ribcira :see Alan Aohnson& JRevelation>J The E0!ositor7s Bible )ommentar (?rand Ra6ids> .*?.R& .(E/7*9. .( 7oeke!a> ((7. .7 HDurin% the first t$ree centuries of t$e Christian &ra> 6re!illennialis! a$$ears to $ave been t$e do!inant cschatolo%ical inter6retation. A!ong its ad$erents ere Pa6ias> Irenaeus> Austin 'art"r& 2ertullian& Hi$$ol"tus& 0et$odius> Commodianus and 5actantiusH (Robert Clouse& HIntroduction&H in Robert douse& cd.> The 4eaning of the 4illennium7 ,our Views (Do ners Gi4c& IL> .*77\& *9. .+ Geor%e E. 5add& )rucial (uestions - out the Oingdom of God :Grand Ra$ids& .*/(9& .+*& e!6$asis ours.

223

2he 'illennium

#ccordin% to Aean Danielou& the Hellenist converts 4ho reIected the millenarian doctrine in toto in the third centur" either im$u%ned the canonicit" o the book o Revelation& like Gaios& or condemned literal inter$retation o the te,t& like 0ri%en. 5ike 2"conius>and later& #u%ustine>the" sa4 the millennium as the time o the church../ Post!illennialis!. In a sense $ostmillennialists are social o$timists. 2he" believe :since the seventeenth centur"9 that the $reachin% o the %os$el and social re orms 4ill e,tend the kin%dom o God in the 4orld. #s a result& the 4hole 4orld 4ill be %raduall" ChristianiJed and converted& and there 4ill be a lon% $eriod o ri%hteousness and $eace called the millennium. #t the close o this $eriod& Christ 4ill come back..< 2here has been little $ostmillennial em$hasis amon% Christians in this centur". 24o 4orld 4ars and the advent o the nuclear a%e have $ersuaded man" that societ" is not becomin% better..7 2here ore& the debate over Revelation () in this centur" has been mostl" bet4een amillennialists and $remillennialists. Pre!illennialis! Fe ma" describe a third vie4 as $remillennialism :sometimes desi%nated millennialism& chiliasm& or millenarianism9. 1remillennialists believe that the millennium 4ill take $lace a ter Christ@s return. 2he earl" Christians and Church Fathers o the irst three centuries 4ere $remillennialists. 1remillennialism 4as o iciall" re$laced b" amillennialism in the Roman Catholic Church in the i th centur". It revived a%ain in the seventeenth centur" amon% some 1rotestants. 2here are three varieties o $remillennialism. Dis6ensational 6re!illennialis!. 2he maIor vie4 in the 8nited States is dis$ensational $remillennialism& or dis$ensationalism or short..? Dis$en!sationalism is an inter$retation that a$$eared in En%land and Ireland in the nineteenth centur". It is held b" man" conservative Ba$tists and inde$endent& undamentalist churches. Dis$ensationalism in luences lar%e numbers o
.9 =ean Danielou> The Theolofy of /e"ish )hristianit (London> .*7+9& 77?. .2 Loraine Boettner> JPost!illennialis!>J in The 6eaning o/ the 6illennium, cd& Robert G.Clouse (Do ners ?rove> IL> .*779& ..7. .3 <evert$eless> 6ost!illennialis! is still 6resent for instance in bot$ 6rocess theolo%" and the theolo%" of ho$e. Sec Bernard Ramm& The E#angelical =eritage :Faco. #"> .*779& .7?. It is also 6resent in do!inion t$eology> accordin% to RoyFuck> Basic Bible Inter$retation :Fhealon& IL> .CC.A.5+5. .K In Buro6e dis$ensationalism is not as $o$ular as it is in #merica. # ver" in luential conte!6orary #merican dis$ensationalist is Aohn F.Fatvoord& lon%time $resident o Dallas 2heolo%ical Se!inary. 7e $as 6enned> a!ong !any books> The 6illennial Oingdom :Grand Ra$ids& .*/*9.

222

2he 'illennium

$eo$le in the 8nited States& bein% tau%ht& or e,am$le& in millions o co$ies o Hal 5indse"@s The ?ate Great *lanet Earth :Condervan& .*7)9 that have been sold. Dis$ensationalism is activel" $romoted b" numerous nondenomina! tional Bible colle%es and seminaries such as Dallas 2heolo%ical Seminar"& b" 2V and radio $reachers& b" $ublishin% houses such as 'ood" 1ress and Condervan 1ublishin% House& and b" the distribution o the $o$ular Sco ield Bible. Dis$ensationalists are $retribulationists; that is& the" teach that the church 4ill be secretl" ra$tured to heaven be ore the %reat tribulation. 2he ra$ture o the church is imminent; it can ha$$en at an" moment no4. Durin% the seven "ears o the tribulation :the seventieth 4eek o Daniel * $roIected to the end o the a%e9 the Ae4s 4ill be $ersecuted b" the anti! christ. #ll the Ae4s 4ill acce$t Christ and 4ill become God@s $eo$le a%ain. Dis$ensationalists inter$ret Revelation () as a literal rei%n on earth o the Ae4s. Durin% the millennium the Ae4s 4ill rule the un%odl" nations. 2he 2em$le 4ill have been rebuilt in Aerusalem and the sacri ices restored durin% the $revious seven "ears. 'an" dis$ensationalists believe that the church 4ill remain in heaven rom the be%innin% o the tribulation until a ter the end o the millennium. 0thers locate the church on earth durin% the millennium..* 2he $resent church a%e is looked u$on as onl" a $arenthesis in God@s $lan; the real $eo$le o God are the Ae4s. Dis$ensationalists believe that the 02 $ro$hecies to Israel about an earthl" kin%dom 4ere unconditional; there ore& these $ro$hecies 4ill be ul illed literall" to the Ae4s durin% the millennium. #s a result o this kind o henneneutic& dis$ensationalists ind re erence to the millennial kin%dom in man" te,ts o the ).P 4hich is 4h" the" can %ive man" s$eci ics on the 4a" li e 4ill be durin% the millennium. Dis! $ensationalism %ives a uturist inter$retation to the book o Revelation. Cha$ters (!7 $ortra" the seven literal churches in Aohn@s da" or the seven a%es o church histor"& but almost all the rest o the book is about events to ha$$en shortl" be ore the Second #dvent. 2hus cha$ters +!/ de$ict the uture ra$ture o the church& and cha$ters <!.? $ortra" a uture 7M6( "ears o Ae4ish evan%elism& 7P( "ears o %reat tribulation and the 4rath o God a%ainst the un%odl".
.* Falvoord teaches that t$e church 4ill be on earth during t$e millennium& follo ing ($e tribulation 6eriod.

2<;

2he 'illennium

1oliticall"& dis$ensationalists su$$ort Israel a%ainst the #rab nations and Russia& 4ho the" e,$ect to 4a%e 4ar a%ainst it; #rma%eddon 4ill be a real 4ar.() In this connection is dis$ensationalist em$hasis that 4e are no4 in the ver" last da"s. 2he" see si%ns o the ti!es in $olitical events such as the birth o the nation Israel in .*+?& and her takin% o Aerusalem in .*<7& t$e oil crisis o the .*7)s& and the %ro4in% $o4er o the Euro$ean Common 'arket. # e4 have had a tendenc" to set dates or the end& usuall" in t$e ne,t comin% "ears. 7istoric 6re!illennialis!. #nother orm o $remillennialism is some! times desi%nated historic $remillennialism& because it is held that this 4as the vie4 tau%ht b" the eart" church. (. =evertheless& it must be observed that modem historic $rem8lennialists are uturists in their inter$retation o the book o Revelation& 4hereas the Christians o the irst three cen!
f/f0

turies 4ere historicists.> Since the .*/)s& more and more evan%elicals have abandoned dis$ensationalism and have turned to historic $remillennialism. 5ike dis$ensationalists& historic $remillennialists believe in a uture kin%dom o Christ on earth durin% the millennium. But in contrast 4ith dis! $ensationalists& historic $remillennialists ind e4er allusions to the millen! nium in the 02; there ore& the" do not describe the millennial kin%dom in detail. 2he" do not vie4 the millennium as essentiall" Ae4ish& even i the" be8eve that all literal Israel 4ill be saved. 2he millennial kin%dom on earth 4ill be or both the church and the Ae4s& and both 4ill rule the nations. E,$onents o this $osition are $osttribulationists& that is& the" teach t$at the church 4ill %o throu%h the inal tribulation and 4ill be $ersecuted b" the antichrist. 2he" do not believe that the end is imminent& but im$endin%E Several maIor events must ha$$en be ore the end. Finall"& the" do not set dates or the end.
5; Sec D4i%ht =elson& Armageddon NowP The *remiCenarian Response to "ussia and Israel Since =9=H :Grand Ra$ids& .*779; and Aohn F. Batvoord> Armageddon, C= and the 6iddle East )risis2 <hat the Bi le Sa s About the (uture o/the 6iddle East and the End o/>estcm )i#iliJation, rev. ed. (?rand Ra$ids& .**)9. For the influence o dis$ensational $remillennialism u$on the orei%n a airs of 1-S. President Ronald Reagan> see 8. L. Food4ard& H#r%uin% #rma%eddon&H in 'e"s"eek, <ove!ber /&.*?+&*.. 5. #millenniatists and 6re!illennialists debate over the C$urc$ )at$ers of the second and third cen! turies& because each %rou$ 4ants to claim t$e earl" athers> and there ore t$e historical ar%u! ment>on its side. 1sually amillcnnialists deny t$at the earl" c$urc$ 4as $rcmillennialist& but t$eir ar%uments are not valid. #$e leadin% e,$onent of historic $remillennialism in t$e second hal of this centur" as Geor%e &. Ladd> o Fuller #$eological Se!inary. #n e,$osition of his vie is in Ladd> HHistoric 1remillennialism&H in The 6eaning o/ the 6illennium2 (our Views, ed. Robert ?. Clousc (Do ners ?rove> IL> .*779& .7!+). (( For a brie descri$tion o the historicist& uturist& and $reterist6historical!critical HschoolsH o $ro$hetic inter$retation& see "e#elation S m!osium, Book .& D#RC0' Series& vol. < :Silver S$rin%& 'DE Biblical Research Institute& .**.9& +!7&.7/!7<.

(7.

2he 'illennium Sevent$-day Adventist 6re!illennialis!.5+ #dventis cs arc $rcmillen!nialists in orientation but di er rom the t4o other vie4s on im$ortant $oints. (+ #dventists inter$ret Revelation ()E+!< as Christ@s millennial rei%n 4ith the redeemed in heaven& not on earth. 2he" believe that the teachin% o the earl" Church Fathers o a kin%dom on earth 4as alse due to the in luence o e,tracanonical Ae4ish a$ocal"$ses. 2his erroneous vie4 o an earthl" kin%dom is the basis o amillennialism& $ostmillennialism& dis$en!sationalism& and modem so!called historic $remillennialism. #nother maIor di erence is that #dventists ollo4 the historicist method o inter$retin% the book o Revelation& the %eneral 1rotestant her!meneutic durin% the si,teenth to the nineteenth centuries. Conse3uentl"& the" see Revelation +!.? unrollin% across the Christian Era and not as coverin% the last seven "ears Iust be ore Christ comes in %lor". Seventh!da" #dventists do not believe that all literal Ae4s 4ill be saved& nor do the" see an"thin% Ae4ish in Revelation (). 2he maIor em$hasis in the #dventist doctrine o the millennium is on the $ro$hec"@s teachin% o Iud%ment& not on a $olitical kin%dom and rule o
(7 # selected biblio%ra$h"& in an al$habetical order& on t$e Sevent$-dayAdventist inter$retation o Rev () ollo4sE Ro" #llan #nderson& @n/olding the Revelation, rev. cd. (0ountain Vie4& C#. .*7+9& .*)!*?. Samuele Bacchiocchi& TheAd#ent =o!e/or%"nan%opelessness :Berrien S$rin%s& 0I, Biblical Pers6ectives> .*?<9& c$a6. ./. Robert Billia! Doncsky> #$e Develo6!ent o the Sevent$-day Adventist Conce6t o t$e 'illennium& .?+)!.?/)H (Andre s 1niversity> Berrien S$rin%s& 0I, Sc$ool o Graduate Studies& .*779. #rthur =. )crc$> J#$e 'illennium& # Golden Age on &art$ - (r in 7eaven:J 6inistr , 'a" .*77&7(!7/. =cny ?ladson> HFilliam 0iller and t$e #riu!6$ of Pre!illennialis!>J Ad#entist Revie", <ove!ber *&.CKC>.)!.(. Id.& J#$e Si%! ni icance o the 'illennium&H Ad#entist "e#iew, <ove!ber .<&.*?*&.+!./. 7ans 8. 5aRondelle& J#$e (ne 2housand Oears o Revelation ()&H 6inistr , Se$tember .*?(&.(!.+. Id.> H2he 0illenniu!, Its (ld 2estament Roots>J 6inistr , <ove!ber .*?(&.)!.(. Id.& J#$e 'illenniumE # Revelation o ?od%s Character&H 6inistr , Aanuar" .*?7& 7!*. C. 'crv"n 0a- ell> God #ares D :Boise& ID> .*?/9E +?.!/)7. Se#enth5da Ad#entists Believe :Fashin%ton& DC, 0inisterial #sso! ciation& .*??9& c$a6. 52. R. L. (do!> HFhere the Redee!ed Fill S$end the 0illenniu!>%%Nie % and =erald, 'arch (/&.*</& 7!?. ). D. <ic$ol> ed.> HRevelation&H The SD- Bi le )ommentar , rev. ed.& vol. 7 :Fashin%ton& DC> .*?)9& ?77!??&*?<!?7. Seventh!da" #dventists #ns4er 4uestions on Doctrine (Bas$ington> DC> .*/79& c$a6s. 77!7*. Sie% ried 7. 7orn> ed.> SD- Bible %ictionar , rev. ed. :Fashin%ton& DC> .*7*9& s.v. J0illenniu!.J Don ). =eu eld et al.& eds.& S%A Enc clo!edia, rev. ed. :Fashin%ton& DC> .C32A> s.v. J0illenniu!J and H1remillennialism.H 1ria$ Smith& Do"el and the "e#elation :Battle Creek> 0I> .?*79& <?7!*7. 8ennet$ A. Strand> HFhat t$e 'illennium 0eans to 6e,$ Ad#entist "e#iew, 0arc$ .(&.*?7&.)!... Robin #$eobald> HSeventh!da" #dventists and t$e 0illenniu!>J in 'ichael Hill& cd.,- Sociological Qearboo1 o/ "eligion in Britain (London. .*7+9& ...!7.. =. ?ordon #$o!as> J(ur 'illennial 7eritage>J 4in&istr , Aanuar" .*7(. 5C-+.. &llen ?. B$ite> The Great #ontroversy :'ountain 'ie > CA> .*..9& c$a6.<.. (+ 2he" strongly reDect dis$ensational $remillennialism. Sec for instance& Sa!uele Bacc$iocc$i> =al ?indse 7s !rophetic Jigsaw *uJJle2 ,ive !redictions That (ailedP (Berrien S$rin%s& 0I> .CK9AG 7ans 8. LaRondelle> The Israel o/ God in *ro!hec 2 !rinciples of !rophetic Interpretation (Berrien S$rin%s& 0I> .*?79; id.& )hariots o/ Sal#ation2 The Biblical %rama o/ Armageddon :Fashin%ton& DC> .*?79.

2<2

2he 'illennium

the Ae4s and6or the church over the nations. Finall"& it is tau%ht that no human bein% :no HnationsH9 4ill be alive on earth durin% the time o the mil! lennium. 2hese di erences bet4een the #dventist inter$retation o Revela! tion () and the other t4o orms o $remillennialism are essential& basic. Because o the im$ortance o the doctrine o the millennium in Seventh!da" #dventist thou%ht& the" have been called a millennial church. (/ Historicall"& it is 4ell kno4n that in the nineteenth centur" #dventists HrevivQedR the con! ce$t o a heavenl" millennium a ter the Second #dvent.H (< &ffects of 'ie s on C$ristian #$oug$t 2hese 4a"s in 4hich Christians inter$ret Revelation () in luence their thou%ht and action. Berkou4er states& H0bviousl" one@s vie4 o the thou! sand "ears o Revelation () is intimatel" connected 4ith the rest o his eschatolo%". Ho4 he thinks o this $assa%e %ives a s$eci ic color and struc! ture to his e,$ectation.H(7 For e,am$le& amillennialists and $ostmillennialists are more sociall" o$timistic than $remillennialists and are more concerned 4ith $olitical and social issues.(? Fhereas& $remillennialists do not believe that the societ" and the 4orld are becomin% better& but 4orse. 2his a ects their vie4 o $resent and uture realit"& and their de inition o the meanin% o histor". Donald G. Bloesch& a $ostmillennialist& char%es that the $remillennial em$hasis on the immediate return o Christ and His millennial rei%n re lects
an overl" $essimistic vie4 o both the church and 4orld and has led to a not sur$risin% detachment rom $olitical concerns& since the 4orld is held
(/ Bernard Ramm& *rotestant Biblical Inter!retation2 A Te0tboo1 o/ =ermeneutics /or )onser#ati#e *rotestants :Boston& .*/<9& (7*. 2he e,act 4ordin% used b" Ramm is Hmillennial cult$ 2hat kind o $eIorative 4ordin% is ound also& or instance& in a recent evan%elical dictionar"E H2here have been %rou$s such as the Shakers& the Seventh!da" #dventists& the Aehovah@s Fitnesses& and the 5atter!da" Saints :'ormons9 4ho tend to e3uate the activities o their o4n sect 4ith the com in% o the millennium.H R! G. douse& H'illennium& Vie4s o &H E#angelical %ictionar o/ Theolog , ed& Falter #. El4ell :Grand Ra$ids& .*?+9& 7.?. But Clouse& a $ostmillennialist& is not ri%ht to use a $ostmillennial conce$t :Hthe comin% o the millenniumH9 to s$eak o #dventists& $o are $remillennialists. 52 ). L. Cross and &. A- 1vingstone> eds.& C0/ord %ictionar o/ the )hristian C#urc#& (nd cd. :0, ord& .CK+A> s.v. J0illcnarianis!.J (7 G. C Berkou4er& The "eturn o/ )hrist :Grand Ra$ids& .*7(9& (*.. 5K After Forld Bar II> evangelicals :mostl" historic $remillennialists9 $ave sou%ht to res$ond more to social issues> and $ave se6arated themselves fro! funda!entalists :mostl" dis$ensationalists9 $o neglected t$e social im$lications o t$e %os$el. See Cari ). 7. 7enry> E#angelical "es!onsibilit in #ontemporary Theology (?rand Ra6ids> .C93A. Seventh!da" #dventists care; the" Hhave been es$eciall" ell kno n for their $ealt$ care ministries.H '. E. Dieter& H#dventism&H E#an5yScai Dictionary of Theology, ed. Balter A. &l ell :Grand Ra6ids. .*?+9& .<. 233

2he 'illennium
to be incurabl" evil. 2he $resum$tion that 4e are in the last da"s also tends to undercut an" im$etus or social re orm.

#millennialists>Roman Catholics as 4ell as 1rotestants>and $ost! millennialists do not have the same em$hasis in their eschatolo%" as com! $ared 4ith $rcmillennialists. 2he ormer is more individualistic :souls %o to heaven one b" one9& 4hereas the $remillennial eschatolo%" is more collective& it involves the 4hole church as a unit">either ra$tured or %oin% throu%h the last $ersecution. #nother di erence in eschatolo%" is the act that amillennialists do not antici$ate a soon return o Christ as $remillennialists do. 1remillennialists %enerall" believe that the" 4ill see the second comin% o Christ in their li etime; the" are im$atient to see Him& it is their blessed ho$e. (n the contrar"& amillennialists and $ostmillennialists have an eschatolo%" 4ithout a stron% em$hasis on the second comin% o Christ.7) #mi8ennialists and $ostmillennialists hold to a kind o inau%urated eschatolo%" 4hich em$hasiJes so much the Halread" no4H that the Hnot "etH tends to be or%otten. 2his is obvious in the 4ritin%s o Roman Catholics. In act& it is a Hde!eschatolo%iJin%&H a Hde uturiJin%.H 7. Fhat the =2 sa"s about the uture is believed to be occurrin% ri%ht no4& as $ointed out b" 0scar CullmannE
In Catholicism... 4hat 1rimitive Christianit" sa"s o the uture is in lar%e $art trans erred into the $resent. 2he re erence o the thousand!"ear Din%dom :Rev. ()E+9 to the Church& a vie4 that %oes back to 2"!conius& is characteristic in this res$ect.

'illard Erickson& a leadin% $remillennialist& summariJes this maIor di ! erence bet4een amillennialists and $remillennialists u$on eschatolo%"E
2he amillennialist seldom bemoans the deterioration o 4orld conditions or condemns the $revalent culture. He has noticeabl" less $reoccu$ation 4ith the details and se3uence o the last thin%s and less curiosit" about Hsi%ns o the times.H Indeed& the 4hole subIect o eschatolo%" seems to receive less attention rom amillennial theolo%ians than rom $remillennial theolo%ians.... 1remillennialists are o ten Hsearchin% the Scri$turesH and stud"in% current events& attem$tin% to ali%n the t4o or discover
(* Donald BIoesc$> The *vangelical Renaissance (?rand Ra$ids& .*779& .+/. 7) See Adrio Doni%& The Ecli!se of #hrist in *schatology 0Grand Ra6ids> .*?*9. 7. G. C Berkou4er& The Return of #hrist (?rand Ra6ids> .*7(9& (7!(+. 7( 0scar Cullmann& #hrist and Time (P$iladel6$ia> .*/)9& .+7.

2<4

2he 'illennium ho4 near the end mi%ht be. Generall" s$eakin%& amillennialists do not $ossess nearl" as intensive a $ro$hetic interest.H )or $remillennialists& eschatolo%" is one o the most im$ortant doctrines& 4hereas or amillennialists it is one o the least.

Adventist Inter6retation
#dventist inter$retation o Revelation ()E.!.) is $remillennial& $ost! tribulationist& literal& non!Ae4ish& and locates the millennial rei%n in heaven. C$ronological SeHuence (.C,..-5;,.;A #s other $remillennialists do&7+ #dventists read .*E..!()E.) as a chronolo%ical se3uence o events. 2hus& the" believe that the millennium 4ill occur a ter the Second Comin%. #millennialists claim that the HandH 31ai4 that be%ins ()E. does not tie this verse 4ith .*E(. :the last verse in cha$ter .*9 in a chronolo%ical se3uence. But HandH is o ten used in the book o Revelation or actions that ollo4 in a chronolo%ical se3uence. For instance& HandH is at the be%innin% o ./ verses o cha$ter .* :in the Greek te,t9& and at the be%innin% o each verse o cha$ter () :e,ce$t vs. /9& to introduce each time a ne4 sta%e o the action.7/ Furthermore& there is a unit" o content in Revelation .*E..!()E.). Both sections combine to sho4 ho4 God 4ill deal 4ith His three enemies alread" mentioned in .<E.7!.< :dra%on& beast& alse $ro$het9. 2he beast and the alse $ro$het are thro4n into the lake o ire :.*E()9; then Satan is cast into the ab"ss :()E.!79. So& to read ()E.!.) as ollo4in% chronolo%icall" a ter .*E..!(. is the most natural readin%. 2he Christians o the second and third centuries read cha$ters .*!() in this manner; that is 4h" the" 4ere $remillennialists. Revelation 5; <ot Located in )irst Century A.D. Cha$ter () is not a reca$itulation o cha$ter .(. 7< #millennial e,e!%etes usuall" think so& and e3uate the three and a hal times o .(E.+ 4ith
77 Erickson& 7/&?/. +/ ?. Q Ladd>A #ommentary on the "e#elation o/ John :Grand Ra$ids& .*7(9& (<.; A. F. Fatvoord& The Revelation of /esus #hrist7 - #ommentary (C$icago> .*<<9& (?*. +9 #$is 6oint is stron%l" underscored b" =. ). Balvoord> a dis$ensationalist& in HRevelation&H The Bi le ;no"ledge #ommentary7 New Testament :n.$.E Victor Books> .*?79& *7?. 7< Aohnson& /?..

2<5

2he 'illennium the one thousand "ears o cha$ter (). Both numbers are t$en inter$reted in a s"mbolic 4a" as the time bet4een the t4o advents o Christ. But there are elements in the $assa%es that re ute such a vie4. First& in cha$ter .(& Satan is thro4n do4n rom heaven to earth& 4hereas in cha$ter () he is bound and thro4n into the ab"ss :()E79. Second& in cha$ter .( Satan is Hthe deceiver o the 4hole 4orldH :.(E*9& 4hereas in cha$ter () he can Hdeceive the nations no moreH :()E79. 2hird& cha$ter .( $ortra"s the Christians as mart"rs $ut to death :.(E..9& 4hereas cha$ter () is the time o their resurrection :()E+&<9. Cha$ter .( is a time o curse :.(E.(9& 4hereas cha$ter () is a time o blessin% :.(E<9. It is evident there ore& that cha$ters .( and () do not describe the same $eriod o time& and ()E. does not %o back to the irst centur" #!D. as .(E. does. Rather& ()E.!.) is to be located immediatel" subse3uent to the Christian Era.

0illennial Descri6tion, Li!ited to Revelation 5;,.-.;

0n the limits o the millennial descri$tion& #dventists do not believe that (.E*! ((E/&+&./ describe the millennial rei%n. 2hese cha$ters :(.!((9 are seen to relate to the eternal state. 0ther $remillennialists usuall" e3uate ()E+!< 4ith (.E*!((E/& .+& ./& because First& the =e4 Aerusalem is seen on earth in both cha$ters (.!(( and ()E*; and second& the HnationsH are mentioned in both $assa%es :()E7&?; (.E(+; and ((E(9. But #dventists believe the comin% do4n o the =e4 Aerusalem 4ill take $lace onl" at the end o the millennium. 2hus& Revelation (.E( and .) is seen to take $lace bet4een verses < and 7 o cha$ter (). 2he evidence indicates that all the 4icked die at the Second Comin% :c . Rev .*E..!(.; <E.+!.79& and the ri%hteous :livin% and resurrected9 are taken to heaven :Aohn .+E.! 7; . 2hess +E.<!.?; 'att (+E7)!7.9. So there 4ill be no HnationsH on earth durin% the millennium. It is a inal return o Christ 4ith the Hol" Cit" and the redeemed at the end o the millennium that brin%s about the $resence o the cit" on the earth and the resurrection o the 4icked :Aohn /E(?&(*; Rev ()E/9. 2here ore& #dventists vie4 the ull se3uence :be%un at .*E..9 as runnin% chronolo%icall" throu%h to ((E<& as do some non!#dventist e,e%etes as 4ell. 77 :.9 Second #dvent :.*E..!(.9& :(9 millennium :()E.!.)9& :79 last Iud%ment :()E..!./9& and :+9 eternal a%e :(.!((9.

77 See or instance Aohnson& /?). For a summai" o the o$$osed vie4& sec ?. R. Bcasley.0urray> HRevelation&H The Eerdmans Bi le )ommentar , 7rd cd. :Grand Ra$ids& .*7)9& .7)/.

2<6

2he 'illennium

Scri6tural Basis for t$e 0illenniu! Fhile Revelation () is the onl" $assa%e in the Bible that s$eci icall" mentions a one thousand "ear $eriod :si, times9& #dventists see other cate%ories o te,ts that buttress this time $eriod. For e,am$le& the seven last $la%ues :Rev ./!.<9 and the second comin% o Aesus 4ith its attendant resurrection and translation o the redeemed :'att (+E7)!7.; . 2hess +E.7! .?; . Cor ./E/.!//9 and destruction o the livin% 4icked :Rev .*E.7!(.; (2hess .E7!.); (E?; c . Isa ..E+9 immediatel" $recede the millennium. In the 02 the a$ocal"$tic as$ect o Aeremiah +E(7!(7 ocuses on the ruined condition o the earth brou%ht about b" the im$act o the da" o the 5ord. Isaiah (+E(.!(7 a$$ears to allude to the Him$risonmentH o Satan and the evil an%els :Hthe host o the hi%h onesH9 and the 4icked dead H%athered in the $itH>to be visited Ha ter man" da"sH :DAV9. In the =2 . Corinthians <E(!7 inds its location in the millennial revie4 $hase o Iud%ment :Rev ()E+9& 4hereas the inal Iud%ment $ortra"ed b" Aesus :'att (/E7.!+<9 inds corres$ondence 4ith the e,ecutive Iud%ment that occurs at the close o the millennium :Rev ()E..!./9. In the sanctuar" t"$es the banishment o the sca$e%oat :#JaJel9 to the 4ilderness on the Da" o #tonement :5ev .<E(.9 is seen to $arallel the bindin% and im$risonin% o Satan in the Hab"ssH>this ruined earth> or a thousand "ears :Rev ()E.!79. Aust as the sca$e%oat 4andered the 4ilderness until it died& Iust so Satan is con ined to 4ander this chaotic $lanet and to contem$late the results o his rebellion until his Iud%ment and destruction at the end o the millennium :Rev ()E.)9. #$e act that there is onl" one e,$licit biblical $assa%e re%ardin% the one thousand "ear $eriod is not a $roblem 4hen seen in relation to the nature o $ro$hetic $ers$ectives and $ro%ressive revelation. 2he (# 6ro6$ets> or e,am$le& mer%e into one sin%le event the t4o advents o C$rist> "et later revelation has more shar$l" identi ied t4o advents. Since there is $ro%ressive revelation rom the 02 to the =2P it is not im! $ossible or $ro%ressive revelation to occur 4ithin the =2 itsel . In that case& the conce$t o an intermediate sta%e o one thousand "ears bet4een the $resent a%e and the eternal a%e to come :as ound in Revelation ()9 is an authentic revelation rom God&7? even i it is brie and in onl" one $assa%e.
+K In order to avoid the $rcmilllennial vie4& amitlcnnialists o ten den" that the te,t is ins$ired b" God and an authentic $art o the earl" Christian aith. 2he" char%e that Aohn 4as in luenced& not b the Hol" S$irit& but b" late noncanonicat Ae4ish a$ocal"$ses :. Enoch *.E.(!.7 and cha$. *7; 5 &noc$ 7(E7!77E.; ( &sdras /E.!7E7/; ( Banic$A> 4hich s6eak o a reign o the 'essiah. For

2<7

2he 'illennium 4e shall al4a"s be 4ith the 5ordH :. 2hess +E.79. 2he im$ortant thin% these te,ts sa"& is that the redeemed ones 4ill not sta" on earth a ter the Second Comin%. Since the" are $ortra"ed 4ith Christ in Revelation () a ter the Second Comin% described in cha$ter .*& 4e conclude that the" are in heaven or the time o the one thousand "ears. 'ean4hile& there is no sinner le t alive on earth& all the 4icked have been killed :Rev .*E./&.?&(.9. 7eavenly t$rones denote $eaven. Aohn sees thrones :()E+9. 2he 4ord HthroneH is used +7 times in the book o Revelation& and al4a"s in relation 4ith God or Christ in heaven. +7 2he e,ce$tions are (E.7 :the throne o Satan is in 1er%amum9& .7E( :the dra%on %ives his throne to the beast9& and .<E.) :Hthe i th an%el $oured his bo4l on the throne o the beastH9. 2hus& the onl" thrones on earth& rom cha$ter . to cha$ter .*& are the thrones o Satan& the dra%on& and the beast> 4ho are God@s enemies. B" 4a" o contrast the throne o God and o the 5amb is in heaven. 2here ore& it is reasonable to conclude that the thrones o ()E+ are in heaven& too& since the" are thrones o $eo$le 4ho 4ill HQrei%nR with )hrist a thousand "earsH :()E+&<9. (verco!ers of beastN!ark reign in $eaven. Aohn sees $eo$le H4ho had not 4orshi$ed the beast or its ima%eH :()E+9. 2his statement is similar to another oneE Hthose 4ho had con3uered the beast and its ima%eH :./E(9. 2he later %rou$ is in heaven.++ 2he 4ord Hcon3uerH o ./E( is also used in 7E(. in re erence to believers 4ho 4ill sit on the throne o AesusE HHe 4ho con3uers& I 4ill %rant him to sit 4ith me on m" throne.H Fhen Revelation 7E(.; ./E(; and ()E+ are read to%ether& the conclusion is that the millennial thrones 4ill be in heaven. #$e A6ocaly6tic 'ertical Di!ension #dventists believe that Revelation ()E.!7 describes events on earth at the be%innin% and durin% the one thousand "ears& 4hereas verses +!< describe 4hat ha$$ens in heaven durin% the same $eriod. +/ 2hus& the" see a shi t rom earth to heaven in verse +& and rom heaven back to earth in verse 7. 2his is nothin% ne4; the shi t in ocus bet4een earth and heaven is a common eature in the a$ocal"$tic books o Daniel and Revelation.
+7 5con 'orris& The "e#elation o/Sl& John2 -n Introduction and )ommentar :Grand Ra$ids& .*<*9& (7<. ++ Rev ./E(!7; c . +E.!(.<. =ote the location o the Hsea of %lass.H +/ #millennialists share t$at vie4 :but in the fra!e ork of t$eir o n de inition o the millennial rei%n o the church !ilitant on earth and t$e c$urc$ triu!6$ant in heaven9E HFhereas the t$ousand-year 6eriod described in t$ese si- verses is t$e sa!e t$roug$out> verses .L+ describe 4hat ha$$ens on earth durin% this ti!e> and verses +!< de6ict $at $a66ens in heavenH :Hockema& (7)9.

24;

2he 'illennium

For e,am$le& the events o Revelation 7E.!? take $lace on earth& then Aohn describes 4hat he sees in heaven :7E*!.79& but 4ithout usin% the 4ord Hheaven.H It is 3uite $ossible& there ore& that the same alternation earth! heaven!earth occurs in ()E.!.)& even i the 4ord HheavenH is not $resent in the te,t o verses +!<.+< Filliam Shea has anal"Jed and com$ared the structure o Revelation .( and (). He observes a correlation bet4een the literar" structure& thematic develo$ment& and vertical dimension o both cha$ters. Fhat he calls the vertical dimension is an #B# $attern& that is& an alternatin% earth!beaven!earth se3uence that he inds in cha$ter .(. Since cha$ter () be%ins and ends on earth as cha$ter .( does; it is 3uite $ossible : rom a structural $oint o vie49 that the middle section o Revelation () :vss. +!<9 $arallels the middle section o Revelation .( and re ers to events occurrin% in heavenE
#o the e,tent to 4hich similar $atterns e,ist or the vertical dimension bet4een the structurall" $arallel $assa%es in Revelation .( and ()& to t$at e,tent the su%%estion that the events o Revelation ()E+!< have a heavenl" settin% receives some urther su$$ort.+7

'an" scholars a%ree that there is no re erence to an earthl" millennium in Revelation (). Robert 'ounce states that the millennial $assa%e H Pcontains no s$eci ic indication that their rei%n 4ith Christ takes $lace on Itcarth.H+? #nd 5eon 'orris ar%ues that Aohn Hdoes not sa" that it Qthe mil!\ lBnnial rei%nR takes $lace on earth& and it ma" 4ell be located in heaven.H +* ElEhus& as a note o the 0, ord #nnotated Bible reads& H0ne must be4are ) readin% more into this $assa%e than is 4arranted; e.%. nothin% is said \tee about a rei%n on earth.H/)

#$eological 0eaning
Fh" the 'illenniumL Fhat is the theolo%ical $ur$ose and meanin% lPr an intermediate $eriod bet4een the $resent and the eternal a%esL 2he lPdventist ans4er to this 3uestion $uts the em$hasis on the com$lete vindi!
lt>+
RSV2 'k!hcl Gour%ucs& H2he 2housand!Oear Rei%n :Rev ()E.!<9E 2errestrial or CelestialLH )BB +7 I.; :.*?/9& <?). %LE L3 Billia! 7. S$ea> #$e Parallel 5iterar" Structure o Revelation .( and D/4,$A@SS (7 :.*?/9E +7. ItE /K 0ounce> 7/.. %P]'otris&(7+. HA+ 9; The //w $+ford Annotated Bi le7 Revised Standard Version, ed. Herbert ?. 0ay and Bruce '. ;H 0et@ger :=e4 Oork& .*779& n. on Rev ()E.!<. (+.

2he 'illennium cation o God in the e"es o all His created intelli%ent bein%s. 2hat God is Iust in all His acts runs as a maIor theme throu%hout the book o Revelation :c . .*E(9. Be ore the e,ecutive $hase o the inal Iud%ment& that decides once or all the eternal destin" o ever" human bein% and allen an%els& one thousand "ears are %iven to the saved>not onl" the mart"rs& but all the believers>in heaven to e,amine the 4a"s o God and His Iud%ment on the sin ul rebellion o man and an%els :c . . Cor <E(! 79. #dventists vie4 three chronolo%ical ste$s in the inal Iud%ment. First& a $readvent investi%ative $hase takes $lace in heaven be ore the un allen bein%s o that realm :Dan 7E*!.)& .7!.+9. 2his $hase o inal Iud%ment& e,tendin% rom .?++ to the close o $robation :Dan ?E.+; *E(/9& se$arates the alse rom the %enuine in the book o li e and a irms the latter as His true $eo$le :c . Rev 7E/9. 2hese are the redeemed 4ho 4ill %o 4ith Aesus to heaven 4hen He returns. 2hose not ound in the book o li e or 4hose names are removed in this $hase o Aud%ment remain on earth& dead. Durin% the millennial revie4 $hase o inal Iud%ment :as noted above9 the redeemed 4ill have their o$$ortunit" to e,amine the issues o sin and salvation :c . . Cor <E(!7; Rev ()E+9. Finall"& at the e,ecutive $hase o the inal Iud%ment at the close o the millennium :Rev ()E.. !./9 God 4ill a$$l" the sentences. 7e is vindicated to do so. 7e does not destro" Satan and the allen an%els at the Second Comin%& but %ives them one thousand "ears to think about the results o their 4ar a%ainst Him& their rebellion a%ainst 7is la4& their sin. But Satan and the allen an%els do not chan%e& the" do not turn to God in re$entance. 2heirs is a s$irit o hate& 4ar& and destruction :()E7!*9. 2he resurrected sinners :Rev ()E/a9 share in that rebellion a%ainst God. 2he"& too& 4ill see and a%ree 4ith the Iustice o God at this closin% $hase o the inal Iud%ment. #lon% 4ith Satan and the allen an%els the" 4ill be annihilated in the lake o ire :()E.)!./9. 2hus& the #dventist inter$retation o Revelation () $laces the em$hasis not u$on an earthl" rei%n o %lor" or the redeemed& but u$on the vindication o God& the clearin% and honorin% o His name in all His dealin%s 4ith the sin issue. HAust and true are th" 4a"s& ) Din% o the a%esH :./E79.

242

C$a6ter 'ffl <e =erusale! -#$e 7oly City

Roberto Badenas
&ditorial Syno6sis. Scenes o a rene4ed earth& the =e4 Aerusalem& and the $ermanent and intimate union o God 4ith 7is $eo$le orm the clima, to4ard 4hich the $ro$hec" o Revelation moves. 2hree interrelated vi%nettes :Rev (.E.!?; (.E*!(7; ((E.!/9 $ortra" the eternal home o the redeemed in contrast to the cit" o Bab"lon rom 4hich the" have been delivered>%raciousl" and orever. Fithout den"in% the realit" o the heavenl" cit"& the 4riter elucidates the theolo%ical si%ni icance o the strands o biblical ima%er" that the Hol" S$irit dre4 fro! Scri$ture to 4eave the ta$estr" o the =e4 Aerusalem& $resented be ore Aohn in the inal moments o his vision. 2he reader 4ill ind the resultant stud" an enrichment to his understandin% o the %lorious home o the saved. In the Hol" Cit" 4e see Eden restored& and the lon%& 4earisome E,odus o the 6eo6le o God rom the HE%"$tH o this 4orld inall" ended. In that cit" o eternal tig$t stands the Christ& the divine!human Bride%room& orever united 4ith His beloved Bride.

C$a6ter (utline
I. Introduction II. H=e4 AerusalemH 'oti III. Center o the =e4 Creation IV. Descri$tion o the Cit" V. Seat o the =e4 Eden VI Ca$ital o the 1romised 5and VII. Cit" o the 5amb VIII. Conclusions

24<

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hot" Cit"

Introduction
6 F [he vision o the =e4 Aerusalem is the last one $resented in the \ book o Revelation :Rev (.E.!((E/9. It culminates Hthe revelation !#. o Aesus Christ&H %iven to His bond!servant Aohn :c . lEl;((E<9.2his clima, describes the destin" o the redeemed at the end o the %reat controvers" bet4een God@s $eo$le and the orces o evil. 2he descri$tion consists o a 4ealth o ima%es $ortra"in% the Hol" City> %ivin% a %lim$se>4ithin the limits o human lan%ua%e>o the su$reme %lor" o the unendin% li e to co!e. In com$osin% this inal resco& Aohn has borro4ed abundantl" rom the ima%er" and lan%ua%e o Isaiah& EJekiel& Cechariah& and other 02 $ro$hecies 4hose ul illment is sho4n here in a %lorious and une,$ected 4a". 2hrou%h these ima%es Aohn has sou%ht to describe the indescribable realit" o heaven; and he has $ainted or us the most detailed $icture ever %iven in Scri$ture o the sur$assin% realit" God has $re$ared or His children. 2he task o our $resent undertakin% is to %ras$ as ar as $ossible& 4ithin its biblical back%round& the meanin% o this descri$tion o the =e4 Aerusalem>the %lorious uture that a4aits the redeemed.

Setting of t$e 'ision 2he vision o the =e4 Aerusalem :(.E.!((E/9 is $laced Iust be ore the e$ilo%ue :((E<!(.9. #lthou%h (.E.!? culminates the eschatolo%ical events described in .*E..!()E./& it is $re erable to include it 4ith the vision o the =e4 Aerusalem. It is inherentl" connected to this last vision in both content and use o ima%es. It s$eaks o the ne4 heaven and the ne4 earth& and alread" $resents the =e4 Aerusalem descendin% rom heaven& the ver" sub! Iect o (.E*!((E/. 2he descri$tion o the hol" cit" seems to be set at this $oint o the narrative& to contrast deliberatel" 4ith t4o o the basic themes o the bookE :.9 Bab"lon& and :(9 the $ersecuted $eo$le o God. So& on the one hand the vision o the =e4 Aerusalem $arallels in strikin% contrast the visions o Bab"lon& Hthe %reat cit"H :.7E.!.*E.)9. . 0n the other hand the descri$tion o the church& trium$hant in the heavenl" =e4 Aerusalem :(.E.!((E/9 $arallels the descri$tion o the church militant on earth :.E.)!7E((9& com$letin% thereb" the chiastic structure o the book. (
. A. yaucher,2es !rophfdes o!ocot !tiGuesct lew inter!retation :ColIon%cs!sous!Salcve& I*<)9& ?7. ( D. Strand& H2he Ei%ht Basic Visions in the Book o Revelation>J AVSS (/ :.*?79E .)?&..7. For a re6rint o t$is article& sec S m!osium on "e#elation, Book .& DARC(0 scries& vol. 7 :Silver

244

<e =erusale!>2he Hol" Cit"

2he vision o =e4 Aerusalem sur aces else4here in the book& 4ith such re erences as HI 4ill 4rite on him... the name o the cit" o m" God& the ne4 AerusalemH and the invitation HComeH and Henter the %ates o the cit"&H and Htake reel" o the 4ater o li eH :7E.(& RSV; ((E.+!.7& o4n tr.9. 2he im$ortance o this vision is stren%thened b" a divine order to 4rite it outE HHe 4ho sits on the throne said&... @Frite&.. .MH :(.E/& =#SB9. 2his order had been %iven our times $reviousl"& either b" Aesus& an anon"mous voice& or b" an%els at crucial moments in the $ro$hec". 7 =o4& as 4e a$$roach the end& the order to 4rite comes or the last time& directl" rom God@s throne. It is God Himsel 4ho authenticates the veracit" o 4hat Aohn is sho4n. 2he inIunction at the be%innin% o the vision to 4rite& insistin% that Hthese 4ords are trust4orth" and trueH :(.E/9& is re$eated a%ain& almost #erbatim, at its end :((E<9. God con irms this 4onder ul culmination o the human con lict b" $resentin% Himsel as Hthe #l$ha and the 0me%a& the be%innin% and the endH :(.E<9& a title that a$$lies as 4ell to God as to Christ :.E?; ((E.79. God the Creator is at the same time the Finisher& the Redeemer& the 0ri%in& and the Goal o ever"thin%. Structure of t$e Passage 2his section is com$osed o three consecutive& intimatel" related scenes&+ all ocused on the =e4 Aerusalem& and containin% several common eaturesE .. Each o the three scenes is introduced b" a Hseein%H ormulaE a. 2he irst scene is introduced b" the 4ords& HI sa4... the hol" cit"& ne4 Aerusalem& comin% do4n out o heaven...H :(.E.!(9. It $resents the =e4 Aerusalem as the center o the ca$ital o the ne4 earth :(.E79. b. 2he second scene is introduced b" the 4ords& HQheR sho4ed me the hol" cit" Aerusalem ... havin% the %lor" o GodH :(.E.)9. It describes in detail the =e4 Aerusalem as God@s hol" cit". c. 2he third scene is introduced also b" the 4ords& Hhe sho4ed me the river o the 4ater o li e&... lo4in%... throu%h the middle o the street !..H :((E.!(9. It de$icts the =e4 Aerusalem as the seat o the =e4 Eden& the de initive $aradise o God.
S6ring> 0D, Biblical Researc$ Institute> .CC.A> c$a6. 5 + ;. Rev .E..&.*; ./,.+>.C,C. / Rev 5.,.-KG (.E*!(7; ((E.!/; cf. D. 'ollat& .ne lecture pour auAourd7hui2 I7A!oca/ !se :1aris& .*?(9& ./.. 245

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" City

(. Each scene ends 4ith a ormula o e,clusion or 4arnin% that stresses the idea that God@s cit" is a hot cit"& admittin% onl" hot citiJensE a. In the irst scene it is said that Hhe 4ho con3uers shall have this herita%e.... But as or the co4ardl"& the aithless&... their lot shall be in the lake that bums 4ith ire and sul$hur& 4hich is the second deathH 3D+2H5?9. b. In the second scene it is said that Hnothin% unclean shall enter it&... but onl" those 4ho are 4ritten in the 5amb@s book o li eH :(.E(79. c. In the third scene the e,clusion and 4arnin% ormula does not come immediatel" at the end. Rather& it occurs in the e$ilo%ue in a orm that $arallels the e,clusion moti o the irst t4o visions. HBlessed are those 4ho 4ash their robes& that the" ma"... enter the cit" b" the %ates. 0utside are the do%s... and ever" one 4ho loves and $ractices alsehoodH :((E.+!./9. 7. 2he three scenes $resent a $ro%ressive descri$tion o the 4onder ul characteristics o the heavenl" cit". a. In the irst vision the cit" is announced as the center o the ne4 heavens and earth :(.E.!?9. b. In the second vision the cit" is $resented and described in detail :(.E*! (79. c. In the third vision the attention o the seer is ocused on its most im$ortant eatures :((E.!/9. +. 2he narrative $ro%resses rom the %eneral to the $articular. It is as i the seer 4ere a$$roachin% the cit"& and its details became clearer as the distance lessens. a. 2here is a %lobal& irst im$ression o the cit"& as i seen rom a ar :(.E(&.)9. 2he main eature observed b" the $ro$het is the cit"@s %lor" and brilliance. 2he irst im$ression is that o radiant li%ht :(.E..9. b. 2he descri$tion de$icts ne,t the 4alls o the cit"& the %ates& and the oundations :(.E.(!.79. c. 2he $ro$het@s attention is then dra4n to the materials o the cit" :(.E.?!(.9. 2he im$ression o richness and beaut" $revails. Gold and $re! cious stones are mentioned several times. d. 2he center o interest no4 shi ts to the interior o the cit"& to its main street 3!latem, (.E(.b9. 2he seer cannot hide his sur$rise 4hen he discovers no tem$le in the cit" :(.E((9N e. 0ther sur$rises ollo4E 2he cit" is illuminated b" the %lor" o God& Hand its lam$ is the 5ambH :(.E(79N . 2he descri$tion turns ne,t to the inhabitants o the cit" :(+E(+!(79. %. 2he vision closes b" ocusin% on the throne o God and o the 5amb&
246

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit" Source o li e and Io"& culminatin% 4ith the unsur$assable si%ht o God Himsel E Hthe" shall see his aceH :((E.&+9. Fe no4 turn to e,$lore the theolo%ical si%ni icance o the =e4 Aerusalem vision.

J<e =erusale!J 0otif

2he Bible $resents the cit" o Aerusalem>o ten called Cion>not onl" as the ca$ital o Israel& but also as the $rivile%ed $lace 4here God d4ells 4ith 7is $eo$le :1s *E..9& Hthe Io" o all the earthH :1s +?E(9& and the source o HdeliveranceH :1s .+E7; /7E<9. HAerusalem&H as 4ell as HCionH can desi%nate the $eo$le o Israel>and even God@s $eo$le>as a H4hole.H/ # s"mbolic& s$iritual usa%e o the term HAerusalemH is in biblical literature& ver" common. Revelation (.!(( is the onl" $lace in the =2 4here the =e4 Aerusa! lem is described. In act& the e,$ression Hthe ne4 AerusalemH is e,clusive to the book o Revelation 4here it is used onl" t4ice :7E.( and (.E(9. 0utside the Bible it is ver" rare. < Ho4ever& the notion o a Hne4H Aerusalem& and even o a heavenl" Aerusalem is 3uite 4ell kno4n to the 02 and in Ae4ish literature.7

In t$e (ld #esta!ent

2he ho$e o a ne4 Aerusalem related to the restoration o Israel a ter t$e e-ile. Its central unction in the eschatolo%ical a%e o salvation is an im$ortant theme in the $ro$hets. ? Aerusalem the hol" cit" :Isa /(E.9 4as e,$ected to become& a ter all her trials and ailures& once a%ain and de initivel" so& the cit" o the 5ord :Isa <)E.+9. It 4ould be reconstructed in $recious stones :Isa /+E..!.79 and made com$arable to the $aradise o God and the Garden o Eden :Isa /.E79. From this ne4 Aerusalem& converted to be the ca$ital and center o the 4orld :Isa +/E.+9& Oah4eh 4ould e,ert His ro"al eschatolo%ical rule. *

/ S. 2almon& JDie Bedeutun% =erusale!s in der Bible&H in F. 1. Eckert& =. 1. 5evinson& and 0. Sto$l> cds.& /udischer Vol15Gelobtes 2and :.*7)9& .+9-95. 2 Cf. 8. L> Schmidt& HAerusalem als 1rbild und #bbild&H Eranos Jahrbuch .? :.*/)9E ()7!(+?. 7 For biblio%ra$h" and re erences& see R. 0artin-Ac$ard> HEsaie 8V et la nouvelle Aerusalem&H !ermanence de I7Acien Testament, Cahiers dc la Revue de 2heolo%ie et de 1hiloso$hic :Geneve6 5ausannc6=cuchatel& .*?+9& (<)!?+. K Cf. Isa /+E..!.7; <)!<(; 7ag (E.!*; Fec$ .E.7!(E.7& etc. C Cf. Isa (+E(7; /(E7; 'ic +E7; Cc$h +,.9G Ccch .+E*; Ps .+<E.); .+*E(& etc. 247

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit"

In Intertesta!ental Literature In the literature o the intertestamental $eriod Aerusalem is described as the Hhol" cit"H 3hiero!olts4 and Hmother cit"H 3metro!olis4 not onl" o Israel and o the Ae4s throu%hout the 4orld.) but also as God@s cit"& the center and navel o the 4hole earth... Ho4ever& the ho$es ocused on Aerusalem as the $lace o eschatolo%ical salvation 4ere not uni orm. 0n the contrar"& the" 4ere man" and varied..( Since these ho$es :%enerall" understood as re errin% to the earthl" Aerusalem9 never 4ere ul illed in the histor" o Israel& the thou%ht %raduall" %re4>es$eciall" a ter Aerusalem and the tem$le 4ere destro"ed> that these $ro$hecies $ointed to a ne4 and better Aerusalem that could onl" be brou%ht orth b" God@s savin% and redeemin% action..7 In some traditions the =e4 Aerusalem 4as even thou%ht o as a $re! e,istin% cit"& built b" God in heaven& 4hich 4ould come do4n to earth 4ith the da4n o a ne4 4orld..+

In t$e <e #esta!ent

Besides Revelation 7E.( and (.E(& the =2 seldom re ers to the =e4 Aerusalem. In Galatians +E(< 1aul sets in antithesis t4o citiesE the earthl" Aerusalem and Hthe Aerusalem above.H In 1hili$$ians 7E() he states that Hour common4ealth is in heaven&H but the =e4 Aerusalem is not named../ 2he heavenl" Aerusalem is mentioned also in the book o Hebre4s. #braham looked or4ard to an abidin% cit" 4ith irm oundations& made b" God :..E.)9. 2he cit" is called Hthe cit" o the livin% God& the heavenl" AerusalemH :.(E((9. In a s$iritual sense this heavenl" cit" is the d4ellin% $lace o the $eo$le o God& or the" have no $ermanent abidin% $lace on earth :c . .7E.+; ..E.<; .(E((9. 2his heavenl" cit" s"mboliJes God@s unshakable kin%dom& the e#erlasting, !atria o God@s $eo$le& Hthe %eneral assembl" and church o the irstborn 4ho are re%istered in heavenH :.(E(7& (?& o4n translation9. Revelation (.E.!((E/ is& there ore& the $rinci$al $assa%e in the Bible on the =e4 Aerusalem moti .
.) Cf. 1hilo& 5e%. ?aD. ((/& 5K.G Eth. &n> (<. .. Cf. =ub +E(<; C,.CG =os. Bell. 7E/(. .( Sec G. Fohrcn. HSion&H T%NT 7E7.(!.7; Str. B. +E??7!?/; *.*!7.. .7 ( &sr .)E(7; ( Bar +E7; cf. Isa 25G 22,.;-.9>((. .+ #est. Dan /E.(; A6. Bar. +E(!<; / &sr 7E(<; .+,+2G Eth. En. *)E(?!(*. #$e idea of a heavenl" Aerusalem did not $revail in old Rabbinic literature. Cf. &. Lo$se> HSion&H T%NTH5&LDE,77<!7?. ./ Cf. =. C. de Ooun%& Jerusalem in the NT 3Oam!ea, .*<)9& ..7 .

243

=e4 =erusale!E#$e 7oly Cit"

Center of t$e <e Creation

Immediatel" ollo4in% the vision o the e,ecutive Iud%ment and the ultimate& ier" destruction o evil :()E..!./9& the scene chan%es abru$tl". From the cosmic& inal holocaust 4e move into the vision o a renovated 4orld& created ane4 b" God :Rev (.E.!?9. A <e 7eaven and &art$ 2he te,t insists on the absolute ne4ness o the uture orld by accentuatin% t$e di erences bet4een the ne4 realit" and the old. .< .. It is e,$licitl" and re$eatedl" stated& HI sa4 a ne4 heaven and a ne4 earth; or the irst heaven and the irst earth had $assed a4a"...H :(.E.9. 2he disa$$earin% o the old creation is underlined& it bein% alread" mentioned that Hearth and sk" led a4a"& and no $lace 4as ound or themH :()E..9. 2he a irmation cannot be more cate%oricE H2he ormer thin%s have $assed a4a"H :(.E+9. He 4ho sits on the throne sa"s& HBehold& I make all thin%s ne4H :(.E/9. (. 2he term chosen to e,$ress the ne4ness is not neos but 1ainos an adIective that denotes in a stron%er 4a" than the ormer H4hat is ne4 and distinctive&H Hune,$ected&H and MM4holl" di erent.H.7 7. 2he ne4ness o the ne4 creation is described mainl" in ne%ative terms. 5ittle is said about the ne4 thin%s that 4ill e,ist& but em$hasis is $ut on the thin%s that 4ill be Hno moreHE a. =o more sea :(.E.9. b. =o more death& tears& mournin%& cr"in%& or $ain :(.E+9. c. =o more tem$le :(.E((9. d. =o need o the sun and moon to shine u$on the cit" :(.E((; ((E/9. e. =o ni%ht in the cit". =o closed %ates :(.E(/; ((E/9. . =o more sin :(.E(79. %. =o more curse :((E79. 2he irst thin% mentioned as lackin% in the ne4 4orld is the sea& in the domain o nature :(.E.9. 2his ma" si%ni " the disa$$earin% o the sea as 4e kno4 it no4. .? But the statement ma" involve a s"mbolic use o the sea. I so& the sea& the m"sterious realm o the beast :.7E.9& i%urativel" denotes a de initive victor" o God over chaos and evil.*
.2 Cf. 0. Counc& JL%univera nouveau :#$ (.9&HPS (< :.*779E <7!7(. .3 => Bchm& J8ainos>J TD'T 7E++7./). .K Ellen G. Fhite& !atriarchs and !rophets :'ountain 'ie > CA. .*/?9& ++. .C References to the disa66earing of the sea> that it H4ill be dr"H in t$e esc$atological kin%dom o

242

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit"

+. 0nl" our thin%s are said e,$licitl" to be ne4& but the" desi%nate absolutel" ever"thin%E a. # ne4 $eaven :(.E.9 b. # ne4 earth :(.E.9 c. # =e4 Aerusalem :(.E(9 d. H#ll thin%s ne4H :(.E/9 2he ne4 creation is $resented& there ore& not as a sim$le im$rovement o the actual situation. 2here is a undamental discontinuit" bet4een the H irstH and the Hne4.H() 2he ne4 start is so radical that it is described as a ull act o creation. But no4here is it said that the ne4 4orld corres$onds to the 4orld o the $rimeval creation. #t the end o the lon% $arenthesis o human histor" God re!creates the heavens and the earth :c . Gen .E.9 to an even better situation :i at all $ossible9 than the irst. For the second and inal creation 4ill never be s$oiled b" sin. Evil and death 4ill have disa$$eared& and the old universe 4ill have been de initivel" $uri ied b" God@s love. 2he $hrase& HIt is doneNH :(.E<9& underlines the act that or God this ne4 creation is not a $ossibilit" but a realit".(. # =e4 =erusale! 2he most strikin% di erence bet4een the ne4 creation and the old is the e,istence o a cit" as its central eature. In the irst creation God %ives to man a %arden or his d4ellin% $lace; in the last creation God %ives to man a cit"E the =e4 Aerusalem. 2his close relationshi$ bet4een the restoration o a ne4 heaven and a ne4 earth and the restoration o Aerusalem is alread" %iven in Isaiah </E.7! .*E HI create ne4 heavens and a ne4 earth; and the ormer thin%s shall not be remembered.... I create Aerusalem a reIoicin%&... I 4ill... be %lad in m" $eo$le; no more shall be heard in it the sound o 4ee$in% and the cr" o distressH :Isa </E.7!.*; c . Rev (.E7!/9. Fhat Isaiah said& $rimaril" in terms o the historical order& the book o Revelation a$$lies to the eschatolo%ical realit"& 4hen the old order has $assed a4a" :()E..!./9. B$y a city: In the book o Revelation& as in the book o Hebre4s& the $il%rima%e moti is a relevant one. 2he $eo$le o God lon% or rest. 1erse!
God& are ound in #ss 'os .)E<; Sib 0r /E++7! () C . Isa (/E*; 7/E.); /+,.CG </E.<!.*; ( Cor/E.7. (. Rcfcrenccstoanc creationarcalsoco!!on in a$ocal"$tic literatureE =ub/,52G5A6ocBar/CGl-7; + Esr/E+/; . &noc$ 35,.G C5,.2. 25%

=e4 =erusale!E#$e Hol" Cit"

cuted on earth& the 4oman lies to the desert :.(E.+9. =o4 the redeemed $eo$le o God have inall" $assed rom the insecurit" o the desert and rom the insecurit" o Bab"lon to the securit" o GodMs cit". 2he" have $assed rom a Hno cit"H or Hout o a cit"H situation to an Hin cit"H situation. #t the time o Aohn the cit" 4as the human and social uni ier o civiliJa! tion. Ever"one belon%ed to a cit". #ncients identi ied their $eo$le 4ith t$eir ca$ital cit". #$e %lor" o the kin%s ere the cities that the" had built or con3uered.(H # cit" that could be identi ied as GodMs cit" 4as $robabl" t$e best s"mbol to re$resent the %lor" o God@s kin%dom. B$y =erusale!: 2he si%ni icance o Aerusalem 4as di erent rom that o other reli%ious cities o anti3uit". For e,am$le& Aerusalem 4as not to Oah4eh 4hat Bab"lon 4as to 'arduk& or the other ancient cities 4ere to their %ods. First o all& Aerusalem 4as not a creation o God& 4hereas& accordin% to the Bab"lonian te,ts Bab"lon 4as a creation o 'arduk. Aeru! salem did not have divine ori%ins 2he Bible does not hide the act that Aerusalem& one o the last cities to belon% to the Canaanites& 4as still a $a%an cit" 4hen it 4as con3uered b" David :Aosh ./E<7; ( Sam /E<!?9. #nd he con3uered the cit"& not under the inIunction o God& but as the kin% o Israel :( Sam /E7&<!.)9. Even the construction o the 2em$le 4as accom$lished in $art b" $a%an 4orkmen :( Chr (E7!?&.7!.+&.<!.79. =evertheless& rom the ver" be%innin% Aerusalem 4as acce$ted b" God as s"mbol o 7is $eo$le and associated 4ith the histor" o salvation :Isa /;22G Cech .+9. #lthou%h Aerusalem eventuall" became the locus o the human reIection of God@s $lan>b" the reIection o the 'essiah>and 4as condemned to be destro"ed&(+ "et the cit" remained t$e Ht"$eH o the uture Aerusalem(/ announced b" the $ro$hets.(< 2he culmination o the 'essianic task>in the lan%ua%e o 02 $ro$he! cies>4as the restoration o Israel and the return and inal %atherin% o the e,iles. 2his realit" is onl" ul illed& ar be"ond the e,$ectations o the $ro$hets& in the =e4 Aerusalem cit"& comin% rom God@s %race. 2here is continuit" bet4een the t4o cities. But there is a radical ru$ture& as 4ell. 2he cit" that comes rom heaven is still HAerusalem&H but it is essentiall"
22 Is# 23J 2e' 5;+51C (Ke: 25-23+ 23 2. Com.lin, /L# %ille tien<#nuSe0/ CSp 112 (1265)@ 6<5 2- M#tt 2<@<7-<2C 24@2+ 25 G#l -52-<2.. 52 ;. Isa /+&<)&<(&<<; Fec$ .+; EJek +)P7. (/.

=e4 AerusalemE#$e 7oly Cit"

di erent rom the earthl" one in that it comes rom above. Fhat God brin%s about e,isted alread" in a certain sense& since it 4as HAerusalem.H But it is com$letel" ne4& or all that 4as human has been trans ormed and %lori ied b" God. 2his ne4 creation is not& there ore& a sim$le return to the ori%ins. God does not overlook human histor"& He assumes it. He takes u$on Himsel this si%ni icant human realiJation :the cit" 4as the best e,am$le o human $roduction9 and makes o it a $er ect 4ork.(7 In the =e4 Aerusalem God e ects a strikin% reversal o situationsE the cit"& locus o revolt& becomes b" GodMs %race the locus o reconciliation.(? 5ike4ise& Aerusalem& as a s"mbol o God@s $eo$le& can be set over a%ainst Bab"lon& the cit" that s"mboliJes the enemies o GodMs $eo$le. #s a master ul reca$itulation o human and salvation histor"& the =e4 Aerusa! lem becomes the realiJation o God@s ideal theocrac"& the $er ect s"mbol o the %atherin% o God@s $eo$le& the $lace o $er ect communion bet4een the Creator6Redeemer and His redeemed creatures. 2he =e4 Aerusalem 4ill be to the ne4 heaven and the ne4 earth 4hat the old Aerusalem never succeeded to be to Israel and the 4orld.

Descri6tion of t$e City

5ike other revelations in the histor" o salvation& the vision o the hol" cit" is %iven to Aohn rom Ha %reat& hi%h mountainH :(.E*!.)9. From this traditional $lace o revelation Aohn is sho4n the %lorious ul illment o God@s $lan :Rev (.E*!(79. 2his vision has man" eatures in common 4ith the vision %iven to the $ro$het EJekiel on the restoration o earthl" Aerusalem as ma" be seen in the chart :EJek +)!+?9 on the ollo4in% $a%e. 2hese common eatures ma" si%ni " that the $romised restoration o Aerusalem& %iven to Israel throu%h the $ro$het EJekiel& has reached its ul! illment in the heavenl" cit". Fe turn no4 to observe the di erent as$ects o the descri$tion o the hol" cit".

(7 Cf. =. Ellul& A!oca/ !se, 5+9. (? #$e human goal is reac$ed> but onl" in God@s cit"N C . A. Ellul& Sans (eu rti ?ieu, Theologie de la #iBe :1aris& .*7+9& (7<!77. 252

=e4 =erusale!>2he 7oly Cit"

Co!6arison Bet een t$e 'ision to =o$n and t$e 'ision to &@ekiel Revelation 5.,C-53 Aohn 4as carried in the S$irit to a ver" hi%h mountain and sho4n the hol" cit"& Aerusalem :*!.)9& and the cit" had the H%lor" o GodH :..9. 2he cit" had a hi%h 4all 4ith t4elve %ates @ 4ith the names o the t4elve tribes o Israel :.(9. #$ree %ates to the east& t$ree %ates to the north& three %ates to the south& and three %ates to the 4est :.79. Someone& havin% a measurin% rod measured the cit"& t$e %ates& and the 4all :./!.79. 2he cit" 4as s3uare :.<9. Several 4arnin%s and restrictions are stated concernin% the $ossible inhabitantsE Hnothin% unclean shall enter it&H etc. :(7; c . (.E?9. 2here is the throne o God& 4ho d4ells orever amon% His $eo$le :(.E7&/; ((E.9.
(Ke:iel -%<-6

EJekiel 4as brou%ht in vision to a ver" hi%h mountain and 4as sho4n a cit"& Aerusalem :+)E(9 and Hthe %lor" o the 5ord illed the tem$leH :+7E(!/9. 2he cit" had a hi%h 4all and t4elve %ates named or the t4elve tribes o Israel :+?E7.!7+9 three %ates Hon the north side... 0n the east side... 0n the south side...
Fn the ;est side .../ @-653$<3-E.

Someone havin% a measurin% rod measured the cit"& the tem$le& the %ates and the 4all :+)E7!/9 2he cit" 4as a s3uare :+?E()9 :c . +.E(.; +7E.<; +/E(9. Several 4arnin%s and restrictions are stated concernin% the $ossible inhabitantsE no orei%ner& Huncircumcised in heartH shall enter :++E<!.+9. H2his is the $lace o m" throne... 4here I 4ill d4ell in the midst o the $eo$le o Israel or everH :+7E79.

3s # B'ide

2he ver" irst statement describes the =e4 AerusalemE Hcomin% do4n out o heaven rom God& $re$ared as a bride adorned /or her husband$ :(.E(9.(*
5C 2he ima%er" of a 4oman to describe a cit" 4as fa!iliar to $ro$hetic lan%ua%e. Cf. &@ek .<E..!.7.

25<

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit"

2he com$arison o the =e4 Aerusalem to a bride and the title& Hthe Bride& the 4i e o the 5ambH :(.E*9& echo several $assa%es rom the 02 4here the restoration o Aerusalem is described $ro$heticall" in terms o a marria%e encounter. 2hus& Cion is $romised to be adorned& like a bride 4ho adoms hersel 4ith ornaments :Isa +*E.?9. #nd the 5ord adds& Has the bride%room reIoices over the bride& so shall "our God reIoice over "ouH :Isa <(E/9. 7) 2he =e4 Aerusalem vision e,$resses in similar Io" ul terms the lon%!e,$ected encounter. # ter an e,tended $eriod o trials and in idelities& the bride is com! $letel" liberated rom all obstacles. She is inall" H$re$aredH to meet Hher husbandH :(.E(9& the 5amb :(.E*9& her Redeemer and Saviour Himsel . 2he old covenant o love 4ill be accom$lished :5ev (<E..!.(9; God is inall" and conclusivel" united 4ith His $eo$le& as in a marria%e& orever :(.E79. 7. #nd GodMsIo" is e,$ressed in a nu$tial son%E H#nd I heard a loud voice rom the throne& sa"in%& @Behold& the d4ellin% o God is 4ith men. He 4ill d4ell 4ith them& and the" shall be his $eo$le& and God himsel 4ill be 4ith them...@H:(.E79. 2his is the irst time a ter .E.) that God@s voice is heard in the %reat con lict. God@s eternal dream has inall" come trueE He is no lon%er sim$l" God& but God amon% men :(.E79. 2he $ro$hec" o Isaiah 7E.+ has been accom$lished throu%h the $romised Son. God is inall" 4ith us. He ma" be called b" the ver" name %iven to Aesus :Emmanuel& HGod 4ith us&H 'att .E(79 and $romised to His church b" the resurrected Christ :MMI 4ill be 4ith "ou al4a"s&H 'att (?E(). =IV9. 2he Greek 4ordin% o (.E7 is almost an e,act translation otImmanii5El2 H#nd He>God!4ith!them>4ill be their God.H 2he cit" name is trul" H2he 5ord is thereH :EJek +?E7/9. #lthou%h onl" t4o e,$licit re erences are made to Aerusalem as a bride :(.E(&*9& the marria%e moti $ermeates the vision. For e,am$le& the 4eddin% o the 5amb is alread" im$lied in the $reviousl" announced marria%e su$$er. HBlessed are those 4ho are invited to the marria%e su$$er o the 5ambH :.*E*9. 2he im$ortance o the invitation is underlined b" the 4ords& H @Frite@... 2hese are true 4ords o God@H :.*E*9. =o4 these same 4ords are re$eated Iust a ter the $resentation o the =e4 Aerusalem as the bride
7) C . Hos .!7; E$h /E(/!(7; Hcb ..E.). In the intertestamcntal literature there are also some 4itness o the ho$e or a ne4 Aerusalem& desi%nated either as H4i eH :. En *)E(?!(*; + Esr .)E.79& or HmotherH :+ Esr *E+7!+7; ( #$oc Bar 7E.!79 7. 2his covenant ormula recalls &@ek 77E(7; c . Isa /+E+!/; <.E.); <(E+!<; 7os (E.<!(7; =er (E.!7; and even &@ek .2.

254

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit" o the 5ambE HFrite this& or these 4ords are trust4orth" and trueH :(.E/9& and 4ill be re$eated a%ain Iust a ter the descri$tion o the bride!cit" is com$leted :((E<9. 2he marria%e ima%er" is a $er ect s"mbol or the 3ualit" relationshi$ bet4een God and His $eo$le& a bond o love and intimac". 7! It could also be said that Hthe s$eci ication o the 4oman as bride evokes the notion o ne4ness and ardor& and the re erence to Aerusalem as 4i e su%%ests endurin% idelit" and ruit ulness.H77 But $robabl" the main $oint is that as bride& the cit" belon%s no4 onl" to Christ. 2he 5amb@s 4i e is inall" at home& in $er ect securit" in God@s cit". 2he bride%room 4i$es the tears rom the eyes o His bride :(.E+9. She needs to kno4 that Io" 4ill never end& that this time ha$$iness is orever. 7+

Contrasted Bit$ Babylon

2he love relationshi$ bet4een the 5amb and His bride& the =e4 Aerusalem& is contrasted 4ith the relationshi$ bet4een the $olitical $o4ers and the Bab"lonian harlot. 2he 4ordin% o cha$ter (.& com$ared 4ith that o cha$ters .7!.?& clearl" sho4s that Aohn is settin% the =e4 Aerusalem! brideN ife over a%ainst the Bab"lonian $rostitute.7 2he combined s"mbol& woman5cit , 4as used irst in the descri$tion o Babylon. #nd the $ortra"al o =e4 Aerusalem ollo4s this $arallel o Babylon. Even the scene that describes the =e4 Aerusalem comin% do4n fro! heaven :(.E*! .)9 re$eats almost 4ord or 4ord similar $hraseolo%" to connection 4ith the Iud%ment o the harlot :.7E.!79. It is over the ruins& ao to s$eak& o the $roud& evil& and corru$ted Bab"lon& that =e4 Aerusalem comes& rom heaven& $ure and radiant 4ith the %lor" o God. 2he act that t$e an%el 4ho sho4s the outcome o the t4o cities seems to be the same ffl bot$ visions& makes the contrast even shar$er. 2he $arallels and antithesis bet4een the t4o visions become evident in the chart on the ollo4in% $a%e. 2hese $arallels sho4 that the human relationshi$ to4ard God and the 5amb can be onl" one o idelit" :bride9 or o in idelit" :4hore9. Since God is at the same time Iust and %racious& salvation or condemnation are the
+5 (n t$e !arriage moti & sec R. A. Batcy> New Testament Nu!tial Imager :5eiden& .*7.9; =. =erc!ias> Hnum$hcH TD'T>7.)*(!**; F. Bovon& H5c Christ de I@#$ocal"$se&H "Th*h (( :.*7(9E 7.. ++ C Deutsch& H2rans ormation o S"mbolsE 2he =e4 Aerusalem in Rev (.E.!((!/H C6F7? :.*?79E ..(. 2his relationshi$ is stren%thened by contrast 4ith the 4hore& 4ho embodies in idelit" and idolatiy. 1. 'anni> H.. simbolismo ncli@#$oealisse&H Gregorianwn <. :.*?)9E +?). +/ C . A. Comblin& H5@homme retrouvcE la rencontre de .@E$ousc :#$ ((9&H AS (* :.*7)9E 7?!t<. +9 Deutsc$> .55.

255

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit"

Babylon #$e Setting of t$e 'isions
H#nd one o the Meven an%elM 4ho had 8D to4n bc4b& came and M$oke 4ith inc la"in%E Come here& I tball iho4"ou .. ibe %reat nariot... 4ith 4hom the kin%M o the earth have ornicated. !. :.7E.!(9 #nd be carried me a4a" in the S$irit into the 4ildcrncaa& andlMa4:N7;79 the %reat dt" :.7E.?9 Bab"lon :.7E/9 ittin% on man" 4aten ... on a tcarid bcattJ (.3,.>+A H#nd oneo tbeieven an%elM 4oo bad the ]ev]n bo4li... came and i$ote 4ith me Ua"m%E Come here& tihadtbo4"ou the bride. the 4i e o the 5amb :(.E*9 An# .e carrie# me a8a1 in the 6'irit lo a 'e#t #nd hig. mount#in an# iho-e# me (21@1;) tbebol"dt" Aerusalem coolin% do4n out o heaven rom God :(.E.)9

=e4 =erusale!

