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A-Z: General definitions: Apocalypse

Definition

A revelation or 'unveiling' of future events; the heavenly world in a highly symbolic form. The Bible has two main apocalyptic books - Daniel (Old Testament) and Revelation (New Testament). Apocalyptic literature is concerned with the end of the world or revealing future events.

Heaven is presented in Christianity and other faiths as the dwelling place of God and the future home of those who believe in and obey him. Heaven described as a place of joy, beauty and peace.

In literature, something that is chosen to take on a particular meaning by the writer, e.g. clouds as symbols of mutability.

The Christian Bible consists of the Old Testament scriptures inherited from Judaism, together with the New Testament, drawn from writings produced from c.40-125CE, which describe the life of Jesus and the establishment of the Christian church.

A 'testament' is a covenant or binding agreement and is a term used in the Bible of God's relationship with his people). The sacred writings of Judaism (the Hebrew Bible). These also form the first part of the Christian Bible.

A 'testament' is a covenant (binding agreement), a term used in the Bible of God's relationship with his people. The New Testament is the second part of the Christian Bible. Its name comes from the new covenant or relationship with God.

Ch 1-6 narrate stories about Daniel and his friends, exiles who remain faithful to God in the period of the Persian and Babylonian empires; includes accounts of surviving a lion's den, a fiery furnace, the story of Belshazzar's feast when Daniel interprets the writing on the wall. Ch 7-12 are a series of apocalyptic visions depicting the rise and fall of a succession of empires culminating in the establishment of the Kingdom of God.

Big ideas: Exile; Dreams, visions, prophecy; Famous stories from the Bible: Daniel and the lions

This is an example of apocalyptic literature, full of colourful imagery and symbolism. It contains seven letters to churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) who are commended for their zeal or criticised for lack of it. The overall message is that kingdom of God will triumph in the battle against evil and the book ends with a beautiful description of the Heavenly Jerusalem as the symbol of God's presence among humankind in a new heaven and earth.

Big ideas: Judgement; Dreams, visions and prophecy; Serpent, devil, Satan, beast; Apocalypse, Revelation, the End Times, the Second Coming