Bible Studies

APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE

by Morris Inch
09/06/16
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APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE

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Along with wisdom and prophetic literature, there is the apocalyptic genre. It consists largely of visions. Consequently, it is least intelligible, unless accompanied by interpretation. Moreover, this involves extensive symbolism.

In this regard, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isa. 55:9). Not simply because of our finite character, but fallen condition. Regardless of the genre employed, but especially as evidenced with the use of apocalyptic imagery.

In greater detail, "Old Testament apocalyptic is a sub-type of the larger literary category of eschatology. The word ‘eschatology’ means simply a concern with the crisis of the End (eschaton). For the most part, their vision of the decisive events of the End is expressed in the idiom of ‘realistic Eschatology,’ so named because it understands the Day of Yahweh to be within the historical experience of Israel" (W. Sibley Towner, Daniel, p. 10).

"In distinction from ‘realistic’ eschatology, apocalyptic is a is a form of eschatology which has been dramatically amplified in a cosmic direction. God’s victory on that day is wrought out of cosmic as well as earthly struggle, and beyond that day lies a world that comes more and more to look like a new Eden, ruled by a new Adam" (Ibid., p. 11).

Examples proliferate. "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered" (Dan. 12:1). In rabbinic tradition, this consists of those Jews who are faithful to their covenant obligations, and the righteous Gentiles. As for the latter, such as observe God’s covenant with Noah—the patriarch of the nations.

"Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." In this regard, it is important to distinguish the Greek belief in the immortality of the soul from the Judaeo-Christian belief in the resurrection. "Immortality, in fact, is only a negative assertion: the soul does not die, but simply lives on. Resurrection is a positive assertion: the whole man, who has really died, is recalled to life by a new act of creation by God" (Oscar Cullmann, "Immortality of the Soul, or Resurrection of the Dead?" Immortality or Resurrection—Krister Stendahl, ed., p. 19).

"But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge." In brief, hope in the future, but engage in the present. Only then will one harvest what he or she has sown.

Another case in point, "A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth" (Rev. 12:1-2). Variously interpreted, it seems best to identify the woman with the chosen people. Accordingly, a crown of twelve stars would appear to be a reference to the twelve tribes.

"Then another sign appeared in heaven, an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten crowns on his head. "The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born." "By linking the dragon to the number seven, elsewhere symbolic of the ordained outworking of God's salvation, and to the crown motif, elsewhere smybolic of  God's sovereignty, John points the readers to evil's most fundamental  idolatry: the promotion of secular power over what belongs to the creator God and God's exalted Lamb"(Robert Wall. Revelation, p. 160).

While the dragon has extensive power, it is limited. The woman gave bgirth to a son "who would rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne." Whereuon, the woman would flee to the wilderness, where she would be cared for. So we are assured that "God will always prevail, and God's plan for Messiah to deliver the true Israel frrom evil" (Ibid., p. 161).

If, as alleged, "one picture is worth a thousand words," such examples would seem to qualify. Their symbolic structure leave a lasting impression on the readers, as a caution against procrastination and an encouragement to righteous resolve.