Revelation 7:9-17 Greek Studies

Greek Study Revelation 7:9-17

v9 μετα ταυτα "after this" - a new vision, not a sequential set of events. Commentators divide on whether the visions are different, i.e. is the "144,000" the same as "the great multitude"? It seems likely this vision complements the first and now John is describing the redeemed who have come through the tribulations. 

αριθμησαι (αριθμεω) aor. inf. "[no one is able to] count" - infinitive is complementary, an idiom, the crowd was too many/large to count. Who are they? It is often argued they are the martyrs but this is unlikely. In John's mind they are probably his own generation.

εστωτες (ιστημι) perf. part. "standing" – another idiom meaning to "tend  like a servant”.

v10 κραζουσιν (κραζω) pres. "they cried out" - durative "they keep on crying out."

φωνη (η) dat. "with a [loud] voice" λεγοντες (λεγω)  saying.

τω θεω (ος) dat. "[Salvation belongs] to God" – a dative of interest, there is no verb, but can be translated as "we are saved by God." In the context salvation refers to coming safely through the tribulation. 

τω καθημενω (καθημαι) dat. pres. part. "who sits" – God sits, servants stand.

v11 οι αγγελοι (ος) "[all] the angels" – an image of the heavenly court

κυκλω + gen. "around [the throne and ....]" των πρεσβυτερων (ος) gen. "the elders" - Debate rages as to whether these are human, ie. representing the resurrected saints of Israel, old and new, or angelic  but their function seems to be worship and administration. των τεσσαρων ζω/ων gen. "the four living creatures" - surround the divine throne, possibly one in front, one behind, and one either side – a visual of the holy of holies in the Temple. 

επεσαν (πιπτω) aor. "they fall down" - prostrate themselves face down before God’s throne.

προσεκυνησαν (προσκυνεω) aor. "worshiped" 

v12 λεγοντες (λεγω) pres. part. "saying" αμην "amen" - the angels confirm the worship of  the multitude and then give their own tribute to God.

τω θεω (ος) dat. "be to God" - Dative again no verb in this sentence, the attributes are  ascribed to God.

των αιωνων (ος) gen. "[forever] and ever"

v13 και "then" εκ + gen. "of [the elders]" - this preposition usually expresses source but  here it serves as a partitive genitive; so "one of the elders."

λεγων (λεγω) pres. part. "asked [me]" – here an Aramaic idiom "saying" = spoke/asked/answered and said.

οι περιβεβλημενοι (περιβαλλψ) perf. part. "[who are these] in [white robes]" - 

ποθεν "where [have they come] from?" 

v14 ειρηκα (αιρω) αυτω/ perf. "I answered" κυριε μου "my Lord" the respectful address  to an important person.

συ οιδας (ουδα) "you know" – the "you", is emphatic, "so the purpose of the question is to show John does not have the answer and needs divine interpretation. 

οι ερχομενοι pres. part. "they are the ones coming” the tense of a participle is durative  in nature and so conveys the idea of “have come, are coming and will come”.

της θλιψεως της μεγαλης "the great tribulation" - the eschatological troubles of the last days. 

επλυναν (επλυνω) aor. "they have washed" - the main verb is in the past tense. This serves to counter the wrong impression that the ones who have come through the tribulation are limited to believers from the present and future.  Those whose robes are washed εν + dat. "in [the blood]" – means that the sacrifice of Jesus, is the instrument by which cleansing takes place.

v15 ενωπιον + gen. "before [the throne]" - This first blessing describes ease of access to  God.

λατρευουσιν (λατρευω) pres. "serve" - durative action – a continuous priestly service, "night and day", ie. without a break. 

τω ναω (ος) "[in his] temple" - there is no temple in the kingdom but there is the realm  of God's eternal habitation.

ο καθημενος (καθημαι) pres. part. "he who sits [on the throne]"

σκηνωσει (σκνηοω) fut. "will spread his tent [over them]" - will tabernacle with  them. Here we have God's first provision for his people; He will cover, or dwell or  “shelter them with his presence."

v16 ετι adv. "[never] again [will they hunger; never] again [will they thirst]" - Temporal  adverb forms a temporal clause; "no longer". God's second provision for his people is that  they will never hunger or thirst again; reflecting the daily struggle for survival and harks  back to the wilderness journey. The promise is eschatological.

ουδε μη πεση/ (πιπτω) aor. subj. "[the sun] will not beat [upon them]" – a subjunctive  of emphatic negation, God's third provision for his people is this image of the cooling of  the desert-sun's scorching heat – a powerful image for someone who cannot afford an air  conditioner in Ohio in August. The end of all traffic jams, all lines, all 9 to 5 drudgery,  TSA checks, etc.

v17 ανα "at [the center of the throne]" - preposition, when identifying position, gives the  the sense of "at the middle", "in the midst", "among". 

