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

## Abstract Examines the relationship between imperial cults and the Book of Revelation, focusing especially on the Roman province of Asia during the early Empire. The main argument is that Revelation and imperial cult institutions were in direct contradiction regarding cosmology and eschatology. The exaggerated cosmology of imperial cult institutions resulted in an absurd eschatology – their emphasis on Roman imperial order was so strong that they could not envision an end to Roman rule. Revelation, on the other hand, denigrated all temporal authority and focused attention on the throne of God in heaven and the eschatological inauguration of the New Jerusalem. In this way, the author of Revelation produced one of humanity's great religious critiques of hegemony, a critique that attempted to establish and maintain a just community in the face of imperial oppression. Bringing An Interdisciplinary Approach To The Study Of Revelation, To The Understanding Of The Imperial Cults, And To The Relationship Between The Two, This Innovative Work Will Be An Invaluable Resource For Students And Scholars Of The New Testament And Greco-roman Religion And History.--jacket. 1. Religious Criticism -- Pt. I. Logic Of Participation -- 2. Provincial Imperial Cults Of Asia Under Augustus And Tiberius -- 3. Provincial Cults From Gaius To Domitian -- 4. Municipal Imperial Cults: A Survey -- 5. Municipal Imperial Cults: Two Case Studies -- 6. Groups And Individuals -- 7. Imperial Cults As Religion -- Pt. Ii. Revelation, Resistance -- 8. Revelation In Space And Time -- 9. Centering Reality: Space And Time In Revelation -- 10. Working With Myth -- 11. Communities Worshipping Humans -- 12. Worship And Authority -- 13. Revelation In This World. Steven J. Friesen. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 259-272) And Indexes.

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.

Examines both the archaeological evidence and the Biblical text. This book 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. After more than a century of debate about the significance of imperial cults for the interpretation of Revelation, this study examines both the archaeological evidence and the Biblical text in depth The worship of political leaders is not an unusual phenomenon in human history.