Jewish John's Revelation

Recently I've begun researching books that discuss the Revelation of John from a proposed Jewish context, not exclusively Christian, possibly not much of it Christian at all. If interpreted in light of the Hebrew prophets, the book paints a widely variant scene from how Christians have traditionally approached it.

I'm not going to review the history of Christian interpretation of the books, but it's divided into 4 major approaches, preterist, historicist, futurist and millennialist schools of a-millennialist, post-millennialist and pre-millennialist. In all of these the common assumption is the centrality of Jesus Christ and his dealings with Christian followers both true and false.

As a general observation, recall that the designation Christian doesn't appear in the text. Mention of Christ can be read as Messiah, as can references to the Lamb. The name Jesus Christ is only used right at the start and the ending of the book, which implies at least a Christian influence on the composition. A late first and early second century Jewish context is what I will describe here.

A second observation is that the line of separation between Christians and Jews wasn't so distinct as in later and modern times. There were several blends in between before the leadership on both "sides" forced a choice among members. So many elements in the book should be taken in direct line with earlier Israelite prophecy.

My third observation is as the prophecies of Israel encompass long periods of time in many cases, the same can apply to the Revelation of John. Certain points of emphasis are apparent at beginning and ending points, but there is continuity between them, composed of covenant, of peoples, of conflicts, of principles and goals. This does not leave room for "gap" theories as are found in dispensationalist thought which usually takes the futurist approach, the Hebrew prophets are divided in the middle and disconnected from history until a proposed 7 year tribuation resumes the clock.

A book that I'd like to mention has some ideas on this "Jewish" apolcalypse. It's Parables of War: Reading John's Jewish Apocalypse by John Marshall. Unfortunately the book is only useful for general suggestions with little specific elaboration of texts.

To make a couple of quick connections:

Rev 1-3 shows Messiah standing among the lampstands of the holy temple. Moses was told that this temple reflected realities in God's realm, but it also showed the historical relationship between God and Israel.


Rev 4-5 the throne scene has many commonalities with Ezekiel 1, 10 and 11, Isaiah 6.

Revelation 7 and 14 mention a triumphant group of 144,000 standing on Mount Zion, that in Jerusalem and the land of Israel, not in some remote heavenly abode.

Revelation 11 describes how the court of the temple is given to the nations, this may be the same as what Daniel 8 and Matthew 24 say concerning the sanctuary being trodden down and subjected to others.

there are many other items....Christians need to look towards Israel and the real Mount Zion to get their prophetic bearings. Israel is the apple of God's eye.