Before Jerusalem Fell - EntreWave

I
16 BEFORE JERUSALEM FELL
In the second place, it was to brace the Church for a major and
fimdamental re-orientation in the course of redemptive history, a
re-orientation necessitating the destruction of Jerusalem (the center
not only of Old Covenant Israel, but of Apostolic Christianity [cp.
Acts 1 :8; 2: lK; 15:2] and the Temple [cp. Matt. 24:1-34 with Rev.
11]).65
This matter of intent necessitates a corollary hermeneutical principle
to that in point 2 above: “One of the basic principles of sound
interpretation is that a later interpreter must find out what the author
of an earlier writing was trying to convey to those who first read his
words.”GG Both the recognition of the parties (author and recipients
of the letter) and the purpose of a written document are essential to
the proper grasp of the message. BeckWith has well-stated the matter:
“For the understanding of the Revelation ofJohn it is essential to put
one’s sel~ as far as possible, into the world of its author and of those
to whom it was first addressed. Its meaning must be sought for in the
light thrown upon it by the condition and circumstances of its readers,
by the author’s inspired purpose, and those current beliefs and
traditions that . . . influenced the fashion which his visions themselves
took.”G7
A whole host of other factors adding to the difficulty of the
interpretation of Revelation could be brought forward at this juncture.
More relevant to the present purpose, however, is a final
complicating factor that will be considered separately in the next
chapter.
65. See later discussion in Chapters 11, 13, and 14.
66. Mickelsen, Interpreting, p. 23.
67. Beckwith, Revelation, p. v.