#$e Descri6tion of t$e # o Bo!enNCities

#nd :be 4oman 4ai clothed ID $ur$le and Ucartel& adorned 4ith %old and $reaouM :toneM and $earii& havin% in her hand a %old cu$ ull o abo linaliolu and thX im$uritieM o her ornication :.7E+9 D4ellin% 6lace of de!onL and $riton o ever" undcan M$irit :.<E(9 2l4c4hote name it not 4ritten in the hook o li e 4iH raarvd to behold ibe beatt :.7E?9 2he nationM and the kin%M o thecarth:.7E./9Mha l %ive tlnar $o4er and Mtren%th unto the beat :.7E.(!.79 havin% the %loc" o God. Her brilliance 4ai like a $redouZ itone& o cr"ilal! ckarIaa$er...:(.E..9 in the middle o bcr street Z river o 4ater o li e& dear aZC2"Mt]l...:((E.!(9 D4ellin% $lace o God snd o ha $eo$le :(.E79. =othin% unclean ibal come into it :(.E(79 2bo' 4hoMe nameM are 4ritten in the 2am 3s Book of H e Uball come into it :(.E(79 :be nationM and the kin% o the earth 4ill brin% %lor" and honor into it :(.E(+9

)ate of t$e # o Cities

b introduced b" ibe wwds HIt it doneH :.<E.79 and it to added that Bab"lon 4aM remembered be ore God& to %ive her the cu$ o the 4ine o HiM ierce 4rath:lB.*9. In one da" ber $la%ueM 4ill comeE death and mournin% and amine& and ibe 4ill be burned u$ 4ith ire :.?E?9 2he imoke o her burnin% riaei u$ orever and ever :.?E.?; .*E79 2be li%ht o a lam$ 4ill not Ubine in il an" lon%er :.?E(79 Bab"lon& adorned 4ith %old and Ae4eh& iM brou%ht to ruin :.?E.<!.79 Bab" on rei%nM aL a 3ueen :.?E79 but 4ith her inhabitantM it iM doomed to deitruction :.?E?9 Bab"lon the %reat cit" 4ill be thro4n do4n 4ith violence and 4ill nol be ound an" lon%er :.?E(.9 Qi introduced b" the 4ordM HIt it doneH and it ii added thai God 4ill %ive to the one 4ho thirau rom the t$rin% o the 4ater o li e 4ithout coMt :(.E<9 #nd there Uball no lon%er be an" death... nor mournin%... or $ain... :(.E+9. 2he" (ball alk by iu lig$t :(.E(+9. Q8 lam$ H the 5amb :(.E(;9 2he 5ord God ]hall illumine them :(.E(/E((E/9 Aennale l& radiant like a Ie4d thineM 4ith the %lor" o God :(.E..9 2oe throne o God Uhall be in it& and biM :ervanu (ball serve $i!...@ :((E79 and the" Uhall rei%n orever and e%er (22@5) #uthorM tramlation

256

=e4 =erusale!E#$e Hol" Cit" onl" $ossible outcomes o human decision! earthl" to4n. =e4 Aerusalem or Bab"lon. sither the heavenl" cit" or the

City 0aterials 2he ima%er" used b" Aohn to describe =e4 Aerusalem 4as better understood b" his contem$oraries 4ho 4ere amiliar 4ith ancient cities than b" us in modem times. Furthermore& it is obvious that Hhuman lan%ua%e and human $ortra"als cannot ade3uatel" re$resent the %randeur o that celestial cit".@ .7< 2he di erence& ho4ever& bet4een the $icture and the realit" calls or care ul inter$retation. #ncient cities 4ere s$eciall" centers o trade& the storehouses o riches. #$e cit" 4as the $riJe.77 2his is 4h" Aohn $resents the =e4 Aerusalem as a city o abundance& o incalculable 4ealth. 2his 4ealth is described 4ith the most $recious materials o the timeE %old& $earls& $recious stones. 2he material o the cit" is $ure %old& mentioned t4o times :(.E.?&(.9. But it is al4a"s stated that this %old 4as Hlike cr"stal.H 2he idea o brilliance& trans$arenc"& and $urit" seems to $revail over that o mere richness. 1recious stones have been used consistentl" in the Bible to describe theo$hanies :visible a$$earances o God9. H2he main reason is $robabl" that the" emit a radiance& Iust as li%ht& 4hich has o ten been used to illustrate the $resence o God.H 7? 2he 3ualities stressed are li%ht& radiance& beauty> and $ermanence. 2he %ems most abundantl" used are $earls; each %ate 4as ormed rom a sin%le $earl :(.E(.; c . Isa /+E.(9. #mon% the $recious stones the one mentioned most o ten is Ias$er& althou%h its identit" 4ith modem Ias$er is $roblematic. .. HIts radiance like amostrare Ie4el& likeaIas$er& clear ascr"stalH :(.E..9. (. H2he 4all 4as built o Ias$erH :(.E.?9. 7. H2he irst Qadornin% the oundationR 4as Ias$erH :(.E.*9. Since God Himsel is also described in terms o Ias$er :+E79& the intention o the te,ts seems to be that the %lor" o God is the brilliance o the cit"& that God Himsel is its 4all&7* and that He is also its irst oundation. Concernin% the inter$retation o the .( $recious stones adornin% the
+2 The SD- Bi le )ommentar 7 :Fashin%ton& DC> .*/79E ?*(. 77 Co!blin. H5a ville ...&H <+(. +K Cf. Ps .)+E.!(; &@ek .E+&.+>.<& (<!(?; .)E.; see 1na Aans& H1recious stones in t$e Revelation o St. =o$n (...*.(.&H ST (+ :.*7)9E ./.& +C C . Cech. (E+!/E J=erusale! ill be inhabited as villa%es 4ithout 4alls.... For I 4ill be to her a all o 7re round about&. -. and I 4ill be t$e %lor" 4ithin her.H

257

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit" oundations o the cit" :(.E.+&.*!()9& it is necessar" to be cautious. Certainl" a s"mbolism is there& but it is not eas" to ascertain. )irst> this seems to be an allusion to the ul illment o the $ro$hec" o Isaiah /+E.. !.(E HBehold& I 4ill set "our stones in antimon"& and la" "our oundations 4ith sa$$hires. I 4ill make "our $innacles o a%ate& and "our %ates o carbuncles& and all "our 4all o $recious stones.H I there is another si%ni ication& it seems more $robable to see a re erence to the .( stones set in the breast$late o the hi%h $riest. In act& ? o the .( stones mentioned are ound in the breast$late :c . E,od (?E.7!(); 7*E?!.+9. But 4hereas each stone re$resented one o the .( tribes& each oundation stone bears the name o an a$ostle :(.E.+9. 2his trans ormation seems to sa" that in the ne4 covenant the s"mbol has become a realit"& that the ministr" o the hi%h $riest is both inished and ul illed. +) 2he $re i%uration o old Israel has become the solid oundation o the ne4 Israel. 2he trans er o names rom the tribes to the a$ostles con irms the universal character o the ne4 realit".+. City Di!ensions =e4 Aerusalem is not the result o e,tem$oraneous %ro4th. It is& above all& a calculated& 4ell $lanned& mathematical realit". 2he descri$tion $laces much em$hasis on the measurements o the cit" and the details o its $er ect architectural structureE dimensions& 4alls& %ates& and oundations. Ever"thin% is the result o a $er ect intention. 2his is 4hat its measurement reveals :(.E.(!.79. 2he t4o notions $articularl" em$hasiJed are those o $er ection and immensit". It is sur$risin% to notice that the number 7& $redominant in the book o Revelation& has been re$laced b" the number .(. +( #ll i%ures %iven are t4elves or multi$les o .(. For e,am$le& .( %ates& .( an%els& .( tribes o the sons o Israel :vs. .(9& Ht4elve oundations& and on them the t4elve names o the t4elve a$ostles o the 5ambH :vs. .+9; Ht4elve thousand stadiaH :vs. .<9; Ha hundred and ort"! our cubitsH :vs. .79; Ht4elve $earlsH :vs. (.9; Ht4elve kinds o ruitH :((E(9.+7
+) Ellul& Sans /eu, (?*. #$e $recious stones o the breast$late o the hi%h $riest are Hthe same that orm the t4elve oundations o the cit" o God.H :Fhite& *atriarchs and *ro!hets, 7/..9 +. 2he s$iritual buildin%& 4hich is the church& has been built Hu$on the oundation o the a$ostles and $ro$hets& Christ Aesus himsel bein% the cornerstoneH :E$h (E.*!((9. +( #ccordin% to Coisini> (??& this act ma"be e,$lained throu%h a s"mbolic code& accordin% to 4hich 7 >addition o + and 7 > $roduces a totalit" but not the $er ection. 1er ection is obtained $en t$e relationshi$ is one o multi$lication :.( is the result o 7 , +9. +7 It is& in act& Ha cit" o t4elvesH :C '. 'a,4ell& God )ares ( QBoise& ID& .*?/RE /7.9& or even& a cit" 253

=e4 Aerusalem>2he 7oly Cit"

2hese measures seem to $oint to the $lenitude o God@s $eo$leE the cit" is marked b" the si%n o the .( tribes o ancient Israel and o the .( a$ostles o Aesus Christ& underl"in% thus the continuit" o salvation histor" and even the s$iritual identit" bet4een Jt$e Israel o GodH and the trium$hant church. 2he ne4 Aerusalem dimensions :a s3uare o .(&))) stadia& or about i teen hundred miles9 sho4 that this cit" is as the measure o the redeemed humanit" as a 4hole. Sur$assin% Bab"lon and Rome& =e4 Aerusalem is the true and the onl" universal cit". 2he universalit" is stressed b" several eaturesE .. 2he cit" is oriented to all directions. It has three %ates o$en to each o the our cardinal $ointsE Hon the east three %ates& on the north three %ates& on the south three %ates& and on the 4est three %atesH :(.E.7; c . EJek +?E7)!7+9. #nd these %ates Hshall never be shutH :(.E(/9. 2his recalls the 4ords o AesusE H'en 4ill come rom east and 4est& and rom north and south& and and sit at table in the kin%dom o GodH :5uke .7E(*9. 2here is unlimited access. 2he condition or entrance& ho4ever& is clearl" statedE HBlessed are those 4ho 4ash their robes&... that the" ma" enter the cit" b" the %atesH :((E.+9. For those onl" shall come in H4ho are 4ritten in the ?amb7s book o li eH :(.E(79. (. 2he universal nature o the =e4 Aerusalem e,$lains the $resence of the $lural H$eo$lesH 3laoi4 instead o the sin%ular H$eo$leH 3hos4 in (.E7. HGod shall d4ell amon% them& and the" shall be his $eo$les.MM++ 2he heavenl" voice o (.E7 echoes 5eviticus (<E..!.(E HI 4ill make m" abode amon% "ou&... and 4ill be "our God& and "ou shall be m" $eo$le.H+/ But the ne4 covenant ormula has chan%ed sli%htl". 2he redeemed $eo$les o the earth are reconciled 4ith their God 4ho d4ells amon% them. God@s !eo!les have become God@s !eo!le& 2he relation God has al4a"s 4anted to maintain 4ith mankind is inall" $ossible. 2he intimate communion bet4een the Creator and the creature& 4hich God so lon% intended& is no4 restored. 'an has acce$ted the %i t o eternal li e $ro$osed b" God and obtained b" the 5amb. 2he cit" o God is a transnational communit"& the cit" o all mankind. 7. God acce$ts in the =e4 Aerusalem the contribution o all nations :Rev (.E(<9. HB" its li%ht shall the nations 4alk; and the kin%s o the earth
o Ht4elve t elvesJ, .5 %ates& .( $earls& .( an%els& .5 tribes& .( oundations& .( names& .( a6ostles> .5 De els. .( kinds o ruit. .(&))) stadia& and .++ cubits :.( , .(9. // 2his te,tual variant has sli%htl" better manuscri$t su$$ort than t$e variant laos, and is to be $re erred; c . A. S4eet& "e#elation :5ondon& .*7*9& (?*. +/ C .EJek 77E(7; Cech ?E?.

252

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit" shall brin% their %loi" into itH :(.E(+9. 2he" shall brin% into it the %lor" and the honor o the nations :(.E(<; c . Cech .+E.<9. 2he Hnations&H in the =e4 Aerusalem are no lon%er HGentilesH :c . ((E(9& but the true $eo$le o God. 2he 4ordin% o Revelation (.E(+!(< recalls ver" closel" Isaiah <)E.!/& ... But 4hile in Isaiah the kin%s o the nations enter into Aerusalem led ca$tive& in the =e4 Aerusalem the" enter the %ates reel".+< 2he ima%er" o an a$ocal"$tic e,$ectation based on a nation!centered realit" has been trans erred to a universalist e,$ectation& %rounded on a universal Christian e,$erience.

City of <o #e!6le

# noticeable eature o the =e4 Aerusalem is its a$$arent cube sha$e :(.E.<9. 2he cube is the ima%e o solidit"& stabilit"& and com$leteness. But here it $robabl" si%ni ies somethin% more& or the cit" is a cube like the 'ost Hol" 1lace in Solomon@s 2em$le :. D%s <E()9 24o acts in the descri$tion o the heavenl" cit" ma" have a bearin% on the si%ni icance o this sha$eE .. First& the cit" itsel is the obIect to be measured :(.E./!.79& similar to the measurin% o the tem$le in EJekiel@s vision. (. Second& there is no tem$le in the =e4 Aerusalem :(.E((9. It ma" be im$lied rom these considerations that althou%h the cit" has no tem$le& it is described in tem$le cate%ories :(.E*!(79 because the 4hole cit" is in itsel a Htem$le.H 2his is& in act& the reason that seems to be %iven or the absence o tem$leE HI sa4 no tem$le in the cit"& or its tem$le is the 5ord God the #lmi%ht" and the 5ambH :(.E((9. 2he Greek 4ord used here or Htem$leH is naos, a 4ord used b" Aohn else4here in the book o Revelation or the heavenl" sanctuar". In the same $assa%e& the =e4 Aerusalem is called Hthe d4ellin% o God&H :s1ene, (.E79. 2he same Greek 4ord desi%nated the tabernacle in the 4ilderness and is used also in .7E< and ./E/. 2erms and te,ts re errin% to the 2em$le are then used here to describe the =e4 Aerusalem. 2he 2em$le o Aerusalem& as 4ell as the tabernacle in the 4ilderness& re$resented God@s realm in the middle o man@s domain. Because o sin both domains 4ere di erentiated and se$arated. To brid%e the %a$& mediation bet4een God and man 4as necessar". =o4& in the =e4 Aerusalem the
+< #$at Israel and t$e nations ould gat$er at t$e end o ti!es into t$e tem$le& as also e-6ected in some intertestamental 4ritin%s :2est Bcn=. *E(; Sib (r 7E77(!777; Son% o Sol .7E7(!7/9. +7 Cf. Rev 7E.(; 7E./; ..,.>(&.*; .+E./&.7; ./E/&2> ?; .<E.&.7; (.E((.

26;

=e4 =erusale!E#$e 7oly Cit"

4orld o God and the 4orld o men have become one and the same. 'edia ! tion is no lon%er necessar". Communication is o$en. God talks directl" 4ith man& and man 4ith ?od. 2he communion o love is $er ect. +? 2here ore& the tem$le has to dis! a$$ear. In the ne4 order o thin%s Hthere 4ill be no need or a se$arate $lace to s"mboliJe& or even mediate the encounter bet4een God and His $eo$le. 2he tem$le& as s"mbol o access to the divine $resence& is re$laced b" t$e 1resence itsel .H+* 2he true tem$le is the $resence o God amon% His $eo$le. God is no more se$arated rom man. God is no more in a $lace reserved to Him alone. 2he $lace 4here God is and the $lace 4here man is have become the same. 2he ne4 cit" is the encounter $lace o God and man& 4ithout barriers& and orever. 2here ore& Hno lon%er is there an" need or the ordinar" heavenl" sanctuar" or tem$le to e,ist.H/) City of Lig$t 2he im$ression that $revails in Aohn@s descri$tion o the hol" cit" is one o radiant li%ht. His descri$tion starts 4ith a re erence to the cit"@s brilliance. :HHavin% the %lor" o God& its radiance like a most rare Ie4el& like a Ias$er& clear as cr"stal&H (.E..9. He centers on the li%ht theme :Hthe %lor" o God is its li%ht&H (.E(79& and b" means o a beauti ul inclusion he ends a%ain 4ith the mention o li%ht :Hthe 5ord God 4ill be their li%ht&H ((E/9. /. 2his li%ht is so intense that the sun and the moon are no lon%er neces! sar" :(.E(7; ((E/9. 2he im$ortance o this act or Aohn is so %reat that he re$eats the same $oint t4o times in the same conte,t. /( 2he Genesis creation started 4ith the creation o li%ht :Gen .E7!+9. 2he ne4 creation culminates 4ith the brilliance o God@s li%ht& illuminin% the radiant cit". In the irst creation the li%ht a$$eared be ore the a$$earin% o the sun and the moon; in the ne4 creation the %lor" o God e,$ands to ecli$se an" other material source o li%ht. But there is a ourth insi%htE God@s li%ht shines throu%h Christ>Hits lam$ is the 5ambH :(.E(79. He is the Htrue li%ht that enli%htens ever" manH :Aohn .E*9.
+? mu',A!ocat !sc, (+)!+.. +* Dcutsch& ../. /) 'a,4ell& God Cons (E/7+. /. 2his recalls the ima%e o the radiant 4oman o .(E.. 95 #$e glory of ?od sur6assing :or even eliminatin%L9 sun and moon over =e4 Aerusalem are alread" 6ro6$esied in Isaia$ 2;,.C-5;.

(<.

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit" 2he disa$$earin% o ni%ht is also mentioned t4ice :(.E(/; ((E/9. Fh" this insistenceL Fe kno4 ho4 im$ortant the li%ht moti is in the Aohan!nine 4ritin%s. 5i%ht can s"mboliJe kno4led%e and truth. 2o sa" that there is no more ni%ht means also that the m"ster" o God :.)E79 4ill be revealed& the revelation o Christ 4ill be ull" accom$lished :.E.9& and all that no4 is dark and obscure 4ill become& inall"& de initivel" clear. Citi@ens of t$e 7oly City 2he characteristics o the citiJens o the =e4 Aerusalem enumerated in this $assa%e are ver" e4E .. 2he" are described as conGuerors, usin% a ormula that recalls the $romises made to the overcomers in the seven churches :c . (.E7 4ith (E7& ..&.7&(<; 7E/&.(& (.9. (. 2he" are called sons o/ God and heirs :(.E79. 2heir covenant relationshi$ 4ith God is $resented in a 4ell!kno4n covenantal ormulaE HBehold& the tabernacle o God is 4ith men& and he 4ill d4ell 4ith them& and the" shall be his !eo!le, and God himsel shall be 4ith them& and be their God$ :(.E7& DAV9./7 2his ormula 4as alread" used in the 02 both in re erence to the initial establishment and to the restoration o the 2em$le. But no4 the $romise to Israel is e,tended to all $eo$les. 2he inhabitants o the hol" cit" are& there ore& those 4ho in this li e entered into covenantal relationshi$ 4ith God. 7. 2he" are marked. God@s name Hshall be on their oreheadsH :((E+9& the s"mbol o His o4nershi$ and authentication. 2he s"mbolism em$hasiJes their consecration to God :c . 7E7; .7E.<9. +. 2he" are 4orshi$ers. 2he onl" descri$tion %iven o activit" in the =e4 Aerusalem is that o 4orshi$ and adoration. 2he redeemed Hshall 4orshi$ himH :((E79. 2he Greek verb 3latreuo4 means both Hto serveH and Hto 4orshi$.H 2he redeemed are called God@s bond servants :((E79& and the" e,$ress their 4orshi$ in o$en contem$lation. H2he" shall see his aceH :((E+9.// #ccordin% to the Scri$tures& no sin ul mortal has ever seen ?od%s ace. God did not sho4 Himsel to the $ro$hets& nor to the $riests in the tem$le. He 4as $resent& but never visible. 2here 4as no theo$han" in its
/7 C . Lev (<E..!.(; EJek 77E(7; +?E7/; =er 7E(7; =o$n .+E(7; 5 Cor <E.<. /+ C . &-od (*E+/; =er 7.E77; EJek 77E(<!(7; +7E7; Cech ?E7& ?; .)E<. (n the relationshi$ bet een covenant and tem$le see E. Schiissler!FiorenJa& H1riester ur ?ott> Studien @u! Herrscha ts!und 1riesler!motiv in der #$okal"$se&H NTA 7 :.*7(9E +)(!7. // C . E,od 77E(); . Cor .7E.(; . =o$n 7E(.

262

=e4 Aerusalem>2he 7oly Cit" com$lete sense. 0nl" God@s name 4as kno4n. He al4a"s acted throu%h His Ford. He 4as HheardH but not Hseen.@M =o4 si%ht Ioins hearin%& and God@s $resence is ull" e,$erienced b" man./< /. 2he" have a ri%ht to enter the cit". 2he ri%ht to enter is not merel" a 3uestion o ul illin% a certain number o s$eci ications. 2he invitation is made to Hthe thirst"H :(.E<9 and access is %iven& $ersonall" to each one& b" Christ Himsel . 2here shall come into the cit" Honl" those 4ho are 4ritten in the 5amb@s book o li eH :(.E(79./7 =o4& the invitation Hto the thirst"H establishes a distinction rom those 4ho do not thirst because the" have ound their satis action in their o4n human $er ormances and realiJations :alluded to in (.E?9. 2his is not a moral issue so much as it is a 3uestion o s$iritual need. 2he need or God. #$ose 4ho thirst are $aralleled 4ith Hthe 4innersH :(.E<!79. 2he onl" con lict to 4in is the stru%%le o aith. 2he incredible bless! in% that all humanit" is invited to share :((E.79 is that o bein% redeemed b" the 5amb@s blood and o bein% com$letel" recreated to His ima%e./? From a com$arative list :summariJed rom Rev (.!(( and .7!.?& $. (/<9 4e observe that the characteristics listed in the le t column are $recisel" those 4hich de ine Bab"lon and its citiJens :second column9. 2hese lists are less a descri$tion than a 4arnin%. #nd the 4arnin% is a%ainst those 4ho $re er other relationshi$s to a relationshi$ 4ith God. 2his is 4hat e,cludes them rom the hol" cit" :c . (.E(<9. #s in the rest o the Bible& the 4orst de$ravation is idolatr"& that is& to 4orshi$ other %ods than God. Fornication 3!omeia4 is related s$irituall" to idolatr" in the book o Revelation. But $robabl" the moral and the s$iritual meanin% are both intended. 2he co4ardl" are those 4ho re use& or do not dare to stand or 4hat the" kno4 is ri%ht :c . ( 2im .E79. 2he" are $robabl" the same as the luke4arm o Revelation 7E./!.<./* 5iars are es$eciall" the enemies o the truth :c . Aohn ?E++9. 2he book of Revelation o ten 4arns a%ainst these and related attitudes. 2he 4ord 1oinon :common6unclean& (.E(79 occurs onl" here in Revelation. It de! notes ritual im$urit"& and $oints certainl" to the cultic nature o the hol" cit" as tem$le.HH Communion 4ith God e,cludes all orms o evil. =e4
92 /Slul, A!ocal !se, (77!7?. 2he last thin% 4hich is said o the redee!ed is that Jt$ey s$all rei%n or ever and ever.H 2he $romise o Rev ()E+!< Finds here its inal and definitive accom$lishment :c . .,2G /E.)9. /7 (n t$e book o li e& c . 7E/; .7E?; ()E./. 9K L. Bou"er& ?a Bible el I7E#angile :1aris& .*/79& ()). /*1ri%cnt&5Xcid...&(<7. 2; 2his ma" re lect t$e 4ordin% o some $ro$hecies& such as Isa /(E. and EJek ++E*. In Son% of Sol

26<

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit"

Characteristics o 2hose E,cluded From =e4 Aerusalem Characteristics o the Inhabitants o Bab"lon (.E? (.E(7 ((E./ unclean do%s co4ardl" aithless $olluted murderers omicators sorcerers idolaters all liars abomination .7E+!/ .7E<; .?E(+ .7E.&(&/&./&.<; .?E7&* .?E(7 .*E() .*E() Cha$s. .7!.? .?E(

Aerusalem is in act& b" the blood o the 5amb& a hol" cit" :((E.+9. In a cit" o no tem$le& there are no cultic o iciants or intermediaries. #ll believers& accordin% to the $romise %iven once to 'oses :E,od .*E<9& have become kin%s :((E/9 and $riests :.E<9. 2he citiJens o the irst real Hla"H and Hhol"H cit" o histor"& 4orshi$ God directl" and enIo" the divine $resence 4ithout intermediaries :((E+9.<. # com$arison o the letters to the seven churches :(E.!7E((9 and the vision o the =e4 Aerusalem :(.E.!((E/9 demonstrates that the links bet4een the t4o $assa%es are man". 2he intention o this $arallel seems to sho4 that in the citiJens o the =e4 Aerusalem are ul illed the $romises made to the HvictorsH o the seven letters. 2he $rominent eatures o this relationshi$ became more evident throu%h a com$arative chart on $a%e (</. 2he corres$ondences are decisive& not onl" or ascertainin% the relationshi$ bet4een the letters to the churches and the =e4 Aerusalem vision& but also or determinin% the nature o the heavenl" cit". Fhat the letters $romised to the members o the churches is ul illed in the citiJens o the
.7E(* 6urification is associated 4ith the in%atherin% o nations& like in Rev (.E(+!(7 and ((E.!/. See urther& Dcutsc$> .(.. <. Comblin& JLa ville ...&H <+7; Schussler.1iorenJa& 7?..

264

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit" =e4 Aerusalem accordin% to Revelation (.!((. 2he relationshi$ bet4een the churches and the =e4 Aerusalem is clearE Fhat Christ $romised to the earthl" church 4ill be realiJed& de initivel"& in the Hol" Cit". #t the same time& this relationshi$ contains an ur%ent call. 2he militant church is chal! len%ed to be trans ormed& throu%h the $o4er o Christ& into the %lorious and trium$hant church o the =e4 Aerusalem.
1romises to the Seven Churches Ful illment in =e4 Aerusalem

.. E$hesusE 2he victor 4ill Heat o the tree o 2he tree o li e is on either side o the river ti e& 4hich is in the $aradise o GodH :(E79. 4hich lo4s rom the throne o God :((E(9. (. Sm"rnaE 2he victor is $romised he Hshall not IdieR the second deathH :(E..9. 7. 1er%amumE 2he victor is $romised Ha ne4 nameH :(E.79. +. 2h"atiraE 2he victor is $romised H$o4er over the nationsH :(E(<9. /. SardisE 2he victor is $romised a 4hite %arment& and his name 4ill not be erased rom Hthe book o li eH :7E/9. <. 1hiladel$hiaE 2he victor is $romised& HI 4ill make him a $illar in the tem$le o m" God;... I 4ill 4rite on him ... the name o the cit" o m" God& the ne4 Aerusalem 4hich comes do4n rom m" God out o heavenH :7E.(9. 7. 5aodiceaE 2he victor is $romised the $rivile%e o sittin% 4ith the 5amb on His throne :7E(.9. 2he victor Hshall have this herita%e&H but the un%odl" receive the second death :(.E7&?; c . ()E<&.+9. HHis name shall be on their oreheadsH :((E+9. H2he" shall rei%n or ever and everH :((E/9. HBlessed are those 4ho 4ash their robes&..& that the" ma" enter the cit" b" the %atesH :((E.+9. 2he" are 4ritten in the 5amb@s book o li e :(.E(79. 2he d4ellin% o God is amon% men :(.E79. God@s name shall be on their oreheads :((E+9. H2he hol" cit" Ae! rusalem comin% do4n out o heavenH :(.E.)9.

H2he throne o God and o the 5amb shall be in it&H and the redeemed shall rei%n orever :((E7&/9.

Seat o the =e4 Eden

2hree main eatures relate the =e4 Aerusalem 4ith 1aradise recoveredE .. #$e river Ho lifeJ lo4in% rom the throne of ?od :((E.9& see!s to 6arallel t$e river t$at flo ed out of &den (?en (E.)9. 265

=e4 Aerusalem>#$e Hol" Cit" (. 2he Hon either side o the river& the tree o li eH :((E(9 $arallels Hthe tree o li e... in the midst o the %ardenH :Gen (E*9. 7. 2he act that Hthere shall no more be an"thin% accursedH :((E79 echoes& as a counter$art& the Hcursed are "ouH and Hcursed is the %roundH o Genesis 7E.+ and .7. 2he 4ordin%& ho4ever& a$$ears to be dra4n& not directl" rom the Eden Genesis narrative& but rom the =e4 Aerusalem vision o EJekiel& 4here 1aradise ima%er" is alread" bein% used to describe the restored Hol" Cit". 2he river o 4ater o li e& lo4in% rom God@s throne :((E.9 $arallels the 4ater lo4in% rom the tem$le :EJek +7E.!.(9. 2he tree o li e& on either side o the river& bearin% .( ruits and healin% leaves :((E(9& $arallels the trees Hon both sides o the river&... QthatR bear resh ruit ever" month.... 2heir ruit 4ill be or ood& and their leaves or healin%H :EJek +7E.(9. 2he main eature is God@s $resence :((E79; it $arallels the inal statement o EJekiel@s visionE H2he name o the cit" hence orth shall be& 2he 5ord is thereH :EJek +?E7/9. 2his relationshi$ bet4een the =e4 Aerusalem and 1aradise <( indicates that God@s $rimeval ideal or humanit" has been reached. #t the end o the histor" o this 4orld>and at the end o the Bible>a ter the removal o sin and all its terrible conse3uences. God@s ill is ull" realiJed or His creatures. .. H2he river o the 4ater o li e& bri%ht as cr"stal& lo4in% rom the throne o God and o the 5ambH :((E.9 assures a continuous lo4 o li e rom the Creator to ever" creature. In God there is li e or all and orever. (. H2he tree o li e&H o eni%matic ma%ni icence :Hon either side o the riverH9 and m"sterious riches :H4ith its t4elve kinds o ruit& "ieldin% its ruit each month&H ((E(9& s$eaks a%ain o li e!%ivin% in ceaselessness and ullness. It has been noticed that the 4ord used in Revelation ((E( or HtreeH is 0ulon, H4ood&H and not the usual 4ord 4hich in the =2 is dendron&EL =o4& 0ulon, 4hich usuall" means H4oodH :c . Rev .?E.(&.79& is o ten used in the =e4 2estament or the cross&<+ and al4a"s& in Revelation& or the Htree o li eH :c . (E7; ((E(& .+& .*9. I this is an allusion to the cross& Hthe tree o li eH 4ould be one o the most beauti ul ima%es ever $ossible or the %os$elE
<( # descri$tion o the =e4 Aerusalem in terms o 1aradise is also ound in ( #$oc Bar +E.!7; . Enoch *)E77!7<; 2est Dan /E.(!.7; + Esr?E/(. <7 C . Rev 7E.&7; ?E7; *E+. 2/ #cts /E7); .)E7*; .+,5CG ?al 7E.7; . Pet (E(+.

266

=e4 =erusale!E#$e 7oly Cit"

the tree 4ould be the $er ect reminder that li e reaches man onl" throu%h the redem$tive sacri ice o Aesus.</ 2he statement that the leaves o the tree o li e are H or the healin% o the nationsH :((E(9 is $roblematic. In a 4orld 4here death and su erin% have disa$$eared& is there an" need or healin%L :C . EJek +7E.(.9 In order to ans4er this 3uestion 4e must also remember that man& even a ter resurrection& remains a creature. He lives because God@s li e is im$arted& moment a ter moment& to him. Even 4hile bein% 4ith God& man is still man& and God is still God. 'an de$ends on God or subsistin%. He 4ill be constantl" de$endent on God@s li e. 2he leaves o the tree o li e 4ill remind man that he needs to be continuousl" HhealedH o his initude. << Even thou%h ull" inte%rated in the bod" o Christ& man 4ill never be Christ. 'an 4ill be able to look to God ace to ace& but 4ill never be diviniJed. He 4ill never be God. He 4ill al4a"s be a creature& and God 4ill al4a"s be the Creator. 'an 4ill rei%n but never alone& al4a"s 4ith God. 2he tree o li e>its ruit and leaves>is a reminder that onl" God is eternal& has li e in Himsel . 'an@s eternit" is an eternit" continuousl" received rom God& shared b" God. God@s %i t 4ill al4a"s be there to im! $art li e :s"mbol o the tree9 to heal man rom his essential initude :s"mbol o the leaves9. So the tree o li e makes clear the trium$h o %race. Even in eternit" all is %race. 7. 2he statement& Hthere shall no more be an" thin% accursedH :((E79& mdicates the abro%ation o the sentence orbiddin% access to the tree o li e in the irst Eden :c . Gen 7E.<!(+9. Fith the removal o sin& the broken relationshi$ bet4een God and man is restored. 'an no4 has unlimited access to the Source o li e. 2here is no lon%er an" dan%er o death. 2he idea o securit" is im$lied& as the old $ro$hec" or the restoration o Aerusalem had $romisedE H#nd it shall be inhabited& or there shall be no more curse; Aerusalem shall d4ell in securit"H :Cech .+E..9.

Ca$ital o the 1romised 5and

Besides t$e ne creation& ne4 Paradise and ne &den moti & the descri6tion o t$e =e4 =erusale! is also 6er!eated b" t$e ne e,odus !otif> one o the most i!6ortant t$e!es in t$e book o Revelation.<7 =e4
29 &. '. Emhi"& @2ree& etc.&H D6P727E?<?. << A. E@u',A!oca/ !se, (+7. <7 C . Daniel Scsboue& HE,ode et #$ocal"$se&H in @ne lecture de I7A!ocal !se, Cahiers Evan%ile ..

267

=e4 Aerusalem>#$e Hol" Cit" Aerusalem is $resented as the ul illment o the histor" o God@s Israel. # ter their lon% e,odus&<? the ne4 $eo$le o God inall" reach Canaan the 1romised 5and. .. He 4ho overcomes is $romised Hthis herita%e& and I 4ill be his God and he shall be m" sonH :(.E79& a ormula that recalls the ver" $ur$ose o the E,odusE to make Israel the $eo$le o God :c . Lev (<E*!.(9.<* (. 2here 4ill be no more Hmournin% nor cr"in% nor $ainH :(.E+9. 2he hostilities o Bab"lon :4hich has taken the $lace o E%"$t9 and the di iculties o the desert& are inished forever. 7. 2he invitation Hto the thirst"H and the $romise o drink rom Hthe ountain o the 4ater o li eH :(.E<9 is reminiscent o E,odus .7E.!7. 2his invitation& a%ainst the back%round o the desert Aourne"& 4here 4ater 4as so $recious& is the $er ect ima%e o God@s best %i t& the %i t o eternal li e :c . ((E.7; Aohn 7E77!7?; Isa //E.9.7) +. 2he $resence o Hthe d4ellin% o GodH 4ith men :(.E79 is the ullest realiJation o 5eviticus (<E..!.7 :c . Rev 7E./!.7; Aohn .E.+9. God has become HGod 4ith them.H 7e has $lanted 7is tent& de initivel"& amon% His $eo$le. /. 2he statement& HB" its li%ht shall the nations 4alkH :(.E(+9& re ers to the 5amb and the %lor" o God& source or li%ht or the Hol" Cit". 2his recalls the $illar o ire that li%hted Israel@s 4a" throu%h the 4ilderness to the 1romised 5and :E,od .7E(.9. <. H2he names o the t4elve tribes o the sons o IsraelH :(.E.(9 are 4ritten in the .( %ates o the =e4 Aerusalem. 2his su%%ests that in the Hol" Cit" all the $romises to and ho$es o Israel>a ter her E,odus>have become a realit". 7. 2he re erences to li%ht :(.E(7; ((E/9 and 4ater :(.E<; ((E.!(9 seem to sa" that there 4ill occur at t$e end o s$iritual Israel%s $il%rima%e the %reat ul illment o the Feast o 2abernacles& the t"$ical east o 4ater and li%ht :c . Aohn 7E(9. 2he end!time $romises have been ul illed. But the realit" sur$asses the $romises and %oes ar be"ond all e,$ectations. 2he $eo$le o God are called> saved& $rotected& and %uided b" God until the" reach the ne4 Canaan. 2he ancient account o the E,odus is a
:1aris. .*7/9& +9-+C. <? 2he $la%ues& related to t$e trum$ets and to the seven bo4ls :c . Rev ?; .<9& recall the $la%ues o E%"$t :E,od ?!..9. #$e 4oman taken by ?od into t$e desert and nouris$ed b" ?od (Rev .(E.+9& evokes the $eo$le o Israel& ed in the desert b" the manna& etc. <* 0n the notion o ado$tion& c . &6$ .E7!/; Rom ?E./!(7. 7) C . Rev ((E.7; Aohn 7E77!7?; Isa //E..

263

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit" t"$e o God@s %uidance o His $eo$le throu%h histor". Fith this re erence to God@s $rotection o Israel& the vision %ives& to encoura%e the $ersecuted Christians o all times& a $ositive source o ho$e.

City of t$e La!b

#bove ever"thin% else& the =e4 Aerusalem is the cit" o Aesus Christ. In this $assa%e Christ is e,clusivel" and s"stematicall" desi%nated b" the ter! amion, Hthe 5amb.@M 2his 4ord is re$eated seven times in the $as! sa%e. Each time it is used to describe a di erent relationshi$ bet4een Aesus and =e4 AerusalemE .. 2he 5amb is the husband o the =e4 Aerusalem& His bride and 4i e R (5$CA. (. 2he 5amb is the ounder o the cit". Its t4elve oundations bear the na!es o His t4elve a$ostles :(.E.+9. 7. 2he 5amb& to%ether4ith the Father& is the tem$le o the cit" :(.E((9. +. 2he 5amb is the Hlam$H o the cit"& illuminatin% it 4ith the %lor" o ?od :(.E(79. /. 2he 5amb is the bookkee$er or the Iud%e o the =e4 Aerusalem citi@ens. 0nl" the" are allo4ed to enter the cit" H4ho are 4ritten in the La!b%s book o li eH :(.E(79. <. 2he enthroned 5amb is the source o li e& or the 5i e!%iver& or Hthe Hver o the 4ater o li eH lo4s rom the throne o God and o the 5amb :((E.9. 7. 2he 5amb is kin%& %overnin% rom His throne and served b" His bond servants :((E79. In three o these re erences the 5amb is mentioned to%ether 4ith God i m the ormula HGod and the 5amb.H God and the 5amb are the Hol" Cit"@s H!tem$le :(.E((9; the throne o God and the 5amb is in it :((E79; and the \\ river o li e comes rom the throne o God and the 5amb :((E.9. But Christ HXlone is said to be the husband :(.E*9& the one 4ho laid the oundations \ %Httou%h His .( a$ostles :(.E.+9& the lam$ o the cit" :(.E(79& and the I$see$er o the book o li e 4here the names o the citiJens o the =e4 \\ erusaiem are 4ritten :(.E(79. \\ #$is seven old re erence to Christ in relationshi$ to the =e4 Aeru! :;#alem em$hasiJes the Christian si%ni icance o the Hol" Cit". Identi ied I$4ith the Father& and sharin% the throne o the universe 4ith Him& Christ IlPB t$e center o the <e Aerusalem. 7e is the kin%. His $resence& al4a"s A tated& is never described. Christ is essential to the Hol" Cit"E 7e is its
262

=e4 Aerusalem>2he Hol" Cit" ounder& its tem$le& its lam$ o li%ht& and its source o li e. He is& in a 4ord& the best %i t o God to mankind>the bride%room& the husband o humanit" redeemed. Ever"thin% is reca$itulated in Him. In the 5amb o the =e4 Aerusalem 4e have Hthe summin% u$ o all thin%sH :E$h .E.)& =#SB9. 2his vision sho4s& in a master ul 4a"& that Hthe de inition o heaven is the $resence o Christ.H7.

Conclusions
Havin% arrived at the end o this surve"& 4e ma" summariJe some theolo%ical im$licationsE .. By means o the ima%e o the =e4 Aerusalem& the vision o Revelation (.!(( trans ers the s"mbols and unctions o the historical Aerusalem to times be"ond histor". By $lacin% this vision a ter the inal rene4al o all thin%s :.*E..!()E./9& the realit" o the Hol" Cit" is clearl" located subse3uent to our $resent a%e. (. Rather than bein% the culmination o the historical $rocess or the result o human $ro%ress& the =e4 Aerusalem is the $roduct o God@s su$ernatural 4orkmanshi$.7( It is a creation comin% rom God& an absolute %i t o God to man. 2he result o man@s 4ork is Bab"lonE a s"stem that comes u$ rom the earth a%ainst God& characteriJed b" su erin%& death& and se$aration rom God. =e4 Aerusalem is the o$$osite o Bab"lon. It comes do4n rom heaven and re$resents the absolute trium$h o li e& Io"& and communion 4ith God. +. By identi "in% the =e4 Aerusalem 4ith a ne4 creation& a ne4 1aradise& and the cit" o the 1romised 5and& the vision su%%ests that the descri$tion o this cit" is like a reca$itulation o salvation histor"&77 intended to reassure the redeemed o the ultimate victor" o God over evil. 2his victor" is described as both ul illin% and sur$assin% the $rimeval order o thin%s. +. #ll the details o the te,t im$l" that this ne4 order& in 4hich the transcendent and earthl" orders are united& 4ill occur in a trans ormed 4orld rather than in a s$iritual realm. 2he traditions that identi " the =e4 Aerusalem o Revelation (.!(( 4ith the historical Christian church on earth are not su$$orted b" e,e%esis o this $assa%e.7+
7. &llen ?- B$ite Comments& The SD- Bi le )ommentar 7E*?*. 7( ?. 'os> H=e4 Aerusalem.H ISBE (C$icago> .*./9& 7E.<(.!((. 77 E. )orsiaI?7A!ocat !semamtenant, (?). 7+ Boron> 7.; c . 'artin!#chard& ()+& n. 7.

27;

=e4 =erusale!E#$e 7oly Cit" /. 2he trans ormation that makes o =e4 Aerusalem a ne4 creation occurs in continuit" 4ith the $ro$hetic $romises o restoration o Aerusalem in the 02 and in ul illment o the $romises made b" Christ to the seven Christian churches :(E.! 7E((9. But the realit" o the Hol" Cit"!eternal Io"& ultimate bliss and $er ection> sur$asses human e,$ectations. 2he inal result o God@s creativit" is al4a"s une,$ected& sur$risin%& and absolutel" ne4. <. #s a s"mbol o the %lorious clima,& the inal ul illment o God@s $lan o salvation& the =e4 Aerusalem>es$eciall" under the meta$hor o the bride and 4i e >re$resents the reconciliation o mankind 4ith God& the realiJation o the everlastin% covenant. It re$resents& there ore& the trium$hant church& the ne4 and de initive Israel :.E()9. H2hrou%h Christ both Israel and the church are one and met to%ether in one ne4 cit"& the =e4 Aerusalem.H7/ 7. 2his vision contains a orce ul invitation rom God to be read" or t$e eternal 4orld. 2he bride& kno4in% that the bride%room is comin%> MMSurel" I am comin% soonH :((E()9>Hhas made hersel read"; it 4as P%ranted her to be clothed 4ith ine linen& bri%ht and $ureH :.*E7!?9. ;i #ll the histor" o the church& and all our $ersonal histor"& is e,$ected @ b" God to be a $re$aration or that Io" ul event& the encounter 4ith Aesus. 20s is 4h" the te,ts insist& H2he S$irit and the Bride sa"& @Come.@ #nd let him 4ho hears sa"& @Come.M #nd let him 4ho is thirst" come& let him 4ho desires take the 4ater o li e 4ithout $riceH :((E.79. 2his is the invitation o %race to a cit" 4here all is %race.

* I. L#Rond"ll"0 1he Israel of&od in Prophecy) 145+ 271

II
GE=ER#5 S28DIES

Sanctuar"6Aud%ment Re!nantNS6irit o 1ro$hec" 0odern 1a$ac" Ar!ageddon Heavenl" Sanctuar" :Kumran9 Christ@s 2itles

C$a6ter I" Sanctuary and =udg!ent

Aan 1aulsen
&ditorial Syno6sis. Aud%ment rom the throne o God and o the 5amb in the heavenl" sanctuar" is a maIor em$hasis in the book o Revelation. Some Iud%ments are remedial in desi%n. 2he $ro$hetic s4ee$ o the churches& seals& and trum$ets disclose selective out$ourin%s o divine 4rath to disci$line the church and the 4orld to brin% them to re$entance. I the desired res$onse is not orthcomin%& these e,$ressions o Aud%ment are $role$tic o 4hat is to come. #s Revelation@s $ortra"al o the stru%%le bet4een %ood and evil moves to4ard its clima,& the several acets o the inal Iud%ment are observed in the $ro$hec"E .. # $readvent $hase :Rev ..E.*; .+E<!7; c . Lev .<; Dan 7E*!.)&.7!.+9. (. # se$aration $hase at the Second#dvent 4hen believers are se$arated rom t$e ollo4ers o antichrist :Rev ((E..!.(; ()E/!<9. 7. # millennial revie4 $hase :Rev ()E+!<; c . . Cor <E(!79. +. #n e,ecutive $hase at the close o the millennium :Rev ()E..!./; c . 'att (/E7.!+<9. Salvation and Iud%ment are ministries that center in the $erson o Christ. 7is rig$t to rule6Iud%e and to save rests on His atonin% death on the cross. Conse! 3uentl"& the recurrin% s"mbol b" 4hich He is $resented as Iud%e in Revelation is t$at o the 5amb& slain& but no4 enthroned to Iud%e until that task is com$leted& and to rule orever. Fidelit" to Christ is the issue and basis or Aud%ment. Faith ulness to Christ im$lies the kee$in% o God@s commandments :Rev .(E.7; .+E.(9. Faith has no other 4a" o e,$ressin% itsel than b" obedience.

C$a6ter (utline
I. Introduction II. 2erminolo%" III. Some 0bservations on Selected 1assa%es I'. Centralit" o Christ

275

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment

Int'odu"tion
2o a$$roach our stud" in an orderl" 4a"& 4e 4ill irst de ine certain biblical 4ords %ermane to the discussion. Seven $assa%es have been selected in section t4o or anal"sis because the" a$$ear to hi%hli%ht the Iud%ment theme. #s a result o these $reliminar" observations& 4e 4ill attem$t in a inal section to isolate the main strains and em$hases o the sanctuar"6Iud%ment theme $resented in the book o Revelation.

#er!inology
'aos (#e!6leA In both Greek histor" and lan%ua%e the 4ord naos si%ni ied the d4ellin% $lace o a %od. It re erred to the inner shrine or sanctuar" o the %od. #s such& it 4as more s$eci ic and narro4er in meanin% than either hieron :tem$le9& 4hich included the buildin%s and the courts& or temenos :sacred $recincts9& 4hich desi%nated the marked!o land o the tem$le or the $recincts on 4hich the hol" shrine and its buildin%s 4ere situated. :2he latter 4ord is not used in the =29 It 4ould a$$ear that these shar$ distinctions bet4een naos and hieron :or bet4een those terms and hagion;ta hagia Qsanctuar"R& also used in the =2 to desi%nate tem$le6sanctuar"9 are not held to consistentl" in the =2 . Ho4ever& Aohn in the book o Revelation em$lo"s neither hieron nor hagion;ta hagia& Naos is Aohn@s avorite 4ord or Htem$leH 4hich he uses .< times but 4ith di erent shades o meanin%. For e,am$leE #$e $eavenly te!6le. # number o $assa%es $resu$$ose or allude to the realit" o the heavenl" tem$le 3naos4& 2he revelator sees saints ministerin% be ore God Hda" and ni%ht in his tem$leH :7E./9; ( the tem$le 4as o$ened be ore him& and H4ithin the tem$le 4as seen the ark o his covenantH :..E.*9; out o it came an%els :.+E./&.7; ./E/!<9& includin% the an%els 4ith the vials o God@s 4rath :./E<; .<E.& 7; c . 1s ..E+9. #$e co!!unity of ?od%s 6eo6le. Sometimes naos :tem$le9 is s$iritualiJed to desi%nate the communit" o believers. For e,am$le& the victorious Christian 4ill be made Ha $illar in the tem$le o m" God; he shall never leave itH :7E.(9. 2his s$iritualiJation is reminiscent o ima%es rom EJekiel
. ). 'ichel& H=aos&H T%NT. :Grand Ra$ids& .*<79E ??(!?/. 5 #$e <&B is used throu%hout t$is cha$ter unless other4ise noted.

276

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment ++ and 1salm .++ as 4ell as a number o comments b" 1aul 4ho sa4 the communit" o aith as God@s s$iritual tem$le.7 #$e Lord 7i!self. In the earth made ne4 God and the 5amb are identi ied as its tem$le :(.E((9. God shall d4ell 4ith the redeemed& thus assurin% the $resence o the tem$le o His $erson amon% humankind :(.E79.

Ske" (#enlN#abcrnacleA
2he earliest traceable meanin% o this 4ord seems to have been HtentH or a tent! like d4ellin%.+ Ho4ever& =2 usa%e :() times9 takes its meanin% rom the Se$tua%int& a Greek translation o the Hebre4 Bible made in the third!second centuries B.C. S1ene is the Se$tua%int@s 4ord used re%ularl" or the Hebre4 miS1an, re errin% to the tabernacle. 2he tabernacle s"mboliJed God@s abidin% $resence 4ith His $eo$le. 0ne is also struck b" the act that s1Sne has the same consonants as she1inah& 2hat ma" be $ure coincidence& but it ma" also be that s1ene is a Greek loan4ord 4ith a Semitic root./ S1ene is ound three times in Revelation :.7E<; ./E/; and (.E79. #s ar as et"molo%" is concerned& s1ene and naos ma" overla$ onl" in $art. But e find no reason to hold that s1ene in Revelation means an"thin% other t$an naos& Both e,$ressions are used or God@s tem$le in heaven& and in a !ore s"mbolic sense& si%ni " God@s $resence. 2he $arallel bet4een Hthe tem$le o ?od> the one in heavenH 3ho naos tou Theou ho en to ourano4 and Hthe tem$le o the tent... in heavenH 3ho naos 3es s1enes&&& en to ourano4 is unmistakable :c . ..E.*; ./E/9.

Thronos (#$roneA
In the Greek 4orld thronos meant Iust a hi%h chair 4ith an attached ootstool. It@s more elevated s"mbolic meanin% as the seat o ro"al rule or o an absolute ruler derives rom the 0rient. HSittin% on his throneH meant or the ruler to be $ositioned or about to e,ercise his authorit". In that $osition the ruler makes or e,ecutes decrees. It is 4ith that meanin% intact that 4e meet this s"mbol in the Bible. It e,$resses God@s $o4er conditioned b" His Iustice& hence His rule o ri%hteousness :ba .<E/; 1s .((E/; 1rov ()E(?9. God Hsittin% on his throneH or God Hbein% in his tem$leH are statements that overla$. I the" are not s"non"mous in meanin%& the" are closel" linked>4ith the ormer e,$ression& su%%estin% that the Ruler6Aud%e is
+ . Cor 7E.<!.7; ( Cor <E.<!.?.; E$h (E()!((; c . . Pet (E/. + F. 'ichaelis& HSkcnc&H T%NTH :Grand Ra$ids& .*<79E 7<? . 9 ?. B. Caird> A )ommentar on the "e#elation o/ St& John the %i#ine :=e4 Oork& .*<<9& (<+. 277

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment about to act. Fe meet this re$eatedl" in the 02 visions o God so $ositioned& read" to act or declare.< 2he $icture o God decreein% and e,ecutin% Iud%ment rom His heavenl" throne& althou%h absent rom the eschatolo%" o Hellenistic Audaism& is $rominent both in 1alestinian Audaism : or e,am$le& in Ethio$ic Enoch Q. EnochR 4here the a%ent o Iud%ment is the Son o man or the Elect 0ne97 and in the biblical material.H In the =2 the 4ord thrones is used most re3uentl" in Revelation. 0 a total o // occurrences& +7 are ound in Revelation. =o ne4 dimension is added to its basic meanin% o bein% the center o God@s activit"& rule& and Iud%ment. 2he one $ossibl" ne4 element that emer%es& but ma" be no more than an enlar%ement o the 02 conce$t& is that the Son o man sits 4ith God the Father on the heavenl" throne and $artici$ates in the same activities o rulin% and Iud%in%.* God Hsittin% on his throneH is a com$rehensive e,$ression or God@s soverei%nt"& rule& and Iud%ment. 2he em$hasis is on God acting, and God dischar%es His unctions as Ruler6Aud%e rom His $lace in the tem$le. B" the o$$osin% s"mbolism o the Hthrone o GodH and the Hthrone o SatanH :(E.7; c . .7E(; .<E.)9& the on%oin% con lict bet4een Christ and the antichrist is de$icted in Revelation. #lso 4ith re erence to Satan& thronos si%ni ies $o4er& rule& and authorit" :.7E(9. 2he Hthrone o the 5amb&H ho4ever& is the one that ultimatel" emer%es victorious. ;ririo, ;rima, ;risis (#o =udgeN=udg!entA 2he most commonl" used 4ords in the =2 to conve" the idea o God Iud%in% are the verb 1ririB and related nouns& 1risis and hima& # number o derivatives o these& all related to Iud%in% and Iud%ment& are to be ound. In Revelation 1rima occurs three times&.) 1risis our times&.. and 1rino ei%ht times..( 2he =2 usa%e ot1ririG %oes back immediatel" to the Se$tua%int 4here it is used or the Hebre4 Sa!at :to Iud%e9. 2hat 4ord and mis!@t :Iud%ment9 are the most commonl" used 02 e,$ressions or the acts o con!
2 Isa <E.; <<E.; =er .7E.(; Beck .E(<!(?; Dan 7E*. 3 . &noc$ +<E+ .; cf. . &noc$ +/E7!+; <.E? .; <(E*&.7!.<. K C. Ro land> The $pen =ea#en :S.1.C.D.& London> .*?(9. .29G ;. SchmitJ& H2hronos&H T%NT 7 :Grand Ra$ids& .*<79E .<7!<+. C Rev +,5.G 7E.7; ((E.!7; c . 0att (/E7.!7(; ((E+.!+/. .) Rev .7E.; .?E(); ()E+. .. Rev .+E7; .<E7; .?E.); .*E(. .( Rev <E.); ..E.?; .<E/; .?E?; .C,5>..; ()E.(!.7. 273

Sanctuary and Aud%ment duelin% a Iudicial $roceedin% and o sentencin% as 4ell as o the verdict itsel . 2he basic meanin% o o40 in classical Greek 4as that o Hsi tin%& $artin%& selectin%.H It a$$ears not to have come to the biblical material as a le%al term. Ho4ever& its basic meanin% 4ould readil" lend itsel to the e,tensive le%al sense that the term has in the Bible..7 Orisis Hlike other 4ords ormed rom verbal stems 4ith the su i, sis denotes the action e,$ressed b" the verbal stem.H.+ It si%ni ies the sentencin% b" the Iud%e as 4ell as the $rocess leadin% u$ to the sentence. 2he term is also used in Revelation .<E7; .?E.); and .*E( to e,$ress the e,ecution o the sentence. In .+E7 it ma" re er to the entire Iudicial $roceedin%& or Iust the act o the handin% do4n o the sentence& or $ossibl" both. Orima is used in .7E. and .?E() to e,$ress condemnation. Orisis and 1rima a$$ear to overla$ considerabl". Certainl"& on the basis o the e4 occurrences in Revelation& it is not $ossible to distin%uish shar$l" bet4een t4o di erent senses in 4hich the" ma" be used as in classical Greek : or e,am$le& 1rima meanin% Hsentence&H and 1risis meanin% the $rocess lead!@ in% u$ to the sentence9. Conte,t 4ill need to %ive %uidance here. In the 02 the ideas o rulin% and Iud%in% arc held closel" to%ether in S@!!l& ta& Revelation 4e ind the Ruler6Aud%e on His throne rom 4hich He initiates + wd monitors the Iudicial $rocess& issues the verdict& and e,ecutes His 4rath.

Sihhs, Bs lion (BookNScrollA

\ Biblos ori%inall" meant the $a$"rus $lant that& a ter it had been $re!lPtared& as used to 4rite on. From there it took on a 4ider meanin% to in!$ iiude any material used to 4rite on :$archment& leather& tablet9& or 4hat Aihad been 4ritten on it../ It then moved 3uite readil" to mean a book& a $icroll& a roll& or Iust sim$l" a 4ritin%. \GX #$e t4o 4ords& biblos and biblion, a$$ear to have been used inter!\\ Bhan%eabl"& and it is not $ossible to establish an" real distinction in mean! $it%bet4een them. 2he author o Revelation $re ers biblion 4hich he uses $B ti!es as a%ainst biblos, / times. .\@ In Revelation HbookH ac3uires a s$ecial meanin% that& althou%h alluded \= in other $arts o the Bible.< and Audaistic a$ocal"$tic traditions&.7
gS P. Biic$sci> !Drino&H TD'T + :Grand Ra$ids& .*<79E *((.(7; Colin Bro n> HDrima.H %NTT D l;.P (?rand Ra$ids& .*7*9E +25-2+. lPa'Buchsel *+.. %N ,IS Bro4n& HBiblos&H %NTT .E(+7; G. Schrenk& HBiblos.H T%NT . :Grand Ra$ids& .*<79E <./. (-W D0 7E.); .(E.; &-od 7(E7(; Isa </E<. \&.H I IBt$io6icP &noc$ ?.E+ ?*E<.!<+. 272

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment emer%es in Revelation@s Iud%ment settin%s 4ith s$ecial $rominenceE .. 2he book sealed 4ith seven seals in the hand o the Soverei%n on the throne :/E.9. (. 2he book o li e in 4hich the names o the overcomers are entered. .? 7. 2he books o Iud%ment& distin%uished rom the book o li e&.* b" 4hich ever"one shall be Iud%ed Haccordin% to his deedsN@.()

So!e (bservations on Selected Passages Revelation ..,.-5

In a messa%e $laced bet4een the si,th and the seventh trum$ets& Aohn the Revelator records an order %iven him in vision. # measurin% rod is $laced in his hands and he is instructed to measure the tem$le 3naos4, the altar& and the 4orshi$ers& but not the outer court o the tem$le. 2he obvious 3uestions are. Fho or 4hat is the Htem$le&H the Haltar&H and the H4orshi$ers&H and 4hat does HmeasureH meanL #nd 4h" not the Houter courtHL Su%%estions made b" those 4ho see here a historical lashback to Aerusalem 6re-A.D. 7)& or a sni$$et o a Cealot $am$hlet o similarl" $re!#.D. 7) ori%in (. can be readil" reIected. 5on% be ore the 4ritin% o Revelation the earl" believers had acce$ted the verdict o Aesus about the colla$se o the Aerusalem tem$le :'ark .7E(; c . #cts <E.+9. For the 4riter to have included a ho$e or the $reservation o the Aerusalem tem$le& 4hich b" the time he 4rote had been destro"ed& is hardl" a credible su%%estion. 2he visions& ima%es& and s"mbols& amon% 4hich the $resent $assa%e is ound& relate to the destin" o the communit" o aith>God@s $eo$le>as histor" a$$roaches its clima,. 2he obIect o concern is the believers 4ho are cau%ht in the increasin%l" intensi ied stru%%le bet4een Christ and antichrist. 2he obIect is to secure His $eo$le and %ive them assurance. 2he s"mbol o Hmeasurin%H is reminiscent o the measurin% recorded in EJekiel +)!+( and Cechariah (E(. In those $assa%es the act o measurin% e,$ressed the $romise o restoration a ter the e,ile. Fe 4ould su%%est that the Hmeasurin%H in ..E. be understood& as indeed most commentators do& to mean $reservin% or to kee$ sa e and secure or the uture. #s such
.? Rev +,9G .7E?; .7E?; ()E.(; (.E(7. .* Rev ()E.(; c . Dan 7E.); Isa </E<. () Rcv55,.5G (E(7; cf. I Pet .E.7; ( Cor/E.); Rom (E<. (. F. Bousset& R. H. Charics& A. Fellhausen cited in A. '. Count& 6 th and =istor in the Boo1 o/ "e#elation, ?<!/7.

23;

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment it is a si%n o immunit" rom ultimate destruction;(( a Hsi%n o divine $os! session.H(7 (n several occasions Aohn in vision is sho4n the heavenl" tem$le. #s an obIect in a$ocal"$tic vision its Hbein% thereH is $resu$$osed. 0 itsel & $o ever> there is nothin% to su%%est that an ima%e in a vision& described as an obIect& cannot be a s"mbol& and that there ore& one mi%ht le%itimatel" in3uire into the meanin% o the s"mbol rather than to rest 4ith the $h"si!csd obIect. Revelation is ull o obIects 4ith s"mbolic meanin% : or e,am$le& I $orses emer%in% rom heaven :<E(!?9; a mountain hurled into the sea :?E?9; \ t star bein% %iven a ke" b" 4hich the sha t to an ab"ss is o$ened :*E.!(9; t the eatin% o a scroll& 4ith the reco%nition o taste and the e ects it has on \\Phe di%estive s"stem :.)E.)9& etc. Ever" cha$ter con ronts the reader 4ith \ ima%es that are reco%niJed as s"mbols leadin% to in3uir" into their urther \aLeanin%. \.& 'ost commentators su%%est that Htem$le@M should be understood to lPe er to GodMs $eo$le. 2here ore& e are here con ronted 4ith a s$iritu!I$liJation otnaos$ In a document illed 4ith ima%es that have meanin%s t@other than 4hat the" immediatel" conve"& the su%%estion that naos should \.\Ze similarl" vie4ed is not o itsel $re$osterous. .;& Such a s$iritualiJation o naos to mean God@s $eo$le& ho4ever& is :llP%htl" disturbed b" the tri$let e,$ressionE tem$le& altar& and 4orshi$ers. \I\ all that the $assa%e seeks to sa" is 4ith re erence to the measurin% o \ cdMs $eo$le& either Htem$leH or H4orshi$ersH 4ould have su iced. 0ne lPnot avoid sensin% that the $assa%e is seekin% to sa" somethin% more. .P2he e,$ression that is contrasted 4ith the $hrase Htem$le& altar& and ll4$rshi$ersH is Hthe outer court o the tem$le.H Each o these $hrases contributes to the meanin% o the other. 0ne area is to be HmeasuredH; the either is not. e Rather than holdin% that the Hmeasurin%H has re erence to the $reser!\\Htion or sa e%uardin% o s$ace or $h"sical structures& e 4ould su%%est thatE .. #ttention is hereb" dra4n to t4o %rou$s o $eo$le& si%ni ied b" the t4o Iu,ta$osed $hrasesE one bein% the believers& claimed b" God as
7X 0artin Diddle. The "e#elation o/ St& /ohn :5ondon& .*+)9& .??. SRo land> /5C. SX =oac$i! Acremias& New Testament Theolog . :=e4 Mork> .*7.9E ()?; 7. Barclay S4ete& The -pocalypse of /ohn :=e4 Oork& .*)<9& .7(; Ro4land& +(*; R. 7.C$arles> The "e#elation o/ St& /ohn, ICC> . :Edinbur%h& .*()9E (7<; ?. R. Bcasley-0urray> The Boo1 o/ "e#elation :Grand Ra6ids> .*7?9. .?.&

(?.

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment

7isG t$e other bein% those MM4ho have com$romised 4ith the 4orld>the =icolaitans& the Balaamilcs& the ollo4ers o AeJebel& the loveless olk at E$hesus& the li eless at Sardis& and the luke4arm at 5aodicea.H> The ormer %rou$ is bein% Hmeasured&H that is& the" are bein% $reserved or %iven the assurance that the" are secure 4ith God as the 4orld rushes into the inal& ear ul clima, o the controvers" bet4een %ood and evil. 2he thou%ht is $arallel to the sealin% o cha$ter 7. 2he latter %rou$ lies outside the $romise and assurance %iven to those 4ho are claimed b" God. Fhether one understands the e1bale e0Bthen :vs. (9 to mean Hcast out&H Hthro4 outside&H or Hhave nothin% to do 4ith the outer court&H the meanin% o bein% e,cluded rom God@s $reservation remains. (. Fhile the above $oint ma" be a $ossible meanin% o the $resent $assa%e& the use o the tem$le!ima%er" immediatel" leads the reader to the central moti o the 4hole o the #$ocal"$se& namel"& the $erson and the on%oin% ministr" o Aesus Christ as the ascended $riest6mediator6Iud%e6 ruler 4ho rom His tem$le6throne $osition mediates the bene its o His sacri ice and Iud%es all :c . Heb ?E.!(9. His 4orthiness to dischar%e these unctions is directl" connected 4ith His bein% Hthe 5amb that 4as slainH :cha$s. +!/9. 2here& at the Hheart o the throne&H is the 0ne 4ho is reco%niJed as the lamb 4hose death on the altar commissions Him to His $resent char%e. It is ittin% that ..E. should s$eci icall" sin%le out the altar 4ithout 4hich the act o God to seal& $reserve& and secure His children or the uture 4ould not be $ossible. Be 4ould su%%est& there ore& that ..E.!( has t4o ociE :a9 the 5amb 4ho mediates& Iud%es& and claims; and :b9 the $eo$le 4ho are bein% adIud%ed 4orth"& that is& claimed b" God as 7is> and 4ho are %iven this assurance. Revelation .+E<!7 # call to 4orshi$ the Creator is made& or Hthe hour o his Iud%ment has comeNH 2his call is described as an Heternal %os$el.H Some commentators 3uestion 4hether this is $art o the %os$el at all& that it contains no Christian ho$e& onl" an a$$eal to theism& Hcouched in the lan%ua%e o natural theolo%".HH But the %os$el surel" it is& in that Hthe announcement
(/ Cairi> .7(. 52 R- 7. 'ounce& The Book o/ "e#elation, <IC<# .7 (?rand Ra6ids> .*779E (77.

232

Sanctuary and Aud%ment

of the Dudg!ent brin%s %ood tidin%s to the saints.... QandR a call to the 4orld to ear God and re$ent.H(7 Its messa%e is that the historical moment has come 4hen God 4ill ini! tiate a $rocess o Iud%in% 31risis, Hsi tin%H9& as somethin% se$arate rom the dait" %oin%s and comin%s o li e. 2he 5amb is seated on His throne read" to act in Iud%ment. Here& as throu%hout the book o Revelation& 4aveso escha! tolo%" thro4 the reader do4n to4ard the closin% scenes o earth@s histor". 0ne Hlike a son o manH :vs. .+9 and a messen%er rom the heavenl" tem$le e3ui$$ed to rea$ indicate that the harvest time has come :vss. .+!()9. In this settin%& the $resent te,t belon%s to the scene o the time o the end. Conte,t demands that the Hhour o his Iud%mentH $resented in this .$assa%e :.+E<!79 be understood as somethin% ver" di erent rom either the cross!event :4ith its Aud%ment directed a%ainst the $rince o this 4orld& .(E7!.(; Aohn .(E7.9 or the inal $hase o God@s Iud%ment o the4orld that @e,$resses the e,ecution o sentence :()E..!./9. Bet4een these t4o as$ects o Iud%ment Revelation also alludes to or $resents t4o other di erent e,$ressions o divine Iud%ment. Both are o a $reliminar" nature in that the" $recede the Second #dvent. Both are also enca$sulated in a call to re$entance. Hence& the" take $lace 4hile the da" o salvation is still 4ith men.(? 0ne is $reliminar" in that it is antici$ator" (* or $re$arator"7) and con! sists o selective out$ourin%s o God@s 4rath to call on& educate& and disci! $line the church and the 4orld in order to brin% them to re$entance. 2his tind o Iud%ment messa%e is e,$ressed in $assa%es such as those o the seven churches& the seven seals& and the seven trum$ets. I the desired res$onse is not orthcomin%& these $re$arator" e,$ressions o Iud%ment are $role$tic o 4hat is to come. 2he other $hrase o Iud%ment& also $rior to the Second #dvent& is Heaven@s Iudicial $rocess o si tin% and claimin% and in 4hich account is taken o man@s choice. 2he ultimate 3uestion is& Fhom 4ill God seal as 7is o4n& and on 4hat basis 4ill God make His claimL Judiciall that 4ill have been resolved be ore Aesus Christ returns. 7. 2he conte,t o cha$ter
53 bbon #. Beck it$> The -pocalypse of /ohn :=e4 Mork> .*((9& </<; c . Beasle"!'urra"& ((/. 5K ). D. <ic$ol> ed.> The SD- Bi le )ommentar H :Fashin%ton& DC> .*/79E ?(?. 5: ?eorge &ldonLadd>-/ Theology of the 'e" Testament (?rand Ra6ids> .*7+9& 252. 7) Donald Guthrie& 'e4 2cC2o iC2t Theolog :Do4ners Grove& I5& .*779& ?<7. +. Dr. C$risto6$er Roland of Ca!bridge 1niversity in his recent stud" of =e is$ and early Christian a6ocaly6tic> The $pen %eaven (S.P.C.8.> .*?(9 makes com$arisons bet een t$e eschatolo%" o Daniel and Revelation. After statin% that Daniel J$as nothin% to say about t$e last assiJeH he 6roceeds to ootnote t$at observation it$ this some4hat remarkable co!!ent, JPassages like

23<

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment .+ does not elaborate on the obIect or the e,act timin% o the Iud%ment introduced in verse 7& but it clearl" antedates the Second #dvent and is a $art o the events leadin% u$ to it. #s Seventh!da" #dventists 4e have traditionall" understood Revelation .+E<!7 to re er to the same Iud%ment described in Daniel 7 4ith its time link in Daniel ?E.+. In DanieFs $ro$hec" that Iud%ment scene 4as $roIected to be%in in .?++. Fhile Revelation .+E7 lacks the details o Daniel 7 and ?& the te,t readil" receives and has room or the understandin% arrived at rom Daniel.

Revelation .9,9
2his te,t brin%s be ore us both 4ords naos :tem$le9 and s1ene :tent6 tabernacle9. #s observed earlier the t4o terms cover the same meanin%. 2he su%%estion that the $hrase could read Hthe naos 4hich is the s1ene$ is& there ore& acce$table.7( 2he $assa%e is $receded b" a do,olo%ical h"mn& the Son% o 'oses and the 5amb& e,tollin% the Iustice o God@s Iud%ments 3di1aiomata, Hdivine sentences o condemnationH>im$l"in% $rior investi%ation9 u$on the antichrist and t$e enemies o God@s $eo$le.77 2he 4riter describes the heavenl" tem$le as the $s1SnS o the testimon".H Immediatel" there comes to mind the 02 tabernacle in 4hich 4as ound the ark 4ith the t4o tables o the 2en Commandments :E,od (/E.<; Deut .)E+!/9. 2hat structure 4as kno4n as the Htabernacle o the testimon".H7+ 0nce be ore 4hen Aohn sa4 the heavenl" tem$le o$ened& his attention 4as dra4n to the ark. H2his time it is not the ark but the 2estimon" it contains 4hich occu$ies his attention. 2he time or merc" is over& and God@s la4 must no4 take its course.H7/ 2he an%els 4ho emer%e rom the tem$le are so %arbed as to indicate the o icial and sacred nature o their mission :vs. <9. 2he" have been sent
Daniel 7E* .& had an im$ortant bearin% on later cschatoto%ical ideas& not least t$e $icture o the last Iud%ement in Revelation ()E.( . In its $resent orm& ho4ever& it must be doubted 4hether this $eavenly assi@e in Daniel 7 is to be understood as an event 4hich 4ill take $lace at the end of histor"& ut is rather a Audgement !assed in hea#en, whose conseGuences will be ultimatel /ell b man1ind$ :$$. .(&+/) Oe!6$asis su66liedPA. 7( 0. 'eloso> J#$e Doctrine of t$e Sanctuary and the Atone!ent as Reflected in the Book o Revelation>J The Sanctuar and the -tonement, ed. Arnold V. Fallenkam$ and F. Richard 5esher :Fashin%ton& DC, Biblical Researc$ Institute> .*?.9& +)). 77 'ss. +-/G see B. ). #rndt and ). B. ?ingric$> - Greek&*nglish 2e+icon o/ the New Testament (C$icago> .*/79; c . Rev .<E/!7; .*E(; corres6onding to t$e $ra"er ul si%hs o God@s c$ildren> Rev <E.); c . Dan ?E.(!.+. 7+ &-od +K,5.> RS'G =um *E./; .)E..; c . #cts 7E++. +9 Caird> ()).

234

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment

to carr" the Iud%ments o God@s 4rath a%ainst Bab"lon 4ith her 4a"s o sin and rebellion. 2he" have been sent b" ?od> and one e,claims as the mis! sion is carried out& HAust art thou in these th" Iud%ements& thou Hol" 0neH :.<E/9. 2he seven an%els come rom the naosls1Srie $recisel" because that is 4here God sits on His throne dischar%in% His unctions as Iud%e. HHe is $resent in his sanctuar" in o!eration till his $ur$ose in Iud%ment is accom! $lished.H7< Revelation .K,5; Cha$ters .7 and .? deal 4ith God@s Iud%ment on Bab"lon>both the sentence and the e,ecution o it& the latter bein% the $oint o attention in cha$ter .?. Verse .) announces to Bab"lon that the divine verdict has finally cau%ht u$ 4ith her. HOour doom 81risis V e,ecution o sentenceR has struckNH 2he ocus has chan%ed rom the H#las& alas ... Bab"lonNH :vs. .)9 to Hlet heaven e,ult over herH :and God@s $eo$le as 4ellN9 as the Iustice o the sentence 31rima4 on Bab"lon is a irmed. But the additional $oint bein% made here to God@s $eo$le is that the" are reeN 2he verdict reads literall" that HGod has Iud%ed "our sentenceH on Bab"lon; she is the %uilt" cul$rit& and God@s sentence a%ainst her is a Iud%ment6or His $eo$le. 2he =EB renders it& HFor in the Iud%ement a%ainst her he has vindicated "our causeIJ # di icult" that the te,t $resents is ho4 to understand the Greek e,! $ression& e0 au/Ss& 2he sentence reads& HGod has $assed QIud%edR "our sen! tence e0 au/es&$ HOour sentenceH must either mean the sentence 4hich "ou have $assed& or that 4hich has been $assed on "ou b" her. B" a$$ealin% to t4o 02 la4s>the la4 o bloodshed :Gen *E/!<9 and the la4 o the mali! cious 4itness :Deut .*E.<!.*9>G. B. Caird ar%ues that the te,t should read& HGod has im$osed on her the sentence she $assed on "ou.H 77 Verse () comes as a ittin% clima, to a lar%er Iud%ment scene. Verses *!.* de$ict the $iti ul state o Bab"lon as she rea$s her 4oes. Verse () e,$resses the e,ultation and Io" o God@s $eo$le& ma"be not Iust because Bab"lon has %otten her Iust deserts& but that the" are no4 ree and sa e& vindicated b" their God. Similarities in ima%er" bet4een Revelation .? and EJekiel (7 are noticeable& as 4ell as bet4een the Iud%ment scene o .?E()
+2 Beck4ith& <7*. +3 Caird> (7); Beasle"!'urra"& (<?. 235

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment

and Daniel 7E(( 4here the declaration stands out that HAud%ement !4as %iven in avour o the saints o the 'ost Hi%h.H
Revel#tion 2%5-

Aohn sa4 thrones; on them sat those Hto 4hom Iud%ement 4as com! mitted.H 2here is no immediate identi ication o these $ersons& neither is the te,t clear as to $recisel" 4hat H%ivin% Iud%ment to themH means. 2he 4ord or HIud%mentH in this instance is 1rima& 2he scene lashed here be ore the reader is clearl" reminiscent o the $icture $resented in Daniel 7E*!.) 4ith thrones bein% set to initiate a Iud%! ment scene. #lso& in the Daniel scene Iud%ment is said to be %iven to the saints :vs. ((9. 2hat $articular statement in Daniel& ho4ever& seems tYest understood as the Iud%in% $rocess indin% and renderin% a verdict in aPvor o God@s $eo$le. Is that the $oint 4hich is also bein% made in the $ass P%e be ore usL Fe think not. .. Fe 4ould su%%est that the clause :literall" readin%& HIud%ment 5was %iven to themH9 be understood to mean that these $ersons are being invested 4ith Iudicial authorit"& that is& those sittin% on the thrones are bein% %iven the ri%ht to $ronounce or a irm sentence. 2he ima%e o Jsitting on throneQsR&H as indicated earlier in our 4ord stud"& should be understood d"namicall" to mean active involvement in Iud%in%6rulin%. (. 2he $ersons to 4hom this Iud%ment is committed are described immediatel" a ter4ards :vss. +b!<9. 2he" are the ones 4ho have been loyal to their 5ord and could not be enticed to ollo4 the Hbeast.H Indeed& t$ey 4ould rather %ive their lives than identi " 4ith this a$ostas". #$ey take 6 art in the irst resurrection at the Second #dvent and are there ore $ro! nounced blessed :vs. <9& and the" rei%n 4ith Christ or a thousand year%s. 2he ima%es& Hrei%nin%&H Hsittin% on thrones&H Hhavin% Iud%mental autlior! it"&H describe the activities o God@s redeemed durin% the thousand years. 2his millennial Iud%ment 4ould then corres$ond to the Iud%ment 1aul refers to in . Corinthians <E(!7 :c . 'att .*E(?; Rev 7E(.; 1s .+*E/!*9. 7. 2he Iudicial matter 4ith 4hich this sittin% 4ill concern itsel is not that o decidin% 4ho has been lo"al to the 5ord and 4ho has not. #$at decision has been alread" made. Death is the ab"ss se$aratin% the dislo"al rom the 5ord@s o4nE the ruit o the irst resurrection 4ho are no4 4ith Him in millennial rei%n. 2he ollo4ers o a$ostas" do not come to li e until a ter the thousand "ears. 2here ore& the Iudicial decision o H4ho@s 4HoH has alread" been made 4hen the $assa%e be ore us o$ens. 2hus& it a$$ears that 4e are vie4in% here a scene in 4hich the saints !4ill
236

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment

$artici$ate 4ith Heaven in con irmin% or a irmin% the sentence arrived at and in $art alread" e,ecuted. Such $artici$ation 4ill enable the saved com! munit" to Ioin in the Son% o 'oses and the 5ambE HAust and true are th" 4a"s& thou kin% o the a%es.... th" Iust dealin%s stand revealedH :./E7!+9. 1rior to the destruction o the evil orces and their ollo4ers& 4hich takes $lace a ter the millennium& the $resent $assa%e de$icts God@s inal act o discreditin% rebellion be/ore his own !eo!le and thus securin% eternit". 2his& then& must be the ans4er to the 3uestion& Fh" another Iud%ment 4hen the @SvhoPs 4hoH has alread" been settledL &ven a casual readin% o the $assa%e be ore us in conte,t indicates that =o$n believed in a literal millennium. Furthermore& it is evident that he did not re%ard this $eriod as an advanced eschatolo%ical sta%e in the on%oin% 6rocess o histor". 2hose 4ho understand the millennium to mean that t$ere 4ill be a thousand "ears 4hen the saints 4ill rule 4ith Christ on earth it$ Aerusalem as head3uarters introduce elements 4hich neither the te,t before us nor its conte,t $rovides :.*E..!()E./9.7? Revelation 5;,..-.9 In this $assa%e Aohn is sho4n the inal Iud%ment scene. His si%ht o a %reat 4hite throne 4ith its e,aminin%6e,ecutin% Aud%e o$ens the vision. Be ore the %randeur o Him 4ho sits on the throne the old order& the $resent 4orld :earth and sk"9& lees a4a". 2hat is soon to be re$laced b" a ne4 act o creation :(.E.&/9. #$is Iud%ment vision %ives rise to some 3uestionsE .. Fho is the Aud%eL He is not named as either Father or Son. 2he Bible $resents both as heavenl" Iud%es o men :Rev /E.& 7& .7; Dan 7E*; Rom .+E.); ( Cor /E.)9. Aohn describes the 4ater o li e as lo4in% rom the throne o God and o the 5amb :((E.9& Hthereb" conve"in% the notion o a sin%le throne& a sin%le rule& and a sin%le source o li e.... 2he 5amb remains the mediator o Iud%ement and redem$tion& "et he is inse$arable rom the God 4ho enacts his 4ork o Iud%ement and redem$tion throu%h him.H 7@ It is 3uite ade3uate& at least or the $ur$oses o the $oint here bein% made& to sa" that to%ether 2he" Iud%e man. 5. Is this a universal Iud%ment or o the 4icked onl"L It ma" 4ell be that the 3uestion lies outside the ocus o the vision. Either vie4 can be
36 I. B. S;ete0 Co!!entary on )evelation, 2.-<.5J &ounce, <56-52C (. Lohse0 %ie .ffen*arun+ des Johannes (EN1D 2G *ottingen, 1271), 1;4-5C R. I. Ch#'les0 7schatolo+y) <42C id.0 Revelation of St( John 2@15;-51C Bcasle1-&urra1, 23755+ > Be#sl"+.Mu''#+0 25. 267

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment ar%ued& as indeed commentators do. 2he $osition is some4hat de$endent on 4hether the e,$ositor sees the vision se%ments arran%ed in a se3uential order in the lar%er conte,t be ore us :that is& cha$s. .*!((9 or 4hether he sees :as in other $arts o the book9 the se%ments comin% as 4aves> returnin% 4ith much o 4hat has alread" been stated or im$lied.+) It seems reasonable to sa" that Aohn mostl" has the 4icked in mind; the" are the obIect o the Iud%ment scene o verses +!<; the" are the ones 4ho take $art in the second resurrection. Verses ..!./ 4ould then be seen as an inserted vision to e,$lain the basis o the verdict a%ainst them. 7. 2hen& is the basis or Iud%ment di erent in the cases o those saved rom those condemnedL 2o assert& on the basis o the $resent $assa%es& that it is& 4ould be to $lace undue strain on this vision. 2he $oint Aohn seeks to conve" is not sim$l" that the HbookH :o li e9 is the roster o the saved onl" and the HbooksH :records o deeds9 are the roster o the damned onl"; the ormer bein% saved b" %race and the latter Iud%ed b" their record o evil deeds. 2here is a ver" real sense in 4hich all mankind is Iud%ed on the basis o their Hdeeds6M+. #nd there is no tension bet4een this and the conce$t o bein% saved b" aith. Faith has no other 4a" o e,$ressin% itsel e,ce$t b" Hdeeds.H 2hat such HbooksH or records o HdeedsH are ke$t b" God 4ith a vie4 to Iud%ment 4as alread" $art o the 026Ae4ish a$ocal"$tic understandin%.+( Similarl"& the e,istence o a book o li e or record o those destined to live& is a irmed. +7 Surel" the $oints Aohn seeks to make here are that
0?5 t$cv6.rdift in t$6 $fa LnlvN%V-0n-L JT J.-YZ o 0[N. -ZL %ZZ.1GWZrZE%l.. lE.W G-. LSSS=

is $riv"& une ma" reasonaol" assume that the authorit" %ranted to the saints durin% the millennium :vss. + .9 entails access to the same data& and that such access is $art o God@s act o dis$la"in% Himsel . It seems unnecessar" and incom$lete to vie4 the Hbooks o deedsH as merel" a re%ister o ne%ative behavior. Fh" can it not be vie4ed as containin% a transcri$t o the character o ever" human bein%L++ 2he character is the sum total o our e,$erience. I that e,$erience is sustained b"
+) JIt is a co!!on trait o biblical narration to state a theme& and then restate il in more detail as i recountin% a subse3uent eventH :S4eet& "e#elation, (*79. +. Cf. Ps 25,.5G =cr .7E.)& Rom (E<; ( Cor /E.); . Pet .E.7. +( Dan 7E.); . QEthio$icR &noc$ +7E7; *)E(); .)7E(; ( OSyriacP Baruc$ (+E.; Aubil 7)E((. +7 &-od 7(E7(!77; Dan .(E.; 'al 7E.<!.7; P$iI +E7. ++ Ellen G. Fhite Comments. The S%A Bible )ommentar 7 :Fashin%ton& DC& .*/79E *?7.

