Observe that (1) justice is done to the claims of the righteous nation by the establishment of an eternal Messianic kingdom ; (2) and likewise to those of the righteous individual by his resurrection to a long life m this kingdom ; also (3) that Sheol has undergone transformation, and become an intermediate place of moral retribution for the righteous and the wicked for the first time in. literature ; (4) Gehenna appears as the final place
• For some treatment ot thu cr tical and exegetical queatloni of this work, the readers shou Id oocsult the article on this book.
ESCHATOLOGY
ESCIIATOLOGT
r43
of punishment for ai>ostate Jews, and Tartarus for the fallen angels ; and (5) that the tinal jud^Tiient precedes the Mtssianic kingdom, and is limited to Israel.
Daniel. — The eschatology of this book in some respects marks an advance on that of the WTiter
i'ust quoted. When the need of the ' saints of the .lost High ' is greatest (""• *■ 12', in the persecu- tion under Antiochus), the Ancient of Days will intervene, and His throne of judgment will be set np (7*), and the kingdoms of the world will be overthrown (7"' "), and supreme and everlasting dominion given to His saints (7"- *"• ") ; and these will ' break in pieces and consume ' (2") all the kingdoms of the world, and all ' peoples, nations, and lan^ages shall serve ' them (7'*) ; their ' do- minion IS an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away ' (7"). Ana the righteous who ' sleep in a land of dust * shall awake,' to share in the eternal life and blessedness of this kingdom (12'"').
Observe that (1) the Messianic kingdom — there is no Messiah — is established not only through the personal inter>'ention of God, but also through the active efforts of His saints. The latter feature reappears frequently in the later Apocalypses as the ' period of the sword.' (2) The resurrection is a resurrection of the body, and embraces all Israel. (3) The scene of the kingdom is the earth ; for ' all peoples, nations, and languages ' are its subjects (7"). (4) The context does not decide whether the risen body will possess its natural appetites, as in Eth. En. 1-36, but seems to favour this idea. (5) ' Everlasting life' (12", or rather ' seonian life' "n dSu') may mean nothing more than a very long life, as in Etli. En. 1-36. (6) Nothing is said as to the fnture abode of the Gentiles.
Elhiopic Enoch 83-90 (n.c. 166-161).— The writer of this book has advanced considerably beyond the naive and sensuous views presented in Eth. En. 1-56. His views are more spiritual, and closely allied to the Daniel Apocalypse, which was written a few years earlier. His eschatology is developed at greater length than that of Daniel. Like Daniel, he regards every people under heaven as being under the control of a guardian angel. But this view is peculiarly applied in this author. The undue severities that have befallen Israel are not from God's hand, but are the doing of the 70 shep- herds (i.e. angels) into whose care God had com- mitted Israel (8SJ*). But these angels have not wronged Israel with impunity ; for judgment is at hand. When their oppression is sorest, a rigliteous lea^e will be formed (i.e. the 5asidini, 90"), and in It there will be a family from which will come forth Judas the Maccabee (90'"'"), who will war victoriously against all the enemies of Israel. While the struggle is still ra":ing, God will appear in person, and tiie earth will swallow tlie aifver- saries of the righteous(90"'). The wicked shepherds and the fallen watchers wiU then be cast into an abyss of lire (i.e. Tartarus, 90'-"""), and the apos- tates into Gehenna (90*). Then God Himself will set up the New Jerusalem (90^- *), and the sur- viving Gentiles will be converted and serve Israel (90*'), and the dispersion will be broujiht back, and tlie riglitcmu Israelites will be raised to take part in the kingdom (90"*). When all is accomplished, the Messiah will appear (90"), and all will be transformed into his likeness.
Ob.serve (1) the growing consciousness of the evils and imperfections of tlie present world. Thus even Israel for a time is ruled by wicked angels. This dualism manifests itself also in the picture of
• Thla Is the n&tiimt tmntilation of ipy"n7"lK. For Shcol in thiA sense compare Job 17'". Stieol here seems to preserve its OX sense as a ptnce of semi-cons^-ioiis existence where moral retribution is unknown. Onlv by wakinfif from this condition can man eater on tbe retribution that is bis due.
the future kingdom. Then its centre is not the e.%rthly Jerusalem, but the New Jerusalem, brought down from heaven obviously on the ground of the unfitness of the former. Yet the writers of Eth. En. 1-36 and Daniel were not conscious of thii unfitness. (2) As against the two preceding books, Eth. En. 1-36 and Daniel, this book teaches the resurrection of the righteous only. (3) We have here the earliest reference to the Messiah in Apocalyptic literature. But he has no real part to play in the kingdom, and his introduction seems due merely to literary reminiscence.
Elhiopic Enoch 91-104 (B.C. 134-94).— As we pass from the eschatological views of the three preceding books to those of the present, we feel con.-^cious we are entering into a world of new conceptions. In the former books the resurrection and the final judgment were the prelude to an everlasting Messianic kingdom, but in this these great events are relegated to its close. The author acknow- ledges that the wicked are seemingly sinning with impunity ; but this is not so : their evil deeds are recorded every day (104'), and for these they will suffer endless retrioution in Sheol (99") ; and from this hell of darkness and of flame, into which their souls enter on death, they will never escape (98*- '° 104'- *). In the eighth week, moreover, the Messianic kingdom will be set up, and the righteous will slay the wicked with the sword (91'= 95' 06' etc.). At the close of this kingdom in the tenth week the final judOTnent will be held, and the former heaven and earth will be destroyed, and a new lieaven created (91"''°). Then tlie righteous dead, wlio have hitherto been guarded by angels (100'), will be raised (91'" 92^), but not in the body, but as spirits only (103*''), and they shall joy as the angels (104''), and become companions of the heavenly hosts (104'), and shine as the stars for ever (104=).