However, some of the volumes are no longer extant or survive only in fragmentary form. They have been the source of much scholarly fascination, and as such, deserve further investigation. The term Apocalyptic has been thrown about by academics throughout the ages, and the result has been an adulteration of its real meaning. Thus, we must filter through the confusion to find a proper definition of the term. Firstly, we must make some crucial observations.
Many today view Apocalyptic literature as pertaining to predictions of the end of time.
Those holding to this view, however, have misjudged the scope of Apocalyptic literature. They have confused the term apocalyptic with eschatology. Thus, eschatology is the study of the last things, and it is this which involves predictions of the future. From these we get the composite word apokaluyiV meaning 'revelation'. As such, Apocalyptic literature is general revelatory literature 1 and encompasses a far greater domain than just eschatological matters.