233

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment

union 4ith the 5ord& the names are also recorded in the Hbook o li e.H Here is the di erence bet4een the saved and the lost. 2his a$$ears to be the main concern o the vision o verses ..!./. Revelation 5.,+ #%ain a voice is heard comin% rom the heavenl" throne. It $roclaims& H=o4 at last God has his d4ellin% 8s1sm9 amon% menNH 2his cha$ter as a 4hole brin%s be ore the reader a variet" o thou%hts and ima%es& man" o 4hich have been d4elt on else4here in biblical a$ocal"$tic;+/ some are also re lected in Ae4ish a$ocal"$tic. +< 2he immediate $oint be ore us is the close and ree ello4shi$ bet4een God and 7is $eo$le 4hich characteriJes the ne4 creation. =o4 the circle & $as been com$leted; it 4as or such ello4shi$ that man 4as created initiall". 2he re3uentl" a$$earin% 02 moti & HI shall be "our God and "ou s$all be m" $eo$le&H s"mboliJed b" the tabernacle and the she1mah, i receives its ultimate ul illment. His s1BnS :tent6tabernacle9 is amon% His P $eo$le& inter$reted in the same breath to mean that J?od himsel 4ill be i it$ them.H 2his is also the $oint made later in the same cha$ter 4here the naos .(te!6leA on the ne4 earth is identi ied 4ith Hthe soverei%n 5ord God and the 5ambH :vs. ((9. 2he essential eature o eternit" is the immediate U $resence o God and ello4shi$ 4ith Him. 2hat 4hich has been lon% . $romised is inall" realiJed. \ #s the 'ediator6Aud%e ends His dual ministr" o savin% and Aud%in%& 6 the thrones and the tem$le 4hich e,$ressed these activities no lon%er serve _ t$eir $revious $ur$ose. Rebellion is %one and there is nothin% urther to kee6 ?od and His creation a$art.

Centrality of C$rist
Revelation generates $o6e. In t"$ical a$ocal"$tic ashion Aohn takes i a %rand s4ee$ o the time and histor" in 4hich an increasin% $olariJation P bet4een the orces o %ood and evil is bein% distinctl" marked out. He $! $resents it as the ebb o histor". #t each e,treme& that is& as the leaders o % teach lank& are Christ and the antichrist re$resentin% Satan. In bet4een I are the e,$eriences o $ain and ho$e o God@s $eo$le. In this conte,t Aohn
V9 ha (/E<!*; 7/E.); </E.7; EJek 77E(<!(7; c . 5ev (<E..!.(; Cech ?E?; ( 1et 7E.)!.7. V2 . QEthio$iaR Enoch +/E+ .; 7(E.; ( QS"riacR Baruch LD5&D5E< ( Esdras 7E7/.

232

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment

$resents Christ as the aven%er o His $eo$le 4ho have su ered or His name@s sake. Victor" or Christ and His elect is assured. Hence& the mes! sa%es o this a!oca/ !se 4ill %enerate ho$e and coura%e or God@s $eo$le. #t the inal Iud%ment Christ 4ill $reside. 2he verdict a%ainst antichrist and those 4ho are 4ith him is a ore%one conclusion; Christ@s elect& as 4ell as 4hat God has sou%ht to accom$lish& 4ill stand vindicated. Aohn $resents these messa%es o con rontation and vindication to a lar%e e,tent throu%h a variet" o ima%es. 0ne has to remember that the ima%es 4hich Aohn uses come to him conditioned& 4ith re erence to $ast a$ocal"$tic traditions& as 4ell as 4ith a certain $liabilit" and ca$abilit" o varied use. 0 course& the use o ima%es and s"mbols as vehicles o e,$ression is not uni3ue to Aohn@s Revelation. Ho4ever& he uses them not onl" more e,tensivel" than other biblical 4riters& but also& 4ith the e,ce$tion o a$ocal"$tic sections else4here in the Bible& some4hat di erentl" in Revelation. 0ther biblical 4riters Hclothe their histor" 4ith the ima%es& but the" are restricted b" the historical actualit" u$on 4hich the" it them.... But the #$ocal"$se 4rites o heaven and thin%s to come& that is& o a realm 4hich has no sha$e at all but that 4hich the ima%es %ive it.M@ +7 :Fe 4ill di er rom Farrer 4ith res$ect to his comment that that 4hich is "et to come has Hno sha$eH; structures& s$ace& boundaries& and $h"sical elements have not all va$oriJed in heaven or in thin%s to co!e> but our a!!reciation o such Hsha$eH as there is ma" 4ell be limited to that 4hich ima%es& conditioned and ca$able o multi$licit" as the" are& can $roIect.9 Revelation%s t in foci. 2he t4in oci o Revelation are :.9 the $erson and ministr" o Christ& and :(9 the e,$erience and destin" o the elect. But the" are linked to%ether in the thou%ht o the book and cannot be e,amined as se$arate subIects. 2he 3uestion& Fhat is ha$$enin% to God@s $eo$leL is& at least in $art& identical 4ith the 3uestions& Fhat is Christ doin%L and& Ho4 is He arin%L In dealin% 4ith these 3uestions a variet" o other issues are also resolved. R9r e,am$le. Fhat ha$$ens to the orces o rebellion& and 0n 4hat basis 4ill the" be dealt 4ithL Fhat about the re$lacement o the old order b" a ne4 and the basis on 4hich the ne4 4ill be securedL Fill indeed the da" come 4hen mani estl" Hever" $o4er and authorit" in the universeH 4ill be subIect to HimL )idelity to C$rist 2he centralit" o Christ is brou%ht out in Aohn@s irst vision 4hen he sa4 the Son o man standin% in the midst o seven lam$s&
+7 #ustin Farrer&P "ebirth o/ Images :Boston& .*+*9 .7.

22;

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment

that is& in the midst o the church do4n throu%h histor"& introducin% Himsel as the 0ne 4ho holds the ke"s to death and its domain :.E.(!.*9>the 0ne 4ho has $o4er and Iurisdiction over the uture. 0n this $remise rests the subse3uent messa%es to the seven churches. 2he a$$eal b" the 5ord to be H aith ul till deathH :(E.)9 means that "ou are not to Hden" "our aith in meH :vs. .79. Fidelit" to Christ is the issue. #s $arodies o the Saviour mas3uerade on the reli%ious scene :teachin%s o Balaam& =icolaitans& AeJebel& or the ultimate a$ostas">antichrist9& the 3uestion over 4hich Iud%ment 4ill invariabl" be decided is 4hether or not one has been lo"al to Christ. 2hat is the messa%e to the seven churches. Fhen the overcomer is assured that he 4ill be made Ha $illar in the tem$le . o m" GodH :7E.(9& it means that in Christ@s ne4 creation he 4ill never a%ain be se$arated rom his 5ord. Fidelit" to Christ as a basis or Iud%ment is urther illustrated b" the act that Iud%ment a%ainst the orces o evil 4ill be conducted because the" $ersecuted those 4ho are aith ul to Christ :<E*!.); .7E<; .?E/!<&(); .*E(9. Furthermore& these orces o evil demonstrate their antichrist 3ualities& not onl" in $ersecutin% the believers but also in blas$hemous behavior a%ainst God b" 4hich the" distort the truth about Christ& con use an alread" con used 4orld& and usur$ the $lace that belon%s to the 5ord onl" :.7&.7..?9. Faith ulness to Christ im$lies the kee$in% o God@s commandments :.(E.7; .+E.(9. Faith has no other 4a" o e,$ressin% itsel than b" obedi! ence; hence& the re$eated e,$ression& HI kno4 "our 4orks.H C$rist%s aut$ority to serveNDudge. Salvation and Iud%ment are minis! tries that belon% to%ether in the $erson o Aesus Christ. 0n 4hat rests His authorit" to Iud%e6rule6saveL 0 course. Creation itsel $rovides Him 4ith this authorit"& but in salvation histor" one act emer%es as the basis that authoriJes Him to unction in this diversi ied role& namel"& the cross. Con! se3uentl"& the recurrin% s"mbol b" 4hich Christ is $resented as Iud%e in Revelation is that o the 5amb& slain& "et no4 alive :/E<&*&.(; 7E.+; .7E?9. 2he 5amb is enthroned :/E<; 7E*&.7; ((E.& 79 to Iud%e& until that task is com$leted& and to rule orever. 2his s"mbol>5amb>takes its meanin% rom the 5evitical s"stem 4ith its animal sacri ices. It also dra4s rom the lamb s"mbol used in Isaiah /7 to $roIect the 'essiah. 2he worthiness o the 5amb to undertake this dual mission :save and Iud%e9 is $recisel" the $oint bein% made in cha$ter /. 0nce the credentials have been established& the o$enin% o the seven seals can be%in. Fe are in su$$ort o commentators 4ho understand the messa%es o (*.

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment

the seven seals to carr" the s ee6 o salvation $istoly bet4een the ascension and the return o our 5ord. #lthou%h overla$$in% 4ith t$e seven churches& the seals $assa%e di ers. Fhile the ormer offers comments rom God on the state o the church and counsels the church& the latter ocuses on God@s actin% rom His throne to claim His o4n& sealin% and securin% them. Several times in this vision :+!?E.9 attention is called to the throne :the heavenl" tem$le9 rom 4hich God directs His activities o claimin% and securin%& condemnin% and e,ecutin%. 2he %reat %atherin% o an%els& elders& and the livin% creatures& directin% their 4orshi$ and $raise to God seated on the throne& si%ni ies that 4e are lookin% at the Ruler6Aud%e and the $recincts rom 4hich He unctions both to save and to Iud%e. #s the vision be%ins& Aohn is called to heaven& and a door in heaven is o$ened. Fe take this to mean that he is bein% invited to see 4hat God does; hence& the details that ollo4. 2o4ard the end o that vision he e,$licitl" locates the throne in the heavenl" tem$le>the nerve center o God@s activities :7E./9. Preadvent Dudg!ent Be%innin% 4ith cha$ter ?E(!< a ne4 series o ima%es are brou%ht to Aohn@s attention. B" the blo4in% o seven trum$ets& an%els sound messa%es o 4arnin%. B" the time the seventh an%el blo4s his trum$et& the an%els and elders 4ho minister in God@s immediate $resence sense that a clima, has arrived& markin% an advanced sta%e in the stru%%le bet4een %ood and evil. =o4 God ste$s or4ard to be%in a series o end!time activities that hereto ore He has not en%a%ed in& namel"& an e,tensive act o Iud%in%& !rior to the return o Christ. 2he announcement is made that the desi%nated moment has arrived :..E./!.*9. #ctivities 4ill be undertaken brin%in% re4ard to God@s $eo$le and eventual destruction to Hthose 4ho destro" the earth.H In order to observe God@s activities o investi%ation and Iud%ment& the heavenl" tem$le is laid o$en or Aohn& and his attention is directed to the Hark o his covenantH :vs. .*9. 2o readers amiliar 4ith the 02 $attern the scene brin%s to mind the Da" o #tonement ritual& the one da" in the "ear 4hen the ark o the covenant located in the 'ost Hol" 1lace 4as made accessible to the $riest. It 4as a t"$e o inal Iud%ment. 2he 4ords o the do,olo%" o ered b" the HvoicesH and the (+ eiders make it clear that 4e are here bein% introduced to the be%innin% o a Iud% ! ment scene. 2his is Christ@s inal ministr" be ore $h"sicall" returnin% to receive His elect. 2he moment o His return is the moment 4hen the out!
222

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment

come o this ministr" 4ill be im$lementedE 7e 4ill receive His children unto Himsel never a%ain to be se$arated.+? It is our contention that God deliberatel" seeks b" His messa%es to Aohn to underline the attention Christ %ives to all as$ects o His ministr" o vindicatin% and condemnin%& savin% and destro"in%. =othin% 4ill be done ha$haJardl" and su$er iciall"& and no one shall have cause to sa" that God 4as an"thin% but totall" o$en and air in His dealin%s. Hence& God& 4ho is ca$able o %atherin% all events and data into one instant moment o decision makin%& chooses& or the bene it o His created bein%s& to s$read out over an ade3uate s$ace o time His data and decision! contributin% actors& and He invites the Hcourt to sitH and observe 4hat He Ds about to do. In addition to ..E./!.* 4e hold& as alread" re erred to above& that it is t$is same $readvent investi%ative $hase o Christ@s Iud%ment that Aohn refers to in .+E7. Revelation does not %ive us an e,act time or the be%innin% o this 6readvent Iud%ment. Ho4ever& it is clearl" $laced to4ard the end o the age. #$e $ersecution o those aith ul to Christ has alread" been %oin% on for some time& and the .(<) da s; ears are no4 $ast. Heaven has re%istered t$e cry> J7o lon%& soverei%n Lord> hol" and true& must it be be ore thou ilt vindicate us and aven%e our blood... LH :<E.)9. Met this $hase o Iud%ment must $recede the Second #dvent. Heav! enl" bein%s themselves are in attendance& and 4hat the" see 4ill cause t$e! to e,claim& H @Aust art thou in these th" Iud%ements&M... @Oes& 5ord ?od>... true and Iust are th" Iud%ementsN@H :.<E/&79. 2his $readvent Iud%ment alluded to in ..E.* can be readil" acce$ted as bein% the same $readvent Iud%ment described in Daniel 7. In re$l" to the ra". HHo4 lon%LH :Dan ?E.79& it is announced that at the end o the (7)) da"sPears God 4ould res$ond $ublicl" be ore His universe in an act o inves!ti%ation and Iud%ment 2his $ro$hec" ound its ul illment be%innin% in .?++. Fe are not sa"in% that Christ has never reco%niJed and claimed His I o4n& those 4hose names have been entered in the book o li e $rior to the be%innin% o this inal Iud%ment. Fhat 4e are sa"in% is that in this Iud%!
/K Adventist e,$ositors generally have re%arded the sounding o t$e seventh trum$et as a $eriod o II@;&@ time& be%innin% in .?++ and e,tendin% to the close o $robation :c . Rev .)E7; ..E./9. 2he ocus on t$e Jark of the covenantH :..E.*9 recalls t$e (# ritual o t$e Da" o #tonement :5ev .<9& a ty6e of t$e inal Iud%ment. #$us> ..,.C is seen as naturall" linkin%4ilh Daniel 7!? 4hich describes t$e $readvent or in#estigati#e 6$ase of the Final Iud%ment. 2he Iud%ment and re4ards alluded to in ..E.? are understood to re er to the e0ecuti#e $hase o the Final Aud%ment that occurs at t$e close o the millennium :()Ell!./9.!Ed. See The SD- Bi le )ommentar 7E?)+!<.

22<

Sanctuar" and Aud%ment

ment $hase He Austi/ies His claims in the ormal settin% o a Iudicial $roceedin%. 2he believers@ aith in =im has to be vindicated be ore the universe. 2hat is the onl" 4a" the universe can leam the do,olo%ical h"mn& H2rue and Iust are th" Iud%ements.H P$ases of final Dudg!ent #$art rom sections in Revelation 4here selective out$ourin%s o God@s 4rath as acts o H$re$arator"H Aud%ment are d4elt on :see above9& Aohn $resents God@s inal Iud%ment as the our $hases in the histor" o the old order. 2he" are consecutive& but linked to%ether as a $art o a 4hole. 2hese $hases areE .. 1readvent $hase. 2he $readvent investi%ation o the records :book o li e9& thro4n o$en to the universe& b" 4hich Christ Iusti ies& as mentioned above& His claims to those 4ho have been aith ul to Him& thereb" vindicatin% their stand :Rev ..E./!.*; .+E<!7; 7E/9. (. Second #dvent $hase. #t His second advent the conse3uences o the claims& 4hich b" then have been %ranted& become a$$arent Se$aration o the aith ul believers rom the ollo4ers o the antichrist has both a $ositive and a ne%ative e ectE Those 4ho are se$arated and brou%ht over to the side o Christ in order to Hrei%n 4ith him or a thousand "earsH e ectivel" isolate those 4ho are destined or eternal destruction. 2he distance bet4een the irst and second resurrection is the %ul that se$arates them :Rev ((E..!.(; ()E<9. 7. 'illennial $hase. Durin% the millennium t$e elect are invited& no doubt to%ether 4ith the rest o God@s created universe still in harmon" 4ith Him& to see or themselves the bases o His le%al decisions. 2his is done in the interest o everlastin% harmon" (Rev ()E+!<; c . . Cor <E(!79. +. E,ecutive $hase. 2he inal e,ecution o the sentence& $role$ticall" e,$ressed at the be%innin% o the thousand "ears no4 takes $lace. #t its com$letion earth and sk" are $ushed aside as a Hne4 heaven and a ne4 earthH re$lace the old order :Rev ()E..!./9. B" this act o creation the circle has been com$leted; God and man are brou%ht into the harmon" and ello4shi$ or 4hich man 4as initiall" made. 2he ran%e o this Iud%ment is $artl" described in detail but also antici! $ated as a 4hole in Daniel@s a$ocal"$tic visions :Dan 7!?; .(E.!79. God@s inal Iud%ment is universal. #s such it addresses itsel to all $ersons& livin% or dead& 4hether lo"al to Christ or dislo"al. 2he decidin% actor is 3uite sim$l" our attitudes and actions to4ard God and His savin% $ur$ose in Christ. 2he Iud%ment messa%e o Revelation underlines a%ain that the 4hether!or!not o human e,istence is a 3uestion o idelit" to Christ and a 4illin%ness to live a li e o disci$leshi$. Fholehearted commitment to Christ takes the believer to the 4eddin% east o the 5amb.
224

C$a6ter "

#$e Re!nant C$urc$ and t$e S6irit of Pro6$ecy

Gerhard 1 andl
&ditorial Syno6sis. Revelation .(E.7 has al4a"s been im$ortant to the sel ! understandin% o the Seventh!da" #dventist $eo$le. 2he church identi ies itsel 4ith Hthe remnantH 4ho Hkee$ the commandments o GodH and 4ho have the testimon" o Aesus Christ. In this $resent stud" the 4riter ocuses $articularl" on the nature and meanin% o the e,$ression& Hthe testimon" o Aesus.H 2he Greek 4ord tia6lu6 o& translated as Htestimon"H or H4itness&H occurs 77 times in the <#> 7) o these instances bein% in the Aohannine 4ritin%s :Gos$el o Aohn; .!7 Aohn; Revelation9. Fhenever martuna is used in a %enitive construction :testimon"64itness o/4, the %rammatical construction ma" be understood as a sub! Iective %enitive& the action issuin% rom the noun in the %enitive case. Hence& Hthe testimon" o AesusH is best understood as a testimon"64itness"64n or b Aesus& the testimon" 7e Himsel %ives. 2he an%el in Aohn@s vision de ines Hthe testimon" o AesusH as Hthe s$irit o $ro$hec"H :.*E.)9 and a s$eci ic $ossession o $ro$hets :c . .*E.); ((E?!*9. First centur" Ae4s understood the e,$ression& Hthe s$irit o $ro$hec"&H to desi%nate the Hol" S$irit 4ho ins$ires the $ro$hets. 2he Ae4ish tar%uro on Genesis +.E7? reads& MM#nd 1haraoh said to his servants& can 4e ind a man like this& in 4hom is the S$irit o $ro$hec" rom the 5ordLH 2hus& the author concludes that Hthe testimon" o AesusH is Christ@s sel ! disclosure throu%h the $ro$hets> =is 4itness& not man@s 4itness about Him. For the end!time HremnantH to Hhave6holdH 3echo4 this 4itness rom Christ means that the $ro$hetic %i t 4ould mani est itsel in their midst. Seventh!da" #dventists believe such a %i t did a$$ear earl" in their histor" throu%h the a%enc" o Ellen G. Fhite& and that the %i t remains o$erative throu%h her 4ritin%s.

225

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

C$a6ter (utline
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IG. G. Introduction 2he Remnant Her Seed Commandments o God 2estimon" o Aesus Scri$tural Evidence Si%ni icance o the E,$ression H2estimon" o AesusH Revelation .(E.7 and Seventh!da" #dventists Conclusion Biblio%ra$h"

Introduction
6 U #he book o Revelation& accordin% to the historicist school o inter! . $retation& %ives a $anoramic vie4 o the a%e!old controvers" be!!#! t4een Christ and Satan. 2he account o this con lict durin% the Christian Era is re$eatedl" outlined in s"mbolic visions. Cha$ter .( be%ins a ne4 line o $ro$hec". #lludin% onl" brie l" to the histor" o God@s $eo$le in the ).; it touches on Christ@s irst advent& the si%ni icance o His death& and His ascension to God@s throne. It then carries the reader across the centuries o church histor" to Satan@s inal attack on God@s $eo$le& tersel" summariJed in verse .7. 2his $resent stud" investi%ates the back%round and conte,t o this verse& an end!time $ro$hec" 4hich has s$ecial si%ni icance or the Seventh!da" #dventist Church. H#nd the dra%on 4as 4roth 4ith the 4oman& and 4ent to make 4ar 4ith the remnant other seed& 4hich kee$ the commandments o God& and have the testimon" o Aesus ChristH :DAV9. 2he ke" e,$ressions 4e 4ill consider are Hthe remnant o her seedH 3ton loi!on tou s!ermatos autes4, Hthe commandments o GodH 3tas entolas tou Theou' and Hthe testimon" o AesusH 3/en marturian lesou4& I&

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

#$e Re!nant
(ld #esta!ent 2he re!nant idea is a theolo%ical !otif 4hich $ermeates the entire Scri$ture. #$e earliest e,$licit re erence is in the Flood accountE H0nl" =oah 4as left> and those that 4ere 4ith him in the arkH :Gen 7E(79. Further !ention of a remnant is made in the EliIah c"cle :. D%s .*E.?9 and in the 4ritin%s of t$e $ro$hets :#mos /E./; Isa 7E7; (?E/; etc.9. 2he main im$ort o the Hebre4 4ords 3S7r, !it, tr, Srd and their derivatives9 is the idea o a $ortion o a communit" 4hich is le t a ter a devastatin% calamit"& Hthe $ortion u$on 4hich the $ossible uture e,istence o the Ucommunit" de$ends.H. ?. ). 7asel 4ho has made an e,haustive stud" o the remnant conce$t in the 02 summariJes his indin%s b" statin%E
B$ereas the earliest biblical traditions $lace the remnant idea in the midst o mortal threats and thus testi " to the ori%in o the conce$t in the concern to $reserve li e& the" also $ut the conce$t rom its be%innin% into a theolo%ical rame4ork 4ith a stron% salvation!historical em$hasis. 2he 02 has an overarchin% correlation bet4een the salvation o a remnant and the nucleus o the true $eo$le o God& 4here the initiative o God succeeds in s$ite of all threats& obstacles& and ears. 2he remnant theme is an essential $art o biblical ho$e and eschatolo%".

=e4 #esta!ent In the =2 it is $rimaril" the 4ord loi!os and its derivatives that are used to e-6ress t$e remnant idea.7 2he 02 remnant conce$t is ound onl" in %Ro!ans C-.. and in the book o Revelation. In Romans 1aul teaches that a remnant o Israel accordin% to the lesh is laved :Rom *E(7!(*9. In the book o Revelation Aohn uses loi!os ei%ht times.+ iPlhe HrestH in 2h"atira are the aith ul ones 4ho have not acce$ted the teach!Pte%s o AeJebel :(E(+9. 2he church in Sardis is virtuall" dead& but H4hat 8remainsH should be stren%thened :7E(9. #nd the HremnantH in .(E.7 are those P@4ho kee$ the commandments o God and have the testimon" o Aesus.
. &. =enni> JRe!nant>J IDB (<as$ville> .*<(9& +E7(. 5 ;. ). 7asel> JRe!nant>J IDB, Su66. :=ashville& .*7<9& 77<. + #$e vcib IdpS !eaning Hto lack> to be in 4antH is ound si, times. 2he adIective loi!os meanin% Jt$e re!aining> t$e rest&H $ic$ is used chie l" in the $lural& is ound // times. See F. Giinther& 7. 8rienkc> JRe!nant>J The New International %ictionar o/7NTTheolog :Grand Ra$ids& .*<7!.C3.A> +,5/K. V Rev 5,5/G 87@A K,.+G *E(); ..E.7; .(E.7; .*E(.; ()E/.

227

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" Sometimes loi!os re ers to those 4ho stand outside the old o God> or e,am$le& those 4ho in the kin%dom $arable kill the kin%@s servants :'att ((E<9& the ive oolish vir%ins :'att (/E..9& those 4ho do not re$ent :Rev *E()9& and those slain b" the s4ord o Christ :Rev .*E(.9 / 2hus& the conte,t must decide 4hether Hthe remnantH belon%s to God or not.

7er Seed
(ld #esta!ent 2he e,$ression Hremnant o her seedH reminds us o Genesis 7E./ 4here the Se$tua%int :5GG9 translates the Hebre4 JarISh :her seed9 4ith the Greek $hrase tou s!ermatos autes :her seed9 an e,$ression identical 4ith the one in Revelation .(E.7. 2he noun Jero+ :seed9 rom the verb JTira7 :to scatter seed& or so49 is used ((+ times< in the 02 and can re er toE .. 2he time o so4in%& seedtime :Gen ?E((9. (. 2he seed 4hich is so4n :Gen +7E.*9. 7. 2he seed as semen :5ev ./E.<9. +. 2he seed as o s$rin% :Gen .(E79.
2he most im$ortant theolo%ical usa%e is ound in the ourth cate%or". Commencin% 4ith Genesis 7E./ the 4ord HseedH is re%ularl" used as a col! lective noun in the sin%ular :never $lural9. #$is technical term is an im$ortant as$ect o the $romise doctrine& or 7ebre never uses the $lural o this root to re er to H$osterit"H or Ho s$rin%.H 2he #ramaic tar%ums $luraliJe the ter! occasionall"& e.%. the 2ar%um o ?enesis +E.)& but the #ramaic also limits itsel to the sin%ular in the $assa%es dealin% 4ith the $romised line. 2hus the 4ord desi%nates the 4hole line o descendants as a unit& "et it is deliberatel" le,ible enou%h to denote either one $erson 4ho e$itomiJes the 4hole %rou$ :i.e. the man o $romise and ultimatel" Christ9& or the man" $ersons in that 4hole line o natural and6or s$iritual descendants.

In Genesis +E(/ Jero7 re ers to a $articular Ho s$rin%H :Seth9. But in Genesis +<E<& the above mentioned collective meanin% is evidentE HAacob and all his o s$rin% 4ith him.H Sero7 :sin%ular9 includes Aacob@s entire
/ H. Fendrich& JLoi6os.J E0egedsches >Btterhuch Jwn Neuen Testament :Stutt%art& .*?.9& (E?*). 2 R. Laird 7aris> ?lcason L Arc$er> Bnicc 8. Baltkc> Theological <ord ook of the $ld Testament :Chica%o& .*?)9& .E(/(. 7. D. Preus 3$Sero7$ Theohffsches <Gfter uch mm Alten Testament QStutt%art& .*77..*?<R& (E<<79 counts (() occurrences. 7 Ibid.& .E(/7.

223

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

amil"& children& and %randchildren. 2he lar%er amil"& includin% all imme! diate relatives& is included in the 4ord in $assa%es such as . Din%s ..E.+& MMHadad the EdomiteE he 4as o the kin%@s seedH :DAV9. 2he 4ord is used o an entire nation o $eo$le in Esther .)E7& H'ordecai the Ae4 4as ... S$eakin% $eace to all his seedH :DAV9. Fi%urativel" Jero M is used o %rou$s and individuals marked b" a com! mon moral 3ualit". Isaiah </E(7 mentions the HseedH o the blessed o God& and baiah /7E.) sa"s the su erin% Servant 4ill see His seed6o s$rin%& that is& those 4ho believe in and ollo4 Him.? I HseedH in Genesis 7E./ is used as a collective noun& then the seed o t$e 4oman are believers and the seed o the ser$ent :Satan9 are the unbe! 1evers.C Both times HseedH is used meta$horicall" and not literall". Eve also stands or all believers& 4hereas Satan re$resents the unbelievers. Ho4ever& the $arallel is not 3uite e,act. Fe must remember that Christ G irst o all the literal o s$rin% o Eve& 4hereas unbelievers are the seed o Satan in onl" a s$iritual sense. 5an%e has tried to solve this $roblem b" identi "in% the seed o the ser$ent $rimaril" as the demons and the Pm"sterious $o4ers o evil 4ith unbelievers becomin% children o the ser!7!eat in the ethical sense. .) But the $roblem still remains& since the demons ;are not Satan@s literal o s$rin% either. % #$e solution seems to lie in understandin% Semitic thou%ht $atterns. Israel%s t"$e o thinkin% has been neatl" characteriJed b" Filhelm Vischer and ot$ers as Hthinkin% in totalitiesH 3gamheitliches %en1en4&++ HIsraelite t$inking does not se$arate& as 4e Festerners are $rone to do& the indi! D6vidual rom the %rou$ to 4hich he belon%s.H.( 2here ore& an individual and \; %a grou6 can be re erred to b" the same 4ord : or e,am$le Jerot4 in the same \ Hconte,t Furthermore the literal and i%urative meanin% o a 4ord can be 6ll6eri!6osed u$on one another. # 2hus& Hher seedH can re er at the same time to Eve@s collective o erin%> believers>and to one $articular o s$rin%>Christ. #nd in the Zame $assa%e Hth" seedH can re er meta$horicall" to the ollo4ers o
K 0. ). 1ngcr and F. Fhite& 'elson3s *+pository Dictionary o/ the $ld Testament :=ashville& .*?)9& +C.. 9 7. C Leu6old> *+position of Genesis :Columbus& (7> .*+(9& .29G 7. 0. 'orris& The Genesis Record (?rand Ra6ids> .*7<9& .(.; C ). 8cil> Genesis "id*+od" :5ei$Ji%& .?.?9& 7+. .;=. P. Langc> Genesis :=e4 Moric> .*./9. 5+/. .; >.. Bil$el! Vischer& The <itness of the $ld Testament to )hrist, ( vols.& trans. #. B. Crabtree :5on!77$7&7 don> .C/2A> ..7. See also R. D. ?c$rkc> J?enesis #$ree in the 5i%ht o De"Hcrmencutical Considerations>J #T4 8B (.C29A, //?. %J?cBrke>99K. 2&&

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" Satan>unbelievers. Since Jera7 can be used or %rou$s and individuals marked b" a common moral 3ualit"& the t4o HseedsH can stand or t4o HracesH or HcommunitiesH each marked b" distinct moral 3ualities. #t the historical be%innin% and end o each %rou$ stands an individual re$! resentin% the 4hole %rou$. In the case o the ser$ent@s %rou$ it is one and the same individual. Schematicall" 4e can $resent this inter$retation as ollo4sE
Bo!an :individual; Eve9 Bo!an%s Seed :collectiveE believers9 Ie :individualE Christ9 Ser6ent :individualE Satan9 Ser6ent%s Seed :collectiveE unbelievers9 Lou :individualE Satan9

0ne urther $oint must be mentioned. 0n the 4oman@s side the basic meanin% o Hher seedH and HHeH is $rimaril" literal. 0n the ser$ent@s side the basic and onl" meanin% is i%urative or meta$horical since the ser$ent at all three sta%es in verse ./ is a meta$hor or Satan. Fe have moved rom a literal meanin% in verse .+ to a meta$horical meanin% in verse ./. =e4 #esta!ent In the =e4 2estament 1aul uses s!erma :seed9 about a doJen times to desi%nate the literal and s$iritual descendants o David :Rom .E79& Isaac :Heb ..E.?9& and #braham :Rom +E.79. Re erences to #braham@s seed $redominate. 2he" re er either to Christ :Gal 7E.<&.*9 or to the =2 church :Rom *E?; Gal 7E.*; etc.9. In the 4ritin%s o Aohn s!erma :seed9 a$$ears ive times. 2he $romised 'essiah 4ill be a literal descendant o David :Aohn 7E+(9& and the Ae4s are #braham@s descendants accordin% to their o4n and Aesus@ 4ord :Aohn ?E77& 779. In . Aohn 7E* Aohn uses s!erma in a di erent sense. 2he Hseed o God&H in this instance& is the Hdivine $rinci$le o li e& 4hich& im$lanted in a sinner& brin%s the ne4 man to birth and $roduces the Christian.H .7 2he i th occur! rence a$$ears in Revelation .(E.7 4hich 4e no4 address in more detail. Revelation .( commences a ne4 line o $ro$hec". Aohn returns to the
.+ ). D. =ichol& ed.& The S%A Bible )ommentar 7 :Fashin%ton& DC> .*/7!.*/79E </(.

<;;

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

be%innin% o the =2 era and traces the subse3uent histor" o the church in its 4ar are 4ith Satan. Roman Catholic inter$reters have sometimes inter$reted the 4oman in Revelation .( as 'ar". .+ But the hi%hl" s"mbolic character o the 4hole book& as 4ell as Aohn@s introductor" 4ords>Hand there a$$eared a %reat 4onder./ in heavenH>indicate that the 4oman is a s"mbol or the church o God..< Verses . !/ $ortra"s the 02 church that brou%ht orth the 'es! siah :vs. /9& and verses <!.7 $ortra"s the stru%%les o the =2 church. 2he 4oman brin%s orth a man!child (t$e 'essiah9 4hom the dra%on :a$$earin% on sta%e in verse 79 attem$ts to devour :vs. +9. 2he child& $o ever> is cau%ht u$ to God and His throne :vs. /9; 4hereu$on the dra%on turns on t$e 4oman and tries to destro" her :vs. .79& but a%ain he does not \ ftuceeed :vs. .<9. I& 2he dra%on& 4ho has been an%r" 4ith the 4oman throu%hout the en!\ tire vision& is no4 an%r" 4ith the remnant o her seed 3s!erma9 and makes \\4ar a%ainst them :.(E.79. I #$e e,$ression Hto make 4arH is also used in Revelation ..E7 and .7E7. I\ ia ..,3 it is the beast out o the bottomless $it and in .7E7 the beast out o \\ lhe sea 4ho make 4ar a%ainst ?od or His $eo$le. 2he beasts are s"mbols \ or Satan and his a%ents. In both cases Satan is $artiall" success ul& but onl" Ito! a time. In cha$ter .. the time is s"mboliJed as L#J da"s and in cha$ter $E.7 as +( months. 2his indicates that Satan can onl" 4ork 4ithin the limits \God sets or him. I In cha$ter .( the attack comes a ter the .(<)!"ear time $eriod s$eci!\\ Eied :.(E<& .+9 and a$$ears as Satan@s inal attem$t at destro"in% God@s \\ aith ul $eo$le& but Hthis last aith ul remnant 4ithstands the iercest $er! "teution b" the lamb!like beast :Rev .7E..!.?9 and is saved b" the rider on $ie horse& 4hile the others are slain in the a$ocal"$tic battle :Rev .*E(.9. Victor" belon%s to the last aith ul remnant.@M.7
l#':s o! Identit+

2he 3uestion is& Fho is this aith ul remnantL Some identi " this %rou$ i Gentile Christians in contrast 4ith Ae4ish Christians :the 4oman9 in the
S0 0. Bottc$cr> I1gundCielderGemeinde Jesu (7a!burg, #dvent!Verla%& n.d.9& ()+. \1 #$e 4ord Smewn :4onder or si%n9 which =o$n uses seven ti!es in Revelation :.(E.& 7; .7E.7!.+; S .9,.G .<E.+; .*E()9 a$$ears here or the First time. All the si%ns mentioned $oint to some dee$er s6iritual si%ni icance in connection 4ith t$e event or obIect. ZA. Plu!!er> JRevelation>J !# (London> .?*?9& 7)*; R. H. 'ounce& The Boo1 o/ "e#elation, <IC<# (?rand Ra6ids> .*?79& ./(. EIL Basel& 77<.

7).

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

time o a uture antichrist..? 0thers su%%est the" are Israelite Christians livin% durin% the same time $eriod..* #%ain& others hold the" are individual believers in %eneral at the time o the inal con lict. () Some inter$reters see the $ersecution o Christians b" the Roman Em$ire as the ul illment o this verse.(. #nd still others a$$l" the $assa%e to the $ersecution o Christians at various times durin% the Christian #%e.(( Fhat in ormation does the $assa%e $rovide or makin% a sound iden! ti ication o Hthe remnantH $ossibleL In the irst $lace& a conte,tual stud" o Revelation .(E.7 sho4s that Hthe remnant o her seedH stands in contrast 4ith the Hman childH 4ho is also a seed o the 4oman :vs. /9. In other 4ords& the 4oman has children :other than the Christ9 a%ainst 4hom Satan no4 directs his 4rath.(7 H2he close identi ication o the seed o the 4oman as irst o all Aesus and then also those 4ho become His brethren throu%h aith a%rees 4ith other =2 teachin% :'att (/E+); Heb (E..!.(9.H (+ Secondl"& these children are not to be identi ied as Christians in %eneral& livin% throu%hout the Christian Era. 2he act that the 4ar a%ainst the remnant is mentioned a ter the .(<)!"ear $ersecution o the 4oman& indicates that the 4ar on the remnant is carried on a ter that earlier era has e,$ired. #$e remnant& there ore& re ers to those 4ho are livin% a ter .7*?& the date the $ro$hetic .(<) da"s came to an end. (/ 2hus e conclude that s!erma in .(E.7 re ers to the aith ul believers in the time o the end& 4ho are identi ied b" t4o characteristicsE .. 2he" kee$ the commandments o God.
.? 2h. Fa$n> Die C//enbanmg des Johannes :5ei$Ji%& .*(<9& (E++7; A&%achse',%achsel7sBibWlwWr1 :5ei$Ji%& n.d.A> 7E?.. .* 8. 0er@> >as in ;une geschehen soil :5ahr!Din%lin%en& n.d.9& ?(; A. #. Seiss& The A!ocal !se :Grand Ra6ids> .*779& 7.*; E. Schreiner& %CS gro!e Buch #om Ende :ChemnitJ& n.d.9& .<<. Seiss und Sc$reiner distinguis$ bet een Israelite C$ristians :.++&)))9 4ho kee6 t$e Commandments and ?entile Christians 4ho have t$e testi!ony of =esus. () 0ouncc> (+7; Plu!!er> 7./; ?. R- Beasley-0urray> J#$e Revelation>J The New Bible )ommentar Revised :5eicester& .*7)9& .(*+; #. Schlattcr& Briefe und C//enbanmg des Johannes :Stutt%art& .*/)9& 5/9G #. Po$l> Die C//enbanmg des Johannes, Bu66ertaler Studicnbibel :Fu$$ertal& .*7.9. (E..<. 5. &.g.> Filhelm Boussct& Die C//enbanmg des Johannes, 2t$ cd. :Gottin%en& .*)<9& 7+/. R. 7. C$arics> The Revelation o/ St& John, ICC :=e4 Mork> .*()9& .E77(; 0artin Diddle& The "e#ela5 tion o/ St& /ohn, 0offat =e4 #esta!ent Commentar" :5ondon& .*+)9& (+). (( For e,am$le& D. Hartenstein& Der >ieder1ommcnde //err :Stutt%art& .*<*9& .7/!7<; D. F. Hadom& Die $ffen anmg des /ohannes, 2heolo%ischer Handkommentar @u! =2 (Lei6@ig> .*(?9& .7<; Billia! Ale-ander> The Book of Revelation, #$e &-6ositor%s Bible& cd. F. R. =icholl :=e4 Oork& .C;KA> (..!.(. (7 G&E&?add,A)ommenua on the "e#elation o/ John :Grand Ra$ids& .*7(9& .7+. (+ Alan =o$nson> JRevelation>J E0!ositor7s Bible )ommentar , ed. ). &. ?aebclein :Grand Ra$ids& .*?.9. .5,9.C. (/ C. 0. 0a- ell> God #ares @ (Boise> Idaho. .*?/9E (77.

<;2

#$e Re!nant C$urc$ and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" (. 2he" have the testimon" o =esus. # stud" o these marks& there ore& is im$erative or arrivin% at the correct identi ication o 4ho com$ose the Hremnant other seed.H

Co!!and!ents of ?od
Fhatever else e !ay see in this e,$ression& Hthe commandments o GodH 3tas entolas tou Theou' 4e must certainl" include the 2en Command! ments. #$e commandments 3mi/wot4 o Deuteronom" <E(/ and Ecclesias! tes .(E.7 are the commandments 3entolai4 o 'atthe4 .*E.7 and Romans .+,C. Aohn oresees a time 4hen the commandments o God 4ill be a si%n b" 4hich the true ollo4ers o God 4ill be reco%niJed& because the rest o Christianit" 4ill have Hcommandments o GodH 4hich do not corres$ond to the ori%inal. #lread" Daniel oresa4 the time 4hen God@s la4 4ould be chan%ed :Dan 7E(/9. Church histor" indicates that there 4as such a chan%e& and that it 4as es$eciall" the Sabbath command 4hich 4as chan%ed. (< 2hus& i the com!\ mandments o God are a s$ecial identi "in% mark o the last church& 4e \ can e,$ect that 4hat 4ill set the true ollo4ers o Christ a$art rom the I rest o Christendom 4ill be their adherence to the ori%inal ourth commandment.

#esti!ony of =esus
Commentaries throu%hout the centuries have 4restled 4ith theAohan!Q\ nine e,$ression& Hthe testimon" o Aesus.H Is it the %eneral testimon" o the \;Christian church concernin% Aesus& or is it the testimon" that Aesus Him!\Zel %ave 4hile here on earth and later on throu%h the $ro$hets o the
XV& FkA ! ! (il

I0mstian churchL In other 4ords& in terms o %rammar& is Htestimon" o IllesusH an obIective or a subIective %enitiveL 2he e,$ression Htestimon" o \ l\SusH 3martuiian Osou4 occurs si, times in the book o Revelation :.E(& I$; .5,.3G .*E.) Qt4iceR; and ()E+9. 24o e,$lanations concernin% its mean!\$n% $ave been $ut or4ard b" commentators.

: Ste6$en 8eenan> - Doctrinal )atechism, 7rd #merican ed.> rev. :=e4 Oork& .?7<9& .7+; Peter ?eicr!ann> C. SS. R-> The )on#ert7s #atechism o/ )atholic %octrine, .*/7 ed. :St. 5ouis& .*7)9& 9;. 3%3

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" ?eneral 'ie s 2he First vie4 takes marturian lesou as an obIective %enitive and inter$rets it as man@s 4itness to Christ.(7 2hus& the 4ar mentioned in .(E77 re ers to the H$ersecutions a%ainst all individuals o the church 4ho kee$ the commandments o God and bear testimon" to Aesus.H(? 2his inter$retation is based $artl" on the vie4 that by the time the book o Revelation 4as 4ritten the 4ord marturia had ac3uired the technical meanin% o mart"rdom.(* 2his $articular nuance or marturia, ho4ever& is b" no means established or the irst centur". Fe kno4 that b" the time H2he 'art"rdom o 1ol"car$H 4as 4ritten :the latter $art o the second centur" #.D.9& it 4as common to use martus :4itness9 as an e3uivalent to Hmart"r.H But there is no indication that this 4as the case at the time o the 4ritin% o Revelation.7) #. #! 2rite sa"s Hthe 4ords marturion, marturia and marturein&&&
$$

do not im$l" mart"rdom as $art o their dictionar" meanin%.HH 2he second vie4 takes marturian lesou as a subIective %enitive and un! derstands the Htestimon" o AesusH as the sel !revelation o Aesus that moves the Christian $ro$hets.7( 2rite 3uotes '. C. 2enne" 4ho sees the subIective %enitive in Revelation .E( and sa"sE Similarl" in .E* and .(E.7 it makes e,cellent sense to take the %enitives as subIective %enitives. H2he 4ord o God and the testimon" o AesusH 4ould then mean Hthe 4ord s$oken b" God and the testimon" borne b" AesusH :.E*9 and Hthe commandments o God and the testimon" o AesusH 4ould im$l" Hthe commandments o God and the testimon" borne b" AesusH :.(E.79. 2he subIective %enitive inter$retation receives urther con irmation in the e,$lanator" 4ords a$$ended b" the seer in .*E.)E HFor
(7 '. E. 0sterhaven& 2estimon"&H TheSonder#an *ictorial Enc clo!edia o/ the Bible :Grand Ra$ids& .*7/9& /E<?(; see also AohnA. Falvoord& The "e#elation o/Jesus)hrist :5ondon& .*<<9&+.; 1etros Vassiliades& H2he 2ranslation o 6arturia lesou in Revelation&H BT 7< :.*?/9; .(*!7+. (? Ra"F. Robbins& The "e#elation o/ Jesus )hrist :=ashville& .*7/9& ./+; soalso G. R. Beasle"!'urra"& The Boo1 o/ "e#elation, =e4 Centur" Bible :5ondon& .*7+9& ()<. (* Vassiliades& .7.; Filliam 7enry Si!co-> The Revelation of St. John the %i#ine, Cambrid%e Bible for Schools and Colle%es :Cambrid%e& .?*?9& ..7. 7) A. 'ass"n%bcrde Ford& "e#elation, #B :=e4 Oork& .*7/9& 77+; Heinrich Dra t& %ie C//enbanmg des Johannes, Handbuch @u! =cuen 2estament 2iibin%en& .*7+9& ((. 7. #. #. 2rite& H'artus and 'art"rdom in the #$ocal"$se&H No#T ./ :.*779E ?). 0n the to$ic ot mar5 tus and Hmart"rsH see F. Dattenbusch& HDer 'art"rertitelH C6F+ :.*)79E ...!(7; 2. F. 'an!son& H'art"rs and 'art"rdom&H BJ"? 7* :.*/<!.*/79E +<7!?+; Ernst 5ohme"er& HDie Idee des 'art"riums im Audentum und 8rchristcntum&H SSTS :.*(7!.*(?9E (7(!+*. 7( Aames 'o at& J#$e Revelation of St. =o$n t$e Divine>J The *+positor3s Greek Testament, ed. F. R!=icoll :Grand Ra6ids> .*/<9& /E+</. 77 '. C. 2enne"& Inter!reting "e#elation :Grand Ra$ids& .*/79& ++.

<;4

#$e Remnant C$urc$ and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

the testimon" borne b" Aesus is the s$irit 4hich ins$ires the $ro$hetsH :inde$endent translation9.7+

Finall"& e note that man" commentators do not take an either6or $osition. Rather& the" consider marturian lesou in some te,ts to be an obIec!li live %enitive and in other te,ts a subIective %enitive.7/

Scri6tural &vidence
I #$e 1se of 4arturia in t$e <on-=o$annine Britings .. By 'arkE #$e chie $riests and the 4hole counsel sou%ht testimon 8marturian9 a%ainst Aesus. :.+E//9 2heir 4itness 8hoi marturiaiN did not a%ree. :.+E/<9 =ot even so did their testimon 8he marturia autonN a%ree. :.+E/*9 Su!!ary, 2he %rammatical construction in .+E/* is clearl" a subIective %enitive. (. B" 5ukeE Fhat urther testimon 8marturiasN do 4e needL :5uke ((E7.9 #$ey 4ill not acce$t "our testimon about me 8sou marturian !eri FDLuR. :#cts((E.?9 Su!!ary, In #cts ((E.? 5uke uses a subIective %enitive ollo4ed b" a $re$ositional $hrase 3!eri, Habout&H Hconcernin%H9 that identi ies the ob!iFme.H 7. B" 1aulE He must have a %ood re!ort 8marturianN o/ them 4hich are 4ithout. :l2im7E7&DAV9 7Xh< 2his testimon 8marturiaN is true. :2itus .E.79 % Su!!ary, =o relevant s"ntactical structure is ound in these t4o verses.

:A2he 1se o/ 6arturia in =o$n%s ?os6el and &6istles

7e came or testimon 8marturian9, to bear 4itness to 3!eri, Hconcernin%H9 the li%ht. :Aohn .E79
S #rite> 7/. So also 7er!ann Strathmann& H'art"rs&H Theologisches >orterbuch mm Neuen Testa5IY me" :Stutt%art. .*77!.*7+9& +E/)<; 'ounce& <<&(7+. \P/ S. 0assyngberde Ford& HFor t$e 2estimon" o Aesus Is the S$irit of 1ro$hec"&H JTB +( :.*7/9E (?/; A. Ba!es> Notes, *+planatory and *ractical on the Boo1 o/ "e#elation :5ondon& .?/(9& /<& <?& 7/?&+<.; C$aries> .E7; 5add& (</.

<;5

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

TTTTT

This is the testimony o5 Hohn Jmarturia tou loannouKA (1@12) Iou #o not recei%e our testimony Jmarturian hemonKA (<@11) o one recei%es his testimony Jhe marturian outouLA (<@<2) Ie 8ho recei%es his testimony Jautou he marturianLA (<@<<) &1 testimony Jhe marturia mouK is not true+ (5@<1)

I kno4 that the testimon 8he marturiaN 4hich he bears to me 8!eri emou, Hconcernin% meHR is true. :/E7(9
ot that the testimony JmarturianK 8hich 0 recei%e is 5rom man+ (5@<4) But the testimony JmarturianL 8hich 0 ha%e is greater than that o5 Hohn+ (5@<6) Iour testimony Jmarturia souL is not true+ (3@1<) &1 testimony Jmarturia mouL is true+ (3@14) The testimony of t,o men Jduo anthropon he marturiaK is true+ (3@17) -is testimony is true Jalethine autou estin he marturiaKA (12@<5) -is testimony is true Jalethes autou he marturia estinKA (21@24) 05 8e recei%e the testimony o5 men Jhe marturian ton anthroponK) the testimony o5 *o# Jhe marturia tou 1heouK is greaterC 5or this is the testimony o5 *o# Jhe marturia tou 1heouKA (1 Hohn 5@2)

He ... has the testimon 8he marturian9 in himsel . ... he has not believed in the testimon 8he marturian9& :/E.)9 #nd this is the testimon 8hemarturia9& :/E..9 '" testimon 8he marturia hemon9 is true. :7 Aohn .(9 Su!!ary, 6arturia is used (. times in Aohn@s Gos$el and E$istles. Fourteen times it is used in a %enitive construction that is clearl" subIec ! tive. 2he obIective idea o H4itness aboutH or H4itness toH in Aohn@s Gos$el and E$istles is consistentl" e,$ressed b" the $re$osition !eri :about& concernin%9 4ith the verb martureo :to 4itness& testi "9. He never uses the noun marturia :testimon"& 4itness9 4ith an obIective %enitive construction b" itsel . For e,am$leE 2o bear witness to the li%ht 8martureo S !eri9& :Aohn .E79 I I bear witness to m"sel 8martureo Z !eri9& :/E7.9 Fho bears witness to me 8martureo Z !eri9& :/E7(9 He has born witness to his Son 8martureo Z !eri9& :. Aohn /E*9 0ther te,ts using!eri :about& concernin%9 are Aohn .E?&./; (E(/; /E7<& 77.7*& etc; . Aohn /E*&.). <;6

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" HvY #$e 1se ot6arturia in Revelation 2he introduction to the book o Revelation :vss. .!79 sets orth the source and the content o the book as 4ell as the blessedness o those 4ho receive its teachin%. In verse ( 4e are told that Aohn bore 4itness to the content o this revelation :described as Hthe 4ord o GodH and the Htestimon" o Aesus.H977 Revelation .,5, Fho bore 4itness to the 4ord o God and to the testimon o Aesus Christ& even to all that he sa4. :RSV9 2he H4ord o GodH 3logos tou Theou4 and Hthe testimon" o Aesus ChristH 3marturian lesou )hristou4 are the revelation %iven b" God and the 4itness borne to it b" Aesus Christ.7? 2he" do not re er to God@s revela!I tions and truths in %eneral or to the Fourth Gos$el and e$istles as older \ inter$reters have understood them. 7* Rather& the" describe the revela!I tions contained in this book& as is made clear b" the clause& Heven to all that he sa4&H standin% in a$$osition to the ore%oin% 4ords. It is a%reed b" almost all commentators that the t4o %enitive e,$ressions :o God; o Aesus Christ9 are both subIective %enitives.+. I (ld #esta!ent background. 5ookin% at the 02& rom 4hich most o t$e ima%er" o Revelation is dra4n& 4e ind a similar $hrase in Isaiah ?E() (8='A, Hto the la4 8torah9 and to the testimon" :te7Cdah9I 2he $arallelism
7< 2he lin%uistic di erences bet4een the Gos$el and letters o Aohn on the one hand and the #$ocal"$se on the other hand has led man" scholars to $osit a di erent Aohn as the 4riter o the #$ocal"$se. 2he Greek o the Gos$els and letters is relativel" sim$le and normall" correct& 4hereas in the #$ocal"$se the la4 o concord is o ten disre%arded. Fe ind mi,ed u$ %enders& numbers& and cases as 4ell as several unusual constructions. For e,haustive e,am$les see Charles& .EGGIG!GGGVII. Oet in s$ite o these di erences the #$ocal"$se has a closer a init" to the Greek o the other Aohannine books than to an" other =2 book. 2he lin%uistic di erences ma" be due to the act that Revelation 4as $robabl" 4ritten 4hen Aohn 4as alone on 1almos. 4hereas the Gos$els and letters 4ere 4ritten 4ith the hel$ o one or more ello4 believers at E$hesus. See Donald Guthrie& New Testament Introduction :5eicester& .*7<9& *7+!+(! +3 A urther indication concernin% the content is %iven in verse .E HFhat must soon take $laceH is t$e subIect o the visions. +K diaries& .E7; 'ounce& <<; 5add& (7. +C Baraes> /<!/7; Aohn Russell Hurd& = !onoia< or Thoughts on a S!iritual @nderstanding o/ the A!ocal !se, or Boo1 o/ "e#elation :=e4 Oork& .?++9& iv; Friedrich Diisterdieck 3)ritical and E0e5gelical =andboo1 to the "e#elation o/ John Q=e4 Oork& .??7R& *?9 lists Bede& =icolaus o 5"ra& #retius& Grotius& Eichhom& Ebrard& and Dlie oth as belon%in% to this %rou$. /; 'ounce& <<; 2heodorCahn& %ie C//enbarungdesJohannes, Dommentar Jum <# :5ei$Ji%& .*(+9& .//; 1lummer& (. /. Charles& .E7; Isbon2. Beck4ith& The A!ocal !se o/ John :Grand Ra$ids& .*<79& +(.; Bousset& .?7; 7ado!> (<; Beasle"!'urra"& /(; 'ounce& <<& n. ?; Aohnson& +.7. #n obIective %enitive is seen b" 'ass"n%berde Ford& "e#elation, 777; and Vassiliades& .77.

<;7

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" is es$eciall" strikin% 4hen 4e com$are these e,$ressions in Isaiah 4ith those in Revelation .(E.7>Hthe commandments o God& and... the testimon" o Aesus ChristH :DAV9. 2he $arallelism bet4een H4ordH 3dabar4 and Hla4H 3tErah4 in Isaiah .E.) >HHear the 4ord o the 5ord& "ou rulers o SodomN Give ear to the teachin% 8tSrah, Mla4@R o our God& "ou $eo$le o GomorrahNH>as 4ell as in Isaiah (E7 and /E(+& indicates that Isaiah considers the 4ord o God and the la4 o God to be interchan%eable. 2hus Hthe la4H and Hthe testimon"H in Isaiah ?E() are e3uivalent to H4ord o GodH and Htestimon".H 2he 4ord or Htestimon"H 3te7udah4 used in Isaiah ?E() a$$ears onl" three times in the 02 :Ruth +E7; Isa ?E.<&()9. In Ruth +E7 the custom o takin% o one@s shoe and %ivin% it to somebod" else as a s"mbol o trans errin% o4nershi$ is called Ha testimon"H 3te7Ud//h4& In Isaiah ?E.<!()& a%ainst the back%round o the S"ro! E$hraimite 4ar and the troublous times ahead& the $ro$het sho4s 4hat %uidance God o ers His $eo$le or the im$endin% emer%encies. Fhether God or the $ro$het is the s$eaker in verse .< is o little conse3uence. 2he $ur$ose is in either case the same. 2he aith ul& the disci$les are to have la4 and testimon" :both 4ithout article9 sealed in their hearts so as to be able to stand in the time to come. Fhen in the uture the $eo$le 4ould turn to necromanc" :vs. .*9 the" 4ere to $oint them to the la4 and to the testimon" :vs. ()9. It is $ossible that Hla4H :tErSh' meanin% HinstructionH here& re ers to the 4ritten 'osaic la4 4hich 4as the $rimar" instrument o instruction& and that Htestimon"H 3te7udah4 re ers to the s$oken revelation %iven to Isaiah. +( Ho4ever& it seems more likel" that Htestimon"H is sim$l" another s"non"m or Hla4&H +7 and that both to%ether re er to the revelation 4hich God has %iven to Isaiah in cha$ters 7 and ?. ++ In either case Hla4H and Htestimon"H are both rom God. 2he" are His la4 and His testimon" and in this sense the" su$$ort the subIective %enitive inter$retation in Revelation .E( outlined above.
+( =ean Ciircher& J#$e 2estimon" o =esus is the S$irit o 1ro$hec"&H manuscri$t $re$ared or the Euro!# rica Division Bible con erences& .*??. +7 5eo$old& .77. #$e ord 7e/BJh :4itness or testimon"9& used onl" in the $lural and 6ri!arily in Ps ..*& is a s"non"m or Hla4.H #$e noun 7edBl :4itness or testimon"9& 4hich is most re3uentl" con! nected it$ the tabernacle& is also a s"non"m or Hla4.H It o ten desi%nates the t4o tables o slone u$on 4hich the #en Commandments 4ere 4ritten :E,od 7.E.?; +5,.9G 7+E(*9. ++ Ooun%& .E7.7. (n $. 7.* he de ines Hla4H as the revelation of ?od e,$ressin% 7is 4ill or man@s obedience& and Htestimon"H as His revelation e,$ressin% 7is 4ill as a syste! to be believed. +/ =evertheless il is 3uestionable 4hether Isa ?E() is reall" the Vorlage or Rev .E(.

<;3

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" R Double e-6ression. Since Revelation .E( sets the sta%e& the inter$retation o urther occurrences o this double e,$ression in Revelation must Stake into account the meanin% it has in this introductor" statement. Revela8onlP!I Aohn& "our brother& 4ho share 4ith "ou in Aesus the trib! ulation and the kin%dom and the $atient endurance& 4as on the island called 1atmos on account o the 4ord o God and the testimon" o Aesus. :RSV9 Be ore s$eakin% in detail about his irst vision& Aohn introduces himsel and states his credentials. He mentions 4ho he is>Aohn& "our brother; \ Fhere he is>on 1atmos;+< 4h" he is there>on account o the 4ord o l0od and the testimon" o Aesus; 4hen he received the vision>on the I fiord%s da";+7 and u$on 4hat authorit" his 4ords de$end>u$on the loud .!voice o Hone like a son o manH :vs. .79. \ #lthou%h the $hrase Hon account o the 4ord o God and the testimon" Rof =esusJ has received di erent inter$retations&+? the vie4 commonl" ; acce$ted is that Aohn 4as banished to 1atmos because he $reached the 4ord lof?od./C 2he second $hrase& Hthe testimon" o Aesus&H is seen as a re er!I ence to the %os$el b" most commentators;/) some& ho4ever& understand tt$e $hrase to re er to the a$ostolic 4itness to Aesus :obIective %enitive9./.
/2 Pat!os belon%s to t$e S$oradhes islands o the coast of #urkey> about +) miles south4est o 0iletus. It is a rocky island about .) miles lon% and / miles ide. #acitus 3Annals 7.<?; +.7); ./.7.9 re ers to the use o such small islands or $olitical banishment& but $e does not mention Pat!os. 1lin" 3Natural =istor , +..(.<*9 sa"s Pat!os 4as 7) miles in circum erence& but he does not !ention any $enal colony (t$e references given in di erent co!!entaries arc often inaccurate9. )or a list o islands of de$ortation !entioned by ancient authors sec H. D. Sa re"& JRetire 5@#$ocal"$se a 1atmos&H "B ?( :.*7/9E 7?/!+.7. Leonard 2hom$son :H# Sociolo%ical Analysis o 2ribulation in the #$ocal"$se o Aohn&H Semeia 7< Q.*?<RE ./)9 sa"s& Jt$e lan%ua%e of .E*!.) docs not give a $int o a su%%estion t$at =o$n 4as banished& de6orted> relegated> or i!6risoned on Pat!osG nor is there any evidence rom Ro!an sources that Pat!os as a $rison settle!ent. <or as il a deserted barren isle& as is so!eti!es su%%ested; it had su icient $o$ulation to su$$ort a %"mnasium t4o centuries be ore the Common &ra> and around t$e time o =o$n an inscri$tion re ers to t$e $resence o t$e cult o #rtemis.H 2hat Aohn as on 1atmos in e-ile is !entioned b" Clement o #le,andria :second centur" #.D.9 in $is 4ork >ho Is the "ich 4an That Shall Be Sa#edR vol. +( :#=F& (E<)79& b" 2ertullian :second centur" #.D.9 in Cn *rescri!tion Against =eretics, vol. 7< :#=F& 7E(<)9& and b" Eusebius : ourth centur" #.D.9 in his *cclesiastical %istory, 7.()... :=1=1& .E.+*9. /3 JIt as on t$e Sabbat$ that t$e Lord o %lor" a$$eared to the e,iled a$ostleH :Ellen G. Fhite& The -cts o/ the A!ostles Q'ountain Vie4& C#& .*..R& /?..9 See also Denneth #. Strand& H#nother Look at -Lord%s Day% in the Earl" C$urc$ and in Revelation .E.)&H NTS .7 :.*<<! .*<79E .7+!?.. /K So!e co!!entators believe Aohn ent to Pat!os to receive t$e revelation contained in the book (Duslcrdicck> .)?; Bousset> .*(; Dra t& +(9; others think he 4ent there to 6reac$ the %os$el (Priedric$ S$itta& Die C//enbarungdesJohannes QHalleE Faisenhaus& .KKCP> (?9. /C C$aries> .E((; Simco,& 7; Hadom& 77; Beaslc"!'urra"& <+; Beck4ith& +7+; Plu!!er> /; Ladd> 7.; <ic$ol> 7E77/; Fa$n> .?/; 0offat> 7+.; 8iddle> .); Aohnson& +(+; 'ounce& 7/. 9; C$arles> .E(.; Ba!es> <?; Fa$n> .?/; 'o at& 7+.; Ladd> +.G =ichol& 7E77/; 2hom$son& ./). 9. 0assynberde )ord> "e#elation 7?+; 0artin Rist> J#$e Revelation of St. =o$n the Divine&H IB :=e4 3%&

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o Pro6$ecy

In Revelation .E( 4e have seen that the $hrase Hthe 4ord o God and the testimon" o AesusH describes the content o the #$ocal"$se. 2his obvi! ousl" cannot be its meanin% in .E*& since Aohn 4as banished to 1atmos be! cause he $reached Hthe 4ord o God and the testimon" o Aesus.H /( =evertheless& there is no need to s$lit the $hrase and take the irst hal & Hthe 4ord o God&H as a subIective %enitive and the second hal & Hthe testimon" o Aesus&H as an obIective %enitive. Both %enitives can be taken as subIective %enitives. 2he" describe the content o Aohn@s $reachin% or 4hich he 4as banished. Fe see then a second im$ort o the $hrase& Hthe 4ord o God and the testimon" o Aesus.H In .E( it re ers to the content o the book o Revelation; in .E* it is in a broader sense the %os$el as the revelation o Christ@s li e and 4ork. 5on% be ore Revelation 4as 4ritten 1aul used the $hrases Htestimon" o ChristH 3to marturion tou )hristou4 in . Corinthians .E< and Hthe testimon" o our 5ordH 3to marturion tou Ouriou hemon4 in ( 2imoth" .E? :DAV9. 2hou%h there are di erences&/7 it cannot be denied that to the hearer or reader in the irst centur" the three $hrases& Htestimon" o Aesus&H Htestimon" o Christ&H and Htestimon" o the 5ordH 3marturia lesou, mar5 turion tou )hristou, marturion tou Ouriou4, 4ould all conve" the same meanin%. In . Corinthians .E< the %enitive Hthe testimon" o ChristH can be sub! Iective or obIective& and $robabl" it is both. /+ In one sense Hthe testimon" o ChristH 4as con irmed// amon% the Corinthians throu%h the $reachin% o 1aul; or e,am$le& HGod con irmed or %ave e ect to the %os$el amon% the Corinthians b" their acce$tin% it and settin% their seal to its truth& throu%h the in4ard $o4er o His S$irit.H/< In another sense the testimon" bome to Christ b" 1aul 4hile he ministered amon% them 4as con irmed as true b" their trans ormed lives./7
Mork>.*/79& 777. /( 8nless he 4ent there to receive the revelation contained in t$e book. But since in Revelation dia never denotes the $ur$ose but al4a"s t$e %round :Charics& .E((9 e reIect t$is inter$retation. /7 :.9 Paul uses t$e 4ord maturion< Aohn uses marturia& #$e for!er e!6$asi@es t$e testimon" itself> the latter t$e %ivin% o it :Strathmann& /)?9. :(9 &ac$ 6$rase uses a different a$$ellation or Christ. /+ FcmerdeBoor&IYerC2'eA*PXP6teito:02d cGC24u6iXPFu$$ertalerStudicnbibcl:Fu$$er!tal& .*<?9& (?. // #$e 4ord bebaioGwss a technical term in business la and meant to make somethin% le%alt" bind! in%& to confir! it. /< R!Aamieson& #. R!Faussct. and D.Bro4n&.P CommentP 02P0" and P4Di'mXrt :Grand Ra$ids& n.d.9& 7E(<7. /7 Bcaslc"!'urra"& J#$e Revelation&H The New Bi le #ommentary, Revised :5eicester& .*7)9. .)/7.

7.)

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

In . Corinthians (E. !( 1aul s$eaks o the Htestimon" o GodH 3to mar5 turion tou Theou4 that he had $reached to the Corinthians. #nd this Htesti! mon" o God&H he e,$lains& is HAesus Christ and him cruci ied.H 2hus both Hthe testimon" o GodH and Hthe testimon" o ChristH are terms used or t$e gos6el. #nd the same is true or the Htestimon" o our 5ordH in ( 2imoth" .E?. # ter havin% e,horted his "oun% disci$les not to be ashamed of Hthe testimon" o our LordJ 3to marturion tou Ouriou hSnion4 the a$ostle adds& Hbut share in su erin% or the %os$el in the $o4er o God.H /? It seems that Aohn coined his o4n $hrase& Hthe 4ord o God and the testimon" o Aesus&H to e,$ress God@s revelation 4hich he $roclaimed. 2he t4o $hrases are distinct and "et a unit"& Iust as the Father and the Son are distinct 1ersons "et one God. Denneth Strand has sho4n that the 02 la4 re3uired at least t4o 4it! nesses :Deut .*E./9. 2his conce$t under%irds and $ermeates the =2P $ar! ticularl" the book o Revelation. /* In .E(&*& and ()E+ 4e ind t4o entities& Hthe 4ord o GodH and Hthe testimon" o Aesus&H re$resentin% the t4o 4it! nesses. In other $assa%es the lan%ua%e varies some4hat. In .(E.7& the" are :translatin% the Greek terms literall"9 Hcommand! ments o GodH and Htestimon" o AesusH; in .+E.(& Hcommandments o GodH and H aith o AesusH; and in <E*& Hthe 4ord o GodH and Hthe testimon" the" holdH 4here Htestimon"H also re ers to Hthe testimon" o Aesus&H as 4e shall see. 2here are al4a"s these t4o 4itnessesE Christ and the Father. Aust as =esus said in Aohn ?E.7!.?& He and the Father are the t4o 4itnesses& <) and t$e t o are al4a"s one :Aohn .)E7)9. <. #nd the book o Revelation calls for aith ulness to these t4o entities. 2his moti o the t4o 4itnesses stren%thens t$e inter$retation that the Htestimon" o AesusH re ers to Christ@s sel !revelation.<(
Revelation 2,CEB$en he had o$ened the i th seal& I sa4 under the altar the souls o them that 4ere slain or the 4ord o God 8dia ton logon tou TheouN, and or the testimon" 4hich the" held 8dia ten marturian hen eichon9& :DAV9
9K Furc$er> ./. 9C 8. Strand> J#$e # o Bitnesses o Rev ..E7!.(&H A@SS .* :.*?.9E .+5. 2; See also Aohn ?E(?& 7?; .+E(+; .7E?. 2. In Revelation ..E7 4e ind t4o 4itnesses 4ho also 4ork as one entit". 25 Strand& .7+& dra4s t$e conclusion that t$e t o itnesses> namel" Hthe 4ord of ?odJ and Jt$e testimon" o =esusJ are the (ld and <e 2estaments. Strathmann& /)<& reIects this inter$retation and understands the $hrase as a uller& !ore co!6lete e-6ression or t$e Christian revelation as such.

7..

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" #lthou%h this te,t does not contain the $hrase Htestimon" o Aesus&H it is included in our stud" because the testimon" mentioned is most likel" the testimon" o Aesus.<7 Ho4ever& the reason or the omission o=esou is .. <+ not clear. Fhen the i th seal is o$ened Aohn sees the souls o the mart"rs under the altar cr"in% out or ven%eance. 2he" are described as those 4ho 4ere slain or the 4ord o God and the 4itness the" held.</ 0eaning of echo ($aveN$oldA. 2he 3uestion is& 4hat is Hthe testimon" 4hich the" heldH 3marturian hen eichon4H Is it the 4itness the" received and held onto under adverse circumstances&<< or is it the 4itness the" bore under the same circumstancesL<7 2hose 4ho acce$t the latter inter$retation usuall" see all the mart"rs :Christian or $re!Christian9 re erred to. But can the $hrase be inter$reted to mean Hbear testimon"HL #$e le-ical !eaning oiecho in its active transitive for! is Jto $ave> to $old> to $ave as one%s 6ossession.J 2K It can !ean furt$er Jto bring about& cause> considerJ or Hhave t$e 6ossibility> can> be able> be in a 6osition.J 2C #$e middle $artici$le of echo in t$e =2 means Jto hold oneself fast> to cling to.J3; =ot one case is given b" Bauer& #rndt& and ?ingric$ in $ic$ echo has t$e !eaning of Jto bear.J Liddell and Scott give $undreds of references or the active transitive for! of echo 4ith t$e sa!e meanin% as %iven b" Bauer> #rndt& and ?ingric$. In t$e !iddle orm t$ey %ive four re erences 4here echo !eans Jto bearJ or Jto hold for oneselfJ somethin% concrete> for e-a!6le> a shield. 5iddell and Scott also cite a second ord echo 4hich is found on a Cy6rian
<7 Bousset& (7). See also Aohannes Behm& HDie 0 enbarun% des Aohannes&H Neues Testament %eutsch :Gottin%en& .*779& +.; C. B. Caird& A )ommentar on the "e#elation o/ St& John the %i#ine, Har$er@s <# Commentaries :=e4 Oork& .*<<9& ?+; Charles& .E.7+; 5add& .)+; 'ounce& ./?. <+ Some inter$reters eel that $re!Christian Ae4ish mart"rsare re erred to :'o at& 7*.9. 1ohl& .E()(& n. (.+& sa"s the name ma" be omitted or rh"thmic reasons. </ DAV; RSV; 5uther; Curcher. =IV and =#SB have Hhad maintained.H << Bousset& (7); Diisterdieck& ((*; Beck4ith& /(<; Charles& .E.7+; Simco,& ++; Dra t& ..*; Bchm& +); Cahn& (E7/*; 'ounce& ./?; Bcasle"!'urra"& The New Bible )ommentw "e#ised, .(?*; 5add& .)+;Aohnson&+7/. <7 =EB& Berkele"& and 'o at translate it this 4a" and several commentators ado$t this readin%& e.%.& Ba!es> .*); 1lummer& .??; Diddle& ..?; Beas9e 56urra , New )entur Bible, .+9G 'ass"n%berde Ford& *<; A. 1. 5an%e& %ie C//enbarung des Johannes, 5an%es Bibel4erk :5ei$Ji%& .?7.9& ..?; FritJ GriinJ4ei%& Johannes5C//enbanmg, Edition!C Bibelkonimentar :Stutt%art& .*?.9& .?+. <? Falter Bauer& Fm. F. #rndt and F. Filbur Gin%rich&!+ Gree15English ?e0icon o/ the NT and Cther Earl )hristian ?iterature :Chica%o& .*/79& 77(!7+. <* Ibid.. 777. 7) Ibid.& 77+. 7. 7eniy?. 5iddell and Robert Scott&6M Gree15English ?e0icon, rev. ed. :0, ord& .*/?9& 7+*!/).

7.(

2he Remnant Church and t$e S$irit o 1ro$hec"

T3

inscri$tion 4hich mentions an o erin% that is Hbrou%htH 3echo4&7$ =o4here do 4e ind echo 4ith the abstract meanin% o Hbearin% a testimon".H In Revelation <E* echo is 4ritten in the im$er ect tense& active voice& third $erson& $lural. 2he meanin%& there ore& can onl" be Hto haveH or Hto holdH and not Hto bear.H I the meanin% 4ere that Hthe" bore their o4n testimon"&H 4e 4ould e,$ect the verb martureo :to 4itness& testi "9 or some com$ound orm o it. Since this is not the case& 4e concur 4ith 'ounce 4ho sa"s Hthe mart"rs@ testimon" 4as not $rimaril" their 4itness about Aesus but the 4itness that the" had received rom him :c . .(E.7; ()E+9.H 7+ 2he" had acce$ted it& the" re used to %ive it u$& and conse3uentl" the" 4ere $ut to death. 2he Htestimon"&H no less than the H4ord&H 4as an obIective $ossession o the mart"rs.7/ . 2his inter$retation is in harmon" 4ith the $arallelism o the 4ord o God and the testimon" o Aesus as 4e ind it in other $laces : or e,am$le& .E(&*9 as 4ell as 4ith the %rammatical sense o/ echo :have& hold9.
Revelation ..E7 >Fhen the" have inished their testimon"& the beast that ascends rom the bottomless $it 4ill make 4ar u$on them and con3uer them and kill them. :RSV9 #$e conte,t o this verse describes the 4ork o the Ht4o 4itnessesH 4ho \atee introduced in verse 7. #$ey are God@s messen%ers and the" have a certain !ission, to $ro$hes" doom in sackcloth or .(<) da"s. Fhen their testimon" \\Z@concluded& the" 4ill be overcome b" the beast rom the bottomless $it. \ #$e %enitive construction& literall"& Hthe testimon" o/ them,$ is clearl" \lt subIective %enitive. It is their testimon"& %iven b" them; not a testimon" Ell,mt them. Revelation .5,..E#$ey have con3uered him b" the blood o the 5amb and b" the 4ord o their testimon"& or the" loved not their lives even unto death. :RSV9 In Revelation .(E7!* Satan su ers a de eat at the hands o the arch! igel 'ichael. 2he dra%on and his an%els are cast do4n to the earth :vs. I& and there he is con3uered b" the aith ul believers throu%h the blood tt$e 5amb. 2he shed blood o Christ on the cross is the $rimar" means 2 victor" over Satan. 2he secondar" means o victor" is the 4ord o their
S5 Ibid.> 7/.. . E&I& Summartureo to be a co!4itness& but also to %ive a testimon". U 'ounce& ./?. % C$artes> .E.7+. See also Bousset& (7).

