30.5

Some Common Features of Apocalypses (Box 30.1)

• pseudonymous
• addressed to persons experiencing suffering and persecution
• seek to motivate faithfulness in a time of crisis
• heavy use of symbolism, including numbers and colors
• engagement with otherworldly beings, such as angels and demons
• bizarre menagerie of fantastic creatures
• spiritual or supernatural visions, often interpreted by otherworldly beings
• portentous dreams that must also be interpreted
• mystical journeys from the earthly plane to a heavenly or spiritual realm
• review of history with ultimate culmination linked to the present era
• secrets revealed about imminent cosmic transformations
• forecast of cosmic catastrophes
• liturgical settings and elements, such as altars, temples, hymns
• unveiling of the true-but-hidden character of present circumstances
• radically dualistic outlook: clear distinction between good and evil with no ambiguity
• deterministic view of history: all proceeds according to a preordained divine plan
• pessimistic forecast for the world as is: things will go from bad to worse
• hope for a favored remnant lies in radical divine intervention