Au In the beginning was the Word
 

1.- The Revelation is not an easy writing. The following are some of the most important difficulties: the interpretation of what is desired to say, the application to the present reality, the lack of living and persecuted communities from which it can be understood and experimented today.

2.- The Revelation accumulates symbols and symbols. Besides, it goes from ones to others. It is necessary to interpret it adequately. Thus, for instance, if it is said that Christ is the Lion of the Judah´s tribe (Rev 5,5), we can understand that he has all power, richness, wisdom and strength (5,12); if it said that the Lamb was on his foot, although he seemed decapitated; he had seven horns and seven eyes (5,6), we can understand that Christ, though crucified, is resuscitated and posses the totality (seven) of the power and of the wisdom.

3.- The knowledge that the author has about the Old Testament (about 500 allusions) allows him a continuous use of the biblical symbolism. Thus, heaven indicates God´s own grounds; land, man´s own zone; horn, the power; vintage, God´s judgement; mount Zion or Jerusalem, the place where salvation takes place, the community, the Church. The cosmic convulsions indicate the commotion of the foundations. The trumpets precede and announce God´s coming. The animals (it is spoken about the Lamb, lion, horses, locusts and scorpions, two beasts…) are a reality that unfolds in man´s history and that is necessary to identify. There is also the symbolism of the numbers: thus, for instance, the number seven (or any of its multiples) indicates totality; on the other side, half of seven, three and a half, fractions, one third, indicate a part, some thing limited. Finally, there is the symbolism of the colours: the white may symbolize the glory; the red, the blood, ect.

4.- The revelation is a literary stile, already used by the prophets and that is specially developed in the two centuries before Christ. It appears in Isaiah (24-27), Ezekiel (40-48), Zechariah (9-14) and the book of Daniel (168-164 b. C). In the New Testament we find it in Mathew (24-25), in Mark (13), in Luke (21), in Paul (1Thes 4,15-18; 2 Thes 2,1-12; 1Co 15,20-28; 2 Co 5,1-10), in Peter (2P3,10-13).

5.- Apocalypse (from the Greek Apokalypsis) means revelation. Here, Christ´s revelation (1,1), prophecy, God´s Word that illuminates the sense of history: of that which is about to happen (1,2); also, of that which is already happening (1,19). The prophesy comes by means of an angel, a mediator about whom nothing more is said, but who helped John, author of the book, to see. John has deposed God´s Word and Christ´s testimony: all he saw (1,2). The Revelation is a message of hope among the difficulties of the present time: Happy that who reads and those who listen the words of this prophesy and keep what in it is written down, for the time is near (1,3; see Lk11,28 and Mk 1,15). God has the ultimate word. The purpose is to strengthen the persecuted Christians

6.- Nero persecution (years 64-67) was limited to the city of Rome. Under the emperor Dominicianus (81 to 96) the persecution was extended to the provinces. The Revelation was probably written by this date. Domicianus obliged to be called lord, our god, and this legend appeared on the coins from the East. He placed his image riding a horse in the middle of the roman forum. He enjoyed the spectacular ceremonies. He was proclaimed emperor twenty two times. He organized magnificent processions (with white tunics and laurel crowns) in the occasions of his triumphal entries into the cities. His death sentences were preceded by the formula: “It has been agreeable to the lord, our god, in his grace”. The persecution took place in the roman province of Asia about the year 95. Under these circumstances, the following question is raised: what will the Church become? Will it resist the test?

7.- In the introduction (Rev 1,1-8), the author greets the seven churches of Asia, id est, the totality of the Churches, on behalf of That who is, who was and who will come (God), on behalf of the seven Spirits who are before his throne (the Spirit in his plenitude), and on behalf of Christ, the faithful Witness, the First born among the death, the Prince of the kings of the earth. It is not something intimate. The Resurrected Lord carries on the history of salvation and will end destroying any wicked demonstration: See he comes with the clouds and everyone will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the nations of the earth will mourn his death (1,7; see Dn 7,13; Zec 12,10; Mt 26,64 and Jn 19,37).

8.- The author is well known by the Asian communities and he possesses authority: I, John, your brother, who share with you, in Jesus, the sufferings, the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island of Patmos, because of the Word of God and witnessing to Jesus. On the Lord´s day, the Spirit took possession of me and I heard a voice behind me which sounded like a trumpet, “Write down all that you see, in a book, and send it to the seven Churches” (Rev 1,9-11). John defines himself as a prophet  (19-11; 22,6.9). Saint Justine, before the year 160, acknowledges Apostle Saint John as the author. From the 3rd century on some people put this in question. A disciple could have written it.

9.- In the island of Patmos, one Sunday, the author feel an experience of the Resurrected Lord: I saw seven golden lamp stands, a symbol of the seven churches, and, in the middle of these, I saw someone like a son of man (Rev 1,13). The Son of man, sacrificed by bestial powers, appears among the seven Churches. He appears as Judge. His attributes are described by symbols: priesthood (long robe), royalty (golden girdle), judgement (word), majesty (sun). It is the Christ of the transfiguration. John felt himself like a dead. (1,17). Touching him with his hand Christ quiets him (don´t be afraid) and he commends him a mission (write what you have seen).

10.- The book is dedicated to the liturgical reading. This is shown by the relationship appearing between a reader and many listeners, who will be happy if they listen and keep this prophecy (Rev 1,3; 22,7). It is the ecclesial assembly, more and more mature and prepared, the one that has to listen the mystery (1,20; 17,5.7; 10,7) or God´s plan and to discern with wisdom and intelligence (13,18; 17,9) its application to the present or future reality. The community must make the reading of the signs of its time. The community must look around to find out, in the light of the Word, the sense of history.

11.- Two parts follow the introduction. The first one, shorter, is constituted by a block of letters to the seven churches (Rev 1,9 – 3,22). It refers to the interior situation of the churches: what is happening. The second one, much more extensive, refers to the test that the people of God are about to suffer and to the final triumph of God (4,1-22,5): what must happen later on. At the end, a conclusion (22,16-21).

12.- The second part has five sections. The first (Rev 4-5) presents the elements and persons that will join the action later on. The second (6,1-7,17) includes the successive opening of the seven stamps: the four horseman in their horses (white, red, black, yellow), the martyrs´ prayer requesting justice, the foundations´ commotion, those marked with the living God stamp who come with the great tribulation and have overcome the test…  The third (8,1-11,14) is characterized by the seven trumpets, new plagues that announce God´s action and call to conversion. The fourth (11,15-16,16) is characterized by the three signals (the woman, the dragon, the seven angels with the seven coups) and presents the fight of the good against the evil up to its culminant point, the great day (16,16). The fifth (16,17-22,5) presents the triumph of the celestial Jerusalem: those who were beheaded by the testimony of Jesus and the Word of God already participate of resurrection, live and reign with Christ (20, 4-6). It is necessary to stay alert, vigilantes.  The Lord comes soon. The initial Church, a persecuted Church, looks for this meeting: Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus! (22,20)