Apocalypse

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famous hero of the past. The third thing that happens is the content of apocalypses this involves both the horizontal and vertical dimensions. The apocalypse can also be broken into two separate categories otherworldly journey and those that contain no otherworldly journey. (Reddish pg21) Ex eventu prophecy had at least two purposes for the apocalyptic writer. The first use was to fulfill prophecies and give the author credibility. The second purpose was create hope and assurance for the persecuted and oppressed individuals. (Reddish pg23)
Pre- Apocalyptic Religious Thoughts
Mesopotamians believed that a demon Asakku came down to earth in a cloud or on the north wind. Asakku caused sickness, killed newborn animals and raised sandstorms. He then fought with Asakku Ninurata where he was defeated at first, but with the advice his father Enilil gave him he was able to defeat the demon. He defeated the demon by causing a great flood and while the demon was overwhelmed, he stabbed the demon and killed it. The flood caused destruction to the earth. Ninurta once again saved the day he set a huge pile of rocks in front of Sumer, acting as a dam. As for the rest of the flood that covered the land, Ninurta canalized it and made it into the Tigris river.(Cohn pg45) This could have influenced the Jews views on the great flood that Noah went through.
The Egyptians are the ones believed to give the Jews the idea about heaven and hell, but cosmic ideas were seen in both religions. The Egyptians also gave their gods human or partly human forms, which could help explain why the Jews believe that the messiah will come in human form.(Cohn pg8)
The Zoroastrians might have given the Jews ideas about a battle between good and evil. “From the very beginning, the two stood face to face. But if the two were to do cosmic wars they would need allies and since no possible allies were in existence that meant they had to create them.”(Cohn pg83) Ahura Maz...