34 Fr. Sieg A completely different situation is to be found in 4:1, where the preced- ing text, i.e. Rev 2-3 is in character a pastoral message, addressed to local churches in Proconsular Asia2. In that case, in 4:1a the author seems to be talking about the consequences of the vision described in Rev 1:12 ff3. However, the formula “I saw” (5:1a), which is identical with that of 5:6a, differs both in its structure and in content from the extended formula in 4:1-2a, and therefore, from the literary point of view, it cannot justify the division of the text into two units (chapters): Rev 4 and Rev 5. b. Similar formulas in other texts. The introductory formula 4:1a finds its analogies in the Old Testament (LXX), although the perf. form ώρακα (Jer 7:11; 13:27; cf. Zech 4:2) and impf. θεώρουν (Dn 4:13; 7:2,6,13) are more frequent. In the Septuagint we also find the shorter formula: κα ε δον κα δού (Ezek 1:4; 2:9; 8:2,10; 10:1,9; 44:4; Zech 6:1; Dn 10:5a). In both longer and shorter formulas of Rev we note the consequent occur- rence of aor. act. form ε δον: 56 times altogether4. On the other hand, the perf. ώρακα or aor. pas. φθην / φθήσομαί forms are not to be found in this Book at all5. The impf. form θεώρησαν appears only in Rev 11:12 ff. In Judaic literature6 we find numerous equivalents of both longer and shorter formula: “and after that [this] I saw” (Eth En 89:30,54; cf. 85:1; 89:19,72); “and after these things I saw” (Test Jos 19:5); “and again I saw” (Eth En 86:1,3; 87:1); “I saw” or “and I saw” (Eth En 17:3,6 ff; 18:1 ff; 21:2; 89:70; cf. Test Levi 8:1; 2 Bar 34:1 ff; 37:1; 53:1,8,11 and others). c. Conclusions. In the light of the above review, it appears that the formula of Rev 4:1a, does not have an equivalent in biblical sources, but finds its numerous parallels in Judaic literature7. The literary feature in question, consistently employed by the author of Rev, points to his stylistic independence from the Septuagint and, at the same time, gives rise to the conclusion that the formula of Rev 4:1a is rooted in Judaic apocalyptic traditions. However, we have no reasons to conclude that also the content of the described vision comes from the same sources. 2 F. Sieg, ε δον μοιον υ ν νθρώπου [Ap 1:12.13; 14:14]. Chrystology Ap 1:9-3:21 (Warsaw 1981) 127 ff. 3 A similar opinion is expressed by H.B. Swete, The Apocalypse of St John (London 1907) 66, as well as by other authors. 4 R. Morgenthaler, Statistik des neutestamentlichen Wortschatzes (Frankfurt a. M. 1958). 5 P. Guillemette, Analyse des griechischen Neuen Testaments (Neuhausen-Stuttgart 1988); Morgenthaler, Statistik. 6 R.H. Charles, The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament (Oxford 1966). 7 The shorter formula finds its analogies in Ezekiel and Zechariah (LXX), as well as in Judaic writings.