A startling exploration of the history of the most controversial book of the Bible, by the bestselling author of Beyond Belief. Through the bestselling books of Elaine Pagels, thousands of readers have come to know and treasure the suppressed biblical texts known as the Gnostic Gospels. As one of the world's foremost religion scholars, she has been a pioneer in interpreting these books and illuminating their place in the early history of Christianity. Her new book, however, tackles a text that is firmly, dramatically within the New Testament canon: The Book of Revelation, the surreal apocalyptic vision of the end of the world . . . or is it? In this startling and timely book, Pagels returns The Book of Revelation to its historical origin, written as its author John of Patmos took aim at the Roman Empire after what is now known as "the Jewish War," in 66 CE. Militant Jews in Jerusalem, fired with religious fervor, waged an all-out war against Rome's occupation of Judea and their defeat resulted in the desecration of Jerusalem and its Great Temple. Pagels persuasively interprets Revelation as a scathing attack on the decadence of Rome. Soon after, however, a new sect known as "Christians" seized on John's text as a weapon against heresy and infidels of all kinds-Jews, even Christians who dissented from their increasingly rigid doctrines and hierarchies. In a time when global religious violence surges, Revelations explores how often those in power throughout history have sought to force "God's enemies" to submit or be killed. It is sure to appeal to Pagels's committed readers and bring her a whole new audience who want to understand the roots of dissent, violence, and division in the world's religions, and to appreciate the lasting appeal of this extraordinary text.

In this look at doomsday madness--its history, leaders, followers, and dogma--Abanes cites historical antecedents from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and discusses in detail the myriad of popular doomsday prophets, including Japan's Aum Shinrikyo, and other international movements. Illustrations.

The final book of the Bible, Revelation prophesies the ultimate judgement of mankind in a series of allegorical visions, grisly images and numerological predictions. According to these, empires will fall, the "Beast" will be destroyed and Christ will rule a new Jerusalem. With an introduction by Will Self.

God Is Speaking To You The Written Word of God is the "Voice" of God in print. God's word instructs, corrects, heals, transforms and SAVES SOULS. Reading God's word with spiritually tuned ears, enables you to hear him speaking about things in specific ways. God also speaks to mankind in "Dreams & Visions." Within small fragments of time, whether asleep or awake, many times God precisely & repetitively speaks to and about individuals, nations, circumstances and the "Bride of Christ," which is the Born Again Church. End Time Dreams & Visions is one of the many "Last Days" writings, through which God has chosen to speak to the Church and whosoever willfully has an ear to hear what the Spirit of God is saying in this crucial hour. As you read these writings humbly, prayerfully and objectively, you will clearly and precisely hear God, speaking to you, through "End Time Dreams & Visions!" Author Bio: Minister Debra J. Wright is a native of Dayton, Ohio, now residing in the State of Texas. She's a member of the Potter's House Church in Dallas, Texas, and employed with a Major Airline. After her Christian Born Again experience in (1979), she began to have supernatural experiences with the "God of the Bible" via the Holy Spirit. Some experiences included, opening of locked doors, after praying, without a key to gain entry; a fall down a steep staircase prohibited by the push of a hand in the back while unaccompanied; the much talked about out of body experience and others. Her most noted and repetitive experience has been that of Dreams & Visions, in which God is speaking to the church concerning its' intended functions and development. In this book, Debra "Writes the Visions & Makes them Plain" for those endeavoring to hear God's Clarion Call!

A visionary look at the victorious End Times Church and their attempt to walkas Jesus walked. (Theology)

Over the last quarter-century, evangelicalism has become an important social and political force in modern America. Here, new voices in the field are brought together with leading scholars such as William E. Connolly, Michael Barkun, Simon Dalby, and Paul Boyer to produce a timely examination of the spatial dimensions of the movement, offering useful and compelling insights on the intersection between politics and religion. This comprehensive study discusses evangelicalism in its different forms, from the moderates to the would-be theocrats who, in anticipation of the Rapture, seek to impose their interpretations of the Bible upon American foreign policy. The result is a unique appraisal of the movement and its geopolitical visions, and the wider impact of these on America and the world at large.