Kościół jako reszta potomstwa kobiety-Izraela w świetle Ap 12

Abstract

The basis for the analyses made in this essay is the interpretation of the figure of the Woman in Rev 12 as a symbol of Israel which brings forth the Messiah. By this event, Israel’s role in the history of salvation is over. It is pointed out by the Woman’s departure into the desert, which refers to the departure of Hagar in the moment when Isaac, the legal successor-to-be of Abraham, was born. This essay proposes that the Church be seen not as the Woman but as “the Rest of her offspring” mentioned in Rev 12:17. This description refers to the OT idea of the “Rest of Israel”. What defines “the Rest” is obeying God’s commandments and keeping the testimony of Jesus. These descriptions show that the identity of the Church is shaped primarily by faithfulness to the commandments. This faithfulness should be understood in the current of the Johannine tradition, stressing not only on keeping the Decalogue or the commandment of mutual love, but on maintaining steadfast faith in Jesus. The second attribute of “the Rest” is to hold the testimony of Jesus in its double meaning: the testimony brought by Jesus (i.e. the revelation given by Him) on the one side, and the testimony about Jesus (made by the community), on the other side. All this is connected with keeping “the paschal memory about Jesus”. It doesn’t mean “a passive” keeping of Jesus’ testimony, but an active one, i.e. the one which influences the life of the Church.