Texts in Conversation
Revelation’s description of the dead being judged according to their deeds echoes the language of Psalm 62, which declares that each person is fairly repaid for their actions. Revelation incorporates this ethical principle into its narrative of universal judgment.
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Psalm 62:12
Hebrew Bible
9 Men are nothing but a mere breath; human beings are unreliable. When they are weighed in the scales, all of them together are lighter than air. 10 Do not trust in what you can gain by oppression. Do not put false confidence in what you can gain by robbery. If wealth increases, do not become attached to it. 11 God has declared one principle; two principles I have heard: God is strong, 12 and you, O Lord, demonstrate loyal love. For you repay men for what they do.
Date: 6th-3rd Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Revelation 20:12
New Testament
11 Then I saw a large white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and another book was opened—the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds.
Date: 92-96 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The Old Testament and Judaism stressed that God was righteous and would reward his people (e.g., Genesis 15:1; Psalm 18:20; 19:11; Isaiah 49:4; 4 Ezra). That God would give each person according to his or her works was also Old Testament teaching (e.g., Psalm 62:12; see Revelation 20:12) ..."
Keener, Craig S.
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament
(p. 776) InterVarsity Press, 2014
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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