Dating And Interpreting The Contents of the Gospels and The Apocalypse (Revelation)
Second, overlooking its original author and audience. In a quest for “relevance,” commentators of the historicist and futurist schools seem to forget that John addressed Revelation to real, historical churches (Rev. 1:4, 11) about pressing and dire problems that he and they faced in the first century (Rev. 1:9 and chapters 2-3). In doing so a most fundamental rule of hermeneutics is breached. Two hermeneutics texts may be cited to illustrate the importance of this principle
Berkhof’s helpful study, Principles of Biblical Interpretation, teaches that hermeneutics “is properly accomplished only by the readers’transposing themselves into the time and spirit of the author.”
Mickelsen’s widely used Interpreting the Bible notes: “Simply stated,the task of interpreters of the bible is to find out the meaning of a statement (command, question) for the author and for the first hearers or readers, and thereupon to transmit that meaning to modernreaders.”
Needless to say, removing the setting of the book twenty or more centuries into the future is not conducive to a correct apprehension of its interpretation.
Third, misconstrual of its original intent. Revelation has two fundamental purposes relative to ‘its original hearers. In the first place, it was designed to steel the first century Church against the gathering storm of persecution, which was reaching an unnerving crescendo of theretofore unknown proportions and intensity. A new and major feature of that persecution- was the entrance of imperial Rome onto the scene. The first historical persecution of the Church by imperial Rome was by Nero Caesar from A.D. 64 to A.D. 68.
In the second place, it was to brace the Church for a major and fimdamental re-orientation in the course of redemptive history, are-orientation necessitating the destruction of Jerusalem (the center not only of Old Covenant Israel, but of Apostolic Christianity [cp.Acts 1 :8; 2: lK; 15:2] and the Temple [cp. Matt. 24:1-34 with Rev.11]).
This matter of intent necessitates a corollary hermeneutical principle to that in point 2 above: “One of the basic principles of sound interpretation is that a later interpreter must find out what the author of an earlier writing was trying to convey to those who first read his words.”GG Both the recognition of the parties (author and recipients of the letter) and the purpose of a written document are essential tothe proper grasp of the message. BeckWith has well-stated the matter:
“For the understanding of the Revelation of John it is essential to put one’s self as far as possible, into the world of its author and of those to whom it was first addressed. Its meaning must be sought for in the light thrown upon it by the condition and circumstances of its readers,by the author’s inspired purpose, and those current beliefs and traditions that . . . influenced the fashion which his visions themselves took.”.
Below is a link to the source of the excerpt above.
http://www.entrewave.com/freebooks/docs/a_pdfs/kgbj.pdf
Another link below to the reference
1987_chilton_days-of-vengeance
Tags: Apocalypse, History, Refuting Athiesm
