The Content of Revelation in Jewish Apocalypses and John

Abstract

The content of revelation in Jewish apocalypses is often assumed to concern eschatology, but only three of the seven elements that define the content of “apocalypse” concern eschatological aspects. In addition, Jewish apocalypses do not contain every element; however, all Jewish apocalypses include some expectation of the judgment of the wicked and the salvation or redemption of the righteous, but they do so in different ways and with varying combinations of elements from the prototype apocalypse. The Gospel of John, while not containing the popular understandings of apocalyptic eschatology, demonstrates an interest in the fate of the wicked and the righteous in recognizably similar ways. In addition, John’s focus on protology, persecution of the righteous, and especially the existence of otherworldly regions and beings indicates its similarities with the content of Jewish apocalypses.