The Seven Messages of Revelation and Vassal Treaties : Literary Genre, Structure, and Function

This book argues that the genre of the seven messages in Revelation 2–3 is a hybrid prophetic oracle. This oracle is influenced by the Old Testament covenantal elements functioning as a set of lawsuit exhortations. Graves defends this by demonstrating the influence of the Ancient Near Eastern vassal treaty structure in the seven messages. Written in a readable format this work is both an excellent introduction to the book of Revelation as well as a fitting work for the apocalyptic specialist. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES PREFACE ABBREVIATIONS INTRODUCTION 1. CHAPTER ONE – ANEVT RESEARCH 2. CHAPTER TWO – PRELIMINARY ISSUES 3. CHAPTER THREE – LITERARY GENRE 4. CHAPTER FOUR – LITERARY STRUCTURE 5. CHAPTER FIVE – EXEGESIS OF REVELATION 2:8-11 6. CHAPTER SIX – LITERARY FUNCTION 7. CHAPTER SEVEN – EPILOGUE BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX OF SUBJECTS INDEX OF AUTHORS INDEX OF PRIMARY SOURCES INDEX OF HEBREW TERMS INDEX OF GREEK TERMS INDEX OF FOREIGN TERMS