l i b r a r y o f n e w t e s t a m e n t s t u d i e s CHRIST AND COMMUNITY A Social-Historical Study of the Christology of Revelation THOMAS B. SLATER JOURNAL FOR THE STUDY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT SUPPLEMENT SERIES 178 Executive Editor Stanley E. Porter Editorial Board David Catchpole, R. Alan Culpepper, James D.G. Dunn, Craig A. Evans, Stephen Fowl, Robert Fowler, Robert Jewett, Elizabeth Struthers Malbon, Robert W. Wall Sheffield Academic Press Christ and Community A Socio-Historical Study of the Christology of Revelation Thomas B. Slater Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series 178 In loving memory of Thomas J. and Thelma B. Slater Eugene and Amanda K. Bowie Rachel Matthews Slater Kimball Naomi K. Donato Ezell Charles Doris Dean Green Van Edward Slater Sylvester Williams In loving appreciation to Cheryl A. Bowie Vinnetta A. Cole Joyce D. Slater Lisa Y. Williams Mrs Juanita K. Charles Copyright © 1999 Sheffield Academic Press Published by Sheffield Academic Press Ltd Mansion House 19KingfieldRoad Sheffield SI 19AS England Typeset by Sheffield Academic Press British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library EISBN 9781850759393 CONTENTS Acknowledgments 7 A Note on Translations and Abbreviations 9 Abbreviations 10 Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION 13 Parti ONE LIKE A SON OF MAN Chapter 2 THE JEWISH BACKGROUND 66 Chapter 3 THE PRESENTATION OF THE MESSIAH IN REVELATION 1 86 Chapter 4 ONE LIKE A SON OF MAN IN REVELATION 2-3 AND 14.14-16 108 Part II THE LAMB AND THE DIVINE WARRIOR Chapter 5 THE CHRIST AS THE LAMB 162 Chapter 6 THE IMAGE OF THE DIVINE WARRIOR IN REVELATION 19.11-21 209 Chapter 7 CONCLUSIONS 236 6 Christ and Community Bibliography 246 Index of References 262 Index of Authors 278 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This study constitutes a revision of my doctoral thesis done under the supervision of Professor Graham N. Stanton in the Department of The- ology and Religious Studies, King's College London, University of London (1992-96). I am deeply indebted to Professor Stanton for work- ing with me, sometimes late at night, when I am sure that he would have preferred being home with his family. His faith in me often pushed and pulled me farther than I ever imagined that I could go. As I have often said, he made this the most pleasurable stressful experience of my life. I am also most appreciative of the analyses and words of encour- agement given to me, and my fellow postgraduates, by the other New Testament faculty at King's during my studies there. Professor J. Leslie Houlden consistently offered beneficial insights to all the postgraduates and a sense of humor that lightened many moments. Moreover, as my internal examiner, his probing questions and astute analyses added much to this thesis and helped greatly to improve the finished product. Since my graduation, Professor Houlden has continued to support my work and encourage my endeavors. Dr Francis Watson always provided the types of theological analyses and detailed scrutiny that proved fruit- ful to our work. Dr Judith Lieu's knowledge of the cultural context of early Christianity, as well as her penetrating questions during colloquia, added much to my knowledge of Roman society, in general, and early Christianity, in specific. In all these ways and more, the New Testament faculty provided a model of tutelage that was at once challenging and positive. Without a doubt, this was the most influential intellectual ex- perience of my life. Moreover, the friendships that I established while in the United Kingdom shall last a lifetime. Thanks also to the following for their encouragement as I embarked upon postgraduate studies in Britain: Professor John Riches of Glasgow, Professor Richard Bauckham of St Andrews, Professor James Dunn of Durham, Canon John Sweet of Cambridge, Dr John Court of Kent, Dr A.T. Lincoln, then of Sheffield, and Professor Christopher Tuckett, then 8 Christ and Community of Manchester. I am especially indebted to Canon Sweet, my external examiner, whose insight and knowledge of apocalyptic literature has been invaluable to me in improving my thesis for publication. Canon Sweet has continued to dialogue with me since my graduation and his comments have pushed me at various points to clarify my positions. I must also express special thanks to Professor William Farmer, my first New Testament Greek professor, and Professor Harold Attridge, my DMin supervisor at SMU, whose seminar on Revelation in 1978 was the genesis of my interests in Revelation. Both of them have con- tinued to be ready resources, helpful critics and sources of encourage- ment. Also, I am appreciative of my colleagues at the University of Georgia for their undying faith in my abilities, especially Professors George Howard, Sandy Martin, R. Baxter Miller and John Morrow. I must also extend a special thank you to Technical Papers for the Bible Translator and New Testament Studies for allowing me to utilize at my own discretion work that I have previously published in their scholarly journals. Very special thanks go to Mrs Zinetta McDonald, for typing various drafts, and also to the Revd Christine Bainbridge, Dr Joan Bruggemann Rufe and the Revd Dr Mary Catherine Orr for their help in reading var- ious drafts of this work; a most special thanks to Mrs Angela Colson who proof-read the entire final draft. I am most appreciative to Stanley Porter and the editorial board of the JSNT Supplement Series for accepting my manuscript and to the staff at Sheffield Academic Press for their assistance in making its publica- tion a reality. I owe a special thanks to Ms Ailsa Parkin and Mrs Vicky Acklam at Sheffield Academic Press. And finally, to my very large family, especially those to whom this work is dedicated, and my wife Olivia Elaine, who sacrificed so much quality time so that I could finish this task, as well as my many friends in the US and the UK, whose constant encouragement, support, love and faith in me have made this book possible, 'I just want to thank you'. Advent 1998 Oconee County, Georgia, USA A NOTE ON TRANSLATIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS The system of abbreviations of Sheffield Academic Press is employed throughout this study. Exceptions to the Sheffield rule will be noted in the appropriate places. Unless stated to the contrary, all translations of the Septuagint, the Greek New Testament and Jewish and Christian pseudepigraphical writ- ings are mine; all translations from the Hebrew Bible are from the New American Standard Bible; all translations of non-Christian Greek and Roman writings are from the Loeb Classical Library. This study has used Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (edited by K. Elliger and W. Rud- olph; Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1976/77, 1984) for transla- tions of the Hebrew Bible; Septuaginta (edited by A. Rahlfs; 2 vols. in 1; Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1979) for translations of the Septuagint; Novum Testamentum Graece (edited by E. Nestle, K. Aland et al\ Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 27th edn, 1993) for New Testament translations. Throughout this study, I shall refer to John as the author of the book of Revelation as a matter of convenience without implying apostolic authorship.