요한啓示錄의 解釋과 指導에 關한 硏究

Abstract

There are many strange expressions, Symbols, Signs, mythical Creatures in the Revelation of John. The purpose of this thesis is to find its historical background and to read what the writer John was then saying to the Churches in the Asia Minor, so that we may be more genuinely able to hear what the Revelation of John is saying to the churches in our own day, especially in Korea. There are already, however, many wrong or devilish interpreters who have been insisting themselves to have received a especial interpretation to the Revelation of John in the Korean Churaches, which has forced the Revelation to John almost to be seemed relegated into an apecrypha out of the Holy Bible, in spite of its biblical status, in Korean Churches and its pastors to be cautious or reluctant to deliver any message out of the Revelation. Is it, then, a right understanding to the book? Is it the right message what the book wants to Proclaim? In order to understand what the book is proclaiming to its readers, We ought to know or grope their historical situations from Political through social to Congregational. Of course, the book is indeed insisting on its revelational Character "The revelation of Jesus Christ, given him by God. But there are many biblical references from all the others. This thesis has concentrated on the historical Background in the book to shed some light on what the writer was saying. Part one is giving a definition to the Apocalyptic literature, its some literal elements depending on traditions, histories and biblical expressions or forms, a delineation of the Apocalyptic Literature in the Bible, the political persecution and the Christian Apostary as the Motivation to the Writer, and an outline to the history of study on the Revelation to John. Here is attached some methodology to this thesis. The three criticisms (Form, Mythical, Eschatological) and three interpretations (Linguistic, Logical, Biblical) have prevented me, I think, from going astray. Part two is consisted of textual studies on Rev. Chapters 1-3, 13, 17. Rev. 1-3 gave me the backgrounds of its readers and writer. Their Congregational Background has reflected also Roman political and their social ones. Rev. 13 has ironically exposed the reality of Roman authority while veiling that under the symbolical noun "beast". Rev. 17 is more clearly defining the reality of Emperor-worship taking place in the Roman Empire by picturing her as the harlot. Here is also attached a secondary theme of a cipher "a New Nero" which the writer John has made as a plot of self-protection. We can sure that the cipher was easily deciphered to Domition by his readers. Part three Summarizes the thesis that the intention of John was to consolate and protect his readers from the Roman persecution, Emperor worship, and idolatry were used for merely some rulers' long political power, not even for some idols. The rulers persecuted Christianity when they found it unhelpful for their long political power - Seizuring, John has made a Square-blank-from of "New Nero". Domitian entered into the Square-blank as the first New Nero. Whenever and wherever Domitian-like ruler enters into the Square-blank as the follower of New Nero, then and there the writer's Message will be effective.