7.7

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" testimon"; that is& their 4itness to the savin% $o4er of the blood o Christ. 2he %enitive construction is the same as in ..E7& literall"& Hthe testimon" o them.H H2heir testimon"H is a testimon" b"6 rom the believers and not a testimon" about them. Revelation .(E.7>2he dra%on 4as 4roth 4ith the 4oman& and 4ent to make 4ar 4ith the remnant o her seed& 4hich kee$ the commandments o God& and have the testimon" o Aesus Christ.7< :DAV9 Fe have seen earl" on in the cha$ter that the Hremnant o her seedH are the aith ul members o GodMs church in the time o the end& that is& a ter .7*?. 2he dra%on that attem$ted to destro" the 4oman :the true church o God9 throu%hout the .(<) "ear $eriod& no4 directs his an%er a%ainst the remnant o her aith ul believers.77 2his remnant is identi ied b" t4o s$eci ic characteristicsE 2he" Hkee$ the commandments o GodH and the" have Hthe testimon" o Aesus.H Re!nant c$aracteristics. 2he irst o these identi "in% marks re ers to the 2en Commandments as God %ave them on Sinai. 1ro$hec" $redicts that at the end o time God 4ould have a $eo$le 4ho could be reco%niJed b" their adherence to the ori%inal 2en Commandments& includin% the ourth $rece$t 4hich has been altered b" the a$ostate Christian church.7? 1ro$hec" urther $redicts that the Sabbath commandment 4ill be the ocal $oint o the inal controvers" :Rev .7E.<; .+E*! .(9.7* Since Christianit" in %eneral still adheres to the other nine commandments& it is the Sabbath $rece$t that 4ill s$eci icall" serve as a distin%uishin% si%n. 2he second identi "in% mark>the testimon" o Aesus>can& i taken as an obIective %enitive& re er to the aith ul testimon" the remnant bears to Aesus. 2his is the vie4 o a number o inter$reters. ?) Aust as man" e,e%etes& ho4ever& take Htestimon" o AesusH as a subIective %enitive and understand it to mean the testimon" 4hich Aesus bore& the truth 4hich He tau%ht& and to 4hich the remnant holds ast in s$ite o the $ersecution b" the dra%on.?.
7< #$e ord HChristH does not a66ear in the ancient ?reek !anuscri6ts. 77 Be cannot make an actual distinction bet4een t$e o!an and $er seed since the o!an hersel is not$ing but the sum o $er children. #$e o!an designates t$e 4hole& $ile t$e man!child or t$e remnant o her seed are t$e $articular members of t$e $ole. 7? Sec 6. 7)(. 7* 0a- ell> 77?!?). ?) S. 0acLean ?il!our> J#$e Revelation of =o$n>J The Interpreter3s $ne&Dolume )ommentar on the Bi le :=ashville& .*7.9& *<); 7urd> (+7; Sc$latler> (+<; Rist& +/*; Ba!cs> 7/?; Vassiliadis& .77. ?. B. Barclay> C//enbarung des Johannes, #usle%un% dcs <# :Fu$$crtal& .*7)9& (E*?; 0orris> .<); 0ounce> (+7; 1lummer& +.9G Beck4ith& <7); #rite> 7/.

7.+

#$e Re!nant C$urc$ and t$e S$irit o 1ro$hec"

2he second inter$retation is su$$orted b" the use o the 4ord echo :have6hold9& the im$ort o 4hich has been discussed. It is un ortunate that commentators 4ho o$t or the obIective %enitive sense do not consider the orce o the verb echTS :have6hold9. 2he" sim$l" assume that it means Hthe" bear testimon"&H althou%h there is no $hilolo%ical su$$ort or such a meanin%. 1etros Vassiliades& 4ho ar%ues orce ull" or the obIective %enitive or all si, occurrences o Htestimon" o Aesus&H )( does not even mention echo :have6hold9. =either does he investi%ate the $hrase Hs$irit o $ro$hec"H to 4hich 4e 4ill turn shortl". (n the basis o the use o Htestimon" o AesusH as 4ell as the use o the ord echTS :have6hold9& e conclude that in Revelation .(E.7 the $hrase Jtesti!ony o AesusH re ers to the 4itness Christ Himsel has %iven.
Revelation .C,.;E#$en I ell do4n at his eet to 4orshi$ him& but he said to me& HOou must not do thatN I am a ello4 servant 4ith "ou and "our brethren 4ho hold the testimon" o Aesus. Forshi$ God.H For the testimon" o Aesus is the s$irit o $ro$hec". :RSV9

#$e conte,t o this verse is the announcement o the marria%e o the La!b :vss. <!?9. # ter the announcement Aohn is told to 4rite& HBlessed are t$ose 4ho are invited to the marria%e su$$er o the 5ambH :vs. *9. Fhereu$on Aohn& over4helmed 4ith a e b" 4hat he has Iust heard and by t$e $resence o the an%el& alls to the %round to 4orshi$ the heavenl" messen%er :vs. .)9. 22ie an%el %entl" rebukes Aohn& and in the course o his e,$lanation he re ers t4ice to the Htestimon" o Aesus.H Scholarl" o$inion is a%ain divided on the meanin% o this e,$ression here. Some take it as an obIective&?7 and others as a subIective %enitive.?+ # third %rou$ believes that both meanin%s are $resent.?/ S6irit of 6ro6$ecy. 2he ke" to the understandin% o Hthe testimon" o csusMM here is seen b" all inter$reters to be in the last clauseE HRir the testi!@ mon" o Aesus is the s$irit o $ro$hec".H #ccordin% to the irst vie4& the e,$res!; Zon Hs$irit o $ro$hec"H orms the subIect o the sentence& and Hthe testimon" to AesusH is its $redicate. ?< 2hus& the sentence is construed to mean& Hthe
K5 Vassiliadis& .++. K+ Rist> /7); 0assyngberdc )ord. Revelation, 7.(; Ladd> (/.; Ba!es> /2.G Charles& (E.7); Diister! dieck./92. K/ Sc$latter> +..G 8raft> (+/; Po$l> 5,5/CG Fa$n> /?+; Beck it$> 7(*; Caird> (77; Beasley0urray> =e4 Century Bible> (7<; 1lummer& ++*; 0offat> +</; Aohnson& /7(; 0ounce> 7+(; 2rites& 7<. K9 Barclay> (E.*?; 0orris> 555G ?run@ cig> (E.?(. K2 'ass"n%berde Ford& Irish Theological Buarterl (?/.

7./

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" desi%n o $ro$hec" is to bear testimon" to Aesus.H ?7 #ccordin% to the second vie4 the %rammatical order is reversed& and Hthe testimon" o Aesus is the s$irit that ins$ires the $ro$hets.H?? Caird sa"sE HIt is unthinkable that Aohn& 4ho so obviousl" believed in his o4n $ro$hetic ins$iration b" the S$irit o God& should have committed himsel to the vie4 that the sole source o his ins$iration 4as his o4n testimon" to Aesus& that he 4as in act sel !ins$ired.H ?* 2he $hrase Hs$irit o $ro$hec"H occurs onl" once in the Bible& onl" in this te,t. 2he closest $arallel to it in the Bible is ound in . Corinthians .(E?!.). 2here 1aul re ers to the S$irit 4ho& amon% other charismata, %ives the %i t o $ro$hec". 2he $erson 4ho receives this %i t is called a $ro$het :. Cor .(E(?9. 2his is in harmon" 4ith ( 1eter .E(.& 4here 1eter declares that $ro$hec" ha$$ens 4hen Hmen moved b" the Hol" S$irit s$oke rom God.H 2hus& the Hs$irit o $ro$hec"H in Revelation .*E.) is the Hol" S$irit& 4ho ins$ires the $ro$hetic 4ord& or accordin% to the de inition in the verse itsel & 4ho reveals the testimon" o Aesus. Aesus Himsel said that 4hen the S$irit comes Hhe 4ill teach "ou all thin%s& and brin% to "our remembrance all that I have said to "ouH :Aohn .+E(<9. Furthermore& Hhe 4ill %uide "ou into all the truth; or he 4ill not s$eak on his o4n authorit"& but 4hatever he hears he 4ill s$eak.... He 4ill %lori " me& or he 4ill take 4hat is mine and declare it to "ouH :Aohn .<E.7&.+9. In other 4ords& the Hs$irit o $ro$hec"H ins$ires the $ro$hets 4ith the testimon" o Aesus& that is& the sel !revelation o Aesus. #t the same time it is true that the desi%n o $ro$hec" is to bear 4it ness to Aesus&H and this the ins$ired $ro$hets do. 2his is 4h" some e,e!%etes see both meanin%s $resent in the $hrase Htestimon" o Aesus.H #nd this ma" 4ell be. Ho4ever& or the ollo4in% reasons& 4e believe that the subIective %enitive meanin% :testimon" rom6b" Aesus9 is $rimar"E .. 2he $resence o the verb echs :have6hold9 a%ain indicates $ossession.*. 2he brethren ha#e the testimon" o Aesus. 2here is no te,tual basis or construin% this e,$ression to mean that the brethren bear testimon"6 4itness to Aesus. (. 2he Ae4ish readers in Aohn@s da" kne4 4hat 4as meant b" the e,$ression Hs$irit o $ro$hec".H 2he" 4ould have understood the e,$ression to re er to the Hol" S$irit.
?7 Bames& +<.. ?? Caird& (7?. ?* Ibid. *) See above. *. See on Rev <E*. 7.<

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" Rabbinic Audaism e3uated the 02 e,$ressions HHol" S$irit&H HS$irit o God&H or HS$irit o Oah4ehH 4ith Jt$e S$irit o $ro$hec"H as can be seen in the re3uent occurrence o this term in the 2ar%ums :4ritten translations o the (# in #ramaic9E #nd 1haraoh said to his servants& can 4e ind a man like this& in 4hom is the S$irit o $ro$hec" rom the 5ordL :Gen +.E7?9 In 4hat 4ill it be kno4n that I have ound merc" be ore 2hee but in the converse o 2h" Shekinah 4ith us& that distin%uishin% si%ns ma" be 4rou%ht or us& in the 4ithholdment o the S$irit o $ro$hec" rom the nations& and b" 2h" s$eakin% b" the Hol" S$irit to me and to 2h" $eo$le& that 4e ma" be distin%uished rom all the $eo$les u$on the ace o the earthL:E,od77E.<9 #nd the 5ord said to 'osheh& 2ake to thee Aehoshua bar =un& a man u$on 4hom abideth the S$irit o $ro$hec" rom be ore the 5ord. :=um (7E.?9*( Sometimes the term Hs$irit o $ro$hec"H re ers sim$l" to the Hol" S$irit& but in man" cases it re ers to the %i t o $ro$hec" %iven b" the Hol" S$irit as is made clear b" the conte,t o the 'asoretic te,t. Commentin% on this e,$ression in the 2ar%ums& A. 1. Scha er sa"sE 2hence irst o all it $roves that the term HS$irit o $ro$hec"H is closer to the 0# than the term HHol" S$irit.H 'oreover an e,amination o the verses 4here 20 uses the term HS$irit o $ro$hec"H sho4s that in almost all cases there is a direct relationshi$ to the $ro$hec" in the biblical conte,t. 2he translation HS$irit o $ro$hec"&H althou%h not in the strictest sense literal& is almost al4a"s sti$ulated throu%h the 0# :Genesis +.E7? > Aose$h had the HS$irit o $ro$hec"H because he 4as able to inter$ret 1harao@s dream; =umbers ..E(/ > 2he S$irit that settled on the 7) Elders& accordin% to the '2& brou%ht about H$ro$hes"in%H; =umbers (+E(> Bileam $ro$hesied concernin% Israel9. In other 4ords& the term HS$irit o $ro$hec"H describes a clearl" delineated situation& namel"& the Hol" S$irit
2<=

sent rom God 4ho im$arts the $ro$hetic %i t to man. F. F. Bruce comes to the same conclusion and sa"sE

*( AohnF. Etherid%e& The Targums o/ Cn1elos and Jonathan Ben @JJiel on she *entateuch :5ondon& .?<(9& .,.+.> //<; (E++(. 0ther occurrences are ?en +/E(7; &-od 7/E(.& 7.; =um ..E.7& (/& (<& (?&(*; (+E(; Aud%7E.); I Sam .)E<; .*E.)&(7; (Sam (7E(; . D%s ((E(+; ( Chr ./E.; .?E((&(7; ()E.+; 1s/.El7;Isa ..E(. Stiac15Omeibec1,OommenwJumNeuen Testament 3@uncheti, .*</9& (E.(*. *7 A. 1. Scha er& JDie 2ermini @Heili%er ?eist% und @Geist der Pro6$etic% in den 2ar%umim und das Verhaltnis dcr 2ar%umim Jucinander&H VTDB :.*7)9E 7.). 7.7

2he Remnant Church and t$e S$irit of Pro6$ecy 2he e,$ression Hthe S$irit o $ro$hec"H is current in $ost!biblical AudaismE it is used& or e,am$le& in a 2ar%umic circumlocution or the S$irit o Oah4e 4hich comes u$on this or that $ro$het. 2hus the 2ar%um o Aonathan renders the o$enin% 4ords o Isaia$ <.E. as M2he S$irit o $ro$hec" rom be ore the 5ord God is u$on me.H 2he thou%ht e,$ressed in Revelation .*E.) is not dissimilar to that alread" 3uoted rom . 1eter .E.. 4here Hthe S$irit o ChristH is said to have borne advanced testimon" in the (ld 2estament $ro$hets. 2here too Aesus is the theme o the 4itness borne b" the $ro$hetic S$irit; t$e 6ro6$ets did not kno4 4ho the $erson or 4hat the time 4ould be& but at last the secret is outE the $erson is Aesus; the time is no4. In Revelation .*E.)& ho4ever& it is throu%h Christian $ro$hets that the S$irit o $ro$hec" bears 4itness. Fhat the $ro$hets o $re!Christian da"s oretold is $roclaimed as an accom$lished act b" the $ro$hets o the ne4 a%e& amon% 4hom Aohn occu$ies a leadin% $lace.*+ 0ther scholars 4ho have studied the Rabbinic literature on this to$ic have stated that HRabbinic scholars consistentl" understood @Hol" S$irit@ to mean the S$irit o $ro$hec" or the $ro$hetic %i t& unless the conte,t orced them to inter$ret it as the S$irit 4hich ins$ired Scri$ture.H*/

# 4ord should be said about the value o the 2ar%ums. 2he earliest kno4n 4ritten 2ar%um come rom the second or third centur" #.D. *< Ho4ever& their oral orm %oes back to the $oste,ilic $eriod 4hen #ramaic %raduall" re$laced Hebre4 in im$ortance as the s$oken lan%ua%e. HFhile these renderin%s 4ere oral& there are %ood %rounds or holdin% that the" soon ac3uired a de%ree o i,it".H*7 2hus 4e can sa el" sa" that 4hat 4as inall" 4ritten do4n 4as the same as 4hat the Ae4s in the irst centur" #.D. heard in the s"na%o%ues. 7. 2he $arallelism bet4een Revelation .*E.) and ((E?&* indicates that the brethren 4ho have the testimon" o Aesus are to be identi ied 4ith the $ro$hets.

24 !+ !+ Bruce, 1he 1ime Is <ulfilled (*ran# $a'i#s, 1273), 1;5-6+ &5 6track-Bi)er.cck, 2@123+ &. G. L. Archer, " Survey of 1ld 1estament Introduction (2hica+o) 1274), -&. &7 R. ). I#''ison0 Introduction to the 1ld 1estament (*ran# R#9ids0 $&.&E0 227+ 7.?

#$e Re!nant C$urc$ and t$e S$irit o 1ro$hec" .*E.) #nd I ell do4n at his eet to 4orshi$ him& but he said to me& HOou must not do thatN I am a ello4 servant 4ith "ou and "our brethren 4ho hold the testimon" o Aesus. Forshi$ God.H For the testimon" o Aesus is the s$irit o $ro$hec".
22@3-2

I ell do4n to 4orshi$ him at the eet o the an%el 4ho sho4ed them to me; But he said to me& HOou must not do thatN I am th" ello4 servant 4ith "ou and "our brethren the $ro$hets& and 4ith those 4ho kee$ the 4ords o this book. Forshi$ God.H

2he situation in both $assa%es is the same. Aohn alls at the eet o the an%el to 4orshi$. 2he 4ords o the an%el res$onse are almost identical& "et the di erences are si%ni icantE .. In .*E.) the brethren are identi ied b" the $hrase& H4ho hold QhaveR the testimon" o Aesus.H In ((E* the brethren are sim$l" called H$ro$hets.H C In .*E.) the e,$lanation is added& HFor the testimon" o Aesus is the s$irit o $ro$hec".H 2his sentence is missin% in ((E*& since the $hrase Htesti! mon" o AesusH is not used there. 7. In ((E*& a ter callin% himsel a ello4 servant 4ith Aohn and his brethren& the an%el adds& Hand 4ith those 4ho kee$ the 4ords o this book>J that is& o all the saints. 2he an%el is also a creature o God. #s such $e is a ello4!servant o all believers. I the 1rotestant $rinci$le o inter$retin% scri$ture b" scri$ture means an"thin%& this com$arison must lead to the conclusion that the brethren 4ho have the testimon" o Aesus are $ro$hets. Some commentators take the $osition that in a certain sense all the children o ?od are $ro$hets and have the Hs$irit o $ro$hec"H; hence& t$is e,$ression should be understood as a$$l"in% to them. David Hill& or one> sa"sE
2he $arallelism bet4een this verse :.*E.)9 and ((E* su%%ests that Hthe brethren 4ho have the 4itness o AesusH are to be identi ied 4ith the $ro$hets.... But else4here Hthose 4ho have the marturia Jesou$ is the descri$tion o all aith ul Christians. Fhat a$$ears to be im$lied b" the collocation o clauses in this verse is that all members o the church are& 7.*

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

in 6rinci6le or 6otentially> 6ro6$ets> Dust as t$e $ole c$urc$ 6resents itself> in e-e!6lary fas$ion> in t$e for! of t$e Jt o itnesses.J (ll,+ff.A

2his kind o reasonin%& ho4ever& does not harmoniJe 4ith the scri$tural evidence. In . Corinthians .(E+!.. the %i ts o the S$irit are enumerated. In verses ?!.) 4e read o the S$irit 4ho %ives 4isdom& aith& healin%& $ro$hec"& ton%ues& etc. He does not %ive all the %i ts to all the $eo$le& but He Ha$$ortions to each one individuall" as he 4ill.H Hence the reci$ients are not all called b" the same nameE HGod has set in the church irst a$ostles& second $ro$hets& third teachers&&&.H :vs. (?& c . E$h +E..9. 2he HS$irit o $ro$hec"&H there ore& in Revelation .*E.) is not the $os! session o all church members in %eneral& but onl" o those 4ho have been called b" God to be $ro$hets. 2his has been the understandin% o Bible scholars $ast and $resent. H. Strathman or instance sa"s concernin% Revelation .*E.)&
#ccordin% to the $arallel ((E* the brothers re erred to are not believers in %eneral but the $ro$hets. Here& too& the" are characteriJed as such. 2his is the $oint o verse l0c. If the" have the marturia Jesou the" have the s$irit o $ro$hec"& i.e. the" are $ro$hets& like the an%el& 4ho sim$l" stands in the service o marturia Jesou& Fe conclude& there ore& that the e,$ression Htestimon" o AesusH in Revelation .*E.) re ers to the testimon" born b" Aesus Himsel & either in His o4n li e and ministr"& or b" the 4orkin% o the Hol" S$irit ins$irin% His servants the $ro$hets. Revelation ()E+ > I sa4 thrones& and the" sat u$on them& and Iud%ment 4as %iven unto themE and I sa4 the souls o them that 4ere beheaded or the 4itness o Aesus& and or the 4ord o God& and 4hich had not 4orshi$$ed the beast& neither his ima%e& neither had received his mark u$on their oreheads& or in their hands; and the" lived and rei%ned 4ith Christ a thousand "ears. :DAV9 2he settin% o this verse is the irst resurrection and the be%innin% o the millennium. #ttention is ocused on those 4ho su ered and died or Christ@s sake. 2he" rei%n 4ith Him throu%h the thousand "ears. 0 all the te,ts considered in Revelation& ()E+ is the one te,t 4here Htes!
*? David 7ill> H1ro$hec" and 1ro$hets in Revelation&H NTS .? :.*7.!.*7(9E +.7. ** Strathmann& +E/).. See also D%Aragon> J#$e #$ocal"$se&H The Jerome Bible )ommentar :5ondon& .*<*9& +?*; Aohnson& /7(; Fa$n> /?/; Dra l& (+/.

<2;

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

timon" concernin% AesusH 4ould it best 2he mart"rs 4ere beheaded because o their testimon" or 4itness about Aesus and because the" $roclaimed the 4ord o God. 'an" e,e%etes understand the $hrase in this 4a". .)) Ho4ever& in ()E+ as in .E(&*& and .(E.7 Hthe $hrase Qtestimon" o AesusR is balanced b" a s"mmetrical one 4ith @4ord :or command9 o God&@ @o God@ bein% a subIective %enitive. In these cases @Aesus@ ma" also be a subIective %enitive.). It is o course $ossible to understand Htestimon" o AesusH as a testimon" about Him and H4ord o GodH as the 4ord God s$oke; but there is no e,e%etical necessit" or it& and it seems better to take them both as subIective %enitives. 2hus& 4e ind 6arturia :testimon"64itness9 used ei%ht times in the book of Revelation in a %enitive construction. In some cases an obIective %enitive translation is $ossible. Ho4ever& consideration o the total conte,t indicates that a subIective %enitive readin% is $re erable in all instances. In three instances :<E*; .(E.7; .*E.)9 the verb echo :have6hold9 is used in connection 4ith Hthe testimon" o Aesus.H In each case it su$$orts the subIective %enitive inter$retation. 2hree times :.E(&CG ()E+9 Hthe testimon" o Aesus@M is used in a $arallel construction 4ith Hthe 4ord o God.H 0ne time :.(E.79 it is in $arallel 4ith Hthe commandments o God.H Since Hthe 4ord o GodH and Hthe com! mandments o GodH are subIective %enitives : rom6b" God9& it is reasonable to inter$ret Hthe testimon" o AesusH in the same 4a". ?eneral Su!!ary .. 6arturia :testimon"64itness9 is $rimaril" used b" Aohn>7) o the 77 occurrences in Scri$ture. (. 0utside the book o Revelation 4hen marturia is used in a %enitive construction b" 'ark& 5uke& or Aohn it is al4a"s a subIective %enitive. 2his is underscored b" such $arallel constructions as ound in . Aohn /E* :HI e receive the testimon" o men& the testimon" o God is %reaterH9. H2he testimon" o menH and Hthe testimon" o GodH are the 4ords b"6 rom men and the 4ords b"6 rom God :subIective %enitives9& not 4ords about6con! cernin% men or God :obIective %enitives9. 7. In the book o Revelation all the %enitive constructions 4ith marturia can be understood as subIective %enitives. 2here is no com$ellin%
.)) Rist> /(); 5add& (</; =o$nson> /?(; Bames. +7/; 'ass"n%berde )ord> "e#elation, 7+*; Vassiliadis& .7(. .). A. 'ass"n%berde Ford. ITB (?/. See also 'ounce& 7//. 7(.

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

%rammatical& s"ntactical& or theolo%ical reason or doin% other4ise. +. 2he $arallelism in .E(&*& and ()E+ bet4een Hthe 4ord o GodH and Hthe testimon" o AesusH clearl" indicates that Hthe testimon" o AesusH is the testimon" 7e Himsel %ives& Iust as the H4ord o GodH is the 4urd 4hich God s$eaks. 2he same a$$lies in Revelation .(E.7 in the $arallelism be! t4een Hthe commandments o GodH and Hthe testimon" o Aesus.H /. In .(E.7 Hthe remnant o her seedH is said to Hhave 8echHM' the testi! mon" o AesusH :DAV9. I Hthe testimon" o AesusH means H4itness to Aesus&H the verb ech// :have6hold9 4ould be 3uite unusual in this $lace. 2estimon" to or concernin% Aesus 4ould call or a verb such as Hto bearH rather than Hto have.H 2he 4ord echa most naturall" denotes!ossession in this instance. <. 2he overall conte,t o the =2 makes it clear that the contentb Hthe testimon" o AesusH is Aesus Himsel . Aust as the content o the 4ord o God is Christ& so the content and $ur$ose o the Htestimon" o AesusH is Christ Himsel . 2he Htestimon" o Aesus&H then& is Christ@s sel !disclosure throu%h the $ro$hets>His 4itness& not man@s 4itness about Him. 2he latter thou%ht& thou%h& is closel" linked 4ith it; in some cases it could be $resent in a secondar" sense. 7. 2he $arallelism bet4een .*E.) and ((E?&* indicates that those 4ho Hhave the testimon" o AesusH have the $ro$hetic %i t. 2his is su$$orted b" the e,$lanation that Hthe testimon" o Aesus is the s$irit o $ro$hec"&H that is& the Hol" S$irit 4ho ins$ires the $ro$hets. 2hus Hthe remnant other seedH in .(E.7 :DAV9 has the $ro$hetic %i t. =ot ever" member as such& but one o the identi "in% marks o them as a %rou$ is the mani estation o the $ro$hetic %i t in their midst.

Significance of t$e &-6ression J#esti!ony of =esusJ

2he si%ni icance in the %reat controvers" bet4een God and Satan o Hthe testimon" o AesusH :Christ@s revelation communicated throu%h the $ro$hets9 soon becomes a$$arent. It is mentioned at the be%innin% o the book :cha$. .9& in the middle :cha$. .(9& and at the end :cha$s. .*&()9. It is $ortra"ed as a s$ecial obIect o Satan@s attacks. 2hree o the ive te,ts that mention the testimon" o Aesus $lace it in the conte,t o $ersecution. 2he other t4o verses :.E(; .*E.)9 serve as e,$lanations or the $hrase Htestimon" o Aesus.H In cha$ter . 4e are trans$orted into the irst centur" #.D. Christ has died& has been resurrected& and has ascended to heaven. 2he clima, o his!
<22

#$e Remnant C$urc$ and t$e S$irit o 1ro$hec"

tor"& Christ@s death& 4hich accordin% to Satan@s desires should have been $is decisive victor" over ?od> has been turned into a resoundin% de eat or him. He is an%r" and he is not 4illin% to give u6. =ot man" "ears a ter Christ@s trium$h on Calvar"& Ste$hen& the irst mart"r& dies. Some "ears later Aames& then 1eter& 1aul& and others. #s the centur" $ro%resses& $ersecution increases. Em$eror 4orshi$ orces the issue or the Christians& and man" lose their lives. Foremost amon% the $ersecuted are those s$eciall" called b" God to be His $ro$hets& those 4ho have the testimon" o Aesus& the S$irit o $ro$hec". Aohn records& I am e,iled to 1atmos Hon account o the 4ord o God and the testimon" o AesusH :Rev .E*9. In the t4el th cha$ter 4e are carried throu%h histor" to the end o time& to the last $hase o the %reat controvers". 2he church o God and her children have been $ersecuted or .(<) "ears b" Satan& but he has been unable to e,terminate them. 1ro$hec" sho4s that a remnant still e,ists a ter this lon% $eriod o $ersecution. 2his remnant has t4o identi "in% marksE 2he" Hkee$ the commandments o God& and have the testimon" o AesusH :.(E.7& DAV9. In Revelation .+E.( the" are described as kee$in% the commandments and the aith o Aesus& that is& aith in Aesus :obIective %eni! tive9. #nd Satan& bein% urious because o it& makes 4ar a%ainst them. In cha$ter () 4e are $laced into the time o the millennium. Christ has come and redeemed His o4n and amon% them are those that died because the" clun% to the H4ord o GodH and to the Htestimon" o Aesus.H 2he" did not den" God@s 4ord nor Christ@s revelation durin% the inal sta%es o the %reat controvers"; the" re used to 4orshi$ the beast and its ima%e. =o4 the 4ar is over and the" sit and rei%n 4ith Christ. 2hus the book o Revelation reveals in the %reat controvers" moti $er! meatin% the 4hole book that aith ulness to the @Pord o GodH and to the Htestimon" o AesusH se$arates the aith ul rom the aithless. Aehosha$hat@s $ro$hec" is con irmedE HBelieve in the 5ord "our God& and "ou 4ill be established; believe his $ro$hets& and "ou 4ill succeedH :( Chr ()E()9.

Revelation .5,.3 and Sevent$-day Adventists

2he sel !understandin% o Seventh!da" #dventists is vitall" a ected b" a $ro$er understandin% o Revelation .(E.7. Earl" Seventh!da" #dventists ere convinced that their movement 4as the Hremnant o her seed&H the church o the last da"s called b" God to ul ill a s$ecial mission.
<2<

#$e Re!nant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec"

2he 1ioneers G. I. Butler in .?7+& a ter 3uotin% Revelation .(E.7& sa"s&

Is there then D0 $eo$le in 4hom these conditions combine in these last da"sL Fe believe the" trul" do in Seventh!da" #dventists. 2he" have ever"4here claimed to be the HremnantH church or the last t4ent"! ive "ears.... Do the" kee$ the commandments o GodL Ever"one kno4in% an"thin% about this $eo$le can ans4er that this is the most im$ortant $art o their aith.... In re%ard to the S$irit o $ro$hec"& it is a remarkable act that rom the irst o their e,istence as a $eo$le& Seventh!da" #dventists have claimed that it has been in active e,ercise amon% them.

F. H. 5ittleIohn 4rites in .??7E

Be it kno4n& there ore& that Seventh!da" #dventists claim to be the ones 4hom Aohn sa4 in vision& and 4hom be st"led the Hremnant 4ho kee$ the commandments o God& and have the testimon" o Aesus Christ.H #s it re%ards the t4o $rominent $oints o the aith o the remnant church s$oken o b" Aohn& it is 4ell!kno4n that Seventh!da" #dventists claim to hold and $ractice both o them. 2hese $oints are& irst& the kee$in% o the commandments o God& and& secondl"& the havin% or $ossessin% o the testimon" o Aesus Christ.

8riah Smith in a sermon delivered at the .?*. General Con erence statesE
In Revelation .(E.7 is ound lan%ua%e 4ith 4hich "ou are all amiliarE H#nd the dra%on 4as 4roth 4ith the 4oman& and 4ent to make 4ar 4ith the remnant other seed& 4hich kee$ the commandments o God& and have the testimon" o Aesus Christ.H #s Hthe 4omanH is a s"mbol o the church& the seed o the 4oman is the number o believers in an" %eneration& and Hthe remnant o her seedH means o course the last %eneration o the church. Here is a $ositive $ro$hec" that the last church 4ill be characteriJed b" this s$ecial eature& the" 4ill have the testimon" o Aesus Christ. But 4hat is the testimon" o Aesus ChristL Revelation .*E.)E HFor the testimon" o Aesus is the s$irit o $ro$hec".H... Fe believe that 4e are ul illin% this scri$ture; that 4e have reached this time.

.)( G. I. Butler& HVisions and Pro6$ecy.J Revie" and %erald, =une (&.?7+&.C+. .)7 F. H. 8ttleAohn& HSeventh!da" #dventists and the #esti!ony of =esus C$rist>J Revie" and %erald, #u%ust .+&.??7../. .)+ 8. Smith& J#$e S$irit of 1ro$hec" and (ur Relation to It>J General #onference %ail Bulletin +5/

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" 5ou%hborou%h 4ritin% in .?*( sa"sE Fe are in the time 4hen the tokens are abundant on ever" side that the da" o the 5ord is near at hand. Fe are in the ver" $eriod o time 4hen a$eo$le 4ere to arise 4ho 4ould kee$ all the Commandments& and 4ho 4ould also Hhave the testimon" o AesusH > the HS$irit o $ro$hec".H Fhat do 4e indL > 2hat durin% the last ort"!si, "ears such a $eo$le have arisen& bearin% Iust such a messa%e& amon% 4hom the %i t o $ro$hec" has been mani ested. 2estin% the %i t as mani ested throu%h 'rs. E. G. Fhite b the Bible rules& 4e have seen that it stands the test in ever" $articular.

&llen ?. B$ite Ellen Fhite irml" believed that Seventh!da" #dventists 4ere God@s remnant church and that Revelation .(E.7 a$$lied to them. Seventh!da" #dventists Hare God@s re$resentatives u$on the earth.@M .)< HFe have the commandments o God and the testimon" o Aesus Christ& 4hich is the s$irit o $ro$hec".H.)@ #nd she counselsE
2he 4a"marks 4hich have made us 4hat 4e are& are to be $reserved& and the" 4ill be $reserved& as God has si%ni ied throu%h His Ford and the testimon" o His S$irit. He calls u$on us to hold irml"& 4ith the %ri$ o aith& to the undamental $rinci$les that are based u$on un3uestionable

authorit"..)? &llen Fhite o ten identi ies the remnant o Revelation .(E.7 4ith the Seventh!da" #dventist Church..)*
5et all be care ul not to make an outcr" a%ainst the onl" $eo$le 4ho are ul illin% the descri$tion %iven o the remnant $eo$le 4ho kee$ the commandments o God and have aith in Aesus& 4ho are e,altin% the standard o ri%hteousness in these last da"s.

She also makes clear that Hthe testimon" o AesusH in .*E.) is the 4it! ness o Christ Himsel E HIt is the voice o Christ that s$eaks to us throu%h the 0ld 2estament. @2he testimon" o Aesus is the s$irit o $ro$hec".@
:.?*.9&./). .)/ Aohn =. 5ou%hborou%h& The "ise and *w ess o/Se#enth5da Ad#entists :Battle Creek& 'I& .?*(9& 7??. .;2 Ellen G. Fhite. Testimonies /or the #h"ch @ (0ountain Vie4& CA> .*+?9E +/(. .;3 Ellen G. Fhite& Testimonies to 4inisters (0ountain 'ie > CA> .*<(9& ..+. .)? Ellen G. Fhite.& Selected 6essages& Book . :Fashin%ton& DC& .*/?9& ()?. .;C See t$e &llen ?. Fhite Com$rehensive Inde- under JRe!nant c$urc$J and HRemnant $eo$le.H ..) Fhite& Testimonies to 6inisters, 9K.

<25

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit of Pro6$ecy Revelation .*E.).H... In several $laces the JS6irit o $ro$hec"H is identi ied 4ith the Hol" S$irit 4ho 4as %iven to Enoch&..( Simeon&N.7 Silas&' .+ and Ellen G. Fhite hersel .../ Dreams and visions are given b" the S$irit o $ro$hec"N.< 4ho s$eaks onl" the truth& i.7 In other 6laces the re erence seems to be to the 4ork Ellen G. Fhite did under the %uidance o the Hol" S$irit. Fe must ollo4 the directions %iven throu%h the S$irit o $ro$hec". Fe must love and obe" the truth or this time. 2his 4ill save us rom acce$tin% stron% delusions. God has s$oken to us throu%h His 4ord. He has s$oken to us throu%h the testimonies to the church& and throu%h the books that have hel$ed to make $lain our $resent dut" and the $osition
$$R

4e should no4 occu$". In a letter rom the "ear .*)< she mentions an Elder 4ho in his teachin% Hsho4ed that the S$irit o $ro$hec" has an im$ortant $art to act in the establishment o the truth. Fhen bindin% o his 4ork. he called or me... to s$eak to the $eo$le.H..* 2he $rimar" re erence& ho4ever& is al4a"s to the S$irit o God. Oet no4 4hen I send "ou a testimon" o 4arnin% and re$roo & man" o "ou declare it to be merel" the o$inion o Sister Fhite. Oou have thereb" insulted the S$irit o God. Oou kno4 ho4 the 5ord has mani ested Himsel throu%h the s$irit o $ro$hec". 1ast& $resent& and uture have
.()

$assed be ore me.

Conclusion
0ur stud" o Revelation .(E.7 and related te,ts has sho4n that accord! in% to $ro$hec" a remnant church e,ists a ter the .(<) $ro$hetic da"s have e,$ired. 2his church can be reco%niJed b" t4o distinctive marksE 2he" 4ill kee$ Hthe commandments o GodH and the" 4ill have Hthe testimon" o Aesus.H
... &llen ?. Fhite& !atriarchs and !rophets :'ountain 'ie > CA> .C9KA> 7<7. ..( Ibid.& ?/. ..7 &llen ?. Fhite& The Desire o/ Ages :'ountain Vie4& CA. .*+)9& 99. ..+ Fhite& The Acts o/ the A!ostles, ()7. ../ Fhite& Selected 6essages, Book .& (7. ..< Fhite& Testimonies /or the #hurch .E/<*. ..7 Fhite& Testimonies for the #hurch +E.7; sec also 77). ..? Ellen G. Fhite. Gos!el >or1ers :Fashin%ton& DC& .*./9& 7)?. ..* Ellen G. Fhite& E#angelism :Fashin%ton& DC> .C/2A. (/7. .() Fhite& Testimonies /or the )hurch /E<+. <26

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" 2he kee$in% o the commandments re ers to the kee$in% o the ori%inal commandments %iven b" God on 'ount Sinai. In $articular& the ourth commandment is the distinctive si%n since it has been altered b" a$ostate Christianit". 2he testimon" o Aesus>Christ@s 4itness>re ers to the $ro$hetic %i t& 4hich is also $resent in the remnant church. God $romises that throu%h the S$irit o $ro$hec">the Hol" S$irit>He 4ill a%ain mani est Himsel in a s$ecial 4a" to the remnant church to kee$ and to %uide them in the last da"s& 4hen Satan 4ill make s$ecial e orts to destro" them. Seventh!da" #dventists rom their ver" ince$tion have seen themselves as the ul illment o this $ro$hec". 2he" have claimed the t4o identi "in% marks and a$$lied them to the 2en Commandments>in $articular to the Sabbath>and to the li e and 4ork o Ellen G. Fhite& #t the same time the" have reco%niJed that this identi ication 4ith the remnant church does not accord them an e,clusive status 4ith God. Sal! vation is not %uaranteed throu%h membershi$ in a s$eci ic church. 2here e,ists an invisible church o God 4here all are members 4ho have acce$ted Christ as their $ersonal Saviour& re%ardless o church a iliation. Oet at the same time God has an or%aniJed and structured church in this 4orld& com! missioned to $re$are this 4orld and its inhabitants or the second comin% o Christ. 2hat means this church has been ordained to %ive a s$ecial messa%e >the three an%elsM messa%e>to the 4orld. 2he $ro$hetic ori%in of the #dvent !ove!ent and God@s %racious guidance throu%h the $ro$hetic gift of &llen ?. Fhite should !ake us !ore a4are o the res$onsibilit" 4e as a church have& and it should s$ur us on to inish the 4ork God has %iven us to do.

Bibliogra6$y
#le,ander& Filliam. The Boo1 o/ "e#elation& 2he E,$ositor@s Bible& ed. F. R. =ico8. =e4 OorkE #. C. #rmstron% and Son& .*)?. Arc$er> Gleason 5. A Sur#e o/ $ld Testament Introduction& Chica%oE 'ood" 1ress& .*<+. Barclay> Filliam. C//enbarung des /ohannes, D vols. #usle%un% des =2. Fu$$er! talE #ussaat Verla%. .*7).
<27

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" Barnes& #lbert. Notes on the Boo1 o/ "e#elation& 5ondonE Geor%e Routled%e and Sons& .?/(. Bauer& Falter& Fm. 1. #mdt& and F. Filbur Gin%rich.6+ Gree1 English ?e0icon o/ the NT and other Eart )hristian ?iterature& Chica%oE 8niversit" o Chica%o Press> .*/7. Beasle"!'urra"& G. R. H2he Revelation.H The New Bible )ommentar "e#ised& 5eicesterE Inter!Varsit" 1ress& .*7). >>. The Boo1 o/ "e#elation& =e4 Centur" Bible. 5ondonE 0li$hants& .*7?. Beck4ith& I. 2. The A!ocal !se o/ John& Grand Ra$idsE Baker Book House& .*7*. Bchm& Aohannes. HDie 0 enbarun% des Aohannes.H %CS Neue Testament %eutsch& Gottin%enE Vandenhoeck u. Ru$recht& .*77. Black& 'atthe4& and H. H. Ro4le". *ea1e7s )ommentar on the Bible& #unbur"! on!2hames& 'iddlese,E 2homas =elson and Sons& 5td.& .*<(. Boor&Femer I& %er Erste Brie/ des *autus an die Oorinther& Fu$$ertalE R. Brock! haus& .*<?. Bottcher& 'an red. >eg und Siel der Gemeinde Jem& Hambur%E #dvent!Verla%& n.d. Bousset& Filhelm& %ie C//enbarung des Johannes& Gottin%enE Vandenhoeck and Ru$recht& .*)<. Brace& F. F. The Time Is (ul/illed& Grand Ra$idsE Filliam B. Eerdmans 1ub. Co.&
1273+

Butler& Geor%e I. HVisions and 1ro$hec".H "e#iew and =erald +7 :Aune (&.?7+9. Caird& C. B. A )ommentar on the "e#elation o/ St& John the %i#ine& Har$er@s =2 Commentar". =e4 OorkE Har$er and Ro > .*<<. Charles& R. H. The "e#elation o/ St& John& (vols. Edinbur%hE 2. and 2. Clark& .*(). Clement o #le,andria. >ho Is the "ich 6an That Shall Be Sa#edR (E<)7. #nte! =icene Fathers. Grand Ra$idsE Filliam B. Eerdmans. Coenen& 5othar. Theologisches Begri//sle0i1on mm Neuen Testament& Fu$$ertalE Rol Brockhaus Verla%& .*<7. Dachsel& #u%ust. %achsels Bibelwer1, + vols. 5ei$Ji%E #. Deichertsche Verla%s! bachhandlun%& n.d. D@#ra%on& Aean!5ouis. H2he #$ocal"$se.H The Jerome Bible )ommentar & 5ondonE G. Cha$man& .*<*. Diisterdieck& Friedrich. )ritical and E0egetical =andboo1 to the "e#elation o/ John& =e4 OorkE Funk and Fa%nalls& .??7. Etherid%e& Aohn F. The Targums o/Cn1elos and Jonathan Ben @Jael on the *en5 tateuch& + vols. 5ondonE 5on%man& Green& 5on%man& and Roberts& .?<(. Eusebius. The )hurch =istor & =icene and 1ost =icene Fathers& (nd series& .E?.! +)7. =e4 OorkE Christian 5iterature Com$an"& .*.7.
<23

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" Ford& Desmond& )risisP L vols. =e4castleE Desmond Ford 1ublications& .*?(. Ford& A. 'ass"n%berde. HFor the 2estimon" o Aesus Is the S$irit o 1ro$hec".H Irish Theological Buartert +( :.*7/9E (?+!*.. >>. "e#elation& #nchor Bible. =e4 OorkE Doubleda" and Co.& .*7/. Gehrke& R. D. HGenesis 2hree in the 5i%ht o De" Hermeneutical Considerations.H )oncordia Theological 6onthl 7< :.*</9E /7+!<). Geiermann& Peter. The )on#ert7s )atechism o/ )atholic %octrine& .*/7 ed. St. 5ouisE B. Herder Book Co.& .*7). General Con erence o SD#& *roblems in Bible Translations& Fashin%ton& DCE Revie4 and Herald 1ubl. #ssoc.& .*/+. Gesenius& Filhelm. =ebraisches und aramaischer >orterbuch& BerlinE S$rin%er! Verla%& .*<(. Gilmour& S. 'ac5ean. $The "e#elation to John&$ The Inter!reter7s Cne5Volume )ommentar on the Bible& =ashvilleE #bin%don 1ress& .*7.. Gro%an& G. F. HIsaiah.H E0!ositor7s Bible )ommentar & Grand Ra$idsE Conder! van..*?<. GrunJ4ei%& FritJ. Johanneso//enbarung, ( vols. Bibelkommentar& Edition C. Stutt! %artE Hanssler!Verla%& .*?.. Gunther& F. and H. Drienke. HRest& ubri%.H Theologisches Begri//sle0i1on mm Neuen Testament, (E.)+(!+<. Fu$$ertalE 2heolo%ischer Verla% Rol Brock! haus& .*7.. Guthrie& Donald. New Testament Introduction& 5ondonE 2he 2"ndale 1ress& .*7). Hadorn& D. Filhelm. %ie C//enbarung des Johannes, 2heolo%ischer Handkom! mentar Jum =2. 5ei$Ji%E #. Deichertsche Verla%sbuchhandlun%& .*(?. Harris& R. L.> et al. Theological >ordboo1 o/ the Cld Testament ( vols. Chica%oE 'ood" 1ress& .*?). Harrison& R. D. Introduction to the Cld Testament& Grand Ra$idsE Filliam. B. Eerdmans& .*<*. Hartenstein& 8arl. %er wieder1ommende =err& Stutt%artE Evan. 'issionsverla%& .*<*. Hasel& G. F. HRemnant.H The Inter!reter7s %ictionar o/ the Bible, Su$$lementar" volume& 77<. =ashvilleE 1arthenon 1ress& .*7<. >>. The "emnant& Berrien S$rin%s& 'IE #ndre4s 8niversit" 1ress& .*?). Hill& David. H1ro$hec" and 1ro$hets in Revelation.H New Testament Studies .? :.*7.!.*7(9E +).!+.). Hurd& Aohn Russell. = !onoia& =e4 OorkE 5eavitt& 2ro4 and Co.& .?++. Aamieson& Robert& #. R. Fausset& and David Bro4n. A )ommentar )ritical, E0!erimental and *ractical on the Cld and New Testament, L vols. Grand Ra$ids; Filliam B. Eerdmans& .*7< re$r.
<22

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" Aenni& E. HRemnant.H The Inter!reter7s%ictionar o/7the Bible, + vols.& +E7(!77. =ashvilleE #bin%don 1ress& .*<(. Aohnson& Slan. HRevelation.H The E0!ositor7s Bible )ommentar , vol. .(. Grand Ra$idsE Condervan& .*?.. Dattenbusch& F. HDer 'art"rertitel.H Seitsc/ui/t /iir die neutestamentliche >is5 senscha/t, + :.*)79E ...!(7. Deenan& Ste$han. A %octrinal )a/echism, 7rd ed. A!erican ed. rev. =e4 OorkE 1. A. Dened"& .?7<. Deil& C. F. Genesis und E0odus& Lei6@ig, Doruing und )ranke> .?.?. Diddle& 'artin. The "e#elation o/ St& John, 'o at =2 Commentar". 5ondonE Hod! der and Stou%hton& .*+). Dra t& Heinrich. %ie C//enbarung des Johannes, Handbuch Jum =euen 2estament. 2ubin%enE =.C.B. 'ohr& .*7+. 5add& Geor%e Eldon. A )ommentar on the "e#elation o/ John& Grand Ra$idsE Filliam B. Eerdmans& .*7(. 5an%e& A. 1. Genesis& =e4 OorkE Ch. Scribner& .*./. >>. %ie C//enbarung des Johannes& 5ei$Ji%E Verla% von Velha%en und Dlasin%& .?7.. 5enski& R.C.H. The Inter!retation o/ St& John7s "e#elation& 'innea$olisE #u%sbur% 1ubl. House& .*<.. 5eu$old& H. C. E0!osition o/ Genesis& Columbus& 0HE 2he Fartbur% 1ress& .*+(. 5eu$old& Herbert C. E0!osition o/ Isaiah& Grand Ra$idsE Baker Book House& .*7<. 5iddell& Henr" G.& and Robert Scott. A Gree15English ?e0icon&, *th ed. 0, ordE Clarendon Press> .*/?. 5ittleIohn& F. H. HSeventh!da" #dventists and the 2estimon" o Aesus Christ.H "e#iew and =erald <) :#u%ust .+&.??79. 5ohme"er& Ernst& HDie Idee des 'art"riums im Audentum und 8rchristentum.H Seitschri/t/iirS stematische Theologie / :.*(7!.*(?9; (7(!+*. 5ou%hborou%h& Aohn =. The "ise and *rocess o/ Se#enth5da Ad#entists& Battle Creek& 'IE General Con erence #ssoc.& .?*(. 'acho& #leIandro DieJ. Neo!h tilu& ++ Targumim *alestinense 6S de la Biblioteca Vaticana& 'adrid!BarcelonaE ConseIo Su$erior de Investi%aciones Cienti i! cas..*<?. 'anson& 2. F. H'art"rs and 'art"rdom.H Bulletin o the Aohn R"lands 5ibrar"& vol. 7* :.*/<!.*/79& +<7!?+. 'a,4ell& C. 'erv"n. God )ares, D vols. Boisi& IDE 1aci ic 1ress 1ubl. #ssoc.& .*?/. 'erJ& Darl. >as in Oune geschehen soil& 5ahr!Din%lm%enE St. Aohannis! Druckerei& n.d. <<;

#$e Re!nant C$urc$ and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" 'o at& =a!es. H2he Revelation o St. =o$n the Divine.H E0!ositor7s Gree1 Testa5 ment, M vols& /E(?.!+*+. Grand Ra6ids, Billia!. B. Eerdmans& .*/<. 0orris> Canon 5eon. The "e#elation o/ St& /ohn. 2"ndale =2 Commentar". 5ei! cesterE Inter!Varsit" Press> .*77. 'orris& H. '. The Genesis Record. Grand Ra6ids, Baker> .*7<. 'ounce& R. H. The Book o/ "e#elation& #$e =e4 International Commentar" on the =e4 #esta!ent. ?rand Ra6ids, Billia!. B. Eerdmans& .*?). =ae%elsbach& Carl> B. &. Der *ro!het JesaAa, 5an%es Bibel4erk. 5ei$Ji%E Verla% 'el$agen und Dlasin%& .?77. <ic$ol> ). D.> ed. The S%A Bible )ommentar , + vols. Fashin%ton& DC, Revie4 and Herald Publ. #ssoc.& .*/7. 0sterhaven& '. F. H2estimon".H The Sonder#an *ictorial Enc clo!edia o/ the Bible, / vols& /E<?(. Grand Ra$idsE Condervan& .*7/. 1lummer& #. "e#elation& 2he 1ul$it Commentar". 5ondonE De%an& 1aul& 2rench& 2rubner and Co.& .?*?. Po$l> #dol . Die C//enbarung des Johannes, + vols.& Fu$$ertaler Studienbibel. Fu$$ertalE R. Brockhaus Verla%& .*7.. Preuss> 7. D. HCera.H Theolo sches >orterbuch Jum Alton Testament, M vols. Stut! t%artE F. Dohlhammer& .*77!.*?<. Rienecker& )rit@. ?eJi1on JurBibel& Fu$$ertalE Brockhaus Verla%& .*<). Rist> 'artin. H2he Revelation o St. Aohn the Divine.H The Inter!reter7s Bible& =e4 Mork, #bin%don 1ress& .*/7. Robbins> Ray ). The "e#elation o/ Jesus )hrist& =ashvilleE Broadman 1ress& .*7/. Safirey> 7. D. JRelire 1A6ocaly6se a Pot!os.J Revue Bi liEue ?( :.*7/9E 7?/! +.7. Sc$afer> =. P. JDie 2ermini @Heili%er GeistM und @Geist der 1ro$heticM in den 2ar! %umim und das Verhaltnis der 2ar%umim Jueinander.H Vetus Testamentum () :.*7)9E 7)+!7.+. Schlatter& #dol . Brie/e und B//enbanmg des Johannes& Slut I%artE Cal4er Verla%& .*/). Schreiner& Ernst. %CS GroIe Buch #om Ende& ChemnitJE Verla% von Gottlob DoeJle& n.d. Sc$ui@> Sie% ried. HS$erma.H Theologisches >orterbuch Jum Neuen Testament, .) Bande& 7E/77!+7. Stutt%artE F. Dohlhanuner Verla%. .*<+. Scro%%ie& F. Graham. The Great @n#eiling& Grand Ra$idsE Condervan 1ublishin% 7ouse> .*7*. Seiss& A. #. TheA!ocat !se& Grand Ra$idsE Condervan 1ublishin% House& .*77. Si!co-> Filliam H. The "e#elation o/ St& John the %i#ine& Cambrid%eE 8niversit" Press> .?*?. Smith& 8riah. H2he S$irit o 1ro$hec" and 0ur Relation to It.H General )on/erence %ail Bulletin& .?*.. 77.

2he Remnant Church and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" S$itta& Friedrich. (9:e C//eribarungdesJohannes& HalleE Faisenhaus& .??*. Strack! Billerbeck. Oommentar Jum Neuen Testament, H vols. 'iinchenE C. H. BeckMsche Verla%sbuchhandlun%& .*</. Strand& Denneth #. H#nother 5ook at @5ord@s Da"M in the Earl" Church and in Rev .E.).H New Testament Studies .7 :.*<<6.*<79E .7+!?.. >>. H2he 24o Fitnesses o Rev ..E7!.(.H Andrews @ni#ersit Seminar Studies .* :.*?.9E .(7!7/. Strathman& Hermann. H'artus.H Theological %ictionar o/ the New Testament, .) vols.& +E+7+!/.). Grand Ra$idsE Filliam B. Eerdmans& .*<+!.*7<. S4eet& Aohn. "e#elation& SC' 1elican Commentaries. 5ondonE SC' 1ress& 5td.& .*7*. S4ete& Henr" Barcla". )ommentar on "e#elation& Grand Ra$idsE Dre%el 1ublica! tions& .*?). 2enne"& 'erril C. Inter!reting "e#elation& Grand Ra$idsE Filliam B. Eerdmans& .*/7. 2ertullian. 0n 1rescri$tion #%ainst Heretics. #nte!=icene Fathers& 7E(<)!7.. Grand Ra$idsE Filliam B. Eerdmans. 2hom$son& 5eonard. H# Sociolo%ical #nal"sis o 2ribulation in the #$ocal"$se o Aohn.H Semeia 7< :.*?<9E .+7!7+. 2rites& #8ison #. H'artus and 'art"rdom in the #$ocal"$se.H No#um Tes/amen5 tum +M :.*779E 7(!?). 8n%er& F. '.& and F. Fhite. Nelson7s E0!ositor %ictionar o/ the Cld Testament& =ashvilleE 2h. =elson& .*?). Vassiliadis& 1etros. H2he 2ranslation o 'art"ria lesou in Revelation.H The Bible Translator 7< :Aanuar" .*?/9E .(*!7/. Visher& Filhelm. The >itness o/ the Cld Testament to )hrist, ( vols& trans. #. B. Crabtree. 5ondonE 5utter4orth 1ress& .*+<. Falvoord& Aohn A. The "e#elation o/ Jesus )hrist& HolbomE 'arshall& 'or%an& and Scott& 5td.& .*<<. Fhite& Ellen G. The Acts o/ the A!ostles& 'ountain Vie4& C#E 1aci ic 1ress 1ubl.
Assoc+, 1211+

>>. The %esire o/ Ages& 'ountain Vie4& C#E 1aci ic 1ress 1ubl. #ssoc.& .?*?. >>&E#angelism& Fashin%ton& DC, Revie4 and Herald Publ. #ssoc.& .*+<. >>. Gos!el >or1ers& Fashin%ton& DCE Revie4 and Herald 1ubl. #ssoc.& .*+?. >>. *atriarchs and *ro!hets& 'ountain Vie4& C#E 1aci ic Press 1ubl. #ssoc.& .*/?. !. Testimonies /or the )hurch, * vols. 'ountain Vie4& C#E 1aci ic 1ress 1ubl.
Assoc+, 1243+

<<2

2he Remnant C$urc$ and the S$irit o 1ro$hec" >>>. Testimonies to 6inisters& 'ountain 'ie > CA, Pacific Press 1ubl. #ssoc.& .*(7. >>>. Selected 6essages, 7 vols. Fashin%ton& DCE Revie4 and Herald 1ubl. #ssoc.&
1253+

Fieseroann& Heinrich. %CS /leil/iir Israel& Stuttgart, Cahver Verla%& .*</. Ooun%. Ed4ard A. The Boo1 o/ Isaiah, 7 vols. =e4 International Commentar" on the 02. Grand Ra$idsE Filliam B. Eerdmans& .*</. Cahn& 2heodor. %ie C//enbarung aes /ohannes, ( vols. 5ei$Ji%E #. Deichertsche Verla%sbuchhandlun%& .*(<. Curcher& Aean. M2he 2estimon" o Aesus Is the S$irit o 1ro$hec".H 8n$ublished 'anuscri$t. Bible Con erence .*??.

<<<

C$a6ter "I

#$e 0odern Pa6acyG Clai!s and Aut$ority

Aohann HeinJ
&ditorial Syno6sis. # ter seven decades o bitter ideolo%ical rivalr">the leaders of Russian Communism and Roman Catholicism :Soviet 1resident 'ikhail Gorbachev and 1o$e Aohn 1aul IIA a%reed in Vatican Cit"& December .&.*?*& to establish di$lomatic relations bet4een the Dremlin and the Vatican. Aohn 1aul II called the meetin% Ha si%n o the times that have slo4l" matured& a si%n that is rich in $romiseH 3The >ashington *ost, December (&.*?*9. #$e $resent re%ard or the $a$ac" as the moral conscience o the 4orld is not !ere ha$$enstance. #s the author observes& Rome Hthinks in centuries.H 1resent $a$al successes are the results o care ull" laid $lans& $ersistentl" $ursued. Cut o fro! direct control o the modern states and 4ith the loss o their o4n territories in Ital" :.?7)9& $a$al leaders turned to a ne4 strate%" to recover the church@s lost authorit". 2he $o$es moved irst to develo$ and increase the s$iritual orces o the church& $roIectin% the ima%e o the $o$e as the loved and adored @Hol" Father@ > the center o church li e on 4hom the e"es o 4orld Catholicism 4ere to ocus > 4hose 4ords and instruction 4ere to be received in a4e and obedience. 2he do%ma of the $o$e@s in alibilit" 4hen s$eakin% on doctrine :Vatican I9 cro4ned this stren%thenin% o the church 4ithin. But $a$al strate%" also envisioned an o$enin% to the 4orld. 2he $o$es be%an to s$eak out on 4orld $olitics& social issues& culture& medicine& science& ethics& reli%ion& etc.& 4ith the intent to mold the thinkin% o the nations to the church@s vie4$oint. Aohn GGIII turned to the 4orld the smilin% ace o love& $lacin% the church in a service role to humankind. He called or a council :Vatican II9 and a rene4al o the church to meet the needs o modern societ". He laid the %round4ork for reachin% out to communist lands as 4ell as to the Hse$arated brethrenH o 1rotestant Christianit"& and or the travelin% missions o the later $o$es& 1aul VI and Aohn 1aul II. B" the autumn o .*??& the latter $o$e had made +) tri$s&
<<5

2he 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

$ursuin% His obIective to become the Hmoral conscience o the 4orldH and the H4orld she$herd.H #s a result o its %lobal strate%" the in luence o the $a$ac" has reached a $innacle o success even hi%her and more e,tensive than ever attained in 'edieval times. Even the 8nited States has an ambassador at the court o the Vatican. 2he $resent $o$e Ha$$ears to be 4hat he 4ants to be > the cham$ion o human ri%hts and $eace& the morall" trust4orth" leader& the darlin% o the masses& the su$erstar o the media& @almost the same as a ne4 'essiah&@ in 4hom is the ho$e o the 4orld.H But has the $a$ac" reall" chan%edL 2he stron% assertions b" Aohn 1aul II in avor o the lon%!held do%mas o Rome remind the Bible student o the o t re$eated claim that HRome never chan%es.H #s Ellen Fhite observes& HFhile the" Q1rotestantsR are bent u$on the accom$lishment o their $ur$ose& Rome is aimin% to reestablish her $o4er& to recover her lost su$remac"H 3The Great )ontro#ers Q'ountain Vie4& C#& re$rinted ed.& .*/)R& /?.9. 2his cha$ter traces the modern histor" o the $a$ac" as it moves to become a 4orld orce. 2hese strikin%& but consistent& develo$ments color in the outlines o the end!time $ro$hec"E H#nd all the 4orld 4ondered a ter the beast.... #nd all that d4ell u$on the earth shall 4orshi$ him& 4hose names are not 4ritten in the book o li e o the 5amb...H :Rev .7E7.?. DAV9.

Cha$ter 0utline
I. Decline o Reli%ious #uthorit" and 2em$oral 1o4er :Ei%hteenth6=ineteenth Centuries9 II. Healin% o the 'ortal Found III. Era o the 1ius!1o$esE Pius VII!GII :.?))!.*/?9 IV. 2urnin% 1ointE Aohn GGIII :.*/?!.*<79 V. Continuit" or Retro%ressionL 1aul VI :.*<7!.*7?9 VI. HE ective 5eaderHE Aohn 1aul II :.*7?! 9 VII. Summar" VIII. Biblio%ra$h"

<<6

2he 0ode! 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

Decline of Religious Aut$ority and #e!6oral Po er (&ig$teent$N<ineteent$ CenturiesA

!FFrhen the #ustrian Em$eror Aose$h II :.7?)!.7*)9 visited the ` ;' I DK%<@/ 1alace in Venice& his %uides 4anted to lead him 3uickl" $ast P # the $aintin%& HBarbarossa on His Dnees Be ore Q1o$eR #le,ander mH b" Federi%o Cuccaro. Ho4ever& the em$eror demanded an e,$lanation o the $aintin%. # ter hearin% it& %iven 4ith the %reatest reticence& he said 4ith a smile& Tem!i !assati :Hthose times are $assedH9.. #t the end o the ei%hteenth centur" the $a$ac" seemed indeed to have come to an end. 2hrou%h the HBab"lonian ca$tivit"H o the church in the ourteenth centur"& Conciliarism in the i teenth& the Re ormation in the si,teenth& Gallicanism and the Enli%htenment in the seventeenth and ei%hteenth centuries& the $a$ac" had or eited much o the 4orldl" in luence and reli%ious authorit" that it had once $ossessed in the 'iddle #%es. In .777 Clemens GIV had to dissolve the Aesuit 0rder; in .7?( Aose$h n carried out his thorou%h church re orms a%ainst 1ius V2s o$$osition; in .7*7 the French Revolution abolished Christianit"& and in .7*? the revolutionar" armies took $ossession o the 1a$al States and $roclaimed the Roman Re$ublic. Fhen 1ius VI died in Valence in .7**& Hthe 1a$ac" had su ered its dee$est humiliation . . . QandR a$$eared to be annihilated. ... 2he Revolution also dealt it the 4ound 4hich& it seemed& did not 4ant to heal until ar into the t4entieth centur".H ( 1ius VI 4as called Hthe Si,th and the 5astH 7 b" his contem$oraries. =a$oleon s$oke o Hthe old machine 4hich 4ill all a$art b" itsel .H+ In s6ite o the restoration o the 1a$al States :.?).&.?.+9& Dierke%aard considered it $ro$er to sa" in the nineteenth centur"& H2he a%e o the $o$es is no $ast.M@/ 2he rene4ed loss :.?7)9 and the restoration o the Vatican :.*(*9 as a Hministate&H Hthat small $iece o bod" su icin% to hold the soul to%etherH :1ius GI9& < caused Stalin to make the 4ell! kno4n ironical re!
. 4uoted in Hcnncns and ). Dohlschmidt& !rot. Taschen uch :5ei$Ji%& .*)/9& (..). 5 0. Bcitlauff> JPa6sttu! und rnode!e Belt>J ThC +) :.*?+9E 7<7!*7& cs$. 77(&77). + =. ?ct!i> HDas Pa6sttu! i! Fcitaltcr dcr AufklarungJ in B. 0oser> cd.& %CS *a!sttwn :'unich& .*?79& (+7. + Feitlau . 77.. / S. Dierke%aard& Selbst$ru un%& Fcrkc& .(E7/(!/?& 3uoted m%ie?eidenscha/tdes"eligiosen :Stutt%art& .*779& /<. 2 4uoted in ). Lcist> Dcr Ge/angene des Vati1ans :'unich& .*7.9& /2. <<7

2he 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit" mark durin% the Second Forld Far& HHo4 man" divisions does the $o$e actuall" haveLH7 Even 4orse& ho4ever& 4as the loss o its reli%ious authorit" to 4hich the $a$ac" had to submit b" the modem thinkin% o t$e Enli%htenment& liberalism& nationalism& and socialism. 2he emanci$ation o thinkin% as the result o rationalism& the autonom" o the individual as the result o liberalism& the hostilit" to reli%ion as the result of $hiloso$hical atheism :5. Feuerbach& D. 'ar,& F. =ietJsche9& and the seculariJation and indi erence o modem man as the result o secularism have all made dee$ breaches in the 4alls o Christianit" and Catholicism as 4ell. 2he ul illment o 1h. A. S$ener@s $ro%nosis in .<7/ 4as be%innin% to be brou%ht into relie E HFe have an even %reater all o $a$al Rome to a4ait.H?

7ealing of t$e 0ortal Bound

P$. A. S$ener himsel & ho4ever& had oreseen somethin% 3uite di erent or the uture. 2hree hundred "ears a%o he 4rote&lVI am convinced that Roman Bab"lon 4ill a%ain re%ain all o its $revious $o4er be ore the last Iud%ement overtakes it. I ear that most o the nations& intimidated b" its $o4er and terri ied b" its brutalit"& 4ill allo4 the "oke shaken o some t4o hundred "ears a%o to be lain u$on them a%ain.H In the Hdeadl" 4oundH o the Erst beast :Rev .7E79.)>the same $o4er s"mboliJed b" Daniel@s Hlittle hornH :Dan 7E(/9>the irst Seventh!da" #d!ventists :H. Edson& A. Bates& A. =. #ndre4s& 8. Smith9 n sa4 the all o Rome in .7*?& alread" $re$ared b" the events o the Re ormation& o course. .( Conse3uentl" the" either a$$lied the Hhealin%H o the 4ound to the investiture o 1ius VII in .?)) :8. Smith9& to the restoration o .?./ :A. Bates9& e,$ected it sometime in the uture :A. =. #ndre4s9& or else con!
3 4uoted in E. 0ainardi> HHeili% und un ehlbarLH in ?. Den@lcr> ed.> *a!sttwn heule und morgen :Re%ensbur%& .*7/9& ..?. K P$. =. S$ener& *ia desideria, (nd ed. :Giessen& .*7/9. +7. C P$. =. S$ener& 5etJte Desiderata III& +7/; 3uoted in R. Pac$e> Die >ieder1un/t /esu )hrisd :Fu$! 6crtal. .*/79& .7/. .) #$e 5ittle Horn@s corres6ondence in Dan 7to the irst beast in Rev .7 is to be ound in A(siander> A. Conradus> D. 1areus& amon% others :c . L- E. )roo!> The *ro!hetic (aith of $ur (athers ( QFashin%ton& DC> .*/+RE (**. 7.*&/()9. )ro! the very be%innin% the #dventist inter$retation has ollo4ed this line :c . 8. Smith& The *ro!hecies o/ %aniel and "e#elation ( QFashin%ton& DC> .*++RE /<+!</9. .. See )roo!> +E.)?7&.)7?&.)*7&..(<; Smith& /<7. .( S. =. Haskell& The Stor o/ the Seer o/*atnws :=ashville& .*)/9& (7(.

<<3

#$e 0ode! Pa6acy, Claims and #uthorit"

sidered the Hhealin%H to be in the s$an o time rom the Re ormation to the end :S. =. Haskell9. 0n the basis o their inter$retations o $ro$hec" man" thus oresa4 a HRenaissanceH o Rome similar to S$ener. 2he later #dventist inter$retations ollo4ed these courses. 5. R. Conradi sa4 the $rocess o Hhealin%H in the rise o the $a$ac" in the nineteenth centur"& reachin% its clima, in the declaration o in allibilit" and in the victor" o its HculturalH stru%%le a%ainst Bismarck; .7 A. Vuil! leumier considered it the ascent since the time o 5eo G' into the t4entieth centur" and be"ond;.+ F. # S$icer considered the $rocess to be still continuin% in his times;./ R. #. #nderson re erred to the 5ateran 2reaties bet4een 'ussolini and the Vatican in the "ear .*(*. .< 'entionin% the 5ateran 2reaties& too. The S%A Bible )ommentar em! $hasiJes the much %reater e,tent o the announced restoration :Rev .7E?& .(9 and vie4s this as "et in the uture. .7 Re errin% to .*(* in the same 4a"& C. '. 'a,4ell also adds the Vatican II Council and the ne4 $ro ile o the $o$es rom Aohn GGIII to Aohn 1aul II as actors in the restoration o Catholic in luence in the 4orld. Fhile& or e,am$le. 1resident 2ruman@s $ro$osal to send an #merican ambassador to the Vatican met4ith the most violent o$$osition rom #merican 1rotestants& Ronald Rea%an e,ecuted this $lan in .*?+ 4ithout encounterin% an" substantial o$$osition. 2his inter$retation o $a$al restoration is based u$on certain e,e%eti!cal insi%htsE .. 2he beast in Revelation .7E.!.) is identical 4ith the little hom in Daniel 7.* and Daniel ?() as ell. (. Verses /!7 re er to the +( $ro$hetic months :.(<) "ears9& the time o the 'iddle #%es and the Counter!Re ormation.(. 7. Verses 7 and + are an obIective antici$ation o the events at the end o the +( months.((
.+ L. R. Conradi& *ro!heascherAusbtic1 au/Seit undEwiIceit, .7th ed. (7a!burg> n.d.9& 77/&7?). ./ =. Vuilleumier& ?7A!oca/ !se, +th ed. (Da!!arie-les-Lys> .C/KA. (7/!77. .9 B. A. S$icer& $ur Day in the ?ight o/ *ro!hec :Fashin%ton& DC> .*.?9& .+(. .2 R. A. Anderson> @n/olding the Revelation :'ountain Vie4& CA> .*7+9& .7?. .3 ). D. =ichol& ed.> The SD- Bi le )ommentar (Bas$ington> DC> .*/79& 7E?.7..?. .K C 0. 'a,4ell& God #ares (Boise> ID> .CK9A. (E7+<. .C S!it$> /<+!</; Conradi> 7<(; The SD- Bi le )ommentar 7E?.7!.?. 5; 0a- ell. 7(7. 5. Conradi> 7?7!?/; The SD- Bi le )ommentar , 7E?.?!.*. 55 Vuilleumier JIt is in antici$ation that t$e !ortal 4ound and its healin% $ave been 6laced in the $eading of t$e c$art. C$a6ters ./ and ./ offer us so!e e-a!6les o this figure o s6eec$> havin% t$e %oal o si%naliJin% t$e result rom the outset. #$e c$ronology o t$is ound comes rom the te-t itself, #$e beast& succeedin% t$e dra%on& receives rom it as its inheritance& its $o4er& its t$rone> and great authorit"; $ence a %lorious career co!es 4hich doesn@t seem to coincide 4ith

<<2

#$e 'odem Pa6acy, Claims and #uthorit"

+. 1arallel 4ith verses 7b and +& verses 7b (7 and ?(+ a%ain re er to the time a ter the +( months. /. Verses * and .) are $arallel 4ith verse 7a and e,$lain the Hdeadl" 4ound.H(/ 2he "ear .7*? can onl" be a $artial ul illment (< and inds its com$letion in the last Iud%ment.(7 <. 2he Hdeadl" 4oundH is not onl" a 4ound to one o the heads :vs. 7a9& but to the beast itsel as 4ell :vss. .(&.+9. 2here ore& the Hhealin%H is not onl" the Hhealin%H o the head& but o the 4hole beast as 4ell :vs. .+b9.(? From this& one can conclude that the Hhealin%H must e,hibit several as$ectsE .. 2he mouth s$eakin% %reat thin%s& includin% blas$hem". (. 2he %reat $o4er over all tribes& $eo$le& ton%ues& and nations. 7. 2he 4ar a%ainst the saints and its victor" over them. +. 2he 4onder and 4orshi$ o the 4hole 4orld.

&ra of t$e Pius-Po6es, Pius '7-"n (.K;;-.C9KA Clai! of Infallibility

2he most im$ortant $o$es o this e$och :1ius IG& 5eo GIII& 1ius GII9 directed their thou%hts and actions to4ard com$ensatin% or $a$al loss o 4orldl" $o4er 4ith 4hat has been termed the Hlea$ into the su$ernatural.H!* In the 'iddle #%es the $o$es had made enormous claims to s$iritual $o4er& such as Gre%or" VII in his %ictatus *a!ae,7) Innocent III
a mortal 4ound to t$e $eadG $o ever> t$is ound can only take $lace at t$e end o a long $eriod of ti!e in 4hich t$e authorit" of t$e beast $as been universalJ :$$. ()<!79. 5+ The SD- Bi le #ommentary, 3,K.C. (+ Conradi. 7?/. (/ Smith& 929>/<7; 7askcll> (7(; #nderson& .77. (< The SD- Bible #ommentary, 7E?.*. (7 Haskell& (77. (? F. G. Aohnsson& J?od%s Peo6le Victorious (ver t$e Confederacy o &vil, #n &-egesis of Revelation .5-./J :E,$osition& Darmstadt& 0arc$ .?!(/&.*?79& 52 (sec edited version& c$a6. . in t$is volume9. &ven the seven $eads are inter6reted di erentl"E t$e seven orms of Ro!an %overn! ment it$ t$e Pa6acy re$resented b" the last head (S!it$> 7..; Conradi> +*?; 7askell. ((7!(*9; the seven kin%doms in Daniel 3 \ Babylon> 0edo-Pcrsia> 0acedonian ?reece it$ its four !ost im$ortant succeedin% kin%doms& Ro!e :Vcuilleumier& .C2A> or the 6erfect nu!ber e-6ressing t$e abundance o $o4er& or the various 6olitical 6o ers used b" t$e beast 0The SD- Bi le #ommentary 7E?)?& K.2G =o$nson> (*!7)9& or the omni$otence of t$e Ro!an I!6eriu! (7. Dobs& Gottes Geheimnis o//enban, QHambur%& n.d.P> .*.9. (* Fcitlau & +K+. 7) H0nl"thebisho$o Rome is le%itimatel"called the universal one :=o. (9. 0nl" he is able toa$$oint

3-%

2he 'odem 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

in his sermons and 4ritin%s& 7. and Boni acius VIII in his $a$al bull @nam SanctamLD 7o ever> neither the $o$es o the 'iddle #%es nor the Counter! Re ormation had dared to articulate 4hat 4as announced in the nineteenth centur" as HCatholic truth&H Htruth rom 4hich no one can deviate it$out dama%e to one@s aith and one@s salvation&H 77 namel"& Hthe immutable 3Arre/ormabilis4 Do%ma revealed b" God 7+ o the @Iurisdictional $rimac"@ o the $o$e over @the 4hole %lobe o the earth .7< and his @in allibilit"@ in Lecathedra@ decisions in 3uestions o @ aith or morals.@ H 77 Fith this the $a$ac" 4as entrusted 4ith an Hunbridled $o4er@M :I. v. Dollin%er9 7? over the testimon" o the Scri$tures and tradition& and the HVatican@s sacrile%eH :D. Earth97* 4as hei%htened to arro%ance. 2his e,a%%erated sel !con idence is the e,$lanation or somethin% else& 3uite ne4& namel"& the e0 cathedra de inin% o do%mas b" the $o$e alone 4ithout the collaboration o a council :.?/+E 2he Immaculate Conce$tion o 'ar"; .*/)E 2he 1h"sical #scension o 'ar"9. In order to sho4 that this a$$raisal is not e,a%%erated& let me 3uote a number o strict!Catholic com! ments rom the "ears around .?7)E H2he in allibilit" o the $o$e is the in allibilit" o Aesus Christ Himsel &H
and re!ove bis$o6s (<o. + S (/9. (nly $e is able to convene %eneral synods :=o. .2AG $is name is uniHue in t$e orld :=o. ..9; only he !ay be named in the churches (<o. .)9; onl" $e !ay bear i!6erial emblems :=o. ?9; his eet are to be kissed by the 6rinces (<o. *9; $is decrees !ay not be re$udiated by anyone elseG ho4ever& $e ma" re$udiate those of all t$e ot$ers :=o. .?9; t$e Roman C$urc$ is forever in allible :=o. ((9& all t$e ot$ers must agree 4ith $er (<o. 52AG every le%itimatel" installed $o$e becomes hol" t$roug$ 1eter@s !erit :=o. (79H (Huoted in C 'irbt and 8. #land& Sources /or the =istor o/3the *a!ac and Roman #atholicism, O#iibingcn> .*7<R& .E(?(& Q=o. /+7R9. +. J'icar of C$rist> t$e ?od of P$arao> less t$an ?od> !ore t$an !an> t$e bis$o6 of eveiy C$ristian> t$e 6rince of eveiy nation> for t$e Lord left Peter not only t$e $ole c$urc$ but also t$e $ole orld to govern as ellJ (Huoted in =. 7allcr> The !apacyFlocals andReatity O7a!burg> .C29P> +,5+3-+KA. +5 HFe must acce$t and retain a Hol" Catholic #$ostolic Church in t$e obedience of aith. .. . 0utside of $er there is no salvation and no forgiveness of sins.... #$at t$is c$urc$ $as t o s4ords at $er dis6osal> na!ely a s$iritual as 4ell as a te!6oral one> t$at is $at t$e ?os6el te-ts (Luke ((E7?9 teach us.... 7o ever one s ord must be subIect to t$e other and te!6oral 6o er must be submissive to s$iritual 6o er.... #$at is 4h" e e-6ound> declare> define> and teac$ that submission to the Ro!an $o$e is absolutel" necessar" for t$e salvation of eac$ and every human bein%H :'irbt and #land& .E+/?!<) Qno. 7+<R9. ++ DS 7)<). +/ DS 7)7+&7)77. +9 DS 7)/7. +2 DS 7)/*. +3 DS 7)7+. +K 4uoted in Leist> 7(7. +C 4uoted in 7. )ries and D. Rahner& Emig/mg der O#chenreale 6o/Iich1eit, 5nd cd. :Freibur% in Bris%au& .*?79& 77.

7+.

