The Bible is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16-17), and is made up of many different literary genres. The Bible contains books of history, poetry, letters (epistles) to churches, prophecy, and several other types of language. Generally, people do not have much difficulty discerning differences in purpose and style among the books of the Bible. However, there does seem to be much confusion about “apocalyptic” language among many Bible students. The word “apocalypse” means to reveal something hidden. Thus, apocalyptic language is one of God’s ways of revealing things that are hidden to us, His people. Observe some common features of nearly all apocalyptic language:

Apocalyptic language is fairly common in Scripture — Many books of the Bible contain apocalyptic language. Perhaps the first use of this type of imagery is found in Psalm 18. The Old Covenant prophets frequently used apocalyptic language in their writing, especially the books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah. Jesus sometimes used apocalyptic images in His teaching (cf. Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 17). Perhaps the most famous use of apocalyptic language in Scripture is found in the book of Revelation, which deals with the triumph of believers and the fall of persecuting nations.

Apocalyptic language indicates the fate of nations — As Nahum described the fall of Nineveh, he used apocalyptic language: “The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, and the earth heaves at His presence” (Nah. 1:5). When Joel talked about the “last days” of Israel as a nation he said, “the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31). And when Jesus Himself talked about Jerusalem’s destruction in A.D. 70 He said, “immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matt. 24:29). Thus, apocalyptic language generally describes the fate of nations under the sovereign hand of God. When you see apocalyptic language in Scripture, it is a good idea to look carefully for a nation under judgment from God.

Apocalyptic language describes nature “convulsing” — It is not uncommon to read apocalyptic passages describing hills melting, mountains being cast into the sea, the sun darkened, and the moon turning to blood. The prophets used these images to demonstrate that seemingly permanent things will not last. People living in comfort and luxury easily forget how precarious life can be. However, the nature of apocalyptic language is intended to unnerve and awaken the unrighteous to the reality that even the mountains and the stars in the sky are not permanent. God is the only truly reliable thing in the universe (cf. Nahum 1:7-8).

Apocalyptic language brings comfort in uncertain times — Modern-day Americans know a thing or two about uncertainty. Though we may not know just what the future holds, apocalyptic language resounds with the theme that God holds an uncertain future in His hand. For example, the book of Revelation was written to seven churches who faced an uncertain future (cf. Rev. 2-3). The author, John, used apocalyptic language to describe the colossal struggle that takes place between good and evil every day of our lives and to warn the churches to remain true to God. Christians are not to compromise with the world (James 4:4), but rather we are to be holy and devoted to God (2 Cor. 6:17-18). Inspired apocalyptic language gives us the strength and wisdom to trust God even when we do not understand why things are the way they are! —JB