Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation

By Elaine Pagels

Book Overview

A profound exploration of the Bible's most controversial book--from the bestselling author of Beyond Belief and The Gnostic Gospels

The strangest book of the New Testament, filled with visions of the Rapture, the whore of Babylon, and apocalyptic writing of the end of times, the Book of Revelation has fascinated readers for more than two thousand years, but where did it come from? And what are the meanings of its surreal images of dragons, monsters, angels, and cosmic war?

Elaine Pagels, New York Times bestselling author and "the preeminent voice of biblical scholarship to the American public" (The Philadelphia Inquirer), elucidates the true history of this controversial book, uncovering its origins and the roots of dissent, violence, and division in the world's religions. Brilliantly weaving scholarship with a deep understanding of the human needs to which religion speaks, Pagels has written what may be the masterwork of her unique career.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0143121634
• ISBN13: 9780143121633
• Release Date: February 2013
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Quick read. Interesting content.

What I appreciate about this book is that Pagels focused on the late 1st century through 5th century to illustrate how The Book of Revelation had been interpreted by early church fathers in the midst of extreme changes. Pagels also avoids the trap that many fall into by projecting cynical motivations on these individuals. She presents the information with an objective prose that allows the reader to project their own bias. Only in the Conclusion does Pagels express a personal perspective, which I found helpful and hopeful. This is NOT exegetical work on Revelation. It is an historical approach that reinforces why The Book of Revelation was, is, and will be a continued source of inspiration and interpretation for Christians.