2he 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit" and @@4henever the $o$e thinks& it is God Himsel & 4ho is thinkin% in him.@ .+) #t that time the 1rotestant church historian D. Hase 4rote the ollo4in% $ro ound 4ordsE H2he in allible $ossession o truth in a mortal@s head a$$ears so closel" related to omniscience and is such an e,clusive attribute o the Divinit" that one could Iust as easil" declare a man almi%ht" as or in allible.M@ +. Even toda" the Catholic theolo%ian H. Dlin% testi ies ho4 unseeml" the claim o Hin allibilit"H is or a mortal bein% 4hen he sa"s HGod alone is in allible.... @In allibilit"M last " remains reserved or Him or 4hom it 4as ori%inall" reservedE God& His Ford and His 2ruth.H+(

Clai! of #e!6oral Aut$ority

2he 4orldl" $o4er o the $a$ac" 4as onl" $artiall" restored in the orm o a mmistate durin% the H1ianic EraH :.?./!.*(*9. 1o$es rom .?7) to .*(* had to be satis ied 4ith $la"in% the role o a H$risoner o the Vatican.H Claims o tem$oral authorit" and tem$oral res$ect& ho4ever& 4ere not relin3uished. #t ever" $a$al coronation the cro4nin% cardinal uttered the 4ords& HDno4 "e that& in receivin% this& the three old cro4n o the tiara& "ou are the ather o $rinces and kin%s& the ruler o the %lobe& the vicar o Aesus Christ here on earth& to 4hom be honor and %lor" in eternit".H+7 Be ore bein% cro4ned& the $o$e 4as enthroned on the cathedra emin5ens, the throne transcendin% ever" thin% and ever" one. Similar to Solomon@s throne& seven ste$s lead u$ to it. #n"one a$$roachin% the $o$e had to kneel do4n and kiss his hand& his knee& or his oot. 2he tiara :a three old cro4n since the ourteenth centur"9 is called regnum :kin%dom9 and is su$$osed to s"mboliJe the universal e$isco$ac"& the hi%hest Iurisdiction and universal dominion. ++ 2he three old cro4n 4as o ten re%arded as a si%n o dominion over heaven& the earth& and helN& as 4ell.+/ 2he $o$e $ossesses di$lomatic $recedence be ore all other soverei%ns& and since .?./ his ambassadors hold the hi%hest rank in the cor!s di!lomatiGue as 4ell. HHo4ever much a $o$e ma" assert his renunciation o 4orldl" dominion& he remains a contradiction to realit"E Fhat else than a 4orldl" dominion is the church!state and Roman di$lomac" 4ith its
+) Kuoted in 5cist& 7++. +. 8. 7ase> =andbuch der!rotestantischen *olemi/c, +th ed. :5ei$Ji%& .?7?9& ./<. +( 7. 8ung> @n/ehlbarR 7rd cd. :Ciirich& .*7.9& .+* +7 4uoted in 5eist& ((. ++ P. 7utc$inson and B. &. ?arrison> DF #enturies o/ )hristianil 2 - #oncise %istory :=e4 Mork .*/*9& .(). +/ F. 5ucius )erraris> JPa6a II>J in 1rom$ta Bibliothcca. 2,59-5CG 3uoted in ). 7. Oost& JAntic$rist in Histor" and 1ro$hec"&H in $ur (inn (oundation :Fashin%ton& DC> .*/79& .E<*7.

<42

2he 'odem 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit" nunciosL Fhat else do the $a$al court& cardinals& orders and titles& cro4n and throne si%ni " than si%ns o s$iritual!tem$oral dominionLM 2o be sure& the times are lon% $ast 4hen $o$es such as Gre%or" VII& Innocent ni& and Boni acius VIII not onl" claimed but 4ere able to e,ercise a !otestas directa !a!ae in tem!oralibus, a direct dominion over em$eror and kin%s. 2he loss o $o4er over the 1rotestant countries led to the theor" o the!otestas indirecta !a!ae in tem!oralibus in the Counter! Re ormation& as ormulated b" Bellarmine. 2he $o$es are irst o all s$iritual rulers 4ho& ho4ever& are also able to intervene in $olitical circumstances in order to maintain the interests o the Catholic Church. In this 4a" a heretic $rince& or e,am$le& can be de$osed 4henever he seduces his subIects to heres". 2he $a$ac" durin% the H1ianic EraH even had to %ive u$ this $osition. Since the time o the HEnc"clical 1o$eH 5eo GIII& one has been s$eakin% about a!otestas directi#a !a!ae in tem!oralibus, about an instructional authorit" o Rome over the %overnments and nations o the 4orld. In this res$ect& ho4ever& the claim o tem$oral authorit" has not been relin3uished& but has onl" been reduced to in luencin% the mind and conscience in a more subtle orm. 5eo GIII 4anted to be a s$iritual 4orld ruler Iust as much as be ore. His successors& 1ius GI :the HConcordat 1o$e9H and 1ius GII :the HFestern 1o$e9H at times administered the instructional authorit" ver" radicall" and directl". 2hese $o$es did not shrink at em$lo"in% their in! structional authorit" in su$$ort o dictators 4ho 4ere avorable to the in! terests o Catholic $o4er. Rome declared 'ussolini@s #b"ssinian Bar a Hhol" 4ar&H+7 su$$orted the abolition o democrac" in Ital"& and tacitl" a$$roved o 'ussolini@s actions in S$ain in avor o Franco. 2he church tau%ht its children to $ra"& H0h& dear God& $reserve II Duce> that he ma" lon% rei%n over Fascist Ital".H+? For 1ius GI the Italian dictator 4as Hthe man o $rovidence.H+* #lthou%h the Catholic Church had o$$osed national socialism be ore .*77& she reco%niJed the si%ns o the times rather 3uickl". Shortl" be ore Hitler@s seiJure o $o4er& she 4heeled about in su$$ort o the national Socialist 1art". HCatholicsN Vote or the aith ul Catholic #dol HitlerNH/)
/2 5eist& (7. +7 A. Gelmi& JDas 1a$sttum bis Jur Ge%en4art&H in B. 0oscr> ed.& D$S *a!sttum E!ochen und Ges&lalten :'unich& .*?79& (<<. +? Kuoted in D. Deschner& *in Jahrhunden //eilsgesch1hte :Colon%e& .*?(9& .E+*<. +* #ddress o 1ius GI to the Catholic 8niversit" o 'ilano& Februar" .+>.*(*& 3uoted in 8. Gu%%is!ber%& %ie romisch51aiholische Oirche :Ciirich& .*+<9& 7)7. /) Desc$ner> .E+(*.

<4<

2he 'odem 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

became the 4ord o the da". #ccordin% to Cardinal Faulhaber& Rome con! sidered =ational Socialism and Fascism as the onl" means o salvation rom Communism. 2his 4as the 1o$e@s H%reat %oal.H 7. 0nl" too %ladl" did the Vatican conclude the concordat o Aul" ()&.*77& 4ith German". 2hat 4as Hitler@s irst orei%n $olitical success. Rome not onl" su$$orted the $ett" dictators :Doll uss. Horth"& Sala!Jar9 but massivel" sided 4ith Franco@s HCrusadeH in S$ain as 4ell. 0nl" the ever! increasin%l" clear idoliJation o racial $urit" b" the =ational Socialist re%ime and its $ro$a%anda a%ainst Christianit" led to the enc"clical $>ith Burnin% #n,iet"H :'arch .+& .*779; then ollo4ed the enc"clical %i#ini "edem!toris :the Condemnation o Communism9 in the same "ear. Scarcel" had the 4ar broken out and the HFinal SolutionH o the Ae4ish $roblem been decided b" the =aJi Re%ime& 4hen H1ius GII@s %reat silenceH :R. Hochhuth9 set in& a silence that remains a riddle to researchers to this da". /( 2he #llies@ victor" and the rise o the 8.S.#. to 4orld $o4er caused 1ius GII to set all o his ho$es on #merica. Aust as the 'edieval 1o$e con ! sidered the Em$eror as his s4ord& so 4as the 8.S.#. to become the secular arm o the church./7 2he Catholics had become the lar%est Christian denomination in the 8.S.#! and& shortl" a ter 1ius GII@s death& that countr" 4as to elect its irst Catholic $resident :A. F. Denned"9. #ccordin% to the 4ill o the $o$e& the 8.S.#. 4as to become a Catholic countr". /+ 2he HCold FarH assumed the role o a Hcrusade&H 4ith Cardinal F. S$ellmann actin% as its missionar" and A. 'cCarth" as its in3uisitor. In .*/7 the $o$e even a$$roved o the $ossibilit" o a 4ar o a%%ression& // includin% the utiliJation o atomic 4ea$ons& /< thou%h in .*// he declared their utiliJation to be immoral./7 2o the 8.S.#! in .*/*& Cardinal 0ttaviani said& H#llo4 me to tell "ou ho4 "our conduct reminds me o that role $la"ed
9. Ibid.& .,//.. 95 #$at Hochhuth@s re6roac$ in .*<7 4as not unIusti ied is s$o n clearl" in a letter b" Cardinal 2isserand :#$ril ..>.*+)9 in 4hich he de$lores Hthe $olitics of acco!!odationJ (?. 0aron> The Roman #atholic #hurch ,rom +-HF to +,HF QGottin%cn& +,HD9& ((79. (n t$e ot$er $and t$ere is t$e t$eory that 1ius "II trul" believed he could be !uc$ !ore use ul to t$e C$ristians and =e s by or%oin% an" $ublic statements :H! Sc$a!beck> cd.> !ius GIIF!eace Through Righteousness O8evelacr> .*?<R& .7; H. A. Fischer& JDeeds Instead o Fords or t$e =e s>J in ,-C, 0arc$ (+&.*?7&79. 9+Desc$ner>5,.+. /+ Ibid.& (E(?). // F. Dliiber& HFriedens$olitik im C4ielichtE S$richt Ro! deutlic$ genug:J in <. ?rcinac$er and H. Diin%& eds.& Oalholische Oirche>ohinR :'unich& .*?<9. 9C. 92Desc$ner>5,.+. /7 ?reinac$er and Diin%& <).

<44

#$e 0ode! 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

b" the em$eror in the 'iddle #%es and later b" the kin% o France. .b the same e,tent "ou are the main $illar& su$$orter and $rotector o the Roman
Church+A53

2he 8.S.#. kne4 that it couldn@t 4in the 4orld alone 4ith its ractured 1rotestantism& and Rome considered the 8.S.#. as its Harmor".H 2he Vatican indeed has o ten relied u$on the use o arms& even 4hen the" 4ere as unreliable as those 1ius DC let Fire on the a$$roachin% Italians at the 1orta 1ia in .?7). Fith arms and cunnin% old Rome had con3uered the 4orld. 2he $o$es o the 1ianic Era 4ere %ood RomansN Clai! of Do!inion (ver t$e Conscience In order to maintain its s$iritual and secular $o4er 1a$al Rome a$$roved o and used ever" kind o eree available durin% the 'iddle #%es and the Counter!Re ormation. 2hrou%h the In3uisition and Crusades its Christian as 4ell as $a%an o$$onents 4ere either subIu%ated or stam$ed out 2he %reatest theolo%ians o the Catholic Church urnished the Iusti ication or this. 2homas #3uinas said& H2he heretics cannot onl" be e,communicated but le%itimatel" killed as 4ell. H<) Bellarmine added to this& H2he onl" e ec! tive means a%ainst heretics is to conve" them to that $lace $rovided or them as 3uickl" as $ossible. In this 4a" one is onl" doin% them a avor as the lon%er the" are allo4ed to live& the more heresies the" 4ill devise& and thus the more believers the" 4ill seduce& a%%ravatin% their o4n damna! tion.H<. #s late as .?*/ 1ius a 5an%enio s$oke o the Hblessed lames o the heretics@ $"re&H<( and in .*77 2heodor Hacker o 5uther@s $ossible burnin% as a H ier" act o love.@M<7 2he loss o in luence on the modern states made the intolerance o the 'iddle #%es im$ossible durin% the 1ianic Era; s$iritual and intellectual intolerance& ho4ever& remained. 2he 1ius!$o$es s$oke a decisive HnoH to t$e 4orld& to 1rotestantism and the other reli%ions& to reedom o con! science and to modern theolo%". In .?<+ 1ius IG& in his HS"llabus& re$u! diated the se$aration o church and state& reli%ious reedom and the M$la%ues@ o socialism& liberalism and the Bible societies.H <+
9K Desc$ner> 5,/C2. 9C Ibid.> 5,5C2. 2;S.33i.NN-NN>g.ll>a.+. 2. 4uoted in 8. Gu%%isbcr%& Die romisch51atholische ;irche (Furic$> .C/2A> ++2. 25 Ibid. 2+ Ibid.> ++2-+3. 2/D95C99G5C.9G5C.Ka.

<45

The 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

In his enc"clical %iutwnum i@ud :.??.9 5eo GIII desi%nated the modern revolutions& modern $hiloso$h"& and the H$la%ue e$idemicsH> communism& socialism& and nihilism>as conse3uences o the Hso!called Re ormation.H</ In his Borromean enc"clical Editae sae!e :.*.)9 1ius G reviled 1rotestantism as Hthe irst ste$ to atheism.H 2he re ormers had been alle%edl" vul%ar materialists& usherin% in a H$estilence o vice and the destruction o moralit"H into the lives o the common $eo$le. << Fhen in .*.* Benedict GV received an invitation to $artici$ate in the con erence on HFaith and 0rder&H he ans4ered 4ith the summons to all Christians to return to the bosom o the Catholic Church. In .*(? 1ius GI reacted even more shar$l" in his enc"clical 6ortalium anwJos, intended as an ans4er to the Forld Con erence o 5ausanne in .*(7E H2he uni ication o Christianit" cannot be $romoted in an" other 4a" e,ce$t throu%h a return o the other denominations to the one true church o Christ rom 4hich the" un ortunatel" had earlier a$ostatiJed.H<7 Catholics 4ere orbidden to $artici$ate in the ecumenical movement. Com$letel" in kee$in% 4ith this& 1ius GII declared 36 stici cor!oris, .*+79 that onl" he 4ho acce$ts the leadershi$ o the $o$e trul" belon%s to the church. S$eakin% to social 3uestions :5eo GIII& "erum no#arum, .?*.; 1ius GI& Buadragesima anno, .*7.9& the 1a$ac" not onl" claimed the leadershi$ o em$lo"er and em$lo"ee alike& but also the last 4ord in the 3uestion o ho4 social Iustice should be carried outE unions and strikes 4ere cate%oricall" reIected.<? 0n 3uestions o reedom o reli%ion and conscience it 4as in %eneral no di erent. Fhile the 4a" or the idea o reli%ious tolerance had been $aved b" the #merican ree!church s"stem in the seventeenth centur" and claimed >and even $artl" realiJed>b" the Euro$ean Enli%htenment in the ei%hteenth centur"& the $o$es o the H1ianic RestorationH $ronounced a decisive HnoH a%ainst it. Gre%or" GVI 36irari #os, .?7(9 termed reedom o conscience Hin! sanit"&H<* and 1ius IG latl" reIected H reedom o 4orshi$H in his S llabus+F 2here could onl" be reedom o 4orshi$ or the truth& and this is identical 4ith the $a$al church. 5ouis Veuillot stated it ver" clearl" or the
</ Gu%%isber%& 77?. 22 Ibid.> 77?!7*. <7 Ibid.& +/.. <? Ibid.& 7)*!7.). 2C Sec A. Gelmi& JDas Pa6sttu! bis Jur ?egcn art>J in 0oscr> (+?. HIDS@9HS. 3-.

#$e 0odern Pa6acy, Claims and #uthorit"

Ho icialH churchE HBe 4e Catholics in the minorit"& 4e 4ill then demand reedom on the basis o/ our $rinci$les; be 4e Catholics in the maIorit"& 4e 4ill then re use it on the basis o our $rinci$les.H 2he same intolerance is also directed in4ardl". Rome should have the last 4ord in theolo%"& too. Durin% the domination o the H=e4 Scholas! ticismH $romoted b" the $o$es :5eo GHI desi%nated 2homas #3uinas as the Hnormative theolo%ianH9& ever" other direction o thinkin% 4as soon threatened 4ith condemnation. 2his stance rustrated HRe orm CatholicismH :Hermann Schell9& demandin% H#%%iomamentoH around the turn o the centur"; H#mericanism&H em$hasiJin% the Hhierarch" o truthH; H'od! ernism6M 4antin% to introduce historical!critical research o the Scri$tures& do%mas& and church histor" as alread" $racticed in 1rotestantism into Catholic theolo%" 3A& 5ois"& G. 2"rell& E. Buonaiuti9; and the H=ouvelle 2heolo%ieH in the t4entieth centur" :H. de 5ubac& A. Danielou& O. Con!%ar9 4antin% to break the 2homistic mono$ol" in theolo%" b" the use o the Bible& the stud" o the Church Fathers and modem $hiloso$h". 2his rustration 4as& o course& onl" tem$orar"; Vatican II took u$ much o this 4ithout& to be sure& rehabilitatin% all o the modernist theolo%ians. =e4 &stee! #$e emanci$ation o the modern nations rom Rome@s su$remac"& and t$e loss o the 1a$al States in .?7) have contributed even more in the lon% run>as stran%e as it ma" sound>to a strengthening o $a$al esteem. HFirst a%ainst the back%round o the 8ltramontane movement o the nineteenth centur"&H sa"s 'an red Feitlau & Hdid the $o$e become in the minds o the Catholic $eo$le a erventl" loved and adored @Hol" Father&M ... 4hose 4ords and instruction 4ere received in a4e and obedience. 0nl" then did the $o$e trul" become the center o church li e; onl" then did the Catholics o the 4orld be%in to direct their e"es to Rome.H7( Its release rom the burdens o state administration and its devotion to $urel" s$iritual a airs $laced the $a$ac" on an international level& transcendin% ever" one and ever" thin%. HIn no other centur" in modern times&H accordin% to the reli%ious $hiloso$her FritJ 5eist& Hhas the Roman See 4on a %reater increase in $o4er than in the nineteenth centur". Its cro4nin% moment 4as Vatican I.H@7
7. Gu%%isber%& 77<. 7( Feitlau & 777. 3+ Lcist. .*.. <47

2he 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

2he 4onderment and adoration o the $a$ac" took on such orms that even Hans 1rs von Balthasar& a de ender o t$e Ro!an 6ri!ate> s$oke o H8ltramontane 1a$olatr".H7+ 2he maIorit" o the Catholic 4orld %ladl" submitted to Hecclesiastical #bsolutismH (). Heiler9. #$e non!Catholic 4orld looked 4ith astonishment at Rome@s stren%thenin%& develo$in% in a com$letel" ne4 4a". #nd this $rocess continued on into the t4entieth centur". Full o Iubilation& millions o $eo$le be%an sin%in% 1aul Deller@s 1a$al H"mnE
Oou& bearin% the touch o truth& Oou. carin% or the Savior@s Flock& Oou& 4ith inde ati%able hand Raise u$ the Cross over land and sea& Oou Guardian 5ion in the Sanctuar"& Honor& %lor" and $raise be to 2hee& Hol" Father& Ae4el o the Church 2he 5ord be 4ith 2heeN Oou 2o4erin% Rock in the distress o the times& Oou Constant S$irit 4ithout ear and 4averin% In de iance o storm and lashin% 4aves& Oou stand& a Firm 2o4er& in the seas& Hol" Father& Ae4el o the Church& #$e Lord be it$ 2heeN7/

2he clever and arsi%hted $o$es o this era are the ones 4ho $lanned and realiJed this $rocess o rene4al. H5eo GIIFs $olitical arsi%htedness& 1ius GMs reli%ious ervor& Benedict GV@s %reat e orts or $eace have created an esteem or the $a$ac" 4ithin the Catholic 4orld; indeed in the modem civiliJed 4orld as a 4hole& such as the $a$ac" had onl" $ossessed in its da"s o %lor".M@7< H#nd the moral authorit" o the $a$ac" increased even more in the non!Catholic and non!Christian 4orld durin% 1ius GII@s $onti icate.M@77 #lmost ever" $o$e durin% the 1ianic Era inserted his buildin% block into the most monolithic orm o Catholicism ever seen in church histor"
7+ Kuoted in F. Dlostennano& HDienst an der Einheit iro Glauben&H in DanJler& ??. 7/ Kuoted in F. V;aibcl,"eIisioscSeil/i7agen :Vienna& .*+?9& 'l. 7< ). 7eiler> Der ;athoiiasmus (0unic$> .*7)9. 7)/. 77 R! 5ciber& H1ius GII&H in A. Ho crand D. Rahncr& eds.& ?e0@am/w Thwiogie undOuche :Freibui% in Bris%au& .*<79& ?E/+7.

<43

#$e 'odem Pa6acy, Clai!s and #uthorit"

u$ to that time. E,$eriencin% the lon%est $onti icate in $a$al histor"& 1ius IG :.?+<!.?7?9 initiated the Hne4 rise o intellectual and s$iritual $o4er in the e"es o the 4orld& a rise continuin% even u$ to toda".H He is considered the HFounder o modem 1a$ac"H 7* be ore Vatican II. 1ius DC@s lo t" $lans or $o4er included the 4orld as 4ell as the church. 2hrou%h his de initions o the do%mas o 'ar"@s immaculate conce$tion :4ithout an" council a$$roval9 and the in allibilit" o the $o$e :4ith the a$$roval o a council $ut under $ressureE HI am 2raditionH9&?) he created an Hacme o inner ecclesiastical $o4erH and %ave the Hdeathblo4 to ecclesiastical $articularismM@ :#. Ehrhard9.?. #lthou%h havin% lost the 1a$al States& he stren%thened the $o4er o the Catholic Church in the 4orld b" restorin% the Catholic hierarchies in En%land and Holland& b" e,tendin% Catholicism in the 8.S.#. and the mission ields& b" concludin% concordats 4ith Russia& S$ain& #ustria& 1ortu%al& and the Central #merican nations& b" oundin% the HCenterH in German" and success ull" resistin% Bismarck in his HDulturkam$ H :Bismarck@s stru%%le 4ith Catholicism9. Similar to the medieval $o$es 1ius IG claimed soverei%nt" over all Christians& 0rthodo, and 1rotestant as 4ell.?( His successor 5eo GIII :.?7?!.*)79& the HEnc"clical 1o$e&H initiated a cautious o$enin% 4ithin and 4ithout. 2o a certain de%ree one could sa" that& ollo4in% 1ius IG& 5eo GIII re$resented 4hat Aohn GGIII 4as& ollo4in% 1ius GII. 2he o$enin% took $lace in order to stren%then the $o4er o the church in a 4a" di erent rom that o his $redecessor. In this manner 5eo GIII became one o the Hmost in luential $o$es o the nineteenth centur"@M 4hose achievement 4as the Hreconciliation o modem humanit" 4ith the Church.@M?7 Leo e ected the o$enin% 4ithin throu%h his Bible enc"clical *ro#i5dentissimus %eus :.?*79& 4hich& to be sure& reIected Hhi%her criticismH but $romoted the scienti ic $ursuit o Bible stud" in the conte,t o an e,e%esis connected 4ith the $a$al ma%isterium. 2he o$enin% 4ithout ensued throu%h the social enc"clical "erum no#arum :.?*.9 and 5eo@s $olic" o $eace 4hich led to the end o the HDulturkam$ .H It 4as 5eo@s H4orld $lanH :). Dohler9 that Ha%ain bound the modern
7? H. Duhner& ?aa1on der *a!ste :Frank urt6'.& .*<)9& .7?. 7* 'aron& ()7. K; See A. B. 7asler> *ius %) 3+-.E5+-H-4, *a!stliche @n/ehlbarlceit und +& Va? OonJil, bk. .5 in ?. Den@ler. ed.& *a!ste und *a!sttum :Stutt%art& .*779& .(6.E.(.. K. 4uoted in D! G. Sleek& H1ius I">J in RGG, /E7*/. K5 5etter of Pius I" to Em$eror Filhelm .> (ctober ..&.?77& in Gu%%isbcr%& 77+. K+ R. Fischer.Fol$ert& ?e0s1on der *a!ste :Re%ensbur%& .*?/9& .7+.

<42

#$e 'odern Pa6acy, Claims and #uthorit"

4orld to the tiara 4ith inner bands. ...H Its moral %reatness and intellectual in luence 4ere to make the $a$ac" stron%er than the H'edieval domsnium tem!orale 4as ever able to do.?+ 2he $o$e 4as to s$eak t$e decidin% 4ord in all matters :4orld $olitics& social $olitics& culture& science& and reli%ion9& thus achievin% the H inale vittoriaH?/ b" moldin% the consciences o the nations. In the time o 1ius G :.*)7!.*.+9 $a$al condemnation o modernism 3*ascendidommicigregis, .*)79 and the total break 4ith France in .*)/ :a radical se$aration o church and state9 a%ain su%%ested the s$irit o 1ius IG. 22ie $a$ac"& in s$ite o all o its modernit"& 4as not $re$ared to %ive u$ an" o its $reviousl" %ained intellectual and $olitical $o4ers. In the First Forld Far Benedict GV :.*.+!.*((9 $ursued an ade$t $olic" o accommodation& resultin% in undiminished $o4er and esteem o the 1a$ac" :di$lomatic relations 4ith En%land& France& 1ortu%al& Holland& and German" as a state>not onl" 4ith the individual German States as hereto ore; $re$arations or the a%reement 4ith Ital"9. Fhat 4as es$eciall" si%ni icant 4ithin the church 4as the ne4 )ode0 Juris )anonici, remainin% in orce rom .*.7!.*?7. Fith 1ius GI :.*((!.*7*9& the H'issionar" 1o$e&H Rome a%ain took the o ensive. #ll o human societ" 4as to be rene4ed throu%h Catholic 5a" #ction :.*((9. 2he reli%ions 4ere to ind their unit" in the $o$e& and all the Ha$ostatesH 4ould have to return 36ortalium animos, .*(?9. 8nder 1ius GI Rome became the %oal o millions o $il%rims rom all over the 4orld. 2he $o$e devoted himsel to social 3uestions 3Buadragesima anno, .*7.9& solved the Roman 3uestion :.*(*9& and concluded a lar%e number o concordats :1oland& Romania& Ital"& #ustria& German"9. His $onti icate has been characteriJed as a Hhi%h $oint in modern 1a$al histor".H ?< Fith Pius GII :.*7*!.*/?9& Hthe voice o the conscience o the 4orld and advocate or $ersecuted humanit" in a demonic a%e o terror&H ?7 the 1ianic restoration a%ain reached a hi%h $oint and at the same time its con! clusion. 2he 4ell!educated di$lomat endeavored to secure or Rome the role o a s$iritual court o last a$$eal in all 3uestions :medicine& ethics& mass media& theolo%"& and $hiloso$h"9. In the chaos o the Second Forld Far the Catholic Church o$erated
?+ ). D thler& JDerBelt6lan Leos "III>J in 7. =edin. ed.> =andhuch der;irchengeschichte ()reiburg in Bris%au. .*?/9& <6(E.7. K9 Ibid.> 5.. ?< Fischer!FoI$ert& .+K?7 Diihner& .?7. 35%

2he 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

as a HmonolithH?? under 1ius GII. Ver" cleverl" he allo4ed the theolo%ians a moderate ada$tation to historical!critical research 3%i#ino a//lante s!ir5@ti, .*+79& but soon dre4 the line a%ainst too much $ro%ressiveness 3=u5mani generis, .*/)9. Fith the do%ma o the cor$oral assum$tion o 'ar" into Heaven 'arianic $iet" achieved a diJJ"in%l" hi%h $oint 36uni/i5
centissi!us %eus, $&5%E.

Durin% the Second Forld Far 1ius GII $ursued a $olic" o accommodation similar to that o Benedict GV durin% the First Forld Far. But he set himsel com$letel" on the side o the Festern $o4ers a ter .*+/& uncom$romisin%l" condemnin% Communism. In .*/7 he concluded a concordat 4ith Fascist S$ain 4hich conceded the Catholic Church a Huni3ue $ositionH :G. 'aron9. In over +&))) $a%es :not al4a"s in the orm o an enc"clical9 he e,$ressed his o$inions on social 3uestions& but in .*/+ he rustrated the e-6eri!ent o the @P4orkin% $riests.H He 4as 4ell! dis$osed to4ard the Hse$arated brethren&H doin%& ho4ever& nothin% or the $romotion o ecu!menism. 2he onl" solution he too could envision 4as throu%h a return to Ro!e.KC 2o the masses comin% to Rome as $il%rims& the aristocratic& ascetic i%ure seemed to be a HGod descendin% do4n to earth.H *) 2o the critical observer toda"& he seems rather to $roIect the im$ression o bein% the last ecclesiastical autocrat be ore 4hom the Catholic Church made obeisance& but 4hom the maIorit" o the non! Catholic 4orld :1rotestants& non!Christians& and atheists9 shunned.

#urning Point, (=o$n ""fflA (.C9K-.C2+A

2he 1ianic Era achieved the stabiliJation and rise o the $a$ac"& but nevertheless had not 4on over the 4orld. It became evident that modem man could no lon%er be in luenced b" severit"& but rather 4ith love. In order to %ain the esteem o the 4hole 4orld& an Ho$enin% to the 4hole 4orldH 4as re3uired in a ne4 s$irit. 0nl" in this manner 4ould Rome still be able to realiJe its claim o dominion. 2he time 4as ri$e or strict& ascetic 1ius GII to be ollo4ed b" H%oodH
KK 7. =cdin. JDie Pa6ste Benedikt "'. Pius GI& and 1ius "II>J in 7- =edin> ed.& =andbuch der;ir&chengeschichte ()rieburg in Bris%au& .*?/9& 7E7/. KC 0aron. 553. C;Desc$ner>5G.K. +9.

#$e 'odem 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit" Aohn GGin :.*/?!.*<79>the Hmost beloved $o$e in histor".H*. the Htransitional $o$e&H brin%in% the Htransition into the utureMM :D. Rahner9& *( the moderniJation o the church :a%%iomamento9 and the o$enin% to the modem 4orld :a$erturismo9& the Htrue revolution&H because he had reco%niJed the Hsi%ns o the times.H*7

7is <e Style 2he ne4 $o$e took u$ his o ice 4ith the irm intention& HI 4ill never s$eak e0 cathedral #t the be%innin% o .*/* he sur$rised the 4orld 4ith the announcement o a orthcomin% Second Vatican Council. 1ius GII had $reviousl" %iven consideration in re%ard to a $lan o a council in .*+?; it 4as to be the cro4nin% achievement o the 1ianic Era :de inition o the cor$oral assum$tion o 'ar"; condemnation o contem$orar" errors9. */ #ccordin% to Aohn GGIII& ho4ever& the council 4as to $roceed in a com$letel" di erent 4a". 'ar" 4ould not be in the middle& and the H$ro$hets o 4oeH 4ere %iven an une3uivocal re usal. 2he $o$e 4as e,$ectin% a Hne4 orderH; there ore& the church mi%ht no lon%er be a $ro$het o doom& Has i the 4orld 4ere aced 4ith imminent destruction.H*< Earlier the church had e,$ulsed& e,communicated& and condemned& but she should no let the $o4er o love instead o condemnation s$eak. *7 Error 4ould vanish b" itsel under the mild $ressure o merc". #ccordin% to the Po6e%s ori%inal intentions& the council 4as to be a council o union& a council o an o$enin% to the Hse$arated brethrenH in order Hto seek unit".H*? # Hmirabile s$ectaculun2 4as to take $lace in order to %ive rise to the desire in the se$arated brethren to return to the Hone old.@MH It soon became clear that this 4as in easible& and the council o an interdenominational union became an inner!Catholic council o re orm. =evertheless it became evident as 4ell that the Ho$enin%H had not remained sim$l" an em$t" slo%an. Vatican n brou%ht about the Hchurch@s sel ! ul illment as the 4orld church.@M.)) Fith its resolutions on the col!
C. Ibid.> /3C. C5 4uoted in 7. <u!berger> SoheamesGGSll (Reinbek b. 7a!burg> .CK9A> 5K. C+ P. 7ebblet$ aite.NoNtfl ier.!NN (Furic$. .CK2A> 9;+. C/ <u!berger> ..3. C9 Ibid.> ..C. C2 4uoted in ?rcinac$cr and Dun%& *. C3 4uoted in R. 8ra!er-Badoni> Revolution in derlGrche ()rankfurtN0.> .CK5A. 53. CK 4uoted in 0aron> 5+;. CC 4uoted in 8. &. Skydsgaard> JDas ko!!eodc 8on@il> Absic$t und Problc!atik>J in 8- &. Skydsgaard> ed.,;omtlund*vangeli4tt (?ot1ngen> .C25A> ..K>.5.. .;; 8. Ra$ner> Schriften )ur /heofoye (&insiedeln. .CK;A> ./,5KK.

<52

2he 'odem 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit" le%ialit" o bisho$s :H5umen %entium&H ((9& ecumenism 3@nitatis redin5 tegratio4, the hierarch" o truths 3@nitatis redmtegratio4, reedom o reli! %ion 3%ignitatis humanae4, and the o$enin% to the 4orld 3Gaudium et s!es4, the Catholic Church received a ne ace. It is no 4onder that Aohn GGIII@s admirers $raise the council as Hthe %reatest %race o the t4entieth centur"H and as the H'a%na Charta or times to come.H.). 1rotestants as 4ell s$eak o HRome@s develo$ment into the 4orld churchH and in this connection o a H$ro$hetic council.M@.)(

7is <e Politics

Aohn GGIII 4anted to be the H ather o allH .)7 and has %one do4n in histor" as a H ather o mankind.H.)+ 0n 'a" ./&.*<7& H'ater et ma%istraH a$$eared in remembrance o the 7) "ear Iubilee o HRerum novarum.H # $o$e once more addressed the social 3uestions necessitated b" the altered situation o the 4orld :atomic $o4er& automation& mass media& distress o
the Thir# Worl#)+

For the solvin% o social $roblems the $o$e demanded a mi,ture o ca$italism :$ersonal initiative9 and socialism :nationaliJation9. 2he unions :not onl" the Christian ones9 4ere commended or their contribution to social chan%e. 2he tremendous technical $ro%ress had to be ollo4ed b" social $ro%ress. In economical and social 3uestions the church claimed to be the Hmater et ma%istraH o mankind..)/ 2he most si%ni icant turnin% a4a" rom 1ius GII ensued throu%h Aohn GGIII@s ne4 HEastern $oliticsH :1. Hebbleth4aite9. 0n 'arch 7. .*<7& he %ave an audience to the #dschubeIs& Dhrushchev@s dau%hter and son!in!la4& in the Vatican and received %reat $raise rom 'osco4 or his e orts in the Cuban crisis. #t that time Dhrushchev ackno4led%ed& HIn m" "outh I m"sel 4as reli%ious& Stalin 4as even in a seminar" or $riests.... Fhat 4e then ou%ht a%ainst 4as not reli%ion $er se but rather a s$ecial situation in 4hich a lot o $olitics 4as takin% $lace.... 2he 0rthodo, $riests 4erenMt servants o God but %endarmes o the CJar.... =o4 4e res$ect the church and have a s$ecial %overnment ministr" or her ... I am interested in assurin% the
.;. ?reinac$er and Dun%& ./. .;5 P. =or%aard!HoIen& H#ls Rom Jur Feltkirche 4urde&H in ?utherische 6onaishe/te (+ :.*?/9E /(*! +.. .;+ 4uoted in =umber%er. 7). .;/ 0oser> C. .)/ See F. v. 5oe4enich& %er modems OatholiJismus #or und nach dan Oomil :Fitten& .*7)9& 7?*! C..

<5<

2he 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit" $o$e ho4 clear it is to me that he does not 4ant to let his church be $oliticall" e,$loited.H.)< It 4as in this ne4 climate& shortl" be ore his death& that the $o$e 4rote his enc"clical o $eace *acem in terns :#$ril ..&.*<79& considered his last testament. In it Aohn GGIII addressed not onl" Catholics but all $eo$le o %ood 4ill or the irst time in $a$al histor". In order to obtain $eace the 4orld needs the 8nited =ations& human ri%hts& and a $olitical $o4er above all 4hich must be created throu%h the voluntar" a%reement o the nations. 0ne must al4a"s make a distinction bet4een error and the errin%; the errin% never lose their human di%nit" 4hich must al4a"s be res$ected. Catholics should 4ork to%ether 4ith re$resentatives o all $hiloso$hies o li e and make a distinction bet4een $ractice and theor" in certain movements. # alse theor" does not invalidate the %ood that can arise in social $ractice. .)7 2his Ho$enin% to the le tH met 4ith %reat a$$lause in the socialist countries but 4ith shar$ criticism in the Fest.

7is =e4 1resti%e

Fhen a ter onl" ive "ears as $onti Aohn GGIII died& he had 4on the hearts o the $eo$le in the Christian 4orld and dee$l" im$ressed those in the non!Christian 4orld 4ith his tact& his human 4armth and his humor. #ccordin% to F. Heer& @#t the close o our centur" the $a$ac" is enIo"in% an international esteem as never be ore in its histor". #theistic scientists& 2ibetan& Indian& Aa$anese re$resentatives o $rimeval #siatic reli%ions& $oliticians o ever" color& men and 4omen o all accentuated $hiloso$hies o li e& a%%ressive "oun% $eo$le 4ere all daJed 4hen the" learned o 1o$e Aohn GGIIFs death. It seems as i here the $a$ac" had achieved an unsur$assed hi%h $oint in $resti%e& esteem& interest& and s"m$ath".H Fas Aohn GGGIII an Hindustrial accidentH as some c"nics believe& a Hstroke o luckH as the $ro%ressives sa"& a Hm"th&H or a ne4 Hstrate%"HL In man" thin%s he reall" did seem to be a liberal; as or instance& 4hen he took u$ the modernist thesis in theolo%"& HDo%ma is one thin%& the 4a" o e,$lainin% it is somethin% else&H.)* or as on the international level he $ushed o$en the door to HEastern $olitics.H..)
.)< 4uoted in Desc$ner> (E+?7. .)7 See 5oe4enich& 7?(!?+. .)? P. 7eer> H0hne 1a$sttum kein #bendland&H in 'oser& ++. .)* 4uoted in Dramer!Badom& (<. ..) 7ebblet$ aite> +*7!*?.

<54

#$e 0ode! Pa6acy, Claims and #uthorit"

In man" other thin%s one is amaJed at his conservatism. He elevated Counter!Re ormation theolo%ians such as 5aurentius o Brindisi to become teachers o the church; he cate%oricall" reIected the abolition o celibac"; he reem$hasiJed the obli%ator" use o 5atin in the litur%" and teachin% and 4arned a%ainst the 4ritin%s o 2eilhard de Chardin. .. i 2o see a modernist in him reall" seems to be a m"th. He 4as neither a $ro%ressive theolo%ian nor an a4k4ard ool i%norant o the 4orld. He 4as a $o$e 4ho could ri%htl" inter$ret the Hsi%ns o the times.H He 4as the discoverer o the Ho$enin%&H o HmoderniJation&H and in this 4a"& o a ne4 strate%" that 4as to make the $a$ac" even stron%er and the church even more luminous. 2hat man" thin%s turned out di erentl" than e,$ected& as A. RatJin%er believed :H4hat is certain is that the council did not ollo4 the course e,! $ected b" Aohn GGIIIH9..( and that HSatan@s smokeH :1aul VI9..7 in iltrated the Htem$le&H 4as a risk o 4hose dan%er he 4as $erha$s not at all a are. 2he mi,ture o tradition and $ro%ress has in an" case im$ressed u6on $ost! Vatican II Catholicism ne4 eatures 4hich seem to make unavoidable the ans4er to the 3uestion& Does the $a$ac" still corres$ond to the ima%e 4hich the Re ormation!#dventist e,e%esis has in vie4 4hen it =s dealin% 4ith Revelation .7L

Continuity or Retrogression: Paul 'I (.C2+-.C3KA

His une,$ected& sudden death saved Aohn GGIII rom havin% to come to terms 4ith the results o the Hne4 strate%".H 2he ne4 $o$e& 1aul VI :.*<7! .*7?9& not a $erson 4ho enIo"ed makin% decisions :Aohn GGIII had called him HHamletH9&..+ 4as soon cau%ht in the cross ire bet4een the $ro%ressives : or e,am$le& H. Diin%9 and the traditionalists :'. 5e ebvre9. Ibr the ormer he 4as too conservative& more 1ius GII than Aohn GGIII. 1or the latter he seemed to betra" 2rent throu%h Vatican II. It must be admitted& ho4ever& that 1aul VI trans ormed his $redecessor@s initiatives into the concrete $lans o the Hne4 strate%"H :travel $olic"& 4orld ecumenical $lan9 on 4hich his successor& Aohn 1aul II& 4ould build. Corres$ondin% to his nature and the situation& he did it hesitatin%l" :not
lllSee0aron>5+.. ..5 Rat@inger> Cur 2ay des Glau ens :'unich. .*?/9& +). ..+ DerSpiegel, =o. +?&.*?/&.2+. ../ 4uoted in =urabcr%er& .*. 355

2he 'odem 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

Ha%%iomamento&H but H$ro%ress o the churchH throu%h Hsel !re lectionH 4as his motto9&../ so that his $onti icate created an ambivalent im$ression. Continuity In his memorial address or his $redecessor 1aul VI said& HFill 4e ever a%ain be able to orsake such decisivel" laid!out $aths in the utureL 0ne 4ould like to believe never a%ain.H..< In his irst radio messa%e on Aune ((&.*<7& he announced& H2he most si%ni icant $art o our $onti icate 4ill be taken u$ b" the continuation o the Second Vatican Council... that 4ill be our chie assi%nment and 4e 4ill utiliJe all o the $o4ers 4hich the 5ord has %iven us or it... our 1a$al service 4ill conse3uentl" continue& 4ith all vi%or& the %reat 4ork 4hich our $redecessor& Aohn GGIII& initiated 4ith so much ho$e and under such a ortuitous star.H..7 In this sense the $o$e carried on the HEastern 1olic".H For the irst time in the histor" o the Vatican he received a Soviet ambassador& #. Gro!m"ko& in .*<<. and in .*<7 even a head o state rom the East block or the irst time& =. 1od%orn". Hand in hand the Vatican also made its contribution to the $olitics o $eace in this 4a". In .*<< the Vatican State $artici$ated in the Geneva 1rotocol& bannin% chemical 4ea$ons; in .*7. it a%reed to the =uclear =on! $roli eration 2reat". Fith *o!ulorum !rogressio :.*<79 1aul VI also attem$ted to carr" on the social concerns o his $redecessor. Radical un! dertones became audibleE 2he church su$$orts $rivate $ro$ert"& but the $ublic 4el are o ten demands e,$ro$riation o landed $ro$ert"& es$eciall" in the 2hird Forld. 2he solution is not revolution but re orm& re orm now' 2he state ma" not inter ere in the $rivate s$here& $arents should have as man" children as the" are able to take res$onsibilit" or :this statement 4as issued o course be ore =umanae #@ae, .*<?9. Develo$mental aid should be carried out in $lace o rearmament. 2his should not cease 4ith the la4s o the ree market but must be oriented to humanit". H2he 4orld is sickH; in order or it to recover& it needs international coo$eration under an e ective 4orld authorit". ..? Fith this enc"clical the $o$e rea$ed an abundance o criti!
../ >&SeTaOa0t,%er*aIoderOonJ@imdOm2he#orderEnt0heidung3J?ew'I .+5-++G 0oser> (7). ..< 4uoted in 'aron& 5++. ..7 Ibid.& (7+. ..? See Loe enic$> 7*.!*7.

<56

2he 'odem 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

cism in the Fest and enthusiastic a$$robation in the East. Since Aohn ""ffl had onl" the o$$ortunit" to travel in Ital"& the actual modem H2ravel 1oliticsH o the $a$ac" be%an 4ith 1aul VI. Durin% the Pianic &ra the 4orld had to %o to Rome; no Rome 4as %oin% out into the 4orld. #$e ne strate%" seemed to renounce the 4orld@s re%imentation throu%h Ro!e and to $lace her in service at the dis$osal o the 4orld. In this 4a" 1aul VI became the irst HForld 1o$e.H ..* In nine tri$s he visited& amon% other $laces& 1alestine& India& =orth #merica :the 8nited =ations9& South #merica :Columbia9 and # rica :8%anda9. 2he central idea o the ne4 $olitics& 4hich 4as later to become so im$ortant or Aohn 1aul II& also ori%inated 4ith 1aul VI. In Ecclesiam suam :.*<+9 1aul VI develo$ed the ne4 HForld 1lanM@E 2he 4orld is arran%ed in the orm o concentric circles around a middle $oint. 2he middle $oint is the $a$ac" 4ith the Roman Catholic Church. 22ie irst circle is com$osed o the rest o Christianit"; the second circle& the 4orld reli%ions; and the third circle& all o humanit"..() 2he $oint o de$arture and re erence is Rome under 4hose moral authorit" and leadershi$ the sick 4orld is to be healed. In order to em$hasiJe the credibilit" o this %reat $retension 1aul VI became the irst $o$e to or%o the use o the tiara. 2o be sure& he still allo4ed himsel to be carried on the sedia gestatoria as a Roman em$eror. 0nl" his successor Aohn 1aul I 4as 4illin% to or%o an" kind o coronation at all. In the area o ecumenism 1aul VI also ollo4ed in his $redecessor@s footste6s, Rome invited ever"one Hto enter into the @ old@ o ChristH 4hose H irst kee$er and she$herd is the $o$e.H .(. In a similar vein 4as the tenor of 1aul '#s s$eeches durin% his visit 4ith the 1atriarch #thena%oras in Aerusalem in .*<+& at the Forld Council o Churches in Geneva in .*<*& and in his invitation o all Christians to Rome or the Hol" Oear o .*7/. #lthou%h the invitation 4as riendl"& there 4as at the same time a decided clai! to the Ho ice o communionH :H4e are 1eterH9. .(( It 4as clearl" $ointed out in Vatican n that 1rotestants are Hbrothers in t$e 5ord&H.(7 but their aith has certain Hde iciencies.H.(+ 2he" Hseek God in

..C 0aron. (7<. .5; See ibid.& (7/. .5. Paul 'I concerning the Hol" Mear .*7/& in Der*rotestant, A6ril (+&.*7/&(/. .55 Paul 'I at the BCC in ?eneva> .*<*& in Der *rotestant, #u%ust .<&.*77&<(. .5+ &cu!enis!> .>+. .5/ Ibid.

<57

#$e 'odem Pa6acy, Claims and #uthorit" the Hol" Scri$tures&H.(/ Hbut onl" throu%h the Catholic Church& 4hich is the universal means o salvation& can one %ain entrance to the ull abundance o this means.H.(< 2his includes the Hauthentic ma%isterium 4hich is accorded a s$ecial $osition in the e,$lanation and $reachin% o the Fritten Ford.H.(7 For an" sins committed a%ainst unit"& the Council asked or or%iveness and %ranted it to its debtors in the other churches. .(? In this 4a"& ho4ever& the $a$ac" a$$eared more like the $ersecuted than the $ersecutor. Aohn GGIII 4as ho$in% or the othersM return and called out to
22 NNNNNN MB 2 *I/l

them& HI am Aose$h& "our brother&H.H and in .*<7 1aul VI o$ened the second session o the Council 4ith the subIunctive!indicative con essionE HIn case an" kind o blame or the se$aration can be laid u$on us in an" 4a"& 4e no4 ask or or%iveness... Iust as 4e or%ive the insults 4hich have been directed at the Catholic Church.H .7) #t the end o the Council the reci$rocal bans bet4een the Eastern church and Rome 4ere li ted. Intros$ection 2he intervention undertaken b" 1aul VI in the inal statements o Vatican II sho4 us that the $o$e 4ould onl" be interested in H$ro%ress 4ithout adventureH.7. and 4as ur%in% Hintros$ectionH.7( in conIunction 4ith Vatican I and 1ius GII. For Hthe church is Aesus Christ Himsel H .77 and has never been Hun aith ulH to the truth..7+ #n a$$endi, :=ota e,$licativa $raevia9 to the decree about the church 3?umen gentium4, relativiJin% the colle%ialit" o bisho$s and em$hasiJin% the e,clusive and inde$endent $rimac" o Iurisdiction; .7/ the re$udiation o/ sola scri!tura in %ei #erbum.7< and the .* HamendmentsH to the Decree on Ecumenism& em$hasiJin% the Hauthentic ma%isterium 4hich is accorded a s$ecial $osition in the inter$retin% and $reachin% o God@s Fritten FordH; .77 the de inition o 'ar" as Hmother o the church&H.7? avoided
.(/ Ibid.& 7& 5.. .(< Ibid.> .>+. .(7 Ibid.. 7& 5.. .(? Ibid.& (.7. .(* Revie" and =erald, <ove!ber 5C>.*<(&<. .7) Kuoted in Loe enic$> *(. .7. Ibid.& *7. .7( HEcdesiam suam&H (/& in 5eo4enich& .)(. .77 Ibid.& 77. .7+ Ibid.& +7. .7/ ChurchE #$$endi, 7; +. .7< Rev .E*. .77 Ecumenism& 7&5.. .7? Church& ?&/7.

<53

2he 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

b" the Council but orced throu%h b" 1aul VI; all sho4 us ver" clearl" that the $o$e 4ould tolerate neither re ormation nor ada$tation b" modi ied do%ma. 2he same im$ression obtains 4hen one studies his enc"clical 6 s5 terium/idei :.*</9 in 4hich $rivate masses are a%ain assi%ned a %reater value and the e0 cathedra de ined conce$t o @transubstantiationH.7* is de ended a%ainst modern terminolo%" such as Htranssi%ni icationH and Htrans inaliJation.H 2he $o$e 4anted to shield hol" ormulas rom the H$oison o rationalism.H.+) Even more conservative 4as the e ect o the #$ostolic Constitution Iwhilgentiarumdoctrina :.*<7 on the +/)th anniversar" o the */ 2hesesN9. It 4as em$hasiJed that in issuin% indul%ences the church dis$enses the Htreasure o the atonement o Christ and o the saintsH or the reduction o tem$oral $unishment or sins..+. 2he %reatest dust 4as surel" raised b" =umanae #itae :.*<?9. Vatican II admitted the necessit" o birth control :HGaudium et s$es&H /.9 and onl" reIected the Himmoral solutionH :abortion9. .+( Ho4ever& 1aul VI e,$ressl" demanded married cou$les to renounce all o their o4n solutions and allo4ed onl" the Dnaus!0%ino :r"hthm9 'ethod to be $racticed. .+7 =ot onl" did this enc"clical meet 4ith o$$osition rom the 4orld but 4ithin the church as 4ell :H. Diin%E In/allibleR4& Sacerdotalis caelibatus :.*<79 met 4ith a similar lack o understandin%& too& althou%h it 4as o$enl" admitted that the celibac" o $riests 4as not re3uired in the =2 and had obviousl" caused a %reat shorta%e o $riests in the t4entieth centur". =evertheless& celibac" must continue to remain a valid church canon or the $riest re$resents Christ& and the renunciation o marria%e is the hi%hest $er ection o mankind..++ In the HCredo o God@s 1eo$leH :.*<?9 the $o$e stated& in a sim$le orm& 4hat is indis$ensable in Catholic doctrine :the in allibilit" o the $o$e& transubstantiation& 'ar"@s immaculate conce$tion and assum$tion& the necessit" o the church as the onl" means o salvation& ecumenism as a H$ushin%H to4ard Catholic unit"9..+/ 2his turnin% back to tradition brou%ht 1aul VI much criticism and made the church& orced o$en under
.+C )ourt$ Council o 5ateran .(./& %S ?)(; Council of #rent> Session .+ :.//.9& DS .2/5G .295. .+) See 5oe4enich& *7!*/. .+. Ibid.& *<. ./5 Church and Borld II> .&9.. ./+ See 5oe4enich& *7!.).. .// Ibid.& .**!()). .+/ 1aul VI& D0A )redo des Gottes#ol1es& 7lh ed. :5eutesdor a. Rh.& .*7.9& .+.(7.

<52

#$e 'odern Pa6acy, Claims and Aut$ority

Aohn GGni& Hdull and irritatin%H and thro4n back into Hretreat.H .+< Ho4ever& one can also sa" that some contours o the Hne4 strate%"H be%an to be marked o more clearl"& contours that 4ere to be ormed into a irm 4orld4ide $lan under Aohn 1aul IIE o$enness 4ithout& uni ormit" 4ithin. 0nl" 4ith a constant center can the circles be controlled; onl" to a constant center can the" be ali%ned.

/(!!e"tive Le#de'/5 2ohn P#ul n :.*7?! 9

Rulin% onl" 77 da"s& the Hsmilin% $o$e&H Aohn 1aul I& 4as ollo4ed b" a H$o$e rom the EastH or the irst time in $a$al histor"E the 1ole& Aohn 1aul II. 2he conclave $rovided a sensationE For the irst time since ./(( the Catholic 4orld a%ain had a non!Italian $o$e. Ver" soon& ho4ever& somethin% much more si%ni icant became clear. 2he ne4 $o$e seemed to become the ver" incarnation o the Hne4 strate%"HE 2o the 4orld 4ithout& he a$$eared as Aohn GGIII& the Htravelin% $o$e&H the mild messen%er o the HciviliJation o loveH or the creation o a Iust 4orld; to 4ithin the church& he sho4ed himsel as 1ius GII& the $o$e o disci$line and conservatism. #s H. Diin% said& H2his is not Aohn 1aul II 4ho rules& but 1ius GIIH in the role o the H%reat communicatorH and H%reat conservator.H .+7 =evertheless& the church and the 4orld received that Huni3ue& e ective leader 4ho is able to de ine those values 4hich make li e 4orth livin%&H accordin% to the #merican Aesuit& Vincent )MDee e..+? #$e ?reat Co!!unicator Aohn 1aul II not onl" claims the 4hole 4orld as his $arish& but he also is doin% ever"thin% 4ithin his $o4er 4ith the most modern methods to carr" out this claim. In earlier times not a crusade could entice a $o$e a4a" rom Rome; toda" he is inde ati%abl" travelin% throu%h the 4hole 4orld. 0n +) tri$s& b" #utumn .*??& he had seen the ive continents& visited over 7)) cities& delivered some .()) s$eeches& and covered over /<)&))) kilometers. He 4ould like his travels to be esteemed as Ha$ostolic tri$sH and not as H$il%rima%es.H 2he $o$e is comin% to all $eo$les :Catholics&
./2 ). Alt. JAufde! Riick@ug>J in Dcn@ler> .9. .+7 H. Diin%& HCur Lagc der kat$olisc$cn Dirche&H in ?reinac$cr and Diin%& (). ./K 4uoted in 7. 7e!nann> Der heilige %$T (Reinbck b. 7a!burg> .CK+A> 29.

3.%

#$e 0ode! 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

1rotestants& 0osle!s> Hindus& the indi erent& and atheists9 as Hthe servant o unit" and $eace&H he stated in India..+* 0ne had to kiss Innocence Ill@s eet& indeed even 1ius GII@s; toda" the $o$e is kissin% the %rounds o the 4orld. He comes not as a disci$linarian& but 4ith the tender and mild attitude o the H ather o the amil" o man&H basin% his $o4er on the authorit" o love. He 4ants to be the embodiment o the Hmoral conscience o the 4orldH and the H4orld she$herdH o those %reat concentric units alread" a$$ealed to b" his $redecessor 1aul VI. C$ristianity. 2he $o$e considers himsel the H%uarantor o Christian unit".H Durin% his visit to the Forld Council o Churches in Geneva& he seemed to observers to be the Hvisible ocus and %uarantor o this unit".H ./) =ot onl" or the Catholics is the H$a$al unction o unit" indis$ensable&H ./. but $rominent 1rotestants see it& as 4ell. E. Aiin%el s$eaks o a Hsi%ni icant re$resentation o the unit" o all Christians;H ./( 8. Duhn o a Hconceivable reuni ication under the leadershi$ o the $o$e&H./7 i he is 4illin% to unction as a HservantH and not as a Hlord.H #lread" toda"& Rome! ree churches $erceive him as the Hs$okesman or all Christians&H./+ and the $o$e himsel & a ter readin% ). Cullmann@s H8nit" in Diversit"&H stated 4ith satis action that the 1rotestants toda" also see Hthat the church is inconceivable 4ithout the o ice o 1eter.H .// 2o those 1rotestants su erin% rom the im$otence o their churches& the $a$ac" a$$ears to be a Hbul4arkH a%ainst those 4orldl" $o4ers 4antin% to rob the church o her autonom" and a%ainst the inner $o4ers o secular demoraliJation../< So it is not at all astonishin% that Catholic theolo%ians& such as D Rah! ner and 7. Fries :Rahner!Fries 1lan IVa9& or e,am$le& in s$ite o their great 4illin%ness to accommodate& e,$ect 1rotestants to reco%niJe the Hsense and ri%ht o the 0 ice o 1eter as the concrete %uarantor o the unit" o the church.H./7 Herein the various com$onent churches ma" retain their doctrines and traditions& as lon% as the" Hdo not decisivel" and con ess ion all" condemn an" tenet 4hich is an obli%ator" do%ma in an"
./C ,-C, )ebniaiy+>.CK2>.. .9; -dventgememde, <o. 2>.CK9>3. .9. 7. 1- v. Balt$asar> JFur &instufung des Petrusdienstcs>J in Den@ler> 5+. .95 *. =iingel> JC$ance c$ristlic$er (ku!ene>J in Den@tcr> K2. .9+ Informational, <o. />.CK2>2. .9/ 4D 7+:.*?79E .;9. .99 Die Cdt, Aanuai" (&.*?7&(. .92 ;. Cull!ann> JPa6sttu! als charismatischcr Dicnst&H in Den@ler> +/. .93 7. )ries and 8. Rahner& Einig/ms Ier ;vchenFreale 6o/Iich1eit, 5nd ed. :Freibur% in Bris%au& .CK+A> 7).

7<.

2he 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

other com$onent churchH :II9../? In an" case& this includes a tacit toleration on the side o the 1rotestants o the do%mas o t$e 1rimac" o Aurisdiction and o In allibilit". Aohn 1aul II& as a 1ole scarcel" con ronted 4ith the $henomenon o 1rotestantism& seems not to oresee this be ore t$e third millennium./* and& there ore& 4ants irst to come to an understandin% 4ith the orthodo, churches. But in considerin% a uture Hor%anic unit"&H his %oal seems to be above and be"ond the conce$t o com$onent churches& namel"& that this unit" o all Christians is conceivable onl" in the sense o a Hrene4ed& Roman!stam$ed Forld ChurchH :R. Frielin%9..<) 2he title. HVicar o Christ&H so loved b" the modem $o$es& thus a$$ears to be the claim o HChristi icatio&H.<. to the rank o the one she$herd over the one lock. Borld religions. Vatican II alread" determined Hthat the Catholic Church does not reIect ever"thin% that is true and hol" in the reli%ions dis! $ersed in the 4hole 4orld.... It is a beam o that truth illuminatin% all men. . . . 2b%ether 4ith the ollo4ers o other reli%ions& the Catholic Church admonishes her sons thus&... to reco%niJe& $reserve and $romote those s$iritual and moral 3ualities and also the social!cultural values ound in them :the reli%ions9.H.)( 2he H#$ostolic 2ravelsH o the $o$es& considered to be a continuation o the Vatican Council since .*</& are to %ive the $o$e& as Hbrid%e!builderH :F. Heer9&.<7 the o$$ortunit" o brin%in% the reli%ions closer to%ether and o a$$earin% as Hthe s$okesman or the 4hole reli%ious 4orld.H Fith this in mind Aohn 1aul visited the s"na%o%ue in Rome in .*?< and also met 4ith the Dalai 5ama in India. # recent hi%h $oint 4as surel" reached 4hen the $o$e met 4ith ./) re$resentatives o the Christian and non!Christian reli%ions or the H1ra"er or Forld 1eaceH in #ssisi& Ital"& on 0ctober .)&.*?<. 2here& 4ith the $o$e in the middle& the Catholic Church took its Christian and non!Christian brothers b" the hand in order to make clear the Hhidden& "et dee$l" rooted unit" o all mankind.H.<+ So under the ae%is o the $o$e& accordin% to his o4n 4ords& #ssisi became Hthe da" o %race or the 4orld.H .</ For one
./? Ibid.& 7/. ./* ?utherische6onaishe/te (+ :.*?/9; +?+. .<) Idea5S!ectrum, A6ril ?..*?7& <. .<. Leist> *7. .<( =on!Christian Religions> 5. .<7 'oscr& ++. .<+ Die Seit, Aanuar" (..*?7&(. .</ Idea5S!ectrum, (ctober (*&.*?<&...

<62

2he 0ode! Pa6acy, Claims and #uthorit"

moment the %oal o the ne4 strate%" and ho4 it is to be attained became mani estE 8nder the $o$e@s leadershi$ all o the reli%ions should stand to%ether in order to HutiliJe the $o4er o reli%ion or $eace.H .<< # sa er and sounder 4orld throu%h the savin% e,am$le and 4ords o the hi%hest reli%ious leader. 2he H$an!reli%ious summitH as the cause o an ecumenical movement& includin% all reli%ions& 4hich 4ill one da" be able to come to%ether into one %reat 4orld reli%ion. #ccordin% to Aean Guitton& Catholic $hiloso$her and riend o 1aul VI& uture reli%ion 4ill be universal. It 4ill be called HEcumenism&H embracin% 1rotestants& Catholics& 0rthodo, Christians& unbelievers under the %uidance o a uni3ue $astor. 2his $astor 4ill be the $o$e; not the authoritative $o$e o "esterda" but a ederative $o$e o the uture. .<7 2hese ideas have met the a$$roval o the maIorit" in the 4orld. In addition to Buddhists& Hindus& 'oslems& Ae4s& and #nimists& the #ssisi %atherin% 4as attended b" the $hiloso$her Carl Friedrich von FeiJ! sacker :4ho had su%%ested a Christian H1eace CouncilH9& the archbisho$ o Canterbur"& Robert Runcie& the General Secretar" o the Forld Council o Churches& Emilio Castro& as 4ell as b" the re$resentatives o the 5utheran& Ba$tist& and 'ethodist Forld Federation. 0nl" a ver" e4& such as the Faldenses& did not attend or s$oke o a Hs"ncretic breachH :1. Be"er! haus9&.<? or o a Hs"ncretic airH :'. 5eFebvre9..<* #$e Borld. Vatican II de ined the church as the Hall!embracin% sacra! ment o salvation.H.7) 2hrou%h the church God $ours out H2ruth and GraceH into the 4orld;.7. that is 4h" she is analo%ous to the Son o God Himsel . .7( 2here ore 4e should not be astounded that the $o$e also
n@7

!akes t$e claim o bein% Hthe ather o mankind.H 5IJ In his irst enc"clical& "edem!tor hominis :.*7*9& Aohn 1aul II stated that salvation cannot be attained throu%h $olitics :a$$arentl" a%ainst the Htheolo%" o liberationH9& but that the unction o the means o 4orld4ide salvation belon%s to the church 4ith the %oal o leadin% the 4hole 4orld into a HciviliJation o love.H.7+
.22 ,-C, (ctober 5K>.CK2>.. .23 !aris 4atch, August 9>.CKK>3/. .2K Idea&Specff"n, (ctober 5C..CK2>... .2C 4D 77:.*?<9E ..2. .3; C$urc$> 7E+?. .3. Ibid> .,K. .35 Ibid. .3+ 'oscr& *. .3/ 4D +; (.C3CA, +;-+2. 3.3

2he 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

In his second enc"clical. %i#es in misericordia, the $o$e even became the a$ocal"$tic admonisher o the 4orld& in com$lete contrast to Aohn GGIII@s o$timism in $ro%ress. 2he 4orld is threatened b" the materialism o science and technical $ro%ress %one a4r". #tomic 4ea$ons are able to destro" the 4orld. But God sho4s His merc" throu%h the church 4hich is Christ@s intermediar" and $ossesses 'ar"@s intercession. .7/ 2hat is 4h"& accordin% to his $rivate secretar" Emer" Dabon%o& the $o$e is inde ati%abl" on the road in order to save the 4orld :H2he $o$e is like a s$iritual Hercules&... tr"in% to avert nuclear #rma%eddonH9. .7< 2he $o$e is e,$ected Hto sho4 the 4a" into the uture.M@ .77 Fhat 4as e,$ected o the 8nited =ations be ore& is e,$ected o the $o$e toda"; namel"& to be the s$okesman o the Hconscience o the 4orldH .7) and the Hhi%hest court o a$$eal or the securit" o the %eneral common4ealth.M@ .7* Aohn GGIII@s intervention in the Cuban crisis 4as considered to be the Hsalvation o 4orld $eace&H.?) and Aohn 1aul I2s admonitions in the Falklands Far and in the controvers" bet4een Chile and #r%entina to be an Him$ortant actor in 4orld $olitics. H Since o$enin% di$lomatic relations 4ith the %reatest 4orld $o4er in .*?+& the small Vatican is itsel considered a H4orld nationH :8.S. senator Kua"le& later vice $resident9..?( Its $olitical in luence throu%h its nunciatures is considerabl" more than one ma" 4ish to believe. In contrast to the 5ord o the church :'att ()E(/!(?9& dominion and $o4er& even i in a ne4 orm o a hi%hest& morall" $ersuadin% authorit"& is Ha ke" cate%or" o Aohn 1aul II@s 4a" o thinkin%.Hlw Similar to 1ius GII& he a$$ears to stake ever"thin% on the 8nited States o #merica& sus$endin% his $redecessor@s eastern $olitics. 2he dual as$ect o his $onti icate& the usion o a %entl" inducin% Aohn GGIII and a steel!hard 1ius GII& causes the enemies o the Catholic Church to vie4 him as Hthe most dan%erous $a$al i%ure since 1ius IG&H .?+
.7/ 6% 7( :.*?.9E /!?. .7< ?. #$o!as and 0. 0organ-Bilts> The T1ar o/ Armageddon (London> .CK9A> 5. .77 #. Sustar& JBeg in die Fukunfl Jci%en&H in Den@ler> .*?. .7? 6% 7+ :.*?79E .)/. Paul VI still considered t$e 8nited <ations (rgani@ation and t$e Cat$olic C$urc$ as $arallels :4eltliche und %eistliche DatholiJitat9. Address to t$e 1nited =ations (rgani@ation> 0ctober& .*</. =O .* :.*</9E <+7!/7& es$. 29;. .7* F. Dlostermann& HDienst an der Einheit im Glauben&H in Den@ler> C.. .?) Dcsc$ner> (E+?7. .?. 'D 7/ :.*?+9E 77. .?( )onscience Wl ?ibert =o. (*&.*?/&*. .?7 R. 'odras& HBin 0ann der Fiders$nicheLH in ?reinac$er and Dun%& (7.. .?+ Desc$ner> (E/+(. 3.-

#$e 'odem Pa6acy, Claims and #uthorit"

and $erha$s e,$lains the assassination attem$t o 'a" .7& .*?.& as 4ell. For HAohn Doe Consumer&@M ho4ever& the Hs$eed" atherH is HGod@s Sho4! master&H sellin% himsel 4ith the most modem o advertisin% methods as the moral leader o the 4orld& hobnobbin% 4ith the 4orld@s %reat :Ronald Rea%an& EliJabeth II& Din% Auan Carlos& AaruJelski& and Helmut Schmidt9& $raised b" non!Christian rulers :Din% Hassan o 'orocco9 as Heducator o the "outh&H.?/ acclaimed b" the En%lish 1rotestants and called H#merica@s darlin%H b" Rosal"n Carter. 2b the Htouchable $o$eH .?< the #r%entinian "outh cheered& Hthe 4hole 4orld loves "ouNHH 7 and the $eo$le o St. 1eter@s S3uare shouted& H"ou are stron%er than su$ermanNH .?) # South Italian nun e,$ressed 4hat man" emale ans thinkE HHe is even more handsome than Aesus Christ.H.?* Consciousl"& Aohn 1aul II cultivates the ima%e o a $o$ular 4orld $atriarchE as a member o the soccer teams FC Barcelona and Schaike )+& 4ith babies in his arms in India& 4ith Boris Becker in the Vatican& as an a$ostle o $eace on 'ont Blanc& bein% kissed b" %irls in #ustralia& and as a television $reacher on HFort Jum Sonnta%H :'editation or Sunda"9 on German television. For the soccer star Horst Hrubesch a $a$al audience has been Hthe %reatest moment o his li eH; the ski star 1. Curbri%%en considers his meetin% 4ith the $o$e 4orth more than his %old medals; and the 1rotestant e,!Chancellor Helmut Schmidt 4ould like to make con ession 4ith Aohn 1aul II. In this manner Aohn 1aul II a$$ears to be 4hat he 4ants to be>the c$a!6ion o human ri%hts and $eace& the morall" trust4orth" leader& the darling of the masses& the su$erstar o the !edia> Halmost the same as a ne 'essiah&H.*) in 4hom is the ho$e o the 4orld. #$e ?reat Conservative In tr"in% to a$$l" the e,ternall" $racticed o$enin% 4ithin the church as 4ell& Aohn GGIII had been re$roached b" the conservative theolo%ians or brin%in% about the Hdo4n all o the church.H .*. 2here ore& 1aul VI ver" care ull" turned back rom H%iovannismH to Hreditus ad domum&H to Romanism and 1a$ism. 2he traditionalists demanded& HAohn GGIII must
.?/ %ie Seit, #u%ust *&.*?/&?. .?< Hermann& ()7. .?7 #RD :German 2V9& #$ril .(&.*?7. .?? Hcmnann& (7). .?* Ibid.& *. .C; 7. 8iing. HBin =a$r =o$annes Paul II>J in Greinacher and Dun%& 7?)!?.. .C. Scra ian& .<+. 3.5

2he 'odem 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

be corrected.H.*( =evertheless& 1aul V2s 4ell balanced directin% seemed to them to be a betra"al o traditional Catholicism. Aohn 1aul II& there ore& 4as considered to be the Hlast chance or turnin% back.H .*7 2he Hcom$letel" resolute nonre ormer&M@ .*+ comin% rom one o the most conservative Catholic countries& has not disa$$ointed the tradi!tionalists u$ to no4. #ccordin% to one o the most si%ni icant theolo%ians o the Catholic Church& 4e are no4 in a Htime o 4inter.H.*/ Ecumenics and $ro%ressives are s$eakin% o Hsta%nation and resi%nationH or even o Hrestoration and in3uisitionH;.*< Vatican e,$erts see a s$readin% Hcounter!re ormationH :Giancarlo CiJola9..*7 Structures. #s riendl" as he ma" a$$ear out4ardl"& the $o$e inde! ati%abl" em$hasiJes traditional do%mas 4ithin the churchE the $rimac" o Iurisdiction& in allibilit"& 'arianism. Fith the a$$ointment o cardinal A. RatJin%er as 1re ect o the Con%re%ation or Doctrine : ormerl" the Hol" 0 ice o the In3uisition9 the restoration has ound a com$etent& but also intransi%ent& head. 2he $ractice o the HlaiciJationH o $riests& rather 4idel" s$read under 1aul VI& has been ri%orousl" halted. 2he traditional moral doctrine con! cernin% birth control is bein% inculcated continuall"& as 4ell as the church la4 o celibac". 2he archives o the In3uisition still remain closed as be ore. 2b be sure& since Vatican II the old inde, is dead& but authors not in avor can still be secretl" scrutiniJed and called u$on to recant 4ithout an" $os! sibilit" o Iusti "in% themselves. H2he 4a" in 4hich the $o$e is rulin% toda" can onl" ind its $arallel in dictatorshi$s.H.*? #s an indicator& let us take the e,am$le o the ne4 )I) 3)or!us iuris canonici4 ounded in .*?7& 4hich& centralisticall" conceived& unctions entirel" 4ithin the sco$e o Vatican I and si%ni ies a Hretro%res! sionH in vie4 o Vatican II& accordin% to D! Rahner. .** H. Dun% even s$eaks o a Hbetra"alH o the council.()) Fhile the Council re$eatedl" talked about HserviceH 3munus4, the )I) continuall" talks about H$o4erH 3!otestas4&
.*( DrSmer.Badoni& 7)/. .C+ Ibid.> (?7. .*+ Hcrrmann& /*. .*/ *ATahoPUnd=&B'a''awons,cds&,GlaubeinwinterlicherSeit& Ges!rachemitO& "ahner in den leCten ?ebens/a/#en :Dusseldor & .*?<9& .?. .*< Grcinachcrand Dun%& 77E.(7. .*7 %er S!iegel, =ovember *&.*?/&.<+. .CK ?. 7asen$iittcl> J<ic$t mithcrrschcn& sondern !itdienen>J in Den@lcr> 7.. .** Imho and Biallo4ons& 7(. ()) Grcinachcr and Dun%& 7(. 3..

2he 'odern 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

HB" virtue o his o ice the $o$e $ossesses the hi%hest& ull& immediate and %enerall" $ro$er $o4er :mi%ht9 in the church 4hich he is ree to use at an" time.... It is a God!%iven ri%ht... He is above the Council or the colle%e o bisho$s& his decisions re3uire no con irmation Iust as there is also no a$$eal to a court o hi%her instance a%ainst them.... 2he $o$e is the hi%hest le%islator& the hi%hest Iud%e& the $ossessor o the hi%hest e,ecutive $o4er.... His Me, cathedraM decisions are in allible and bindin% on the 4hole church but do not re3uire her consent. #s a bisho$ in the service o the saints he is the hi%h $riest 4ho dis$enses the m"steries o God.... the $a$al $o4er is universal.H(). Fhile he out4ardl" a$$ears as the a able ather o mankind& renouncin% the tiara and 4alkin% on oot& he is in4ardl" HSanctissimus 1ater& Dominus a$ostolicusH 4hose insi%nias are the throne& the she$herd@s rod 3Sce!tre4, and coat o arms 4ith the old tiara. 2he bisho$s still remain $is HcreationsH as be ore& and all a$$ointments to theolo%ical $ro essorshi$s must %o throu%h Rome.()7 #$eology. Fhereas 1aul VI still tried to tolerate the theolo%ical le t 4ithout de$rivin% an" o the dissatis ied theolo%ians o the missio can5onica, Aohn 1aul II o$ted or a clear course o disci$line. Since his takin% o ice& a number o 4ell!kno4n theolo%ians have been de$rived o their teachin% certi ication :H. Diin%& A. 1ohier& Ch. Curran9& or embarrassin% in3uisitional $roceedin%s have been brou%ht u$ and carried out a%ainst them :E. Schillebeeck,& # B. Hasler& 5. Bo 9. 2he $o$e himsel has remained aloo in these cases. #lso he has cleverl" allo4ed the 1re ect o the Con%re%ation or Doctrine to deal 4ith the touch" $roblems& such as the $roblem o the Htheolo%" o liberation.H 2he $o$e@s o4n contribution :here more 1ius GII than Aohn GGIII9 is an e,cessive 'arianism. For 'ar" his motto 3totus tuus4 is intended as 4ell as the last kiss o an e,$irin% li e. 8$on her he is continuall" callin% :H"ou& our ho$e&H()+ Hs$eak to us 4ith "our immaculate conce$tionH9.(H #b her he attributes his deliverance rom the murderer@s hand; 4ith her& mankind is to enter into the third millennium; and she is also the %uarantor o the unit" o all Christians. 'ar" leads to Christ. 2o be sure& his enc"clical "edem!toris mater :.*?79 remains 4ithin
5;. #I#, cann. 77..777. ()( Ibid. 5;+ Fcitlau & 7*)!*(. ()+ #20 7) :.*7*9E <7. 5;9 -fD 7( :.*?.9E 7.

<67

#$e 0odern Pa6acy, Clai!s and Aut$ority

the bounds o Vatican II& but must nevertheless brin% astonishment to an" Christian oriented to the Scri$ture aloneE H'ar" kno4s the 4a" to unit"&H she is the H oremost and most illuminatin% e,am$le or the Christian.H ()< =aturall" she is the eternal vir%in and mother o the church. =ot since
Dire M## $. T.>>IZ NL) 5Sr

Darol FoIt"la :Aohn 1aul II9. &cu!enical !ove!ent #s a 1ole& Aohn 1aul II kno4s no ecumenical le,ibilit". For him Christianit" is identical 4ith Catholicism. Rene4al or him means restoration& and restoration means stren%thenin% the authorit" o the $o$e and o the hierarch". 8ncriticall" but nevertheless sincerel" the $o$e is able to utter such statements as& HChrist has %iven His church a hierarchical s"stem o %overnment6@ or HChrist $ersonall" invested the a$ostle 1eter 4ith the $rimac" o Iurisdiction.H ()7 R. Frielin% is o the o$inion that an" kind o restoration o the unit" o all Christians is conceivable or the $resent $o$e onl" in the orm o a Hrene4ed& Roman!stam$ed 4orld church.H()? 2hat means not back to& but H or4ard to Rome.H 2his 4orld church the $o$e sees onl" in the distant uture& sometime in the third millennium. 8ntil then the ollo4in% $ro%ram is un oldin%E a. 2he service o unit" is the $reeminent task o the bisho$ o Rome. b. Fithout the 0 ice o 1eter there can be no unit" o the visible church. c. 8nit" im$lies a unit" o aith& o sacramental li e& and o hierarchial connections. d. 2he theolo%ian@s dialo%ue is subIect to the su$ervision o the $a$al ma%isterium. e. Eucharistic communion is a %oal 4hich can onl" be attained at the
3O4P < C

ver" end.> In this sense the be%%in% o 1rotestants or this communion (.) must trul" a$$ear to be a 4ell dosed H$urchase throu%h Rome.H (.. Rome is kee$in% the 1rotestant ecumenics at a sa e distance& is demandin% one concession a ter another :the 1o$e is not the antichrist& the Roman church is no a$ostate church9& and is $romisin% unit" under the $o$e sometime in the third millenniumN
()< 2"herische 4"utshefte 52 :.*?79E .*7!*/& es6. .C/. ()7 4uoted in 7e!nann> .*?!**. ()? Idea5S!eco#m, #$ril ?&.*?7&<. ()* C . 4D 7. :.*?)9E .;C...+. (.) Points .*!(( of t$e docu!ent H'chr oku!cnisc$e ?e!enisc$aftJ in 4D 7. :.*?)9E IV. (.. H. Dun%. Die >e@, 0arc$ (&.*?7&/.

3.6

#$e 'odem 1a$ac"E Claims and #uthorit"

In the o$inion o F. Dliiber& $ro essor o Catholic social doctrine& i Rome had the $o4er o the medieval $o$es& it 4ould still act Iust as in ! tolerantl" as at that time. (.( Fhat 4as once striven or 4ith $o4er is toda" bein% aimed at 4ith calculatin% and $atient di$lomac". In this the ronts m lv he keot in continual motion bv sensational models rom both sides :the Rahner!Fries 1lan; the 5utheran Forld 8nion@s HReconciled Di erencesH; ). Cullmann@s H8nit" in diversit"H; E. Geldbach@s HEcumenical 'ovement in ContrastsH9. But 4ithout Rome nothin% can ha$$en& and Rome has enou%h $atience. She thinks in centuries.

