god, jesus, and the angel

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Jesus and the angels: the in(cid:29)uence of angelology on the
Christology of the apocalypse of John
Carrell, Peter Ruane
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2
JESUS AND THE ANGELS: THE INFLUENCE OF
ANGELOLOGY ON THE CHRISTOLOGY OF THE APOCALYPSE
OF JOHN
by
PETER RUANE CARRELL
Submitted for Ph.D., June1993
ABSTRACT
A review of previous study of the christology of the Ape reveals that little work has been
done on the influence of angelology on the christology of the Ape. What work has been
done has focused mainly on Ape 1.13-16 and 14.14 and has drawn attention to parallels
.
with angelophanies in OT and other Jewish and Christian apocalyptic and related writings
from the period c. 200 BCE to 200 CE. In Part One of the dissertation the context of the
christology in Jewish and Christian traditions is explored. Initially angelology and epiphanies
in Zechariah, Ezekiel, and Daniel are explored. Principal angels, especially those with a
glorious appearance are then studied, followed by angelomorphic figures. Included in the
latter category are both exalted humans and the Logos. The investigation in Part One is
rounded off with a brief survey of texts featuring angel- and angelomorphic christology in
the first Christian centuries. Part Two begins with consideration of the relationship between
Jesus and God and between Jesus and the angel of the revelation. This determines that
Jesus is identified with God yet functionally equivalent to the angel. In four successive
chapters the three visions of Jesus which most probably reflect the influence of angelology
(1.13-16, 14.14, 19.11-16) are discussed. An alternative is put forward to the increasingly
common assumption that Dn 7.9 LXX has influenced the combination of imagery found in
Ape 1.13-16, and the thesis is proposed that Jesus is perceived as adopting angelic form
analogous to his human incarnation. Jesus is not, however, in the final analysis an angel. His
true nature is bound with God.
JESUS AND THE ANGELS:
THE INFLUENCE OF ANGELOLOGY ON THE
CHRISTOLOGY OF THE APOCALYPSE OF
JOHN
by
PETERRUANECARRELL
The copyright of this thesis rests with the author.
No quotation from it should be published without
his prior written consent and information derived
from it should be acknowledged.
Thesis Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy.
University of Durham
Department of Theology
June, 1993
211993
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Abstract
Title ii
Table of Contents iii
Declaration vii
Statement of Copyright vii
Preface viii
Abbreviations x
Chapter One: INTRODUCTION 1
§ 1.1 Previous Study of the Christo logy of the Apocalypse 1
§1.1.1 General Studies 1
§1.1.2 Studies of Specific Themes and Titles 4
§1.2 Angelology and Angel Christology 8
§ 1.2.1 Merkabah Mysticism 1 6
§1.2.2 Angel Christology in the Apocalypse 18
§1.2.3 Conclusion 19
§1.3 This Dissertation: Terms, Aims, and Scope 20
§1.4 Angelology in the Apocalypse 27
§1.4.1 Some Assumptions 27
§1.4.2 Angelology in the Apocalypse 28
PART ONE: THE CONTEXT OF THE APOCALYPSE'S CHRISTOLOGY IN 32
JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN APOCALYPTIC TRADITIONS AND RELATED
WRITINGS: ANGELOLOGY, ANGELOMORPHIC FIGURES, AND ANGEL
CHRISTOLOGY.
