In 2 (4) Esdras the Messiah is likewise similarly portrayed, though in some passages he appears as purely human (see below, chap. IX. § (_e_)). In some other apocalypses the Messiah is conceived of as a man pure and simple; but the account given above is the more characteristic of the Apocalyptic Literature taken as a whole. (_d_) _The doctrine of the Future Life._ Two outstanding doctrines come into consideration here: the doctrine of the immortality of the spirit, and the doctrine of the resurrection of the body. The causes, humanly speaking, whereby one led on to the other, were, firstly, the belief in a final retribution which the existence of a just and righteous God rendered necessary; and, secondly, innate materialistic conceptions which resulted in causing men to impute to the spirit what belongs properly to the body.[139] To dwell for a moment on the first point; the clearest illustration of it is found in the Book of 1 Enoch, where in cii. 6-8 the following words are put into the mouth of sinners: As we die, so die the righteous, And what benefit do they reap for their deeds? Behold, even as we, so do they die in grief and darkness, And what have they more than we? From henceforth we are equal. And what will they receive, and what will they see for ever? Behold, they too have died, And henceforth for ever shall they see no light. This evidently represents what was in effect actually believed and said by many; and the normal teaching of the Old Testament bore out the truth of it. But if it were true how could God’s righteousness and justice be vindicated? So the Apocalyptists taught a doctrine of retribution much in advance of anything to be found in the Old Testament, a doctrine which involved belief in immortality, and here they were indebted to Hellenistic influence, very different from the traditional Sheol-conception. This doctrine is nowhere more clearly set forth than in 1 Enoch ciii. 1-8. The passage is somewhat lengthy, but in view of its importance it will be well to quote it in full: Now, therefore, I swear to you, the righteous, by the glory of the Great and Honoured and Mighty One in dominion, and by His greatness I swear to you:— I know a mystery, And have read the heavenly tablets, And have seen the holy books, And have found written therein and inscribed regarding them: That all goodness and joy and glory are prepared for them, And written down for the spirits of those who have died in righteousness, And what manifold good shall be given to you in recompense for your labours, And that your lot is abundantly beyond the lot of the living.