Su!!ary
2he ima%e o ered b" Catholicism and the $a$ac" on the threshold o t$e third millennium a$$ears 3uite di erent rom that $ortra"ed durin% the ti!e o the develo$ment o the #dventist Church. 0n the one hand the reli%ious claims have intensi ied be"ond all bounds :Vatican I>the do%ma o in allibilit"; the do%mas concernin% 'ar"; Vatican II>the church as the sacrament o salvation9. 0n the other hand the Roman church has o$ened and ada$ted itsel to the modem Festern 4a" o thinkin% :Vatican II> reedom o reli%ion; church and 4orld and the ecumenical movement9. &ven i in the nineteenth centur" the 1a$ac" still a$$eared to be the re u%e o the darkest& reli%ious reaction& toda" it a$$ears to be the moral center o the 4orld& 4orkin% and caIolin% 4ithout the use o an" e,ternal force e,ce$t an a$$eal to conscience. (.7 2o be sure& the %oal has remained =t$e sameE the uni ication o the 4orld under the she$herd o the 4orld; the salvation o the Hsick 4orldH throu%h the HciviliJation o loveH under t$e most $rominent and beloved reli%ious leader. 2he Roman church and 1a$ac" seem to have become more com$le, and subtle than ever be ore.
5.5 ). Dliiber& JC$aris!a als Sand i! ?etriebe des $a$stlichen Syste!s>J in Den@ler> C+. 5.+ It remains to be seen in the future $o certain declarations in the decree on HFreedom of Reli%ionH are to be undeistood. Suc$ as for e,am$le ..(E J#$e 6ractice o it :that is of reedom9 !ay not be in$ibited as lon% as the $ublic order is $reserved.H (r ..+E HIn the disscmination of reli%ious beliefs> ho4ever& one must al4a"s refrain fro! eac$ and every kind o activit" 4hich could a4aken the sus$icion t$at it has to do it$ an" kind of com$ulsion or 4ith dis$onest or undue $ersuasion& es$eciall" in dealin% 4ith the less educated or the $oor.H In this conte-t one should also consider t$e declaration made b" Aohn 1aul II on #$ril .+>.*?<& on the occasion o $is visit to t$e Ro!an synagogue in $ic$ $e com$lained of t$e $iwAusti/iable curtailment of freedo! of reli%ionH concerning the Ae4s. It as there ore not 4ithout reason that t$e observers $osed the Huestion, Is there& or Ro!e> a Austi/iable curtailment o reedom o reli%ionL 6% 77 :.*?<9E +.!+(.es$.+..

<62

2he 'odem Pa6acy, Clai!s and #uthorit"

Bibliogra6$y
#llo& Ernest!Bernard. St& Jean& @A!ocat !se& 7rd ed. Gabalda& 1aris& .*77. #nderson& Ro" #llan. @n/olding the "e#elation& 'ountain Vie4& C#E 1aci ic 1ress& .*7+. Bousset& Filhelm. %ie C//enbarung des Johannes& <th ed. Gottin%enE Vandenhoeck B Ru$rec at& .*<<. Conradi& 5ud4i% Richard. *ro!hetischerAusblic1 au/Seit und Ewig1eit& .7th ed. Hambur%E Intern. 2raktat%esellsch& n.d. DenJler& Geor%& ed. *a!sttum heute und morgen& Re%ensbur%E F. 1ustet& .*7/. >>. *a!ste und *a!sttum& Stutt%artE #. Hiersemann& .*7.!.*?/. DenJin%er& Heinrich& and SchonmetJer& #dol . Enchiridion S mbolorum& 7<th ed. Fr. i. Br.E Herder& .*7<. Deschner& DarlheinJ. Ein /ahrhundert =eilsgeschichte& Bks. . and (. DohlE Die$en! heuer B Fitsch& .*?(!.*?7. Fischer!Fo8$ert& Rudol . ?ad1on der *a!ste& Re%ensbur%E F. 1ustet& .*?/. Frielin%& Reinhard. HDatholische Dirche!4ohinLH 6aterialaienst, 77E+7!++..*?<. Gallin%& Durt& ed. %ie "eligion in Geschichte und Gegenwart& 7rd ed. 2ubin%enE =.C.B. 'ohr :1. Siebeck9& .*/7!.*</. Greinacher& =orbert and Hans Diin%& eds. Oatholische IGrche wohin >ider den Verrat am Oomil& 'unichE 1i$er& .*?<. Grote& Heiner. HRom und der 1a$st als 1il%er&H 6aterialdienst, 7+E.)7!.)7 .*?7. Gu%%isber%& Durt. %ie romisch71a/holische Oirche& CurichE C4in%li& .*+<. Haller& Aohannes. %CS *a!sttum5Idee und >ir1lich1eit& Bks. .!/. Hambur%E Ro4ohit& .*</. Hase& Oar'&=andbuch der!rotestantischen *olemi1& +th ed. Breitko$ B Hartel& .?7?. Haskell& Ste$hen =. The Stor o/ the Seero/*atmos& =ashvilleE Southern 1ublishin%
Assoc+, 12;5+

Hebbleth4aite& 1eter. Johannes [[III& CurichE BenJi%er& .*?<. He8er& Friedrich. %er OatholiJismus& BaselE E. Reinhardt& .*7). Helblin%& Hanno. *oliti1 der *a!ste& %er Vati1an im >eltgeschehen +,M-5+,H-& BerlinE 8llstein& .*?.. Hermens& Dohlschmidt and 0skar Hermens. *rotestantisches Taschenbuch& 5ei$! Ji%E Buchhandl%. Ev. Bund& .*)/. Herrmann& Horst. *a!st >oAt la derheilige Narr& Hambur%E S$ie%el Verla%& .*?7. <7;

#$e 0odern Pa6acy, Claims and #uthorit"

Ho er& Aose and Darl Rahner& eds. ?ad1on /ar Theologie und IGrche 3? ThO4, (nd ed. Freibur% in Bris%auE Herder& .*/7!.*<7. Imho & 1aul and Hubert Biallo4ons. Glaube in winteriicher Seit& Ges!rache mit Oarl "ahner& Dusseldor E 1atmos& .*?<. Aedin& Hubert and Donrad Re$%en& cds&//andbuch derOirchengeschiote& Bk. 7 :Die Feltkirche un (). Aahrhndert9. Freibur% in Bris%auE Herder& .*7*. Das$er& Falter. Su1un/t aus der Ora/t des OonJils& Freibur% in Bris%auE Herder& .*?<. Dobs& Hermann. Gottes Geheimnis B//enbart& Hambur%E #dvent Verla%& nd. Dramer!Badoni& Rudol . "e#olution in der Oirche& Frank ort6'.E 8llstein& .*?(. Duhner& =ass&?e0i1on der *a!ste& Frank ort6'.E Fischer& .*<). Leist> FritJ. %er Ge/angene des Vati1ans& 'unichE Dosch& .*7.. 5oc4enich& Falter von. %er modeme OatholiJismus #or und nach dem Oomil& FittenE 5uther& .*7). 'aron& Gott ried. Die roniisch!katholische Dirche von .?7)!.*7) in %ie IGrche in ihrer Geschichte& Edited b" D. D. Schmidt and E. Fol & +6(. Gott.E Vanden! $oek B Ru$recht& .*7(. 'a,4ell& C. 'erv"n. God )ares& Boise& IDE 1aci ic 1ress 1ublishin% #ssoc.& .*?/. 0irbt> Carl and Durt #land. Buellen Jur Geschichte des *a!sttums und des "omis5 chen OatholiJismus& 2ubin%enE A.C.B. 'ohr :1aul Siebeck9& .*<7. 'oser& Bruno& ed. %CS *a!sttum E!ochen und Gestalten& 'unichE Siid4est& .*?7. =ichol& Francis D.& ed. The S%A Bible )ommentar & Fashin%ton& DCE Revie4 B Herald 1ublishin% #ssoc.& .*/7!.*/7. =)r%aard!H)Aen& 1eder. H#ls Rom Jur Feltkirche 4urde&H ?uth& 6onatshe/te& (+E/(*!7...*?/. =urnber%er& =elmath& Johannes [[III& Reinbek b. Hambur%E Ro4ohit& .*?/. 1aul VI. %CS )redo des Gottes#ol1es, 7th ed. 5eutesdor am RheinE Aohannes Verla%& .*7.. Rahner& Darl. Schri/ten Jur Theologie& EinsiedeinE BenJi%er& .*/+!.*?7. Rahner& Darl and Heinrich Fries. Einigung der/Brchen reale 6oglich1eit& (nd ed. Freibur% in Bris%auE Herder& .*?7. Rahner& Darl and Herbert Vor%rimler. Oleines OonJils1om!endium& 7rd ed. Freibur% in Bris%auE Herder& .*<<. RatJm%er& Aose$h. Sur?age des Glaubens& 'unichE =eue Stadt& .*?/. Ruf> =orbert. %CS "echt der 1atholischen /Srche nach dem neuen )I)& Freibur% in Bris%auE Herder& .*?7. Schambeck& Herbert& ed. *ius[I? DevelaerE ButJon B Bercker& .*?<. Schmidt& Durt Dietrich. %ie 1atholische Staatslehre& 5iinebur%E Heliand& .*//. Seeber& David #ndreas. %CS D& Vaacanum& Freibur% in Bris%auE Herder& .*<<. 77.

2he 'odem *a!ac 2 Claims and #uthorit" Sera ian& 'ichael. %er*ilger oder OonJil und Oirche #orderEntscheidung& Reinbek b. Hambur%E Ro4ohit& .*<+. Sk"ds%aard& Dristen E. OonJil und E#ongelium& Gottin%enE Vandenhoek B Ru$recht& .*<(. Smith& 8riah. The *ro!hecies o/ %aniel and the "e#elation& =ashvilleE Southern 1ublishin% #ssoc.& .*++. S$icer& Filliam #. Cur %a in the ?ight o/ *ro!hec & Fashin%ton& DCE Revie4 B Herald 1ublishin% Assoc.> .*.?. 2homas& Gordon and 0a- 'or%an!Fitts. The Qear o/ Armageddon& 5ondonE 1anther!Granada 1ubl.& .*?/. Vuilleumier&Aean.5'$oca6P$Ae. +th ed. Dammarie!les!5"sE 5esSi%nesdu 2em$s& .*+?. Feitlau & 'an red. H1a$sttum und modeme Felt&H ThS& +)E7<7!*7..*?+. Cahn& 2heodor. %ie C//enbwung des Johannes& D bks.& 7rd ed. 5ei$Ji%E Deichert& .*(<.

<72

Cha$ter GH

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh 1la%ues

Hans D. 5aRondelle
&ditorial S"no$sis. In cha$ter 7 the author established a conte,tual a$$roach to the inter$retation o the seven last $la%ues. In that stud" the im$ortance o 02 t"$olo%" :es$eciall" Israel@s E,odus and Oah4eh@s hol" 4ars9 and the immediate conte,t in Revelation 4ere $ointed out as essentials or a sound understandin%. In this cha$ter these $rinci$les are revie4ed& but 4ith the ocus s$eci icall" on #rma%eddon. 2he author sets do4n in a concise manner the elements or a biblical theolo%" o #rma%eddon as the da" o universal Iud%ment on God@s enemies and deliverance o His aith ul end!time $eo$le. )or a surve" o #dventist teachin% on #rma%eddon& includin% that o Ellen G. Fhite& the reader is re erred to #$$endi, B in this volume.

Cha$ter 0utline
I. Introduction II. Conte,tual Connections III. #$eology o #rma%eddon I'. #y6ology, Israel%s Hol" Fars V. 1rem8lennial and 1ostmillennial #rma%eddon

Introduction
B,$ositors seem to a%ree that the once!occurrin% term& H#rma%eddonH

:Rev .<E.<9& must be inter$reted rom its biblical $ers$ective. 2his means that both the immediate conte,t in Revelation and the 4ider biblical conte,t>the 02 in $articular>should be brou%ht to bear on the e,$osition o this a$ocal"$tic s"mbol Fe ma" ho$e to avoid the $it all <7<

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Sevent$ 1la%ues o s$eculation and alse $ro$hetic inter$retation onl" i 4e a$$l" the 1rotestant henneneutical $rinci$le otsola scri!tura care ull" and consistentl". Fe must reIect an" normative in luence rom e,trabiblical authorities or $rivate o$inion. 2he a$ostle 1eter has cautioned us a%ainst t4istin% Scri$ture b" sa"in%& Hkno4in% this irst& that no $ro$hec" o Scri$ture is o an" $rivate inter$retationH :( 1et .E()& =DAV; c . 7E.<9.

Conte-tual Connections
Revelation .<E.< reads& H2hen the" Qthe @s$irits o demons&@ vs. .+R %athered the kin%s to%ether to the $lace that in Hebre4 is called #rma%eddon Qliterall"& =armaged//n or =ar 6agedonN$+ 2his $rediction orms the concludin% statement o a $articular visionE 2hen I sa4 three evil s$irits that looked like ro%s; the" came out o the mouth o the dra%on& out o the mouth o the beast and out o the mouth o the alse $ro$het. 2he" are s$irits o demons $er ormin% miraculous si%ns& and the" %o out to the kin%s o the 4hole 4orld& to %ather them or the battle on the %reat da" o God #lmi%ht". :Rev .<E.7!.+9 It is evident rom this literar" conte,t that the universal $re$arations or the battle o #rma%eddon are insti%ated and advanced b" demonic s$irits 4ho o$erate throu%h three reli%ious bodies& s"mbolicall" re$resented as the dra%on& the beast& and the alse $ro$het. 2he rise o these anti!God and anti!Christ $o4ers is described earlier in Revelation .(!.7. 2heir Iud%ment and inal destin" is disclosed 4ith increasin% clarit" in cha$ters .+!.*. 2his structural relationshi$ o H#rma%eddonH :in Rev .<9 4ith the $revious and subse3uent cha$ters indicates that its theme 4ill be clari ied b" the immediate conte,t o cha$ters .(!.*. H#rma%eddonH is embedded or%anicall" and inse$arabl" 4ithin the structural and theolo%ical unit o Revelation .(!.*. #rma%eddon is $resented as the climactic battle o the %reat controvers" bet4een the orces o %ood and evil& 4hich started in heaven and 4ill end on earth :.(E7!*&.(9. #rma%eddon is characteriJed as Hthe battle on the %reat da" o God #lmi%ht"H :.<E.+9. It coincides there ore 4ith the universal Iud%ment da" o God.
. 8nless indicated ot$er ise> t$e <I' is Huoted.

<74

Ar!ageddon, Si-t$ and Seventh 1la%ues

2he #rma%eddon $ro$hec" is located in the unit o the seven last $la%ues :Rev .<9& a ter the descri$tion o the si,th $la%ue :vs. .<9. 2he actual battle is not described in verse .<. It 4ill take $lace conse3uentl" durin% the seventh $la%ue. Sur$risin%l"& the inal& or seventh& $la%ue describes the terri "in% events in nature that 4ill accom$an" the second advent o Christ& 4ith this clari icationE HGod remembered Bab"lon the Great and %ave her the cu$ illed 4ith the 4ine o the ur" o his 4rathH :.<E.*9. 2he battle o #rma%eddon and the destruction o universal Bab"lon& there ore& coincide. 2hese cannot be divorced rom each other. #rma%eddon is e,$lained 4ithin Revelation .< as the divine Iud%ment and destruction o Bab"lon. 2he all o Bab"lon the Great :the seventh $la%ue& .<E.7!.*9 ollo4s immediatel" a ter the Iud%ment on Hthe %reat river Eu$hratesH :the si,th $la%ue& .<E.(9 4ith the result that Hits 4ater 4as dried u$ to $re$are the 4a" or the kin%s rom the EastH :.<E.(9. 2hus& the dr"in% u$ o the %reat Eu$hrates River :as the si,th $la%ue9 evidentl" $re$ares the 4a" or the arrival o the kin%s rom the East :as $art o the seventh $la%ue9. 2his a$ocal"$tic se3uence o the dr"in% u$ o the %reat river Eu$hrates ollo4ed b" the subse3uent all o Bab"lon and the comin% o the kin%s rom the East 4ill remind the Bible reader o the 02 $ro$hecies about the all o ancient Bab"lon.( 2he connections bet4een these 02 $redictions and those o Revelation .<!.* are mani old and im$ressive. 7 2hese literar" and theolo%ical ties are not accidental but obviousl" intentional. 2he" establish the $resence o a %enuine biblical t"$olo%".+ Further consideration must be %iven no4 to the conte,tual settin% in t$e book o Revelation o the H#rma%eddonH vision :.<E.(!.<9& es$eciall" to cha$ters .7!.*. 2he be%innin% o Revelation .7 is $re%nant 4ith si%ni icanceE H0ne o the seven an%els 4ho had the seven bo4ls Qthe $la%uesR came and said to me& MCome& I 4ill sho4 "ou the $unishment 81rima, HIud%mentHR o the %reat $rostitute& 4ho sits on man" 4atersMH :vs. .9. 2his introduction $rovides at once a literar" and a theolo%ical link bet4een the last $la%ues
5 See ba .7!.+; (.; ++P7; Acr /)!/.. + See the co!6arative lists in The SD- Bi le )ommentar + :Fashin%ton& DC> .*//9E (7(& /(7!(+; also 7E?<7!<*. / See 7ans 8. LaRondcllc> The Israel of God in *ro!hec 2 *rinci!les o/ *ro!hetic Inter!retation :Bcrricn S6rings> 0I> .*?79& c$a6. /.

<75

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh 1la%ues o Revelation .< and the an%elic discourse o Revelation .7E :.9 #n an%el rom Revelation .< returns to e,$lain the meanin% o the inal t4o $la%ues on Bab"lon. :(9 Both cha$ters deal 4ith the same Audgment on Bab"lon. 2he ne4 element in the an%el@s clari ication is that Bab"lon is a com$osite unit that consists o t4o distinct $arts& each o 4hich is no4 $ortra"ed b" a di erent s"mbol. First& Bab"lon is $ictured as a H$rostituteH 4ho sits Hon man" 4aters&H / 4ith 4hom Hthe kin%s o the earthH have committed adulter" :or ornication9& that is& have entertained immoral intercourse. From the MM4ineH other immoralit" Hthe inhabitants o the earthH have become into,icated& or be uddled :vs. (9. Secondl"& in the ne,t $hase o the vision the 4oman HBab"lonH is de$icted as bein% seated Hon a scarlet beast.H 2his beast has blas$hemous names& insultin% to God& 4ritten all over it. 2hat beast has also the si%ni icant eatures o seven heads and ten horns :vs. 79& intimatel" connectin% it 4ith the red dra%on o cha$ter .( :vs. 79. 2he $rostitute has 4ritten on her orehead Ha name o m"ster"H :vs. /& RSV9& that is& Ha name that has a secret meanin%H :2EV9E HBab"lon the GreatH :vs. /9. She is boastin%& as it 4ere& HI am 'i%ht" Bab"lon.H < 2his Bab"lon is Hdrunk 4ith the blood o the saints& the blood o those 4ho bore testimon" to AesusH :vs. <9. Revelation .7 thus di erentiates 4ithin Bab"lon bet4een the cit" and its 4aters& bet4een Bab"lon and its 4aters o the Eu$hrates& bet4een the harlot and the beast on 4hich she is seated. Dro$$in% s"mbolic terminolo%"& e ma" sa" that Revelation be%ins here to distin%uish bet4een the religious leadershi$ :cit"6$rostitute9 and the!ol@ical orces :4aters6beast9 o Bab"lon. Oet& more is disclosed than merel" the distinction o t4o constitutive $arts o Bab"lon. Because o its outra%eous blas$hemies and murderous totalitarianism& Christ 4ill summon all 7is heavenl" armies to be read" or hol" ar :vs. .+9. B" His soverei%n decree the t4o constitutive bodies o Bab"lon 4ill turn a%ainst each other and mutuall" destro" one another. 2he beast 4ill start to overthro4 the harlot. 2he kin%s 4ho had become one 4ith the harlot b" means o ornication 4ill brin% total ruin on her. 2he an%el s$eaks o a radical reversal o their relationshi$E H2he beast and the ten horns "ou sa44ill hate the $rostitute. 2he" 4ill brin% her to ruin and leave her naked; the" 4ill eat her lesh and bum her 4ith ireH :vs. .<9.
/ #n allusion to =er /.E.7. 2 R. ?. Bratc$er>-/ Translator7s Guide to the "e#elation o/ John :=e4 Oork& .*?+9.

<76

Ar!ageddon, Si-t$ and Seventh 1la%ues 2he basic theolo%ical nature o #rma%eddon becomes unmistakabl" clearE it denotes the e,ercise o God@s covenantal 4rath in His hol" 4ar& in retaliation or Bab"lon@s unhol" 4ar a%ainst His saints. It is a$$ro$riate& there ore& that the s"mbolic ima%er" o Christ as Hthe 5ambH shi ts no4 to His role as Hthe 5ord o lords and Din% o kin%sH :.7E.+; .*E..!.<9. He returns as the divine 4arrior to Iud%e and e,ecute His Iustice on Bab"lon :.*E..&.*!(.9. Fithout e,ce$tion& e,$ositors a%ree that Revelation .*E..!(. $resents the most elaborate s"mbolic descri$tion o #rma%eddon. Revelation .? describes the universal im$act o disma" over Bab"lon@s sudden destruction. It is the divine Iud%ment& in return or Bab"lon@s alse verdict in condemnin% and e,ecutin% the saints& e,$ressed in the an%el@s inal declarationE HIn her 4as ound the blood o $ro$hets and o the saints& and o all 4ho have been killed on the earthH :.?E(+9.7 2he $ractical a$$eal or the Israel o God is the call to lee rom Bab"lon be ore the Iud%ments all on her :.?E+9. In Revelation .* cosmic Io" and $raise arise 4hen Bab"lon has been Iud%edE HHe has aven%ed on her the blood o his servantsH :vs. (9. 2he all o Bab"lon is a divine Iud%ment that e,$resses God@s covenantal aith ulness.

#$eology of Ar!ageddon
It is an incontrovertible act that the book o Revelation $laces God@s aith ul $eo$le at the center o the battle o #rma%eddon. 2he" are addressed s$eci icall" in this settin% b" Christ@s a$$eal to be read" or His imminent comin%E HBehold& I come like a thie N Blessed is he 4ho sta"s a ake and kee$s his clothes 4ith him& so that he ma" not %o naked and be shame ull" e,$osedH :.<E./9. Revelation ur%es u$on the church the arrestin% messa%e that #rma! %eddon 4ill be the inal contest bet4een the combined orces o Satan on the one hand and Christ 4ith His chosen and aith ul ollo4ers on the other. 24o $assa%es e,$lain this ali%nment o #rma%eddon 4ith clarit"E
2he" 4ill make 4ar a%ainst the 5amb& but the 5amb 4ill overcome them because He is 5ord o lords and Din% o kin%s>and 4ith him 4ill be his called& chosen and aith ul ollo4ers. :.7E.+9 I sa4 heaven standin% o$en and there be ore me 4as a 4hite horse&
3 Sec 8. A. Strand& H24o #s$ects o Bab"lon@s =udg!ent Portrayed in Revelation +S,$A@SS ()6. :.*?(9; /7!<). <77

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh 1la%ues 4hose rider is called Faith ul and 2rue. Fith Iustice he Iud%es and makes 4ar.... 2he armies o heaven 4ere ollo4in% him& ridin% on 4hite horses and dressed in ine linen& 4hite and clean. 0ut o his mouth comes a shar$ s4ord 4ith 4hich to strike do4n the nations. HHe 4ill rule them 4ith an iron sce$ter.H He treads the 4ine$ress o the ur" o the 4rath o God #lmi%ht". 0n his robe and on his thi%h he has this name 4rittenE DI=G 0F DI=GS #=D 50RD 0F 50RDS.... 2hen I sa4 the beast and the kin%s o the earth and their armies %athered to%ether to make 4ar a%ainst the rider on the horse and his arm". :.*E..&.+!.<&.*9

2his $ro%ressive revelation not onl" intends to $revent the church rom %ivin% 4a" to con usion and ear& but also to reassure her that Christ is in su$reme control and 4ill lead His $eo$le to certain victor". Revelation e,$lains that #rma%eddon 4ill be the inal sho4do4n be! t4een end!time Bab"lon and Israel@s 'essiah. 2his d"namic s"mbolism should not lead us to overlook the concrete realit" that the kin%s or $olitical $o4ers 4ill 4a%e 4ar on Hthe 5ambH b" $ersecutin% and ultimatel" out! la4in% the aith ul ollo4ers o Christ here on earth :.(E.7; .7E./!.79. 2he clima, o this unhol" 4ar in human histor" is the $relude to God@s hol" 4ar o the seven last $la%ues. 2he book o Revelation intends to reveal the ull back%round or this a4esome inal Iud%ment. #ll salvation histor" is basicall" a 4ar are be! t4een God and Satan :Rev .(9. #lthou%h it is a thorou%hl" s$iritual and reli%ious controvers"& historicall" the 4ar eru$ts $eriodicall" in blood" $er! secutions o the saints.? Cha$ter .( in orms us that Satan& as the a$ocal"$tic dra%on!ser$ent& is the same deceiver and murderer at the end o histor" that he 4as 4hen he deceived #dam and Eve in 1aradise :vs. *9. Satan@s s$eci ic aim 4as to de! stro" Christ& the 'essiah o Israel :vs. +9. Fhen his $lan 4as de eated and Christ arose rom the dead as victor and 4as enthroned in heaven as the ruler o all nations :vs. /9& the dra%on be%an to intensi " his 4ar are a%ainst the messianic communit" :vss. <&.7!.<9. =o4& in the end!time he 4ill attack the remnant $eo$le o GodE H2hen the dra%on 4as enra%ed at the 4oman and 4ent to make 4ar a%ainst the rest o her o s$rin%>those 4ho obe" God@s commandments and hold to the testimon" o AesusH :vs. .79. 2his Satanic!directed battle a%ainst the aith ul remnant church and Christ@s trium$hal aith ulness to 7is ne4!covenant $eo$le orm the central theme o Revelation .(!.*. #lthou%h the evil 4ar are a%ainst the livin%
? Rev (E.)&.7; <E*; .(E... <73

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh 1la%ues

bod" o Christ continues unrelentin%l" since the irst comin% o the 5ord& Revelation ocuses increasin%l" on the inal crisis o the church. * 2he $ro$hec" inall" enlar%es on the seven last $la%ues as ori%inatin% in the throne room o God :./E.&<!79. 2he $la%ues are the hol" 4rath o God& $oured out 4ithout divine merc" :./E.9. 2hese su$ernatural Aud%ments are reminiscent o the $la%ues God sent do4n on a rebellious E%"$t 4ho held His covenant $eo$le in bonda%e :E,od 7!.(9. In addition& Revelation $ictures the divine 4rath o the last $la%ues as God@s direct res$onse to the 4rath o Bab"lon. Bab"lon had made :or orced9 Hall nations to drink o the 4ine o the 4rath o her ornicationH :.+E?& =DAV; c . .7E(; .?E79. In the midst o this universal a$ostas"& an end!time messa%e rom God summons each individual to 4orshi$ the Creator accordin% to the revealed truth& bolstered b" this ultimatumE HI an"one 4orshi$s the beast and his ima%e& and receives his mark on his orehead or on his hand& he himsel shall also drink o the 4ine o the 4rath o God& 4hich is $oured out ull stren%th into the cu$ o His indi%nationH :.+E*&.)& =DAV; c . .<E.*9. 2he meta$hor& Hthe cu$ o the 4rath o God&H is the amiliar 02 s"mbol or divine Audgment and retribution&+F 2he $roclamation o this ultimatum :.+E<!..9& in the ace o ierce o$$osition rom the antichrist& creates a universal& aith ul remnant& a church o those H4ho kee$ the com! mandments o God and the aith o AesusH :.+E.(& =DAV9. 2his latterscri$! ture $assa%e reveals the basic reli%ious!moral issue at stake in the inal test o ultimate lo"alt" to God and Aesus Christ. I HBab"lonH s"mboliJes the united enemies o God and Christ :dra%on& beast& and alse $ro$het; .+E?; .7E/; .?E(; ca. .<E.*9& then b" the same kind o ima%er" the aith ul Christians ma" be vie4ed as Hthe Israel o GodH :c . Gal 7E(*; <E.<9. 2he dramatic outcome o moral combat bet4een this Bab"lon and this Israel is called& s"mbolicall"& H#rma%eddonH :.<E.<9& be! cause it denotes the total destruction o Bab"lon :.<E.*9.

#y6ology, Israel%s 7oly Bars

2he ima%er" o Revelation .*E..!.< de$ictin% Christ@s comin% rom heaven as Iud%e and 4arrior kin%& seated trium$hantl" on a 4hite battle horse& needs to be inter$reted in undamental harmon" 4ith the 02 theol!
C See Rev .(E.7; .7E./!.7; .+E<&.(; .7E.(!.+; .?E+&/; .*E..!(.. .) Cf. Ps 7/E7&?; =er (/E./&.2> (?; Isa /.E.7; EJek (7E7.!77.

<72

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh 1la%ues

o%" o Israel@s hol" 4ars. 2he same covenant God& 4ho ou%ht victoriousl" on behal o Israel o old& 4ill i%ht a%ain or the rescue o His aith ul ne4! covenant $eo$le. 2he 02 kin%dom $ro$hecies and messianic $romises 4hich $redict the trium$h o Oah4eh or His 'essiah over all rebellious o$$onents& all o 4hich have ound in Israel@s histor" no more than initial or $artial ul ill! ments& 4ill be consummated %loriousl" b" the comin% o Christ. .. Because the #rma%eddon $ro$hec" is the dramatic culmination o the seven last $la%ues& it is use ul to consider their t"$olo%ical connection 4ith the $la%ue!Iud%ments on E%"$t. 2he ten $la%ues on E%"$t culminated in the destruction o all the irstborn o the E%"$tians and their livestock& because Oah4eh 4ould brin% Aud%ment on the land o E%"$t and all her %ods :E,od .(E.(9. Israel 4ould be e,em$ted rom destruction onl" i her $eo$le a$$lied the blood o the 1assover lamb as a si%n to their door$osts :E,od .(E.79. Revelation $resents the %lori ied Christ (? times as Hthe 5amb.H 2his act becomes more meanin% ul to the church i the s"mbolic name is under! stood as a re erence to the 1assover lamb o E,odus .(. 2he =2 %os$el $roclaims that Christ died on the cross as the $er ect antit"$e o Israel@s 1assover lamb..( 2he blood a$$lication o the 1assover lamb not onl" redeemed Israel rom God@s Iud%ment& it also o$ened her E,odus to the $romised land. E%"$t@s inal threat to Israel occurred& ho4ever& at the Red Sea. Here Oah4eh intervened or Israel as her divine 4arrior b" castin% 1haraoh@s chariots and his arm" into the turbulent sea :E,od .+9. 2hen 'oses san% 4ith Israel these amous 4ords o $romiseE H2he 5ord QOah4ehR is a 4ar! rior; the 5ord QOah4ehR is his nameH :E,od ./E7; c . 1s (+E?!.)9. 2he E,odus redem$tion is seen in the 02 theolo%" as an act o Qahweh >ar, usuall" called Hhol" 4arH in the Christian tradition. Aust as the historic trium$h o Oah4eh over E%"$t@s arm" at the Red Sea inaliJed God@s $la%ue!Aud%ments on Israel@s archenem"& so #rma%eddon is $resented in Revelation as the inal $la%ue!Iud%ment o God and the last 4ar o Christ a%ainst His enemies. Furthermore& a ter the seven $la%ues and #rma%eddon are com$leted& the victors over the beast 4ill stand Hbeside the sea o %lass 4ith har$s o God in their hands. #nd the" sin% the son%
.. &.g>> cf. Rev .E7 4ith Isa +)E/; Dan 7E.7; Fcc$ .(E.); also Rev .+E.+!() 4ith =oel 7E.& (& *..<; Isa <7E..<; =er (/E7); 0ic +E....7; also Rev ((E.< 4ith =um (+E.7. .5 Cf. =o$n .C,+2G &-od .(E+<; . Cor /E7; . Pet .E.*.

<3;

#rma%eddonE Si-t$ and Seventh 1la%ues

o 'oses& the servant o God& and the son% o the 5ambH :./E(&7& RSV9. In short& the book o Revelation establishes t$e biblical t"$olo%" that Israel@s ancient e,odus!redem$tion rom E%"$t $rovides the undamental $aradi%m and theolo%ical t"$e o the inal redem$tion o the true remnant $eo$le at the end b" Christ as divine Iud%e and kin%. Recent 02 scholarshi$ reco%niJes that the son% o 'oses itsel vie4s Oah4eh@s victor" at the Red Sea as the archet"$e that basicall" 4ill be re$eated in the later 4ars o Oah4eh& until the God o Israel d4ells at $eace amon% His $eo$le :E,od ./E.+!.?9. 0ne scholar ar%ues e,tensivel" that the literal meanin% o the son% o 'oses in E,odus ./ re3uires a t"$olo%ical a$$lication because God reveals here :b" the son%@s structure& es$eciall" ./E.+!.<9 that He 4ants to act in this 4a" or Israel Hal4a"s and ever"4here.H.7 Isaiah em$hasiJed the certaint" o Israel@s redem$tion rom Bab"lon b" re errin% re$eatedl" to Israel@s irst e,odus rom E%"$t as the $rotot"$e or the uture liberation rom the ne4 o$$ressor& Bab"lon. .+ Here can be ound the theolo%ical rationale 4h" Revelation combines allusions to both the de eat o E%"$t and the all o ancient Bab"lon in its structural com$osition o the seven last $la%ues. 2he ima%er" o our a$ocal"$tic $la%ues is a$$arentl" dra4n rom the book o E,odus& but the si,th and seventh $la%ues are 3uite evidentl" dra4n rom the $ro$hecies o Isaiah and Aeremiah concernin% the all o Bab"lon :Isa .7; ++!+7; Aer /)E/.9. The /usion o the de eat o E%"$t and the all o Bab"lon in the descri$! tion o the uture $la%ues on a 4orld in rebellion a%ainst God and His covenant $eo$le thus doubl" assures the church o the end!time. Her e,odus! redem$tion is absolutel" secure. 2he same 5ord 4ho de eated both E%"$t and Bab"lon to set ancient Israel ree so that her 4orshi$ mi%ht %lori " His name& 4ill act on a cosmic!universal scale to liberate His remnant $eo$le at the second comin% o Christ. I the e,odus e,$eriences o Israel rom E%"$t and Bab"lon and the Oah4eh 4ars constitute the ordained t"$es o God@s redem$tive acts or the end!time o salvation histor"& then their essential eatures should be com$leted and consummated in #rma%eddon& the %reat da" o God #lmi%ht". In this re%ard another vital as$ect o the $icture must not be over!
.7 =. Lo$fink> The )hnslian 6eaning o/ the $ld Testament, trans. R. #. Filson :'il4aukee& .*<?9& cha$. +E?+; c . '. C. 8nd& Qahweh Is a >arrior :Scottdale& PA> .*?)9& /). .+ Isa ..E.)!.(; +7E.<!.*; /.E.)!..; /(E.!.(; <7E..!.*.

7?.

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh 1la%ues looked. 2he da" o Oah4eh 4ill also be the 4ar o Oah4eh a%ainst an a$ostate and im$enitent Israel 4hose cultic 4orshi$ is no lon%er acce$table to Him :#mos /E.?! (7; Cech .+E.!+9. This reli%ious!s$iritual discrimination 4ithin Israel a irms the basic $remise that the da" o the 5ord is the da" o salvation solel" or the aith ul remnant o Israel../ #lread" the $ro$hets intentionall" e,tended their eschatolo%ical $ers$ective o the da" o the 5ord to cosmic!universal dimensions. H

Bar ofMa$ e$ Against t$e Canaanite Sisera

By its ver" s"mbolic name the battle o #rma%eddon seems to allude to Israel@s hol" 4ar a%ainst Sisera& the arm" commander o the Canaanite kin%s& and to her victor" near Hthe 4aters o 'e%iddoH :Aud% /E.*9. Fhen Sisera attacked Israel 4ith *)) iron 4ar chariots& Hthe starsH rom heaven allied themselves to Israel@s arm" 4ith the result that a sudden rain all mired the chariots in mud. Oah4eh revealed His $resence as the divine 4arrior. 7e 4ent out be ore Israel and Hrouted SiseraH :Aud% +E.+&./9. #s a result& Hthe troo$s o Sisera ell b" the s4ord; not a man 4as le tH :Aud% +E.<; c . /E.*!(.9. 2he son% o Deborah $raises this hol" act o God near 'e%iddo as an act o the ri%hteousness 8sidGEt' o Oah4eh on behal o Israel& essential to be recounted and remembered :Aud% /E.)&..9. It ends si%ni icantl" 4ith this a$ocal"$tic $ers$ectiveE H2hus let all Oour enemies $erish& ) 5ordNH :vs.7..=DAV9. 2he second $art o the com$ound a$ocal"$tic term 3=ar4magedon :Rev .<E.<9 can be seen as a Greek transcri$tion o 'e%iddo :as %iven in the Se$tua%int version9. Interestin%l"& in one instance the Se$tua%int translates H'e%iddoH 4ith the verbal e,$ression& Hbein% cut do4nH 8e11o!5tomenouN$ :Cech .(E..9. 2his su%%ests that the s"mbolic term =armagedBn in Revelation .<E.< et"molo%icall" seems to be derived rom the stem gadad :to cut& cut o 9& so that the literal meanin% ma" be Hmountain o slau%hter QdestructionR.H In Revelation the books o the 02 unite 4ith a Christocentric& escha! tolo%ical $ers$ective. 2he e,odus and hol" 4ar moti s are blended es$e! ciall" b" Aohn into a creative a$ocal"$tic outlook that has its uni "in% and trans ormin% center in Christ as the 5amb o God. 2he ke" to this %os$el inter$retation o the 02 t"$es and $ro$hecies lies
./ See =oel D2LD< Hab (E+; Ce$h 7E?!.7; Fec$ .(E.)!.(; Dan .(E.!(. .< Isa .+G (+; 7+; <7; Ce$h .E(!7; Cech ./,CG Pss (; (+; +<.

<32

Ar!ageddon, Si-t$ and Sevent$ Plagues

in Revelation@s inau%ural vision o the risen Christ 2he vision $resents Christ as our ro"al hi%h $riest 4ho ministers amon% the seven lam$stands o the heavenl" tem$le& identi ied as the seven churches :Rev .E.7& ()9. Here is o ered a clue or understandin% Revelation. The =ebrew imager o/ the whole boo1 o/ "e#elation is /ul/illed in )hrist and in =is uni#ersal church& 2he introduction alread" states that Christ has reed us rom our sins Hand has made us to be a kin%dom and $riests to serve his God and FatherH :.E<; c . E,od .*E<9. The histor o/ the church o/ )hrist is meant to be the /ul/illment and consummation o/ Israel7s histor o/ redem!tion& 2his orbids an" e ort to a$$l" the 02 sense o the Hebre4 names and %eo%ra$hic $laces a%ain& accordin% to their old!covenant ethnic and local restrictions. 2he da" o Oah4eh 4ill be ul illed as the da" o the Son o man. 2he hol" 4ar o Oah4eh is trans ormed into the 4ar o Christ as kin% o kin%s. 2he 4rath o Oah4eh mani ests itsel as the 4rath o the 5amb. . 2he son% o 'oses 4ill be sun% a%ain& but in the hi%her ke" o the son% o the 5amb :Rev ./E(!79. 2he nature o Aohn@s use o t"$olo%" in Revelation can be characteriJed as the consummation o the =2 Christolo%ical and eccle! siolo%ical a$$lications..? By its usion o the (# ar oracles the last Bible book reveals that b" divine desi%n the 02 Oah4eh 4ars are understood as t"$esE advance $resentations o the cosmic!universal battle o #rma%eddon. 2he #$oca! l"$se sounds a clear $roclamation o %ood ne4s b" assurin% that the God of Israel 4ill intervene dramaticall" in salvation histor" once more in behal o his covenant $eo$le 4ith a inal e,odus!redem$tion. 0n that da" o God #lmi%ht"& Christ 4ill mani est Himsel as the hol" 4arrior!kin% and Iud%e be ore all the nations. 2hen He 4ill vindicate His messianic remnant. H2he beast and the alse $ro$hetH and their ollo4ers 4ill $erish in His trium$hal advance :Rev .*E..!(.9& )all of Babylon, Type and Antity6e 2he s"mbolic ima%er" o the all o Bab"lon& resultin% rom the sudden dr"in% u$ o its Eu$hrates 4aters in Revelation .<E.(&.* is both a literar" and a theolo%ical allusion to a maIor& historic 4ar o Oah4eh in Israel@s histor". 2he neo!Bab"lonian em$ire& as described in the books o Daniel and Aeremiah& 4as theolo%icall" an archenem" o Israel as God@s covenant
.7 Rev <E.+!.7; .+E.+!(); .*E..!(.. .? Sec 5aRondelle& The Israel o/God in *ro!hec , cha$. +.

<3<

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh 1la%ues

$eo$le. Aohn introduces Bab"lon into his a$ocal"$tic outlook because o her o$$osition to Aerusalem& the cit" o God. Babylon can be de ined theolo%icall" b" its relation& :.9 to the God o Israel and 7is 4a" o salvation in the sanctuar"& and :(9 to 7is covenant $eo$le. In the ;.G Bab"lon destro"ed the tem$le o ?od in Aerusalem& tram$led on its reli%ious truth& blas$hemed t$e name o Oah4eh& and o$$ressed unto death the Israel of ?od :Dan .!/9. 2hese theolo%ical essentials& characteristic o Bab"lon& remain un! chan%ed in its a$ocal"$tic antit"$e..* Bab"lon@s rebellion a%ainst God@s authorit" o$erated in t4o dimensionsE #erticall , a%ainst Oah4eh@s sover! ei%n and savin% 4ill; and horiJontall , a%ainst Oah4eh@s covenant $eo$le and their sacred sanctuar" 4orshi$. Bab"lon 4as at 4ar on a double ront> a%ainst the God o Israel and a%ainst the Israel o God. 2he hatred that ins$ired Bab"lon o old 4ill motivate a$ocal"$tic Bab"lon in a more intensi ied measure. =o4 God is inse$arabl" united 4ith the risen Christ. 'odem Bab"lon must there ore be de ined Chris! tolo%icall" and ecclesiolo%icall".() 2he =e4 Aerusalem is e,$licitl" called the bride or H4i e o the 5ambH :Rev (.E*9& 4hile Hthe 5ord God #lmi%ht" and the 5amb are its tem$leH :vs. ((9. 0nl" those ma" enter H4hose names are 4ritten in the 5amb@s book o li eH :vs. (79. 2he center o command is em$haticall" Hthe throne o God and o the 5ambH :((E.&79. Christ is honored in Revelation 4ith ull divine $rero%atives :vs..79. #$ocal"$tic Bab"lon directs its blas$hem" and hatred a%ainst God& His Christ& and the aith ul church :.7E/!?9. Bab"lon attacks and enslaves the universal church and $oisons her teachin% concernin% the 4a" o salvation and o 4orshi$ :.7E(&+; .+E?9. 2he thrust o the messa%e o ho$e in Revelation is that God 4ill Iud%e the end!time Bab"lon once and or all and 4ill vindicate the true Israel 4ith a %lorious rescue. 2he $ers$ective o the uture all o Bab"lon is based on the all o ancient Bab"lon as its ordained t"$e. 2he theolo%ical essentials remain the same 4hile the ethnic and %eo%ra$hic restrictions are removed b" %ivin% them cosmic!universal $ro$ortions. #s Oah4eh@s Iud%ment ell suddenl on ancient Bab"lon :Isa +7E*&..; =er /.E?9& so Christ 4ill no4 cause His Iud%ment to come suddenl on universal Bab"lon& the antichrist kin%dom :Rev .?E?&.)&.*9. 2he a$oca!
.* Rev .+E?; .7E.!<&.?; .K,.-K () See LaRondelle> The Israel of God in *ro!hec , c$a6s. /& 7.

<34

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh 1la%ues l"$tic all o Bab"lon 4ill be much more devastatin% and in initel" more s$ectacular than its t"$e. It 4ill be #rma%eddon or Bab"lon. 2he ull im$act o this t"$olo%ical relationshi$ can be sensed more ull" i one takes a close look at the ori%inal $lot as described b" the $ro$hets Isaiah :cha$s. +.; ++!+79 and Aeremiah :cha$s. /)!/.9& to%ether4ith its historical ul illment :Dan /; also in the narratives o Geno$hon and Herodotus9. Care ul attention needs to be %iven to the manner in 4hich Bab"lon actuall" ell& in sur$risin% accurac" to some as$ects o the $ro$hec". C"rus& the 1ersian arm" %eneral& indeed came rom the east in God@s $rovidence :Isa +.E(& (/9 and took Bab"lon H4ithout battle.H (. 7e sur$rised its de enders b" divertin% the Eu$hrates 4hich bisected the cit". 2his took $lace in literal ul illment o $ro$hec". (( Oah4eh 4ould Ho$en doors be ore him so that the %ates 4ill not be shutH :Isa +/E.9. Both the redem$tive motivation 4as stressed :H or the sake o Aacob m" servant& o Israel m" chosen&H +/E+9& and the divine $ur$ose :HHe QC"rusR 4ill rebuild m" cit" and set m" e,iles ree&H and restore the tem$le& +/E.7; ++E(?9. God besto4ed on C"rus& there ore& the honorable titles o Hhis anointed QoneRH and Hm" she$herdH :+/E.; ++E(?9& titles that elevate C"rus@ acts o Iud%ment on Bab"lon and o redem$tion or Israel :see EJra .E.!+9 to orm a dramatic t !e o the 'essiah@s hol" 4ar a%ainst a$ocal"$tic Bab"lon. In the t"$e it 4as Oah4eh Himsel 4ho s$oke to the Eu$hrates& HBe dr"& and I 4ill dr" u$ "our streamsH :Isa ++E(79. C"rus 4as onl" Oah4eh@s a%ent in God@s Iud%ment on Bab"lon. Aust as Oah4eh and His covenant $eo$le 4ere at the center o the all o Bab"lon& so Christ and His covenant $eo$le>the aith ul church> stand at the center o the all o modern Bab"lon and o the last hol" 4ar& #rma%eddon. It is essential& ho4ever& irst to de ine the theolo%ical characteristic o each $artici$ant in the all o Bab"lon in connection 4ith Qahweh, be ore 4e can res$onsibl" determine the corres$ondin% unction o each $artici$ant in the a$ocal"$tic all o Bab"lon :#rma%eddon9 in connection 4ith )hrist& .. Bab"lon ruled as the enem" o the 5ord and as the o$$ressor o Israel. (. 2he Eu$hrates unctioned as an inte%ral $art o Bab"lon& su$$ortin% and $rotectin% it as a 4all; thus& like4ise hostile to Israel. 7. 2he dr"in% u$ o the Eu$hrates indicated God@s Iud%ment on Bab"!
(. ANET, 7)<. (( Isa ++E(7!(?& Aer /)E7?; /.E.7& 7<. <35

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Sevent$ Plagues Ion& causin% its sudden do4n all. It stood& there ore& or the $re$aration o Israel@s deliverance. +. C"rus and his allied kin%s o the 'edes and the 1ersians came as the $redicted kin%s rom the east to carr" out God@s $ur$ose a%ainst Bab"lon.(7 2he" 4ere the enemies o Bab"lon and the deliverers o Israel. C"rus is HanointedH b" the 5ord to de eat Bab"lon and to set Israel ree. /. Daniel and the Israel o God in Bab"lon constitute the re$entant& aith ul covenant $eo$le o God :see Dan *E7!.*9. 2hese theolo%ical characteriJations can be called the essentials o the all o ancient Bab"lon. In the book o Revelation& Bab"lon re$resents the archenem" o Christ and o His church. Both Bab"lon and Israel are no4 vie4ed as universal; their territorial sco$e is 4orld4ide. For e,am$le& the %os$el is e,$licitl" sent out Hto ever" nation& tribe& lan%ua%e and $eo$leH :Rev .+E<9. 2his our old em$hasis stresses the church@s universal e,tent. 5ike4ise& the subse3uent announcement that Bab"lon the %reat is allen is ounded on the act that she has made Hall the nationsH drink her corru$ted 4ine :.+E?9. 2he 4hole 4orld has inall" come under her s$ell :.7E7!+&?9. In harmon" 4ith this 4orld4ide ran%e o Bab"lon& Ins$iration like4ise %ives to the Eu$hrates river an e,$licitl" universal a$$licationE H2he 4aters "ou sa4& 4here the $rostitute sits& are $eo$les& multitudes& nations and lan%ua%esH :.7E./9. 2hose 4ho insist that the HEu$hratesH re$resents onl" the $eo$le 4ho live in the actual %eo%ra$hic location o the Eu$hrates& are bound to ollo4 the same inter$retation 4ith HBab"lon&H HIsrael&H H'ount Cion&H etc. Such ail& ho4ever& to %ras$ the Christ!centered nature o the biblical antit"$e. 2he %os$el o Aesus Christ releases us rom the restrictions o ethnic and %eo%ra$hic literalism or the messianic era! 2he an%el@s inter$retation o the Eu$hrates :H$eo$les& multitudes& nations and lan%ua%esH9 %uards us a%ainst a rela$se to the 'iddle East a$$lication o Bab"lon@s river. Fhenever God dried u$ a literal river or a H loodH o enemies in Israel@s histor">like the Red Sea or the Aordan River& or the lood o invadin% Eu$hrates@ $eo$le :Isa ?E7!?9>it al4a"s si%ni ied a $rovidential Iud%ment on the enemies o God@s $eo$le. 2he dr"in% u$ o Bab"lon@s %reat river durin% the uture si,th $la%ue :Rev .<E.(9 4ill be no e,ce$tion. 2he Iud%ment is set in motion 4hen $olitical rulers and multitudes o all nations suddenl" realiJe God@s verdict on reli%ious Bab"lon and unitedl"
(7 Aer /)E+.; /.E..& (?

<36

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh 1la%ues 4ithdra4 their su$$ort rom her. 2he" 4ill reverse their lo"alt" into active hate& into such a hostilit" that the" 4ill com$letel" demolish Bab"lon. 2his sudden dissolution o her constituent $arts destro"s Bab"lon. It seems the burden o Revelation .7 to reveal that this sur$risin% shi t in $olitical su$$ort a4a" rom Bab"lon@s reli%ious leadershi$ is God@s o4n verdict :.7E.79. 2he sur$rise is that God 4ill brin% about the sel !destruction o Bab"lon b" 4a" o her o4n su$$orters. 2he Eu$hrates@ 4aters& the sustainin% multitudes :.7E./9& 4ill suddenl" be caused to dr" u$& to 4ithdra4 their stren%th. 2ie beast 4ith ten homs suddenl" becomes the harlot@s hater instead other illicit lover& and destro"s her com$letel" :.7E.<9. 2his instant reversal o the unhol" union 4ill occur onl" at the HhourH 4hen the attack is made b" a united Bab"lon on the aith ul Christian remnant :see .7E.+; .(E.7; .?E/!?9. Fhen C"rus had dried u$ the 4aters o the Eu$hrates& the wa was !re!ared or all the kin%s rom the east to enter the ca$ital and to take over her 4orld %overnment. 2hus& the hand4ritin% on BelshaJJar@s ban3uet hall 4as ul illedE HOour kin%dom is divided and %iven to the 'edes and 1ersiansH :Dan /E(?9. 1ro$hec" did not "et ind its com$lete and e,haustive consummation 4hen C"rus overthre4 ancient Bab"lon and 4ith Israel@s subse3uent return to Aerusalem :EJra .E.!/9. 2he a$ocal"$tic eatures o the cosmic si%ns and the everlastin% destruction o Bab"lon 4ill be ul illed onl" 4hen the 'essiah Himsel comes in His divine %lor" as the hol" 4arrior to overthro4 the last Bab"lon on earth& 4hen her crimes a%ainst the Israel o God have $iled u$ to heaven :see Rev .?E/9. 2he act that Christ 4ill brin% divine Iud%ment rom the heavenl" tem$le on modern!4orld Bab"lon :Rev ./!.*9 is not Iust a strikin% analo%" 4ith C"rus@ victorious overthro4 o ancient Bab"lon. Bein% more than a Hcorres$ondenceH o redem$tive 4ork& Christ@s inal mission is to ul ill Israel@s t"$es and $ro$hecies o redem$tion rom Bab"lon on a universal scale and in cosmic %lor"& Christ@s comin% 4ill no lon%er be rom an" earthl" $lace& but strai%ht rom the heavenl" throne o God& that is& rom the astronomical or cosmic east. 2his 4ill be the %reatest theo$hanic %lor" the 4orld has ever seen& the most s$lendid liberation o the Israel o God ever e,$erienced. HI sa4 heaven standin% o$en and there be ore me 4as a 4hite horse& 4hose rider is called Faith ul and 2rue. Fith Iustice he Iud%es and makes 4ar.... 2he armies o heaven 4ere ollo4in% him& ridin% on 4hite horses and dressed in ine linen& 4hite and cleanH :Rev .*E..&.+9. <37

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Sevent$ Plagues

Pre!illennial and Post!illennial Ar!ageddon

Revelation .*E.7!(. and ()E7!* re3uire s6ecial attention. Both $as! sa%es dra4 rom the same $ro$hec" o Ma$ e$ 4ar in EJekiel 7?!7*. Oet the" a$$l" this 02 $rediction in di erent ays. In Revelation .* the 4ar o Oah4eh is a$$lied to #rma%eddon at the second advent o Christ; 4hile Revelation () a$$lies it to the $ostmillennial siege of the =e4 Aerusalem. # number o e,e%etes a%ree that the $re i, =ar :'ountain9 in =ar5 magedGn :.<E.<9 ma" be treated as a re erence to Hthe mountains o IsraelH that 4ill 4itness the de eat o the armies o Go% because the" attack the Israel o GodE H0n the mountains o Israel "ou 4ill all& "ou and all "our troo$s and the nations 4ith "ou. I 4ill %ive "ou as ood to all kinds o carrion birds and to the 4ild animalsH :EJek 7*E+9. In addition& the celestial call to the carrion birds :Rev .*E.7& .?9 to %or%e on the slain o Bab"lon@s armies and $eo$les& is essentiall" the same as the summons to eat the slain armies o Go% and his allies& allen on the mountains o Israel :EJek 7*E.7!()9. EJekiel@s eschatolo%ical outlook in cha$ters 7?!7* 4ere never realiJed in Israel@s subse3uent histor"& althou%h some 1rotestant inter$reters have seen the 'accabean victories over the S"rian kin% #ntiochus IV :.</ B.C.9 as an initial and $artial ul illment. (+ 2he book o Revelation& ho4ever& reveals authoritativel" in what wa EJekiel 7?!7* 4ill receive a$ocal"$tic ul illment in salvation histor". It 4ill come in the ultimate u$risin% o a universal Bab"lon a%ainst Christ and His messianic Israel& at the end o the Christian Era. Revelation $roclaims in one harmonious s"m$hon" the Christolo%ical ul illment o all the 02 t"$es and $ro$hecies!/ Revelation .*E.? deliberatel" e,$ands EJekiel@s local Hmountains o IsraelH to a 4orld4ide e,tension b" declarin% that the carrion birds must eat Hthe lesh o/all!eo!le, ree and slave& small and %reat.H 2his is a universal enlar%ement o the list o nations in EJekiel 7?. #rma%eddon is God@s reaction to a $lanet in rebellion a%ainst Christ and His aith ul ollo4ers. 2he real issue o the %reat controvers" is brou%ht into shar$ ocus b" the ali%nment and con rontation o t4o a$ocal"$tic $artiesE H2hen I sa4 the beast and the kin%s o the earth and their armies %athered to%ether to
5/ See =. ?. Aaldcrs> Gog en 6agog in *)echiel (8a!6en> .C9.A> summai" in En%lish& .<<!7(; 2. Boersma& Is the Bible a Jigsaw *uJJleR :St. Cat$anncs> (<> .*7?9& c$a6. K. (/ Sec H. 5aRondelle& )hariots o/ Sal#ation2 The Biblical %rama o/Arma ddon :Fashin%ton& DC& .*?79& cha$. ?.

<33

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh 1la%ues make 4ar a%ainst the rider on the horse and his arm"H :Rev .*E.*9. 2his $ro%ressive revelation o the 02 $ro$hec" o Go%@s 4ar a%ainst Oah4eh and aith ul Israel is e,$lained in Revelation as bein% ul illed in the end!time b" the 4ar o Hthe beastH and its anti!Christian allies :Hthe alse $ro$het&H Hthe kin%s o the earth&H .*E.*&()9 a%ainst Christ Aesus and His arm". =o actual battle bet4een Christ and the antichrist is described in Revelation .* :see <E./!.79& but the result o the inal clash bet4een heaven and earth is summed u$ in the brie statement that both the beast and the alse $ro$het 4ere Hca$turedH and Hthro4n alive into the ier" lake o burnin% sul urH :.*E()9. 2his Iud%ment stands in obvious continuit" 4ith that on Go% and his allies in EJekiel 7?E((. Revelation .* does not describe an" divine action a%ainst the dra%on or Satan himsel . His Iud%ment is $ortra"ed in the ollo4in% vision o Revelation (). Satan is HboundH or Ha thousand "earsH to the universal %rave"ard o a desolate earth& a4aitin% his arrai%nment be ore the inal tribunal& in conIunction 4ith that o all the 4icked. # ter the resurrection o the im$enitent at the end o the millennium& Satan is set ree H or a short timeH Hto deceive the nations in the our comers o the earth> Gog and 6agog>to %ather them or battleH :()E?9. #$ese 02 names are an e,$licit re erence to the Oah4eh 4ar o EJekiel 7?!7*. Revelation () teaches hereb" that EJekiel@s eschatolo%ical 4ar 4ill ind also a $ostmillennial ul illment. 0nce a%ain the %lobal scale o this consummation o EJekiel@s 4ar is stressed. HGo% and 'a%o%H no lon%er come rom Hthe ar northH :EJek 7?E<& ./; 7*E(9 to attack Hm" landH and Hm" $eo$le IsraelH :EJek 7?E.+&.<; 7*E79. 2he" 4ill come rom the H our corners o the earth&H to la" sie%e to the New Jerusalem that has descended rom heaven to earth. 2his heavenl" cit" is called Hthe Hol" Cit"&H because God and the 5amb and the saints are d4ellin% there :()E*; (.E.!79. 2his $ostmillennial 4ar o demonic rebellion o the 4icked rom all times is clearl" directed a%ainst the Hol" 0ne. 2he end result o this inal demonstration o und"in% hate a%ainst the Creator& the Redeemer& and the saints& 4ill be Hthe lake o burnin% sul urH :()E.)&./9. Eternal death is the destin" o those 4hose names are Hnot ound 4rittenH in the book o li e o the 5amb :()E./; (.E(79. In summar"& 4e conclude that Revelation teaches that the 4ar o Revelation ()E? a/ter the millennium is theolo%icall" o the same nature as the 4ar o #rma%eddon be/ore the millennium. Be/ore the millennium <32

#rma%eddonE Si,th and Seventh Plagues Satan attacks Christ in His universal church& re$resented s"mbolicall" as the Hhol" cit"H :c . Rev ..E(9. A/ter the millennium he attacks Christ and His church 4ithin the Hol" Cit" that has descended rom heaven as the =e4 Aerusalem :(.E(&.)9. 2hese $re! and $ostmillennial a$$lications o EJekie1s inal 4ar o Oah4eh in Revelation .* and () im$l" certain de inite $rinci$les o Scri$ture inter$retation. #dherence to these ins$ired %uidelines 4ill $rotect us a%ainst un ounded e,$ectations and idle s$eculation about the uture. 2he irst $rinci$le o $ro$hetic inter$retation is that God and His 'essiah constitute the inalienable center o the battle bet4een %ood and evil. Far $redictions o a $urel" secular nature& detached rom Christ and the divine $lan o salvation& are no $art o the 02 covenant $ro$hecies or the =2 #rma%eddon 4ar. Oah4eh 4ar never 4as a secular, $olitical stru%%le bet4een nations. In both the 02 and =2 God@s Iud%ment on His s4orn enemies is usuall" $ortra"ed as God@s Iust and hol war, characteriJed b" the a4esome $henomena o a dramatic theo$han" :God!a$$earance9.(< 2he Oah4eh 4ar and its theo$han" in t"$e and $ro$hec" is trans ormed b" the =2 into a dramatic )hristo!han :Christ!a$$earance9 in its inal historical consummation. 2his Christolo%ical ul illment im$lies inevitabl" the ecclesiolo%ical :church9 ul illment o the $ro$hetic 4ar oracles. Christ as the head can never be se$arated rom the church as His bod" :E$h /E(79. Revelation a$$lies EJekiel@s oracle o Oah4eh 4ar a%ainst Go% :and the other national enemies o Israel9 twice to the universal enemies o Christ and His aith ul church :Rev .*E.7!(); ()E?9. 2his Christ!church ul illment $rinci$le is the essence o the %os$el hermeneutic o the =2

(< See> e.%.& &-od ./; =udg /; Isa 7+; <7; &@ek 7?!7*; =oeA 7; Fcc$ .(&.+; Rev .E7; <E.(!.7; .*E..!(.; ()E7!.).

<2;

C$a6ter "!

Sabbat$ 7y!ns for t$e 7eavenly Sanctuary (4u!ranA

Filliam H. Shea
&ditorial Syno6sis. 'aterials rom Kumran& as the" are studied and $ublished& continue to 4iden our understandin% o biblical times and teachin%s. # doctoral dissertation b" Carol =e4som :$ublished later as a hardback under the title& Songs o/ the Sabbath Sacri/ice2 A )ritical Edition4 anal"Jes a Kumran author@s vie4 o the heavenl" sanctuar". #$e Kumran document& is re$resented b" ra%ments fro! si, scrolls and is or%aniJed around a 3uarterl" c"cle o .7 Sabbaths& $robabl" intended to be re$eated our times in the sect@s litur%ical "ear. 2he Songs o/ the Sabbath Sacri/ice is most similar to the book o Revelation. Both have a chiastic literar" structure& ocus on the heavenl" sanctuar"& and %ive a stron% em$hasis to the number 7. 2his remarkable document evidences the interest o at least one se%ment o Audaism in the heavenl" sanctuar"& understood lar%el" in terms o the 02 descri$tion o the earthl". Since the use o the number 7 a$$ears to be derived rom the Sabbath dateline or each son%& the scroll $rovides su$$ortin% evidence that Revelation@s dateline > Hthe 5ord@s da"H > should be identi ied like4ise as the seventh!da" Sabbath.

C$a6ter (utline
I. Introduction II. 2he Heavenl" Sanctuar" III. Biblical Com$arisons

7*.

Sabbath H"mns or the Heavenl" Sanctuary :Kumran9

Introduction Scroll )rag!ents

In .*/* A. Stru%nell $ublished t4o scroll ra%ments rom Kumran Cave IV 4hich he titled HScroll o the Son%s o the Burnt 0 erin% o the Sabbath.H . 2he irst ra%ment dates its Sabbath sacri ice and e,horts seven an%els to $raise God. =otin% that mention is made o the heavenl" surroundin%s o these an%els& Stru%nell observed& Hthe Heavenl" 2em$le is $ortra"ed on the model o the earthl" one and in some 4a" its service is considered the $attern o 4hat is bein% done belo4.H ( He ound no com$arable literar" $arallel to this eature o the te,t $rior to the =2 books o Hebre4s and Revelation.7 Four "ears later O. Oadin ound at 'asada another ra%ment rom this 4ork. + 2his ra%ment also $reserved a date or the Sabbath o its sacri icial son%. Oadin concluded that his ra%ment and Stru%nell@s ra%ment both utiliJed dates derived rom the s$ecial solar calendar o Kumran. / Due to its archaeolo%ical settin% Oadin@s ra%ment cannot be dated an" later than the con3uest o 'asada in #!D. 77. 2hus the related ra%ments at Kumran should also be dated to the Roman $eriod. #ll kno4n ra%ments o this $articular 4ork 4ere $ublished and discussed in the .*?( doctoral dissertation o Carol =e4som& a student o Stru%nell. < #vailable irst throu%h 8niversit" 'icro ilms& the dissertation has been $ublished more recentl" in a hardbound series edition. 7 Fith this inal $ublication all ra%ments o the document are no4 available ore,amination and evaluation. # summar" o 4hat this te,t has to sa" about t4o o its main to$ics> the Kumran vie4 o the nature o the heavenl" sanctuar" and the son%s sun% there b" an%els on Sabbath>is $resented belo4 4ith some su%%estions about their $otential connections 4ith the 02 sanctuar" and the =2 book o Revelation.
. A. Stru%nell& J#$e #n%elic 5itur%" at 4u!ran -/4 Serek Sirftt %(lat Hassabbat&H VTSu! 7 :.*/*9E 7.'/. 5 Ibid.> 7(). + Ibid.> 77/. + O. Oadin& J#$e E,cavations at 0asada, .*<7!.*<+. 1reliminar" Re$ort&H IEJ ./ :.*</9E .!.(). 9 Ibid.> .)<!7. < C. =e4som& .B Sere1 SPrEt 7Etat =aSabbat 3The Bumran Angelic ?il>B/42 Edition, Translation, and )ommentar , 1h.D. 2hesis& Harvard 8niversit"& .*?( :#nn #lbor& 'IE 8niversit" 'icro ilms& .*?79. 2he $a%ination em$lo"ed in this $a$er is that ound in the 8niversit" 'icro ilms edition& not the later edition re erred to in the ollo4in% ootnote. H )& Newsom, Songs o/ the Sabbath Sacri/ice2 A )ritical Edition, HarvatdSemiticStudies.vol.(7 :#tlanta& .*?/9.

<22

Sabbath H"mns or the Heavenl" Sanctuar" :Kumran9 1ortions rom si, di erent manuscri$ts belon%in% to this te,tual series have been ound at Kumran. 2he e,tent to 4hich these si, scrolls have survived varies considerabl".? #ll in all the si, ori%inal scrolls are re$resented b" more than .<) ra%ments. Ho4ever& less than a doJen o these are lar%e enou%h to "ield consecutive sense rom their $assa%es. #ccordin% to the date o their scri$t& all si, co$ies ere 4ritten in the irst centur" B.C.

Pur6ose of t$e Songs Connected 4ith the date and number o each Sabbath is a re erence
V 3

to 4hat ollo4s as a Hson% o the burnt o erin% o the SabbathH 3Sir 7ClatY =aSSabsB& 2he use o this title raises 3uestionsE Did the members o the Kumran sect $ractice animal sacri iceL Did the" think the an%els in heaven $artici$ated in a sacri icial cultL It is %enerall" understood :correctl"& it seems to me9 that the Kumran communit" did not $ractice animal sacri ice. * 2here ore& these ne4 te,ts s$ould be understood as bein% in harmon" 4ith that vie4. .) 2hus& 4e ma" in er that these Sabbath son%s 4ere not intended to accom$an" literal burnt o erin%s either in heaven or at Kumran. 0n the contrar"& the" 4ere intended to take the $lace o those sacri ices in 4orshi$. 2he" are litur%ical te,ts& but the" 4ere not connected directl" 4ith a ceremon" involvin% animal sacri ice.

Sabbat$ Cycle
Stru%nell initiall" s$eculated that the ull com$osition contained son%s or the /( Sabbaths o the "ear. .. =e4som ollo4ed this same $osition at irst. .( But as a result o research carried out on the ra%ments 4ith a $a$"rolo%ist since her dissertation 4as 4ritten& she has discovered that there is no evidence that an" Sabbath mentioned in the ra%ments numbered hi%her than .7. 2hus& she concludes& Hthe Sabbath Shirot ori%inall" contained thirteen Sabbaths o the "ear.H .7 Given the schematic nature o
K #$e first scroll in t$e series& /4 +))& is re6resented b" t4o lar%e ra%ments& t4o medium siJed ra%! ments& and t o small ra%ments. #$e second scroll& +K +)r & is re$resented b" a$$ro,imatel" +) s!all ra%ments. #$e third scroll& /4 +).& is re$resented b" three medium si@ed ra%ments and nine vciy small ra%ments. #$ree large and t4o s!all ra%ments e,ist rom /4 +)(& the ourth scroll. #$e i th scroll& /4 +)7& is re$resented b" more than ?) ra%ments; a fe o them ma" be classified as lar%e or medium in siJe& but !ost are small. #$e si,th and last 0s.> /4 +)/& in this series is re6resented b" onl" five small frag!ents. * A. '. Baum%artcn& HSacri ice and Forshi$ amon% the Ae4ish Sectarians o the Dead Sea :Kum!ranA Scrolls>J %TR /2 :.*/79; .+.!/*. .; =e4som& >( Serek, .(!.7. .. Strugnell> JAngelic 5itur%"&H 7(). .5 =e4som& >( Serek, +!/. .+ C =e4som& in Abstracts, Societ o/ Biblical ?iterature Annual 6eeting, +,-. :Chico& C#& .*?+9&

<2<

Sabbath H"mns or the Heavenl" Sanctuar" (4u!ranA

the Kumran solar calendar& it 4ould have been $ossible to re$eat this c"cle o son%s our times durin% the "ear so as to com$lete the entire se3uence o /( Sabbaths. 2his is $robabl" the 4a" these materials 4ere used. #$e Songs 2he son%s themselves are not %iven. Rather& t$e te,t sim$l" describes the nature o the son%sPthe an%els are thou%ht to have sun%. 2he $raise o God& introduced b" the im$erative Hto $raise&H can be identi ied as the maIor theme. 2here are both similarities and di erences bet4een the di erent son% descri$tions. In some cases there is overla$$in% terminolo%". #lthou%h stereot"$ical and re$etitive $hrases occur throu%hout the son%s& there are no direct du$licates amon% them. For e,am$les o contents& =e4som describes the irst son% as dealin% 4ith H4hat mi%ht be described as a teachin% about the heavenl" $riesthood& its establishment b" God& its re%ulation accordin% to divine la4& and its unctions 4ith res$ect to an%elic and human 4orshi$$ers.H .+ 2he si,th son% on the other hand contains a list o son%s sun% b" the seven chie $riests and a list o the seven blessin%s the" uttered. 2he seventh son% is similar in $art to the si,th in that it contains a descri$tion o the animate and inanimate elements in heaven 4hich Ioin in a %reat chorus o $raise. Each o the Sabbath sections ollo4s a ormula that be%ins 4ith the date& includes a call to $raise or the an%els& and then concentrates on the descri$tion o the $raise %iven. Literary Structure =e4som has also come to some conclusions about the literar" structure o this 4ork. She $erceives the seventh Sabbath son% to be the central one o the .7. H2he son%s are in act %rou$ed s"mmetricall" round the central seventh Sabbath son%.H./ 2he son% o the seventh Sabbath is lanked b" those o the si,th and the ei%hth. H2he si,th and the ei%hth son%s mirror each other in content and structure& recountin% in hi%hl" ormulaic lan%ua%e the $salms and blessin%s o the seven chie $rinces and the seven de$ut" $rinces res$ectivel".H.< It is more di icult to com$are the rest o the son%s rom the be%innin%
.*/. .+ =e4som& .BSere1, ,& ./ =e4som& Abstract, Societ o/Biblical ?iterature Annual 6eeting, +,-.& .< Ibid.

<24

Sabbath H"mns or the Heavenl" Sanctuar" :Kumran9 and the end o this com$osition because the" are less 4ell $reserved. 0verall& ho4ever& =e4som has come to the conclusion that the son%s 4ere $robabl" arran%ed in a chiastic $attern like the ollo4in%E C. 7th Sabbath Hi%hest $raise to God B. Si,th Sabbath 1raise rom 7 chie $rinces B%. Ei%hth Sabbath 1raise rom 7 de$ut" $rinces #. Rrst ive Sabbaths #@. 5ast ive Sabbaths 2em$le #n%el $riests and councils and e3ui$ment rom 4ho $raise 4hich $raise arises

#$e 7eavenly Sanctuary

# number o 4ords and $hrases are used or heaven and its tem$le. 2he actual Hebre4 4ord or HheavenH occurs onl" once amon% the ra%ments. Heaven is more o ten :si, times9 re erred to as the Hhei%htsH 3rwm m, rwwm m4+7H or the Hlo t" hei%htsH 3mrwm rwm4& #s or the tem$le itsel & it is commonl" re erred to as the HHol" o HoliesH :GodeS GodaSim4& 2his t"$e o re erence is so common that =e4som did not bother to list each instance..? In biblical Hebre4 the e,$ression can& on occasion& re er to the 'ost Hol" 1lace& the hol" $lace& or the sanctuar" as a 4hole. 2he same kind o nons$eci icit" is ound in this 4ork.
The Buildin

It is clear that the author o this te,t thou%ht o the heavenl" sanctuar" as a buildin% in ver" tan%ible terms. In the irst $lace he uses the 4ord or HstructureH 3mbn t4 on at least one occasion..* 2he similar 4ord tabn@ also occurs once in a $assa%e 4here it re ers to the Hchie s :leadin% an%els9 o the divine structure$7D$ Since the immediate $recedin% conte,t re ers to
.7 In this article t$e fa!iliar biblical terms are transliterated& othe4ise only the Hebre4 consonants arc given. .? =e4som& .B Sere1, (<. .* Ibid.& +77 :+K +)7.+?E<9. () Ibid.& (*+ :+K +)(&. iiE.<9.

<25

Sabbath H"mns or the Heavenl" Sanctuar" (4u!ranA 31LbEd9& 2he an%els are desi%nated as Hministers o God@s $resence :literall"& 2aceM9H and %ather there in assembl" :7dh4&L- 2he ne,t ive occurrences o debir a$$ear in the seventh Sabbath son%. 7* In three o these instances the an%els 4ho are $resent there sin% son%s o $raise to God. In the remainin% t4o other instances the inanimate obIects o the debir Ioin in that chorus o $raise. 0ne o the badl" broken ra%ments 4hich mentions the debir is notable or its mention o the HchariotH throne o God& the mer1//bah :chariot9. Here it is s$eci icall" connected 4ith the 'ost Hol" 1lace or the debir&.F In the our instances the 4ord debir is Ioined to an adIective or noun that describes it. In three instances it is called H4onder ul&H 4hile in the other instance it is connected 4ith the 4ord mi1 :kin%9. 2his could desi%nate the debir as a Hro"al& maIesticH $lace& or it could re er sim$l" to the debir o the Din%& that is. God. )oundations. 2he sanctuar" 4as understood to have H oundations&H that is& it rested u$on somethin%. 2hat somethin% 4as a H irmament.H 2he term used or this irmament is the same as the 4ord 4hich the author used or the veil that hun% bet4een the hol" $lace and the 'ost Hol" 1lace. 2he reason or the similarit" stems rom the root meanin% o the 4ord as Hsomethin% stretched out.H Follo4in% t4o re erences to this irmament as the su$$ortin% $lat orm u$on 4hich the sanctuar" rested& the author $roceeds to describe various elements in its constructionE its beams& 4alls& and all the orm o its structure. )urnis$ings Porc$ and $oly 6lace. Fith our heavenl" sanctuar" su$$orted and con! structed& 4e ma" ask 4hat urnishin%s the Kumran author thou%ht belon%ed to that sanctuar". In the ra%ments no re erences are made to obIects in the >arn or he1al, the $orch or the hol" $lace. 2his does not mean necessaril" that these areas 4ere devoid o obIects& but onl" that amon% the survivin% ra%ments no mention is made o the seven!branched candlestick& the altar o incense& or the table o she4bread as ound in the earthl" sanctuar". 2here is one obIect that mi%ht belon% to the court"ard. 2hat obIect is the H ountainH 3mGwr4 mentioned in the irst Sabbath son%. 2he ra%men!
+K Ibid.> ..< :+K +))&. iE+9. 7* Ibid.> (*7 :+K +)(&. iiEll!l<9. +) Ibid.& +.* :+K +)7 +<9.

<23

Sabbath 7y!ns or the 7eavenly Sanctuar" :Kumran9

tary condition o the $iece $recludes an accurate assessment& but the obIect a66ears to involve heaven more than earth. 0ost 7oly Place. In the survivin% te,ts most attention on sanctuar" urnishin%s is linked to the 'ost Hol" 1lace or debir& Si, di erent obIects are mentioned directl" or indirectl" as connected 4ith the 'ost Hol" 1lace. 2he most %eneral re erence sim$l" notes its H urnishin%s.H +( 2he most im$ortant obIect in the debir is the mer1abdh, the chariot throne o God. In the Bible this 4ord 3mer1sb//h4 is used or the throne o God in the 'ost Hol" 1lace o the earthl" tem$le onl" once. David %ave Solomon Hhis $lan or the %olden chariot 8mer1abahN o the cherubim that s$read their 4in%s and covered the ark o the covenant o the 5ordH :. Chr (?E.?9. #lthou%h the same term is not used to desi%nate God@s movable throne in EJekiel . and .)& it is evident that EJekiel@s descri$tion $rovided the model or this Kumran te,t 6er1abBh occurs in $assa%es rom ei%ht ra%ments. In t4o instances it is connected 4ith the 4ord or %lor". In one o these instances it is $receded b" a re erence to Hseats o %lor".H +/ 2he inal chariot throne $assa%e is the !ost in ormative.++ In this re erence there is an obvious de$endance u$on &@ekiel. #s in EJekiel& the an%els li t u$ their 4in%s or movement; the" accom! $an" the 4heels; the" have the a$$earance o ire; the" rise u$ rom their $lace and settle back do4n to it; the" accom$an" the irmament; and the s$ecial ones 4ho accom$an" it are kno4n as cherubim. =e4som notes that this $assa%e& more than an" other& demonstrates direct de$endence u$on EJekiel.+/ 1raise is the central eature. =ot onl" is God $raised& but also the chariot throne& the irmament& and the sanctuar" as a 4hole. 24o other obIects located in the debir are linked to God@s chariot throne. 0ne is a throne 3/osse7, the usual 024ord or HthroneH9. 2his term occurs three times in the scroll ra%ments. +< 2he other obIect is a HseatH 3mwsb4& 22lis term also occurs t4ice in these ra%ments& once connected 4ith the 4ord or throne& and once 4ith the 4ord or chariot. +7 2he interconnections involved here are as ollo4sE 2he throne 31isser and the seat 3mwsb4 are connected 4ith the chariot 3mer1sbah4 once each;
+. +K +)). iE7. +( +K +)(& liiE .7!.+. +7 Ibid.. +(. :+)+)77?E+9. ++ Ibid.& 7/( :+K +)7 (+9. /9 Ibid.> 7.!7(. /2 Ibid.> 7/(& 77<&/5. (/4 +)7& (+E7& 7?E(& and (/ iE79. /3 Ibid.> +(. (/4 +)7 7?E( and /A.

