Erchomai-nia in the seven churches of Asia : Revelation’s response to eschatological imminency
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Africajournals
Abstract
Commentators on Revelation routinely note that the content of the seven seals in chapter 6
corresponds closely with Jesus’ apocalyptic Olivet Discourse found in each of the Synoptic
Gospels. This article first reviews the literary similarities between Jesus’ teaching
in the Discourse and John’s first judgment cycle
of seven seals. It then looks at historical parallels between these and the account of Josephus in
The Jewish War. Postulating an early date for Revelation, the article then explores the possibility that erchomai-nia has broken out in the churches in Asia.
Evidence for political and economic disturbance in the province of Asia in the late 60s CE is
presented. Jesus’ prophetic teaching about the fall of Jerusalem, seemingly fulfilled in the war in
Judea and the encirclement of Jerusalem by Roman troops, has provoked a mind-set of
eschatological imminency in some Asian believers.
John’s Apocalypse, particularly in the seven
seals, seeks to address this alarm ist perspective and to present a different timetable related to
Jesus’ second coming.
Description
CITATION: Wilson, M. 2017. Erchomai-nia in the seven churches of Asia : Revelation’s response to eschatological imminency. Pharos Journal of Theology, 98:1-14.
The original publication is available at http://www.pharosjot.com
The original publication is available at http://www.pharosjot.com
Keywords
Bible. Revelation -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Citation
Wilson, M. 2017. Erchomai-nia in the seven churches of Asia : Revelation’s response to eschatological imminency. Pharos Journal of Theology, 98:1-14