Bible Interpretation, Student Workbook, SW05

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B I B L E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

(2) The content of the heavens

(3) The vision of the heavenly throne-room

(4) The realms of the dead

(5) The problem of human suffering and theodicy

c. Written under a pseudonym (a different name than the author’s real name) usually a great character of the biblical past (e.g., Enoch, Ezra)

d. Given usually through dreams, visions, or special revelations in which rich symbolic representations are interpreted to the “seer” (i.e., the recipient of the vision) by an angel

4. Two main types of Jewish apocalypses

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a. Cosmological apocalypses – concentrate on the secrets of the cosmos and the heavens which are revealed in other-worldly journeys

b. Historical-eschatological apocalypses – (cf. Daniel) – focus on God’s purposes in history, covering summaries of human history where God has ordained certain periods

(1) They focus on the coming of the end of human history.

(2) They speak of God’s coming victory over the evil powers and nations destroying and oppressing people. (3) They talk of God’s utter destruction of all results of the demonic powers, evil, and suffering associated with the fall. (4) They address God’s establishment of his everlasting Kingdom, including the resurrection from the dead, the judgment of the wicked and unrepentant, and the coming blessedness of the universe and the righteous.