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Denver Seminary > Articles > Seeing Things Johns Way: The Rhetoric of the Book of Revelation
conclusion that 666 is a use of Hebrew gematria and thus is a reference to Nero (106). However, this comes without an adequate discussion of
Revelation 12-13 as it provides a trio of grotesque creatures which are in parody of the Trinity, thus losing sight of the greater evil that is at play
in the world than simply Rome. The topical break seems to have distracted from this, and a few other , areas in the narrative.
Chapter Six is a discussion regarding Johns use of Scripture (Old Testament) within the narrative. This topic is quite difficult in that the
number of allusions and echoes are almost incalculable within a work of this nature , especially since the use of imagery is so prevalent.
DeSilva mentions that constant direct quotation would distract from the narrative itself, such as footnotes would become cumbersome throughout
a novel (149), and perhaps this is true. But more recent study on Second Temple Judaism has also shown how the fusion of Scripture and its
themes appear throughout Jewish thought as an act of widespread memorization of the text (cf. New Perspective on Paul). Thus, the rhetorical
method may be focusing too much on the words that appear on the page and missing the surrounding worldview of the culture.
As the book progresses, deSilva does indeed begin to widen the perspective of Revelation and incorporate themes that are more timely to our
modern world than simply leaving the narrative within the first century world. And his method of doing so demonstrates a strong reading of
The Apocalypse, knowing that it is a message intended for all generations. The criticism of his approach here is simply that this methodology
could have been more present in the earlier discussions. In interpreting the fate of Babylon (Revelation 18) he concludes, Every seat of
empire, no matter how prosperous at its peak, will one day sit as a ruin, and Rome will be no different (206).
And so also deSilva demonstrates that Johns vision beyond the Roman world will result in the new heavens and new earth which join together
at the climax of creation. The imagery that is used throughout the apocalyptic narrative thus challenges, inspires, and admonishes all believers
to participate in the coming kingdom of God. In the end, this book is well worth the read for those who are interested in understanding
Revelation. We are far from scholarly consensus on so many issues, but the discussion is well under way. DeSilva provides a solid
contribution , and gives the exegete another tool with which to unpack The Apocalypse.
One final note: After teaching an undergraduate course on Revelation for a few years, I am unconvinced that this would be an appropriate
introductory text for that level. However, for graduate-level introductions to Revelation this would be a much more useful work .
Michael C. Thompson , M .A.
Senior Pastor, Winding Waters Church (Elkhart, Indiana )
July 2010
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