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Apocrypha #10
2 Esdras
The Ezra Apocalypse is the only non-Catholic book included in the KJV 1611 Apocrypha. It contains many prophecies about the end times. Quoted often by the church fathers of the first and second century AD, this apocalypse reveals the rise of Islam. In chapters 11-12 there is a prophecy of a three-headed eagle symbolizing how the Roman Empire would split into three empires. The empires would die out and leave three kingdoms ruling in the last days. Chapters 15-16 contain a prophecy of the Dragon Nations of Arabia. This Islamic power devastates Syria to the point that Russia must step in to control the issue. This Syrian war sets the stage for the beginning of the Last Days. The book also contains numerous prophecies about the signs of the birth pangs and details about the Rapture of the church, revealing that the end is near. Brought to you by Bible Facts Ministries.
16 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 28, 2017
240 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
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* They are officially published under that name
* They are traditional stories not attributed to a specific author
* They are religious texts not generally attributed to a specific author
Books whose authorship is merely uncertain should be attributed to Unknown.
See also: Anonymous
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 16, 2021
I've read the Apocalypse of Ezra (aka 4 Ezra, 2nd Esdras) quite a few times. It's included in the Oxford editions of the Bible (pretty much my main go-to biblical translation/source, though I'm acquainted with numerous others). This edition I hadn't read all the way through, even though it's been in my library quite a few years. I don't even remember where I got it, but it's old enough to not to have an ISBN number. The printed date says 1917. If it's really that old, it's in pretty good shape. Apparently, it was in a synagogal library at some point, or at least the stamp "Congregation of Kol Shofar," indicates such. The publisher intended it to be used by Christians though; the publisher is titled, "Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge."
Anyways, apocalypticism is a special interest of mine. When first becoming a Christian, I was really taken with two streams of Christian theological thought: the apocalyptic and the mystical. While these are both highly intuitive streams, there is a difference. The apocalyptic is almost always specifically a communal message, the mystical is almost always primarily personal. Both may utilize mythology (often the apocalyptic a bit more) and symbolism. And invariably, it's one person that receives the message. But the messenger in apocalyptic thought is always directed to share the message with the larger community. Also, some angel is almost always associated with apocalyptic messages. Mystical revelations are more directly personal. Kabbalistic texts are a bit more ambiguous, but they are also late comparatively.
4 Ezra is often included in the deutero-canonical texts. It is almost certainly 1st or 2nd century, thus it is pseudopigraphical. But it is a profound work. It is an incredibly rich text - only equaled by the Apocalypse of Baruch and the Enochic literature. All of these have much in common. I don't want to make this review over-long, but these are essential texts in apocalyptic thought. One does learn a lot through the study of these works. I highly recommend them. Apocalyptic thought is really only understood through acquaintance with the assorted literature. This is an essential text of that literature. Much recommended.
Anyways, apocalypticism is a special interest of mine. When first becoming a Christian, I was really taken with two streams of Christian theological thought: the apocalyptic and the mystical. While these are both highly intuitive streams, there is a difference. The apocalyptic is almost always specifically a communal message, the mystical is almost always primarily personal. Both may utilize mythology (often the apocalyptic a bit more) and symbolism. And invariably, it's one person that receives the message. But the messenger in apocalyptic thought is always directed to share the message with the larger community. Also, some angel is almost always associated with apocalyptic messages. Mystical revelations are more directly personal. Kabbalistic texts are a bit more ambiguous, but they are also late comparatively.
4 Ezra is often included in the deutero-canonical texts. It is almost certainly 1st or 2nd century, thus it is pseudopigraphical. But it is a profound work. It is an incredibly rich text - only equaled by the Apocalypse of Baruch and the Enochic literature. All of these have much in common. I don't want to make this review over-long, but these are essential texts in apocalyptic thought. One does learn a lot through the study of these works. I highly recommend them. Apocalyptic thought is really only understood through acquaintance with the assorted literature. This is an essential text of that literature. Much recommended.
November 18, 2018
EXCELLENT book for those vague passages in the Bible. Prophecy is abundant here, giving actual dates the prophecies were realized. Not for a Christian novice unless they love detective work and research work, like I do. Well worth reading and an excellent book to have on hand for serious Biblical study.
November 7, 2017
Interesting but leaves many unanswerable questions.
I would not recommend this book for any new believer in Jesus. There are many more questions created by the authors clear belief in a pre-approval rapture tribulation and his firm conviction that Rome and Russia are involved in the End Time war. In his analysis he never mentions when the "First Resurrection", the Ressurection of the believers takes place, only the "Rapture" and the return of Messiah with the Heavenly Host.
Many problems with the date setting as well.
I would not recommend this book for any new believer in Jesus. There are many more questions created by the authors clear belief in a pre-approval rapture tribulation and his firm conviction that Rome and Russia are involved in the End Time war. In his analysis he never mentions when the "First Resurrection", the Ressurection of the believers takes place, only the "Rapture" and the return of Messiah with the Heavenly Host.
Many problems with the date setting as well.
March 26, 2017
2 Esdras is a very interesting apocalypse, but this version is poorly formatted for kindle.
September 7, 2022
I normally only use the KJV Bible, but I decided to read the Apocrypha ‘lost books’ as research to better understand the background of the Bible and to know about it when/if it comes up in conversation, etc.
Some Christian scholars say that the first 2 chapters aka 5 Ezra, are about God’s rejection of the Jews. The rest (chapters 3-14) aka 4 Ezra, is a Jewish apocalypse consisting of seven visions seen by Ezra the scribe when the archangel Uriel is sent to answer Ezra’s questions.
