Apocalyptic Representations of Jerusalem (Numen Book Series: Studies in the History of Religions)

Jerusalem as a symbolic expression of hope attracts attention and religious adherence in relation to its physical presence. The study identifies, traces and examines apocalyptic representations of Jerusalem, and illustrates what happens when these become experienced reality. The empirical part of the book shows how these representations become living images in two contemporary groups’ activity in Jerusalem. Private and public endtime representations of Jerusalem provide meaningful models for interpreting the religious past, present and future. The interplay of these representations also shapes our present images of Jerusalem. CONTENTS......Page 8 PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 12 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION......Page 16 1.1 Materials and Methods of the Study......Page 25 1.2 Theoretical Approach and Definitions......Page 29 1.3.1 Messianism......Page 35 1.3.2 Messianic and Millenarian Groups......Page 38 1.3.3 The Millennial and Millenarian Problem......Page 45 2.1.1 Dan Sperber’s Representation Theory......Page 50 2.1.2 Symbolic Interactions......Page 61 2.1.3 Integrating the Theoretical Approaches......Page 68 2.2.1 Textual Apocalypses......Page 73 2.2.2 Interpreted Apocalypses......Page 80 2.2.3 Culture-Bound and Contextual Apocalypses......Page 81 2.2.4 Ethical and Existential Apocalypses......Page 83 2.2.5 Gender Apocalypses......Page 86 2.2.6 Environmental and Technological Apocalypses......Page 88 3.1.1 Jerusalem in Early Jewish History......Page 92 3.1.2 The Temples......Page 95 3.1.3 The Name of Zion......Page 96 3.1.4 The Cosmic Mountain......Page 98 3.2 The Christian Impact......Page 101 3.2.1 The Early Christian Church......Page 102 3.2.2 Living Close to the End......Page 108 3.2.3 Christian Conquest of Jerusalem......Page 111 3.2.4 Anticipation of the Antichrist......Page 114 3.2.5 Paradise Within Reach......Page 122 3.2.6 Science and Redemption......Page 125 3.3.1 The Meaning of Jerusalem to Jews and Christians......Page 132 3.3.2. The Foundation of the State of Israel in 1948......Page 135 3.3.3 Independent State and Growth of Religious Extremism......Page 136 3.3.4 Apocalypse Interpreted in Finland......Page 139 CHAPTER FOUR THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD—TWO CASE STUDIES......Page 144 4.1.1 Christian Zionism—a Background Story of the ICEJ......Page 146 4.1.2 Foundation of the ICEJ......Page 155 4.1.3 Activities of the ICEJ......Page 161 4.1.4 Christian Struggle for the Chosen City......Page 164 4.1.5 Apocalyptic Events and Second Coming of Christ......Page 172 4.2 The Temple Mount Faithful......Page 175 4.2.1 Foundation of the TMF......Page 176 4.2.2 The Cultural Radicals’ Activities......Page 181 4.2.3 Sympathizers......Page 192 4.2.4 The Apocalypse and Future Jerusalem......Page 196 4.3 Representations of Jerusalem in the ICEJ and the TMF......Page 200 CHAPTER FIVE THEORETICAL APPLICATION......Page 206 5.1 Contemporary Apocalyptic Representations of Jerusalem......Page 208 5.1.1 Apocalyptic Representations of Jerusalem......Page 212 5.1.2 Mental Apocalyptic Representations......Page 214 5.1.3 Public and Cultural Apocalyptic Representations......Page 215 5.1.4 Commonly Conceived Apocalyptic Representations......Page 217 5.2 Representations as Tools for Interpretation......Page 219 5.2.1 Attractiveness of Apocalypses......Page 222 5.2.2 Transformation of Apocalypses......Page 225 5.3 Interpreting an Identified Reality......Page 227 5.3.1 Reality Building-blocks......Page 228 5.3.2 Legitimating Everlasting Life......Page 229 5.4 The Significant ‘Sacred’ in a Crisis Perspective......Page 231 5.4.1 Sacrality as primus motor......Page 232 5.4.2 Apocalypses as Survival Strategies......Page 234 CHAPTER SIX THE END IS BUT A BEGINNING......Page 238 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 250 INDEX OF NAMES......Page 264 INDEX OF CONCEPTS AND PLACES......Page 269 Private and public endtime representations of Jerusalem provide meaningful models for interpreting the religious past, present and future. This thought-provoking book examines the role of Jerusalem as a symbol in endtime belief. By Maria Leppäkari. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [235]-248) And Indexes.