Episode Seventeen in Revelation: An Idealist Interpretation was uploaded earlier this week and can now be viewed on the AIC’s You Tube channel and linked from the Bible Study page at the AIC web site: www.AnglicanInternetChurch.net. The topic is Revelation, Chapter 12, the Woman, the Child and the Dragon. It is loaded with three illustrations from the Bamberg Apocalypse as well as icons from the 6th though the 18th Centuries, a painting from the early 19th C., a mosaic from the Hagia Sophia, and a picture of a gold and enamel figure from the Basilica of St. Mark, Venice (9th Century). Watch Episode 17
I begin the episode by explaining the Catholic Encyclopedia‘s early 20th C. classification of the last half of Revelation as a Divine Drama in five acts: Act 1 is Chapters 12, 13 and 14; Act 2 is Chapters 15 and 16; Act 3 is Chapters 17 and 18; Act 4 is Chapters 19 and 20; and Act 5 is Chapters 21 to 22:17. Revelation 22:18-21 is treated as an Epilogue. I will be using the CE’s classification system throughout the rest of the episodes in the series.
The first illustration is from Folio 29 in the Bamberg Apocalypse. The anonymous Bamberg artists offer anatomical accuracy which leaves no doubt that the child in the Woman’s hand is a male. The Beast from the sea with seven heads with diadems seeks to devour the Child and destroy the Woman.
Significant incidences of numerology in Chapter 14 are 3 (signs in heaven); 12 stars (surrounding the Woman’s head); 7 (heads and diadems of the Dragon); 1/3 (stars thrown to earth); 1,260 days (Woman’s time the place prepared by God); “Time, times and half a time” (from Daniel 7:25 and 12:7 re the refuge in the Wilderness). The episode includes a Primer on the Jewish and early Christian understanding of the Serpent/Satan/Devil connection, illustrated with a detail from a stained glass window and quotations from both the Old and New Testaments.
I used a 2nd illustration from the Bamberg Apocalypse for verses 7-12, the account of the war in heaven between angels loyal to Satan and those loyal to St. Michael the Archangel. The Scriptural allusions in Revelation 7-12 are illustrated with Old and New Testament precedents, including Job, Isaiah, Exodus, Daniel, Matthew and Hebrews.
The third illustration is the Dragon pursuing the Woman in the Wilderness (not included in this Blog post).
A Podcast Homily for Ninth Sunday After Trinity, based on St. Paul’s homily on several Christian virtues in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 and St. Luke’s account of the Parable of the Lost Son (Prodigal in KJV), Luke 15:11-32, was uploaded Friday morning. Listen to: Ninth Sunday After Trinity
I am have finished the slides and script for Episodes 18 and 19 and expect to have Episode 20 ready for sound recording early next week. These episodes will be released, one per week during August.
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