The triumph of the kingdom: interpreting Revelation 6-16
Does Revelation 6-16 primarily convey a message of disaster and judgment? Because John's primary purpose is to bring hope to his suffering audience, this negative interpretation is to be questioned. Revelation 6-16 includes several hope-bearing intercalations (chapters 7, 10-11, and 12-14). The...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Print Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Paternoster Press
2015
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In: |
Evangelical quarterly
Year: 2015, Volume: 87, Issue: 1, Pages: 36-44 |
IxTheo Classification: | HC New Testament NBQ Eschatology |
Further subjects: | B
Bible. Offenbarung des Johannes 6-16
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Summary: | Does Revelation 6-16 primarily convey a message of disaster and judgment? Because John's primary purpose is to bring hope to his suffering audience, this negative interpretation is to be questioned. Revelation 6-16 includes several hope-bearing intercalations (chapters 7, 10-11, and 12-14). These insertions convey the primary message of Revelation 6-16. The section is prefaced by major concern that a scroll be opened. It is commonly felt that its contents are revealed as the seals are opened. However, no revelation can occur until the final seal is broken. When this occurs nothing happens. Instead a cycle of trumpets begins. Revelation indicates that the anticipated revelation will occur when the seventh trumpet is blown. So Revelation points primarily to a revelation of the kingdom of God (11:15), not to judgmental disaster. The latter, echoing aspects of the Old Testament, is conventional language, indicating the sorts of things that happen on an ongoing basis and that call for repentance. But the central message of Revelation 6-16 is that the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah. |
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ISSN: | 0014-3367 |
Contains: | In: Evangelical quarterly
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