Sosio-historiese konteks en temas in drie Joodse apokaliptiese geskrifte

Abstract

<strong>The socio-historical context and themes in three Jewish apocalyptic writings</strong><br /><br /> Exile changed the Jewish world view. Before the exile this world view could be characterised as static and unchanging. However, the orderly world was threatened by powers of chaos, God guaranteed that order would be upheld. During the exile the view originated that history would end in a new future when salvation would come for some Jews. Salvation was regarded as consisting of health, high age and peace. On the basis of this changed world view apocalyptic writings of the third and second centuries BC developed. Apocalyptic literature pretended to reveal the true interpretation of the prophets’ message. The assumption was that what happened in heaven determined what would happen on earth. God revealed what was happening in heaven to the apocalypticist. The setting was domination by foreign powers and the wish to be free. Apocalyptic literature was pessimistic about the chances to be saved from the foreign powers of history, and foresaw an end to history and the known world. In the final confrontation God would defeat Satan and his powers and this would lead to the final transformation of the world