35 The Introductory Formula of Rev 4:1-2a in the Context of Traditions In Rev we observe the regular occurrence of the aorist form, used to relate past events with the emphasis on the moment, when the activity was being performed or the fact happening in the past. This suggests that also in Rev 4:1 ff the author, in the simple form, is speaking about the past events, without specifying when or in what kind of context they took place. The author, recalling the events in his memory, described his experiences by means of elements and motives taken from both biblical and Judaic traditions, which were understandable for people to whom this newly revealed message was addressed. The formula μετ τα τα ε δον, while introducing the new vision, does not determine its temporal connection with the preceding visions, but only serves as a marker of the temporal sequence8. Probably quite a few visions described in Rev were written down a considerable amount of time after they were received. We could also agree with the opinion presented by J. Massingberd Ford9 that the discussed expressions come from the last editor, provided that he was the visionary himself. The introductory formula in 5:1 cannot serve as a basis to divide the text Rev 4-5, in its present wording, into two distinct units10. 2. The Motif of an Open Door in Heaven a. In the context of traditions. The meaning of the phrase “a door open in heaven”11 in Rev 4:1 can be understood only in the light of the broader biblical as well as non-biblical context. In biblical sources the Hebrew 8 Assuming that it is the number that constitutes the basis of the Rv’s structure, the arrangement in series we may attribute to the author. Cf. J. Ellul, Apokalypse. Die Of- fenbarung des Johannes – Enthüllung und Wirklichkeit. (Neukirchen-Vluyn 1981) 28; F. Rousseau, L’Apocalypse et le milieu prophétique du Nouveau Testament. Structure et préhistoire du texte (Tournai, Montréal 1971); A. Jankowski, Apokalipsa sw. Jana (PSNT 12; Poznan 1959) 55. F. Sieg, ε δον μοιον, 83-95; U. Vanni, La struttura letteraria dell’ Apocalisse (Brescia 21980) 120. 9 J. M. Ford, Revelation (New York 1975) 70. 10 A similar conclusion was drawn by H.P. Müller in his study: Formgeschichtliche Untersuchungen zu Apc 4 f (Diss. Heidelberg 1962) 2-12. I didn’t have an access to this study. Therefore, I wasn’t able to find out how the author justifies his position. E. Schüssler Fiorenza, who mentions him in her study: Priester für Gott. Studien zum Herrschafts- und Priestermotiv in der Apokalypse (Ntl.Abh. 7; Münster 1972) 265, does not present the reasons, on which he based his opinion. The present division, made by S. Langton, is rather mechanical in Character. 11 Cf. the discussion of the motif in many sources by: F. Lentzen-Deis, “Das Motiv der „Himmelsöffnung” in verschiedenen Gattungen der Umweltliteratur des Neuen Testa- ments”, Biblica 50 (1969) 301-27. The author brings some order into this complex issue.