3rd Annual Academic Symposium - Amber Johnson

The emotionally and spiritually evocative book of Revelation reaches its most significant and climatic moment in chapter twenty-one, with the heavenly descent of the New Jerusalem. John describes images and settings in a strategic fashion, envisioning the coming of the New Jerusalem by way of increasingly dramatic scenes. Of particular note is John's location on top of a mountain. This location is more than a good vantage point from which to see the unfolding events. The paper argues that the mountain top setting makes best sense when located within Jewish apocalyptic expectation. Specifically, such a setting emphasizes John's prophetic authority and the certainty of the vision.