Annihilation or Renewal?: The Meaning and Function of New Creation in the Book of Revelation

Description

Mark B. Stephens investigates the cosmic eschatology of Revelation, with a particular focus on the question of continuity and discontinuity between the present and future world. Key background texts are examined for their influence, including selected traditions from the Hebrew Bible, Second Temple apocalyptic texts, and the literature of early Christianity. The centrepiece of the analysis is an integrated exploration of the topic throughout the entirety of Revelation. Drawing upon a range of methodologies, the author shows that the imagery and auditions of Revelation work together to communicate both judgement upon the present order of creation, and yet at the same time the eschatological renewal of all things. In particular, the eschaton is depicted in terms of a transfer of sovereignty over the earth, with the eschatological arrival of God's throne bringing about the displacement of the present "destroyers of the earth" (Rev 11:18). Cover Preface Table of Contents 1. Introduction and Methodology 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Previous Approaches to Questions of Continuity 1.3 Five Recent Engagements with the Topic 1.3.1 Anton Vögtle (1985) 1.3.2 Jürgen Roloff (1990) 1.3.3 David M. Russell (1996) 1.3.4 Gale Z. Heide (1997) 1.3.5 Edward M. Adams (2007) 1.4 Reasons for This Study 1.5 The Structure of Our Investigation 1.5.1 Rhetorical Criticism and Revelation 1.5.2 Narrative Criticism and Revelation 1.6 Conclusion 2. New Creation in the Hebrew Bible 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Preliminary Caveats 2.3 Eschatological Visions of New Creation: Isaiah 65:17–25 and Ezekiel 47:1–12 2.3.1 The Problem of Hebrew Bible Eschatology 2.3.2 Isaiah 65:17–25 2.3.2.1 Historical and Literary Context 2.3.2.2 Exegetical Reflections on Isaiah 65:17–25 2.3.3. Ezekiel 47:1–12 2.3.3.1 Historical and Literary Context 2.3.3.2 Exegetical Reflections on Ezekiel 47:1–12 2.4 Other Eschatological Traditions 2.4.1 The Involvement of Animals in the Eschaton 2.4.2 Renewed Fertility in the Land 2.5 Cosmic Catastrophe in the Prophets 2.5.1 The Persistence of Chaos 2.5.2 Judgement as a Return to Chaos 2.6 Conclusion 3. New Creation in Second Temple Apocalyptic 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Eschatology and Apocalyptic 3.3 1 Enoch 3.3.1 The Book of the Watchers (1–36) 3.3.2 The Book of Dreams (83–90) 3.3.2.1 The First Dream Vision 3.3.2.2 The Second Dream Vision 3.3.3 The Apocalypse of Weeks (93:1–10; 91:11–17) 3.3.4 The Parables of Enoch (37–71) 3.4 Jubilees 3.5 Sibylline Oracles 3.5.1 Book 3 3.5.2 Books 4 and 5 3.6 Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls 3.6.1 Introduction 3.6.2 Anthropological Renewal/Resurrection 3.6.3 Inheritance of the Land/Renewing the Earth 3.6.4 Cosmic Catastrophe 3.6.5 Conclusion 3.7 2 Baruch 3.8 4 Ezra 3.9 Conclusion 4. New Creation in Two Early Christian Texts 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Romans 8:19-22 4.2.1 Exegesis of Rom 8:18–22 4.2.2 Implications 4.3 2 Peter 3:5-13 4.3.1 Exegesis of 2 Peter 3:5–13 4.3.2 Implications 4.4 Conclusion 5. New Creation in Revelation (I): Introductory Matters 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Social Setting of Revelation 5.2.1 The Traditional Picture 5.2.2 Revisionist Accounts 5.2.3 Our Assessment 5.2.3.1 A Church in Potential Conflict with its Wider Social Environment 5.2.3.2 A Church Divided Over its Engagement with Culture 5.2.3.3 Implications for Our Study 5.3 The Rhetorical Strategy of Revelation 5.3.1 Symbolic Transformation 5.3.2 Rhetorical Techniques 5.3.2.1 Intertexture 5.3.2.2 Homologies: True and False 5.3.2.3 Narrating the Future 5.3.3 Social Function 5.4 The Structure of Revelation’s Narrative 5.4.1 Sectioning Revelation 5.4.2 The Plot of Revelation 5.4.2.1 Progression towards the Kingdom 5.4.2.2 A Step Back in Time 5.4.2.3 The Final Stages of Judgement and the Coming of Eschatological Salvation 6. New Creation in Revelation (II): The Key Texts 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Crucial Texts in Revelation 1-20 6.2.1 Anticipatory Glimpses of New Creation 6.2.1.1 Revelation 4–5 A. Revelation 4 B. Revelation 5 C. Conclusion D. The Question of Material Continuity 6.2.1.2 Revelation 11:15-19 A. Looking Backward B. Looking Forwards C. Conclusion 6.2.2 Other Potential Texts of Interest 6.2.2.1 Revelation 3:14 6.2.2.2 Revelation 14:6–7 6.2.2.3 Revelation 19:2 6.2.2.4 Conclusion Excursus: Whither the Millennium? 6.2.3 Texts of Terror: Judgement and Ecological Violence 6.2.3.1 The Broader Issue: Judgement in Revelation 6.2.3.2 The Specific Issue: Ecological Violence 6.3 Revelation 21:1-22:5 6.3.1 Revelation 21:1-8 6.3.1.1 The Vision of the New Heavens and New Earth (21:1) 6.3.1.2 The Vision of the New Jerusalem (21:2) 6.3.1.3 The First Audition (21:3–4) 6.3.1.4 The Second Audition (21:5–8) 6.3.1.5 Conclusion 6.3.2 Revelation 21:9-22:5 6.3.2.1 The New Jerusalem as the Presence of God 6.3.2.2 The New Jerusalem Covers the Entire Earth 6.3.2.3 The New Jerusalem as a Transfer of Sovereignty over the Earth 6.3.2.4 The New Jerusalem as a Garden City 6.3.2.5 Conclusion 6.3.3 Conclusion: The New Creation in 21:1-22:5 7. Conclusion Appendix 1: Defining “Nature” in the Hebrew Bible Appendix 2: Creation in Israel’s Paradigms of Redemption A. Introduction B. The Flood C. The Exodus D. Conclusion Appendix 3: Creation, Eden, and the Temple Bibliography A. Primary Sources B. Secondary Literature Index of Ancient Sources A. Hebrew Bible and Septuagint B. New Testament C. Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha D. Philo E. Josephus F. Qumran G. Other Greek and Latin Literary Sources H. Other Early Christian Literature I. Rabbinic Literature J. Inscriptions Index of Modern Authors Index of Subjects