2.31. Imperial Cult

The worship of the emperor of Rome. This historical reality from the time of John’s writing provides a backdrop against which the readers of his time could better appreciate the final beast yet future (Rev. Rev. 13:1+). Asia was the epicenter of the imperial cult and cities competed for the privilege of erecting a temple in honor of the emperor. In 29 B.C. Pergamum was the first to erect a temple and Smyrna the second in A.D. 21. Ephesus was the third.¹ To show their allegiance to the Roman emperor, citizens were required to burn incense to the emperor and to declare, “Caesar is Lord”² whereupon he was issued a certificate. Under Domitian (A.D. 81-96) emperor worship became compusory for every Roman citizen on threat of death.³

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Notes

¹ Grant R. Osborne, Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 7.

² Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977), 97.

³ Alan F. Johnson, Revelation: The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1966), 41.