RelSt 225 DSS Class Minutes #24 (5 December 1996)
by: Micah Y. Selya

The first topic discussed was the distinction between eschatological 
and apocalyptic materials:

Eschatological (end times) normally refers to an "end" for either 
an individual person or for the world/cosmos in a general sense.
Apocalyptic (revealed) usually refers to a particular type of 
eschatological imagery regarding the end (usually of the 
world/cosmos) -- thus a graphic subset of eschatology. 

"Apocalyptic" details of "the end of days" may include:
battles/forces/cosmic signs/disasters
judgement {court scene}
resurrection
agents/messiahs/divine beings
"the end" (cataclysmic)
"millenium" -- the concept of God and/or God's agents reigning for 
  a period of time (1000 years) in utopian conditions; 
  a concept in early Judaism taken over by Christianity and Islam.

Two major perspectives permeate the sectarian DSS:
  1. "halacha" in the sense of preoccupation with rules for living
     in the idealized community (the term itself is not present)
  2. apocalyptic outlook on present and future existence

These two are intertwined -- being faithful to God's rules is the "lot"
of God's people as they participate in the last times. The assumption 
is that God knows everything and has it all under control.

We then looked at the War Scroll:
* resurrection is not mentioned here (and seldom elsewhere in DSS)
* the opening lines have been preserved...very rare
* Sons of Light vs. Sons of Darkness=Agents of Belial, identified
  as Edom, Amon, Philistines, Kittim of Ashur (traditional adversaries)
  Sons of Light include Sons of Levi, Judah, Benjamin and the 
  "exiled of the desert" (the remnant of the true Israel?)

Concepts mentioned: 
* recognition of many "gods" {perhaps called "angels" in other works}
* everlasting redemption for the just
* destruction for the evil forces
* 6 initial battles, won alternately by light and darkness until 
  in the 7th battle God wins

Dr. Kraft then was asked to give some of his thoughts regading the scrolls...
I leave them out so that the next RELS 225 will have a surprise 
in store!

//end//