<22

Sabbath H"mns or the 7eavenly Sanctuar" (4u!ranA the throne is e3uated 4ith the seat in one case; the throne and the seat are described as %lorious in one case each; and t4ice the throne is connected 4ith the 4ord or Hkin%dom.H #lthou%h the 'ost Hol" 1lace 3debit4 is not al4a"s mentioned in the immediate conte,t o these re erences& it is evident throu%h other interconnections that this location is still in vie4. )ootstool. Aust as earthl" monarchs had ootstools in ront o their thrones& so did God in the vie4 o the Kumran author. 2he divine ootstool is mentioned once in a len%th" ra%ment It is around this ootstool 3/utwm4 that the %lorious orms o Hthe chie s o the realms o s$iritsH %ather.+? La s. =o direct re erence to the 2en Commandments on the tables o stone nor mention o their location in the heavenl" sanctuar" is to be ound in the survivin% ra%ments. 2here is& ho4ever& a len%th" $assa%e in the irst Sabbath son% that re ers t4ice to the statutes 3hFG4 and t4ice to the Iud%ments o God.+* 2he verb connected 4ith these statutes is hrt :to inscribe& en%rave9. 2his occurs onl" in E,odus 7(E.< in the 02 2here it re ers to the 2en Commandments Hen%ravedH u$on the tables o stone. 2he use o this term in connection 4ith the statutes o God su%%ests that the author o the scroll 4ished to make evident a connection 4ith the 2en Commandments.

1se of Plurals
0ne o the $eculiar eatures o this com$osition is its be4ilderin% arra" o $lural nouns and verbs to re er to the obIects and activities in the heavenl" sanctuar". In some cases these ma" be Iust $lurals o maIest". In other instances& ho4ever& the" a$$ear to be true $lurals. # classic case in $oint comes rom +K +)( . iiE.+!./E
.+. o 4onder& debir to debir 4ith the sound o hol" multitudes. #nd all their cra ted urnishin%s Q.... ./. #nd the chariots o His debir3im4 %ive $raise to%ether& and their cherubim and their o$hanim bless 4ondrousl".

Various eatures o this $assa%e $oint to4ard the idea that multi$le sanctuaries are involved here. 2he $hrase $debir to debir$ should mean rom one 'ost Hol" 1lace to another. Fith one 'ost Hol" 1lace $er sanctuar" the $hraseolo%" su%%ests multi$le sanctuaries. 2he $lural $ronominal su i, :their9 on the term H urnishin%sH $oints to the same thin%.
+? Ibid.& (*7 :+K +)( . iiE(9. +* Ibid.& ..<!.7 :+K +)) . iE/!.79. /) Ibid.& (*7.

4;;

Sabbath H"mns or the Heavenl" Sanctuar" :Kumran9 2he noun or HchariotsH and its ollo4in% verb are also in the $lural. 2hese multi$le mer1sbah chariots 4ould naturall" belon% to di erent sanctuaries. 2he adverb Hto%etherH and the $lural su i,es on the terms or the di erent classes o an%els 3cherubim< o$ha6ii49 also it this $lural $icture. 2hese $lural $hrases& ho4ever& stand in contrast 4ith the em$hasis u$on the central sanctuar" amon% them. 2his chie & lo t" tabernacle is re erred to in line .) o the ra%ment 4e are $resentl" vie4in%. #n individualistic re erence to the debir with the article occurs in line .7. 2his $assa%e a$$ears to $resent the $luralit" o seven heavenl" sanctuaries in contrast 4ith& or in com$lement o & one chie heavenl" sanctuar". 2his seven old as$ect o the heavenl" 4orld is also alluded to in Hthe seven 4ondrous territories 4ithin the boundaries o His sanctuaries&H /. the Jseven hol" councils o an%els and the seven $riesthoods&H and the seven chie $rinces/( and the seven de$ut" $rinces 4ho assist them./7 =e4som has summariJed the situation $resented b" these $lurals b" observin%& HI the $lurals are taken literall"& then one is aced 4ith somethin% more unusual than the 3uestion 4hether a sin%le heaven or multi$le heavens are envisioned. In most te,ts in 4hich multi$le heavens are described& each heaven contains di erent inhabitants and6or distinct structures :c . 2 5evi 7& #$oc. Bar.& ( Enoch9. In +) Sir& ho4ever& the ima%e seems not to be one o multi$le heavens so much as o multi$le sanctuaries.H/+ 0ther Audaeo!Christian 4orks $resent the notion o seven di erent heavens& but the Hscroll o the son%s ...H su%%est seven di erent sanctuaries in one heaven. 2his contrast in vie4$oints is a$tl" summariJed b" =e4somE H#lthou%h the seven $rinces& $riesthoods& councils& etc.& are undoubtedl" hierarchicall" arran%ed& +K Sir %ives no indication that one should visualiJe the seven sanctuaries as seven verticall" arran%ed tem$les in seven se$arate heavens. #lthou%h the lan%ua%e is not $recise& e,$ressions such as @seven 4ondrous territories 4ithin the boundaries o his sanctuaries@ :+) +)(. ii (.9 and @in their territor" and their inheritance@ :+K +)). i .79 su%%est that one mi%ht rather think o an or%aniJation o the an%els similar to that o the tribes o Israel around the tent o meetin% in =umbers (!7& 4ith the lesser an%elic sanctuaries %rou$ed around the central sanctuar".H//
9. Ibid.& (*+ :+K +)( . iiE(.9. 95 Ibid.. (((!(/ (/; +)( . iiE((; ++K )(. i .!(*9. /7 Ibid.& 7+< :+) +)7 (79. 9/ Ibid.& 7(. 99 Ibid.> 7+!7/. +).

Sabbath H"mns or the Heavenl" Sanctuar" :Kumran9

Biblical Co!6arisons
(ld #esta!ent Sources # com$arison can be made bet4een the vie4 o the heavenl" sanctuar" as $resented b" the Kumran scroll and that $resented in the 02 It must be em$hasiJed at the outset& ho4ever& that 4e are dealin% 4ith the vie4s o an unins$ired 4riter at Kumran. =evertheless& the vie4s ound in this scroll are o considerable interest to us& because it tells us 4hat one author or %rou$ o $eo$le livin% in Audea in the irst centur" B.C. thou%ht about the heavenl" sanctuar". 2hat such an e,tensive descri$tion o the heavenl" sanctuar" should e,ist in such a $lace and time is a ne4 contribution to the stud" o this subIect. 2he date o com$osition indicates that the author 4rote in the era bet4een the t4o biblical testaments>a ter the 02 4as com$leted; but be ore an" o the =2 4as 4ritten. 2his means that at least some $eo$le o intertestamental and =2 times 4ere better in ormed on this subIect than had $reviousl" been kno4n. 2here is no evidence that the =2 4riters 4ho 4rote on this subIect 4ere de$endent u$on this com$osition. But 4hen the" took u$ that subIect& there 4as alread" a recent back%round or thou%ht on it amon% at least some Ae4s livin% in Audea then. Language. Since the scroll is 4ritten in a orm o Hebre4 similar to that o the 02& it is obvious that the com$osition is closer lin%uisticall" to the 02 than to the =2. 'ost o the terms have been taken directl" rom the 02 # si%ni icant di erence occurs& ho4ever& in the 4a" this kind o lan%ua%e is used. 2he lan%ua%e taken rom the 02 is used in the 02 itsel to describe the earthl sanctuar"& 4hereas the Kumran author em$lo"s it to describe the hea#enl & 2he 02 does indeed state that the earthl" tabernacle 4as made rom a H$atternH 3tabnit9 o the heavenl" sanctuar". But it onl" describes the details o the earthl" sanctuar" $roduced rom the use o that $attern. Relativel" e4 details about the heavenl" sanctuar" are ever revealed in the 02/< 2hus& 4hile the 02 is an e,cellent source o com$arison or the ori%in and initial use o the scroll@s sanctuar" lan%ua%e& it reall" does not $rovide much in the 4a" o concrete details or conce$tions about the heavenl" sanctuar" itsel 4ith 4hich to com$are.
/< =.!E. #ndreasen& J#$e Heavenl" Sanctuar" in the 0ld 2estament&H in The Sanctua and the Atonement, eds. #. V. Fallenkam$ and F. R. 5esher :Fashin%ton& DCE Biblical Research In! stitute& .*?.9& <7!?<.

4;2

Sabbath H"mns or the Heavenl" Sanctuar" :Kumran9

#$e Book of 7ebre s # similar situation obtains in the =2 4ith the book o Hebre4s. Fhile attention is %iven to the earthl" sanctuar" :?E.!/; *E.!/9 and its rituals :*E<! .)9& no descri$tive details about the heavenl" sanctuar" :be"ond the act that it e,ists& ?E(&/; *E..&(7!(+9 are recorded. 2he em$hasis& rather& is on the ne4 ministr" o Christ in that heavenl" sanctuar"; this obviousl" 4as a subIect that a $re!Christian com$osition could not address. 2he an%els o the heavenl" sanctuar"& 4ho $la" an im$ortant role in the scroll& are alluded to in Hebre4s& /7 but the" are markedl" subordinate to Christ and His 4ork there. 2hus& neither the 02 $assa%es that deal 4ith the heavenl" sanctuar" nor the =2 book o Hebre4s $rovides us 4ith ver" much detailed in ormation b" 4hich 4e ma" dra4 com$arisons 4ith this 4ork rom Kumran. #$e Book of Revelation #nother =2 book that $rovides more in ormation or com$arison is the book o Revelation. In some o his visions the $ro$het Aohn looks into the heavenl" sanctuar" and observes scenes trans$irin% there. He describes the bein%s that he sa4 and their actions. 0ccasionall" he describes their surroundin%s. 2hese observations ma" be incidental to the lo4 o the nar! rative& but the" do $rovide us 4ith some o his conce$tions on the nature o the heavenl" sanctuar". #nother distinction :be"ond that o ins$iration9 should also be dra4n $ere bet4een Revelation and the scroll o the son%s. Revelation is !ro!h5 ec , but the Kumran scroll is not. 2he visions o Revelation disclose events to trans$ire in the uture in the heavenl" sanctuar" and on earth. 0n the other hand the son%s o the Kumran scroll evidentl" are conceived as bein% sun% b" the an%els in the heavenl" sanctuar" contem$oraneousl" 4ith the Sabbath 4orshi$ in the Kumran communit". ?eneral Co!6arisons Si!ilar literar" structure. Fith this 3uali ication in mind 4e turn to the initial subIect o literar" structure. Both the scroll com$osition and the book o Revelation a$$ear to be chiastic in terms o their literar" arran%ement. 2his has been elucidated 4ell or Revelation b" Denneth Strand. /?
/7 7eb .,/-./G (E(!.<; .(E((; .7E(. /? D. Strand& Inter!reting the Boo1 o/ "e#elation :#nn #rbor& 'I& .*7<9& /(.

4;<

Sabbath H"mns or the Heavenl" Sanctuar" :Kumran9

Carol =e4som has develo$ed a similar t"$e o anal"sis or the literar" structure o the Sabbath H"mn Scroll./* #$e nu!ber 7. # second eature o com$arison bet4een these t4o 4orks is their stron% em$hasis u$on the number 7. 2his a$$lies to indi! vidual details and also to 7 as a eature 4ithin the overall chiasm o the literar" structures o both 4ritin%s. From her ne4 4ork on the Kumran scroll& =e4som holds that its chiasm balances on the son% o the seventh Sabbath as its center. Si, Sab! bath son%s $recede and ollo4 it. <) 2his eature is not $aralleled $er ectl" in Revelation& but there is a 7! actor o$eratin% 4ithin its chiasm too. In the book o Revelation there are balancin% units o sevens. For e,am$le& the seven trum$ets are balanced b" the seven last $la%ues; the seven seals are balanced b" the seven h"mns o Iud%ment u$on the im$ure 4oman in Revelation .?. 2he Sabbath H"mn Scroll contains similar ea! tures. 2he son%s or the si,th and ei%hth Sabbaths stand in similar $ositions in the chiastic structure o the 4ork& and the" balance in elements %iven in terms o sevens. For e,am$le& the record or the si,th Sabbath contains the h"mns o $raise rom the seven chie an%els& 4hile the narrative o h"mns or its counter$art on the ei%hth Sabbath contains those sun% b" seven de$ut" an%els. Fhen e com$are the descri$tions o the heavenl" sanctuar" ound in these t4o 4orks& the ollo4in% $oints become evidentE .. 2here is an overla$ in terminolo%"& but there are also distinctions bet4een its usa%e. (. 2he scroll concentrates more on the literalness and details o the heavenl" sanctuar" do4n to describin% its various architectural com$onents. B$en Revelation addresses the same kind o subIect matter& it does not $rovide so man" details& and more o ten these are used in a i%urative or s"mbolic 4a". 7. Both sources concentrate on God@s throne at the center o their res$ective heavenl" sanctuaries. 2here is an overla$ in throne terminolo%"& but one shar$ distinction stands out. 2he scroll em$hasiJes the mer1Sbah or chariot throne o God; Revelation mentions onl" God@s throne& but no chariot. +. 2he bein%s and the obIects mentioned in both documents are related most directl" to the throne and the God u$on that throne.
5& e8som, A*stracts) Society of Biblical Literature "nnual 3eetin# %I!"A .% I1id. -%-

Sabbath H"mns or the 7eavenly Sanctuar" :Kumran9 /. Revelation concentrates more u$on the e3ui$ment o the heavenl" sanctuar" than does the scroll in that it mentions the lam$s& lam$stands& the altar o incense& its censer& trum$ets& bo4ls& and the ark o the covenant. 2he scroll does not mention an" o these obIects. 2he e4 that it does mention come onl" rom the 'ost Hol" 1lace o the earthl" sanctuar". <. Both sources a%ree that no blood" sacri ices are o ered in the heavenl" sanctuar". In the scroll this unction has been re$laced b" the son%s o an%elic $raise& and the terminolo%" o sacri ice has been a$$lied to them. In Revelation this unction has been taken over b" the 5amb 4ho 4as slain in the $ast but no4 lives a%ain to minister in that heavenl" sanctuar". 7. In %eneral& it mi%ht be said that the scroll concentrates more u$on the orm o the sanctuar"& 4hereas Revelation concentrates u$on a variet" o unctions carried out 4ithin the sanctuar". 2his is not& ho4ever& an e,clusive em$hasis on the $art o either o these sources. Even in the scroll the orm o the sanctuar" takes second $lace to the unction o $raise b" the an%els there. ?. Both the scroll and Revelation re er to son%s bein% sun% in the heavenl" sanctuar". Ho4ever& there are di erences in the 4a" the son%s are $resented. 2he scroll does not contain the son%s themselves. It onl" re ers to the act that the" are sun% and describes their contents. 2here are no direct 3uotes rom the son%s. 2he consistent eature is that the" are son%s o $raise to God; the vocabular" em$lo"ed is a$$ro$riate to that t"$e o e,$ression. B" com$arison the book o Revelation contains at least t4o doJen short $ieces o $oetr" or son%s& distributed rom +E? to .*E?. But a maIor di erence is that Revelation actuall" cites the 4ords o the son%s themselves. In the scroll the son%s are introduced 4ith a $articular ormula& but nothin% like this a$$ears to introduce the son%s in Revelation. 2he content o the son%s in Revelation is more varied. #lthou%h man" contain the element o $raise& the" also include the element o Iud%ment alon% 4ith it. In some instances the son%s in Revelation $raise God or the ri%htness o His Iud%ments& 4hile in other cases the" utter a 4oe or lament u$on the obIect or $ersons Iud%ed. 5ike the scroll& the son%s in Revelation are sun% b" di erent %rou$s and individuals. #t least ten di erent subIects sin% the son%s o Revelation. 2here is not as much di erentiation amon% the an%el sin%ers in Revelation as there is in the scroll& but human sin%ers are introduced here 4;5

Sabbath H"mns or the Heavenl" Sanctuar" :Kumran9 to a ar %reater de%ree. In Revelation human sin%ers constitute one o the maIor %rou$s res$onsible or the sin%in%. Both Revelation and the scroll include inanimate subIects amon% the sin%ers. In Revelation all o the animate and inanimate universe>heaven and earth and Hall that in them isH>Ioin in the chorus o Revelation /. 2he scroll@s use o this kind o subIect is more limited. Its inanimate sin%ers are ound onl" in heaven& and the" include the mer1abah chariot and the %ates o the heavenl" sanctuar". # inal di erence bet4een the contents o the heavenl" son%s in these t4o sources $ertains to their relationshi$ to historical events. 2he son%s o the scroll have essentiall" no relationshi$ to histor"; the" do not even recite the mi%ht" acts o God in the $ast histor" o Israel. 2hese son%s are& there ore& rather H ree! loatin%H rom an" direct connection 4ith histor". 0n the other hand the son%s o Revelation are 3uite the o$$osite. 2he" are linked to the historical acts o God and the e,$erience and trium$h o His $eo$le.

(rigin of t$e 1se of Sevens

2he saturatin% use o the number 7 in these t4o 4orks is 4orth com$arin% rom another stand$oint. Both 4orks em$lo" units o seven in three main 4a"sE :.9 2he number 7 is used re3uentl" 4ith individual 4ords& $hrases& and statements. :(9 0ccurrences o the number are sometimes concentrated in $articular $assa%es& and ma" hel$ to demarcate sections o the te,t. :79 Both documents a$$ear to em$lo" a chiastic literar" structure in 4hich balancin% HsevensH ma" be ound. 2his is the case& or e,am$le& 4ith the balancin% sections o the seven trum$ets and the seven $la%ues in Revelation& and the %rou$s o seven an%els ound in both the son%s or the si,th and the ei%hth Sabbaths o the scroll. =e4som has noted that the reason 4h" the number 7 is so $rominent in the scroll is because that number derives rom the number o the da" or the Sabbath. <. It $ermeates that 4ork on the smaller and the lar%er level; in individual units& in lar%er sections& and in the overall structure o the entire 4ork. 2he number 7 unctions in a similar 4a" throu%h the book o Revelation. From 4here then does this number ultimatel" derive in the book o RevelationL In the scroll it comes rom the Sabbath. Given the similarities in the unctions o this number in these t4o 4orks& one ma" su%%est b"
<. =e4som& >( Sere1, .*!().

4;6

Sabbat$ H"mns or the Heavenl" Sanctuar" :Kumran9 analo%" that the use o this number should derive rom the same Sabbath source in Revelation& althou%h its $resence is not so readil" a$$arent. Sabbat$ dateline. In the scroll the $resence o the Sabbath is evident rom its identi ication in the datelines that are %iven as headin%s or each o the Sabbath son%s. 2he book o Revelation also contains a dateline; it is %iven in Revelation .E.). 2here the seer dates the da" u$on 4hich he received the visions that ollo4. He identi ies it as Hthe 5ord@s da".H 2here has been a lon%!standin% and on!%oin% discussion over the si%ni icance o this dateline. Some have held that it re ers to the seventh!da" Sabbath 4hile others have ar%ued that it re ers to the ust da" o the 4eek>Sunda". It is no4 $ossible to take a resh look at this dateline throu%h the e"es o the Sabbath H"mn Scroll rom Kumran. Both 4orks make a $ervasive use o the number 7. Both 4orks contain datelines. In the H"mn Scroll the e,tensive use o the number 7 is ultimatel" derived rom the da" o the dateline& the Sabbath. Fhen the e,tensive use o the number 7 in the book o Revelation is looked at in the same manner& it is lo%ical to connect such a use 4ith the dateline o that book& the one $otential datum rom 4hich the ori%in o that develo$ment in Revelation most lo%icall" stems. 2he $arallel literar" structure o this e,trabiblical 4ork that em$hasiJes sevens and the Sabbath $rovides an additional reason 4h" the H5ord@s da"H in Revelation& a 4ork that also deals 4ith a series o sevens& is best inter$reted as the Sabbath.

4;7

C$a6ter "I' C$rist, Son of 0an, La!b

Herbert Diesler
&ditorial Syno6sis. 2he Scri$tures ascribe man" names and titles to Aesus. =one can com$letel" $ortra" our incom$arable 5ord. 5ike the acets o a cut Ie4el each re lects li%ht on a di erent as$ect o His character and ministr" in behal o the human amil". In this cha$ter the author e,$lores the si%ni icance o t4o s"mbolic e,$ressions a$$lied to Aesus in the book o RevelationE HSon o man&H and Hthe 5amb.H 2he irst $hrase a$$ears onl" t4ice; the latter is a$$lied to Aesus (? times. (n the sur ace these i%ures seem to connote 4eakness and hel$lessness > a$$arentl" in! a$$ro$riate characteristics or describin% the Saviour o the 4orld. #s the s"mbols are $robed& ho4ever& it becomes evident that the" underscore in their uni3ue manner one o the dominant themes o RevelationE victor" throu%h sacri ice. HSon o manH links the Saviour to our humanit". Aesus commonl" re erred to Himsel b" this e,$ression. Com$arin% its usa%e in Revelation 4ith Daniel 7E*!.+& the author concludes that in the =2 $ro$hec" the $hrase denotes Christ@s lordshi$ and role as Iud%e over His $eo$le as 4ell as over the nations o the 4orld. 2he meta$horic values o Christ@s title as the 5amb 4ith seven horns and seven e"es conve" three inter4oven strandsE He is :.9 the su erin% Servant& oretold in Isaiah /7; :(9 the 1aschal61assover 5amb 4hose blood saves those it covers; and :79 the comin% messianic Con3ueror and Ruler 4ho 4ill ultimatel" deliver His $eo$le& $ut do4n His enemies& and take dominion o this 4orld.

C$a6ter (utline
I. Introduction II. Son o 'an l8. 2he 5ambE Servant o God IV. Summar" and Conclusion V. Biblio%ra$h"

4;2

ChristE Son o 'anE 5amb

Introduction
6H"H[he last book o the =2 claims to be Ha revelation o Aesus Christ.H I 2his ver" desi%nation distin%uishes it rom the bod" o a$ocal"$tic #! literature 4idel" kno4n in Audaism in the $eriod bet4een ()) B.C. and #.D. .)). 0ri%inatin% in the intellectual milieu o late Audaism and $rimitive Christianit"& Ae4ish a$ocal"$tic literature bears the sti%ma o bein% $seudon"mous& $seudo$redictive& and $essimistic. Such 4ritin%s deal 4ith the inal catastro$hic $eriod o 4orld histor". 2he" $ortra" God as en%a%ed in a mortal battle rom 4hich He emer%es as victor over the orces o evil. From a literar" $oint o vie4 the book o Revelation has much in common 4ith the Ae4ish a$ocal"$ses. But rom a theolo%ical $oint o vie4 Revelation belon%s to Christian literature. 2here is one distinct di erence that makes it a Christian bookE its $ortra"al o the $erson o Aesus Christ. He is the central i%ure o Revelation@s $ro$hetic messa%e. 2he #$ocal"$se $ortra"s God as the source o all revelation :.E.9. He mediates this disclosure throu%h Aesus Christ 4ho commissions His servant Aohn to 4rite do4n 4hat 4ill come to $assE H=o4 4rite 4hat "ou see& 4hat is and 4hat is to take $lace herea terH :Rev .E.*9. In his 4ritin% Aohn makes use o literar" orms such as 02 ima%er"& s"mbols& and i%ures o s$eech 4hich some consider e,otic and lorid& or even biJarre. 2his uni3ue literar" st"le re3uires the inter$reter to devote stud" to the biblical meanin% o the ima%er". Furthermore& it is essential or him to discover Aohn@s literar" devices lest he misread the $ro$het@s thou%ht $atterns throu%h his 4estern e"e%lasses. In this res$ect it is note4orth" to observe that im$ortant elements o a$ocal"$tic ima%er" can be traced to the book o Daniel& Revelation@s 02 counter$art. Some scholars ar%ue that the book o Revelation re$resents a rereadin% o the 02 in the li%ht o the Christ!event& but this vie4 has been 3uestioned b" Schiissler!FiorenJa. Schussler ar%ues that Aohn@s de$endence u$on the 02 e,tends onl" to the use o 4ords& ima%es& and $hrases in order to make his o4n theolo%ical statement. 2he truth& 4e believe& lies bet4een these t4o e,tremes. #s 4e ocus attention u$on Aesus& the central i%ure in Revelation& 4e discover that Aohn re ers to Him b" a variet" o titles. In this cha$ter 4e have sin%led out t4o si%ni icant onesE the Son o man& and the 5amb. 2he ormer e,$ression is used but t4ice; the latter& more than a score o times. +.)

ChristE Son o 'anE 5amb

Son of 0an
Sc$olarly (6inions In scholarl" discussions the eni%matic e,$ression& HSon o man&H has received more attention than an" other title o Christ in the =2. Scholars& b" means o traditio!historical anal"ses& have attem$ted to establish the identit" o the Son o man. In s$ite o these e orts the last 4ord on identit" has not been $ronounced as "et. 5in%uisticall" the $hrase& HSon o manH 3huios anthro!ou4, is a render! in% o the #ramaic bar 7enBS& 2he e,$ression 4as understood sim$l" as a desi%nation or an individual human bein%. In certain conte,ts& ho4ever& the e,$ression 4as used as a s$ecial term or title. #$art rom these $hilolo%ical considerations& some 02 scholars have ar%ued in avor o a cor$orate inter$retation o the term. In their o$inion& the cor$orate understandin% is $articularl" evident in Daniel 7E.7!.+. 7ere> the" su%%est& the i%ure o the Son o man receivin% the kin%dom re$resents the saints@ rece$tion o the everlastin% dominion. 2o $ut it di erentl"& the Son o man s"mboliJes the eternal kin%dom o the era o salvation& 4hile the saints o the 'ost Hi%h are $erceived to be the heavenl" hosts. Seventh!da" #dventists believe& ho4ever& that the evidence $oints to the Son o man in Daniel 7E.7!.+ as an individual 4ho is none other than Christ. 2he" discard the cor$orate inter$retation as biblicall" unacce$table. It should be $ointed out that those scholars 4ho advocate the cor$orate inter$retation o the Son o man i%ure in Daniel 7E.7 admit that in $ost! Danielic Audaism :$ossibl" durin% the second and third centuries B.C.9 the individualiJed inter$retation o the Son o man $revailed. #$e Scri6tural Passages Peculiarities in t$e title. 2he HSon o manH e,$ression :huios an5 thr//!ou4 occurs onl" t4ice in Revelation. In neither re erence :.E.7; .+E.+9 is it used as a i,ed title. In both instances the 4ord HlikeH 3homoios4 is $laced be ore the $hrase :Hone like a son o manH9. In Cullmann@s o$inion& the 4ord HlikeH 3homoios4 ma" indicate the same m"sterious character the Son o man has in Daniel. Charles maintains that the 4hole $hrase is a technical term in a$ocal"$tic or Hlike an an%el.H Schussler treats HlikeH as an a$ocal"$tic 3uali ication o the title. She ar%ues that it is intended theolo%icall" as an anal"sis o .E7 and 7E/c. It is im$ortant to note that the $hrase Hlike a Son o manH is a literal +..

ChristE Son o 0an, 5amb

translation o the #ramaic 1ebar 7enSS& #ccordin% to #ramaic usa%e the $hrase could be rendered Hlike a man.H In that case the em$hasis is $laced on the human as$ect o the HSon o manH i%ure. 2hus& The S%A Bible )ommentar $oints out that the translation H0ne& human in orm&H 4ould more ade3uatel" re$resent the #ramaic $hrase. Role and function in Daniel 7. Be ore 4e can determine the role and unction o the Son o man in Revelation& it 4ill be hel$ ul to ascertain the meanin% o the e,$ression in Daniel 7E.7. Fhat role does the Son o man $la" in Daniel 7L Does the Son o man come rom heaven as a Iud%e and a%ent o deliverance rom o$$ressionL Some scholars o$$ose this idea. 2he" a%ree that in Ae4ish #$ocal"$tic& as 4ell as in $rimitive Christianit"& the Son o man unctions as Iud%e; but the" ar%ue that in Daniel this unction has to be ruled out. God and the heavenl" court are in char%e o the Iud%ment; the Son o man& the" alle%e& a$$ears on the scene a ter the Aud%ment is com$leted. #t that time He receives Heverlastin% $o4er6authorit"H 3e0ousia aiGnios, 5GG9 and is identi ied 4ith the saints o the 'ost Hi%h. 2his cor$orate meanin% o the Son o man& it is ar%ued& has subse3uentl" ound its 4a" into the book o Revelation. 2here the e,$ression is to be inter$reted in the sense that Christ unctions as 5ord and 1rotector o His church& 4hile His actual unction as Redeemer seems to be absent. In contradistinction to this ar%ument is the act that in the Gos$els the term HSon o manH is o ten used b" Christ as a name or Himsel . . In Food@s o$inion there is a valid reason or the vie4 that Aesus identi ied Himsel 4ith the Son o man o Daniel 7E.7 :c . es$eciall" 'att (<E<+9. I & there ore& the Son o man in the Gos$els as 4ell as in Daniel is Christ& as 4e believe He is& then there is no basis or a cor$orate understandin% o the term. But 4hat is His s$eci ic role in Daniel 7E.7L Verses * and .) describe a heavenl" Iud%ment scene. God is $ortra"ed here as actin% in Iud%ment 4ith the books o record o$en and surrounded b" the heavenl" intelli%ences. Fhile still in vision Daniel is then carried or4ard to see some inal im$lications o that Iud%ment :vss. ..!.(9. 2hen in verse .7& the $ro$het is brou%ht back to the Iud%ment scene and sees one like the Son o man comin% to the #ncient o da"s and bein% $resented be ore Him. #t this $oint He receives dominion 3Sal/Sn4, %lor" 3 eGtSr4, and a kin%dom 3mal;dl4& In short& these %i ts indicate that Christ is %ranted all the
. Cf. 0att ?E(); *E<; .)E(7; ..,.CG etc.

+.(

ChristE Son o 'anE 5amb eatures o absolute rule :as o$$osed to the $recedin% our em$ires9. B" im$lication& the Son o man as ruler is 3uali ied to act in Iud%ment as 4ell& althou%h this $articular unction is not em$hasiJed here. Role and unction in Ae4ish tradition and the <# It is note4orth" that the HSon o manH i%ure in Ae4ish tradition unctions as the eschato!lo%ical Iud%e& or He is e,$ected to a$$ear at the end o time on the clouds o heaven in order to Iud%e and to establish Hthe nation o the saints.H In the =2; as 4ell as in late Ae4ish te,ts :es$eciall" in . Enoch QEthio!$icR9& the $rimar" eschatolo%ical unction o the comin% Son o man is that o Iud%ment. 2his $articular as$ect o the unction o the Son o man comes into ocus in 'atthe4 (/E7.!+< and seems im$lied in 'ark ?E7?. :HFhen the Son o man comes in his %lor"& and all the an%els 4ith him& then he 4ill sit on his %lorious throne. Be ore him 4ill be %athered all the nations& and he 4ill se$arate them one rom another as a she$herd se$arates the shee$ rom the %oats&H 'att (/E7.!7(.9 2he role o Aesus as Iud%e is es$eciall" im$ortant in the Gos$el o Aohn. Aohn@s re erence to this Hlast da"H in .(E+? as 4ell as the eschatolo%ical character o AesusM Iud%ment as indicated in /E(7 demonstrates that the evan%elist 4as mind ul o the Iudicial nature o His unction. 2he last re erence underscores the role o Iud%e as an inte%ral unction o the Son o man. :H2he Father... has %iven him authorit" to e,ecute Iud%ment& because he is the Son o man&H Aohn /E(<!(7.9 Fithout $ursuin% a detailed investi%ation o the usa%e o the e,$ression in the Gos$els& 4e ma" a irm that in these scri$tures the Son o man is seen& amon% other activities& as a Iud%e. It ma" be e,$ected that the most develo$ed Christolo%" in the =e4 2estament is to be ound in the 1auline 4ritin%s. Ho4ever& 1aul never em$lo"s the Son o man title>at least not in the Greek orm amiliar to us rom the Gos$els. He does make re erence to Christ as the man or #dam :the Hsecond manH or Hlast #damH9 4hich clearl" sho4s that his 4hole theolo%" is eschatolo%icall" oriented :. Cor ./E+/!+79. #lthou%h 1aul makes no direct re erence to Daniel 7& His statement in . 2hessalonians +E.7 that H4e... shall be cau%ht u$ to%ether 4ith them in the clouds to meet the 5ord in the airH seems to be a re lection o Daniel@s ima%er" o the HSon o manH comin% on the clouds. Since 1aul does not em$lo" the title& no linka%e 4ith Iud%ment occurs> althou%h Christ@s role o Iud%in% is certainl" a irmed. In his Christolo%"& ho4ever& the a$ostle dra4s on t4o 02 conce$ts& namel" the Son o man and o the su erin% servant because both conce$ts e,$ress the idea o +.7

ChnstE Son o 'anE 5amb re$resentation. In . 2hessalonians +E.< 1aul seems to inte%rate the Son o man conce$t 4ith his Christolo%ical understandin% in a harmonious 4a".( 2he E$istle to the 7ebre s> o course& is not to be overlooked. In .E7& or e,am$le& e read that the Son is the re lection 3a!augasma4 o the %lor" o God and bears the ver" stam$ 3chara1/S*4 o/ 7is nature. Hebre4s (E/ also deserves our attention. 2his te,t deals 4ith the su$eriorit" o the Son o man over the an%els.

#$e Son of 0an in Revelation . In Revelation .E.. the Son o man a$$ears to Aohn in vision sa"in%& HFrite 4hat "ou see in a book and send it to the seven churches.H #s a result& 4e $ossess our #$ocal"$se o Aesus Christ& the last book o the Bible. 2he Greek 4ord a!o1alu!sis ma" be translated in terms o revelation& uncoverin%& or disclosure. 0ther =2 4riters also em$lo" this term. Fhen the =2 s$eaks o uncoverin% or o disclosure& it re ers essentiall" to either the revelation o divine secrets :Rom .<E(/; E$h .E.7; and . Cor .+E<&(<9 or to the %lorious mani estation o Christ and the saved on the da" o the restoration o all thin%s :( 2hess .E7; Rom ?E.*; etc.9. 2he 3uestion 4hether the e,$ression& Hthe revelation o Aesus ChristH :.E.9& should be understood %rammaticall" as an obIective %enitive :the revelation about Aesus Christ9 or as a subIective %enitive :the revelation /rom;b Aesus Christ9 is debatable. 1erha$s both are $ossibilities in the sense that Aesus is not onl" the author but also the subIect o Revelation. #t an" rate& it is Aesus 4ho sends His an%el 4ith testimon" or the churches :((E.<9. Lord of t$e C$urc$. Revelation .E.( and on4ard records a vision in 4hich the Son o man reveals Himsel as the 5ord o His church. #s 4e anal"Je this $assa%e and the subse3uent messa%es to the seven churches& it 4ill be our task to determine 4hether He also assumes the role o a Iud%e. In the $reamble to the vision the lordshi$ o Christ over His church is im$lied. 2he $ro$het sa"s& HI heard behind me a loud voice like a trum$et sa"in%& @Frite 4hat "ou see in a book and send it to the seven churches@H :vss. .)!..9. #nd 4hen Aohn turned to see 4ho 4as s$eakin% to him& he Hsa4 seven %olden iam$stands& and in the midst o the lam$stands one like a son o manH :vss. .(!.79. 2he lam$stands are inter$reted in .E() as the seven churches. 2he
5 #$e 1auline e-6ression T% it$ the trum$et o ?odJ brin%s to mind 0att 7+E7.& $ere the Son o man at His comin% H4ill send out $is an%els 4ith a loud trum$et callH to H%ather his electH :F. ). Brucc> + A ( Thessalonians, Ford Biblical Commentar"& /9 OBaco> #"> .*?(R& .).9.

+.+

ChnstE Son oF'ariE 5aiHb

ori%in o the ima%er" cannot be traced 4ith absolute certaint"& althou%h it 4as dra4n ver" likel" rom the tem$le@s seven!branched lam$stand :the menorah9. Christ& then& is said to be standin% in the midst o the seven lam$stands or churches. 2his means that He is in close relationshi$ 4ith His $eo$le. #nd this intimate communion is urther stren%thened b" (E. 4hich $ortra"s Him as 4alkin% amon% the seven %olden lam$stands. 2he lordshi$ o Christ over His church is also indicated in His a$$roach to the church in E$hesus 4ith a messa%e o re$entance :(E/9. I%norin% this a$$eal 4ill result in the removal o the lam$stand rom its $lace. In other 4ords& Christ& as the Son o man& has the authorit" to remove one o the seven lam$stands& namel"& one o the churches. #s to the Han%els o the... churchesH 3aggeloi /Sn e11tesi//n, .E()9& 4e ma" sa el" assume that these are the re$resentatives o the total church& althou%h Aohn ma" have understood the seven stars as a s"mbol o Christ@s 4orld %overnment. :2here is evidence rom anti3uit" that stars& as a s"mbol& 4ere at times understood in this manner.9 0n the other hand& accordin% to the vision the seven stars are identi ied as Hthe an%els o the seven churchesH :vs. ()9. 2hus& 4e discover urther evidence here or the lordshi$ o Christ >over the messen%ers& the re$resentatives o the seven churches& as 4ell as over the churches themselves. 2he actual descri$tion o the i%ure o the Son o man enables us to delineate more clearl" His s$eci ic role and unction in connection 4ith the church. 2he descri$tion o the Son o man in Revelation .& i vie4ed on a broad basis& seems to ollo4 the descri$tion o a heavenl" Fi%ure in Daniel .)E/ .& a $assa%e that contains the most detailed descri$tion o a heavenl" bein% in the 02 Fithout attem$tin% an in!de$th anal"sis o either vision& it is im$ortant to observe that the linen %arb o the $ersona%e Daniel .) $ortra"s see!s to underline a $riestl" role. Such clothin% 4as commonl" associated it$ the $riesthood and in this instance 4as held in $lace b" a %olden sash :Dan .)E/9. In Revelation the descri$tion o the robe o the Son o man is !ore detailed. Certain clues in the te,t enable us to identi " the robe as bein% similar to that 4orn b" the 5evitical hi%h $riest. 2he e,$ression Hlon% robe>J as translated in the RSV 3!oderes, Hreachin% to the eet&H Rev .E.(9 >and ound also in EJekiel *E( :5GG9>ma" %o back ultimatel" to the descri$tion o the o icial attire o the hi%h $riest in E,odus (?E+&7.. 2he %olden %irdle around His breast also a$$ears to be $art o the $riestl" %arb :E,od (?E<!?9. #ccordin% to Aose$hus the %irdle 4as inter4oven 4ith %old 3Ant& 7.7.+.9. +./

CliristE Son o 'anE La!b

In the book o 7ebre s Christ& as hi%h $riest& has His central role as men@s mediator and intercessor :Heb (E.7; 7E(/; *E(+9. 2he situation in Revelation& ho4ever& seems to be di erent. Be"ond the initial $ortra"al o Christ as a hi%h $riest& Aohn does not allude directl" to 7is $riestl" unctions in subse3uent $assa%es. 2he em$hasis a$$ears to shi t to Christ@s sacri icial role as the 5amb o ?od. =udge. #t this $oint 4e turn to e,amine the second unction o the %lori ied Christ su%%ested b" the s"mbolism in this inau%ural vision. Aohn calls attention to His e"esE Hhis e"es 4ere like a lame o ireH :vs. .E.+9. # similar descri$tion is %iven o the heavenl" $ersona%e in Daniel .) :vs. <9. 2he same characteriJation is re$eated in Revelation (E.?. B" this s"mbolism the Iudicial unction o Christ is accentuated :c . Rev .*E..!.(9. 2his Iudicial role o the Son o man is also re erred to in His 4arnin% to the 2h"ratirean churchE HI am the he 4ho searches mind and heartH :(E(79. Revelation .*E.(& o course& is ound 4ithin the conte,t o both the Second Comin% 3!arousia4 and the Iud%ment o Christ. 2he act that the $iercin% Iudicial %lance o Christ is re erred to is si%ni icant. In this $articu! lar instance :.*E..!.(9& it is done 4ith res$ect to a$ostate reli%ion and the nations 4ho are read" or Iud%ment :.*E.*!(.9. B" contrast& in .E.+; (E.?& (7& the Iudicial role and activit" o Christ is directed not a%ainst anti! Christian orces& but a%ainst those members o the church 4ho have de$arted rom the $ath o ri%hteousness. In addition to these re erences to the e"es o the Son o man is the strikin% s"mbolism o His mouthE H rom his mouth issued a shar$ t4o!ed%ed s4ordH :.E.<9. 2he s4ord re$resents His Ford. 7 2here is& indeed& a close link bet4een the divine Ford and Iud%ment. 2he latter is considered the accom$lishment o the 4ords o God :.7E.<!.79. It is this Ford that unc! tions in the eschatolo%ical Iud%ment :.*E.7!./9. 2he t4o!ed%ed s4ord is su icient to e,terminate the kin%s o the earth and their armies 4hich are seduced and stirred to i%ht a%ainst the Son o man b" the t4o beasts :.*E(.9. =o$n%s ?os6el. In addition to the re erences in Revelation that underline the Iudicial unctions o Christ& 4e consider brie l" the evidence in the Gos$el o Aohn. Aohn is amiliar 4ith both the title and Christ@s Iudicial role. 5ike the S"no$tics& he too uses the e,$ression HSon o manH 3huios
+ #$e contact bet4een t$e t$eology of the H4ordH in t$e A6ocaly6se and that of Isaia$ is attested b" t$e ima%e o t$e t o-edged s ord in the 0essia$%s !out$. See Isa ..E+; /C,5G c . also E$h <E.7; Hcb+E.(. C. F. 'ichaels& art. H'achaira&H 33iBBr/,9+.G Hrom$haia.H Th>NT& <E**7. #s far as t$e Rabbis ere concerned t$e la as also a t o-edged s ord.

+.<

C$nsf, Son o)0an, 5amb

tou anthro!ou4 rather than the 1auline orm& HmanH 3anthrd!os4& 2he basic characteristic o the Aohannine Son o man $assa%es seems to be the as$ect o His e,altation :c . Aohn .(E(7& etc.9. 0n the other hand the unction o Aesus as Iud%e is also underscored. 2he eschatolo%ical character o Aesus@Iud%ment ollo4s rom Aohn /E(<!(7& a te,t in 4hich the idea o the Iud%e is rooted in that o the Son o manE H2he Father... has %iven him authorit" to e,ecute Iud%ment& because he is the Son o man.H Su!!ary. 2hus ar 4e have discovered in the Gos$el o Aohn as 4ell as in the book o Revelation allusions to the Iudicial unctions o Christ as the Son o man. In Revelation He unctions both as Iud%e o the church and o the nations. 2hus His title& Son o man& im$lies His Iudicial role in the $readvent Iud%ment :Dan 7E*!.)&.7!.+9 in addition to His bein% the reci$ient o the e,ternal kin%dom. 2he Son o man received His authorit" as eschatolo%ical Iud%e sub! se3uent to His death and resurrection :c . Aohn .7E(; 'att (?E.?9. 2his un! derstandin% seems to be im$lied in His o$enin% statement to AohnE HFear not& I am the irst and the last& and the livin% one; I died& and behold I am alive or evermore& and I have the ke"s o Death and HadesH :.E.7!.?9. Aesus has no4 the $o4er over li e and death. He is in $ossession o the ke"s o death and the %rave. 2his s"mbolic e,$ression denotes His total authorit". Fhat then is the $ur$ose o the Iud%mentL It is to determine the inal destin" o men :#cts .7E7.9. In the Iud%ment the decision or li e or death o individuals 4ill be made. =aturall" the onl" one 4ho is able to assume this role is He 4ho has the ke"s o death and o the %rave. It is He 4ho 4atches His $eo$le& measurin% their $resent state o s$iritualit" and their abilit" to ace trial and $ersecution. #t the same time He is their 5ord& 4ho is even no4 standin% at their heart@s door& knockin%& read" to enter into an intimate& savin% relationshi$ 4ith an" 4ho 4ill res$ond. #$e Son of 0an in Revelation ./ 2he second Son o man title in Revelation is ound in cha$ter .+ 4ithin the broader conte,t o the three an%els@ messa%es :vss. <!.+9. Immediatel" a ter those 4ho die in the 5ord have been $ronounced blessed& Aohn@s attention is dra4n to a 4hite cloud. 2he 1erson seated on the cloud 4as Hlike a son o manH :vs. .+9. E,e%etes have $uJJled over this te,t. Some have 3uestioned its %enu! ineness or have seen in the Son o man a re erence to an an%elic bein% rather than to Christ Himsel . Ho4ever& a com$arison o this te,t 4ith .E.7 +.7

CBnsIE SonPb 'anE 5amb demonstrates that in both cases Aohn uses the identical ormulationE Hlike a son o manH 3homoios huios anthro!ou4. Here& then& is another clear re erence to Christ. Aohn@s descri$tion o the Son o man in Revelation .+ brin%s to mind the e,$ression ound in Daniel 7E.7. In the 02 $assa%e the Son o man& in His messianic role& receives 4orld dominion and the eternal kin%dom. 2his conce$t seems to be intended in Revelation .+E.+ as the Son o man co!es as a cro4ned victor to %ather the harvest o the redeemed& His subIects. #lthou%h the Son o man is elevated ar above the an%els& the conte,t indicates a close connection bet4een Him and them. In cha$ter .+ three an%els& $roclaimin% 4arnin% messa%es& are ollo4ed b" three an%els callin% or the %atherin% in o the harvest. Christ& the Son o man& a$$ears as the central i%ure bet4een these t4o %rou$in%s o an%els. In a sense& He is a $art o the 4hole %rou$ o celestial bein%s& "et His $osition in the ver" center as 4ell as His $osture :seated on a 4hite cloud9 and attire :a victor@s %olden cro4n9 elevates Him ar above the an%els. #t the same time it is note4orth" that an an%el orders the Son o man to be%in rea$in% earth@s harvest :vs. ./9. #llusion to 0ark%s Gos$el. Revelation .+E.+ sho4s some a init" 4ith 'ark .7& 4hich describes the return o the Son o man in the clouds o heaven and the %atherin% o the believers :'ark .7E(< .9. 2he $assa%e ends 4ith Christ@s remark& HBut o that da" or that hour no one kno4s& not even the an%els in heaven& nor the Son& but onl" the FatherH :vs. 7(; c . #cts .E79. 2he book o Revelation seems to $ick u$ this train o thou%ht 4ith the call o the an%el 4ho no4 reveals to the Son o man that the hitherto unkno4n hour has arrived :Rev .+E./9. 2he an%elic call& there ore& underlines the act that the e,act moment o the end is unkno4n to an"one e,ce$t the Father. God alone is in the $osition to determine the $articular moment. 7arvests de6ict t o classes. Fhat is the unction o the Son o man in this $assa%eL 2he te,t states that the Son o man s4un% His sickle u$on the standin% %rain and the earth 4as rea$ed. 2he vinta%e 4as harvested b"
+ It should be $ointed out that this ormulation 4ith homoios is rather uni3ue 4ith Aohn! He does not use the sim$le e,$ression HSon o manH 3huios anthro!ou4 but rather $laces the term HlikeH 3homoios4 be ore it. 2his version ound in Revelation a$$ears to be a literal re erence& a direct translation :di erent rom that o the 5GG and 2heodotion9 o the #ramaic 1ebar 7enSS o Daniel 7E.7. =omoios :like9& there ore& is a translation o the #ramaic 1e 4hich does not conve" the idea o resemblance onl"& but in this instance& o havin% e,actl" the same orm.

+.?

ChnstE Son oF'anE 5amb

the i th an%el and cast Hinto the %reat 4ine $ress o ... GodH :vs. .*9 at the command o the si,th an%el. 2here can be no doubt that the t4o harvests are di erent. 2he rea$in% b" the Son o man re ers to His %atherin% o the aith ul; the intended meanin% o the second harvest is that o Iud%ment and destruction o the lost. Fhile the Iudicial office o Christ is not as stron%l" em$hasiJed in Revelation as in the S"no$tic accounts& the re erences e,amined make clear this $articular unction cannot be minimiJed. Furthermore& 4e ma" even distin%uish t4o as$ects o Christ@s Iudicial unctionE the irst concerns His scrutin" or investi%ation o GodMs $eo$le; the second concerns the Iud%ment o the nations& and an e,ecution o His Iud%ment to coincide 4ith the $arousia :Second Comin%9 o the Son o man :Rev .*E..&./9 and the ultimate destruction o the lost outside the =e4 Aerusalem at the close o the millennium :Rev ()E7!./9.

#$e La!b, Servant of ?od

#s 4e have seen& the title& Son o man& in the =2 is rooted in the 02 and ma" be traced more s$eci icall" to Daniel 7E.7. / 'an" other titles o Christ in the =2P includin% those in Revelation& have similar links to the
FT

Fe ocus our attention no4 u$on another meta$hor or desi%nation or ChristE the 5amb. In the book o Revelation it is the main title or Christ. 24ent"!ei%ht times He is desi%nated the 5amb :translated rom the Greek 4ord amion4& Ho4ever& in revelation He is never described as Hthe 5amb o/ God$ 3amion tou theou4& Else4here in the =2 the Greek 4ord amnos :lamb9 is used to describe Christ :Aohn .E(*&7<; . 1et .E.*; etc.9. < Ho4& e ma" ask& did this descri$tion o Aesus as 5amb 3amnos;7amion4
J #$e e-6ression is very co!!on in t$e book o EJekiel& bein% the $hrase b" 4hich ?od addressed t$e $ro$het. 2 #$e di erence in the terms e!6loyed $robabl" reflects the different sources fro! 4hich the conce6t ste!s and t$e different nuances !eant to be su%%ested. In t$e L"" t$e ter! amnos occurs about .)) times to !ean la!bs or sacri ice. It is this 4ord t$at a66ears in Isaiah /7E7 to describe t$e Lord%s afflicted and o66ressed servant $o bears t$e ini3uit" of us all. In . Enoch the ord arSn (of $ic$ amion is a variant> diminutive for!A is used or the eschatolo%ical& vic! torious $o!ed la!bs of t$e !essianic age. It is in this sense that t$e amion title should $robabl" be understood in the book of Revelation. 2his argu!ent is contra HoltJ $o inter$rets amion as the Passover la!b (66. +C-/3A. According to Longenecker> t$e =e is$ C$ristians see! to have been atte!6ting> 4hether consciousl" or not& to si%nal bot$ as$ects of t$e 5ord@s ministr"& namel" :.9 amnos as the sacri icial suffering of t$e Lord and :(9 amion in terms o His trium$hant %lor".

+.*

C!insi5 Son oHM#n5.La!b arise& and 4hat $articular unction does it describeL Be ore e can ans4er this 3uestion it 4ill be necessar" to anal"Je in brie t$e servant i%ure in Isaiah /7. In the o$inion o several leadin% =2 e,e%etes the servant i%ure %reatl" in luenced the Christolo%ical understandin% o the =2 4riters. 2he" ar%ue that the servant conce$t became a collective one or all other titles o Christ& includin% that o the 5amb o God. Fhat& then& is the $articular connection bet4een the de$iction o Aesus as the 5amb in Revelation and as the su erin% servant in Isaiah /7L #nd 4h" does Aohn never re er to this linka%e even onceL Fe turn no4 to the Servant Son% o Isaiah /7 to ascertain its theolo%ical messa%e and to determine ho4 it in luenced Aesus@ sel !understandin% as 4ell as the thinkin% o the $rimitive Christian communit".

#$e Servant Conce$t in Isaiah /7

It should be $ointed out that there are several $assa%es in Isaiah 4hich are collectivel" kno4n as the HServant Son%s.H 7 2he" belon% to the most controversial $assa%es o the 02. Conservative scholars& in the li%ht o =2 citations rom them& maintain that the HservantH re erred to in these $assa%es is none other than Aesus the 'essiah :c . #cts ?E(<!7*9. Critical scholarshi$ on the other hand seems to all into t4o maIor cate%ories. 1ro$onents o the individualist vie4 identi " the HservantH 4ith an individual& such as Isaiah& C"rus& or the 'essiah. 1ro$onents o the collective sense identi " the servant 4ith a %rou$ such as national Israel& s$iritual or ideal Israel& or the $ro$hets. Fe acce$t the =2@s clear linka%e o these $ro$hecies 4ith Aesus o =aJareth as con irmation o His 'es! siahshi$. For our $resent $ur$ose& the Hson%sH o Isaiah +( and /7 are o s$ecial interest. )irst Servant Son%. In the irst Servant Son% :Isa +(E.!*9 Oah4eh im! $arts a lon%!ran%e $ro$hec" o his servant 4ho 4ill brin% salvation and establish a $ro$er order on the 4hole earth. 2he em$hasis is on the intro! duction o God@s servant and $ortra"al o His task. 2he servant is aith ul in ul illin% his assi%ned mission. Fe ma" summariJe the irst servant $oem as ollo4sE :.9 Oah4eh $redicts the success o His servant as He seeks to establish Iustice and order in the earth :vss. .!+9; :(9 Oah4eh $romises to em$o4er His servant in the accom$lishment o His ri%hteous rule :vss. /!79; and :79 Oah4eh directs %lor" to Himsel b" the use o $ro$hec" :vss. ?!*9.
3 Rev +(E.!*; /C,.-.+G /)E+!..; /(E.7!/7E.(.

42;

ChristE Son o 'anE 5amb )ourt$ Servant Son%. 2he ourth son% :Isa /(E.7!/7E.(9 is $robabl" the most im$ortant te,t in the 02 2he reason or this is seen in the numerous citations in the =2? linkin% its $hrases to Aesus& as 4ell as the mass o literature>both Ae4ish and Christian>based on this $ro$hec" that has been $roduced throu%h the centuries. In Isaiah /7 the descri$tion o the servant i%ure is at the same time both $recise and eni%matic. 2he $assa%e is 3uite e,$licit as to the nature o His 4ork. 0n the other hand it $rovides us 4ith little in ormation concernin% His identit" or the circumstances under 4hich He 4ill a$$ear. Fe ma" sa"& 4ithout challen%e& that the most si%ni icant characteristic o the servant i%ure in these $assa%es is thisE His vicarious re$resentation is accom$lished in su erin%. 2hat is& His su erin% is substitutionar". 2hrou%h His su erin% He takes the $lace o man" 4ho should su er instead o Himsel . 2he main unction o the su erin% servant o God a$$ears& then& to be His vicarious su erin% and death. 2he $resence o this substitutionar" conce$t in the Servant Son% is $art and $arcel o the conservative inter$retation o these $assa%es in connection 4ith the death o Aesus. Ho4 did Aesus think about His su erin% and deathL Did Aesus think that such 4ere necessar" and 4ere actuall" a vital $art o the $lan o salvationL 24o $assa%es es$eciall" a irm that He did. :.9 H2he Son o/ man also came not to be served but to ser#e, and to gi#e his li/e as a ransom /or man $ :'ark .)E+/9. Here Christ a$$ears to link His role as the Son o man 4ith the servant $ro$hecies and 4ith em$hasis on the savin% nature o His death. :(9 H2his is m" blood o the covenant& which is !oured out /or man $ :'ark .+E(+; c . 'att (<E(?&H.. &which is !oured out /orman /orthe /or5gi#eness o/ sins$9& 2hese $assa%es>stated b" Aesus as He instituted the communion meal>echo the substitutionar" e,$ression o Isaiah /7E.(> $lie!oured out his soul Qli eR to death.H In the li%ht o His o4n 4ords it is evident that Aesus 4as conscious o His $articular role as the Saviour o mankind 4hose vicarious death 4ould brin% into o$eration the inal deliverance. Furthermore& it is not di icult to in er that He sa4 Himsel in the role o the servant o Isaiah /7 durin% the 5ast Su$$er :c . also 5uke ((E779.* #cce$tin% the evidence that Aesus understood His o4n role as the $ro$hetic Servant o Oah4eh 37ebed Qahweh4, 4e must no4 determine
K Cf. Luke ((E77; #cts ?E7)!7/; . 1et (E((!(/; etc. * Aoachim Aeremias $as %iven a s$ecial treatment o the 3uestion 4hether =esus re%arded Himsel as t$e su erin% servant in $is book& Ser#ant o/ God, *?!.)+.

+(.

ChristE Son o 'anE 5amb 4hether there is a connection bet4een the servant and the 5amb in Revelation. Be ore movin% to the =2P 4e note in $assin% that accordin% to Isaiah /7E7 the servant 4ho su ers $atientl" is com$ared to a lamb 3amnos4& In #cts ?E7( this com$arison is e,$ressl" related to =esus. #s a basis or our stud" o Christ@s title& Hthe 5ambH :amion9 in Revelation : irst used in /E<9& 4e 4ill irst establish the theolo%ical meanin% o the term HlambH 3amnos4 in Aohn .E(*&7<. Aohn the Ba$tist used the de inite article to a$$l" the e,$ression to AesusE HBehold& the 5amb o God 8ho amnos tou TheouN 4ho takes a4a" the sin o the 4orldNH 2he e,$ression H5amb o GodH a$$ears to be a stereot"$ed meta$hor that must have been amiliar to the $rimitive Christian communit". Some scholars have observed that the $hrase& H5amb o God&H ma" be a translation o its #ramaic e3uivalent& 4hich carries the double meanin%E H5amb o GodH and Hservant o God.H In Aeremias@ o$inion this indicates that the author o the Fourth Gos$el made use o double meanin%s. #ccordin% to Aeremias the Greek 4ord !ais :child9 also has a dual meanin%& or it ma" mean HsonH or Hservant.H He $oints out that the 5GG used the Greek word!ais rather than doulos in order to desi%nate the su erin% servant. In #cts 7E.7&(<; +E(7&7) :DAV sV son6child; RSV V servant9 Aesus is re erred to as a !ais& In 'atthe4 .(E.? the same 4ord is used or Isaiah@s su erin% servantE HBehold& m" ser#ant '!aisN 4hom I have chosen& ...H :c . Isa +(E.9. 0n the basis o this observation Aeremias concludes that the translation and transition rom one dual meanin% to another 4as natural. 2he statement in . Aohn 7E/ seems to be an echo o Aohn .E(*& $erha$s& even a commentar" on itE HOou kno4 that he a$$eared to take a4a" sins& and in him there is no sin.H 2he HsinH o Aohn .E(* a$$ears to be the 4hole collective burden o sin 4hich 4ei%hs on mankind. Furthermore& in the li%ht o other $assa%es o the e$istle such as . Aohn .E7; (E(; +E.) that make re erence to haima :Christ@s cleansin% blood9 and to hilasmos :Christ@s e,$iation or sin9& it ma" be ar%ued that the vicarious atonin% death o Aesus is bein% re erred to in Aohn .E(*. In order to e,$lain the interconnection bet4een the t4o similar titles in the Gos$el o Aohn and the Revelation :5amb o God; 5amb9 Aohn Schnackenbur% s$eculates that the author o Revelation used the e,$ression H5amb o GodH and 4ith the hel$ o a$ocal"$tic traditions develo$ed the Fi%ure o the 5amb as the eschatolo%ical con3ueror and messianic ruler. Schiissler!FiorenJa on the other hand ar%ues that the t4o e,$ressions ho amnos tou theou;amion :5amb o God& 5amb9 develo$ed inde$endentl" 422

C$rist, Son of 0an, La!b

rom each other. Her ar%ument is also s$eculative. Fhile she is correct that the kin%l"& messianic eatures o the 5amb 3amion4 are $redominant in Revelation& the connection 4ith the servant o Oah4eh can hardl" be ruled out 2he evidence is that the 5amb 3amion4 m Revelation& like the 5amb 3amnos4 else4here in the =2; is slain to redeem sinners .) and thus embraces the nuances o/ amnos and its links to the su erin% Servant o Oah4eh :c . Isa /7E79. Pasc$alNPassover Connotations In $rimitive Christianit"& then& the conce$t o a vicarious6substitution! ary atonement 4as linked 4ith the $ro$hec" o the su erin% servant o the 5ord. In addition to this& leadin% <# e,e%etes maintain that i care ul atten! tion is %iven to the s"mbolism o the lamb. 1aschal or 1assover connota! tions cannot be i%nored. #s a matter o act& the si%ni icance o the 1aschal lamb and the e,odus rom E%"$t& the" ar%ue& had an im$ortant in luence on the thou%ht o the $rimitive Christian communit". In . Corinthians /E7 the a$ostle 1aul clearl" identi ies Christ as our 1assover 5ambE HFor Christ& our $aschal lamb& has been sacri iced.H :See also . 1et .E.*.9 2hus& he $ortra"s Aesus as the antit"$ical 1assover 5amb in the conte,t o an e,odus t"$olo%". It is interestin% to note urther that the conce$tion o Christ as the true 1assover 5amb is a theolo%ical interest o Aohn& the author o the Fourth Gos$el. 2hus& the 1aschal understandin% can be seen in $assa%es such as .C,+2 :c . E,od .(E+<9 to brin% out the si%ni icance o Aesus@ deathE HFor t$ese thin%s took $lace that the scri$ture mi%ht be ul illed& @=ot a bone of him shall be broken.MH Furthermore& accordin% to Aohannine chronolo%"& Christ died at the same time 4hen the 1aschal lamb o the Ae4s 4as bein% slau%htered in the tem$le in $re$aration or the celebration that evenin% :Aohn .*E.+9. 2he ima%e o the H5ambH in Revelation could be $artiall" ins$ired b" t$e 1aschal lamb& since the s"mbol is sometimes used to describe Christ in connection 4ith an e,odus t"$olo%" (Rev /E<!.); ./E7!+9. Fhile there ma" still be some disa%reement on the $recise meanin% o the 4ord amion :lamb9& it a$$ears that 1assover t"$olo%" is at 4ork here& or the trium$hant 5amb in Revelation still bears the indelible marks o slau%hter :/E<&*&.(; 7E.+; .7E?9. 2hus& the meta$hor o the lamb in Revelation seems to conve" three
.; Cf. Rev 9,2>CG .,9G 7E.+; .7E?.

42<

ChristE Son o 'anE 5amb

meanin%sE Christ in His role as :.9 the servant o Isaiah /7& :(9 the 1aschal 5amb& and :79 the eschatolo%ical messianic con3ueror and ruler :<E.<; ((E.!79. Conte-tual Considerations 2hus ar 4e have observed that the amion5lamb meta$hor a$$ears to combine several conce$ts. 2hese shades o meanin% unite to em$hasiJe t4o im$ortant $hases in the ministr" o ChristE His sacri ice and victor". Fe turn no4 to e,amine the term as it is used in a e4 ke" $assa%es. .. Revelation /E.!.+. 2he clima, in cha$ter / is God@s handin% o a co$iousl" 4ritten scroll to the 5amb. #lon% 4ith cha$ter + it orms the in! troduction to the midsection o the book. 2he matter o concern e,$ressed be ore the heavenl" assembl" is the choice o someone 4orth" to receive and o$en the sealed scroll& 4hich is in the $ossession o God Himsel ..( # ter it is a irmed that no one in the universe is 4orth" to o$en the scroll and to look into it& Aohn is consoled b" one o the (+ elders. He is assured that the 5ion o the tribe o Audah& the Root o David& has con3uered and so is 3uali ied to o$en the scroll and its seven seals. 2he emblem o a lion de$icts irresistible stren%th& ro"alt"& coura%e& and intellectual e,cellence. 2his meta$hor& H5ion o the tribe o Audah&H brin%s to mind Aacob@s inal blessin% on his .( sons. Audah is called a Hlion@s 4hel$@M and is $romised that the sce$ter 4ould not de$art rom him Huntil Shiloh comeH :Gen +*E*. .)& DAV9. 2he second $art o the title& Hthe Root o David&H a$$ears to be an allusion to Isaiah ..E.E H2here shall come orth a shoot rom the stum$ o Aesse& and a branch shall %ro4 out o his roots.H 2his $hrase $oints or4ard to the messianic kin% o the line o David 4ho 4ill Iud%e 4ith ri%hteousness and usher in an era o $eace :c . Rom ./E.(9. #lthou%h Aohn is told that Hthe 5ion o the tribe o AudahH 4as 3uali ied to o$en the scroll& his attention is dra4n not to a lion but to the 5amb standin% at the throne o God. Here Christ as both the cruci ied one :the 1aschal 5amb9 and the con3uerin% messianic kin% :lion o Audah9 a$$ears on the scene. 2hrou%h the 3uick succession o t4o contrastin% meta$hors& the lion and the lamb& Aohn has brou%ht into ocus the central theme o the book o RevelationE victor" throu%h sacri ice.
.. 2he ?reek ord omion :lamb9 as a desi%nation or Christ a66ears in /E<.?&.(!.7.; <E.&.<; 7E*!.)& .+..7; .(E..; .7E?; .+E.&+&.); ./E7; .7E.+; .*E7& *; (.E*&./> ((!(7&(7; ((E..7. .( For a discussion on the identit" and si%ni icance of the scroll& see t$e cha$ter and related a$$endi, item dealin% 4ith the inter$retation o the seven seals (Rev +!?E.9.

424

ChristE Son o 'anE 5amb

2he ans4er to the 3uestion. Fh" is Christ 4orth" to be in control o t$e destin" o this 4orldL is %iven in 9,2> *!.)& .( under the meta$hor o the sacri icial s"stemE .. 2he lamb is 4orth" because it 4as slain. 2he Greek 4ord& Hto slau%hterH 3s!hoJB4, re ers to the violent death o the lamb and seems to be an allusion to the slau%hter o the 1aschal lamb. (. 2he lamb is 4orth" because it has $urchased 3agoraJo, H$urchase& ransomH9 sinners or God rom ever" tribe& ton%ue& $eo$le& and nation 4ith his blood. 2he $rice $aid or the redem$tion o man is its blood& its li e :5ev .7E..&.+9. B" the use o this meta$horic lan%ua%e Aohn em$hasiJes the hi%h value o the ones $urchased and the universalit" o Christ@s action. 2he ima%er" in the $resent conte,t brin%s to mind the e,odus e,$erience. #s the blood o the 1assover lamb s"mboliJed Israel@s liberation rom bonda%e and slaver" in E%"$t& so the death o Christ is the basis or the liberation o humanit" rom the bonda%e o sin.N 2he lamb in cha$ter /E<& ho4ever& is not an ordinar" lamb. It has seven horns and seven e"es. 2he a$$earance o this e,traordinar" and obviousl" $o4er ul animal has led some scholars to inter$ret the s"mbol a%ainst the back%round o astrolo%". 2his ar%ument& ho4ever& loses its orce the moment the 4ord amion :lamb9 is understood 4ithin its biblical conte,t. 2he horns s"mboliJe Christ@s irresistible mi%ht. .+ Seven horns 4ould indicate $er ect mi%ht& omni$otence. 2he same lamb has seven e"es. 2his i%ure conve"s the idea o com$leteness o vision and denotes Christ@s 4is! dom and omniscience. 2hus& the lamb s"mbol& thou%h it retains the con! notations o Christ@s %reat redeemin% sacri ice melds into the sa%acit" and stren%th o the lion s"mbol throu%h the eatures o its e"es and horns. Revelation 7E*!.7. #%ain the theme o victor" throu%h sacri ice recurs. Aohn sees a %reat multitude 4hich no one is able to number. 2his %reat thron% is standin% be ore the throne o God and be ore the 5amb. 2he" are dressed in 4hite robes s"mboliJin% the ri%hteousness o Christ as 4ell as the victor" o aith. #n elder in the vision e,$lains to Aohn that the robes o the redeemed are 4hite because the" have been 4ashed in the blood o
.+ #$e idea t$at t$e La!b bears t$e !ark of 7is slaug$ter is e,$ressed in /E<&*&.(; .7E?; 7is blood flo ed in atone!ent for sin :/E*; 7E.+; c . .E/; .5,..A. But t$e 5amb overca!e death :/E/!<; c . .E.?9 and is o!ni6otent and o!niscient :/E<9. 7e takes over the %overnment o the 4orld b" receiving t$e book o destiny in the $eavenly council :+E( .; /E7 .9& and is the reci$ient o heav! enl" and eart$ly adoration :/E? .9. ./ #$e horn is an ancient =e is$ s"mbol for stren%th or 6o er. Cf. Deut 77E.7; . D%s ((E..; Cech .E.*!(.; etc.

425

ChristE Son o 'anE 5amb the 5amb. #o $ut it di erentl"& those 4ho belon% to this %reat multitude are made ri%hteous b" virtue o the redem$tive deat$ o the 5amb 4hom the" have $ersonall" acce$ted& $The have 4ashed their robes and made them 4hite in the blood o the 5amb.H 2hus& the" are able to stand be ore the throne o God to enIo" the eternal blessedness o the saved. Revelation .5,.;-... In a brie lashback Aohn de$icts the %reat 4ar in heaven >the rebellion o 5uci er6Satan and his an%els>4hich then s$reads to the earth. In this 4ar are Satan su ers de eat at the hands o Christ as 4ell as b" the aith ul believers. 2he" con3uer Satan b" the blood o the 5amb 4hich lo4ed in atonement or their sin. Revelation .+,K. 2his $assa%e s$eaks o the end!time& 4orld4ide 4orshi$ o the beast $o4er b" those 4hose names are not in the 5amb@s book o li e. 2he $hrase Hbe ore the oundation o the 4orldH in the $resent conte,t creates a $roblem. Fhat dates rom the oundation o the 4orld& the 4ritin% o believers@ names in Heaven@s book o li e or the death o the 5ambL 2he RS" as 4ell as some more recent translations& avor the idea that the aith ul are %uarded b" their election :b" the 4ritin% o their names in the 5amb@s book o li e9. 2his election is believed to have taken $lace at the oundation o the 4orld. Revelation .7E? seems to su$$ort this inter$retation. But i one ollo4s the Greek s"nta,& the $hrase could be $ro$erl" understood to mean that it is the 5amb 4ho has been slain rom the oundation o the 4orld. In other 4ords& the death o Christ 4as a redem$tive sacri ice decreed in the counsels o eternit" as the a$ostle 1eter a irms :. 1et .E.?!()9. Revelation ./,.-9. 2he 5amb 4ho is counted 4orth" to unloose the seals o the scroll o destin" :Rev /9 and 4ho 4ill receive the adulation o the redeemed in heaven :Rev 79 is no4 de$icted as standin% victorious 4ith His ollo4ers on heavenl" 'ount Cion. 0n their oreheads are 4ritten the name o the 5amb and the name o the Father. 2his is a si%n that the" are overcomers. 2he" trul" belon% to God and re lect Christ@s character. Revelation .3,./. In this $assa%e the 5amb overcomes both demonic and human $o4ers arra"ed in 4ar a%ainst Him. He %ains the victor" in the battle o #rma%eddon or He is 5ord o lords and Din% o kin%s :c . .*E..!(.9. Revelation .C,9-C. 2hese verses add a ne4 dimension to the 5amb@s activities discussed thus ar. =o4 the meta$hor o marria%e is introduced to e,$ress the intimate and $ermanent relationshi$ bet4een the 5amb and His $eo$le that 4ill e,ist in the 4orld to come. In short& verses 7!* describe the 5amb@s celebration o His marria%e to His eternal kin%dom and subIects. 426

ChristE Son o 'anE 5amb

Su!!ary and Conclusion

In our endeavor to determine the im$lications o the Christolo%ical titles in the book o Revelation 4e have ocused our attention u$on t4o& $erha$s the most im$ortantE the Son o man and the 5amb. Fe are better able no4 to de ine the role and unction o Christ in the li%ht o our understandin% o these t4o s"mbols. #s the Son o man& Christ unctions as both 5ord and Iud%e. He is the 5ord and the eschatolo%ical Iud%e o His church as 4ell as the nations. In a sense& He scrutiniJes the actions o His $eo$le& His church& $rior to His comin% :the 1arousia9. He then $la"s an active role in the inal Iud%ment. 2he other im$ortant Christolo%ical conce$t& that o the 5amb& seems to be in luenced b" the servant conce$t o Isaiah /7 and the t"$olo%" o the 1assover lamb. E3ui$$ed 4ith seven horns and seven e"es& the 5amb emer%es as the omniscient messianic con3ueror& 4hose victor" is based on His sacri ice. 2he 5amb@s celebration o His marria%e estival 4ith His $eo$le and His lordshi$ over them are clear indications o His ultimate and universal victor" over the orces o evil.

Biblio%ra$h" Books
Charles& R. H. TheA!ocra!ha and *seude!igra!ha o/ the Cld Testament& Vol. (. 0, ordE #t the Clarendon 1ress& .*<*. Caird& Geor%e& B. The "e#elation o/ St& John the %i#ine& =e4 OorkE Har$er B Ro4& 1ublishers& .*<<. Comblin& A. ?e )hrist %ans ?7A!ocal !se& 1arisE Desclee& 2heolo%ie bibli3ue> Serie 7. Vol. <&.*</. Court& Aohn '. 6 th and =istor in the Boo1 o/ "e#elation& #tlantaE Aohn Dno, Press> .C3C. Cri!> 8eit$> et al.> eds. The Inter!reter7s %ictionar o/ the Bible& Su$$l. volume. =ashvilleE #bin%don& .*7<. #lso vol. .. Cullmann& ). The )hristolog o/the New Testament& 2rans. Shirle" C. Gulhrie and C$arles A. 0. 7all. P$iladel6$ia, 2he Festminster Press.> .C9C.
427

ChristE Son o 'anE 5amb

E8ul& Aac3ues. A!ocat !se, The Boo1 o/ "e#elation& 2rans. Geor%e F. Schreiner. =e4 OorkE 2he Seabur" Press> .*77. Feuillet& #ndre. ?7A!ocat !se& 1arisE Desclee de Brou4er& Studia =eotestamen! tica& Subsidia 7. Eds. #. Descam$s& E. 'assau,& B. Ri%au,.& .*<(. Hahn& Ferdinand. )hristologische =oheitstilel& Gottin%enE Vandenhoek B Ru$recht& .*7+. HoltJ& 2rau%ott. %ie )hristologie derA!o1at !se des Johannes& BerlinE #kademie Verla%& .*<(. Aeremias& Aoachim. The Euchansac >ords o/ Jesus& =e4 OorkE Charles Scribner@s Sons& trans. =orman 1errin& .*<<. Doch& Dlaus; Aohann '. Schnudt. A!o1at !ti1& DarmstadtE Fissenscha tliche Buch%eseIIscha t. 5acoc3ue& #ndre. The Boo1 o/ %aniel& 2rans. David 1euauer. #tlantaE Aohn Dno, 1ress& .*7*. 5add& Geor%e E.# )ommentar on the "e#elation o/ John& Grand Ra$idsE Filliam B. Eerdmans 1ublishin% Com$an"& .*7(. 5on%enecker& Richard =. The )hristolog o/ Earl Jewish )hristianit & Studies in Biblical 2heolo%"& (nd series. =a$erville& I5& #lee R. #llenson Inc.& .*7). 'ounce& Robert H. The Boo1 o/ "e#elation& Grand Ra$ids; Filliam B. Eerdmans 1ublishin% Com$an"& .*77. Rodri%ueJ& #n%el. '. Substitution in the =ebrew )ultus& #ndre4s 8niversit" Seminar" Doctoral Dissertation Series. Vol. 7. Berrien S$rin%s& 'IE #ndre4s 8niversit" 1ress& .*7*. Russell& D. S. The 6ethod and 6essage o/ Jewish A!ocal !tic& 1hiladel$hiaE 2he Festminister 1ress& .*<+. Schnackenbur%& Rudol . The Gos!el According to St& John& Vol. .. =e4 OorkE 2he Seabur% 1ress& .*?). Schussler FiorenJa& EliJabeth. The Boo1 o/ "e#elation2 Justice and Judgment& 1hiladel$hiaE Fortress 1ress& .*?/. Food& 5eon. A )ommentar on %aniel& Grand Ra$idsE Condervan 1ublishin% House& .*77. Ooun%& Ed4ard A. The Boo1 o/ Isaiah& Vol. 7& =IC02. Grand Ra$idsE Filliam B. Eerdmans 1ublishin% Com$an"& .*7(. Curcher& A. R. )hrist o/ the "e#elation2 =is 6essage to the )hurch and the >orld& 2rans. E. E. Fhite. =ashvilleE Southern 1ublishin% #ssociation& .*?).

Aournals
5indse"& F. Duane. H2he Call o the Servant in Isaiah +(E.!*&H Bibliotheca Sacra .7*& =o. //7 :Aanuar" to 'arch& .*?(9E .( .

423

ChristE Son o 'anE 5amb

>>>. H2he Grace o the Servant in Isaiah /(E.7!/7E.(&H Bibliotheca Sacra .+)& =o. //7& :Aanuar"!'arch& .*?79.

1n6ublis$ed Pa6ers
Strand& Denneth #. H#$ocal"$tic 1ro$hec"E # Brie Introduction to Its =ature and Inter$retation.H # $a$er $re$ared or members o the Sanctuar" Revie4 Committee& .*?).

