Referents:  Introduction

 Context for Meaning in the Book of Revelation

                 The words and phrases of the Book of Revelation must be understood in the context of the literature of which it is a part and from which it springs.  Its words and phrases come from the canonical Scriptures and the tradition in which they originated and developed.  Biblical usage gives a solid foundation for meaning in the Revelation.  Taken out of context, or projected into some future visionary world, they can be made to mean anything or nothing as the interpreter desires.  By studying the Biblical referents “The Bible interprets itself.”

                Since our modern Biblical texts are translations, it is helpful to understand something of the translation process and its effect on meanings.  Word-for-word translation is often impossible because of the nature of language.  Furthermore, the cultural contexts of any two languages are often so diverse that the referents for one language do not apply in the other.  It is necessary, therefore, to know what the referents are for the source language in order to carry the basic meaning over into the target language.

                It is safe to assume that the Book was originally written in Hebrew.  However, since the oldest manuscripts known to be extant are in Greek, the Greek translations of the Hebrew are all we presently have to work with and all of our modern English translations come from the Greek.  The Greek meanings can, however, often be traced back to the Hebrew text through the Septuagint and Scriptural referents.

 WHAT ARE ‘REFERENTS’?

                Words and phrases often have specialized meanings and nuances when used within a particular body of literature. It is this literary background that gives meaning in context, which I choose to call a “referent”.  For example, we use the term “widow’s mite” in a sense that has little to do with the dictionary meanings of the two words ‘widow’ and ‘mite.’  Rather we understand the term by its referent in Mark 12:42-43 where a widow gave all she had into the offering.  Therefore the term “widow’s mite” represents “a small offering given sacrificially”.

                Another example is our usage of the term “prodigal son”.  We can not arrive at the full meaning of this term by consulting the dictionary for the two words ‘prodigal’ and ‘son’.  We must know the passage in Luke 15:11-24 and its usage by the Christian community, for that passage furnishes the cultural “referent” for the meaning of this term.

                This is true in other literature also.  For example, we use the term “Orwellian” with reference to the literature by George Orwell.  We use the term “Prince Charming” with reference to certain fairy tales.  The literature by Orwell is the “referent” for the term “Orwellian;” and the fairy tales are the “referent” for the term “Prince Charming.” 

                A ‘referent’ is the background usage in the literature that has given this word or phrase its special meanings and connotations in context.  It is meaning in context.

                This principle applies especially to the words and phrases in the Book of Revelation.  Their meanings are derived with reference to their usage in the canonical Biblical literature.  The Biblical literature is therefore the ‘referent’ for the terms used in the Book of Revelation and furnish the cultural context for their meaning.  Since it is the background literature itself that has given meaning to these terms, it is essential to know and understand that literature.  For this reason, one must know the Biblical Scriptures in order to understand the Book of Revelation.

                I wish to distinguish between a ‘reference’ as usually given in ‘reference Bibles’ and the term referent.’  A ‘reference’ is a Scripture related in thought or words, whereas a ‘referent’ is a background passage which establishes the implicit and explicit meaning, denotation and connotations of a term used later in the same body of literature.

                This work consists of referents from the canonical Scriptures that I feel pertain to the text of the Book of Revelation.  Related passages from the Book of Revelation itself are given because they are a part of the same contextual referent.  This is especially true where interpretations of symbolic expressions are given.  For example, in Revelation 5:8 the symbolic expression “golden bowls of incense” are interpreted as “the prayers of the saints.”  I give these Scripture citations as examples to illustrate the literary background.  They are not exhaustive; you will want to add some of your own which will become apparent to you as you study.

                I have tried to employ the following format consistently:

                The King James Authorized Version, of each verse is given first in italics.

                Then the Revised Standard Version, broken down into phrases of each verse is given in Bold Type.

                Biblical Referents are then listed below each phrase to which they especially pertain.

                When Hebrew terms are given for New Testament references, it is because they seem to be referring to the same term as was used in the Old Testament.

                Hebrew and Greek words are in italics.

                When referents are given for a passage, instead of a single verse, the passage is doubly indented and in small caps.

                While I have arrived at these texts independently and have reviewed all of them, the Harper Study Bible has been of great assistance.

                Part 2 will serve as a companion study to my Revelation in Context Part I.  These referents will show the supporting evidence and background for my interpretation of the Book of Revelation, confirming and verifying that it is indeed based on the context of the times and not on mere speculation.

                It is my sincere desire that my writings be merely an aid to, and not a substitute for, your personal study of the Bible itself.  I trust that the Holy Spirit will guide your study so that it will truly be a Revelation, the Living Word alive in you.  (Heb. 4:12; 2 Cor. 3:6).

1. Bible Referents
2. Referents from Rabbinic Writings
3. Referents from the Apocrypha
4. Referents from the Book of Enoch

  

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