ποιμανει (ποιμαινω) fut. "he will shepherd" - a common image for an agricultural   people but John’s letter is to urban dwellers so here it is likely metaphorical, to shepherd  as in ‘to lead”. 

ζωης πηγας υδατων "springs of living water" Cities in ancient times were subject to siege, those who had a spring (living water) as supposed to cisterns (water stored) were more likely to survive - stagnant water bred disease and pests. 

εξαλειψει (εξαλειφω) fut. "will wipe away" - remove every cause of pain and sorrow.

John 10:22-30 Greek Studies

Greek Study John 10:22-30

v22 εγενετο τοτε "then came" - the variant τοτε usually indicates a close connection with the preceding passage. 

τα εγκαινια "the feast of dedication" - the festival that celebrated the Maccabean  victory over the Syrians in 164BC and the rededication of the Temple after Antiochus IV.

εν τοις Ιεροσολυμοις (α) "at Jerusalem" - the article particularizes, but is unnecessary. It is likely that the Feast of Dedication could be held in regional centers also which necessitates mention of Jerusalem.

χειμων ην "it was winter" - or possibly "wintery weather". 

v23 περιεπατει (περιπατεω) imperf. "walking" - imperfect is durative expressing ongoing, rather than customary actions.

του Σολομωνος "Solomon's [Colonnade]"  According to Josephus, the eastern outer court of the Temple – a colonnade that surrounded the temple proper - the eastern one was dedicated to Solomon.

v24 εκυκλωσαν (κυκλοω) aor. "[The Jews] encircled/surrounded implying a threatening  press. 

ελεγον (λεγω) imperf. "saying" - a durative imperfect which implies ongoing  questioning, so they gave him the “second degree”.

εως ποτε "how long" αιρεις (αιρω) pres. "will you keep [us in suspense?]" literally “make us hold our breath”? While the implication is suspense, some commentators note in modern Greek the sense is to "provoke or annoy" which better fits the situation given that the Jews are unlikely to be asking for a clear declaration of who he is so that they can believe in him. The authorities want something to use against him.

ο χριστος "the Christ" παρρησια/ (α) dat. "[tell us] plainly" dative expresses the manner of the speaking. The motive of the request is unclear. The Jews may be frustrated Jesus has not clearly stated who he is OR they may have already decided he is not the Christ and want evidence to use against him.

v25 ειπον aor. "I did tell [you]" - Jesus was open with the Samaritan woman but there is  little evidence of him speaking plainly to the crowds in other circumstances. 

και "but [you do not believe]" - adversative.

τα εργα (ον) "the works" 

εν τω ονοματι του πατρος μου "in my Father's name" "In the name of" often with the  sense " with or under the authority of".

μαρτυρει (μαρτυρεω) pres. sing. "testify" the verb is in the singular while the subject is  in the plural – points to an oral source.

v26 αλλα "but" ου πιστευετε (πιστευω) pres. "[you] do not believe".

οτι "because causal. εκ + gen. "[you are not]" preposition expresses source.

των εμων "of my [sheep]" 

v27 ακουουσιν (ακουω) pres. "listen to [my voice]" children of faith give heed to Christ's  words and are known by Christ indwelling Spirit.

v28 καγω "I" αυτοις dat. pro. "[give] to them" ου μη + subj. "never [perish]"  a double negative with subjunctive idiom = never.

εις τον αιωνα "into the age” idio = forever 

v29 ο προ who μοι dat. pro. "to me" παντων gen. adj. "than all. 

αρπαζειν (αρπαζω) pres. inf. "[can] snatch" - infinitive is complementary, completing the sense of the verb "is able."

v30 εν neut. "[I and the Father are] one" - Jesus is talking about a unity of action. When it comes to the protection of the flock, both the Father and Son are in agreement. This verse was central to the great Trinitarian debates and was interpreted differently by all. For those who argued God is one and the persons of the trinity are but manifestations of that oneness, "one" was their big line. The Arians went to the other extreme and argued that the text reveals a moral unity between the Father and the Son, but nothing more.

Somewhere Seals are opened- A Meditation on John 10:22-39 and Revelation 7

“By the white robes (Rev 7:9) he means the gift of the Holy Spirit.” — Caesareus of Arels

It is Jerusalem at the commemoration of Judas Maccabaeus’ rededication of the Temple after the successful revolt over the Greeks about 200 years prior. The religious leadership is approaching Jesus again. They keep asking the question: “Are you the Messiah.” By now Jesus has done six of his great signs with the raising of Lazarus the only one remaining. Yet, for some reason, the question: “Are you the Messiah,” will just not go away. Investigations into the miracles have been had (Ch 9) but no conclusions were reached. 

