For many, The book of Revelation is perceived as impenetrable or it is the object of fanciful interpretation and speculation. Much has been published in recent years regarding its interpretation – some of which is scholarly and technical, and some of which is populist and accessible.

Many students undertaking a religious studies degree will only have met Revelation, if at all, through the widely available populist interpretations. The purpose of this book is to bridge this gap, and to present the fruits of serious academic research in a way that is useful for those studying at Levels 2-3.

The SCM Core Text: Revelation begins with an Introduction that raises the question of why we read Revelation in the first place. It outlines the main themes found in the book, sets the context of Asia Minor, explains the concept of the heavenly perspective, examines questions of inter-textuality and the different genres of writing found in Revelation, and also explains the importance of reception history for this particular book of the Bible.

It then goes on to build around 8 core chapters that work through the 22 chapters of Revelation. Lists of further reading are provided at the close of each chapter. Each of the chapters in this book features a mix of analysis, illustration and discussion, engaging with the text in a meaningful and lively way. The book ideally lends itself to being the core text for a 30-hour module. It features learning aids such as questions for consideration, bullet pointed lists, textboxes and lists for further research.