Revelation's Hymns: Commentary on the Cosmic Conflict (The Library of New Testament Studies, 511)

"Revelation's Hymns examines the hymnic pericopes in Revelation in light of the cosmic conflict theme. It considers this theme as integral to the development of Revelation's plot. Recognizing that critical studies give interpretative primacy to the political realities that existed at the time of Revelation's composition, Grabiner responds to the need for an examination of the storyline from the perspective of issues that are of narrative importance. Grabiner argues that the cosmic conflict is at the centre of the book's concerns, and attempts to determine the function of the hymns with respect to this. Previous examinations of the hymns have considered them as a response and/or parody to Roman liturgy, examples of God's unquestioned sovereignty, or expressions of thematic overtones found throughout the book. While these approaches make a contribution to a greater understanding of the hymns, the relation to the ever-present conflict theme has not been explored. This study allows the hymnic sections to engage with the larger narrative issue as to who is truly the rightful sovereign of the universe. "--Bloomsbury Publishing Revelation's Hymns examines the hymnic pericopes in Revelation in light of the cosmic conflict theme. It considers this theme as integral to the development of Revelation's plot. Recognizing that critical studies give interpretative primacy to the political realities that existed at the time of Revelation's composition, Grabiner responds to the need for an examination of the storyline from the perspective of issues that are of narrative importance. Grabiner argues that the cosmic conflict is at the centre of the book's concerns, and attempts to determine the function of the hymns with respect to this. Previous examinations of the hymns have considered them as a response and/or parody to Roman liturgy, examples of God's unquestioned sovereignty, or expressions of thematic overtones found throughout the book. While these approaches make a contribution to a greater understanding of the hymns, the relation to the ever-present conflict theme has not been explored. This study allows the hymnic sections to engage with the larger narrative issue as to who is truly the rightful sovereign of the universe Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowlegments Abbreviations Preface Chapter 1: Introduction 1. Aim 2. Justification for the Research 3. Overview of the Study 4. Background Sources for the Hymns Chapter 2: Hermeneutical Perspective 1. Narrative Criticism 2. Conclusion Chapter 3: Literary Considerations 1. Introduction 2. Authorship 3. Genre a. Epistle b. Prophecy c. Apocalypse 4. Grammar 5. Structure a. Structural Unity b. Narrative Setting Chapter 4: Conflict and Theodicy 1. Cosmic Conflict Motif a. Satan in the Narrative b. Temple Imagery and the Divine Council (1) The Ark as Throne (2) Divine Council (3) Satan in the Divine Council c. Issues in Theodicy 2. Conclusion Chapter 5: Hymnic Pericopes of 4.8-11;5.9-14 1. Revelation 4.8-11; 5.9-14 a. Setting b. Dramatis Personae c. Plot d. Narrative Details 2. Hymnic Pericope (4.8-11) 3. Hymnic Pericope (5.9-14) Excursus: Christ’s Death in the Narrative Chapter 6: Hymnic Pericopes of 7.9-12; 11.15-18; 12.10-12 1. Revelation 7.9-12 a. Setting b. Dramatis Personae c. Plot d. Narrative Details 2. Hymnic Pericope (7.9-12) a. 7.9-10 b. 7.11-12 3. Revelation 11.15-18 a. Setting b. Dramatis Personae c. Plot d. Narrative Details 4. Hymnic Pericope (11.15-18) a. 11.15 b. 11.16-18 5. Revelation 12.10-12 a. Setting b. Dramatis Personae (1) The Woman (2) The Child (3) The Dragon (4) Michael c. Plot d. Narrative Details 6. Hymnic Pericope (12.10-12) Chapter 7: Hymnic Pericopes of 15.3-4; 19.1-8 1. Revelation 15.3-4 a. Setting b. Dramatis Personae (1) Seven Angels (2) Victor’s Choir c. Plot d. Narrative Details 2. Hymnic Pericope (15.3-4) 3. Revelation 19.1-8 a. Setting b. Dramatis Personae c. Plot d. Narrative Details 4. Hymnic Pericope (19.1-8) a. 19.1b-3 b. 19.4-5 c. 19.6-8 Chapter 8: Summary and Conclusion 1. Summary 2. Conclusion 3. Academic Contribution Bibliography Index of References Index of Authors "Strategically placed throughout Revelation's story are short hymns or acclamations of praise. These hymnic pericopes need to be heard against the larger background of the on-going narrative. Revelation's Hymns examines seven of these pericopes in the light of the cosmic conflict theme, a motif that is integral to the development of Revelation's plot. Recognizing that critical studies give interpretative primacy to the political realities that existed at the time of Revelation's composition, Grabiner explores new ground by examining the hymns from a narratival perspective. Previous examinations of the hymns have largely considered them as parody of Roman liturgy, examples of God's unquestioned sovereignty, or expressions of thematic overtones found throughout the storyline. While these approaches make a contribution to a greater understanding of the hymns, their relation to the ever-present conflict has been underexposed. This cosmic conflict is at the centre of the book's concerns. Grabiner allows the hymnic sections to engage with the larger narrative issue as to who is the rightful sovereign of the universe."--Back Cover Himnos de la revelación examina las perícopas hímnicos en la revelación a la luz del tema de conflicto cósmico . Se considera este tema como parte integral del desarrollo de la trama de la Revelación. Reconociendo que los estudios críticos dan primacía interpretativa a las realidades políticas que existían en el momento de la composición de la Revelación, Grabiner responde a la necesidad de un examen de la historia desde la perspectiva de los temas que son de importancia narrativa. Grabiner sostiene que el conflicto cósmico se encuentra en el centro de las preocupaciones del libro, y los intentos de determinar la función de los himnos con respeto