The Abyss in Revelation
A View from Below
Edward Gudeman
It is generally accepted that Revelation’s heavenly scenes were intended to demonstrate that God continued to exercise his control even when the audience’s experience might suggest otherwise. In The Abyss in Revelation, Edward Gudeman argues that even though the scenes of the underworld and its inhabitants are describing reality from the opposite perspective, they declare God’s sovereignty and power in an equally powerful way.
- Description
- Bio
- Table of Contents
- Sample Chapters
Examining the motif and imagery of the abyss and the sea in Old Testament, New Testament, Greco-Roman, and Second Temple Jewish writings, Gudeman
identifies traditions that John appropriates in Revelation in order to create his unique vision of the abyss. Gudeman shows that the abyss and related concepts in Revelation are variously envisioned as the abode of evil creatures, the place from which they exit, and a prison that holds them captive. In all of this, John consistently demonstrates that God is in control of the activity of Satan and demonic beings and that their destruction is both planned and certain.Original and convincing, this volume sheds light on Revelation’s message about how God responds to evil and advances our understanding of several interpretive problems related to the abyss and its inhabitants. Biblical scholars especially will benefit from Gudeman’s research.
Edward Gudeman is an independent scholar who divides his time between Englewood, Colorado, and Madrid, Spain.
Preface
List of Abbreviations
Chapter 1. Introduction and Reading Strategy
Chapter 2. The Background of the Abyss in the Old Testament
Chapter 3. The Abyss in Greco-Roman, Second Temple Jewish, New Testament Literature
Chapter 4. The Abyss and Its Interpretive Significance in Revelation
Chapter 5. Traditions That Have Shaped the Description and Function of the Abyss in Revelation
Chapter 6. Similar Concepts to the Abyss in Revelation
Chapter 7. The End of the Abyss
Chapter 8. Revelation’s Contribution to the Understanding of Evil and God’s Response to It
Bibliography
Index of Authors
Index of Scripture
Download a PDF sample chapter here: Chapter One
Also of Interest
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