Abstract:
The Textus Receptus of the 16th century has strong effect on the text of the Book of Revelation until today. The recovery of the great manuscripts and the papyri has induced some corrections in the text since the 19th century. Yet, no consequent revision has ever been done. Therefore both the critical editions and the major standard translations (Luther-Bible, King James Version, NRSV) miss out some strong variants that are well attested especially by the major codex A (the most important manuscript), sometimes in conflict with אּ (Revelation is absent in B). The Textus Receptus, אּ-text und A-text differ in relevant theological respects. The earliest textual history exhibits an accumulation of cultic elements, even if the priests surrounding the throne of God (4:3 אּ, A) are displaced. Universalistic tendencies are preserved mainly in A. Even more important are variants concerning the tension between the painful present and the blissful future: A stresses moments of eschatological fulfillment in the present (5:10 etc.) against אּ and Textus Receptus. The observations provoke ongoing deliberations. The need for a revision of the text of Revelation in the critical editions is evident. The interdependency of theology, textual criticism and textual history in the Ancient church is worth examining.
