META TAYTA in Revelation: An Examination of Sequential Pattern in the Book of Revelation

Abstract

The phrase μετὰ ταῦτα functions as a sequence marker in narrative passages in both the LXX and the New Testament. Of the thirty-five occurrences of . . . in the New Testament, it occurs only two times in the epistles (Heb 4:8; 1 Pet 1:11), due to the fact of their non-narrative genre. Almost one-third of the occurrences of the phrase are in the book of Revelation (Rev 1:19; 4:1 [2x]; 7:1, 9; 9:12; 15:5; 18:1; 19:1; 20:3). This suggests that the book of Revelation, with an apocalyptic genre, is presented in a narrative framework. This study examines the ten occurrences of μετὰ ταῦτα in the book of Revelation, focusing on their immediate literary contexts. The analysis concludes that μετὰ ταῦτα functions as a sequence marker for two narratives in the book of Revelation: the sequence of the apocalyptic events portrayed in the visions as they are unveiled by the heavenly Revealer, and the sequence of the visions themselves as they are seen by the earthly visionary. It seems that the sequence of the visions does not necessarily go together with the sequence of the events portrayed in the visions.

Key Words: apocalyptic, time indicator, time sequence„ vision, audio-visual