422

Ill
#11E=DICES

Eithen (7as Come9 Ar!ageddon, Inter6retations DARC(0 )inal Re$ort

A66endi- A <ote on3*lthen (7as Co!eA

C. 'erv"n 0a- ell
Some su%%est that the Semitic underla"ment o the #$ocal"$se so obscures the Seer@s use o the Greek aorist as to leave the true si%ni icance o Hthe hour o his Iud%ment eithen$ entirel" ambi%uous. I 4ould like to su%%est some considerations to reduce this alle%ed ambi%uit". S$eci icall"& the hurdle $erceived in translation o the aorists in Revelation is the demonstrable relationshi$ o a number o them to the Hebre4 $er ect; and the Hebre4 $er ect can be construed& de$endin% on conte,t& as $er ect :$ast& $resent& or uture9& %nomic :$roverbial9& static :$resent continuous9& and uturistic. 2hus& Hthe hour o his Iud%ment has come 8el5thenN7+ mi%ht& theoreticall"& be tantamount to nothin% more than a $roverbial 4arnin%& HGod Iud%es&H or HGod is %oin% to Iud%e "ou someda".H But all a%ree that a %reat man" aorists in Revelation are unambi%uous narrative $ast tenses. 2hink o the numerous occurrences ot1ai eidon :and I sa49 and 1ai e1ousa :and I heard9 4hich hel$ make u$ the abric o Revelation rom be%innin% to end. Be remind ourselves that thou%h the meanin% o the aorist o koine Greek outside the =2 4as commonl" e3uivalent to the sim$le En%lish $ast& it 4as also commonl" e3uivalent to the En%lish $er ect. Several aoristic statements in Revelation re errin% to Iud%ment make sense as En%lish $asts or En%lish $er ects but don@t make sense as %nomic or other unusual kinds o verbs. For e,am$le& <E.<!.7>Hide us& because the %reat da" o his an%er has arri#ed 3el5then4& ..E.7!.?>Oou have taken 3eite!has4 "our kin%dom... "our 4rath has come 8eithenN and the time or the dead to be Iud%ed. .+E./>1ut in "our sickle& because the hour to rea$ has arri#ed :el5then9& ./E+>Oour ri%hteousness has been re#ealed 3e!hanerothesan4& 4<<

#$$endi, # .<E/>Oou are ri%hteous& because "ou ha#e Audged 3chinas4 these thin%s. .*E(>He has Audged 3ehinen4 the %reat harlot. Fe conclude that the cr" o the irst an%el in .+E7 should be translated& H2he hour o "our Iud%ment has arri#ed,$ in harmon" 4ith 4ell established #dventist understandin%. 2he irst an%el& then& does belon% to the close o the (7)) da"s> and the third an%el@s 4arnin% about the mark o the beast must be $erceived as an end!time $henomenon.

4<4

A66endi- B

Ar!ageddon, 7istory of Adventist Inter6retations

Hans D. 5aRondelle Introduction
N% U [he histor" o #dventist inter$retations o #rma%eddon reveals a \ succession o con lictin% $ositions that betra" underl"in% di er!AP ences o $rinci$les or inter$retin% un ul illed $ro$hec". 8nderstandin% ho4 these shi tin% $redictions o the uture arose and 4h" the" became $o$ular can hel$ us to avoid takin% current events toda" as the %uidin% norm o $ro$hetic inter$retation. 2he histor" o inter$retin% #rma%eddon in Revelation .< and the end!time kin% o the north in Daniel ..E+)!+/ reveal similar trends so that both scri$ture $assa%es can be considered convenientl" to%ether.

)our 0aDor P$ases of Ar!ageddon Inter6retation

Pioneer Period 1ioneer e,$ositions sho4 a basic harmon" on #rma%eddon and the kin% o the north. From .?++ to about .?<( Seventh!da" #dventists a$$lied #rma%eddon to the climactic battle bet4een Christ and the orces o Satan at the Second #dvent. 8ntil .?7. the" unanimousl" a$$lied the kin% o the north to the $a$ac". S!it$ Period, .K3.-.C;+ In .?7.& a ter the $o$e had lost all $olitical $o4er& 8riah Smith introduced into #dventism the $o$ular vie4 o the British $remillennialists. Daniel@s kin% o the north s"mboliJed not the $a$ac"& but modern 2urke". # ter the death o Aames Fhite in .??.& it became the dominant #dvent!+7/

#$$endi, B

ist $osition or some 7) "ears. Smith also reinter$reted the %atherin% o the nations to #rma%eddon as $redictin% the comin% stru%%le o $olitical and militar" $o4ers over the $ossession o the hol" territor" or se$ulchers in the land o 1alestine. S6icer Period, .C;+-.C95 F. #! S$icer and others vie4ed #rma%eddon as a $urel" secular con! lict bet4een eastern and 4estern nations about 4orld su$remac"& centerin% in 1alestine. 2his east!4est con lict 4ould be tri%%ered b" the imminent end o 2urke"& %enerall" e,$ected durin% Forld Far I. # ter Forld Far n it 4as $roclaimed that #rma%eddon 4ould be i%nited b" a i%ht o eastern a%ainst 4estern nations over the oil de$osits in the 'iddle East. 2he second advent o Christ 4as ormall" added on as the clima, o #rma%eddon. Present Period 2he $resent revival o the $ioneer $osition 4as introduced in .*/( b" F. E. Read. #dventism at lar%e no4 holds a%ain the vie4 that the end!time $o4er o Daniel .. s"mboliJes the $a$ac" or a$ostate Christendom as it is un olded urther in Revelation .(!(). #rma%eddon is bein% stressed a%ain as the inal cosmic!universal battle concernin% the Sabbath 3uestion bet4een heaven and earth& bet4een the armies o Christ and those o Satan at the end o time. Both the $olitical and the reli%ious as$ects o the %reat controvers" are increasin%l" reco%niJed.

7istoric Develo6!ent Pioneer Period

2he 'illerite inter$reters ado$ted the traditional 1rotestant $osition on the seven last $la%ues in Revelation .<. Five $la%ues 4ere ul illed alread" in $ast histor". 2he si,th $la%ue& concernin% the Eu$hrates@ 4aters& 4as in the $rocess o ul illment and re erred to the diminishin% $olitical $o4er o 2urke" or 'ohammedanism. 0nl" the seventh $la%ue 4as still in the uture.l Ellen and =a!es Fhite initiated the ne vie that the seven $la%ues 4ere still in the uture& to be $oured out a ter human $robation closed but $rior to the second advent o Christ.(
. Sec Don ). <eufeld> ed.> SD- Enc clo!edia, Co!!entary Reference Series> vol. .) :Fashin%ton& DC& .*<<9& .))); documentation in 5. E. Froom& The *ro!hetic /aith o/ Cur (athers, vol. + :Fashin%ton& DC& .*/+9& sec inde,& HSeven 5ast 1la%ues.H DA >ord to the $?ittle (loc1$ :.?+79& .! 7; Ellen G. Fhite& Earl >ritings :Fashin%ton& DC& .??(9& -3.

#$$endi, B

A. =. #ndre4s connected the seven last $la%ues :the inal out$ourin% o God@s 4rath9 4ith the third an%el@s messa%e o Revelation .+E*!... 7 He vie4ed the $la%ues on E%"$t as t"$es o the seven last $la%ues and& there! ore& as literal Iud%ments o ?od. Ever since. Seventh!da" #dventists have considered the seven last $la%ues as Han inte%ral $art o the third an%el@s messa%e. Fhen the $henomenon o modern s$iritism 4as inter$reted as a ul ill! ment o the demonic s$irits in Revelation .<E.7!.+& a 3uestion arose. I the si,th $la%ue 4as alread" in $rocess o ul illment in s$iritism& ho4 could it be said that all the seven $la%ues are still in the utureL 8riah Smith res$onded that onl" the si,th $la%ue re3uired a s$ecial $re$arator" 4ork b" the demons be ore the actual $la%ues came. Re%ardin% the dr"in% u$ o the Eu$hrates in Revelation .<E.(& Filliam 'iller had tau%ht that this $redicted the diminishin% o the 2urkish $o4er& as current events seemed to con irm. Some o the 'illerites& such as Aosiah 5itch& held that the literal Eu$hrates 4ould dr" u$ miraculousl" under the si,th $la%ue o God@s 4rath. 5itch& ho4ever& $laced the seven $la%ues a/ter the Second #dvent.< S!it$ Period In .?/7 8riah Smith ado$ted the $o$ular vie4 o the British $remil! lennialists that the Eu$hrates s"mboliJed the territor throu%h 4hich it lo4s. #t that time it 4as the 2urkish Em$ire. 7 'akin% the %eo%ra$hic 'id! dle East the decisive norm o end!time $ro$hec" became the standard #d! ventist $osition or man" "ears.H In .?<( 8riah Smith introduced into #dventism the vie4 that the three demonic s$irits o Revelation .<E.7 aimed to %ather all the kin%s or nations to 1alestine to battle over the Hhol" land.H #t that time Aerusalem 4as in the hands o the 2urks. Durin% that international battle at Aerusalem& 2urke" 4ould come to its end. 2his 4ould be the si,th $la%ue and 4ould $re$are the 4a" or the Hkin%s o the eastH or the eastern nations to i%ht at Aerusalem :the seventh $la%ue9. # ter the nations o Christendom had de eated 2urke" in 1alestine& the 0riental nations 4ould come rom the
7<&/(; c . 1room +E.)<)!<.. + Revie" and =erald, #$ril .7&.?//& ()*. + 1. G. Damstee%t& (oundations o/ the S%A 6essage and 6ission :Grand Ra$ids& .*779& (.+. / Filliam 0iller> E#idence ,rom Scri!ture and =istor o/ the Second )oming o/ )hrist :.?7<9& .?/. < Aosiah Litc$> !rophetic E0!ositions . :.?+(9E .7/. H "e#iew and =erald, Aune .?&.?/7. K See> e.%.& F. R. French& Armageddon :#n%4in& C#& $rivate $ubl.& .*+(9& cha$. (.

4<7

#$$endi, B

East to Ioin the Christian nations in their 4ar a%ainst Christ. He e,$lained the seventh $la%ue as a militar" 4ar o Bab"lon :the uni/ied armies o both Christian and Eastern $a%an nations9 a%ainst Christ. Smith tried to construe some connection bet4een the militar" o$erations o the nations and their reli%ious rebellion a%ainst Christ b" creatin% in the minds o the $olitical leaders the assum!tion o a hidden $ur$ose to i%ht a%ainst God.* It is note4orth" to observe that 8riah Smith never tau%ht that #rma%eddon 4as a 4ar bet4een Eastern and Festern nations. In contrast most earl" Seventh!da" #dventists& such as Aames Fhite& maintained the $ioneer vie4 that #rma%eddon did not si%ni " an" 4ar bet4een nations. 2he" sa4 it& rather& as the inal cosmic!universal battle bet4een heaven and earth& bet4een Christ and Satan. .) 2he %atherin% o all nations a%ainst God in Revelation .<E.7!.+ 4as conceived as a %atherin% or uniting o/ minds in o$$osition to Christ and His $eo$le& rather than as an assemblin% o armies to a 'iddle East location. Daniel@s kin% o the north 4as %enerall" held to re$resent the 1a$ac". But in .?7.& a ter the $o$e lost his $olitical $o4er :in Ital"9& @riah Smith suddenl" chan%ed his $osition on the kin% o the north rom the 1a$ac" to 2urke"..+ In .?7? he $redicted that 2urke"@s end 4as imminent& that H4e have reached the $reliminar" movements o the %reat battle o #rma%eddon.H.( Still toda"& in the .*++ edition o his book on the $ro$he! cies& 4e read this inter$retation o Revelation .<E.(>H2he dr"in% u$ o the river in this sense 4ould be the diminution o the 2urkish nation& the %radual shrinkin% o its borders.... Surel" the nation s"mboliJed b" the Eu$hrates is dr"in% u$.H.7 Such sensational s$eculation about Hthe Eastern 3uestion&@M seemin%l" substantiated b" then!current events o a 4ar bet4een 2urke" and Russia :.?779& caused Aames Fhite to state that 8riah Smith 4as Hremovin% the landmarks ull" established in the #dvent movement.H .+ In an article in the "e#iew and =erald o 0ctober 7&.?7?& Aames Fhite ar%ued that the last $o4er o Daniel .. covers the same %round o cha$ters (& 7& and ?. 2hus& Fhite de ended the sola scri!tura method o Bible inter$retation. 2he recent histor" o 2urke" has brou%ht all 1rotestant $redictions o
, "e#iew and =erald, December (&.?<(&/. .) "e#iew and =erald, Aanuai"(.&.?<(&<.. .. Froom +E...<. .( "e#iew and =erald, Aune <&.?7?. .7 1ria$ Smith& The *ro!hecies on %aniel and the "e#elation :=ashville& .*++9& <*(!*7& italics in ori%inal. .+ "e#iew and =erald, =ovember (*&.?77.

4<3

#$$endi, B

its imminent de!ise to shame. 2he ver" o$$osite o a deterioratin% Hsick manH actuall" took $lace& vividl" described b" the historian #rnold A. 2o"n! bee& in his book& Thr1e , o .*(<../ S6icer Period In .*)7 8riah Smith died. Immediatel" a third $hase be%an in #dvent! ist inter$retation o #rma%eddon. F. #. S$icer 4as the chie $ro$onent. 20s in luential editor o the "e#iew and =erald :later General Con erence $resident9 de ended the vie4 that the evil s$irits o Revelation .<E.7&.+ 4ere no4 s$eedil" %atherin% all the 4orld to #rma%eddon :Forld Far I9. He stated& HBe ore our ver" e"es the $ro$hec" is ul illin%.H .< 8n4ittin%l" he made current events the %uidin% norm or understandin% un ul illed $ro$hec" b" su%%estin%& H5et us $lace side b" side some o the utterances o the $ro$hets o old and the 4ritin%s o $ublic men toda" concernin% this Eastern 3uestion that marks the inal crisis o histor".H.7 2his vie4 and method became the acce$ted standard o Seventh!da" #dventist $ro$hetic inter$retation& althou%h incidental voices o the $ioneer vie4 could be heard..) 2he in luential S. =. Haskell 4rote in .*)?E H#ll kno4 that 4hen the 2urk ste$s out o Constantino$le& there 4ill be a %eneral breakin% u$ o Euro$e. 2he" ma" not name the im$endin% con lict the battle o #rma%ed! don& but God has so named it.H.* 2he Chinese revolution o .*.. stimulated the idea that #rma%eddon 4ould be basicall" a 4ar bet4een nations :Hkin%sH9 rom the east a%ainst those o the 4est. Four articles b" R. C. 1orter in the "e#iew and =erald o Aul" and #u%ust& .*.7& 4ere based on the assum$tion that #rma%eddon 4as essentiall" an east!4est con lict. 2he ministr" $laced increasin% em$hasis on the $olitical role o the 0riental nations& es$eciall" o Aa$an and the 4hite man@s ear o the H"ello4 $eril.H 2his e,$ression 4as ado$ted rom the secular $ress b" G. I. Butler () and b" C. B. Ha"nes in his book. Cn the E#e o/ ArmageddonD+ and became $art o the ne4 #dventist east!4est conce$t o #rma%eddon.
./ :5ondon9& see $$. +!.7; sec also the soberin% re$ort o #. V. 0lsen in .*/(& in Cur (irm (oundation D :Fashin%ton& DC& .*/79; /+7. .< "e#iew and =erald, 0ctober ((&.*)7. .7 Ibid.. <&7. .? '. C Filco,& Signs o/ the rones. (ctober .)&.*..; F. 2. Bartlctt. .* The Story of Daniel the !rophet :.*)?9& (?7. () The Southern >atchman, Aanuar" 7&.*)/. (. :.*+<9& /+.

4<2

#$$endi, B

1olitical develo$ments durin% and a ter Forld Far I be%an to sho4 that 2urke" 4as unlikel" to ul ill the #dventist $redictions o the kin% o the north in Daniel ..E+/. =or did Aa$an see! a likel" candidate or the kin%s o the east in Revelation .<E.(. Conse3uentl"& #dventist 4riters be%an to stress more the idea o a universal #rma%eddon 4ith its decisive battle in 1alestine. But the i!!inent e,$ulsion o 2urke" rom Euro$e remained the irm $rediction o #dventist authors& in s$ite o 2urke"@s survival and revival a ter Forld Far I.(( 2he .*.* Bible )on/erence and Bible Teachers7 )ouncil ree,amined the Seventh!da" #dventist inter$retations o Daniel .. and 4as intensivel" occu$ied 4ith Hthe Eastern Kuestion.H(7 It decided inall" to maintain 2urke" as the kin% o the north in Daniel ..E+/& ho$in% that the $olitical events mi%ht turn out to Iusti " this lon%!standin% #dventist $osition. Fhen the 2urkish 1arliament abolished the Cali$hate in .*(7& the #dventist $osition chan%ed to stress a%ain an east5west Armageddon 4ar :as 4as tau%ht be ore Forld Far I9. =o4 Communist Russia 4as vie4ed as the leader o the kin%s o the east 4ho 4ould come to 1alestine to i%ht the battle o #rma%eddon a%ainst the 4est.(+ Fith the a$$roach o Forld Far II s$eculations abounded about the e,$ected reali%nment o the nations. 2he ne4 em$hasis o #rma%eddon became once a%ain a uni#ersal battle o nations in the 'iddle East. 2he central issue at stake in #rma%eddon remained& ho4ever& a $er$le,in% eni%ma. #s Frederick 5ee e,$ressed it& H0ne@s mind becomes con used as one endeavors to i%ure out an orderl" and de inite a$$roach to the last %reat 4ar& such as linin% u$ nations and races u$on one side or another.H (/ 1erha$s the irst author 4ho $ublished the vie in a denominational ma%aJine that #rma%eddon 4ould be a con lict over a religious issue& 4as Geor%e 'cCread" 1rice.(< But the modem breakthrou%h o the ori%inal $osition o our oundin% athers had to 4ait until .*/(& 4hen F E. Read& a res$ected administrator and researcher& %ave his e$och!makin% Bible lecture called J#$e Great Controvers"&H at the Seventh!da" #dventist Bible Con erence in 2akoma 1ark& 'ar"land.(7 Read restored Christ and His aith ul remnant to the center o a
(( &.g.. by A. ?. (aniclls> Si//is of the rimes, #$ril ..>.*.<; and The !resent Truth, =ovember ./& .*.7; also& H# Borid in Per6le-ity>J Revie" and =erald, .*.?&?7!.).. (7 Covering (+7 6ages of the transcri6tG c . Revie" and =erald, #u%ust ..&.*.*. (+ See E. R. 2hiele& Si w o/ the rimes, December ....*(7. (/ "e#iew and =erald, #u%ust 7.&.*7*. (< Si//is o/ the Times, 0ay 7&.*+<. 53 See $ur (irm ,oundation (E(77!77/.

44;

#$$endi, B

universal #rma%eddon. He stated that #rma%eddon 4ill be in essence the inal battle Hbet4een truth and error&H Hthe battle a%ainst the saints.H (? It 4ill suddenl" end b" Hthe voice o God brin%in% deliverance to the saints.H 2he deliverance o God@s $eo$le 4ill cause the mutual slau%hter o the nations& 4hich 4ill be motivated b" the ra%e Hthat their $re" has been snatched rom their %ras$.H(* Durin% this universal scene o sel !destruction& Christ 4ill ride orth as Con3ueror rom heaven to 4a%e 4ar a%ainst the beast and his armies :Rev .7E.+; .*E.*9. 2he e,tensive $resentation o F. E. Read 4as mostl" a s"stematic e,! $osition o Ellen G. Fhite@s vie4& not a s"stematic& e,e%etical Bible stud". Oet& some outstandin% evan%elists and church leaders immediatel" su$$orted his Christocentric inter$retation o #rma%eddon as the universal 4ar a%ainst the true church o Christ.7) 2o $resent an in!de$th stud" o #rma%eddon in its biblical conte,t 4as the $rimar" concern o the #ustralian evan%elist& 5ouis F. Fere& $ublished in several booksE The )ertaint o/ the Third Angel7s 6essage :.*+/9& The >oman and the "esurrected Beast :.*/(9& The Oings That )ome (rom the Sunrising :.*/.9& The Oing o/ the North atJemsalem :.*+*9& and 'rsH. E& G& >hite, @riah Smith and the Oing o/ the North :.*//9. He $resented the $o$ular $olitical e,$ectations in #dventism or 4hat the" reall" 4ereE un! Iusti ied s$eculations. But more than that& he e,$lained the real cause o this tan%ent. 2he denomination had ailed to de ine $ro$er =2 her!meneutical $rinci$les or $ro$hetic inter$retation. But the General Con erence no lon%er dela"ed. It a$$ointed a Commit! tee on Biblical Stud" and Research to revie4 the traditional inter$retation on Daniel ... Its re$ort& $ublished in 6inistr L+ took issue 4ith 8riah Smith@s inter$retations o Daniel ..E7<!7* :as $redictin% the French revolution9 and o ..E+)!+/ :as re errin% to 2urke"9. #$ey ound both a$$lications e,e%eticall" 4antin%& deviatin% rom our more de ensible $ioneer vie4. 2he committee concluded unanimousl" that on Daniel ..E7<!+/ H8riah Smith ... re lected the $o$ular 1rotestant and secular vie4$ointH 7( and allo4ed himsel to be in luenced too much b" the current reli%ious!$olitical events o his time. 2he stud" committee restored the $ioneer vie4 that the
(? 1$. 7)7!?. (* 1. 7)*. 7) F. 7. Branson> %rama o/ the Ages :=ashville& .*/79& +77!?); R. #. #nderson& @n/olding the "e#elation :'ountain 'ie > CA> .*/79& .<7; P. 8- )rei irt$> Valle s o/ the Bi le :5os #n%eles& Voice of Pro6$ecy> .*/79& ?<7!??. 7. 'arch .C9/>((!(7. 7( Ibid.& (+.

++.

#$$endi, B 1a$ac" 4as the $o4er re erred to in Daniel ..E7<!7*.77 2he $assa%e o
%AB

Daniel ..E+)!+/ 4as considered Hlar%el" as un ul illed $ro$hec".H 2he re$ort advised a%ainst attem$ts to set orth do%maticall" the course o human histor" Hlest 4e assume the role o $ro$hets ourselves.H 7/ 2he committee admitted& ho4ever& that it 4as divided 4ith re%ard to its basic hermeneutics or %uidelines to inter$ret Daniel ..E+)!+/. 'ost members& i not all& still assumed that the Hkin% o the northH and the Hkin% o the southH in these verses Hmust $la" their $art in the inal histor" 4ithin ... the eastern 'editerranean.H 7< 2he committee su%%ested even the use o the dan%erous $rinci$le Hthat these verses need to be studied in the li%ht o $resent!da" develo$ments.H77 2here 4ere& ho4ever& Hsome membersH o this committee 4ho elt that Daniel .. should be studied in connection 4ith Revelation .7 and .?.7? It 4as a$$arent rom this committee re$ort that the lack o basic unit" concernin% $ro$hetic inter$retation in #dventism 4ent be"ond di erences over isolated scri$ture $assa%es. 2he undamental $roblem 4as the burnin% issue o establishin% clear biblical !rinci!les o inter$retation that 4ould %uide res$onsible e,e%esis o Scri$ture. 2his dee$er issue 4as $ursued b" the Biblical Research Committee :renamed later& Biblical Research Institute9 o the General Con erence in .*7+ in its book& A S m!osium on Biblical =ermeneutics L, 2his broad com$ilation orms a milestone in #dventist histor" o inter$retation. It marks the be%innin% o a ne4 a$$reciation o Christ!centered e,$ositor" $reachin%& but most o all& the irst denominational e ort to s$ell out our #dventist $rinci$les o $ro$hetic inter$retation. +) 2he )hristocentric hermeneutic 4as maintained consistentl" 4ithin a revived t"$olo%ical understandin% o the unit" o both 2estaments. 2he %os$el ke" 4as a$$lied s"stematicall" no4 to the connection o the ancient $la%ues on E%"$t and the seven last $la%ues in Revelation :cha$. .79. 2he controversial $redictive $assa%es o Daniel ..E+/ and Revelation .<E.( 4ere inter$reted in the li%ht o the %os$el o Aesus Christ instead o current events. 2he book o Revelation 4as considered consistentl" Has the advanced
77 Ibid.& (+&(/. 7+ Ibid.& (<. 7/ Ibid.> (7. 7< Ibid.& (<. 77 Ibid. 7? Ibid. +C ?. 0. 7ydc> cd. :Fashin%ton& DC> .*7+9. +) See ibid.> cha$s. .)!.7.

442

#$$endi, B

un oldin% and Christolo%ical inter$retation o Daniel.H +. =o lon%er %eo%! ra$h" or territor"& but Christ 4as acce$ted as the %uidin% norm o $ro$hetic inter$retation. E,am$les o the ne4 sense o e,e%etical res$onsibilit" in $ro$hetic in! ter$retation can be seen in the seven!volume Se#enth5da Ad#entist Bible )ommentar ID althou%h ambi%uit" still rei%ned in o erin% the reader a choice bet4een the 1alestine!centered and the Christ!centered inter$retation re%ardin% #rma%eddon.+7 2he Se#enth5da Ad#entist Bible %ictionar I is unambi%uous& 4ith its consistent t"$olo%ical $ers$ective o H#rma%eddon.M +/ It o$ted onl" or a conte,tual vie4 o Scri$ture 4hich 4as $resented in the Bible )ommentar as Hthe second vie4.H Further 4itnesses o the Christ!centered Bible orientation are the commentaries on Daniel b" G. 'cCread" 1riceE The Greatest o/ the *ro!h5 etsI and Tune o/ the EndI #n" 'iddle East a$$lication o the end!time $ro$hecies 4as radicall" eli!inated> rom a s"stematic hermeneutical $oint o vie4. 2he aith ul remnant church 4as reinstituted as the ocal center o #rma%eddon& the inal con lict bet4een heaven and earth. G. 'cCread" 1rice commented& H2hen 4hat a travest" o acts to s$eak o it Q#rma%eddonR as a militar" a air in a little comer o South4estern #siaNH+? 2he recent trend to e,e%etical!academic e,cellence can be seen in the articles o 8. Sie%bert& HDie T !ologische Bedeutung des Begri//s Bab lon, //., and o F. H. Shea& H2he 5ocation and Si%ni icance o #rma%eddon in Revelation .<E.<. H/) In the 4orld4ide evan%elistic outreach o the church& ho4ever& the traditional 1alestine ocus is still 4idel" maintained. Some leadin% evan! %elists have tied #rma%eddon to elements such as the 4orld@s su$$l" o $etroleum& and its relationshi$ to 'iddle East $olitical develo$ments. 2he ne4 Christocentric a$$roach to Daniel and Revelation in #dventism is re$resented in the t4o volumes God )ares b" C. 'erv"n 'a,4ell&
/. Ibid.& 5/2. +( ). D. <ic$ol> ed. (Bas$ington> DC> .*/7!.*/79. +7 See Ibid.& 7E?+(!+7. // Co!!entaiy Reference Series& ed. S. 7. 7orn> vol. K :Fashin%ton& DC> .*<)9. +/ Ibid.& 7.!7(. +< :'ountain Vie4& C#& .*//9& 7.?..*. +7 :=ashville& .*<79& c$a6. .(; and D. )oid> Daniel :=ashville& .*7?9. +? rone o/lheEnd :=ashville& .*7<9. .<7. .,A@SS .( :.*7+9E ..(!(/. MFA@SS .? :.*?)9E ./7!<. 44<

#$$endi, B

1ro essor o Church Histor" at the Seventh!da" #dventist 2heolo%ical Seminar"& #ndre4s 8niversit"./. In .*?7 the #ndre4s 8niversit" 1ress $ublished the mono%ra$h. The Israel o/ God in *ro!hec 2 *rinci!les o/ *ro!hetic Inter!retation, b" Hans D! 5aRondelle. It $resents a s"stematic discussion o $rinci$les b" 4hich %os$el understandin%s rom the 02 %uide =2 inter$retation alon% Christocentric lines. LaRondelle s$eci icall" a66lies the %os$el hermeneutic to the seven last $la%ues and #rma%eddon as clima, o Oah4eh@s hol" 4ars in )hariots o/ Sal#ation2 The Biblical %rama o/ Armageddon& In revie4 o t$e turbulent histor" o #dventist #rma%eddon inter! $retations& e concur it$ t$e observation o Ra"mond F. Cottrell that the ormulation o biblical hermeneutical $rinci$les is indis$ensable or de! nominational and evan%elistic unit" in our understandin% and $roclamation o the inal events,
2he im$ortance o a%reement on a set o valid $rinci$les is em$hasiJed b" the act that all $rimar" $roo o 2urke" or an East!Fest con lict bein% in an" 4a" related to the #rma%eddon o $ro$hec" 4as based on a $rocess o s$eculative reasonin% derived e,clusivel" rom unins$ired sources. /(

&llen ?. B$ite%s 'ie of Ar!ageddon

Ellen Fhite has inter$reted #rma%eddon in the settin% o the seven last $la%ues o Revelation ./!.7. She urther related the $la%ues or%anicall" to the 02 t"$es and $ro$hecies. Her com$rehensive conce$t 4as& HIn the Revelation all the books o the Bible meet and end.H/7 In The Great )ontro#ers Ellen Fhite describes the irst our $la%ues on $a%e <(?& but continues her e,$lanation o the i th& si,th& and the seventh $la%ues on $a%e <7<& a ter havin% sketched irst the historical back%round and the reli%ious!$olitical develo$ment that $rovoked the out$ourin% o the inal $la%ue!Iud%ments. 2o her& the center o interest in the $la%ue! Iud%ments is the Israel o God. 2he last $la%ues unction as the historical antit"$e o the $la%ues on E%"$t. 2he latter clearl" 4ere intended to deliver the o$$ressed Israel. So the last $la%ues like4ise aim to rescue God@s remnant $eo$leE H2he Hol"
/. (0ountain 'ie . CA> .*?. and .*?/9. /( R. F. Cottrell& *ioneer Views on %aniel Ele#en and Armageddon :un$ublished manuscri$t& .*/.9& (+. /7 Ellen ?. B$ite> The -cts of the -postles (0ountain Vie4& CA> .*..9. /?/. ---

#$$endi, B

0ne 4ho divided the Red Sea be ore Israel& 4ill mani est His mi%ht" $o4er and turn their ca$tivit".H/+ #n entire cha$ter :cha$. +)9 describes the divine intervention on behal o God@s $eo$le durin% the last three $la%ues. 2his crucial cha$ter& HGod@s 1eo$le Delivered&H sets the sta%e b" mentionin% the $re$arations in di erent lands to outla4 the children o God. HIt is no4& in the hour o utmost e,tremit"& that the God o Israel 4ill inter$ose or the deliverance o His chosen.H// # ter citin% Isaiah 7)E(*!7)& H#nd the 5ord shall cause His %lorious voice to be heard&H/< she describes ho4 the last three $la%ues 4ill ind their ul illmentE/7
Fith shouts o trium$h& Ieerin%& and im$recation& thron%s o evil men Q/th $la%ueR are about to rush u$on their $re"& 4hen& lo& a dense blac1ness, dee$er than the darkness o the ni%ht& alls u$on the earth. 2hen a rainbo4& shinin% 4ith the %lor" rom the throne o God& s$ans the heavens and seems to encircle each $ra"in% com$an". Q<th $la%ueR The angr multitudes are suddenl arrested& 2heir mockin% cries die a4a". 2he obIects o their murderous ra%e are or%otten. Fith ear ul orebodin%s the" %aJe u$on the s"mbol o God@s covenant and lon% to be shielded rom its over$o4erin% bri%htness.... It is at midni%ht that God mani ests His $o4er or the deliverance o His $eo$le. 2he sun a$$ears& shinin% in its stren%th. Si%ns and 4onders ollo4 in 3uick succession.... Q7th $la%ueR In the midst o the an%r" heavens is one clear s$ace o indescribable %lor"& 4hence comes the voice o God like the sound o man" 4aters& sa"in%& $It is done&$ Revelation .<E.7. 2hat voice shakes the heavens and the earth. 2here is a mi%ht" earth3uake& Hsuch as 4as not since men 4ere u$on the earth& so mi%ht" an earth3uake& and so %reat.H Verses .7& .?.... Bab"lon the %reat has come in remembrance be ore God& Hto %ive unto her the cu$ o the 4ine o the ierceness o His 4rath.H Great hailstones& ever" one Habout the 4ei%ht o a talent&H are doin% their 4ork o destruction. Verses .*&(..... 1rison 4alls are rent asunder& and God@s $eo$le& 4ho have been held in bonda%e or their aith& are set ree.

Ellen G. Fhite describes here the order o the i th throu%h the seventh $la%ues. 2he a$ocal"$tic Eu$hrates River does not re$resent to her merel"
/+ &llen G. Fhite& The Great )ontro#ers :'ountain Vie4& CA> .*/)9& 2+/. // Ibid.& <7/. /< Ibid. /7 Ibid.> <7/!77& em$hasis added.

445

#$$endi, B HmultitudesH or $eo$le in %eneral& but those Han%r" multitudesH 4ho su$$ort and obe" Hthe %reat harlot Bab"lon.H 2hese multitudes are hostile to the true Israel o God. In Revelation the divine Iud%ment o the si,th $la%ue is described as the dr"in% u$ o the 4aters o the Eu$hrates. In the li%ht o the 02 t"$olo%"& this Hdr"in% u$H si%ni ies a sudden 4ithdra4al o su$$ort or Bab"lon b" the multitudes 4ho are a4akened to their true situation be ore God. # rainbo4 encirclin% the aith ul remnant durin% the i th $la%ue startles them into an a4esome silence. Ellen G. Fhite& there ore& e,$lains the meanin% o the antit"$ical Hdr"in% u$H o the Bab"lonian 4aters as re errin% to the deluded enemies o God@s $eo$leE H2he an%r" multitudes are suddenl" arrestedHN/? In cha$ter +. she e,$lains the do4n all o Bab"lon b" e,$andin% on the reason 4h" these multitudes 4ill suddenl" become an%r" and be%in to hate the %reat harlot Bab"lon& attackin% and destro"in% her :Rev .7E./!.79. She describes the be%innin% o the seventh $la%ue as ollo4sE HFhen the voice o God turns the ca$tivit" o His $eo$le& there is a terrible a4akenin% o those 4ho have lost all in the %reat con lict o li e.H/* Ho4 Bab"lon inall" is destro"ed b" these an%r" multitudes is a much ne%lected inter$retation o #rma%eddon in traditional #dventismE 2he multitudes are illed 4ith hir". HFe are lostNH the" cr"& Hand "ou are the cause o our ruin;H and the" turn u$on the alse she$herds.... 2he s4ords 4hich 4ere to sla" God@s $eo$le are no4 em$lo"ed to destro" their enemies. Ever"4here there is stri e and bloodshed. . . . 2he 4ork o destruction be%ins amon% those 4ho have $ro essed to be the s$iritual %uardians o the $eo$le. 2he alse 4atchmen are the irst to all.<) 2his is Ellen Fhite@s use o Revelation .7E.< in un oldin% urther the seventh $la%ue and #rma%eddon. 2he s$iritual controvers" o the end!time eru$ts inall" in a universal bloodbath& in 4hich the a$ostate s$iritual leaders and she$herds are the irst to all. 2he 4hole issue is one o aith ulness versus a$ostas" to the everlastin% covenant o God. 2his is Ellen Fhite@s theocentric vie4 o #rma%eddon. It is strikin% that Ellen Fhite@s inter$retation o the dr"in% u$ o the Eu$hrates as 4ell as #rma%eddon :in contrast to those o 8riah Smith@s& $ublished .( "ears earlier9 is ree rom an" %eo%ra$hical 'iddle East
/? Ibid.& <7<. /* Ibid.& </+. <) Ibid.& </<.

446

#$$endi, B notions. In her 4ritin%s all end!time a$$lications o $ro$hec" are consistentl" God! and Christ!centered. Ever" a$$lication o a$ocal"$tic s"mbolism unctions in a livin% relationshi$ 4ith Christ and His remnant $eo$le& the Israel o God. 2his is the reason 4h" she combines the various $ortra"als o the last 4ar a%ainst the saints o God in Revelation .(&.7&.+&.<&.7& and .* into one or%anic 4hole. In the $relude to #rma%eddon onl" t4o $arties are bein% ormed in mortal combatE 2here are onl" t4o $arties u$on this earth!those 4ho stand under the bloodstained banner o Aesus Christ and those 4ho stand under the black banner o rebellion. In the t4el th cha$ter o Revelation is re$resented the %reat con lict bet4een the obedient and the disobedient QRev. .(E.7; .7E..!.7 3uotedR :'S .<&.*))9.<. #$e Sabbath 3uestion 4ill be the issue in the %reat con lict in 4hich all the 4orld 4ill act a $art QRev. .7E+!?&.) 3uoted.R... :'S ??&.?*79.<( 2here are onl" t4o $arties in our 4orld& those 4ho are lo"al to God& and those 4ho stand under the banner o the $rince o darkness. Satan and his an%els 4ill come do4n 4ith $o4er and si%ns and l"in% 4onders to deceive those 4ho d4ell on the earth& and i $ossible the ver" elect. 2he crisis is ri%ht u$on us ... :'S .7(&.?**9.<7 In the 4ar are to be 4a%ed in the last da"s there 4ill be united& in o$$osition to ?od%s $eo$le& all the corru$t $o4ers that have a$ostatiJed rom alle%iance to the la4 o Aehovah. In this 4ar are the Sabbath o the ourth commandment 4ill be the %reat $oint at issue; or in the Sabbath commandment the %reat 5a4%iver identi ies Himsel as the Creator o the heavens and the earth :'S (+&.?*.9.<+ #s Christ 4as %lori ied on the da" o 1entecost& so 4ill He a%ain be %lori ied in the closin% 4ork o the %os$el& 4hen He shall $re$are a $eo$le to stand the inal test& in the closin% con lict o the %reat controvers" :RH =ov. (*&.?*(9.</ 2he battle o #rma%eddon is soon to be ou%ht. He on 4hose vesture is 4ritten the name. Din% o kin%s and 5ord o lords& leads orth the armies o heaven on 4hite horses& clothed in ine linen& clean and 4hite :'S .7(&
66

.?**9E
<. BIcn G. Fhite Comments& The S%A Bible )ommentar 7E*7+. <( Ibid.. *7*. <7 Ibid.& *?(. <+ Ibid.& *?7. on Rev .7E.7..+. </ Ibid.& on Rev .7E.+. 22 Ibid.> CK5G cf. BIcn ?. B$ite> Testimonies /or the #hurch < :'ountain Vie4& CA> .*+?9E <)<.

447

#$$endi, B Ever" orm o evil is to s$rin% into intense activit". Evil an%els unite their $o4ers 4ith evil men& and as the" have been in constant con lict and attained an e,$erience in the best modes o dece$tion and battle& and have been stren%thenin% or centuries& the" 4ill not "ield the last %reat inal contest 4ithout a des$erate stru%%le. #ll the 4orld 4ill be on one side or the other o the 3uestion. 2he battle o #rma%eddon 4ill be ou%ht& and that da" must ind none o us slee$in%. Fide a4ake 4e must be& as 4ise vir%ins havin% oil in our vessels 4ith our lam$s.... #$e $o4er o the Hol" Ghost must be u$on us& and the Ca$tain o the 5ord@s host 4ill stand at the head o the an%els o heaven to direct the battle. Solemn events be ore us are "et to trans$ire. 2rum$et a ter trum$et is to be sounded& vial a ter vial $oured out one a ter another u$on the inhabitants o the earth. Scenes o stu$endous interest are ri%ht u$on us :5etter .)*..?*)9.<7 24o %reat o$$osin% $o4ers are revealed in the last %reat battle. 0n one side stands the Creator o heaven and earth. #ll on His side bear His si%net. 2he" are obedient to His commands. 0n the other side stands the $rince o darkness& 4ith those 4ho have chosen a$ostas" and rebellion :RH'a"7&.*).9.<? 2he $resent is a solemn& ear ul time or the church. 2he an%els are alread" %irded& a4aitin% the mandate o God to $our their vials o 4rath u$on the 4orld. Destro"in% an%els are takin% u$ the 4ork o ven%eance; or the S$irit o God is %raduall" 4ithdra4in% rom the 4orld. Satan is also musterin% his orces o evil& %oin% orth Hunto the kin%s o the earth and of the 4hole 4orld&H to %ather them under his banner& to be trained or Hthe battle o that %reat da" o God #lmi%ht".H Satan is to make most $o4er ul e orts or the master" in the last %reat con lict. Fundamental $rinci$les 4ill be brou%ht out& and decisions made in re%ard to them. Ske$ticism is $revailin% ever"4here. 8n%odliness abounds. 2he aith o individual members o the church 4ill be tested as thou%h there 4ere not another $erson in the 4orld :'S la& .?*)9.<* Fe need to stud" the $ourin% out o the seventh vial. 2he $o4ers o evil 4ill not "ield u$ the con lict 4ithout a stru%%le. But 1rovidence has a $art to act in the battle o #rma%eddon. Fhen the earth is li%hted 4ith the %lor" o the an%el o Revelation ei%hteen& the reli%ious elements& %ood and evil& 4ill a4ake rom slumber& and the armies o the livin% God 4ill take the ield :'S .7/&.?**9.7)
<7 Ibid.. *?(. <? Ibid.& *?(!?7. <* Ibid.& *?7. 7) Ibid. --6

2he earth is to be the battle ield ! 7. !the scene o the inal contest and the inal victor".

Ellen Fhite e,$licitl" calls the $ortra"al o Christ comin% as the heavenl" 4arrior on a 4hite horse in Revelation .* Hthe battle o #rma! %eddonHE H2he battle o #rma%eddon is soon to be ou%ht. He on 4hose vesture is 4ritten the name& Din% o kin%s& and 5ord o lords& is soon to lead orth the armies o heaven.H7(

71 Revie, and Herald) M#+ 1<,12;2,41;+ 72 @Rstimoffiesfor the Church 6@4;6+

442

A66endi- C

Daniel and Revelation Co!!ittee, )inal Re6ort

F. Richard 5esher& Chairman Frank B. Holbrook& Secretar"
In 'a" .**( the Daniel and Revelation Committee& an ad hoc committee a$$ointed b" the General Con erence under the chairmanshi$ o Dr. F Richard 5esher& concluded its 4ork. Initiall" assi%ned in .*?. to research issues challen%in% #dventist inter$retation in Daniel& 5eviticus& and Hebre4s& the committee :earl" on dubbed D#RC0'9 decided also to dra4 Revelation under its $urvie4. Durin% the decade o its activities& D#RC0' e,$anded rom an ori%inal (. to (/ scholars :t4o rom overseas divisions9& meetin% once> and sometimes t4ice>a "ear. 2he sessions& several da"s in len%th& convened mainl" in Fashin%ton& D.C.> and Berrien S$rin%s& 'ichi%an& but also in San Die%o& Cali ornia; 0ak4ood Colle%e& #labama; =e4bold Colle%e& En%land; and 'arienhoehe Seminar"& German". Fith sadness the committee salutes the memor" o Dr. #rthur A. Ferch& ield secretar" or the South 1aci ic Division& 4ho contributed e,tensivel" to the studies o D#RC0' be ore his untimel" death in .**.. Committee members and invitees %enerated scores o stud" $a$ers in a sincere endeavor to understand var"in% vie4$oints. Re$orts o the meetin%s a$$eared rom time to time in the Ad#entist "e#iew& 24ice the committee $ublished in!de$th $ro%ress re$orts on issues in the books o Hebre4s and Revelation 3Ad#entist "e#iew, Februar" 7& .*?/; #u%ust 7& .*?*; 6inistr , #$ril .*?/; Aanuar" .**.9. From the $a$ers $re$ared or committee discussion& an a%%re%ate o nearl" (+)) $a%es 4ere selected or $ublication& to share 4ith ministers and members the s$iritual riches that have emer%ed rom D#RC0'@s decade o stud". 2he ollo4in% volumes& kno4n as the D#RC0' series&
-5$

#$$endi, C

are available throu%h the #dventist Book Center outlets and the Biblical Research Institute in the General Con erenceE

Volume 1@ Selected Studies on Prophetic Interpretation (1232) Volume 2@ Symposium on Daniel (1236) Volume <@ 1he Seventy :eeks) 0eviticus) and the Nature of Prophecy

:.*?<9 Volume /, Issues in the Boo1 o/ =ebrews :.*?*9 Volume /E %octrine o/ the Sanctuar 2 A =istorical Sur#e :.*?*9 Volume 2, S m!osium on "e#elation, Book . :.**(9 Volume 7E S m!osium on "e#elation, Book ( :.**(9 Volume . 4as earl" translated into Chinese b" a $rivate $art" in Hon% Don%. 'ore recentl"& its translation into French has been arran%ed b" the Biblical Research Institute. 2he same volume 4as also translated& $ublished& and distributed in S$anish and 1ortu%uese b" the South #merican Division. 24o Hcontinuin% education coursesH or ministers>one on Daniel :volumes .!79 and one on Revelation :volumes <!79>are available rom the 'inisterial #ssociation o the General Con erence. 2he chie concerns o the committee rested 4ith its investi%ation o the nature o a$ocal"$tic $ro$hec" :Daniel6Revelation9 and the $ro$er method to be em$lo"ed or its inter$retation. 2hese studies naturall" im$acted on another concern o the committeeE the biblical understandin% o Christ@s hi%h $riestl" ministr" in the heavenl" sanctuar"& in $articular& His second $hase o ministr" :the $readvent& investi%ative Iud%ment9. 2his issue also involved studies in the books o 5eviticus and Hebre4s. #lthou%h the 4ritin%s o Ellen G. Fhite 4ere care ull" considered b" the individual authors& the committee 4as re3uested to ocus on the Scri$tural basis or belie . Conse3uentl"& the Ellen G. Fhite 4ritin%s are ootnoted onl" occasionall". S$ace $ermits onl" a brie summariJation o a e4 selected $oints& and 4e re er interested readers to the volumes or more e,tensive discussion o these and other to$ics :see re erences to volume and cha$ter in $arentheses9. 2he ollo4in% remarks $resent the %eneral consensus o the committee.

A6ocaly6tic Pro6$ecy (DanielNRevelationA

1nconditional. 2he %rand $ro$hecies o Daniel and Revelation& de! $ictin% the cosmic stru%%le bet4een %ood and evil and the ultimate victor" and establishment o God@s eternal kin%dom& are revelations o God@s orekno4led%e and an evidence o His soverei%nt"; hence& the" are uncon!
452

#$$endi, C ditional. For e,am$le& no covenant ailure on Israel@s $art could have $revented the irst advent o the 'essiah as s$eci ied in the $ro$hec" o Daniel *. 2he $ro$hecies o the maIor and minor $ro$hets that 4arned o Iud%ments or oretold $romised blessin%s 4ere conditional on Israel@s res$onse. Such 4ere based on the 1nown $romises and Iud%ments :blessin%s6curses9 that arose out o the covenant relationshi$ 4ith God. 2he conditionalit" o such $ro$hecies derived rom the conditionalit" o the covenant blessin%s and curses :Aer .?E7!.)9. Daniel and Revelation deal 4ith the $eo$les o the 4hole earth and universal issues& not Iust 4ith the covenant $eo$le :III& cha$. ?; 'I> cha$. .9. (ne ul illment 2he committee ound no evidence or the idea o either dual or multi$le ul illments in these $ro$hecies. Each s"mbol has but one $ro$hetic& historical ul illment. =either horn& beast& nor time $eriods are re$eatable& althou%h similar circumstances>such as $ersecution>ma" recur re$eatedl". 2he ver" nature o these $ro$hecies :statements o God@s orekno4led%e9 limits them to one divinel" oreseen ul illment :III& cha$. *; VI& cha$s. .&.+9. 7istoricist !et$od of inter6retation. Ho4 shall these $ro$hecies be inter$reted& couched as the" are in e,tensive s"mbolismL Four HschoolsH or $ositions are currentl" held. :.9 2he historicist or continuous historicist method :the hermeneutic o the 1rotestant Re ormation9 is derived rom the internal data o the $ro$hecies themselves and rom the e,am$le o Aesus. #nchored in the historical times o Daniel6Aohn& the $ro$hecies unroll : ind ul illment9 in a continuous se3uence o events do4n throu%h the centuries until the establishment o the eternal kin%dom. 2he $ro$hec" o the metallic ima%e :Daniel (9 clearl" illustrates the historicist $ositionE Startin% in Daniel@s da" 4ith the head o %old as Bab"lon& 4ith successive kin%doms noted until the stone smashes the ima%e on its eet 4ith destructive orce and ills the earth& s"mboliJin% the establishment o God@s everlastin% kin%dom that 4ill never $ass a4a". :(9 Preteris! and (+A futuris!> em$lo"ed in t$e Catholic CounterRefor!ation> are no embraced and embellished by liberal theolo%ians as $istorical-critical 6reteris! and !any conservative Protestants as dis6ensationalis! (and ot$er for!s of futuris!A. Preteris! 6laces t$e ul illment of Daniel in t$e second century B.C. and Revelation in the irst AD.> and futuris! 6laces t$e fulfill!ent of Daniel%s seventiet$ eek and the bulk of Revelation at t$e end of the a%e. Bot$ s"stems thereb" em$t" the C$ristian &ra of an" 6ro6$etic si%ni icance. :+9 Idealis! acce$ts no historical 45<

#$$endi, C ul illments; the $ro$hecies sim$l" re lect s"mbolicall" the stru%%le bet4een %ood and evil. 2he consensus o the committee is that the historicist method is the onl" $rocedure consonant 4ith the biblical data. 2he method reco%niJes that some $ro$hecies 4ere ul illed in the $ro$het@s da"; some have ound ul illment over the centuries; some are $resentl" bein% ul illed; and some 4ill ind ul illment in the end! time in connection 4ith the Second Comin% and the subse3uent millennium. It 4as b" the historicist method that Seventh!da" #dventists ound in these $ro$hecies their times& their identit"& and their mission :I& v!vi; II& cha$. /; VI& cha$. .; and throu%hout the D#RC0' series9. Mear-day 6rinci6le. #lthou%h reIected b" $reterists& uturists& and idealists alike& the "ear!da" $rinci$le :a s"mbolic Hda"H re$resents a literal "ear9 is an inte%ral $art o the historicist method o $ro$hetic inter$retation. 2he committee ound am$le scri$tural su$$ort or this $rinci$le 4hich is im$licit in the $ro$hec" o Daniel itsel :I& cha$s. 7&+; II> cha$s. <&79. 2his com$onent indicates that the com$lete ul illment o Daniel 4as divinel" intended to take $lace ar be"ond the irst centur" AD. For another line o evidence on this last $oint& see the e,$osition o Daniel ( :II& cha$. /9. Daniel K and C linkage. 2he committee a irmed the clear evidence that the time $eriods o these t4o $ro$hecies are connected>the 7) 4eeks and the (7)) da"s. Cha$ters ? and * orm one maIor line o $ro$hec" :II& cha$s. 7&<9. +/7 B C. 2he establishment o this date as the startin% $oint or the 7) 4eeks and the (7)) da"s is one o the stron%est indicators amon% the messianic $ro$hecies o the 02 that Aesus 4as all that He claimed to be. 2he ul illments o the $oints s$eci ied in the li e o Aesus o =aJareth con irm the certaint" o this be%innin% date as 4ell as the validit" o the terminal date o the (7)) da" se%ment :#D. .?++9. 2he committee re%ards as su icient and con irmin% the evidence or the correctness o +/7 B.C. as the seventh re%nal "ear o #rta,er,es I accordin% to the Ae4s@ all!to! all calendar :III& cha$s. .&(; 'I> cha$. <& #$$endi, B9. Setting for t$e book of Daniel, si-t$ century B.C. #lthou%h the 'ac!cabean date :second centur" B.C.9 is an entrenched historical!critical $osition& 4henever ne4 evidence has come to li%ht durin% the last .)) "ears& it has su$$orted the si,th centur" B.C. date and the Bab"lonian!1ersian settin% the book itsel claims :II& cha$s. .&(9. 2he career o #ntiochus IV and the 'accabean revolt sim$l" do not it the details o the biblical data 454

#$$endi, C o the little horns :Dan 7& ?9 or most o the events in cha$ter .. that scholars attribute to him. 2he committee a irms that Rome in its $a%an6 $a$al $hases more accuratel" meets the s$eci ications o these $ro$hecies :I& cha$. (; II> cha$s. .&+9.

Pro6$ecy and t$e Sanctuary

#$e 6readvent =udg!ent 2he vision o Daniel $resents the initial $hase o inal Iud%ment that takes $lace in heaven& a %rand assiJe in 4hich Hthe booksH in heaven are o$ened in the $resence o the Father& the Son& and the innumerable hosts o heaven :Dan 7E*!.+9. #t this time Christ receives His eternal kin%dom and His attested $eo$le. 2he act that Christ receives His kin%dom in hea#en indicates ''s!read#ent nature. 2hus& 4hen He returns to earth. He is authoriJed to brin% His re4ard 4ith Him :I& cha$./9. An investigative Dudg!ent 2hose 4ho 4ould ar%ue that Daniel@s $readvent Iud%ment convenes to Iud%e onl" the Hlittle hornH or%et that the HhornH is but a s"mbol or a s"stem o belie that involves millions o $eo$le. 2he issues are obviousl" reli%ious and have to do 4ith salvation rom sin. 2he $readvent Iud%ment that results in the takin% a4a" o the dominion o the horn :Dan 7E(<9 also renders a decision in avor o the saints :Dan 7E((9& im$l"in% that Iust as the ormer 4as revie4ed& so also 4ill the latter be revie4ed and a$$roved or disa$$roved or His kin%dom :c . Rev 7E/9. 2he common biblical use o HbooksH and the Iud%ment $assa%es in the 02> directed more o ten to4ard Israel as the $ro essed $eo$le o God than to4ard her enemies>4ould lead one to e,$ect Daniel@s scene o inal Iud%ment to involve a se$aration o the alse rom the true believers in God :retainin% the true in the book o li e QDan .(E.R& as 4ell as a Iud%ment u$on the believersM enemies QI& cha$s. .&+R9. Far rom bein% a museum $iece o $ioneer theolo%"& the biblical teachin% o the $readvent& investi%ative $hase o the inal Iud%ment is o vital im$ortance to the Christian toda". It is a concludin% $ortion o the overall salvation $rocess and is an inte%ral com$onent o the three an%els@ messa%es o 4arnin% and invitation 4hich the Seventh!da" #dventist Church is commissioned to $reach Hto ever" nation& and kindred& and ton%ue& and $eo$leH :III& cha$s. .)&..; VII& cha$. ?9. Preadvent Dudg!entNcleansing of t$e sanctuary, sa!e event (n $is455

#$$endi, C toricist $rinci$les it ma" be seen that the $ro$hecies o Daniel (& 7& ?!*& .)!.( orm our $arallel lines o $ro$hec". Each succeedin% $ro$hec" elaborates u$on the earlier ones. 2hus& it becomes evident that the $read!vent& investi%ative Iud%ment o Daniel 7 is $aralleled b" the cleansin% o the sanctuar" event be%innin% at the close o the (7)) da"s in Daniel ? :I& cha$./;" cha$.+9. 0n historicist %rounds the sanctuar" that 4as anointed durin% the 7) 4eek $ro$hec" :Dan *E(+9 and the sanctuar" that 4as to be cleansed at the end o the (7)) da"s is the heavenl" sanctuar" or tem$le& and not the Ae4ish tem$le destro"ed in #.D. 7) :III& cha$. 7; II& cha$. <9. 2he sanctuar" o Daniel ? inter$reted by Levitical t"$e. 2he 3uestion has been raised 4hether it is e,e%eticall" sound to e,$lain Daniel ?E.+ in connection 4ith the Da" o #tonement ritual in 5eviticus. 2he committee concluded that it is not onl" a$$ro$riate to do so& but it is a matter o necessit" i the vision is to be understood correctl". 2hat necessit" arises rom the act that the s"mbols and ke" terminolo%" em$lo"ed in the vision o Daniel ? are dra4n rom the sanctuar" service. 2he ra! and the %oat :strikin%l" di erent rom the 4ild beasts in Daniel 79 are sacri icial animals. Such terms as H$lace6 oundation&H Hsanctuar"&H Hdail"H are directl" related to the Hebre4 4orshi$. 2he verbs Hto take a4a"H and Hto be ri%hteous6IustH have sanctuar" links& too. Similar terminolo%" $resu$$oses similar conce$ts. Both the $ro$hec" o Daniel ? and 5eviticus deal 4ith the conce$t and realit" o the sanctuar". In order to understand Daniel@s use o sanctuar" terms& it is necessar" to %o back to 5eviticus and the sanctuar" ritual or their $ro$er e,$lanation (II> cha$s. 2>.)9. Day of Atone!entEbroad vie . 2he 3uestion is asked 4h" Daniel 4ould use the 4ord niIdaG :Hshall... be cleansed&H DAV9 in Daniel ?E.+& i he 4ere alludin% to the Da" o #tonement t"$e& inasmuch as 5eviticus uses the term /ahRr or the ritual cleansin%. 2he committee@s stud" has demonstrated that the root o the term Daniel em$lo"ed :RdG9 has a 4ide ran%e o meanin%s that include the ideas o Hcleanse&H Hrestore&H Hvindicate&H Hsettin% ri%ht&H and HIusti ".H 2his act is meanin% ul in the li%ht o a t"$e!antit"$e se3uence. 2he t"$ical Da" o #tonement :Iud%ment da" in Israel9 oreshado4ed the cosmic& com$rehensive realit" o inal Iud%ment that 4ill vindicate God :His %overnment and $lan o salvation9& His true $eo$le :a irmin% their Iusti ication and blottin% out the record o their sins9& and e,$ose Satan :the antit"$ical sca$e%oat& #JaJel9 as the archenem" o the universe and 456

#$$endi, C deservin% o eternal destruction. 2he more e,$ansive term 3nisdaG4 $oints to the 4ider sco$e o the antit"$ical da" o atonement :II& cha$s. <&?&.); V, "h#9.-E. #$e 6readvent Dudg!ent affir!s assurance. Some assert that the #d! ventist vie4 o a $readvent& investi%ative Iud%ment robs Christians o their assurance in Christ. 2his sim$l" is not so. #ll Christian bodies hold to the biblical teachin% o a inal Iud%ment o humankind. 0ne reason 4h" this does not trouble some Christians is because the" hold the unbiblical vie4 o Honce saved& al4a"s saved.H 2he biblical teachin% o salvation b" aith re3uires an investi%ative Iud%ment o all 4ho $ro ess aith in Christ. Fe are Iusti ied b" aith. But it is also true& accordin% to the Bible& that 4e 4ill be Aud%ed b" our 4orks>the evidence o our aith lived out in dail" li e :Aas (E(<9. 2he essence o the biblical vie4 is that the Iusti ication o a true believer accom$anies him6her all the 4a" into the investi%ative $hase o inal Iud%ment 4here its realit" and vitalit" are tested and attested b" its ruits. In the $readvent Iud%ment the alse are si ted rom the book o li e& the true retained :Dan .(E.9. 2he believer 4ho is united to Aesus Christ :his6her Saviour and Hi%h 1riest9 stands in a saved $osition b" virtue o that union. In the $readvent $hase o inal Iud%ment& this savin% relationshi$ 4ith Christ is attested b" the books o record& and the believer@s Iusti ication is rea irmed be ore the lo"al universe :c . Rev7E/; Rom ?E77!7+9. 2his is the biblical $ortra"al o the doctrine held b" Seventh!da" #dvent!ists :III& cha$. .(9.

#$e 7ig$ Priestly 0inistry of =esus

2he $ioneers o the Seventh!da" #dventist Church came to their understandin% o Christ@s $riesthood in the heavenl" sanctuar" throu%h a stud" o the books o Hebre4s and 5eviticus& 4hich in turn led them back to the Israelite sanctuar" and its t"$ical rituals and estivals. Since the earthl" t"$e 4as a Hco$"H and Hshado4H o the H%ood thin%s to comeH in the orm o Christ@s atonin% death and $riestl" ministr" :Heb ?E+!/; *E(+; .)E.9& the" reasoned lo%icall" that His ministr" consisted o t4o $hases& corres$ondin% to the t4o a$artment ministrations o that sanctuar" :O cha$s. .!79. In the irst a$artment ministration sin 4as re$ented& con essed& and or%iven b" means o sacri icial o erin%s>the $riest mediatin% the blood and o ten eatin% a $ortion o the sin o erin%. 2he con essed sin and accountabilit" 4ere trans erred to the sanctuar" :in& cha$. <9. # ter a "ear o such 457

#$$endi, C rituals& the sanctuai" 4as cleansed on the Day o #tonement& the Second #$artment ministration. In a i%ure the con essed sins and accountabilit" $reviousl" assumed b" the sanctuar" ere no4 $laced u$on the sca$e%oat :#JaJel9 and the animal 4as led a4a" into the 4ilderness. Since this second ministration cleansed the sanctuar"& resultin% in a cleansed $eo$le& it 4as vie4ed as a da" o Iud%ment :HI& cha$s. 2>79. 2hus the t"$e oreshado4ed Christ@s $riestl" ministr" in t4o $hasesE intercession or $enitent sinners& and in addition& a inal closin% 4ork o Iud%ment. 2he book o Hebre4s clearl" asserts that Christ& havin% made His once! or!all! time atonin% sacri ice or sin& ascended to heaven to a$$ear be ore God as our hi%h $riest and mediator& intercedin% the merits o His blood in our behal . 2he $ro$hecies o Daniel 7!* announce& in e ect& that at the end o the (7)) da" $ro$hec" :.?++9& Heaven 4ould enter into that second $hase o ministrationE inal Iud%ment& the antit"$e o the Da" o #tonement. Ho4ever& a number o 3uestions have been raised 4ith re%ard to the correctness o em$lo"in% sanctuar" t"$es to arrive at doctrine. 2he committee e,amined these in some detail& but s$ace $revents elaboration. 2he reader is re erred to the D#RC0' series& volume + or a more e,tensive discussion. But 4e note a e4 $oints belo4E #y6ology !ay infor! doctrine. Hebre4s *E(7 %ives a clear e,am$le o this $henomenon. 2he a$ostle@s assertion that the heavenl" sanctuar" needs cleansin% is based solel" on a t !ological argument, namel"& that the earthl" sanctuar" needed cleansin%. Furthermore& he reasons back rom the t"$e to the antit"$e& rom the earthl" sanctuar" to the heavenl" sanctuar". Since the sanctuar" t"$e so clearl" em$hasiJes a t4o!$hase $riestl" ministr" :corres$ondin% to the distinct dail" and "earl" ministrations9& Seventh!da" #dventists are on solid biblical %rounds to reason rom the t"$e to the antit"$e that Christ@s $riestl" ministr" is carried out in t4o se3uential $hases& the 4ork o Iud%ment bein% assumed at a certain $oint o time in addition to His intercessor" role. 7ebre s teac$es a funda!ental continuity bet een (# ty6es and t$e $eavenly sanctuary reality. 2his also is clear rom the a$ostleMs citation o E,odus (+E+) and his statements in Hebre4s ?E+!/; *E(+& in 4hich he links the t4o to%ether. His aim is not to destro" the %eneral correlations bet4een the t"$e and antit"$e :bet4een the earthl" and heavenl" sanctuaries9& but to em$hasiJe the su$eriorit" o the latter. 2hat is& in the 5ord Aesus believers no4 have a better sacri ice6blood& and a better $riest& 4ho mediates or them in a better sanctuar" in connection 4ith a better 453

#$$endi, C covenant Fhenever the a$ostle de$arts rom the t"$e& he cites 02 $assa%es that have alread" announced an antici$ated modi ication o the t"$e :IV. cha$s. 7&?9. 7ebre s *E(7 in harmon" it$ end!time cleansin% o the heavenl" sanctuar". 2his $assa%e must be understood in connection 4ith the central theme o Hebre4sE that Christ Honce or all QtimeRH H$ut a4a" sin b" the sacri ice o himsel H :*E(<9. Verse (7 does not state that the heavenl" sanctuar" 4as $uri ied when Christ died. 0n the contrar" it sim$l" stresses the $oint :noted at the outset o the e$istle9 that His death Hmade $uri ication or sinsH :.E79. It is the necessit or the heavenl" realities to be $uri ied b" the merits o His death rather than the time rame or that $uri ication that is bein% em$hasiJed. 2he a!!lication o those merits 4ill be made b" Christ in the course o His dail" $riestl" ministr" and in the inal Iud%ment :7E(/; *E(+9. Furthermore& the intent o the a$ostolic 4riter is not to sho4 that Calvar" is the antit"$e o Iust the Da" o #tonement sacri icer& but that Calvar" is the antit"$e o all the sacri ices o the 02 s"stem& .)E..!.( :V& cha$. /9. 7ebre s does not deny C$rist%s t o-6$ase $ig$ 6riestly !inistry. 2he e$istle to the Hebre4s is 4ritten rom a $astoral concern or Ae4ish Christians 4ho 4ere in serious dan%er o makin% shi$4reck o their aith and dri tin% back to Audaism. 2he a$ostle attem$ts to li t their si%hts rom the inade3uate rites o the t"$ical services to their true Sacri ice and 1riest 4ho ministers or them in the true sanctuar" in heaven. Conse3uentl"& the a$ostle $aints 4ith a broad brush& makin% no attem$t to %ive a detailed e,$osition o the ritual. :For e,am$le& there is no discussion o the sca$e%oat ritual.9 #lthou%h re erence is made to the dail" and "earl" ministrations and other rituals& the em$hasis is on their re$etitious nature and their total ine ectiveness in themselves to take a4a" sin& to solve the sin $roblem :.)E+9. In the conte,t o the e$istle@s $ur$ose& the e,$ression that Christ has entered H4ithin the veilH :<E.*!()& DAV9 sim$l" conve"s the truth that Christ& b" His atonin% death& has o$ened the 4a" or $enitent humankind to a$$roach the ver" throne o God. 2he barrier o sin has been removed and Christ o iciates as their $riestl" intercessor. Fhile Hebre4s $rovides ke"s or inter$retin% the earthl" sanctuar" rites& the t4o $hases o Christ@s $riestl" ministr" are established rom the t4o basic ministrations o the 5evitical $riesthood :i" cha$s. .& +9. Hebre4s makes use o the sanctuar" t"$es to underscore a $articular $oint o vie4E 2he rituals contained no savin% value in themselves :.)E+9. 452

#$$endi, C (t$er =2 4ritin%s also make broad a$$lications o the sanctuar" t"$eE Aohn alludes to it in connection 4ith the incarnation o Christ :Aohn .E.!7&.+9; 1aul a$$lies the t"$e to the believer ind4elt b" the Hol" S$irit :. Cor <E.*!()9 and to the cor$orate church :. Cor 7E.<!.7; ( Cor <E.<9. =evertheless& the sanctuar" t"$es have a standin% o their o4nE to illustrate the %os$el $lan o salvation& and to be illuminated b" the same as e,$ressed else4here in the Scri$tures :c . Heb +E.!(9.

Issues In Revelation
Some #dventists have been in luenced b" the non!historicist HschoolsH o $ro$hetic inter$retation mentioned earlier in this re$ort. 2he committee@s ori%inal assi%nment dealt 4ith challen%es rom a $reterist6hi%her!critical $ers$ective in Daniel. But its more recent studies in Revelation have led it to e,amine 4hat mi%ht be characteriJed as variant orms o uturism : or e,am$le& see VI& cha$. .+9. 2his has $rom$ted the committee to $ublish materials es$eciall" desi%ned to assist the student o Revelation in em$lo"in% sound $rinci$les o inter$retation :VI& cha$s. .! ?9. 2he committee has ound am$le biblical su$$ort or the historicist& one! ul illment a$$roach to the seals and trum$ets that 4ould locate them in se3uence across the Christian Era :VI& cha$s. *!..9. #mon% other clari "in% studies& the committeeP research has $rovided su$$ort or an #dventist understandin% o the remnant church and the s$irit o $ro$hec"& the $ast and uture role o the $a$ac"& the inal con lict over the Hmark o the beast&H and the millennial rei%n o Christ and the saints in heaven :VII& cha$s. .!..9.

Bible #rut$
2his brie re$ort hi%hli%hts onl" a e4 areas o D#RC0'@s e,tensive research. Ho4ever 4e believe the committee@s $ublished volumes have res$onded in a reasonable& biblicall" de ensible manner to the challen%es it 4as asked to investi%ate. Fe encoura%e our administrators& $astors& and members to amiliariJe themselves 4ith these rich sources o in ormation that cover a %ood deal more than this re$ort mi%ht su%%est. 2he chairman and secretar" e,$ress their a$$reciation to the members and invitees 4ho so 4illin%l" contributed their talents and countless stud" hours to investi%ate the biblical basis o an im$ortant se%ment o the church@s oundational belie s.
46;

IndeA A!erica> 8nited States o & (*&*7!.....77!.7+ A!illennialis!> ((7!((* Andre s> Aohn =.& +7&.).!.)7 #$ocal"$tic 6ro6$ecy> D#RC0' re$ort on& +/(!+// A6ostolic Constitutions> ?/ AHuinas> 2homas& */! *<&.<? Ariunis!> removal o & contributes to Catholicism@s establishment& .(/!.(? Ar!ageddon> si,th and seventh $la%ues& 777!7*) conte,tual connections& 77+!777 histor" o #dventist inter$retations& +7/!++* Ellen G. Fhite& +++!++* inter$retation o & 4ithin Scri$ture& .+7!.+* 02 t"$olo%" o . 77*!7?7 $re! and $ostmillennial as$ects o & 7??!7*) theolo%" o & 777!77* #u%ustine& Iusti ied $ersecution& .<7!.<? B Babylon> s"mbolic& 7/!7<&./.!.7+ conte,t o ne4 covenant& ./7!.<7 all o & t"$e and antit"$e& 7?7!7?7 Bates> Aose$h& +7&.). BeastNlittle $orn :Rev .7E.!.); Dan 7E(/9& de ined& .((!.(/ identit" o & <(!<<&.?(!.?/ as Roman Catholic& <7!77 Biblio%ra$h"& on HBab"lon&H .7/!.7< on modern $a$ac" and claims& 77)!77( on Hremnant&H Hs$irit o $ro$hec"&H 7(7! 777 on titles o Christ& +(7!+(* Bill of Rig$ts> restricted b" $reamble& .)/!.)< C Cat$olic 6o6ularity> reemer%in%& .)*!..) C$aracter develo6!ent> and mark o the beast& ..?!..* C$ais!> literar"& .7!.+ C$rist> centralit" o :in Revelation9& (?*!(*( titles o & 7(&+)*!+(* C$urc$-state union> earl" develo$ment o & .<<!.<7 results o & .<7!.7. Coercion> reli%ious& end!time& ..+!..? Co!!and!ents> o God :Rev .(9& 7)7 Conscience> $a$al claims over& 7+/!7+7 )on#ertI )atechism, The, ?*!*)

+<.

D Daniel> book o & model or Revelation& .<7!.<+&.</!.<< DARC(0> inal re$ort o & +/.!+<) Dates :#.D. /7?&.7*?9& .(<) "ear $eriod& 7(!77&.(.!.7( ellhen :has come& Rev .+E79& its correct meanin%& +77!+7+ &6i6$anius> ?/!?< )alse 6ro6$et :Rev .7&.<&.*9& counter eit Hol" S$irit& .77 ? ?reat Sc$is!> the :.)/+9& *+!*/ ?regory t$e ?reat> $o$e& *7&.<? II 7ead> 4ounded :Rev .79& $reterist identity it$ <ero> .*.!()) 7eavenly sanctuary> D#RC0' re6ort on> +//!+/7 KumranE Sabbath h"mns or& 7*.!+)7 biblical com$arisons& +)(!+)7 buildin%6 urnishin%s& 7*/!+). 7ebre s> book o & D#RC0' re$ort on0 457-46;

:Rev .79& .7*!.?( $rinci$les o & +/!+7&.7<!.77 revie of 6ositions (on Rev .+> .79& ./(!./7 schools o & ?!.) Irenaeus. ?)!?.&.?+ Isidore> o Seville :S$ain9& *(!*7

=esus C$rist> ke" to inter$retin% Revelation& .<+!.</ =e@ebel> !odel for s6iritual Babylon> .9C.2+ =o$n ""III. $o$e& 7/.!7// =o$n Paul .>7<) =o$n Paul II> 7<)!7<* =udg!ent> rom the sanctuar"& (7/!(*+ 9'e#dvent0 <4-<5,222-224 $hases o & (*+ ter!inology of> (7?!(?) =us1n 0artyr. 7*!?) L La!b. title o Christ& 7(&+.*!+(7 Laodicea> Council o & ?*!*. Lausiac 7istory> the& ?/ ?etter /rom the 2ord, *7!*+ Literary structure> .7!.+ com$osition o Revelation .<&.++! $-. Lord%s day> 0umran insi%ht on identi ication o & +)<!+)7 0 0ark> o the beast& (*!7)&+.!.7( #dventist identi ication& +(!++ end!time $henomenon& ..(!.(. linked to $ersonal character& <.& ..?!.(. 462

Ignatius> K5 I!age of t$e beast& /(!/+&.))!.).& .77! .7+ In alibilit". claim o & 7+)!7+( Innocent III> $o$e& .<?!.<* Inter6retation> issues in :Revelation9& <!.. $reterist on sea and earth beasts

non-Adventist identifications> //-/9 Vision I' settin%& +?!// outside Vision IV settin%& /<!/? 0arksNseals> in Bible times& /?!/* 0illenniu!> ((/!(+( #dventist inter$retation& (7/!(+. de ined& ((<!((7 maIor inter$retations& ((7!(7/ e ects on Christian thou%ht& (77!(7/ theolo%ical meanin%& (+.!(+( 0illennial reign> in heaven& (7*!(+. 0or!ons> interest in Revelation& /!< 0ountains> s"mbolic& no scri$tural a$$lication to individuals& .?<!.?7 = <ero redivivus> m"th& .*.!()) <e =erusale!> Hol" Cit"& (+7!(7. biblical moti & (+7!(+? ca$ital o $romised lind& (<7!(<* center o ne4 creation& (+*!(/( cit" o the 5amb& (<*!(7) descri$tion o & (/(!(</ seat o ne4 Eden& (</!(<7 % (bedience> and the mark o the beast& ..(!..? and the seal o God. ..7!..? (ld #esta!ent> relationshi$ to Revelation& .)! .. .++.))).7(!77 (ratorio> in heaven :Rev .*9. ()*!(./ (rigen> ?(!?7 (rleans. Council o . *.!*(

develo$ment o & <*!77&.<*!.7. modem claims and authorit" o & 77/!77( decline :ei%hteenth& nineteenth centuries9 o & 777!77? restoration o & 77?!7+) $eriods o & .?))!.*/?&7+)!7/. .*/?!.*<7&7/.!7// .*<7!.*7?&7//!7<) .*7?! & 7<)!7<* Parody> elements o & (.!(( Paul 'I. $o$e& 7//!7<) 1ersecution& reli%ious& .<7!.<* %round4ork or uture& .)7!.)?& ..+!.(. Pianic &ra> $o$es o & 7+)!7/. 1redictions :a$ocal"$tic9& nature o& ?!.) Preniillennialis!> ((*!(77 dis$ensational& ((*!(7. historic& (7. Seventh!da" #dventist& (7(!(77& (7/!(+( Plagues> seven last& .77! .+* si,th6seventh& e,$lained b" Revelation .7! .*&.+<!.+* Post!illennialis!. ((* 4 4uartodeci!ans> ??&.<7 4u!ran. Sabbath h"mns or the heavenl" sanctuar"& 7*.!+)7 R Re!nant> t$e> +2-+C>(*7!7)7 Revelation> book o & DARC(0 re6ort on& +<) Revelation ..,.-5> observations on> (?)!(?(

Pa6acy> t$e> (/!(< 46<

Revelation .(& e,e%esis o & ./!() links 4ith cha$ter .7&.7.!.7( ve'se $70225-<27 relationshi$ to Seventh!da" #d!ventists& 7(7!7(< Revelation .5-./> si%ni icance o & /!<& 7*!+) conte,t o & ..!.7 issues o inter$retation& <!.. literar" structure o & .7!.+ Revelation .+> e,e%esis o/, ()!7.&*7!** historicist inter$retation o & (7!7. (# matri, o & .7+ Revelation .+& e,e%esis o & 7.!7* verses <!7& observations on& (?(! 234 Revelation ./E/& observations on& (?/!(?< Revelation .7& conte,tual oundations o . .<7!.7( seven $eads> e,e%esis of> .77!()< Revelation .K,5;> observations on> (?/! (?< Revelation .C> e,e%esis o & ()7!((7 Revelation ()& e,e%esis o & ((/!(+( verse +& observations on> (?<!(?7 verses ..!./& observations on& (?7! (?* Revelation 5.,+> observations on& (?* S Sabbat$> earl" observance o & ?+!?7 astin% on& ??!?* Roman o$$osition to& ?7!*< 4orld4ide o$$osition to& *< Sabbath $y!ns> or heavenl" sanctuar" :Kumran9& 7*.!+)7 Sanctuary> and Iud%ment& (7/!(*+ Seal of ?od. /*! <.&..7!..?&.()!.(.

6ee#+ o5 the 8oman ($e% 12), 223-<;< Servant conce6t :Isaiah9& +()!+(7 Seven beads :Rev .79& .77!()< 222 :Rev .7E.?9& (.&7)!7.&())!()/ Socrates :historian9& ?< Son of !an> title or Christ& +..!+.* S$irit of 6ro6$ecy> meanin% o & 7./! <2; Sunday> Constantine@s la4& ?+ closin% la4s :modern9& .)<!.)? observance& Rome chie e,$onent o5, 73-26 early $onored> 7*!?+ status o & around t$e 4orld& .)7!.;/ Su66er> 4eddin%& o the 5amb& (./!(.7 %reat& the& o God :Rev .*9& ((.!((7 Su6re!e Court> 1.S.> inter$retin% Constitution& .)+!.)? Sy!bols> .<!.* T #e!6le :heavenl"9& terminolo%"& (7<! 273 2em$oral authorit"& Rome@s claim o!0 <42-<45 2ertullian. ?.!?( #esti!ony of =esus> 7)7!7(7 scri$tural evidence& 7)/!7(( si%ni icance o e,$ression& 7((!7(7 2heo$bilus& o #ntioch& ?. 2hree an%elsM messa%es& 77!7< T'init+0 unhol1, 21-22,1;1,17<-174 #y6ology> $rinci$le o & .7<!.77 o Bab"lon :Revelation9& .+7!.++ o E,odus& a biblical substructure& .77!.+) o E,odus :Revelation9& .+)!.+7 464

1 1nited States> o #merica& (*&*7! ...&.77!.7+ V 'ision I' :Rev .(!.+9. settin% or beast@s mark& +?!/<

4 Bar> in heaven& .*!() Barrior> heavenl" :Rev .*9& (.7!((. B$ite> Ellen ?.> on #rma%eddon& 444-442 Bors$i6 :Rev .(!.+9& em$hasis on& 54-56

465