2019, May 12 ~ Acts 9:36-43 and Revelation 7:9-17

Acts 9:36-43

The book called “The Acts of the Apostles” was written around 85 to 90 CE by the anonymous author of the Gospel According to Luke. The first 15 chapters of Acts are a didactic “history” of the early Jesus Follower Movement starting with an account of the Ascension of Jesus and ending at the so-called Council of Jerusalem where it was agreed that Gentiles did not have to be circumcised and keep all the Kosher dietary laws in order to become Jesus Followers.

Today’s reading is set in Joppa (which is modern Jaffa, a city on the Mediterranean, about 30 miles south of Caesarea). The woman’s name, Tabitha (Aramaic) or Dorcas (Greek) means “gazelle” in both languages. Tabitha is the only woman in the Christian Scriptures who is specifically identified as a “disciple.”

Peter’s raising Tabitha from the dead is reminiscent in style and manner to Jesus’ raising Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:41; Mark 5:22), Elijah’s raising the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:22), and Elisha’s raising the son of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:33).

Some scholars suggest that Peter’s residing with Simon the tanner (v.43) may have been included by the author of Acts as a segue to the conversion of Cornelius the Centurion (a Gentile) in Chapter 10. Tanning animal hides would have rendered the tanner (and perhaps his house) ritually unclean.

Revelation 7:9-17

The Book of Revelation is also known as the “Apocalypse” (from a Greek word meaning an “unveiling” or “disclosure” of a new age or of heaven, or both). Apocalyptic writing generally described a dire situation ruled by evil powers that can be overcome only by the “in-breaking” of a force (such as God) to bring about a new age.

Like apocalyptic writings in the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Revelation used extreme images and metaphors to describe the conflict between good and evil. Apocalyptic literature is often presented as a revelation from God conveyed by an angel or other heavenly body. Apocalyptic writings used symbolic language to convey God’s hidden plan.

The author identified himself as “John” but most scholars conclude that the author was not John the Apostle because of the reference to the 12 apostles in 21:14. Because of the internal references in the Book, most scholars date Revelation to the late First Century.

In today’s reading, those who worship the Lamb have symbols of righteousness (white robes) and victory (palm branches) (v.9) because blood (sacrifice) leads to victory (white). The idyllic state that is described in verse 16 (hunger and thirst no more) is derived from Isaiah 49:10. Paradoxically, the Lamb is also the shepherd (v.17). God as “shepherd” is best known from Psalm 23 and the “Good Shepherd” in the Fourth Gospel. The idea that God will wipe away every tear is derived from Isaiah 25.8, as part of what is called the “Isaiah Apocalypse.”