as it envisages eschatological salvation, and spatial, insofar as it involves another, supernatural world.23 This definition summarizes well the form and content of an apocalypse. Missing from this definition, however, is anything that clarifies the purpose of such writings. The definition was subsequently amended to include the following clarification regarding purpose. [An apocalypse is] intended to interpret present, earthly circumstances in light of the supernatural world and of the future, and
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