Reading Revelation in Context: John's Apocalypse and Second Temple Judaism

by Zondervan, Ben C. Blackwell (Editor), John K. Goodrich (Editor), Jason Maston (Editor), Loren T. Stuckenbruck (Foreword by)

Overview

Reading Revelation in Context brings together short, accessible essays that compare and contrast the visions and apocalyptic imagery of the book of Revelation with various texts from Second Temple Jewish literature.

Going beyond an introduction that merely surveys historical events and theological themes, Reading Revelation in Context examines individual passages in Second Temple Jewish literature in order to illuminate the context of Revelation's theology and the meaning and potency of John's visions. Following the narrative progression of Revelation, each chapter (1) pairs a major unit of the Apocalypse with one or more sections of a thematically related Jewish text, (2) introduces and explores the historical and theological nuances of the comparator text, and (3) shows how the ideas in the comparator text illuminate those expressed in Revelation.

In addition to the focused comparison provided in the essays, the book contains other student-friendly features that will help them engage broader discussions, including an introductory chapter that familiarizes students with the world and texts of Second Temple Judaism, a glossary of important terms, and a brief appendix suggesting what tools students might use to undertake their own comparative studies. At the end of each chapter there a list of other thematically relevant Second Temple Jewish texts recommended for additional study and a focused bibliography pointing students to critical editions and higher-level discussions in scholarly literature.

Reading Revelation in Context brings together an international team of over 20 New Testament experts including Jamie Davies, David A. deSilva, Michael J. Gorman, Dana M. Harris, Ronald Herms, Edith M. Humphrey, Jonathan A. Moo, Elizabeth E. Shively, Cynthia Long Westfall, Archie T. Wright, and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310566236
Publisher:	Zondervan Academic
Publication date:	09/10/2019
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Ben C. Blackwell (PhD, University of Durham) is associate professor of early Christianity at Houston Baptist University. He has authored a number of essays and articles related to Historical Theology and the New Testament, including Christosis: Engaging Pauline Soteriology with His Patristic Interpreters. He is currently working on new monograph: Participating in the Righteousness of God: Justification in Pauline Theology. He also served as a co-editor for several volumes: Paul and the Apocalyptic Imagination; Reading Romans in Context: Paul and Second Temple Judaism; and Reading Mark in Context: Jesus and Second Temple Judaism.

Jason Maston (PhD, University of Durham) is Lecturer in New Testament at Highland Theological College UHI (UK). He is the author of Divine and Human Agency in Second Temple Judaism and Paul: A Comparative Approach and contributor to and co-editor (with Michael F. Bird) of Earliest Christian History: History, Literature and Theology. Essays from the Tyndale Fellowship in Honor of Martin Hengel.

Table of Contents

Foreword Loren T. Stuckenbruck 11

Acknowledgments 14

Abbreviations 15

Introduction 19

1 The Parables of Enoch and Revelation 1:1-20: Daniel's Son of Man Benjamin E. Reynolds 37

2 The Epistle of Enoch and Revelation 2:1-3:22: Poverty and Riches in the Present Age Mark D. Mathews 45

3 The Testament of Levi and Revelation 4:1-11: Ascent to the Heavenly Throne David A. DeSilva 52

4 4 Ezra and Revelation 5:1-14: Creaturely Images of the Messiah Dana M. Harris 59

5 2 Maccabees and Revelation 6:1-17: Martyrdom and Resurrection Ian Paul 66

6 Psalms of Solomon and Revelation 7:1-17: The Sealing of the Servants of God Ronald Herms 73

7 The Testament of Adam and Revelation 8:1-13: Heavenly Silence Jason Maston 80

8 The Animal Apocalypse and Revelation 9:1-21: Creaturely Images during the Great Tribulation Ian Boxall 87

9 Jubilees and Revelation 10:1-11: Heavenly Beings Bearing Heavenly Books John K. Goodrich 94

10 4 Ezra and Revelation 11:1-19: A Man from the Sea and the Two Witnesses Garrick V. Allen 102

11 The Life of Adam and Eve and Revelation 12:1-17 The Rebellion of the Satan Figure Archie T. Wright 109

12 4 Ezra and Revelation 13:1-18: Blasphemous Beasts Jamie Davies 116

13 The Damascus Document and Revelation 14:1-20: Angels Marking Out the Two Ways Ben C. Blackwell 123

14 Words of the Luminaries and Revelation 15:1-16:21: Plague Septets and Deliverance from Exile Benjamin Wold 131

15 Joseph and Aseneth and Revelation 17:1-18: Women as Archetypes of Rebellion and Repentance Edith M. Humphrey 138

16 The Epistle of Enoch and Revelation 18:1-24: Economic Critique of Rome Cynthia Long Westfall 146

17 Psalms of Solomon and Revelation 19:1-21: Messianic Conquest of God's Enemies Michael J. Gorman 153

18 The Book of the Watchers and Revelation 20:1-15: Redemptive Judgment on Fallen Angels Elizabeth E. Shively 161

19 4 Ezra and Revelation 21:1-22:5: Paradise City Jonathan A. Moo 168

20 The Apocalypse of Zephaniah and Revelation 22:6-21: Angel Worship and Monotheistic Devotion Sarah Underwood Dixon 175

Glossary 183

Contributors 187

Passage Index 189

Subject Index 201

Author Index 203