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Comparison of Apocalyptic Writing and Prophecy
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Comparison of Apocalyptic Writing and Prophecy
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Comparison of Apocalyptic Writing and Prophecy
The original and official name of the book of
Revelation is "Apocalypse of
John"; in fact, "revelation" is just an English translation of the Greek word "
apocalupsis." So apparently
we are safe in concluding that
Revelation is an sample of apocalyptic writing.
Apocalyptic writing, or just "apocalyptic," grew out of prophecy, it but differs
from prophecy in several ways, as summarized in the following table.
| Characteristics of Apocalyptic Writing | Characteristics of Prophecy |
| Visionary - the message is seen. | The Word is heard. |
| Usually written, typically in esoteric prose | Usually oral for quite some time before being written; usually brief oracle, poetic |
| Usually pseudonymous (so it pretends to be prophetic and then "sealed" until "end times." Revelation is not pseudonymous.) | Usually presented under the prophet's own name |
| Always symbolic, although always clear to the intended audience | Concrete, plain as day both to the people for whom it was written and to any other readers |
| Always eschatological, that is, concerned with end times | Usually concerned with immediate events |
| Always epic - describing the acts of God, Satan, etc. | Usually about the historical process directed by God |
| Foretells the future that will break into history at some undetermined time | Foretells the future that will arise out of the present |
| Describes great world empires as adversaries of God | Describes great world empires as God’s instruments to execute his will on his faithless people |
| Tracts for hard times - a call for endurance until God does something | Threats of hard times - a call for repentance, or else God will do something |
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