Between hope and fear: Anthropological analysis of the Revelation to John

• Main Author: Tomašević Milan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Ethnography, SASA, Belgrade 2019-01-01
• Series: Glasnik Etnografskog Instituta SANU
• Subjects: social pressure; identity; communitas; messages; communication; theology; gnosticism; imperial cult; satan; theological reminder
• Online Access: http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0350-0861/2019/0350-08611902445T.pdf

On the basis of structuralist interpretations of religious narratives, the text offers an analysis of the messages contained in the Apocalypse, determined by the preteristic approach and the value of those messages for the original context in which the book is written. By analyzing the text pronounced by the main characters of the narrative in structurally distant episodes, a paradigmatic connection is established that reveals the relevant meaning of Revelation. First, paper analysis Jesus' letters addressed to young Christian communities in Roman Asia, from the beginning of the text. Then, it is analyzed the Third Angel's speech from the middle of the book. Finally, the message of the very God at the end of the text is seen. Through the analysis of formulatory statements and metaphors, the Apocalypse is recognized as a epistle addressed to a young religious movement that is in the middle of the process of establishing its identity, but also undoubtedly in a difficult and turbulent period full of challenges for the young Church. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 177026: Kulturno nasleđe i identitet]