MARKAN SANDWICHES, EZEKIEL,
AND THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
A Markan Sandwich is a literary technique used where a narrative is interrupted by another narrative, creating a structure that resembles a sandwich: The technique involves starting with a narrative (the first piece of bread), inserting a second narrative (the meat), and then closing with the first narrative (the second piece of bread). This method allows the author to juxtapose two narratives, and the technique is not just a literary device but also serves to enrich the understanding of the narratives by layering different stories and teachings, allowing readers to see new connections and meanings. (Edited from an AI answer to "Markan Sandwich"). |
The reason it's called a "Markan Sandwich" is because scholars noticed the technique used by Mark in his gospel, but it's indeed a typical style of biblical writing which is seen very often in the books of the prophets. For example, it is seen in Ezekiel chapters 36-39 and in one of its parallel prophecies (Hosea 1):-
Hosea 1 was a prophecy regarding (what was then still) the coming judgment of the house of Israel, i.e the Northern kingdom, not of the house of Judah (the Southern kingdom). The prophecy was fulfilled circa 722 B.C:- Hosea 1:4-9: And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel. And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Lo–ruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away. But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen. Now when she had weaned Lo–ruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son. Then said God, Call his name Lo–ammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. Hosea 1:10-11a:
Hosea 1:10-11a is a prophecy which though related to Hosea 1:2-9, is not applicable to the same time-frame or even to the same millennium as the rest of the prophecy, but is sandwiched in-between the prophecy of Hosea 1:2-9, and the closing statement in Hosea 1:11b. Hosea 1:11b: and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel. |
The "Markan sandwich" technique is also found in the parallel prophecy of Ezekiel chapters 36-39, where Ezekiel 39:23-29 refers back to, and closes the prophecy of Ezekiel 36:16-38:
Ezekiel 36:24-26: For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 39: 25-27: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations .. Following this, Ezekiel saw a new temple and a new city in visions (Ezekiel 40:2), in the same way that John saw New Jerusalem and its Temple in visions. Because they are visions, they may (or may not) be symbolizing spiritual realities, rather than being meant to be taken up literally. The reader of the Bible decides whether or not this is the case (but there is only one correct answer), as well as whether or not the noteworthy parallels between the Revelation and Ezekiel are "coincidental" (but there is only one correct answer). |
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. | Ezekiel 37:1-3, 11-14, 24-28: 1 The hand of Yhwh was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of Yhwh, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord Yhwh, thou knowest. 11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. 12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Yhwh; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And ye shall know that I am Yhwh, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, 14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I Yhwh have spoken it, and performed it, saith Yhwh. 24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. 25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. 26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 28 And the heathen shall know that I Yhwh do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore. |
Revelation 21:1-7 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. | Ezekiel 37:27: "My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Ezekiel 37:27). |
CLOSE OF THE THOUSAND YEARS
Ezekiel 38:2-3, 8-9: "Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, Thus saith the Lord Yhwh; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, .." ".. After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them. Thou shalt ascend and come like a storm, thou shalt be like a cloud to cover the land, thou, and all thy bands, and many people with thee." | Revelation 20:7-9: "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. Ezekiel 39:6: "And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am Yhwh." |
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