요한계시록에서의 소돔 모티브 사용

Abstract

This study looks into the use of Sodom motif in Revelation. Sodom motif in Revelation has not been examined sufficiently because there is only one reference to Sodom Rev 11:8. Accordingly many studies had paid little attention to Sodom motif throughout John’s apocalypse although they mention it extremely briefly. This article considers not only an explicit reference to the geographical name, Sodom, but also implicit uses of Sodom motif in order to deepen our understanding of Revelation. Firstly, it is argued that the image of fire, sulphur and smoke is closely related to Sodom motif. The image is used in Rev 9:17-18 which depicts the sixth trumpet. The Sodom motif of fire, sulphur and smoke is employed to call people into repentance as our discussion of Rev 9:20-21 shows. The image of fire, sulphur and smoke which came from Sodom narrative in Gen 18-19 is also utilized to describe the eternal destruction of Satanic trinity, that is, Satan, the beast and the false prophet(Rev 19:20, 20:10). In doing so, the motif is used to warn the believers not to compromise with Satanic world system(Rev 14:10-11, Rev 21:8). Secondly, Sodom motif is also present in Rev 11 which describes the activity and death of two witnesses. The great city in which the two witnesses are killed is called spiritually Sodom as well as Egypt and Jerusalem. It is argued here that the reason why the city is designated as Sodom is that Sodom is the place and sphere from which God’s people should depart. Of course the geographical name Sodom is utilized to describe the divine punishment of the city as Sodom narrative in Genesis clearly evokes. However, Sodom motif is also employed to evoke two angels or messengers who warn of the destruction of Sodom in Sodom narrative. Lastly, Rev 18 uses Sodom motif in the context of exhortation for God’s people to come out of the great city Babylon. This study maintains that Sodom motif stands behind the exhortation of Rev 18:4. God’s people who are exposed to spiritual compromise with Babylon should come out of the city because Babylon is like the ancient city of Sodom which was doomed to God’s judgment. In conclusion, Sodom motif is used throughout Revelation. Sodom motif is not limited to the explicit designation of Sodom in Rev 11 but also other allusions: the image of fire, sulphur and smoke, and evocation of the two angels’ exhortation to depart from the city. Sodom motif is used two ways in Revelation. First, the motif is employed to depict eternal punishment. Second, What is more important is that the motif is also significantly used to warn and exhort God’s people of the eternal judgment, while calling the compromising believers into repentance.