Apocalyptic literature: a reader

"The world of apocalyptic literature can be both vast and confusing. To journey successfully through its complexities, it is best to have an experienced tour guide to direct you to the sites most representative of that world. In this way the new traveler can avoid dead ends, skip the fruitless excursions, and instead enjoy the ride. Reddish's introductions to the otherworldly writings of Judaism - including the War Scroll from Qumran and books such as 1 Enoch from the so-called Old Testament Pseudepigrapha - as well as to the apocalyptic documents of Christianity, including the noncanonical apocalypses of Peter, Paul and James, and related works such as the Sibylline Oracles, are simply superb. Those wanting a more informed understanding of these centuries-old writings of hope and despair will not be disappointed."--Jacket

"First printing--November 1995"--Title page verso

Originally published: Nashville : Abington Press, ©1990.

Part One : Jewish apocalyptic literature -- Apocalypses that contain no otherworldly journeys -- The animal apocalypse (1 Enoch 85-90) -- The apocalypse of weeks (1 Enoch 93:1-10; 91:11-17) -- 4 Ezra (2 Esdras 3-14) -- 2 Baruch -- Apocalypses that contain otherworldly journeys -- The book of the watchers (1 Enoch 1-36) -- The similitudes of Enoch (1 Enoch 37-71) -- The testament of Levi 2-5 -- The testament of Abraham -- Related works -- The testament of Moses -- The community rule (1QS) 3-4 -- The war scroll (1QM) 1, 15-19 -- The New Jerusalem (5Q15) -- Part Two : Early Christian Apocalyptic Literature -- The apocalypse of Peter -- The shepherd of Hermas : visions 4 and 5 : similitudes 3, 4, and 6 -- 5 Ezra 2: 42-48 (2 Esdras 2:42-48) -- The (first) apocalypse of James (V, 3) -- Apocalypses that contain otherworldly journeys -- The Ascension of Isaiah 6-11 -- The apocalypse of Paul -- The (Gnostic) apocalypse of Paul (V, 2) -- Related works -- The apocalypse of Thomas -- Sibylline oracles 2: 34-55, 149-347 -- 6 Ezra (2 Esdras 15-16).