Abstract:
The reading and interpretation (exegesis) of Revelation 20 conjures controversy and ongoing
scholarly debates due to the fact that there is generally no consensus about its semantic
signification. It is imperative to also consider the fact that there is a pervasive utilisation of
complex polysemic figurative stylisations in the textual composition of Revelation 20 which
further complicates its reading and interpretive process. Most significantly, there are numerous
intricate and disputed stylistic, thematic and semantic issues in the selected text that invite
further re-reading and re-interpretation from diverse interpretive approaches available. Thus,
this article takes heed to contemporary scholarly conversations about reading and interpretive
practices which encourage increased sensibility to the stylistic features of the text. The present
article is informed by insights from stylistics. The central argument in the modern hermeneutic
debate adopted in this article is that style or textual construction facilitates the conveyance of
meanings therefore both linguistic signification and contextual factors are useful semantic
dimensions which need to be critically studied. Such insightful ideas deserve a serious
consideration since they call for academic re-thinking of previously held interpretive
epistemologies that have relegated and trivialised the significant interface of linguistics and
New Testament studies. These ideas have profound implications for the stylistic analysis and
interpretation of the New Testament in this article. The continuous search for new hermeneutic
pathways and novel insights from academic debates make this research relevant, timely and
necessary.
