Description
While scholars commonly recognize allusions to the exodus tradition in the book of Revelation, few inquires exist that examine their purpose, hermeneutical and theological function, and their cumulative impact. The presence of exodus imagery throughout Scripture suggests that the historical exodus from Egypt provided the Jewish people a pattern and hope for a more dramatic future deliverance. Isbell analyzes this hope in Revelation and finds that its author typologically incorporates images from each major stage of the exodus (the plagues, the Passover, and the wilderness wanderings) in a structured and purposeful manner, which enhances the reader’s understanding of John’s visions and exhorts believers to maintain allegiance to the Lamb in the face of persecution and a compromising culture.
The primary thrust of this project is to demonstrate that Revelation’s use of exodus typology represents the eschaton as the culmination of salvation history, a reinstatement of God’s initial purposes and ideals for his creation. At last, all that was inaugurated through Christ’s redemptive death on the cross is completed, the covenants throughout Scripture are fulfilled, and the goal of the exodus is accomplished.
Table of Contents
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
Methodology
2. The Old Testament Foundation of Revelation
Centrality of the Old Testament to Revelation
Definitions and Terminology
Typology
Typology and Apocalyptic
Summary
3. The Delineation of “Exodus Typology”
The “Content” of Exodus Typology
Connection of “Exodus Proper” and Wilderness
Distinction of the Conquest
Summary
4. Expectation of an Eschatological Exodus within Jewish and Early Christian Thought
The Old Testament and Ancient Judaism
Apocryphal Literature and the Intertestamental Period
The New Testament and Early Christianity
Summary
5. Exodus Imagery in Revelation: Plagues as Paradigm for Judgment
The Exodus Plague Judgments
Summary
6. Exodus Imagery in Revelation: The Passover and Paschal Lamb
Inaugural Vision of the Lamb (Rev 5)
Song of Moses and Song of the Lamb (Rev 15:1–4)
Sealing of the 144,000 (Rev 7:1–8)
The Background of Revelation’s Lamb
7. Exodus Imagery in Revelation: The Wilderness
The Woman and the Dragon: A Survey of Salvation History (Rev 12)
They Shall Neither Hunger nor Thirst (Rev 7:9–17)
“The Temple of the Tabernacle of Meeting”
The Sinai Theophany
“The Face of God”
The Wilderness—A Summary
8. Hermeneutical Significance and Analysis of Revelation’s Exodus Typology
Theme and Purpose: Allegiance in a Compromising and Persecuted World
Is Revelation’s Exodus Typology Isaianic?
The Past Is Yet to Come: The Apocalypse as the Culmination of Salvation History
9. Conclusion and Further Reflections
Summary of the Current Project
Areas of Further Study
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
Barbara Isbell (Ph.D.) is Registrar and Professor of Theology at The Cambridge School of Dallas, Dallas, TX.
