The New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation : a study of Revelation 21-22 in the light of its background in Jewish tradition
Abstract
This thesis explores the meaning of the New Jerusalem in Rev. 21-22. It is
divided into four major parts. The first one is the OT background study from
Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Zechariah. This section observes the prophetical
messages of restoration, centering around the Temple/Jerusalem motif, which is
one of the main concerns of the early Jewish writers and Revelation. The second
one is the study of early Jewish tradition. This pmi investigates how the New
Jerusalem theme develops during the second Temple period and post-70. This
observation shows that some (not all) of the early Jewish tradition understands
the rebuilding of the New Temple as the transference of the Heavenly Temple.
For this reason, the Heavenly Temple/Jerusalem is emphasized. The third pmi is
the NT background study. Here two facts demonstrated: Christ as the New
Temple and the church as the New Temple. This conclusion provides a suitable
foundation for developing our argument in Revelation. Finally, the fourthpart is
the study of the New Jerusalem in Revelation, particularly Rev. 21-22. John
uses much of the Jewish tradition in his writing. His main argument is that the
church (which is symbolized by several images) is placed in heaven now (chs.
4-20) and the church (which is symbolized by the New Jerusalem) will descend
to the earth from heaven (21 :2) in the future. This assumption is closely related
to the early Jewish idea. However, he does not follow the current Jewish idea
without any modification but he differentiates his understanding from it by
christologically interpreting the OT messages. This is well shown in his
following announcement: "I saw no Temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord
God the Almighty and the Lamb" (21 :22).
Type
Thesis, PhD Doctor of Philosophy
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