Abstract

The OT and the NT have each one apocalyptic book: Daniel and Revelation. Both books consist of richly imaginative visions of the final triumph of God over the forces of evil—a theme and a genre of religious writing which enjoyed popularity in the inter-testimental period and was particularly consoling to devout Jews in times of persecution: Dn during the Seleucid persecution which culminated in the profanation of the Temple in 167 BC, and Rev during the persecution of Domitian circa AD 95. The very name indicates the drawing back of the veil from the secret design of God for the triumph of His Kingdom; but not everything is clearly revealed, and the history of the interpretations of Rev is as complicated as it is unrewarding. Nevertheless the main themes stand out: the Church and its struggle against Satan, and Christ whom God has appointed Judge to condemn the enemies of His people.