Floyd O. Parker, «‘Our Lord and God’ in Rev 4,11: Evidence for the Late Date of Revelation?», Vol. 82 (2001) 207-231

This article challenges a commonly-held belief that the title ‘our Lord and God’ (Rev 4,11) served as a Christian counter-blast to the claim of the emperor Domitian to be dominus et deus noster. Despite the claims of several scholars that the title ‘our Lord and God’ does not appear in the OT, the data collected favors the view that the title in Rev 4,11 does indeed have its origin in the divine title ‘Lord and God’ found in the LXX and other Jewish sources. Consequently, the title is of no use in helping to determine the date of the book of Revelation.

        The arrangement of the inhabitants of the throne-room into concentric circles may take its inspiration from biblical and extra-biblical Jewish sources, rather than the Roman imperial court⁹⁹. Long before the time of Domitian or even the Roman empire, God had been portrayed in Jewish texts as being encircled by (Isa 6,2) or supported by four heavenly beings (Ezek 1,22.26). Furthermore, Jewish texts represent God as being frequently flanked by (1 Kgs 22,19), seated in front of (Dan 7,1; 4 Ezra 4,21), or encircled by angelic hosts (1 Enoch 71,6-8; cf. the later work, 3 Enoch 33,1–34,2). The circular arrangement of the twenty-four thrones may have been suggested by the proximity of the thrones to the Ancient of Days in Dan 7,9.

        The use of cosmic symbolism in this vision of the throne-room is likely, as Aune suggests, but it seems to be based less on the Roman imperial court than on the Jewish tabernacle or temple. The throne-room of God in Revelation resembles the tabernacle and temple in several respects¹⁰⁰. Since the earthly tabernacle and the temple were believed to have been based on a model of heaven itself (Wis 9,8; Heb 9,23.24; Philo, Mos. 2.74-76,88-104; Josephus, Bell. iud. 212-217), cosmic imagery would be quite in line with John’s throne-room vision.

        Before concluding this section, two more items need to be treated due to their proximity to the phrase ‘Our Lord and God’ in Rev 4. The first is the acclamation, ‘you are worthy’ (Rev 4,11), which some have associated with the opening phrase vere dignus used to greet an emperor in triumphal procession¹⁰¹. Although the phrase could be understood in an imperial context in Rev 4–5 (4,11; 5,2.4.9.12), it does not serve as an imperial acclamation in other