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Many claim that the book of Revelation is self-evidently apocalyptic literature.[1] After all, it calls itself a “revelation” (apokalypsis) of Jesus (Rev. 1:1). If this is the self-description of the book, who are we to argue otherwise?
However, this is not an open-and-shut case. Indeed, this term is hardly an adequate explanation of genre. The word is “not a literary classification but an indication of the nature and purpose of the book.”[2] The use of the word is not a genre identification. Indeed, this reasoning is actually backward: Scholars used this word from Revelation to classify this genre of literature as a whole—not vice versa. Indeed, the word “revelation” (apokalypsis) came to “serve as a technical designation for all the other literature of the same general class.”[3]
Many interpreters hold that the book of Revelation was written in the apocalyptic literary genre, and there is much to commend this view:
Similarities with the Apocalyptic Genre
First, the apocalyptic genre was a type of literature that existed primarily between the 2nd century BC and the 1st century AD.[4] This would fit with the timeframe of Revelation.
Second, various types of literature in this larger genre share similar features to Revelation (e.g. angelic revelation, vivid symbolism, etc.).
Third, the message of apocalyptic literature is that God will get the final word—despite the current suffering and pain. Specifically, this was quite often “associated with God’s Messiah who would inaugurate God’s kingdom.”[5]
Fourth, apocalyptic literature is often dualistic (i.e. good versus evil).
Fifth, angels often interpret the symbols that are given to the author (see Rev. 17).
Differences with the Apocalyptic Genre
At the same time, the apocalyptic genre is a subset of the more general genre of prophecy.[6] Yet, Revelation fits better within that larger genre, and simply cannot be squeezed into the narrowly defined genre of apocalyptic literature. Consider key differences between Revelation and the apocalyptic genre.
First, very often apocalyptic literature claimed to be written by an ancient author like Abraham or Moses (using pseudonymous authorship). Of course, this made the “prophecy” fiction. This is different from what we read in Revelation: The book claims to be written by “John” (Rev. 1:1, 4, 9), whom we affirm to be John of Zebedee, the apostle (see “Authorship of Revelation”).
Second, Revelation refers to itself as “prophecy” (Rev. 1:3; 22:7, 10, 18-19). Yet, the genre of “apocalyptic is usually distinguished from prophecy.”[7] Indeed, apocalyptic writers would write history as though it was prophecy. John, however, “takes his stand in his own days and looks resolutely to the future.”[8]
Third, Revelation emphasizes spiritual and moral reform in the Church (Rev. 2:5, 16, 21-22; 3:3, 19). Typically, apocalyptic literature anticipated God’s intervention despite our holiness—not because of it.
Fourth, Revelation is not pessimistic about the future—contra apocalyptic literature. Osborne explains, “Prophecy has a certain optimistic overtone (if the nation repents, the judgment prophecies will not occur), while apocalyptic tends to be pessimistic (the only hope lies in the future rather than the present).”[9] While it is true that there will be “an outbreak of Satanic activity in the last days, history remains under the sovereign control of God.”[10] Jesus already triumphed over Satan by purchasing our redemption (Rev. 5:9), believers will triumph over Satan (Rev. 12:10-11), and Satan will ultimately be incarcerated (Rev. 20:1-3) and defeated (Rev. 20:10).
Conclusion
As with all literary criticism, we should recognize both the literary similarities, as well as the differences. In the first century (as in most other centuries), genres were not fixed or immutable. Therefore, in our view, we shouldn’t try to press Revelation into the apocalyptic genre in a strict or inflexible way. Holding that Revelation is strictly apocalyptic is “overestimated,” and if it is apocalyptic, it is “apocalyptic with a difference.”[11] Indeed, many differences. We would classify Revelation as being written in both the genre of prophecy, as well as the genre of apocalyptic. Indeed, John calls this book a work of “prophecy” (Rev. 1:3; 22:7, 10, 18, 19). Therefore, we agree with the consensus of scholars that Revelation is “universally recognized” as being in the genres of “apocalyptic, prophecy, and letter.”[12]
[1] For biblical examples of similar literature in the Bible, see Isaiah 24-27, Ezekiel 37-39, Zechariah, and Daniel.
[2] Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997), 40.
[3] Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997), 6.
[4] Leon Morris, Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 25.
[5] Leon Morris, Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 25.
[6] Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 13.
[7] Leon Morris, Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 26.
[8] Leon Morris, Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 20, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987), 27.
[9] Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 13.
[10] Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997), 7.
[11] Colin J. Hemer, The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in their Local Setting (England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1989), 12.
[12] Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 12.