To Follow the Lamb
A Peaceable Reading of the Book of Revelation
by Ted Grimsrud
Imprint: Cascade Books
For many, the book of Revelation seems hopelessly hard to interpret. It gives the impression of being full of frightening and confusing visions.
However, To Follow the Lamb: A Peaceable Reading of the Book of Revelation shows that Revelation actually is fascinating, inspiring, and empowering. The key to reading Revelation is simple. Let's take seriously the opening words of the book that tell us it is a "revelation of Jesus Christ." Let's expect Revelation to help us understand Jesus and his will for us. We may expect that Revelation shares the same basic sensibility that we find in the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament.
Revelation is an exhortation to discipleship--follow the Lamb wherever he goes! It offers a sharp critique of the world's empires and of how people of faith find ways to be comfortable within the empires.
Revelation portrays God as merciful and peaceable--but engaged in a battle against the spiritual powers of evil, as fought with the weapons of love, not worldly violent weapons. To Follow the Lamb opens up Revelation's blueprint for faithful living: Resistance to the empires and embrace of the compassionate and healing love of the Lamb.
Ted Grimsrud is Senior Professor of Peace Theology at Eastern Mennonite University. Among his books are The Good War that Wasn’t—And Why It Matters: World War II’s Moral Legacy (2014); Instead of Atonement: The Bible’s Salvation Story and Our Hope for Wholeness (2013); Compassionate Eschatology: The Future as Friend (2011); and Theology as if Jesus Matters: In Introduction to Christianity’s Core Convictions (2009).
“Ted Grimsrud is a worthy and capable guide through the often misread and confusing images laid out by John of Patmos to the churches in Roman Asia. Anyone who has ever wondered how to make sense of this powerful narrative will find a great companion in To Follow the Lamb. Go form a study group and dig in!”
—Wes Howard-Brook, Seattle University
“In this important book, Ted Grimsrud clears away decades of misunderstanding and misuse to reveal the beauty and power of the Apocalypse. Writing with deep insight and lucid prose, Grimsrud forcefully challenges violent interpretations of Revelation and fixes our gaze on the nonviolent Jesus. A treasure trove for peacemakers and justice seekers, To Follow the Lamb is accessible, relevant, and sorely needed. Guaranteed to deepen your appreciation of Revelation—I highly recommend it!”
—Eric A. Seibert, Messiah University
“In the midst of the sometimes-violent rhetoric of Revelation, Grimsrud makes abundantly clear that Revelation features the nonviolent victory by the slain and resurrected Lamb, who reveals a nonviolent God, over the powers of evil, represented by the Roman empire. One of the most valuable contributions of this comprehensive theological analysis of Revelation is how it applies the book's nonviolent resistance to empire to the American empire.”
—J. Denny Weaver, Bluffton University, emeritus
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