'Quale regnum exinde iustorum! Qualis civitas nova hierusalem!' : Revelation 19 - 21 in the exegesis of the Christian communities of Roman Africa from the II to the IV century

Abstract

The aim of this research is to analyse the reception and the interpretation of Revelation 19 – 21 in the early Christian communities of Roman Africa between the second and the fourth century. The chapters chosen are related to the series of events that anticipate the end of the world: the coming of the millennial kingdom of Christ, the final judgment, and the descent of the holy city, the New Jerusalem. Throughout the examination of the authors’ literary production and documents of martyrdom, this research attempts to provide an overview of the role of these three chapters in the exegesis of the North African Christian communities.