The Davidic shepherd as divine king in the New Jerusalem: John's use of Ezekiel 34:23-24, 37:24-25, and 40-48 in Revelation 21-22

2016·4.1 MB·English

by  Osterbrock, Aaron

ABSTRACT
This study will examine the relationship between Ezekiel and Revelation when it
comes to the portrayal of the Divine Presence in the eschatological holy city labeled
respectively by each, "The Lord is There" or the "New Jerusalem." John not only
borrows frequently from the final vision of Ezekiel (Ezek 40-48) to describe his final
vision (Rev 21-22), but he alludes to Ezekiel throughout the Apocalypse. John's
allusions often add significance to Ezekiel's initial meaning. The most substantial
example of this is found in John's treatment of the Ezekielian Davidic Shepherd (Ezek
34, 37, cf. 44-46). John demonstrates Jesus to be the Davidic Shepherd as well as the
Divine Presence. John, in the same vein as Ezekiel, also portrays the Divine Presence as
King throughout Revelation, especially in his final vision of the fully inaugurated
Kingdom. The combining of John's portrayal of the Davidic Shepherd as the Divine
Presence, through Jesus, and the Divine Presence as King results in the main argument of
this thesis: the Davidic Shepherd is Divine King in the New Jerusalem.