Source: Marvin A. Sweeney, Jewish Mysticism: From Ancient Times through Today (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2020), 167–206.
5. Jewish Apocalyptic Literature.mp4
JEWISH APOCALYPTIC LITERATUR.wav
This podcast delves into Jewish apocalyptic literature, describing it as a bridge between biblical prophecy and later mystical writings, focused on revealing hidden heavenly realities that impact the earthly realm. Key examples discussed include the biblical books of Daniel and Joel, the Christian book of Revelation, and significant works from Second Temple Judaism like 1 Enoch and 4 Ezra, all of which employ visionary elements and often feature angelic guides. The text emphasizes how this literature is concerned with understanding divine plans, especially in relation to the Jerusalem Temple and its destruction or future restoration. Proto-apocalyptic elements in prophetic and wisdom literature are also explored, highlighting the evolving nature of discerning divine intent through both transcendent revelation and observation of creation. Ultimately, this literature seeks to understand divine justice and guide communities toward righteousness in preparation for a promised future transformation.
When most of us hear the word "apocalypse," our minds jump to images of fire raining from the sky, cosmic battles, and the cataclysmic end of the world. It’s a concept that fuels blockbuster movies and bestselling novels. But what if this popular understanding is a major historical misunderstanding?
The truth is that the original meaning of "apocalypse" is quite different and, frankly, far more interesting. These ancient texts are less about predicting a future cosmic finale and more about processing contemporary crises, navigating political turmoil, and maintaining a profound connection to a single, sacred place. They are powerful, historically-grounded documents written by people trying to make sense of their own turbulent times. This wasn't a brand new invention; this "apocalyptic" style grew directly out of Israel's long traditions of prophecy and wisdom literature, blending the grand, mythological visions of prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel with a search for divine order in the world.
Here are four of the most surprising and counter-intuitive truths about Jewish apocalyptic literature that challenge everything you thought you knew.
The first and most fundamental misunderstanding comes from the word itself. "Apocalypse" is derived from the Greek apokalypsis, which means a "revelation" or the "uncovering of hidden things." These texts were not primarily about a final end, but about revealing a hidden, divine reality to make sense of present-day suffering.
The standard academic definition, offered by scholar John Collins, describes the genre as:
“a genre of revelatory literature with a narrative framework, in which a revelation is mediated by an otherworldly being to a human recipient, disclosing a transcendent reality which is both temporal, insofar as it envisages eschatological salvation, and spatial insofar as it involves another supernatural world.”
While influential, this definition is arguably incomplete. Because it was developed largely within the study of early Christianity, it places a heavy emphasis on "eschatological salvation"—a concept tied to the end of time and personal eternal life.