Yes, Jesus has been questioned. He has said that he was the door for the sheep and that he was the Good Shepherd. It really does not get more obvious than that. Yet, on a day that nationalism runs high in an occupied Jerusalem perhaps one can forgive the question: “Are you the Messiah?” If he is the one, why is he not doing Judas Maccabaeus one better? 

We will not read it on Sunday, but there is a good reason Jesus is not terribly clear. The simple fact is that no one really wants to hear the answer. When the discussion in today’s text ends, stones are picked up because suddenly those who want the Messiah are angry that the Messiah, the son of the blessed, would actually stand before them. To be honest, if the Messiah can’t admit that he is the Messiah because you would stone said Messiah for saying that we was the Messiah then can you ever actually have a Messiah?

Yes, they ask the question: “are you the Messiah,” but they really have no way to handle the answer if there was a hint that the answer might be “yes.” The information is not for them. You either see or you do not. You see the signs and believe as the beloved disciple does. You see the folded grave clothes and believe. Or you do not. Somehow there seems to be a barrier. It is either up or you hear the voice of Jesus and believe. 

To put it another way: The Father has either called you and led you to Jesus or, well, the Father hasn’t. (Jn 6:44) You are of Jesus’ flock or you ain’t. When he speaks you either hear God speak or you do not. When you see a charcoal fire at dawn with an enigmatic figure inviting you to have breakfast of bread and fish — fish you know not how they were gotten because you certainly had caught nothing all night (Jn 21) — you either realize it is the Lord or you do not. When bread and cup are lifted you realize the Lord in with and under the bread and vine or you do not. In other words, if you have to ask: “Are you the Messiah,” then you are not one of Jesus’ flock.

Somewhere in heaven “seals” have been opened. That opening brings on calamity on a, pardon the pun, biblical scale. The horsemen of the Apocalypse are being released and visit their tribulations onto the world. It gets so bad that the martyrs beg the Ancient of Days: “please, let this end,” only to watch the mighty and the lowly alike being overcome by catastrophe and begging the mountains to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. (Rev 6:17) “The wrath of the Lamb?” That’s a phrase you don’t hear too often, but here it is. 

Then there is an interlude. The multitude of 144,000 are sealed. Note: John of Patmos knows their number and origin: they are from the tribes of Israel. Right after that, another multitude, one that no one can number (7:9) is seen and they are singing of blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might given to God and to the Lamb upon the throne. 

This multitude, who are they? They are those who have persevered in their allegiance to Christ in spite of all the calamity and catastrophe that was thrown at them. They are dressed in robes made white in the blood of the Lamb — not their own blood; these are not the martyrs, those were in 7:11 where they too are given their white robes. No, all these robes are made white in Christ’s blood. They are those who were baptized and the angel of eternal death passed over them. They stand at the ready to serve Christ in Heaven as they had been on earth. 

The white robes, they are the Holy Spirit, says Ceasareus of Arels. Those who are clothed with the Holy Spirt do not ask of Christ: “Who are you?” They do not have to. Instead they praise him, says Revelation. They look to the beach and know it is the Lord and do not dare ask: “Who are you” for they all know it is the Lord because the Holy Spirit has counseled them concerning it, says the Gospel of John, though it seems they need time to get used to it. (Jn 21:12)

In a way the problem really is in the question: “Are you the one?” The better question would have been: “Tell us who we are?” But, that question assumes that you would accept the answer and that you would acknowledge Jesus as the authority with the answer. 

When Jesus says: “I am the vine you are the branches,” it is said to the disciples who have accepted that authority. When he asks: “do you love me,” to the point that you ache that he is asking (Jn 21:17), you bear with it because you are his disciple, his lamb, his branch, even if right then your are being pruned. To pull away is unthinkable. It would mean death by the predators in the wild or oblivion on the burn pile where the dry, dead branches go. (Jn 15:6) John of Patmos has a burn pile as well. (Rev 20:10)

It is Good Shepherd Sunday again. Yes, “I am the Good Shepherd” is in Chapter 10 somewhere and it is the claim that brings on the argument that unfolds and drives Jesus to slip away until it is time to save Lazarus. Once the shepherd is discovered the next question is really simple: “Who am I?” The next thing to do is also very simple: “Will you follow?” And a third question is like it: “Will I live in Faith no matter what comes?” 

These are Easter questions. Now that I have seen the Resurrection — though I am to so sure what I just saw and how it figures — will I rearrange some things in life because though life looks the same today, and maybe worse, in all reality, all has changed? And the Holy Spirit whispers: “Your cup, it overflows. Sing! Sing of blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might to God and to the Lamb. He was and is and is to come. Amen!”