"Nelson Kraybill has written a fresh, vigorous, imaginative, demanding exposition of the book of Revelation. He has seen how deeply political the book is and has done superb homework on the Roman governance with which Revelation struggles. But his shrewd historical analysis keeps spilling over into our contemporary life--the life of a military chaplain in Texas, a health-care practice in Indiana, a prison visitor in Nebraska, peacemakers in Palestine, a poet in Japan, the police confounded in South Africa. This way of contemporaneity helps us engage this 'most dangerous book in the Bible.' Readers will be grateful to Kraybill for his agility that continues to surprise and summon as we read."--__Walter Brueggemann__, Columbia Theological Seminary  
  
"Few today would doubt the political perspective of the book of Revelation, but which perspective: that of fatalism, or that of active witness and resistance? Writing from the distinctive perspective of the Anabaptist tradition, Nelson Kraybill creatively juxtaposes ancient and contemporary history to illuminate the way this remarkable vision both troubles the complacent and inspires resistance to conformity in the quest for a better world."--__Christopher Rowland__, University of Oxford  
  
"Though the study and practice of Christian worship has long been deepened by the canticles of Revelation 4, 5, and 7, the rest of the book is rarely engaged in many communities. This provocative volume confronts this neglect and helps us imagine the importance of worship practices that are prophetic, countercultural, and deeply aware of the cosmic significance of the claim that Jesus is Lord."--__John D. Witvliet__, Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary

__J. Nelson Kraybill__ (PhD, Union Theological Seminary in Virginia) has served as president of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and has taught the book of Revelation for more than twenty years on four continents. He is the author of Imperial Cult and Commerce in John's Apocalypse and frequently speaks in ecclesial and academic settings on biblical themes of discipleship, peacemaking, leadership, and mission. Kraybill lives in Elkhart, Indiana.

In this lively introduction, J. Nelson Kraybill shows how the book of Revelation was understood by its original readers and what it means for Christians today. Kraybill places Revelation in its first-century context, opening a window into the political, economic, and social realities of the early church. His fresh interpretation highlights Revelation's liturgical structure and directs readers' attentions to twenty-first-century issues of empire, worship, and allegiance, showing how John's apocalypse is relevant to the spiritual life of believers today. The book includes maps, timelines, photos, a glossary, discussion questions, and stories of modern Christians who live out John's vision of a New Jerusalem.

A respected biblical scholar shows how the Book of Revelation made sense to its first readers and what it really means for Christians today.

Introduction: Worship Is Political  
1\. A Prophet in Trouble  
2\. Stampeding Empires  
3\. Beastly Worship  
4\. Accuser of Our Comrades  
5\. The Cosmic Throne Room  
6\. The Lamb Is Lord of History  
7\. Seal of the Living God  
8\. A Harlot Drunk with Blood  
9\. The Economics of Worship  
10\. Letters to Seven Churches  
11\. All Things New  
12\. Long-Term Hope  
Timeline of Events, People, and Empires That Figure in Revelation  
Glossary  
Relative Value of Roman Coins in the First Century AD  
Indexes

Kraybill, J. Nelson

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Table of Illustrations

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Introduction: Worship Is Political

1. A Prophet in Trouble

2. Stampeding Empires

3. Beastly Worship

4. Accuser of Our Comrades

5. The Cosmic Throne Room

6. The Lamb Is Lord of History

7. Seal of the Living God

8. A Harlot Drunk with Blood

9. The Economics of Worship

10. Letters to Seven Churches

11. All Things New

12. Long-Term Hope

Time Line of Events, People, and Empires That Figure in Revelation

Glossary

Relative Value of Roman Coins in the First Century AD

Bibliography

Shows how the book of "Revelation" was understood by its original readers and what it means for Christians today. This work author places "Revelation" in its first-century context, providing a window into the political, economic, and social realities of the early church. It includes maps, timelines, photos, a glossary, and discussion questions.

In this lively introduction, J. Nelson Kraybill shows how the book of "Revelation" was understood by its original readers and what it means for Christians today. Kraybill places "Revelation" in its first-century context, providing a vivid window into the political, economic, and social realities of the early church. His fresh interpretation highlights "Revelation's" liturgical structure and directs readers' attentions to twenty-first-century issues of empire, worship, and allegiance, showing how John's apocalypse is relevant to the spiritual life of believers today. The book includes maps, timelines, photos, a glossary, discussion questions, and stories of modern Christians who live out John's vision of a New Jerusalem.

J. Nelson Kraybill (PhD, Union Theological Seminary) has served as the president of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and has taught the book of Revelation for over twenty years on four continents. He is the author of Imperial Cult and Commerce in John's Apocalypse and lives in Elkhart, Indiana.

The Good Book Stall

This attractively produced book has many interesting illustrations, diagrams, a glossary, and most useful, a good index. Worship, pagan and Christian, is a dominant theme in the interpretation of the Book of Revelation as presented here. The contemporary references are many throughout, and the author stresses the political implications of his exegesis – even worship is political. From the out-set it is made clear that this is not a commentary in the usual sense: the author early abandons the convention of dealing with the text in order chapter by chapter. Nor is every part of Revelation dealt with in equal detail. Recourse will frequently be had to the index, therefore.

Apocalypse and Allegiance

Apocalypse and Allegiance [eBook]

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