Apocalypse and Allegiance - J. Nelson Kraybill

⭐ 8.5/10

(Originally written by Beans)

Given the time and space we are living in, I thought it appropriate to read a book about the book of Revelation.

I would say Kraybill’s thesis is that Revelation is a book of worship that leads and shapes who we live for. Our allegiance is decided when we choose to worship the Lamb or the empire, and that will shape our lives and the world.

It was a really insightful and concise book; not too dry but academic enough with a lot of citations so you know this guy is the real deal.

He cleared up a lot of my questions about Rev, like the mark of the beast, the wild descriptions of beasts, heaven, and the throne room of God. He also makes it clear that it’s easy for middle class christians to see Rev as a prophetic, futuristic apocalypse as opposed to a future hope because we have never been the marginalized, and have always held some degree of power.

I would recommend this for everyone wanting a better grasp of the book of Revelation, in response to both the impending doom of a the world and to hold onto some hope of redemption and restoration.