Chapter Two: ZECHARIAH, EZEKIEL, AND DANIEL: ANGELOLOGY AND
EPIPHANIES. 33
§2.1 Introduction 33
§2.2 Zechariah 33
§2.2.1 Excursus: The Angel of Yahweh Prior to Zechariah 36
§2.3 Ezekiel 38
§2.3.1 Ezekiel 1 38
§2.3.2 Ezekiel 8 40
§2.3.3 Ezekiel 9-10 44
§2.3.4 Ezekiel40 and 43 45
§2.3.5 Conclusion 46
§2.4 Daniel 46
§2.4.1 Daniel 7.9 46
§2.4.2 Daniel 7.13 49
§2.4.3 Daniel10 52
§2.5 Daniel7.13 LXX 58
§2.5.1 The Interpretation of Daniel 7.13 LXX 63
§2.5.2 Conclusion 64
§2.6 Excursus: The Son of Man in the Gospels, Similitudes of Enoch, 4 Ezra, 65
Syr. Baruch
§2.7 Conclusion 68
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PAGE
Chapter Three: PRINCIPAL ANGELS 70
§3.1 Introduction 70
§3.2 Glorious Angels 71
§3.2.1 The Apocalypse of Abraham: Yahoel 71
§3.2.2 Joseph and Aseneth: An Unnamed Angel 74
§3.2.3 The Apocalypse of Zephaniah: Eremiel 76
§3.2.4 Further Accounts of Glorious Angels 77
§3.2.5 Excursus: The Merkabah Vision in 1 Enoch 14 79
§3.2.6 Conclusion 80
§3.3 Principal Angels Without Glorious Form 80
§3.3.1 Raphael 82
§3.3.2 Jacob-Israel 83
§3.3.3 Michael 84
§3.3.4 The Angel of Truth 85
§3.3.5 Melchizedek 87
§3.3.6 The Angel of the Presence 88
§3.3. 7 Metatron 91
§3.3.8 Principal Angels in the New Testament 93
§3.3.9 Conclusion 93
§3.4 The Worship of Angels? 94
§3.5 Conclusion 96
Chapter Four: ANGELOMORPHIC FIGURES 97
§4.1 Introduction 9 7
§4.2 Exalted Humans 97
§4.2.1 Adam 9 7
§4.2.2 Abel 98
§4.2.3 Enoch 99
§4.2.4 Noah 1 00
§4.2.5 Jacob 1 02
§4.2.6 Aseneth 1 04
§4.2.7 Moses 105
§4.2.8 Samuel 1 09
§4.2.9 Transformed Humans? 1 09
§4.2.1 0 Conclusion 112
§4.3 The Logos as an Angelomorphic Figure 113
§4.3.1 The Logos in the Wisdom of Solomon 113
§4.3.2 The Logos in the Writings of Philo 114
§4.3.3 The Memra 118
§4.4 Conclusion 120
Chapter Five: ANGEL CHRISTOLOGY 121
§5.1 Introduction 121
§5.2 Angel- and Angelomorphic Christology in the First Christian Centuries 1 21
§5.2.1 Justin 121
§5.2.2 Origen 124
§5.2.3 Tertullian 125
§5.2.4 The Ebionites 126
§5.2.5 The Testament of Solomon 127
§5.2.6 Epistula Apostolorum 127
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PAGE
§5.2. 7 The Ascension of Isaiah 128
§5.2.8 The Shepherd of Hermas 131
§5.2.9 The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs 133
§5.2.1 0 The Cessation of Angel Christo logy 134
§5.3 Conclusion 135
§5.4 Conclusion to Part One 136
PART TWO: THE CHRISTOLOGY OF THE APOCALYPSE: 138
JESUS CHRIST IN RELATION TO GOD AND THE ANGELS,
THE VISIONS OF CHRIST.
Chapter Six: GOD, JESUS CHRIST, AND THE ANGEL 139
§6.1 Introduction 139
§6.2 God and Jesus Christ in the Apocalypse 140
§6.2.1 The Worship of Jesus 140
§6.2.2 The Identity Between Jesus and God 142
§6.3 Jesus Christ and the Revealing Angel 145
§6.3.1 The Functional Equivalence Between Jesus
and the Revealing Angel 153
§6.4 Conclusion 155
Chapter Seven: THE CHRISTOPHANY IN APOCALYPSE 1.13-16 (PART A) 156
§7.1 Introduction 156
§7.2 Jesus and the Angels 157
§7.2.1 The Mighty Angel (Apocalypse 10.1-3) 158
§7.2.2 The Seven Bowl-Angels (Apocalypse 15.6-7) 167
§7 .2.3 The Angel with Great Authority (Apocalypse 18.1) 168
§7.2.4 Conclusion 170
§7.3 Jesus, the Living Creatures, and the Elders 171
§7.3.1 The Four Living Creatures 171
§7.3.2 The Twenty-Four Elders 175
§7.3.3 Conclusion 176
§7.4 The Christophany and the Theophany 176
§7.4.1 Conclusion 179
§7.5 Conclusion 179
Chapter Eight: THE CHRISTOPHANY IN APOCALYPSE 1.13-16 (PART B) 180
§8.1 Introduction 180
§8.2 The Setting of the Christophany 180
§8.3 The Christophany in the Context of Daniel and Ezekiel 184
§8.3.1 The Christophany and Daniel 7.9 190
§8.3.2 The Christophany and Daniel 7.13 192
§8.3.3 The Christophany and Ezekiel 9.2 197
§8.3.4 The Christophany and Ezekiel 1.24/43.2 198
§8.3.5 Conclusion 199
§8.4 The Christophany and its Context in Epiphanic Tradition Outside the
Old Testament 200
§8.5 The Angelomorphic Jesus in Apocalypse 1.13-16 203
§8.5.1 Jesus as an Angelomorphic Human? 208
§8.5.2 Jesus as an Angel? 208
§8.5.3 Resolving a Paradox 211
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§8.6 Conclusion 214
Chapter Nine: ONE LIKE A SON OF MAN IN APOCALYPSE 14.14 215
§9.1 Introduction 215
§9.2 Apocalypse 14.14 with Special Reference to the Form of the Figure 221
§9.2.1 Conclusion 233
§9.3 The Identity of the Figure in Apocalypse 14.14 234
§9.3.1 The Figure is an Angel? 234
§9.3.2 The Figure is Jesus? 236
§9.3.3 Towards A Solution 237
§9.3.4 Conclusion 240
§9.4 The Angelomorphic Jesus in Apocalypse 14.14 241
