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" THE INTERPRETATION OF EZEKIEL IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION "
J. M. Vogelgesang
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Latin Dissertation
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| Language of Document
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English
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| Record Number
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129460
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| Doc. No
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TL43159
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| Call number
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8520297
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| Main Entry
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J. M. Vogelgesang
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| Title & Author
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THE INTERPRETATION OF EZEKIEL IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION\ J. M. Vogelgesang
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| College
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Harvard University
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| Date
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1985
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| Degree
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Ph.D.
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| student score
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1985
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| Page No
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437
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| Abstract
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This thesis examines the interpretation of Ezekiel in the Book of Revelation, which provides a key to an overall understanding of this book. Chapter I, utilizing a comparison of common motifs, perspectives, verbal similarities between the two works, and the order of Ezekielian materials in Revelation, proves that John, in exile after the 70 C.E. destruction of Jerusalem, used Ezekiel as a Vorlage and modeled his work on the book of that great prophet of the exile and restoration of Israel. Chapter II examines John's reinterpretation of Ezek 40-48 in Rev 21-22. What emerges is a radical, dramatic, and wholesale reinterpretation of Ezekiel's restoration program. The underlying theme is the redemption of all humanity. In Chapters III and IV, Ezekielian materials in Rev 1; 4-5; and 10 are examined, corroborating these conclusions. Although John was directly dependent on Ezekiel, he also interacted with the interpretation Ezekiel received in contemporary apocalyptic literature. Chapter III compares the Ezekiel-traced vision of Rev 4 with current apocalyptic merkavah traditions. This examination demonstrates that John deliberately rejected the major thrust of this tradition. Further, John recast the entire apocalyptic tradition in terms of anti-esotericism and accessibility of the message and blessings to all. He utilized the genre apocalypse to convey the exact opposite message than that ordinarily communicated by the genre. Revelation is an "anti-apocalyptic book". The critical hermeneutical principle which underlies all these reinterpretations is John's distinctive understanding of the Christ-event, as demonstrated in the central chapter of the book, Rev 5, with its Ezekiel-traced scroll. Chapter IV discloses John's reinterpretation of Ezek 2:8-3:14 in the victory of Christ portrayed in Rev 5 and then the prophetic commissions of Rev 10 and 1. Revelation contains a profoundly Christian message, expressed in John's highly irregular use of the genre apocalypse, as demonstrated by his ingenious reinterpretation of Ezekiel. If Revelation has remained a "seven-sealed book", it is because of its usual interpretation as a normal apocalypse and the overlooking of the crucial role of Ezekiel. The conclusions of this thesis, on the other hand, prepare the way for a new, comprehensive, and convincing understanding of this work.
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| Subject
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Philosophy, religion and theology; Theology; 0469:Theology
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Harvard University
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