An Apocalyptic World View Understanding Daniel and the some other “strange” texts

Apocalyptic Literature From the Greek word apokalypsis which means revelation The first book length ones appear in the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries BCE Earlier hints of the form in Ezekiel and Zechariah The best example in the Hebrew Bible is Daniel (in the NT it is Revelation) Features supernatural figures communicating to the human community Often – but not always -- speaks of eschatological (or “end time” events) The present circumstances of the community (frequently a persecution or oppression) are highlighted as part of a supernatural struggle

Daniel Two distinct sections; chapters 1-6 and chapters is the apocalyptic section, although the message of 1-6 is not unrelated Pseudonym is used for the author; see Ezek 14:14 to understand the legendary status of Dan’el Ezek 14:12-14 The word of the Lord came to me: Mortal, when a land sins against me by acting faithlessly, and I stretch out my hand against it, and break its staff of bread and send famine upon it, and cut off from it human beings and animals, even if Noah, Daniel, and Job, these three were in it, they would save only their own lives by their righteousness, says the Lord God.

Alexander the Great ( BCE) Greek ruler Secured the land of “Israel” between 333 and 332 BCE Died at 33 without a successor Empire split between his four generals – the Diadochi Land of “Israel” first was under the control of the Ptolemies

Seleucids Seleucids take control around 198 BCE Antiochus IV eventually gets control of Palestine (around 175 BCE) Outlawed most Jewish practice; set up Zeus in the temple; executed Jews who did not comply Ephiphanes Epimanes Jewish revolt, led by the Maccabees was touched off in 165 BCE Mattathias, Judas were key figures Temple cleansed and rededicated in 164 BCE – the same year Antiochus IV dies Hasmonean Dynasty established in 142 BCE

More on Daniel Set during the reign of Antiochus IV Chapters 1-6 encourage faith and trust in God – even to the point of death Fiery Furnace (ch 3) Lions’ Den (ch 6)

Fiery Furnace Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego refuse to bow down to the golden statue (3:12) They say they will worship God alone – even if it means death (3:16-18) God with them in the fire (3:25) They are delivered (3:27)

Lions’ Den Daniel defies king (6:12), king reluctantly sentences him (6:16-18) Daniel delivered (6:23)

Stories Narratives in Daniel are not apocalyptic, but they tell you something about the times Persecution is not an empty threat. Death is a real possibility Encourages people to remain faithful Another shift in thinking makes it possible to risk your life for faith Daniel 12:2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt

Back to apocalyptic Dualistic world view Battle of good and evil; good will win, but evil really knows how to fight Need to show that God is ultimately in power, no matter how bad the situation gets on earth Like prophecy, God sends message through these writings Also like prophecy, God (and other supernatural forces) are moving in human events – but we need help discerning that movement But unlike prophecy, no king is in place and the covenant obligations are not stressed as much See Daniel 8 for an example Power of God reasserted (Zech 14:6-9)