Subject: Mark of the Beast |
Bible Note: Hi John, On your question 1, the Greek word is "apokalupsis", which is from "apokalupto", which means "to take off the cover". To unveil, to reveal. So "apokalupsis" would mean "the unveiling". On you question 2, the following is from the "online etymology dictionary": "c.1303, "disclosure of information to man by a divine or supernatural agency," from O.Fr. revelacion, from L. revelationem (nom. revelatio), from revelatus, pp. of revelare (see reveal). General meaning "disclosure of facts" is attested from c.1375; meaning "striking disclosure" is from 1862. As the name of the last book of the New Testament (Revelation of St. John), it is first attested c.1400 (see apocalypse); as simply Revelations, it is first recorded 1691." Regarding your question 3, I have included the definition above, in 1. Perhaps this will help: There is a body of literature known as Hebrew Apocalyptic. Some examples of this are: Book of Heavenly Luminaries 250 B.C. Ethiopic Enoch circa 175 B.C. Jubilees circa 150 B.C. Testament of Levi 137-107 B.C. Similitudes of Enoch circa 50 B.C. Slavonic Enoch 1-100 C.E. Ezra Apocalypse 100-120 C.E. Syriac Baruch 2 Baruch 100-120 C.E. Testament of Abraham 75-125 C.E. Apocalypse of Abraham 70-150 C.E. These writings are grouped together largely because of their claim to speak of the future, and that they are filled with symbols and obscure references that lack any kind of clear meaning. The name of this genre is a more modern choice, and comes out of secular study of ancient literature. Many will include Zephaniah, Zechariah, Daniel, and the Revelation as a part of this genre. I do not. The writings named above, excluding those of the Biblical Canon, are not inspired Scripture, therefore, are not to be considered in the same way as inspired Scripture. So to answer your question, there are a number of different opinions regarding understanding Hebrew Apocalyptic Literature. Some will try to apply those ideas to the inspired prophetic writings in the Bible. I do not believe that is proper, and I apply the same rules to prophetic passages as I do to non-prophetic passages. What may perhaps be my primary disagreement with those who want to lump these together is that they will go on to say that you can't understand the Biblical prophetic writings any more than you can understand any of the Hebrew Apocalyptic. God put these prophetic passages in the Bible to give information by His Spirit to His children, not to hide it from them, and so I believe that they can in fact be understood, by diligent study, by prayer, by the revelatory work of the Holy Spirit. Does this help? Let me know if you have any other questions. Love in Christ, Mark |