Mathewson, New Heaven and a New Earth

Mathewson, Dave L. New Heaven and a New Earth: The Meaning and Function of the Old Testament in Revelation 21.1-22.5. Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series, 238. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2003. xii + 282 pp.

This volume, based on the author’s Ph.D.-dissertation “The Meaning and Function of the OT in Rev. 21.1-22.5” (University of Aberdeen),

“In this book the author attempts to move beyond merely identifying and substantiating OT allusions in Revelation to considering how the presence of OT allusions and echoes affects reading Rev. 21.1-22.5 and how the OT functions within the context of the entire work.

“The author concludes that a variety of semantic effects are evoked by the author’s continuous intertextual appeal to the OT: new creation, new exodus, new Jerusalem, new covenant, the bride, new temple-priesthood, paradise restored and renewed, inclusion of the nations, prophetic legitimization. The numerous allusions function to shape the readers perception of eschatological hope.” (The publisher’s description)

Table of Content:

1. Introduction (pp. 1-27)
2. The New Heavens and the New Earth in Revelation 21.1-5a (pp. 28-72)
3. Prophetic Legitimization and Exhortation in Revelation 21.5b-8 (pp. 73-94)
4. New Jerusalem and New Temple in Revelation 21.9-17 (pp. 95-126)
5. Precious Stones and Divine Presence in Revelation 21.18-21 (pp. 127-157)
6. The Inclusion of the Nations and the Holy City in Revelation 21.22-27 (pp. 158-185)
7. Paradise Restored and Renewed in Revelation 22.1-5 (pp. 186-215)
8. Summary and Conclusions (pp. 216-236)

Back matters include Bibliography (pp. 237-256), Index of References (pp. 257-277) and Index of Authors (pp. 278-282).

Reviews in Review of Biblical Literature (2004)

• by James P. Sweeney
• by Thomas Hieke