Rob Dalrymple, «These Are the Ones», Vol. 86 (2005) 396-406
The thematic features relating to John’s depiction of the righteous in the
intercalations of Rev 11,3-13 and 7,1-17 as well as how these features might
affect our understanding of Revelation 7,1-17 are examined. Four foci pertaining
to the righteous are explicitly present in the account of the Two Witnesses (11,3-
13). All four foci, also, materialize in the description of the 144,000 (7,1-8) and
the Great Multitude (7,9-17). However, when we examine Rev 7,1-8, we find that
John only incorporates the first two of the four foci (Divine Protection and
Witnesses) while in the account of 7,9-17, only the latter two appear (Enduring
Persecution and Vindication of the Righteous). If, however, we read Rev 7,1-17
as the account of one group, then the thematic parallels with the intercalation of
Rev 11,3-13 are retained.
These Are the Ones … (Rev 7) 397
Bauckham argues convincingly that the ministry of the Two Witnesses results
in the conversion of the nations (cp. 11,13) (7).
Secondly, both of these intercalations present a delay in their respective
series of judgments (8). Thus, the intercalation of 7,1-17 suspends the series
of seven seals — that resumes in 8,1 — and the intercalation of 10,1–11,13
serves to suspend the series of seven trumpets (9). Furthermore, the focus
of each these intercalations depicts the state of the righteous during that
delay (10).
1. A Thematic Look at the Righteous in the Two Intercalations
To begin, it is my suggestion that in John’s account of the Two
Witnesses (Rev 11,3-13) four key foci relating to the righteous are
present (11). These foci include: first, the righteous are accorded divine
protection during the time of their witnessing. Secondly, they function as
faithful witnesses (12). Thirdly, the righteous suffer persecution, perhaps, even
to the point of death, either during the time of their witnessing, or after they
have completed their testimony (13). Finally, the righteous are vindicated by
God (14).
Furthermore, an underlying thesis in this paper is that Revelation tends
not only to recapitulate material, but that in doing so its general pattern is to
develop and expand previous themes — oftentimes making explicit what was
(7) Cf. BAUCKHAM, Climax, 12, 238-337.
(8) This delay would have been enhanced in an oral enactment. It would have been
especially heightened in the account of the six Seals, since the first four Seals follow one
another with a measure of rapidity.
(9) Other factors include the literary links between each of the intercalations and
chapter 5. 7,1-17 employs the ‘hearing and seeing’ motif that it makes evident in 5,5-6.
10,1-1,13 compares the ‘strong angel’ (5,2) with ‘another strong angel’ (10,1). This leads
to the plausible conclusion that the open scroll, which the angel is holding in 10,2, is to be
identified with the sealed scroll of chapter 5.
(10) See: BAUCKHAM, Climax, 12. Schussler Fiorenza adds to other parallels. Namely,
that both passages refer to the same time period and that each section may be viewed as an
introduction to the sections that follow (Revelation, 74).
(11) I do not intend to suggest that each of the four foci receives equal attention at this
point or any point of the Apocalypse.
(12) On the theme of witness throughout Revelation, Vern S. Poythress notes:
“Revelation is full of the theme of witness. Jesus Christ is the pre-eminent witness (1,5;
3,14; 19,11). Imitation of him may include martyrdom (12,11). Revelation itself is a
witness, a testimony. It intends in turn to strengthen the testimony of its readersâ€. (V.S.
POYTHRESS, The Returning King [Phillipsburg, NJ 2000] 71).
(13) The question of whether some suffer during the time of the witnessing or not will
not be addressed in the body of this work, since I only intend to affirm the presence of the
theme that the righteous will be persecuted. To answer this question in relation to the Two
Witnesses of chapter 11, for example, — where it is stated that they are not killed until they
have completed their testimony — encompasses a plethora of exegetical issues. For, we
would have to ascertain if the two witnesses are just that two witnesses, in which case they
do not suffer death until they have completed their testimony, or whether they are
representatives of a class (e.g., the church), in which case some may suffer martyrdom,
though the whole will not be defeated until they have finished their testimony.
(14) To suggest that this ultimate vindication occurs at a given point in history — such
as the second coming of Christ — would likewise entail unnecessary argumentation. It is
not central to this thesis when the vindication occurs, but that the vindication dees occur.