Customer Reviews

Apocalypse and Allegiance: Worship, Politics, and Devotion in the Book of Revelation (Spire Books)

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As both a minister and preacher, this is a book I've been waiting for. Finally a book that helps unravel the language and symbols of the last book of the Christian Bible. If you are looking for a traditional commentary that covers the Revelation of John, this is NOT the book for you. But, if you are looking for a book that will help open up the world that John was writing to and help explain how and why he composed his apocalypse the way he did...then this IS the book for you. And, it is the perfect companion to any commentary you might be using.

With his years of experience as both educator and minister, Dr. Kraybill offers the Church an excellent aid in understanding what the historical book of Revelation might offer the contemporary Church. In a kind, but clear, manner, Kraybill seeks to lead the reader away from fear based theologies of Revelation like those found in the Left Behind series and guide them towards a reading that offers the hope in God that John intended.

In addition to the excellent writing, this volume is also filled with excellent pictures and sidebars that help show the reader what Kraybill is trying to explain.

If you are interested in understanding the message of the Revelation of John...this a great place to start.

Wes Horn
Minister
Orient Street Church of Christ

Dr Kraybill has written a masterful and informative work. The book is filled with historical research, especially of the first and second centuries of the Christian era. These historical references lend credibility to his exegetical treatment of Revelation. Dr Kraybill's pacifist agenda is evident but not overpowering. The book is worth the price for the history review alone.

Apocalypse and Allegiance provides the context of First Century life to aid in understanding the symbols and icons that we read about in the last book of the New Testament.

Kraybill throws his hat in with the crowd who believes that John wrote this Revelation for his audience and not people living 2,000 into the future.

Each segment that some Christians believe refer to today, actually had their true meaning found with the Roman emperors who considered themselves to be divine.

You'll read how John took the words used to worship the gods and emperors of Rome and twisted them to point to the worship of Jesus and Yahweh.

Filled with illustrations and images of the items he refers to, Kraybill's book is for anyone who wants a challenge with how to read Revelation.

It is a great introductory book for the every-man.


This book was provided for review by Brazos Press.

I have read several scholarly books and papers on the New Testament book of Revelation. This is the first scholarly work I've read, however, that links the historical facts of the time to the message John of Patmos was trying to send his fellow believers.

Dr. Kraybill confirmed my suspicion that Revelation is a work that encourages hope through worship and not a work that predicts of the "end of time". Revelation's message transcends time once you understand the experience of first century Christians and Jews.

The book is easy to read and understand. I consider it "must-read" for modern Christians and Jews.

This book was incredibly well researched. It includes many pictures of coins and statues to help the reader understand the historical setting. This book seeks to explain Revelation in the context of the Roman Imperial Cult. This cult sought the allegiance of every participant in the Roman Empire. In Asia, one must belong to a trade guild to participate in trade. These guilds required certain actions that proved loyalty to Rome. These actions also ran against the expectations of a true follower of Christ.

Kraybill is an unapologetic pacifist, even if you disagree with this view this does not get in the way of the usefulness of the book. Additionally for Christians reading this book, you are confronted with some difficult questions. In what ways is the American Church actually allying itself with a "fallen Babylon system"? What would it look like for a church to truly reflect the economy and character of Christ? In what ways to Christians worship a fallen world system? Are we so acculturated that we cannot even see that we are worshiping a fallen world system?

The implications of such questions are hard to consider, but are ones the American Church should and must consider. I personally thank Dr Kraybill for a wonderful book. I enjoyed this book and was challenge by it.