Imperial Cults and the Apocalypse of John: Reading Revelation in the Ruins

by Steven J. Friesen

After more than a century of debate about the significance of imperial cults for the interpretation of Revelation, this is the first study to examine both the archaeological evidence and the Biblical text in depth. Friesen argues that a detailed analysis of imperial cults as they were practiced in the first century CE in the region where John was active allows us to understand John's criticism of his society's dominant values. He demonstrates the importance of imperial cults for society at the time when Revelation was written, and shows the ways in which John refuted imperial cosmology through his use of vision, myth, and eschatological expectation.

Genres: Christianity, Theology, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Avery Amstutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I’ve read in a while. This is a must read

[Frans Vermeiren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book consists of two parts, of which the first provides an informative discussion of the different imperial cults (plural) in Asia Minor, mainly based on the material remains that to our days testify of them. Although the subject is discussed in great detail, it does not really bring to life the impressive and (for its opponents) arrogant presence of imperial Rome in Asia Minor. In their ‘In Search of Paul – How Jesus’ Apostle Opposed Rome’s Empire with God’s Kingdom’ Crossan and Reed for example draw a much more vivid picture of the different aspects of Roman domination in the East and of the aversion and hostility this evoked in its Jewish opponents.

The second part purports to show how we can read Revelation in the ruins of Roman imperial presence in Asia Minor. However, the discussion does not predominantly focus on this relation. This second part is mostly a self-contained discussion of Revelation which contains a fundamental ambivalence. The discussion moves back and forth between a historical and a mythical position. Every time the author discusses an aspect of the anti-Roman content of the text he waters down this position later on. This way the historical focus of this book eventually becomes too weak. Major Roman elements like the staging of Vespasian and Titus in chapter 6 and the description of the Roman army during the war against the Jews in chapter 9 are missing. Equally important oppositional Jewish/Essene elements are also absent: Paul’s staging in chapter 10 and Jesus’ in chapter 11 for example, and the description of the birth of Essene messianism including the role of Qumran in chapter 12. Also the pivotal ‘great catastrophe’ is not identified as the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the fall of the city.

This brings us to Friessen’s discussion of myth in Revelation. It is obvious that the author has difficulties clarifying the concept of myth in this book, as in my opinion it is absent. The Apocalypse of John mainly presents history, but not overt history because this would have been suicidal for its author as well as for his audience. The major conflict between the Jews and the Romans and its future settlement are the subject of Revelation, and for safety reasons this story has been encoded in a hostile Rome-dominated world. Friessen rejects the literal interpretation of Revelation while I think this is the only way Revelation can make sense, if at least encoded history is included in this literal reading. Obviously the scenes in heaven and the imagery of the future New Jerusalem are exceptions to this ‘coded history’ predominance as these subjects can only stem from John’s imagination.

At the beginning of this book as well as at its end Friessen states that John was not anti-Roman but simply anti-empire. I believe John opposed the Roman empire but favored a future Jewish/Essene empire. Like most other apocalyptic texts Revelation expresses the hope for a violent reversal of the dominator/dominated positions. This makes Revelation an important politicoreligious work.

[Lee Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a serious student of Revelation, this is a book you must read. I don't think there's another book like it ... yet. That Revelation's warnings often relate directly to the Imperial Cult of the late first century has been understood for a long time, but this book tackles the topic head on, in scholarly fashion. Friesen relates what archaeology has discovered about Caesar worship in Asia Minor, Revelation's target audience. Much can be gathered from the study of coins, temple ruins, and writings. The Caesars were often simulated into the worship of traditional Greek deities, and what we understand from archaeology about both the public and mystery rituals is detailed.

One conclusion Friesen draws is that the Imperial Cult was definitely founded upon Caesar Augustus and his accomplishments. Augustus was worshiped as Zeus, the high god of the Greeks. In my mind, at least, there can be little doubt that the first of the seven kings of Revelation is Augustus ... not, as some preterists insist, Julius Caesar. Friesen also concludes that the Flavians, including Vespasian and Titus, were also highly honored in myth. This matches the findings and conclusions in my own book, Revelation: The Way it Happened. (www.thewayithappened.com)

Friesen's book is in two parts: First, the study of the Imperial Cults, and then, how Revelation relates to that study in its direct opposition to Roman imperialism and the abomination of Caesar worship. Of particular interest to readers of Revelation, of course, is Nero Caesar, considered by most to be either the fifth or the sixth king of the seven (depending upon whether you begin counting with Augustus or Julius). Most studied scholars of Revelation agree that, at least on some level, John was surely writing about Nero as the Beast of the Sea.

[Jérémie Cascales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for everyone who wants to dig into a contemporary study in Revelation!
This book is not a commentary, but a historical perspective aligning Revelation to the Imperial cults.
The first half of the book presents the history of Imperial cults in the Greco-Roman world, and the second half compared it to the book of Revelation.
A must have for everyone who love to study Revelation with a historico-critical perspective.
Friesen puts a lot of informations from archeology and historical methodology to look into John’s meaning for his 1st century audience, and for a contemporary application as well.

[John Muriango · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worse than Eisegesis!