Genre
Genre
As Beasley-Murray notes, the opening verses of Revelation appear to suggest three different genre identifications: "apocalypse” (1:1), "prophecy” (Rev. 1:3), and epistle (1:4). 55 Each has its defenders, and each plays a role in the complex literary phenemenon of Revelation.
Identification with the genre "apocalypse” or "apocalyptic” is complicated by continuing debate over just what apocalyptic is: is it a type of eschatology, or is it a literary genre, or both? Current researchers generally answer that it embraces both but that we should distinguish the two, "apocalyptic” being used to describe a certain kind of eschatology, and "apocalypse” to denote a literary genre.
The literary genre "apocalypse” began to appear in the second century B.C. as a response to persecution and oppression. The authors of apocalypses claim to be passing on heavenly mysteries revealed to them by an angel or some other spiritual being. 56 Apocalypses are typically pseudonymous, written in the name of a great figure in Israel’s past (Adam, Moses, Enoch, etc.). By so projecting themselves into the past, the authors of apocalypses can put historical surveys of God’s dealings with his people and with the world in the form of prophecy. These historical surveys, which are found in many, though not all, apocalypses, culminate with the breaking in of God’s kingdom, expected in the very near future.
The writers of apocalypses usually use extensive symbolism in their historical reviews. The kind of eschatology found in these books (though not confined to them) is then called apocalyptic. It is characterized by a dualistic conception of history: the present world, with its sin, rebellion against God, and persecution of God’s people, is sharply contrasted with the world to come, when God will intervene to establish his kingdom. 57 Just at this point "apocalyptic” is often contrasted with "prophecy,” which, it is argued, looks for God’s salvation to be manifested through the processes of this world rather than through a breaking in of a new world. The prophet is also sometimes contrasted with the apocalypticist in his claim to speak directly from the Lord.
It takes only a casual acquaintance with Revelation to see that it possesses many of the features just described. Its message comes through visions given by angels. It is communicated through extensive use of symbols, strongly contrasts this world with the world to come, and looks for deliverance in the near future. Considering these similarities to Jewish apocalyptic and the apparent claim in Rev. 1:1 (the first three words in Greek are ’ Λποκαλυψις ’ Ιησου Χρίστου [Apokalypsis lesou Christou], NIV "the revelation of Jesus Christ”), it is no wonder that many scholars are convinced that Revelation belongs in the literary genre "apocalypse.” Yet there are problems with this identification. The most notable one is the fact that Revelation, unlike Jewish apocalypses, is not pseudonymous. John speaks in his own name. If, then, pseudonymity is considered essential to the genre apocalypse, Revelation clearly cannot be an apocalypse. 58 Others respond, however, by insisting that pseudonymity is not necessary to the genre and that Revelation is an apocalpyse "with a difference.” Yet there is another vital difference: Jewish apocalyptists ground their hope in a future event, while John in the Revelation grounds his hope in the past sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb that has been slain.” 59 We are therefore reluctant to consider Revelation an apocalypse.
It is difficult, however, to find another genre to which Revelation belongs. John certainly suggests that he stands in a prophetic role, and there is a tendency in current scholarship to view Revelation as a prophecy. But a better suggestion is to find elements of both prophecy and apocalyptic in Revelation. 60 Despite the impression given by some scholars, no rigid distinction between these two is possible. They are combined in many Old Testament books (e.g., Daniel, Isaiah, Zechariah) and in our Lord’s Olivet discourse. 61 In his consciousness of inspiration and of the authority that he assumes, John is truly a prophet. But his prophecy makes use of the forms current in Jewish apocalypses.
In terms of literary genre, however, "epistle” may be the best single categorization. This may seem odd at first, but the epistle was a very broad genre (see the section Paul's Letters in chap. 7 above), and Revelation, with its opening address and salutation (Rev. 1:4-5, 9-11), presents itself as a circular letter to seven churches in Asia Minor.
We may best view Revelation, then, as a prophecy cast in an apocalyptic mold and written down in a letter form. 62