David
E. Graves
Director
of Computer Services and Facility Managment.
C.N.A.
Novell Canada, B.Th.., Tyndale College,
Ph.D. (Cand.) Highland Theological College, and University
of Aberdeen, Scotland.
Office: # 136
Phone: (506) 858-8970 ext. 148
Fax: (506) 858-9694
E-mail: david.graves "at" abu.nb.ca
Doctoral Thesis
Highland
Theological College, Dingwall, Scotland
University
of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
Defense
date May 2008
ABSTRACT
This thesis is a form-historical analysis of the influence of the ancient
Near Eastern vassal treaties (ANEVT) on the seven prophetic messages of Revelation
(SMR). It also surveys the scholarship surrounding the genre, structure and
function of the SMR as it relates to the ANEVT structure.
The standard description of the genre of the seven proclamations of Revelation
2–3, set by David Aune, is “royal or imperial edict,” (Graeco-Roman
influence) largely based on the idea that the texts do not “rigidly replicate
the generic features of any known ancient literary form.” This thesis
challenges Aune’s statement by demonstrating a known form replicated
in the messages, although not rigidly, namely that of the ANEVT via the Torah
and OT prophetic lawsuit material. The vassal treaty formulary consists of
preamble, historical prologue, stipulations, witness, and blessing and cursing.
The influence of the ANEVT has a long history starting with the Hittite and
Assyrian treaties and is identifiable in the OT pentateuchal material (Deuteronomy),
and the OT prophetic oracles (Gerichtsrede, OT rîb-pattern).
John is influenced by this heritage in the SMR.
The thesis argues that John is not duplicating either OT prophetic oracles
or the message of Deuteronomy, rather he combines the covenant lawsuit message
of the prophets with the covenant formulary structure (ANEVT) found in Deuteronomy
to construct his own unique genre of hybrid lawsuit oracle. The ANEVT structure
within the SMR is appropriate for prophetic oracles that call the churches
to repentance and covenant faithfulness. John delivers the prophetic oracles
using the metaphor of the ANEVT entrenched in the covenant lawsuit framework
(form) to present the content of the prophetic message to the seven churches
in Revelation.