Page 17 - Daniel

The book of Daniel is rightly classified as an apocalyptic writing
because of its series of supernatural visions that exemplify the meaning
of the Greek word apokalypsis, which indicates an unveiling of truth that
would otherwise be concealed. Although apocalyptic works abound
outside the Bible, relatively few are found in Scripture. In the New

Testament only the book of Revelation can be classified as apocalyptic;
but in the Old Testament, Ezekiel and Zechariah are sometimes classified
as apocalyptic in addition to Daniel.

Alexander has provided an accurate and comprehensive definition of
apocalyptic literature in his study of this literary genre: “Apocalyptic
literature is symbolic visionary prophetic literature, composed during
oppressive conditions, consisting of visions whose events are recorded
exactly as they were seen by the author and explained through a divine
interpreter, and whose theological content is primarily eschatological.” 5

Alexander goes on to define the limits of apocalyptic literature: “On the
basis of this definition, a corpus of apocalyptic literature was
determined. The biblical and extrabiblical apocalyptic passages are
shown to include the Apocalypse of the New Testament; Ezekiel 37:1–
14, Ezekiel 40–48; Daniel’s visions in chapters 2, 7, 8, and 10–12;
Zechariah 1:7–6:8; I Enoch 90; II Esdras; II Baruch; and A Description of

New Jerusalem.” 6
Apocalyptic books outside the Bible are included among the
pseudepigrapha, many of which appeared about 250 B.C. and continued

to be produced in the apostolic period and later. Many of these
attempted to imitate the style of biblical apocalyptic books. Usually they
developed the theme of deploring the contemporary situation while
prophesying a glorious future of blessing for the saints and judgment on

the evil. The real author’s name is normally not given in apocalyptic
works outside the Bible. Apocalyptic works rightly included in the Old
Testament may be sharply contrasted to the pseudepigrapha because of
the more restrained character of their revelation, identification of the
author, and their contribution to biblical truth as a whole.

Apocalyptic works classified as pseudepigrapha include such titles as
Ascension of Isaiah; Assumption of Moses; Book of Enoch; Book of Jubilees;
Greek Apocalypse of Baruch; Letters of Aristeas; III and IV Maccabees;
Psalms of Solomon; Secrets of Enoch; Sibylline Oracles; Syriac Apocalypse of