Acknowledgments
This book is a revised version of my doctoral thesis, completed at the University of Birmingham under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Davies. I am grateful to Dr. John Christopher Thomas and Dr. Melissa Archer for the opportunity to publish this book as a volume in the Brill Journal of Pentecostal Theology Supplemental series, for which they serve as editors. I would also like to thank my School of Theology and Ministry professors and colleagues at Vanguard University. Tremendous gratitude goes to Dr. William C. Williams, who taught me to read, to study, and to love the Hebrew Bible. He pushed me to work harder in my MA program than I thought myself capable, and without his patient instruction and gentle nudging to continue my education, I likely never would have attempted a Ph.D. I am particularly grateful to Dr. Frank Macchia, whose classroom instruction and spontaneous ‘hallway conversations’ helped me to process ideas and direction for my research. Particularly, Dr. Macchia’s insights on the issues of judgment and mercy in the book of Revelation, as well as his contributions to Pentecostal eschatology, have been extremely helpful in shaping my own views. I also owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Dr. April Westbrook, whose more than two decades of prophetic insight, profound teaching, godly wisdom, loving mentorship, and deep friendship have challenged me to follow God’s calling on my life. More than any other individual, she encouraged me to pursue the Ph.D., and along with Dr. Sheri Benvenuti, quite literally prayed me through it—and for that I am eternally thankful. Tragically, Sheri lost her battle with cancer before I finished writing, but I gained continual strength from her prayers, and her words of encouragement constantly echoed in my mind as I wrote. I hope that this book, in a small way, can honor her legacy.
I am exceedingly grateful to Dr. Andrew Davies, my Ph.D. supervisor at The University of Birmingham; first, for the honor of accepting me to study with him, and second, for providing such excellent guidance throughout the program. He continually amazed me with his ability to simultaneously maintain tremendous attention to detail and ‘big picture’ perspective on the overall flow of the project (although all shortcomings or errors in this study are mine). Yet the most profound insight he offered along the way had little to do with writing. Once after expressing my frustrations of wanting to finish this book more quickly, he said, “Instead of asking, ‘When will I finish this Ph.D.?’ ask, ‘What is this Ph.D. doing to me?’” He helped me to realize that the personal transformation involved in completing a Ph.D. thesis and eventually a book—intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually—was every bit as valuable as the degree itself. For that wisdom and guidance, I am tremendously grateful.
Finally, the completion of this book would not have been possible without the loving support of my family and friends. I never would have imagined that half-way through the Ph.D. program, my husband, Paul, and I would receive the greatest gift and miracle of our lives—the adoption of our son, Gabriel. Special thanks go to our parents, Russ and Margaret Stillwell, Tom and Lynne Dresser, and Michael and Colleen Jackson, whose endless hours of loving care for Gabriel enabled me to continue writing. I am also so grateful to my beloved siblings and close friends (you know who you are!) who have prayed for me, encouraged me, and generally kept me sane throughout this process. Thank you also to Bruce and Sandy Wegner, whose generous use of their mountain cabin enabled me to finish my final edits. The greatest thanks of all goes to my husband, Paul, whose encouragement and belief in me made the completion of this book possible. Most of all, I am grateful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for whose sake I pursue biblical scholarship, desiring above all else to glorify the Lamb who is worthy.