Re-reading Revelation 20:1-15 from a stylistic approach

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.