The Heavenly Court Scene of Revelation 4-5
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 1986 The Heavenly Court Scene of Revelation 4-5 R. Dean Davis Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Biblical Studies Commons Recommended Citation Davis, R. Dean, "The Heavenly Court Scene of Revelation 4-5" (1986). Dissertations. 31. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/31 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. 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Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University •Seventh— day Adventist Theological Seminary THE HEAVENLY COURT SCENE OF REVELATION 4-5 A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by R. Dean Davis December, 1986 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE HEAVENLY COURT SCENE OF REVELATION 4-5 A dissertau^jn presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by R. Dean Davis APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Faculty Advisor: Kenneth A- Strand ^Cirhard F. Hasel, Dean Professor of Church History Theological Seminary George c. Rice, Professor Dafe^nproved of New Testament /V - William H. Shea, Frofessor of Old Testament |f TV* , » V" IL - Richard M. Davidson, Associate^ Professor^d? Old Testament-"' Exegeses . / Kenneth L. Vine, Professor of Old Testament Studies Loma Linda University Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Copyright by R. Dean Davis 1987 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT THE HEAVENLY COURT SCENE OF REVELATION U-5 by R. Dean Davis Faculty adviser: Kenneth A. Strand. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: THE HEAVENLY COURT SCENE OF REVELATION 4-5 Name of researcher: R. Dean Davis Name and degree of faculty adviser: Kenneth A. Strand, Ph.D. Date completed: December, 1986 The purpose of this study is to interpret the heavenly court scene of Rev 4-5 through a thematic analysis of the passage. Little detailed study has been done to demonstrate the significance of the passage in its totality or its significance for the early chapters of Revelation. Scholars have noted parallels between Revelation and the Old Testament, but only recently have they begun to recognize the major impact of the Old Testament concept of covenant on Revelation. The research approach for this study is thematic m nature, with exegesis as a necessary tool. Chapter 1 establishes Rev 4-5 as a literary and thematic unit, justifies its contextual limits, and provides an overview of the passage to isolate the following five themes: temple theology; ontological cosmic unity; judgment; covenant 1 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 2 sad royal theology; and involvement of the Trinity in salvation. Chapter 2 provides a biblical overview of these themes to establish their biblical meanings. Chapter 3 examines the themes and motifs of Rev 1*3 which have particular contextual significance for the interpretation of Rev 4-5. Chapter 4 gives an analytical overview of the principal heavenly court scenes in the Old Testament which have parallels in the heavenly court scene of Pev 4-5. Chapter 5 provides an interpretation of Rev 4-5 within the framework of the five themes. Chapter 6 provides a summary, principal conclusions, and the implications for the remainder of Revelation. It is concluded that the heavenly court scene of Rev 4-5 is portrayed in terms of ;• cosmic temple that is based upon the temple of the Old Testament covenant. As a heavenly court scene, it describes a divine council in session that, through an investigative-type judgment, decides the worthiness of the Lamb to receive the covenant inheritance depicted through the imagery of the seven-seated scroll. Through corporate solidarity with the Lamb, the righteous are also judged. The cultic Lamb is portrayed in terms of king and priest who elevates the righteous to the same status. With the Lamb, the Father and the Holy Spirit are united in the restoration of creation through the redemptive process of the covenant. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to my wife, Vera, who with her constant love and inspiration has stood by my side and encouraged me through the years. Also to Bob, Dolly, and Linda, ay beloved children. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF F I G U R E S ................................................ v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................. vi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION .............................................. 1 Research Proposal ............................... , . 1 Research Approach ...................................... 1 Some Significant Recent Literature ..................... 2 Nature of the Book of Revelation....................... 5 Revelation U-5 as a Literary and Thematic Un i t .......... 17 Contextual Limits for Revelation U-5 ................... 21 Principal Themes and Motifs of Revelation U-5 22 II. BIBLICAL OVERVIEW OF FIVE MAJOR THEMES FROM REV U-5 . 28 Covenant and Royal Theology............................. 29 Temple Theology.......................................... U2 Ontological Cosmic Unity ............................... 5U Judgm e n t ................................................ 60 Involvement of the Trinity in Salvation.... ............. 65 III. THE THEMATIC CONTRIBUTION OF REV 1-3 FOR THE UNDERSTANDING OF REV U - 5 ................................................ 72 Covenant and Royal Theology ........................... 72 Temple Theology ........................................ 81 Ontological Cosmic Unity ................................ 86 J udg m e n t ................................................ 87 Involvement of the Trinity in Salvation.... ............. 93 IV. AN OVERVIEW OF SOME OLD TESTAMENT HEAVENLY COURT SCENES . 10U Micaiah's Vision (1 Kgs 2 2 ) ........................... 10U Isaiah’s Vision (Isa 6 ) .................................. 107 Ezekiel's Vision (Ezek 1-11) ........................... 108 Daniel’s Vision (Dan 7 ) .................................. 112 The Divine Council .........................................115 Comparative Analysis of Four Old Testament Heavenly Court S c e n e s ............................................... 123 Jewish Apocalyptic Heavenly Court Scenes................ 127 iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. EXCURSUS..................................................... 128 Heavenly Court Scenes of I Enoch ....................... 128 V. THE HEAVENLY COURT SCENE OF REV 4-