The Violence of the Lamb : Martyrs as Agents of Divine Judgement in the Book of Revelation (The Library of New Testament Studies)

Middleton, Paul

T.& T.Clark Ltd（2019/11発売）

• 製本 Paperback:紙装版/ペーパーバック版／ページ数 304 p.
• 言語 ENG
• 商品コード 9780567692597
• DDC分類 228.06

Full Description

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.

Contents

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