"You opened the book": An Instrumental Understanding of the Patristic Use of the Revelation to John

When patristic writers used the Revelation to John, they did not so much exegete the text as they used interpretations of its images to open up the meaning of Scripture and to understand their doctrinal concerns and ecclesial context. This work demonstrates this with the three sets of images most cited in the patristic period: the scroll, lion, and lamb (Rev 5); the woman, child, and dragon (Rev 12); and the binding of Satan, final judgment, millennial reign and New Jerusalem (Rev 20-21). Patristic use of Rev 5 expressed a Christological understanding of Scripture: Christ was the key to understand all of Scripture, and Christ was revealed in all of Scripture. Their use of Rev 12 reflected a belief that conflict with Christ and his followers has existed since the beginning, especially in the presence of the Adversary, Satan. The patristic use of Rev 20-21 provided two different responses as to how that cosmic conflict would be resolved. First, the conflict is resolved in history, as God would destroy all that would oppose God. Second, the conflict is spiritualized, so that it is resolved within the soul or within heaven.