Abstract
M.A.
In this study the question on the eschatology of the New Testament is handled.
Most New Testament scholars never try to compare the eschatology of Paul with
the eschatology of the book of Revelation. Can this two works be compared or
are they so different that they cannot be compared? There was a remarkable
development in the eschatology of the period between the two testaments and
even during the duration of the New Testament. These influences are considered
to make a comparison between the writings of the early church and the Jewish
people.The writings of Paul were by no means written to give a full eschatology but the
letters is full of eschatological thoughts. The Apocalypse of John on the other
hand is so full of eschatological meaning that almost the whole book has to do
with eschatology. To compare these two is therefore very significant. It is
considered that the two writing had one common source of apocalyptic thought.
The development within the Jewish thought also shed some light on the meaning
of some of Paul's doctrine. The two different settings in which the two authors
lived also played an important role. Although both authors experienced
persecution in some sense, the question that arises is if they perceived it different
from each other's experience.
The method used in the study is the literal comparison method. The two works
is compared on the grounds of literal differences as well as the exegetical
differences. The apocalyptic traditions of the Jews and the early Christians also
are brought into view. The backgrounds of the writers are considered although
not much is known about John who wrote Revelation. The influences of the
Greek and Roman cultures play an important role to understand the development
of the eschatological thought.It seems that there is much more conformity between the letters of Paul and the
book of Revelation than what most people think. The purpose of the two works
is different and many times the eschatology of Revelation is not included in the
eschatology of the rest of the New Testament because of its symbols and images.
Paul's strong Jewish background played an important role in his eschatology.
The Pauline readers had an expectation for the coming of Christ but the crisis
that is experienced in Revelation gave the readers an ever-greater expectation for
the coming of the Son of Man. The cosmic occurrences and al the symbolism
adds up to a great end in the Final Age. Those who persevere the enemies of
God and serve the only one true God will be rewarded justly. The study can to
the conclusion that behind the two eschatological works lies a common tradition,
which developed from the apocalyptic thought of the early Christian age.