Curious addition in Rev. 1:2

[Larry Kelsey]

Shlama Akhay,

The online Bible at apostolicbible.com has a footnote concerning an addition in Rev. 1:2 from the Complutensian Polyglot. From what I understand, Erasmus and an associate wanted to rush on ahead of the formers of the Complutensian Polyglot to have the first printed edition of a Greek text. The CP is based on two late and little-known texts that are in the Vatican Library (or at least that's what this 50-year-old man doing the typing remembers) <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s --> The addition is thought-provoking!

The Apostolic Bible has for verse 2--"who testified the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, as much as indeed he saw."

The footnote reads--Compl. adds kai atima eisi kai a crj genesqai meta tauta--"and infamous are also what behooves to take place after these things."

Oh well, this a long way from the accepted or "Received Text" but it's one of the most startling variants I've seen in a while! <!-- s:whatthat: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/whatsthat.gif" alt=":whatthat:" title="Whats That" /><!-- s:whatthat: --> <!-- s:wow: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/wow.gif" alt=":wow:" title="Wow" /><!-- s:wow: --> <!-- shocked: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/shocked.gif" alt="hocked:" title="Shocked" /><!-- shocked: --> <!-- s:eh: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/eh.gif" alt=":eh:" title="Eh" /><!-- s:eh: -->

Shlama w'Burkate, Larry Kelsey

[Dave]

I'm curious Larry, I've seen you working on much of the Revelation text and such, are you possibly putting together a translation of sorts of the Revelation text?

[Larry Kelsey]

Shlama Akhi Dave,

I would like to receive some special insights from the Holy Spirit concerning the Apocalypse that would greatly benefit the body of Christ. There are authors that have spent many years on this book and I don't know if I'll ever be able to 'bat in their leagues', so to speak. After looking in the futurist, preterist, and historicist camps a little while, there seems to be some aspects of believability and feasibility in them all depending upon the sharpsightedness and the ability to connect current events with what will take place and prophetic pronouncements from John's pen many of which might have already taken place if you're comfortable with the preterist / historicist outlook. As far as becoming a translator of Revelation...well, the Holy Spirit would have to give me the green light and the linguistic prowess to accomplish anything like that. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->

Shlama w'Burkate, Larry Kelsey

[Dave]

Interesting! Very Interesting Larry!

The last person I know that has done anything with Revelation is possibly James Trimm. I do wish to purchase his book only for the critical text of the Crawford manuscript and his comparision of it against other texts. I was quite amazed with his work on the hebrew matthew manuscripts, opened up some interesting insights to me.

There is a lot of books out there and a lot of folks claiming a lot of things in this particular book, not sure if you wanna tackle that sort of camp, but knowledge of the aramaic side for this particular area does have its advantages though!

Oh, by the way, maybe I asked you this before, can't remember but, what is your opinion of the Crawford manuscript against the available aramaic in the area? Is their better?

[Larry Kelsey]

Shlama Akhi Dave,

It's hard to explain that feeling in the pit of your stomach about something you wish to impart but don't quite have the experience to do it or never have the time and resources to share information and inspiration at the level you wish to do so. Whew! That sentence was too long wasn't it? <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->
As far as the Crawford Manuscript is concerned, my personal preference would be to compare the Greek texts with the Syriac Peshitto. Even though the Peshitto is a translation of the Greek, the Jewishness of the Apocalypse comes seeping through with words like 'menorah'-'ephod'-'Sheol'-'Aleph and Tau' etc.
If there are any verses in the Crawford Manuscript that look more reliable or in any way more true-to-form with reference to the rest of Holy Writ, James Trimm or Steve Caruso would be able to lead you to these if they exist.
Crawford is late but who knows--sometimes words, issues and preconceived notions might get 'cleaned up' or some challenges might be presented that are 'nothing to sneeze at'. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s --> There was an excellent webpage that compared Crawford, Peshitto and Received Text all at the same time if I remember correctly. The last time I checked that link was no longer available. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s -->

Shlama w'Burkate, Larry Kelsey

[Dave]

Larry,

Wonderful insight!

I know that one of Westcott and Hort's ideals for scripture reliability was age, but I'm not that sure about that now. If we take the example of the Massorites(sp), we see a tradition followed very closely throughout the ages. Their faithfulness to text was exposed with the Dead Sea Scrolls, in that they were very close and careful. A good percentage of the text's mistakes are easily explained by copy error, not some conspiracy to pervert the word of GOD. So in this case we have texts that go back no further than around 9th century(OT), if I remember, and the are very true to the tradition handed down through the centuries.

It's not a far out ideal in the Crawford in this case either. Fortunately you and others have the aramaic at your disposal to utilize and check passages and word usage.

Anyways, I just wanted to point out that the exactness is of the foremost, and the age can be a deterring factor in accepting something of later date in some cases.

I wish that webpage was still around you talked about <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s -->

You know Larry, I have a calling to work with GOD's word, and I know that sounds unbelievable, in that I know no other language but english, but this is HIS will and desire for me.

I refused this initially. How am I to do any good in such a thing as this. But GOD looks further into things that we don't. I know no language, but,......I'm not biased either!! I only care for the truth, and I'll only accept those texts The Lord witnesses to me, not something that is of one language only. For the one that listens to GOD in such matters, goes the treasures, and no one ever said GOD wrote every book of HIS in one particular language only. I know this could be disheartening, so I keep my choices to myself. I care not to offend in such matters. It's my business anyways.

I also have no heart to promote this for my personal retirement plan, this is something being worked on for HIS desire and it's HIM showing it to me little by little. The end result is dedicated to the body of Christ. If I truly follow HIM and HIS will for me faithfully, I shall be rewarded considerably, here, and beyond.

Anyways, I felt like I should show you my example.