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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 November 2009
In Part II we have attempted to reconstruct Matthew's particular apocalyptic-eschatological scheme. It is clear from the discussion that the evangelist embraces a comprehensive apocalyptic-eschatological world view which includes and emphasises all the eight major characteristics of this religious perspective. Some of these elements are attributable to his Christian heritage, while others stand more in line with Jewish apocalyptic eschatology. His interest in this religious perspective is apparent from his redaction of his Christian sources, his adoption of certain Jewish sources and his outright creation of important apocalyptic-eschatological pericopae (e.g. 13:36–3, 49–50).
The evangelist promotes a developed form of cosmic dualism. The cosmic order is involved in a desperate fight for supremacy. On the one side stand God, Jesus the Son of Man and his angelic forces, and on the other stands Satan and his retinue of fallen angels. The human world is also engaged in this conflict and all individuals must choose whether they take the part of the heavenly world or its demonic counterpart. There is no middle ground or neutrality in this battleground. As we find in the Qumran War scroll and Revelation, Matthew adopts other aspects of this perspective, notably the idea of the final war between these two opposing sides as the final event in history. The evangelist also emphasises the concept of historical determinism which is commonly found throughout both Jewish and Christian texts.
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