1) How can God keep Israel in misery? God’s way cannot be understood by the human mind.
2) Why was Israel delivered up to the Babylonians? Man cannot understand and the end is near.
3) Why does Israel not possess the world? Current state is a period of transition.
4) Vision of a woman, a symbol of Zion, morning for her son, the desolation of Zion.
5) Vision of an eagle with 3 heads and 20 wings, a symbol of the 4th kingdom in Daniels’ vision, being rebuked by a lion.
6) Vision of a man representing the Messiah breathing fire on an attacking crowd, then being accepted by a peaceful crowd.
7) Vision of the restoration of the scripture (the Law). Ezra is commanded to produce/write a total of 94 books: 24 Tanakh and 70 secret.
Some Christian scholars say that the first 2 chapters aka 5 Ezra, are about God’s rejection of the Jews. The rest (chapters 3-14) aka 4 Ezra, is a Jewish apocalypse consisting of seven visions seen by Ezra the scribe when the archangel Uriel is sent to answer Ezra’s questions.
1) How can God keep Israel in misery? God’s way cannot be understood by the human mind.
2) Why was Israel delivered up to the Babylonians? Man cannot understand and the end is near.
3) Why does Israel not possess the world? Current state is a period of transition.
4) Vision of a woman, a symbol of Zion, morning for her son, the desolation of Zion.
5) Vision of an eagle with 3 heads and 20 wings, a symbol of the 4th kingdom in Daniels’ vision, being rebuked by a lion.
6) Vision of a man representing the Messiah breathing fire on an attacking crowd, then being accepted by a peaceful crowd.
7) Vision of the restoration of the scripture (the Law). Ezra is commanded to produce/write a total of 94 books: 24 Tanakh and 70 secret.
October 22, 2022
2nd book of Ezra??!!
This wasn't even on my radar even though I was aware of extra biblical books within older versions of the Bible. ( I even found a KJV bible that was printed in 1600's at a flea market for 20 bucks and was delighted to find extra books within it). Also, ironically enough I read about Ezra preserving most of the Old Testament by reading about it in Sir Isaac Newton's 2nd published work called The Observations of the Book of Daniel and Saint John's Revelation which is free domain, no one owns the rights to it. Isaac Newton was trying to figure out the Antichrist in his lifetime!!
Love Ken Johnson's work on making this available as well as the research that he does!!
Great stuff!!
This wasn't even on my radar even though I was aware of extra biblical books within older versions of the Bible. ( I even found a KJV bible that was printed in 1600's at a flea market for 20 bucks and was delighted to find extra books within it). Also, ironically enough I read about Ezra preserving most of the Old Testament by reading about it in Sir Isaac Newton's 2nd published work called The Observations of the Book of Daniel and Saint John's Revelation which is free domain, no one owns the rights to it. Isaac Newton was trying to figure out the Antichrist in his lifetime!!
Love Ken Johnson's work on making this available as well as the research that he does!!
Great stuff!!
May 17, 2025
De los apócrifos más importantes, y quizá el más leído, al ser introducido en la Vulgata.
Es probable que el convencimiento que muestra la obra de que se salvan pocos haya influido en la historia y en la visión de los padres de la iglesia sobre la salvación.
El libro es bueno pero sin duda duro y desconcertante (como supongo que se debió sentir el propio autor, que vivió la caída del 2º templo), busca cómo compatibilizar la inmensa misericordia de Dios con los poquísimos elegidos pero a pesar de que lo intenta no logra dar una respuesta satisfactoria.
Muy bueno y recomendado conocer.
Es probable que el convencimiento que muestra la obra de que se salvan pocos haya influido en la historia y en la visión de los padres de la iglesia sobre la salvación.
El libro es bueno pero sin duda duro y desconcertante (como supongo que se debió sentir el propio autor, que vivió la caída del 2º templo), busca cómo compatibilizar la inmensa misericordia de Dios con los poquísimos elegidos pero a pesar de que lo intenta no logra dar una respuesta satisfactoria.
Muy bueno y recomendado conocer.
October 25, 2022
Great book worth reading
Great book worth studying and getting to know, the end is nearer than ever before. The signs are everywhere, prophecy is being fulfilled left and right and the next big event will be the Rapture of the Church! Praise our Lord Jesus Christ he will save us from the troubles to come! Hallelujah! 🙏🙌
Great book worth studying and getting to know, the end is nearer than ever before. The signs are everywhere, prophecy is being fulfilled left and right and the next big event will be the Rapture of the Church! Praise our Lord Jesus Christ he will save us from the troubles to come! Hallelujah! 🙏🙌
December 25, 2019
An interesting interpretation.... Some assumptions....
June 6, 2021
Fascinating book about end times.
Read
June 22, 2022More detailed review to follow this weekend
February 4, 2026
Absolutely brilliant
Thank you so much Kenfor your most excellent scholarly research. It just completely blows my mind and I really mean that. Fantastic work brother.
Thank you so much Kenfor your most excellent scholarly research. It just completely blows my mind and I really mean that. Fantastic work brother.
June 16, 2020
Ezra gets told about the end of time and then time travels through the burning bush to talk to Moses and then comes back to binge dictate 94 books worth of material; 70 intended for the wise men only. What interested me though was when he told the one woman to shut up and stop grieving her family because there’s bigger things going on; and the woman revealed herself to be Israel personified.
February 6, 2025
It's intriguing to note that the 1611 Bible included 2 Esdras (Ezra), but it has since been removed. If you're interested in gaining a deeper understanding of our times and knowing more about what the future holds, I recommend buying this book. Otherwise, you'll only be hurting yourself by remaining in the dark.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews