The Bible In A Year 
Apocalyptic – Week 1 of 1
February 18-23, 2019
Readings for the Week
Theme of the week: This week is devoted to apocalyptic writings
Monday -Daniel chapters 7, 8 & 9
Tuesday -Daniel chapters 10, 11 & 12, The book of Jude
The book of Jude is NOT apocalyptic – but its focus on the end times makes it a good fit with this week.
Wednesday -Revelations chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4
Thursday-Revelations chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11
Friday -Revelations chapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17
Saturday -Revelations chapters 18, 19, 20, 21 & 22, Psalms 96 & 150
The Bible In A Year
Apocalyptic – Week 1 of 1
A Framework for Understanding
Apocalyptic Writings
The word “apocalypse” does NOT make reference to end times. Apocalypse means “revelation,” making clear that which was obscured before. It is interesting to note, then, that the Revelation is one of the most incomprehensible books of the Bible!
Apocalyptic writing is a genre of literature, typified by:
• The time in which it is written is marked by great persecution
• The style of writing is colorful, passionate, filled with symbolism, metaphor and allegory
• It is written about current events with an eye toward the immediate future
• It proclaims that divine intervention will bring about a reversal of the current world order
• It is a powerful word of hope to those whose outlook has none
There are several books of Bible in which at least a portion of the book is apocalyptic: the last half of Daniel, the books of Ezekiel and The Revelation are the most prominent. Both Daniel and Ezekiel within their text provide assistance to uncover the meaning of the symbols and metaphors. The Revelation provides no such assistance, leaving interpretation completely open-ended. A few different ways it has been understood include:
• A relatively straightforward account of the end of the world in the future
• As completely relating to the first-century period in which it was written
• The images are an account of the soul’s journey to God
• An interpretive lens through which to view history
• Completely metaphorical