§9.5 Conclusion 243
Chapter Ten: THE RIDER IN APOCALYPSE 19.11-16 244
§1 0.1 Introduction 244
§1 0.1.1 The Identity of the Rider 244
§1 0.1.2 Text Critical Issues 245
§1 0.1.3 The Blood Imagery 248
§10.1.4 Possible Interpolations in Apocalypse 19.12 and 19.13 250
§1 0.1.5 Non-Angelic Characteristics of the Rider 252
§1 0.1.6 Angelological Influence on the Description of the Rider 252
§1 0.2 Jesus Christ as a Rider on a Horse 255
§ 10.3 Leader of the Heavenly Armies 25 7
§10.4 The Secret Name 262
§10.5 The Logos-Name 267
§1 0.5.1 The Logos of God in the Apocalypse 267
§10.5.2 The Biblical Background to the Logos-Name 270
§ 10.6 Conclusion 273
Chapter Eleven: CONCLUSION 275
§11.1 Summary and Results 275
§11.2 Broader Considerations 278
§11.2.1 The Christology of the Apocalypse 278
§11.2.2 An Early Christology? 279
§11.3 And Finally... 280
BIBLIOGRAPHY 281
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DECLARATION
I confirm that no part of this material has been previously submitted by me for a degree in
the University of Durham or any other University.
STATEMENT OF COPYRIGHT
The Copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published
without his prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged.
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...
PREFACE
The origins of this project have been dimmed in my memory. I recall being interested in
doing something in christology for my third year dissertation at Knox Theological Hall,
Dunedin, N.Z., in 1986. But what led me to focus on the Apocalypse of John now escapes
me. In that dissertation I focused on 'Lamb' christology and I realised that the christology of
the Apocalypse was a comparatively little worked field of NT studies. My intention to do
further research led me to the University of Durham. In the course of three and a haH years
research the focus of my interest in the christology of the Apocalypse has switched to
'angelomorphic christology' and this dissertation is the fruit of my labours.
It is my pleasant task to thank a number of folk who have helped me in various ways to
undertake and complete this dissertation.
First and foremost is Teresa, my wife, whom I thank for encouraging me at each step along
the way, for nurturing our family, and for keeping us afloat financially in the latter stages of
the research.
Secondly, I would like to thank my extended whanau, the Carrell and Kundycki families,
both in New Zealand and in Britain, who have helped in many ways, large and small. Special
thanks go to our parents, Brian and May Carrell, and Stan and Joan Kundycki. In the same
breath go my thanks to many friends both in New Zealand and in Britain who have helped in
all kinds of ways. It is invidious to single folk out from a large list but special thanks must go to
friends in Durham whose care of our children enabled me to keep working when Teresa also
had to work: Derek, Lea, and Anna Tovey, Barry and Ruth Thomas, Michael and Sarah
Leather, Robert and Alison Hand, Tim and Martha Mclay, John and Mavis Payne, and
Stefan and Silvia Friebel. I would also like to thank my uncle and aunt, Robin and Sue
Carrell, for their generous hospitality on numerous visits to Cambridge.
Without the support of various funding bodies we would never have left the shores of New
Zealand and been able to stay in Britain until the completion of the dissertation. The St.
John's College Trust Board, Auckland, N.Z., who contributed the substantive portion of my
funding through a Post Ordination Scholarship, receive a special vote of thanks. An ORS
Award from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the
United Kingdom made a substantial contribution to the payment of fees. Smaller grants
through the University of Durham and the Council of Tyndale House, Cambridge, England
were also appreciated. The latter was particularly appreciated as it enabled me to make use
of the remarkable research facilities at Tyndale House. Finally, unexpected and generous
gifts from various friends and family, especially from our Housegroup here in Durham, have
been welcome and are also gratefully acknowledged.
All the mistakes herein are my responsibility but if some good arguments and valuable
insights are found then the credit should be shared with, if not given wholly over to a
number of valued friends and colleagues in the world of academia.
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