The title “Lord of lords,” for example, was ascribed to…
““The title “Lord of lords,” for example, was ascribed to the emperor; the acclamations of God and Christ as “worthy” (4:11; 5:9) echo the sorts of acclamations with which citizens greeted their emperor. And Zeus or Jupiter, the highest god whose power stood behind the emperor, was lauded with the formula “Zeus was, Zeus is, Zeus will be, O great Zeus!,” now taken over by John and transformed for the One God, “who was, and is, and is coming.” The shift (from “will be” to “is coming”) is significant: this God is on the way to encounter his creation and intervene once more in human affairs.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote compares ancient imperial titles and divine epithets, showing how religious language shifted to emphasize a present, imminent God who will act in history.
In simple terms: It highlights how titles and divine names evolved to stress a God who is coming now.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how language shapes expectations of divine action.
Themes
theology
history
language
authority
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
theoretical
explanatory
When to use this quote
- Religious sermons
- academic lectures
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
Imperial cult
Christian doctrine
Christology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does language affect belief in divine intervention?
- What does “is coming” imply for human agency?
A Different Perspective
The shift may oversimplify complex theological developments.