Glory to God and to the Lamb: John’s Use of Jewish and Hellenistic/Roman Themes in Formatting his Theology in Revelation 4–5

Abstract

This essay examines the hymns of Rev. 4.8, 11 and 5.8-12, incorporating the history of religions methodology practiced by Aune and others, along with the theological concerns and intertextual comparisons employed by Bauckham. John’s use of hymns as structural signs is noted briefly. The primary concern, however, is to demonstrate how the Seer adapts traditions from various sources—Hellenistic/Roman, Hebrew Bible, Jewish and Christian—to reinforce his message that all the sovereignty Rome claims belongs to God and Christ alone.