Apocalypse: An Overview, By John J. Collins

In today’s modern times, the term “apocalypse” has come to mean a plethora of things to many different people. However, historically speaking, apocalypse has a much more defined and spiritual connotation that has been well documented throughout literary records. In the article, “Apocalypse: An Overview,” author John J. Collins provides a detailed review of the historical definitions and significance of apocalyptic text in modern day religions.
According to the Apocalypse of John, or Book of Revelations (New Testament), the genre known as apocalypse refers to “mysterious revelations that are mediated or explained by a supernatural figure, usually an angel….that disclose a world of supernatural powers…and include the judgment of the dead.” In
The Christian apocalypses (Book of Revelations) were heavily influenced by Jewish archetypes – identified as the historical apocalypses and the otherworldly journey – both of which are found in the Book of Daniel, 4 Ezra, 2 Baruch, and parts of 1 Enoch. The Jewish historical apocalypses, as interpreted by an angel, were typically allegorical and prophetic in nature, and foretold of an old world replaced by a new one. The second type of Jewish apocalypse, the otherworldly journey, illustrates a mystical ascent of a spiritual figure to heaven and is based much on a personal afterlife. As already mentioned, Christianity and Jewish traditions were not the only cultures that practiced apocalyptic ideas; there is evidence that American Indian, Middle Eastern, and more specifically, the ancient Persian cultures held revelations as well that prophesied a spiritual
It is within this context that the concept of millennialism, or distinct historical stages, took root in what is known as modern day Christianity and heavily influenced what is now the King James Bible. Similar apocalypticism components are also found in Islam, specifically “resurrection of the dead, day of judgment and salvation, and damnation in the endtime.” The main differential feature between Islam and Christianity/Judaic traditions is that predictions were viewed as teachings versus visionary revelations. The author, in conclusion of his examination on the origins of apocalypticism, examines modern day use of the term apocalypse. He concludes that today’s usage has little to do with the ancient apocalypses and is associated not only with religion, but also with secular movements and science