From the Author:
Revelation has captured the imaginations of readers for centuries. Its evocative word pictures have inspired both hope and fear. Artists and musicians have woven its themes into their work. Few books have such a capacity to attract or repel. Interpretation is the art of asking good questions and working them through in dialogue with others. So when writing this commentary, I needed to listen carefully to the text of Revelation and to the many ways in which it has been read. My approach had to be interdisciplinary, because Revelation invites questions arising from studies in literature and history, rhetoric and sociology, theology and art. I want my own readers to share in the process of reflection and discovery, so they gain a deepened sense of the way the book challenges and encourages.
From the Inside Flap:
Originally written for Christian communities in Asia Minor, Revelation depicts scenes of cosmic conflict in which God, the creator of the world, overcomes the forces of destruction and makes all things new. This often misunderstood portion of the New Testament repeatedly surprises readers by warning that judgment is imminent, only to interrupt the visions of terror with messages of hope and redemption.
Koester provides richly textured descriptions of the book's setting and language, making extensive use of Greek and Latin inscriptions, classical texts, and ancient Jewish writings, including the Dead Sea Scrolls. While Revelation has often been viewed as world-negating, this commentary focuses on its deep engagement with social, religious, and economic issues. It also addresses the book's volatile history of interpretation and its cultural impact over the centuries. The result is a ground-breaking study that provides powerful new insights and sets new directions for the continued appreciation of this visionary religious text.
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