(Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Theology, 2002) Jang, Young
Apocalyptic stories, as rhetorical-symbolic narratives, urge the hearer to view his/her
historical situation afresh and to act accordingly. To find out how this happens, the
transforming power of the Apocalypse has been analysed according to two contexts:
the literary and the socio-historical. Through his apocalyptic narrative, John wants to
illumine the reality behind the context of the audience and to transform them into a
Christian community with a shared vision and conviction. In a broad sense, the book is
concerned with the author’s understanding of God (narrative theology), and how it can
be related to the audience’s response (narrative function). From this study of the
rhetorical function of the book, we may conclude that John tries to persuade the
evildoers to repent and the faithful to remain witnesses in the world.