The Violence of the Lamb: Martyrs as Agents of Divine Judgement in the Book of Revelation

ISBN-13: 9780567257123 / Angielski / Twarda / 2018 / 304 str.

Paul Middleton; Chris Keith

Opis

The act of martyrdom in the worldview of the Apocalypse has been considered to be an exemplification of non-violent resistance. Paul Middleton argues here, however, that it is in fact a representation of direct participation by Christians, through their martyrdom, in divine violence against those the author of Revelation portrays as God's enemies. Middleton shows that acceptance of martyrdom is to grasp the invitation to participate in the Revelation's divine violence. Martyrs follow the model laid down by the Lamb, who was not only slain, but resurrected, glorified, and who executes judgement. The world created by the Apocalypse encourages readers to conquer the Beast through martyrdom, but also through the experience of resurrection and being appointed judges. In this role, martyrs participate in the judgement of the wicked by sharing the Lamb's power to judge. Different from eschewing violence, the conceptual world of the Apocalypse portrays God, the Lamb, and the martyrs as possessing more power, might, and violent potential than the Emperor and his armies. Middleton believes that martyrdom and violence are necessary components of the worldview of Revelation.

Spis treści

INTRODUCTION Reading the Violence of the Apocalypse Martyrdom in Revelation Plan of the Book CHAPTER 1: CHRISTIAN ‘PERSECUTION’ AND THE DATING OF REVELATION Introduction The Literary World of the Apocalypse Persecution and Suffering in Revelation The Imperial Cult in Revelation Social Reality and the Apocalypse Persecution and Suffering in the New Testament Persecution in Early Christian Writings The Emperor Cult The Image of the Beast: The Sacrifice Test Josephus Early Christianity Mark Q 12.2–9 Hebrews The Shepherd of Hermas 2 Timothy 1 John Conclusion CHAPTER 2: NO TAME LAMB: CHRISTOLOGY IN THE APOCALYPSE The Lion/Lamb Dichotomy The Lion The Lamb ‘Standing as if Slain’ (Rev 5.6) Sacrificial Lamb Paschal Lamb Isaiah 53 Behold the ‘Ram’ of God The Lion/Lamb: Beyond incongruity CHAPTER 3: THE LAMB AS PROTO-MARTYR The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1.1–8) The Testimony of Jesus (Rev. 1.2) The First and the Last (Rev. 1.4) The Faithful Witness (Rev. 1.5–6) Coming on the Clouds (Rev. 1.7) Christophanies in the Apocalypse The Son of Man/Ancient of Days (Rev. 1.12–20) Christological Oracles (Rev. 2–3) The Rider on the White Horse (Rev. 19.11–16) The Lion and the Lamb (Rev. 4–5) CHAPTER 4: THE LAMB AS DIVINE JUDGE Violence and Judgment in the Apocalypse Judgment in the Oracles to the Seven Churches (Rev. 1–3) The Seven Seals and Trumpets (Rev. 6–7) The Sealed Scroll The First four Seals (Rev. 6.1–8) The Sixth Seal: The Day of the Lord (Rev. 6.12–17) Plagues and Torments on the Damned (Rev. 8–16) The Seven Trumpets (Rev. 8.2–9.21; 11.15–19) Two Last Judgements (Rev. 11.15–19; 14.6–20) The Seven Bowls of Wrath (Rev. 15.7–16.21) The Fall of Babylon, The Final Battle, and the Last Judgement (Rev. 17–22) The Fall of Babylon (Rev. 17–18) The Final Battle (Rev. 16.12–16; 17.12–14; 19.11–21) The Last Final Judgement and the New Jerusalem (Rev. 20–22) Conclusion CHAPTER 5: A THEOLOGY OF MARTYRDOM IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION Martyrdom and Judgment Judgement Delayed (Rev. 6.10) God’s Judgment for the Martyrs The Call to Martyrdom Revelation 6.11 Revelation 12.7–17 Revelation 13 Revelation 14 Revelation 7 The Call to Conquer Conquering in the Seven Churches Martyrs as Agents of Divine Judgement Vindication of The Martyrs The Noble Army of Martyrs Martyrs as Rulers (Rev. 20.4–6) Martyrs as Agents of Judgement (Rev. 18.4–8) CONCLUSION