82 Iwan M. Whiteley There is a school of thought that says that what follows is a disclosure of the future and this topic was discussed in the context of 1:19. Beale argues that since John is referring to Daniel, therefore the visions of Rev 4-22:5 are ‘generally eschatological’33. This leads to the question why John included this sentence in the text? It seems to be either futuristic or non- descript. It appears more likely that John is being unclear. After the seventh bowl has been poured out, we read in 16:17, ‘It has taken place’34. This verb is generally translated as ‘It is done’ in this pas- sage, but γίνομαι is the same verb that is used in our previous analysis of 1:1, 19 and 4:1. Yet again it is a clause that lacks a subject and there has been a shift from the plural verb to the singular. Most commentators suggest that it expresses the fact that Babylon has fallen and that punis- hments have ended. Beale compares the phrase with 21:3-6 and argues that both are speaking about the final punishment of the wicked.35 This assessment is based upon later information that the reader has not got access to at this stage of reading and consequently this later information can be misleading. It is more likely that the reader has been waiting all along to know what must soon take place and John is still tantalizing the reader by saying that in the opening of the seventh seal “it” has already taken place. The shift from plural to singular is particularly frustrating. What things will take place with the result that it is completed? In chapter 21, the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven and verse 6 says, ‘They have taken place…’36 Most commentators interpret that the subject of γίνομαι as ‘the renewal of all things, and the future blessedness of the saints…’37 Beale and Smalley also suggest that there is the presence of judgment.38 Sweet argues that 16:17 and 21:6 echo Jesus’ cry on the cross, τετέλεσται (John 19:30),39 but Smalley points out that both excla- mations are different because in the former ‘God’s purposes are reaching their consummation’40. Swete suggests that γίνομαι is referring back to the ‘these words are faithful and true’ in previous clause, ‘not only are these sayings true, they have come to pass’41. Γίνομαι does correspond in the correct person and number to this clause, and there may be a relation- ship but, bearing in mind the previous uses of γίνομαι without a subject, Beale, The Book, 317. 33 γέγοναν. 34 Beale, The Book, 842. 35 Γέγοναν. 36 Beckwith, The Apocalypse, 752. 37 Beale, The Book, 1054-55; S. Smalley, The Revelation to John: A Commentary on the 38 Greek Text of the Apocalypse (London: SPCK, 2005), 540. Sweet, Revelation, 299. 39 Smalley, The Revelation, 540. 40 Swete, The Apocalypse, 275-6. 41