The thesis of this dissertation is that the picture of the New Jerusalem in Revelation draws upon
antecedent Jerusalem/Zion theology to provide a meaningful depiction of the final state of believers in
Jesus as both communion with God and life as a community. <p> This biblical theological study uses a canonical approach that includes an examination of extra-biblical Second Temple literature as an aid to accessing NT understandings of OT texts. Previous studies of Jerusalem do not cover the entire canon, focus on historical or literary issues rather than theology, or access only OT texts clearly alluded to in Rev 21-22 rather than the entire theological tradition about Jerusalem, which culminates in the "New" Jerusalem</p> <p> The Pentateuch foresees Jerusalem's role as place of contact between God and Israel. In the Historical Books, David completes the conquest of Canaan by taking Jerusalem and establishing YHWH's cult there. But because of the sin of the kings and people God abandons the city for a time. Jerusalem after the return from exile is still less than ideal. In the Psalms, Jerusalem is depicted as God's inviolable holy mountain. The prophets proclaim punishment for sinful Jerusalem but future restoration to the kind of ideal state described in the Psalms. Jerusalem/Zion can be seen as the ultimate goal of both the First and Second Exoduses. </p> <p> Non-canonical Second Temple literature emphasizes the pre-Davidic role of Zion as place of God's contact with humanity. The Babylonians could not have taken the city without God's co-operation, and even then, the Temple furnishings were secretly preserved. Zion's cosmic importance and eschatological role are often emphasized, with emergence of belief in a heavenly Jerusalem.</p> <p> eschatological role are often emphasized, with emergence of belief in a heavenly Jerusalem. In the New Testament, earthly Jerusalem rejects the Messiah, and so forfeits its role as link to glorious eschatological Jerusalem. Old Testament prophecies of renewal are instead fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus, emergence of the church, and ultimately the New Jerusalem.</p> <p> of deep intimacy with God, community among all believers, intense experience of life, and
complete eternal safety from sin and evil. This was God's plan since creation. Jerusalem as the goal and focus of God's people on their journey towards him in the Old Testament foreshadows the New Jerusalem as their destination at the end of the age.</p> <p> The dissertation closes with suggestions for practical application and further study.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/16767 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Dow, Lois Katharine |
| Contributors | Porter, Stanley E., Boda, Mark J., Christian Theology |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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