Violence of the Lamb

Paul Middleton is Lecturer in New Testament Studies at the University of Wales, Lampeter, UK.

• INTRODUCTIONReading the Violence of the ApocalypseMartyrdom in RevelationPlan of the BookCHAPTER 1: CHRISTIAN ‘PERSECUTION’ AND THE DATING OF REVELATION IntroductionThe Literary World of the ApocalypsePersecution and Suffering in RevelationThe Imperial Cult in RevelationSocial Reality and the ApocalypsePersecution and Suffering in the New TestamentPersecution in Early Christian WritingsThe Emperor CultThe Image of the Beast: The Sacrifice TestJosephusEarly Christianity MarkQ 12.2–9HebrewsThe Shepherd of Hermas2 Timothy1 JohnConclusionCHAPTER 2: NO TAME LAMB: CHRISTOLOGY IN THE APOCALYPSEThe Lion/Lamb DichotomyThe LionThe Lamb‘Standing as if Slain’ (Rev 5.6) Sacrificial LambPaschal LambIsaiah 53Behold the ‘Ram’ of GodThe Lion/Lamb: Beyond incongruity CHAPTER 3: THE LAMB AS PROTO-MARTYRThe Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1.1–8) The Testimony of Jesus (Rev. 1.2)The First and the Last (Rev. 1.4)The Faithful Witness (Rev. 1.5–6)Coming on the Clouds (Rev. 1.7)Christophanies in the Apocalypse The Son of Man/Ancient of Days (Rev. 1.12–20) Christological Oracles (Rev. 2–3)The Rider on the White Horse (Rev. 19.11–16)The Lion and the Lamb (Rev. 4–5)CHAPTER 4: THE LAMB AS DIVINE JUDGEViolence and Judgment in the ApocalypseJudgment in the Oracles to the Seven Churches (Rev. 1–3)The Seven Seals and Trumpets (Rev. 6–7)The Sealed ScrollThe First four Seals (Rev. 6.1–8)The Sixth Seal: The Day of the Lord (Rev. 6.12–17)Plagues and Torments on the Damned (Rev. 8–16)The Seven Trumpets (Rev. 8.2–9.21; 11.15–19)Two Last Judgements (Rev. 11.15–19; 14.6–20)The Seven Bowls of Wrath (Rev. 15.7–16.21)The Fall of Babylon, The Final Battle, and the Last Judgement (Rev. 17–22)The Fall of Babylon (Rev. 17–18)The Final Battle (Rev. 16.12–16; 17.12–14; 19.11–21)The Last Final Judgement and the New Jerusalem (Rev. 20–22)ConclusionCHAPTER 5: A THEOLOGY OF MARTYRDOM IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION Martyrdom and JudgmentJudgement Delayed (Rev. 6.10)God’s Judgment for the MartyrsThe Call to MartyrdomRevelation 6.11Revelation 12.7–17Revelation 13Revelation 14Revelation 7The Call to ConquerConquering in the Seven ChurchesMartyrs as Agents of Divine JudgementVindication of The MartyrsThe Noble Army of MartyrsMartyrs as Rulers (Rev. 20.4–6) Martyrs as Agents of Judgement (Rev. 18.4–8)CONCLUSION

The Violence of the Lamb is a well-argued, persuasive study, not to mention an enjoyable read.