Daniel, Apocalypse, and Eschatology

Last updated on: November 14, 2022 at 8:36 pm by William Hemsworth

Daniel, Apocalypse, and Eschatology 2022-11-14T20:36:02-07:00 William Hemsworth

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The book of Daniel is very interesting in regards to its Old Testament counterparts. The Hebrew version was written in Hebrew and Aramaic and is placed among the writings. The Greek version has stories that are not included in the Hebrew version. Bel and the dragon, and the prayer of Susanna are examples of these. The Greek version has Daniel listed as one of the Major Prophets. It is also ground breaking in that it is the first Apocalyptic work in sacred scripture. In Daniel we have Messianic prophecy, and the beginnings of eschatology.

Daniel And Eschatology

Eschatology literally means doctrine of last things. After the exile the people of Israel shifted their thinking to things of the future instead of the past. It is also important to note that although the exile was over the Davidic kingdom had not been reestablished, and in a way the people were still in exile. In due time YHWH will restore everything to himself and YHWH will reign over everything. In a way Israel was anxious for this to happen. They knew the only way they could have any kind of peace was if YHWH was reigning over all.

The focus on the future is the beginning of Apocolypticism, and will eventually fully develop to it. This literary form focuses on the “end time, which is expressed in mythical and symbolic language and revealed by a heavenly being (Study Notes).” It also included the judgment of nations and of the dead. Collins states “the judgment of individual dead is the motif that distinguishes the expectations of apocalypses from biblical prophecy (Collins, 564).”

The book of Daniel is a very important book in sacred scripture and to the development of Christianity. It is here that we have the first clear teaching on the resurrection of the dead, that angels are messengers of God, and it introduces the messianic ideal for Israel’s hope of salvation.

Image result for daniel apocalypse

Works Cited

Collins, John J. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2004.

Evangelical

General Christian

Previous Post

November 11, 2022

Sewing Hope Into Hearts with Bill Snyder

Next Post

November 19, 2022 Christianity's Dangerous Idea: A Review

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz