Abstract:
The focus of this dissertation is to investigate whether the ancient motif of Divine
Warrior imagery can aid in understanding the violent imagery in the book of Revelation.
The specific strategy is to examine how John’s intended readers would perceive the
violent imagery in light of the horizon of expectations regarding Divine Warfare and how
the text challenges those expectations.
In order to get a sense for how John’s late first century C.E. intended readers
would hear the imagery of Divine War, a diachronic investigation of Divine Warrior
imagery is a major portion of the study. This is necessary in order to discern how Divine
Warrior imagery has been adapted into these contexts. The study begins by investigating
the way gods fight in literature from the ancient Near East. A significant part of this
discussion focuses on the Baal Epic from Ugarit. The next phase of the study discusses
the various ways the texts of the Hebrew Scriptures adapt the ancient Near Eastern
imagery into the context of ancient Israel. The literature of early Judaism then
appropriates the same imagery, primarily through the foundation of authoritative
scriptural texts. A number of developments are apparent in early Jewish usage of the
imagery now put into still different contexts. Finally, the book of Revelation
appropriates Divine Warrior imagery from a context that understands the Hebrew
Scriptures as authoritative, is steeped in the general mindset of early Judaism, and lives in
the provinces of the Roman Empire. The conclusion of the dissertation is that Divine
Warrior imagery, as primarily the imagery of power, shows considerable flexibility.
Using the imagery of conquering and war, John’s visions redefine victory from a divine
perspective: true power conquers by dying, not by killing. The violent imagery of God
and Jesus Christ at war must be read in light of this understanding of what it means to
conquer.
