Ruben Zimmermann, «Nuptial Imagery in the Revelation of John», Vol. 84 (2003) 153-183
In this article is argued that the nuptial imagery of the Book of Revelation is not limited to chapters 19 and 21 but rather runs throughout the book. While the imagery is certainly most pronounced in the final part of the book, it also appears in the letters to the churches (bridal wreath in Rev 2,10; 3,11), in the scene depicting the 144,000 as virgins (Rev 14,4-5), and is encountered again in Rev 18,23 (silencing of the voice of bridegroom and bride) and Rev 22,17 (summons of the bride) at the end of the book. Thus the wedding metaphors can be seen as one of the structural patterns of Revelation as a whole directly in contrast to the metaphors of fornication.
II. The 144,000 as virginal bride (Rev 14,4-5)11
The 144,000, who appeared previously in Rev 7,4, are described in detail in Rev 14,4-5. The motifs brought together in Rev 14,4-5 are not lined up randomly but rather indicate definite metaphoric traditions that each in its own way sheds light on the controversial motif of virginity12. The expression "defilement with women" (meta_ gunaikw=n ou)k e)molu/nqhsan, v. 4) incorporates, as A. Yarbro Collins, K. Berger and lastly D.C. Olson13 have already shown, a formulation from the early Judaic interpretation of the tradition of the fallen angels (Hen[gr] 5–15; Jub 5,1; Gig; etc.)14 of Gen 6,1-4. Above all in the Book of the Watchers in 1 Enoch 1–36 there are several similar or even identical formulations:
They took for themselves wives from all whom they chose; and they began to cohabit with them and to defile themselves with them15.
Kai_
e!labon e(autoi=j gunai=kaj: e#kastoj au)tw=n e)cele/canto e(autoi=j gunai=kaj, kai_ h!rcanto ei)sporeu/esqai pro_j au)ta_j kai_ miai/nesqai e)n au)tai=j: (Hen[gr] 7,1, cf. 9,8; 10,11; 15,2-7).
Assuming that the author of Rev takes up this tradition in his formulation, the expression ‘defile with women’ makes sense because the sons of God have, according to Gen 6,1-4, defiled themselves with the daughters of man, meaning women. According to Olson, the author of Rev described the chosen 144,000 as "good angels" in explicit contrast to the watchers and thus has emphasized the observance of angelic virginity (Hen[aeth] 15,7)16. However, while sexuality, for