The Hymns in Revelation

The hymns in Revelation are one of the primary vehicles through which the author makes theological, Christological, and soteriological claims. This chapter explores the formal and functional characteristics of ancient hymns, giving special attention to hymnic form and performance in early Judaism and Christianity. It considers the contents of each of Revelation’s hymns, their significance within the literary structure of Revelation, and the extent to which they provide theological and Christological commentary on the surrounding visions. Hymnic themes include the sovereignty of God and the vice-regency of the Lamb, which function as implicit claims against Roman imperial rule, and emphasize the writer’s anti-imperial stance.