A Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation of Revelation 2:18–29

Abstract

This article enlists socio-rhetorical interpretation to analyse and interpret Revelation 2:18–29. The constructs of inner texture, visual texture, intratexture, cultural intertexture, ideological texture and sacred texture are used. New markers, namely, visual, ideological and theological, are introduced to aid in the study of different textures. The inner texture reveals the extensive use of καί. The visual texture highlights the judgments of God against Jezebel and her followers. Intratexture examines the literary, conceptual and thematic connections between Jezebel and Rome, which demonstrates that the historical situation needs to be understood against the backdrop of larger socio-political and theological issues. The cultural intertexture deepens the Old Testament background and points to the story of Jezebel and alludes to Daniel 3:25, 10:6 and Psalm 2:8–9. The sacred texture contends that the cosmic conflict is an important background. The article ends with recommended word changes to the apocalyptic rhetorolect.