The seventieth week of Daniel 9:27 as a literary key for understanding the structure of the Apocalypse of John.

No current consensus on the structure of the Apocalypse of John exists. This obscurity may be expected because of the esoteric nature of apocalyptic literature. The purpose of the present research is to demonstrate that the judgment section of the Apocalypse (Rev. 4-19) is structured, in part, by the seventieth week of Daniel 9:27. The crucial literary and structural motif by which this is evidenced is the phrase abomination of desolation (sk45). The Greek phrase $\tau\grave o\ \beta\delta\acute\varepsilon\lambda\upsilon\gamma\mu\alpha\ \tau\tilde\eta\varsigma\ \varepsilon\rho\eta\mu\acute\omega\sigma\varepsilon\omega\varsigma$ as found in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 is quoted almost verbatim from the LXX and Theodotion's translation of sk45 in the Hebrew text of Daniel 9:27. The synoptic eschatological discourses of Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 provide the historical link between Daniel 9:27 and the Apocalypse. Chapter one examines apocalyptic features that are particularly common to Daniel and Revelation in order to demonstrate the close affinity that exists between these two works. Chapter two presents an exegetical study of Daniel 9 in order to establish a structural framework of the seventy weeks. Several views of the terminus a quo and terminus ad quem of Daniel 9 are analyzed. Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are the primary texts for analysis in chapter three. Commentary is presented in order to establish the common framework and structure underlying these prophetic discourses. This framework is then compared to Daniel 9 for literary and structural affinities. Chapter four compares the seventieth week of Daniel, the synoptic gospels, and the Apocalypse for literary and structural correlations. Linguistic and thematic parallels demonstrate the correlation of the Apocalypse to the synoptic discourses. Two theories, successive and sequential (recapitulation), relating to the structure of the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments are critiqued. This analysis produces a framework by which the judgment section of the Apocalypse is structured, and ultimately, a framework for the entire book. Finally, chapter five critiques current proposals on the structure of the Apocalypse. The strengths and weaknesses of these views are considered in view of the outline proposed in the present work.Ph.D.Biblical studiesPhilosophy, Religion and TheologyReligionTheologyUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/128529/2/9023599.pd