The Function of Loipos in Contexts of Judgment and Salvation in the Book of Revelation
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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2007 The Function of loipos in Contexts of Judgment and Salvation in the Book of Revelation Leslie N. Pollard Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Pollard, Leslie N., "The Function of loipos in Contexts of Judgment and Salvation in the Book of Revelation" (2007). Dissertations. 130. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/130 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. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT THE FUNCTION OF LOIPOS IN CONTEXTS OF JUDGMENT AND SALVATION IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION by Leslie N. Pollard Adviser: Jon Paulien Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 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 FUNCTION OF LOIPOS IN CONTEXTS OF JUDGMENT AND SALVATION IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION Name of researcher: Leslie N. Pollard Name and degree of faculty adviser: Jon Paulien, PhD. Date completed: April 2007 Problem Addressed The function ofloipos in the Apocalypse is the focus of this research. Method A close reading approach to the Apocalypse was employed in this study. Every occurrence ofloipos as it applies to human entities in contexts of judgment and salvation ' the Apocalypse is examined. First, comes textual and translation matters. Then the examination of the literary context and structure follows. Next comes the historical background to each passage. Finally, the interpretation of that passage is presented. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Results Chapter 1 presents a review of the scholarly literature from the Old and New Testaments on the remnant idea. Chapter 2 presents the findings on remnant language in ancient cognate literature. Cognate literature provides insight into how various communities appropriated, adapted, and reformulated the remnant concept. Chapter 3 presents the findings of the examination ofloipos in contexts of judgment in the Apocalypse. These findings demonstrate thatloipos in contexts of judgment narrates an eschatological movement of persons from unrepentance to organized rebellion against God and the Lamb. Chapter 4 presents the findings of the examination ofloipos in contexts of salvation. Loipos in contexts of salvation points to the people of God’s covenant loyalty, covenant continuity, and end-time victory over the Beast. The final chapter summarizes the conclusions of the research along with recommendations for future research. Conclusions Unlike the narrowed and restrictive concept of remnant in Qumran or Jewish apocalyptic,loipos in Revelation completes the trajectory toward a universal and eschatological remnant implied in the Gospels, explicated in Paul, and elucidated in the Apocalypse. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary THE FUNCTION OF LOIPOS IN CONTEXTS OF JUDGMENT AND SALVATION IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Leslie N. Pollard April 2007 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3262329 Copyright 2007 by Pollard, Leslie N. All rights reserved. INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ® UMI UMI Microform 3262329 Copyright 2007 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. © Copyright by Leslie N. Pollard 2007 All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE FUNCTION OF LOIPOS IN CONTEXTS OF JUDGMENT AND SALVATION IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Leslie N. Pollard APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: / f L ) ^ 6 FacOtty Adviser, Director,/h.D./Th.D. Program Jon K. Paulien Roy E. Gane Professor of New Testament Interpretation Robert M. Johnston Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Professor of New Testament and J. H. Denis Fortin Christian Origins, Emeritus o M. steranovic Professor of Religion Kenneth D. Mf Associate Professor of Christian Ministry f tA J s <L /)y9pI I ^ c3o 0 7 fhsephine M^syngbaerde Ford Date approved Professor of New Testament, Emerita Notre Dame University Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. This project is dedicated to my family and friends, who over the years have inspired me with their unrelenting support. They include ... Dr. Jon Paulien, mentor, advisor, colleague, friend; Dr. Lyn Behrens, an authentic model of servant-leadership; Dr. Charles Bradford, visionary leader, erudite scholar, and faithful expositor; Dr. Calvin Rock, a steadfast older brotther and an “apostle of encouragement”; Dr. Kenneth Mulzac, a confidant who has stood strong in the face of challenge; and last, but certainly not least, The Loves of my life: Prudence, Kristin, Karin, Wife and Daughters, companion-supporter and inspirations, three gifts of love and grace and, above all, Praise to that Name that is above every other name To God be the Glory! Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS............................................................................................ iii LIST OF TA BLES.......................................................................................................... viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................... ix INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 1 A Statement of the Problem ........................................................................... 1 Rationale for the Study................................................................................... 3 Purpose of the Research ................................................................................. 8 Methodology.................................................................................................... 8 Definition ......................................................................................................... 12 Limitations ...................................................................................................... 15 Design of the Study.......................................................................................... 22 Chapter 1. SURVEY OF SCHOLARLY LITERATURE ............................................... 24 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 24 Remnant Studies in the Old Testament .......................................................... 25 Summary........................................................................................................... 40 Remnant Studies in the New Testament ....................................................... 41 Summary........................................................................................................... 66 Conclusions....................................................................................................... 67 2. THE REMNANT IN ANCIENT COGNATE LITERATURE ..................... 69 The Remnant in the Old Testament .............................................................. 71 S r .............................................................................................................. 71 Y tr................................................................................................................ 73 Mlt .............................................................................................................