Apocalypticism, eschatology, and Revelation 11:19 -- 12:18

Abstract

This thesis largely consists of an exegetical commentary on Revelation 11:19 -- 12:18, the section about the Woman/Virgin Mary/Ark of the Covenant/Israel/the Church in the agony of giving birth to the Messiah/Christ/Anointed and the cosmic war between Michael and the Dragon who also fights against the Woman's seed. It contains a discussion of who the Woman is, who are her faithful seed, and how the text is a non-Christian Jewish original later redacted by a Christian editor, John of Patmos. Apocalyptic literature is described as a popular genre, found also in the Book of the prophet Daniel to which Revelation is related, that John the Divine uses to emphasize that Jesus will usher in the eschaton so that eventually Satan/evil is defeated and God/good triumphs. This passage is the focal point that holds the entire revelation together, and also functions as a transition to the remainder of the text.