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Beeldspraak over oorlog en schepping, geweld en geweldloosheid in de Openbaring van Johannes


PB Decock

Abstract



Images of war and creation, violence and nonviolence
in the Revelation of John
Much of the violent imagery of Revelation can be seen as inspired by the image of God as the Divine Warrior who will overcome the chaotic forces threatening creation and who will bring creation to its fulfillment. This violence is reserved for God and the exalted Jesus
although the prophetic ministry of churches shares to some extent in this divine power and even in its violence (11:5-6). However, human victory is won through worship of God instead of worship of Satan and the Beast, and through prophetic witness unto death in
order to bring the inhabitants of the world to repentance and so to overcome sin that destroys creation. This human victory is made possible by the “blood of Jesus” and requires that his followers persevere in the works of Jesus to the end (2:26) in order to share in
the new creation of which Jesus is God's agent from the beginning (3:14).

HTS Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies Vol. 64 (4) 2008: pp. 1837-1853

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2072-8050
print ISSN: 0259-9422