1. HOW CAN WE TELL WE HAVE THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF REVELATION? By Noel Platt

2. IMPORTANT TERMS/CONCEPTS THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF REVELATION MUST HAVE: THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION OF REVELATION MUST HAVE: VALIDITY VALIDITY The ability to deliver what it claims. The ability to deliver what it claims. The ability to explain what it claims to explain The ability to explain what it claims to explain Etc. Etc. RELEVANCE RELEVANCE Be meaningful/applicable to the situation or persons concerned. Be meaningful/applicable to the situation or persons concerned. RELIABILITY RELIABILITY The ability to be reproduced by others The ability to be reproduced by others The ability to be recognised by others The ability to be recognised by others The ability for others to obtain the same results/conclusions. The ability for others to obtain the same results/conclusions. Pedigree Pedigree Consistent with well attested and very early interpretative methods. Consistent with well attested and very early interpretative methods. CONTROLS CONTROLS It must provide safeguards against subjective/arbitrary/ fanciful interpretations? It must provide safeguards against subjective/arbitrary/ fanciful interpretations?

3. INDICATORS OF CORRECT INTERPRETATION Validity Validity Offer explanations that satisfy the book’s original purpose Offer explanations that satisfy the book’s original purpose Offer explanations in line with FIRST CENTURY THEOLOGY/ views. Offer explanations in line with FIRST CENTURY THEOLOGY/ views. Interpret & elucidate the book’s veiled sections (unveil the book’s meaning) Interpret & elucidate the book’s veiled sections (unveil the book’s meaning) Account for the book’s peculiaritiesPeculiar language Account for the book’s peculiaritiesPeculiar language Disjointed text Disjointed text External structure based on a pattern of sevens External structure based on a pattern of sevens Visions that heavily draw on symbols & imagery taken from previous Prophets. Visions that heavily draw on symbols & imagery taken from previous Prophets. Liturgical character (Hymnic sections) Liturgical character (Hymnic sections) Resolve the book’s inconsistencies/paradoxes. Resolve the book’s inconsistencies/paradoxes. Speak of the future Speak of the future Offer explanations in line with first century eschatological principles Offer explanations in line with first century eschatological principles The Day of the Lord The Day of the Lord Eschatological transition between the ages. Eschatological transition between the ages.

4. INDICATORS OF CORRECT INTERPRETATION Relevance Relevance Historical Relevance Historical Relevance Meet the needs of the original audience in their historical situation Universal Relevance Universal Relevance Meet the needs of Christians of all ages Meet the needs of Christians of all ages Pedigree Pedigree Be in line with first century or very early interpretative methods. Be in line with first century or very early interpretative methods.

5. OTHER INDICATORS Recognise that the world of vision is not the same as the world of reality. Recognise that the world of vision is not the same as the world of reality. A study of the Prophecies/visions seen by biblical prophets before the Apocalypse reveals that their prophetic visions of the future: A study of the Prophecies/visions seen by biblical prophets before the Apocalypse reveals that their prophetic visions of the future: Are at least one step away from reality Are at least one step away from reality Always require INTERPRETATION. Always require INTERPRETATION. Never employ the visionary symbols/imagery used by other prophets. Never employ the visionary symbols/imagery used by other prophets.

6. REVELATION’S PECULIAR FEATURES. Indeterminate, or mixed, genre. Indeterminate, or mixed, genre. Textual dislocations Textual dislocations Linguistic peculiarities: Linguistic peculiarities: A singular verb with several connected subjects or with a plural subject (8:7, 9:12). A singular verb with several connected subjects or with a plural subject (8:7, 9:12). A plural verb with a neuter plural subject (1:19). A plural verb with a neuter plural subject (1:19). The nominative in apposition with some other case (1:15). The nominative in apposition with some other case (1:15). A change of case or gender in an adjective or participle (11:4, 12:5, 14:19), especially involving the participles, legon (seeing) and echon (having) (13:14 and 9:14). A change of case or gender in an adjective or participle (11:4, 12:5, 14:19), especially involving the participles, legon (seeing) and echon (having) (13:14 and 9:14). The change to a nominative in a dependent noun (7:9). The change to a nominative in a dependent noun (7:9). Repetition of the article with each noun in a series and with adjectives and adjectival phrases after a noun that has the article (2:19, 4:11, 3:12). Such an idiom occurs very often. Repetition of the article with each noun in a series and with adjectives and adjectival phrases after a noun that has the article (2:19, 4:11, 3:12). Such an idiom occurs very often. Liturgical character: Liturgical character: Widespread use of Source Material: Widespread use of Source Material: The fierceness and apparent vindictiveness of God and believers within the book. The fierceness and apparent vindictiveness of God and believers within the book.

7. EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS: THE HISTORICIST VIEW Validity Validity no intrinsic explanation for the book’s mixed or indeterminate genre, liturgical character, textual dislocations or peculiar language no intrinsic explanation for the book’s mixed or indeterminate genre, liturgical character, textual dislocations or peculiar language Relevance Relevance Limited as largely relevant to those of the appropriate historical period. Limited as largely relevant to those of the appropriate historical period. Reliability Reliability problem of having to cope with an astonishing array of competing historical scenarios. problem of having to cope with an astonishing array of competing historical scenarios. Pedigree Pedigree significant pedigree, since the earliest commentators expressed this view as one of the two pillars of the historico-eschatological approach. significant pedigree, since the earliest commentators expressed this view as one of the two pillars of the historico-eschatological approach.

8. EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS: PRETERIST VIEW Validity Validity Not good. Although its adherents have held various theories for the book’s peculiar language and textual dislocations, most of these have been disproved. Not good. Although its adherents have held various theories for the book’s peculiar language and textual dislocations, most of these have been disproved. Scholars have not been able to explain convincingly why the language and grammar of the book is so peculiar. Scholars have not been able to explain convincingly why the language and grammar of the book is so peculiar. Good appreciation that the book’s author made use of sources, some apocalyptic and some from the Old Testament Good appreciation that the book’s author made use of sources, some apocalyptic and some from the Old Testament Relevance Relevance Limited largely to the book’s first century audience. Limited largely to the book’s first century audience. Reliability Reliability Not good. There are a wide range of views representing compilation and other theories Not good. There are a wide range of views representing compilation and other theories Pedigree Pedigree Limited, since there is little evidence of this view being held by early commentators. Limited, since there is little evidence of this view being held by early commentators.

9. EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS: THE MODERATE FUTURIST VIEW Validity Validity limited validity, since it is unable to inherently account for many of Revelations distinctive peculiarities. limited validity, since it is unable to inherently account for many of Revelations distinctive peculiarities. Relevance Relevance Limited to early audience and those who will be present during the final years of time. Limited to early audience and those who will be present during the final years of time. Reliability Reliability Limited, since there are more extreme as well as moderate forms of the futurist view. Limited, since there are more extreme as well as moderate forms of the futurist view. Pedigree Pedigree Limited, since there is little evidence of early interpreters adopting such an approach. Limited, since there is little evidence of early interpreters adopting such an approach.

10. EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS: THE EXTREME FUTURIST VIEW Validity Validity Poor. little consideration is given to the book's indeterminate genre, unusual language, grammar and syntax, apparent textual dislocations and liturgical character. Poor. little consideration is given to the book's indeterminate genre, unusual language, grammar and syntax, apparent textual dislocations and liturgical character. Relevance Relevance Limited as most of the book is deemed to apply to the last seven years of time. Limited as most of the book is deemed to apply to the last seven years of time. Reliability Reliability Good, as most adherents hold to the Pre-millennial position. Good, as most adherents hold to the Pre-millennial position. Pedigree Pedigree mixed, some of its elements have much better pedigree than others. mixed, some of its elements have much better pedigree than others. the general futurist orientation is of good pedigree, since this was shared by some of the earliest commentators of the historico- eschatological school. the general futurist orientation is of good pedigree, since this was shared by some of the earliest commentators of the historico- eschatological school. other aspects—such as a dispensational division of time and the notion of a secret rapture—were not held from the very earliest times. other aspects—such as a dispensational division of time and the notion of a secret rapture—were not held from the very earliest times.

11. EVALUATION OF MAIN VIEWS: ECLECTIC VIEW. Validity Validity Is poor since it dismisses many claims of the book’s visions having specific meanings, focusing instead on the general message conveyed Is poor since it dismisses many claims of the book’s visions having specific meanings, focusing instead on the general message conveyed Relevance Relevance Is good, since emphasis is on the books timeless and universal message. Is good, since emphasis is on the books timeless and universal message. Reliability Reliability Is better than the Historicists but still is not good, as its advocates tend to fall into three main camps:-those who hold to a Synchronist theory, those who maintain that Revelation was written along the lines of a Greek Drama, and those who hold to neither view. Is better than the Historicists but still is not good, as its advocates tend to fall into three main camps:-those who hold to a Synchronist theory, those who maintain that Revelation was written along the lines of a Greek Drama, and those who hold to neither view. Pedigree Pedigree Is poor, since there is little evidence of early commentators holding to this position. Is poor, since there is little evidence of early commentators holding to this position.

