How Did Zoroastrian Eschatology Influence Judaism

Zoroastrian Eschatology Influence on Judaism Page 1
Eschatology is a set of theological doctrines as part of many world religious traditions, concerning the final events of history, or the ultimate destiny of mankind. It involves maters such as the faith of the soul after death, resurrection, reward or punishment, as well as the ultimate destiny of the entire universe. Eschatological and apocalyptic prospects are defined either in an individual or in a collective form, embracing individual souls, or entire humanity and the whole cosmos. Individual eschatology is a set of doctrines on the journey of the soul after death, individual judgment and receiving reward or punishment based on the individuals’ merits or sins. In contrast, collective eschatology is defined as a set of doctrines on the fate of the entire world and of humanity at the end of history or the last judgment. A number of major religious traditions have embodied individual and collective eschatology as part of their teachings,
Zarathustra developed a messianic traditions starting with himself, to be followed, at 1,000 years intervals, by three saviours, last of whom, the Saoshyant (future benefactors), will appear at the end time, who breathes life into the lifeless bodies of all humanity and facilitates the resurrection of the dead. This general resurrection will be followed by the Last Judgment, which will separate all the righteous from the wicked, both those who have lived until that time and those who have been judged already. Zoroaster’s apocalyptic vision portrays the Farshegird similar to a volcanic eruption, during which it is envisioned that the mountains metals will be melted down and flow in a glowing river that all human must pass through. While the righteous is not expected to feel any grief by passing through this molten metal river, it is expected to be very agonizing for the wicked