Unholy Allegiances: Heeding Revelation's Warning

Designed for a general audience and based upon his previous scholarly work (Seeing Things John's Way: The Rhetoric of the Book of Revelation), deSilva has produced a most helpful contribution to a widespread understanding of Scripture's most enigmatic book. He properly contends that Revelation is not about us, that it is not a detailed prediction of our own future, and that it is not written in a mysterious code which requires a special key to unlock. This is not to say that Revelation does not speak to us, or that there is no future element in its message, or that modern readers need no assistance in rightly interpreting ancient apocalyptic literature. As with any other passage of Scripture---even more so than most---we must understand something of history and culture if we are to comprehend what is being communicated. deSilva does a commendable job of bringing these details to life, showing how the book would have been understood and applied by its original audience, and suggesting how its message continues to prompt us to rightly worship and serve the God who reigns supreme over the cosmos. I heartily recommend it.

David deSilva brings much needed clarity to the book of Revelation. We can not afford to keep reading it as a “roadmap/blueprint for the end of the world” and we have to stop playing “pin the tail on the anti-christ” (his phrases). He has sounded a clear bell in the middle of a cacophony of frankly false, although popular, interpretations which surely are designed to make more and more money. This book deserves to be widely read and will bring much correction to the current beguilement in our congregations which keep us focused on the eschaton instead of bringing the gospel of the kingdom, here and now. It is a hard book to read, not in the sense that it is difficult to understand, but because it so deeply challenges the reader to worship God in Spirit and in truth.

I'm 43, man, educated. I was really excited to order this book and finally get some understanding on the book of Revelation. I'm just 10 pages into it. It's full of run on sentences. It's not a simple read. I find myself having to read many sentences 3 or more times just to figure out what the author is trying to say. The author will try to squeeze 3-4 concepts into just a few sentences thinking that's ok. It's not. It's not a simple read unfortunately. The author seems like he is trying to impress the some collegiate academic world with knowledge at times and uses words few of us use to communicate. It's NOT a book for everyone. I'm so frustrated reading the book because I'm spending so much mental energy and time trying to figure out what the author is trying to say. Now it's just a waste of my day and I'll buy a book where the author knows how to teach and explain more simply and clearly. What a bummer so far. :(

I always wondered why Revelation was such a difficult book to understand - until I read "Unholy Allegiances:Heeding Revelation's Warning." DeSilva brings Revelation down from the world of science fiction into our very real world of theology, where God relentlessly calls us to repent and not become part of the world systems that exploit and give glory to humankind. This book, if heeded, will change how we read the New Testament and will bring much needed clarity to the continuing work of God from creation, to redemption, to new creation."Unholy Allegiances" It is an outstanding work, and a much needed one in our time of rampant greed and imperialism. It is destined to become a theological best seller and deservedly so.

I enjoyed the book for the historical research and the insight it gives to understanding the scriptures. It was well written and easy to understand. The supporting material for the author's conclusions was well cited and listed in the book for further study. It helped me gain a better understanding of the end times as described to the first century churches. Although I feel a portion of the scriptures were under emphasized as to the role of the Jewish generation at that time in the end time for God's people under the law, it is a worthy study for anyone wishing to increase their knowledge and understanding of God's Word.

No brain candy private interpretations here! A solid and responsible look at the historical context of the most misrepresented and abused book in all of Scripture. Like all of deSilva's writings, this is understandable, accessible, and responsible.

The book challenged my thinking in good ways. Several people in our church read it and it sparked many good conversations. I would recommend it highly.One of the major points I enjoyed is that Revelation is mostly viewed as futuristic prophecy hence as a book about the future. DeSilva shows that it is written to real people in real time who need to see God is currently on the throne.

Hardly find something as good as this volume that is very open and challenging to the modern reader every bit as much as it was to the initial audiences who read it!