12. THE CCET VIEW Revelation is an elaborate allegory of the Close of the Christ Event tradition (CCET). Revelation is an elaborate allegory of the Close of the Christ Event tradition (CCET). It is an allegory in the sense that the text of Revelation is a spiritualization into the world of Apocalyptic Vision of the actual historical happenings of the Close of Christ’s earthly ministry. It is an allegory in the sense that the text of Revelation is a spiritualization into the world of Apocalyptic Vision of the actual historical happenings of the Close of Christ’s earthly ministry.

13. THE CCET VIEW Revelation was written in this way so as to address the problems and needs arising from it’s original historical situation: Revelation was written in this way so as to address the problems and needs arising from it’s original historical situation: What were these problems? What were these problems?

14. THE CCET VIEW PROBLEMS OF THE HISTORICAL SITUATION: PROBLEMS OF THE HISTORICAL SITUATION: Jewish Persecution: Jewish Persecution: The Jews repudiated of the Gospel The Jews repudiated of the Gospel The Jews expelled Christians from the Synagogues The Jews expelled Christians from the Synagogues The Jews betrayed Christians to the Roman Authorities The Jews betrayed Christians to the Roman Authorities Emergence of Pre/Prot-Gnostic Errors chiefly DOCETISM. Emergence of Pre/Prot-Gnostic Errors chiefly DOCETISM. The threat of persecution from Imperial Roman. The threat of persecution from Imperial Roman.

15. THE CCET VIEW The Apocalypse was written as an allegory of the CCET in order to validate and authenticate the Christian Gospel, central to the CCET. The Apocalypse was written as an allegory of the CCET in order to validate and authenticate the Christian Gospel, central to the CCET. Why? Why? Because the Gospel was under attach by: Because the Gospel was under attach by: The Jews, who repudiated it. The Jews, who repudiated it. The Docetists who claimed Jesus’ sufferings death & resurrection were mere appearances and not a true reality. The Docetists who claimed Jesus’ sufferings death & resurrection were mere appearances and not a true reality. Other deceivers who constructed their own version of the Gospel Other deceivers who constructed their own version of the Gospel The Gospel message at the heart of the CCET provided Christians with the courage to endure persecution. The Gospel message at the heart of the CCET provided Christians with the courage to endure persecution.

16. THE CCET VIEW The Apocalypse was written as an allegory of the CCET employing elaborate Old Testament symbols in order to show the greater reality of the CCET which lay behind the symbols because: The Apocalypse was written as an allegory of the CCET employing elaborate Old Testament symbols in order to show the greater reality of the CCET which lay behind the symbols because: The reality behind the symbols is always greater than the symbols themselves. The reality behind the symbols is always greater than the symbols themselves. In this way Revelation combats the central Docetic claim that the happenings of the CCET were mere appearances (illusions). In this way Revelation combats the central Docetic claim that the happenings of the CCET were mere appearances (illusions).

17. THE CCET VIEW The Apocalypse was written as an allegory of the CCET employing peculiar language, grammar and syntax: The Apocalypse was written as an allegory of the CCET employing peculiar language, grammar and syntax: in order to authenticate and validate the true reality of the original experience of Christian faith known as glossolalia (speaking with tongues) in order to authenticate and validate the true reality of the original experience of Christian faith known as glossolalia (speaking with tongues)

18. THE CCET VIEW. VALIDITY VALIDITY Intrinsically accounts for the special Peculiarities of Revelation: Intrinsically accounts for the special Peculiarities of Revelation: Apparent indeterminate genre. Apparent indeterminate genre. Only Allegory is flexible enough to embrace the prophetic, apocalyptic & liturgical elements Only Allegory is flexible enough to embrace the prophetic, apocalyptic & liturgical elements Peculiar language, syntax & grammar Peculiar language, syntax & grammar

19. THE CCET VIEW RELEVANCE RELEVANCE The CCET view has universal relevance to believers of all ages since: The CCET view has universal relevance to believers of all ages since: The Gospel message at it’s very heart is universally relevant. The Gospel message at it’s very heart is universally relevant.

20. THE CCET VIEW RELIABILITY RELIABILITY Not good, since there are many allegorical views. Not good, since there are many allegorical views.

21. THE CCET VIEW PEDIGREE PEDIGREE This is good, since: This is good, since: Allegorical interpretations find support from early commentators of the Alexandrian school. Allegorical interpretations find support from early commentators of the Alexandrian school.