apocalyptic literature definition
Apocalyptic literature is a genre of prophetical writing that developed in post-Exilic Jewish culture and was popular among millennialist early Christians.he imagery in apocalyptic literature is not realistic or reflective of the physical world as it was, but is rather surreal and fantastic, invoking a sense of wonder at the complete newness of the new order to come.  Apocalypse  (ἀποκάλυψις) is a Greek word meaning revelation, an unveiling or unfolding of things not previously known and which could not be known apart from the unveiling.. As a genre, apocalyptic literature details the authors' visions of the end times as revealed by an angel or other heavenly messenger.he imagery in apocalyptic literature is not realistic or reflective of the physical world as it was, but is rather surreal and fantastic, invoking a sense of wonder at the complete newness of the new order to come. The book of Revelation belongs to a class of chiefly Jewish (and later Christian) literature called “apocalyptic.” The word “apocalypse” has been borrowed from the book of Revelation and applied to these other writings.Apocalyptic refers, in a broad sense, to a group of books written between 200 B.C. and A.D. 100.he book of Revelation belongs to a class of chiefly Jewish (and later Christian) literature called “apocalyptic.” The word “apocalypse” has been borrowed from the book of Revelation and applied to these other writings. Apocalyptic refers, in a broad sense, to a group of books written between 200 B.C. and A.D. 100. General Overviews. Collins 1998a represents the standard introduction to ancient Jewish apocalyptic literature, providing a survey of apocalyptic literature’s historical development and the consensus definition of a literary apocalypse.Nickelsburg 2005 interprets Jewish apocalyptic texts in the context of historical developments.eneral Overviews. Collins 1998a represents the standard introduction to ancient Jewish apocalyptic literature, providing a survey of apocalyptic literature’s historical development and the consensus definition of a literary apocalypse. The word apocalyptic, derived from the Greek word apokalypsis, means “revelation” or “unveiling,” and is applied to these writings because they contain alleged revelation of the secret purposes of God, the end of the world, and the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.he word apocalyptic, derived from the Greek word apokalypsis, means “revelation” or “unveiling,” and is applied to these writings because they contain alleged revelation of the secret purposes of God, the end of the world, and the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. Apocalyptical elements (αποκαλυπτειν, to reveal something hidden) can be detected in the prophetical books of Joel and Zechariah, while Isaiah chapters 24–27 and 33 present well-developed apocalypses. The Book of Daniel offers a fully matured and classic example of this genre of literature.he imagery in apocalyptic literature is not realistic or reflective of the physical world as it was, but is rather surreal and fantastic, invoking a sense of wonder at the complete newness of the new order to come. Video games, movies, television--post-apocalyptic literature is right under our noses, and you might not have even realized it!ny connection to the pre-apocalyptic world and its culture has been lost, and the younger generations have even started to revere 'The Americans' as gods. This sort of mythologizing of events and people prior to the cataclysm is common in post-apocalyptic literature. The imagery in apocalyptic literature is not realistic or reflective of the physical world as it was, but is rather surreal and fantastic, invoking a sense of wonder at the complete newness of the new order to come.he imagery in apocalyptic literature is not realistic or reflective of the physical world as it was, but is rather surreal and fantastic, invoking a sense of wonder at the complete newness of the new order to come. 1 Apocalyptic literature often uses prophetic vision formula to see the future, “and I saw...” This phrase appears many times in Revelation. 2  It is not in the earliest examples of the genre, however. 3  The literature uses mysterious and symbolic language.tages of the history of Apocalyptic Literature. First is the biblical stage of the genre. The first known record of apocalyptic literature is Isaiah 24:40. It then continues sporadically throughout the book and the ending of Isaiah contains an apocalyptic vision of the New City. 1 Hence the name. 2  Apocalyptic literature often uses prophetic vision formula to see the future, “and I saw...” This phrase appears many times in Revelation. 3  It is not in the earliest examples of the genre, however.4  The literature uses mysterious and symbolic language.tages of the history of Apocalyptic Literature. First is the biblical stage of the genre. The first known record of apocalyptic literature is Isaiah 24:40. It then continues sporadically throughout the book and the ending of Isaiah contains an apocalyptic vision of the New City.
Apocalyptic literature is a genre of prophetical writing that developed in post-Exilic Jewish culture and was popular among millennialist early Christians.