Apocolyptic Literature Imagery

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Many persons think that the Apocalypse (Revelation) and prophetic Scripture such as in Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah should be taken literally and not figuratively.

However, Catholic teaching does not agree with this assessment.

For example, Revelation 12 depicts a woman. Who is she?

From: cin.org/users/james/questions/q116.htm by James Aiken
Answer: It is important to understand the nature of the symbolism in revelation. John’s vision contains a great deal of “fusion imagery” and polyvalent symbolism.
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For example, the living creatures he sees in chapter 4 are a fusion of elements from the cherubim seen in Ezekiel and the seraphim seen in Isaiah. The priest-elders he sees in that chapter are most likely numbered twenty-four because they are a fusion of the twelve patriarchs of Israel and the twelve apostles of Jesus–a symbolism which occurs at the end of the book, in chapter 21, where the heavenly city of New Jerusalem is seen to have twelve foundations with the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb and twelve gates with the names of the twelve patriarchs of Israel.
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Polyvalent symbolism–symbols which have more than one referent–are also part of Revelation’s imagery. For example, the seven heads of the beast are said to be both seven mountains (Rev. 17:9) and seven kings (Rev. 17:10).
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The Woman in Revelation 12 is part of the fusion imagery/polyvalent symbolism that is found in the book. She has four referents: Israel (for she is associated with the sun, the moon, and twelve stars, per the imagery of Josephs dream in Genesis), the Church (for her “other children” are those who keep the testimony of Jesus the Messiah), Eve (for she is involved in a three-way conflict between the Woman, her Seed, and the old serpent), and Mary (for she is the mother of Jesus).
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Because the Woman in Revelation 12 is such a four-way symbol, different aspects of the symbol apply to different ones of the referents. The crying out in the pain of childbirth does not refer to Mary, but to Israel, which underwent the emergence of the Messiah in great trauma.
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What are some other examples of this type of non-literal imagery in prophetic Scripture?
 
SHW said:
Many persons think that the Apocalypse (Revelation) and prophetic Scripture such as in Ezekiel, Jeremiah, and Isaiah should be taken literally and not figuratively.

However, Catholic teaching does not agree with this assessment.

For example, Revelation 12 depicts a woman. Who is she?

From: cin.org/users/james/questions/q116.htm by James Aiken

What are some other examples of this type of non-literal imagery in prophetic Scripture?
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The only other one I can think of is in the Book of Daniel with his visions.

PAX DOMINI

Shalom Aleichem
 
There does need to be a distinction made between symbolic language and spiritual interpretation. There are lots of symbolism used in Scripture that should not be taken literally but that it does mean something literally and not spiritual. The 1000 year reign of Christ is an example, 1000 years is not to be understood as a literal thousand years but it does mean a literal period of time (Church Age). Scripture speaks figuratively very often and some things should be understood as figurative speech but taken literal in the sense as the primary interpretation as referrring to something literal. Taking something literally is to understand what the author had in mind when they wrote it, but that author may mean something but use metaphors and figurative speech to signify it. But as Scripture, which is beyond any other science, within most passages lies hidden meanings that takes a spiritual mind to see and understand, but the literal meaning should be seeked first. Just like the flood was an actual event that happened, but on the otherhand St. Peter tells us that it prefigured Baptism. Jonah was in the belly of the whale, while that actually did happen it also prefigured Christ in Hades after the crucifixion. And while many things in Revelation are future and past events, they can be taken spiritually as different stages of salvation history.

As for the woman in Revelation 12, the literal interpretation is Mary, while it also signifies the Church in a more secondary sense.
 
COPLAND_3 said:
There does need to be a distinction made between symbolic language and spiritual interpretation. There are lots of symbolism used in Scripture that should not be taken literally but that it does mean something literally and not spiritual. The 1000 year reign of Christ is an example, 1000 years is not to be understood as a literal thousand years but it does mean a literal period of time (Church Age). Scripture speaks figuratively very often and some things should be understood as figurative speech but taken literal in the sense as the primary interpretation as referrring to something literal. Taking something literally is to understand what the author had in mind when they wrote it, but that author may mean something but use metaphors and figurative speech to signify it. But as Scripture, which is beyond any other science, within most passages lies hidden meanings that takes a spiritual mind to see and understand, but the literal meaning should be seeked first. Just like the flood was an actual event that happened, but on the otherhand St. Peter tells us that it prefigured Baptism. Jonah was in the belly of the whale, while that actually did happen it also prefigured Christ in Hades after the crucifixion. And while many things in Revelation are future and past events, they can be taken spiritually as different stages of salvation history.

As for the woman in Revelation 12, the literal interpretation is Mary, while it also signifies the Church in a more secondary sense.
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Yes, but also most of the stories presented in scripture are presented as analogies, and as such are meant to be taken as lessons, or explanations, of teachings as given by God, through the Prophets.

PAX DOMINI

Shalom Aleichem
 
DonLeon said:
Yes, but also most of the stories presented in scripture are presented as analogies, and as such are meant to be taken as lessons, or explanations, of teachings as given by God, through the Prophets.

PAX DOMINI

Shalom Aleichem
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I’d have to have some examples on “most” because I take a different view on this. I take a traditionalist view on Scripture which means that I view Scripture the way that it has always been viewed by the Church, whereas there is a new school of thought that is on the scene in some circles that approaches the Bible as being an inspired myth with little historical value to it, which I reject. I think that is is very important to use all the senses of Scripture when approaching the Bible, meaning that we start off seeking the literal meaning, that is what the author had in mind when writing it, and then look for the allegorical, and then look for how it applies to you personally.
 
COPLAND_3 said:
I’d have to have some examples on “most” because I take a different view on this. I take a traditionalist view on Scripture which means that I view Scripture the way that it has always been viewed by the Church, whereas there is a new school of thought that is on the scene in some circles that approaches the Bible as being an inspired myth with little historical value to it, which I reject. I think that is is very important to use all the senses of Scripture when approaching the Bible, meaning that we start off seeking the literal meaning, that is what the author had in mind when writing it, and then look for the allegorical, and then look for how it applies to you personally.
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An example offhand would be Lazarus and the rich man, as told by Jesus. I view the bible as you do. It is history, poetry, prayer, etc. I keep in mind that scripture, although written by man, was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is the Word of God,

PAX DOMINI

Shalom Aleichem
 
Apocalyptic literature uses dramatic imagery of cataclysmic disruptions to describe changes within the human politcal sphere.

Isa 13:9-13 uses this language to describe the Medes destroying the Babylonians in Isa 13:17-19.

Ezekiel predicts the downfall of Egypt and its Pharoah.

When I snuff you out I will cover the heavens, and all their stars I will darken; The sun I will cover with clouds, and the moon shall not give its light. All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken on your account, And I will spread darkness over your land, says the Lord GOD. I will grieve the hearts of many peoples when I lead you captive among the nations, to lands which you do not know. (Ez 32:7-8)

In his first public sermon Peter quoted Joel which was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.

Indeed, upon my servants and my handmaids I will pour out a portion of my spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy. And I will work wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below: blood, fire, and a cloud of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and splendid day of the Lord, and it shall be that everyone shall be saved who calls on the name of the Lord.’ (Acts 2:18-21)

Do you know scripture describes the destruction of the Sanhedrin? How about the dynasty of the Caesars?
 
Clouds can signify the glory of God the Judge!

The Hebrews were near mutiny against Moses and Aaron over the lack of meat in their diet. Right before God sent them quail He appeared.

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Tell the whole Israelite community: Present yourselves before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.” When Aaron announced this to the whole Israelite community, they turned toward the desert, and lo, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud! (Ex 16:9-10)

God’s power and majesty appeared when He gave the Law to Moses and the Israelites.

Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with him there and proclaimed his name, “LORD.” (Exod 34:5)

Of course, mercy is tied to judgment.

and said to him, "Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he pleases into the sanctuary, inside the veil, in front of the propitiatory on the ark; otherwise, when I reveal myself in a cloud above the propitiatory, he will die. (Lev 16:2)

So also, destruction is tied to judgment. In some instances, physical clouds are not even present and their mention is purely symbolic. Read the entire psalm and not just the first three verses. (it indicates God’s coming in judgment).

Bless the LORD, my soul! LORD, my God, you are great indeed! You are clothed with majesty and glory, robed in light as with a cloak. You spread out the heavens like a tent; you raised your palace upon the waters. You make the clouds your chariot; you travel on the wings of the wind. (Ps 104:1-3)

Clouds don’t physically appear here, but God’s coming on a cloud was the arrival of the Assyrian army in (Isa 20:1-6).

Oracle on Egypt: See, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud on his way to Egypt; The idols of Egypt tremble before him, the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them. (Isa 19:1)

A similair use of God coming in judgment against Egypt is found in Ezekiel.

for near is the day, near is the day of the LORD; a day of clouds, doomsday for the nations shall it be. (Ez 30:3)

Cloud associated with Jesus’ Ascension and return (Acts 1:9-11) combine all this symbolism. Does that mean the Lord cannot return on a clear day?
 
I recommend to anyone confused by the subject to get a neat little book"Apocalyptic
Ancient and Modern" by D.S. Russell. It covers the genre of apocalyptic literature, not just Daniel and Revelation.It’s short , easy to read and will clarify the subject!👍
 
DonLeon said:
An example offhand would be Lazarus and the rich man, as told by Jesus. I view the bible as you do. It is history, poetry, prayer, etc. I keep in mind that scripture, although written by man, was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is the Word of God,

PAX DOMINI

Shalom Aleichem
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I must have misunderstood you, sorry if I did.
 
juliamajor said:
I recommend to anyone confused by the subject to get a neat little book"Apocalyptic
Ancient and Modern" by D.S. Russell. It covers the genre of apocalyptic literature, not just Daniel and Revelation.It’s short , easy to read and will clarify the subject!👍
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Hi Julia,

Is he Catholic? Thanks!

Pax,
SHW
 
SHW said:
Hi Julia,

Is he Catholic? Thanks!

Pax,
SHW
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It’s published by FORTRESS books which I think is a Lutheran house?
It’s still a good prospective on Apocalyptic literature in general. I have quite an extensive
biblical library- any questions or subject I’ll try to get an answer for you.👍
 
juliamajor said:
It’s published by FORTRESS books which I think is a Lutheran house?
It’s still a good prospective on Apocalyptic literature in general. I have quite an extensive
biblical library- any questions or subject I’ll try to get an answer for you.👍
Click to expand...
Thanks, Julia!

Pax,
SHW
 
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