A Jewish Apocalyptic Framework of Eschatology in the Epistle to the Hebrews: Protology and Eschatology as Background

Description

In contrast to scholarly belief that the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews envisions the transcendent, heavenly world as the eschatological inheritance of God’s people, Jihye Lee argues that a version of an Urzeit-Endzeit eschatological framework—as observed in some Jewish apocalyptic texts—provides a plausible background against which the arguments of Hebrews are most comprehensively explained. Instead of transcendence to the heavenly world that will come after the destruction of the shakable creation, Lee suggests the possibility of a more dualistic new world. By first defining Urzeit-Endzeit eschatology, Lee is then able to explore its place in both pre and post 70 CE Second Temple Judaism. In examining Enoch, the Qumran Texts, Jubilees, the Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum, 4 Ezra, and 2 Baruch and finally the Book of Revelation, Lee compares a multitude of eschatological visions and the different depictions of the transformation of the world, judgement, and the new world to come. Bringing these texts together to analyse the issue of God’s Rest in Hebrews, and the nature of the Unshakable Kingdom, Lee concludes that Hebrews envisions the kingdom as consisting of both the revealed heavenly world and the renewed creation as the eschatological venue of God’s dwelling place with his people. Cover page Halftitle page Title page Copyright page Contents Acknowledgments 1 Introduction 1.1 The Definition of Urzeit-Endzeit Eschatology 1.2 Arguments for the Platonic Background in Hebrews 1.2.1 James Thompson 1.2.2 Wilfried Eisele 1.3 Arguments on Various Grounds for a Dualism Between the Spiritual and the Material (and/or Between Heaven and Earth) in Hebrews 1.3.1 Harold W. Attridge 1.3.2 Stefan N. Svendsen 1.3.3 Jared C. Calaway 1.4 Arguments for Apocalyptic Backgrounds 1.4.1 Lincoln D. Hurst 1.4.2 Scott D. Mackie and Eric F. Mason 1.4.3 David M. Moffitt 2 Urzeit-Endzeit Eschatology in Pre-70 Second Temple Literature 2.1 Introduction 2.2 1 Enoch 2.2.1 The Book of Watchers 2.2.1.1 1 Enoch 24–25 2.2.1.2 1 En 10:16–11:2 2.2.2 The Book of Parables 2.2.3 Summary 2.3 Qumran Texts 2.3.1 CD 3:12–4:437 2.3.2 4QpPs37(4Q171) 2.3.3 4QInstruction 2.3.4 Summary 2.4 Jubilees 2.4.1 Imminent Possession of the Promised Inheritance 2.4.2 The Time for Purification Before Entering the Sanctuary 2.4.3 Covenant Renewal Based on the Filial Relationship Between Israel and God 2.4.4 Summary 2.5 Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum 2.5.1 The Connection Between the Historical and Eschatological Inheritances 2.5.2 The Connection Among Eden, the Promised Land, and Paradise 2.5.3 Other Elements of Urzeit-Endzeit Eschatology 2.5.4 Summary 2.6 Summary of Chapter 2 3 Urzeit-Endzeit Eschatology in Post-70 Second Temple Literature 3.1 Introduction 3.2 4 Ezra and 2 Baruch 3.2.1 4 Ezra4 3.2.1.1. Hopeless Humanity and the Eschatological Hope 3.2.1.2 The Urzeit-Endzeit Eschatology 3.2.1.3 Summary 3.2.2 2 Baruch 3.2.2.1 The Promised Inheritance 3.2.2.2 The Messianic Kingdom for the Restoration of Eden on Earth and Israel’s Vindication 3.2.2.3 The Messianic Era as a Bridge Between the Two Worlds 3.2.2.4 Summary 3.2.3 Summary of the Section on 4 Ezra and 2 Baruch 3.3 Revelation 3.3.1 Christ’s Redemption and the New Creation (chs. 4–5) 3.3.2 The New Jerusalem (21:1–22:5) 3.3.3 Summary 3.4 Summary of Chapter 3 4 A Comparison of the Eschatological Visions 4.1 Introduction 4.2 The Pre-70 Eschatological Visions 4.2.1 Gradual Transformation of the Earth (Jubilees) 4.2.2 The New Creation at the Day of Judgment (The Book of Watchers, Qumran Texts, and LAB ) 4.2.3 Summary 4.3 Post-70 Eschatological Visions 4.3.1 The Coming World in 4 Ezra and 2 Baruch 4.3.1.1 The Revelation of the Heavenly Paradise 4.3.1.2 The Revelation of the Heavenly Zion 4.3.2 The Coming World in the Book of Revelation 4.3.3 Summary of Post-70 Eschatologies 4.4 Summary of Chapter 4 5 God’s Rest in Heb. 3:7–4:11 5.1 God’s Rest in Gen. 2:2 5.2 God’s Rest in Ps. 95 5.2.1 Limitations of Some Scholarly Views 5.2.2 The Wilderness Generation’s Entrance into God’s Rest in Heb. 3:7-19 5.2.2.1 Failure of the Israelites in Num 14 5.2.2.2 Failure of the Israelites in Num 20 5.2.2.2.2 Hebrews 3:15-19 5.2.3 The Parallel Visions of the Eschaton in Some Apocalyptic Texts 5.2.3.1 The Two Core Elements of God’s Rest in the Present Passage 5.2.3.2 Parallelism with the Eschatological Visions of Apocalyptic Texts 5.2.3.2.1 The Continuity Between Israel’s Rest in the Promised Land and the Eschatological Rest in Light of God’s Presence 5.2.3.2.2 Change of Heart and the Renewal of Creation 5.2.4 Summary 5.3 Adam’s Participation in God’s Rest 5.3.1 The Book of Watchers 5.3.2 Qumran Texts 5.3.3 Jubilees 5.3.4 Pseudo-Philo 5.4 Summary of Chapter 5 6 The Unshakable Kingdom 6.1 Hebrews 12:26-29 6.1.1 The usages of χρηματίζω and μετάθεσις 6.1.2 The Quotations from the OT 6.1.3 The Shaking Heavenly World 6.2 The Warning from Esau’s Example 6.2.1 The Pivotal Role of Esau’s Case 6.2.2 Adam and Edom 6.3 The Renewal of Creation 6.4 Summary of Ch. 6 7 Conclusion Bibliography Index of References Subject Index