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.

Some dreams or visions, if they are symbolic in nature, require an interpretation. This unique book "Daniel: Understanding the Dreams and Visions" unlocks and explains the structure and mysteries of the prophecies in the book of Daniel. It reveals the keys that the prophet Daniel has presented to unlock the prophecies of the Bible. "Daniel" expounds the prophecies in four distinct visions of how God has revealed the rise and fall of the seven earthly kingdoms/empires many centuries in advance. The truths of these prophecies have withstood every attack from every scholar and skeptic. According to the Talmud and the Hebrew Scriptures, Daniel received and interpreted dreams and visions, similar to many other Jewish prophets. This new book brings much needed clarity to the text of the prophecies of Daniel through the definitions of codewords, maps, pictures, illustrations, charts, tables and secular historical records. The Author adds comments only where necessary. An understanding of the Old Testament book of Daniel will set the foundation for a better understanding the prophecies in the book of Revelation.In this book the author adopts a detailed but simple approach to an intricate and complex web of prophetic truths of coming world events. The object of this book is to clarify the symbolisms and cryptic codes in the ancient yet futuristic prophecies of Daniel. For as Jesus said, "And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe."JOHN 14:29. "Take heed that no man deceive you." Matt. 24:4.

Prophetic Visions helps to make spiritual and practical sense of your Godly visions andreveals how messages from God cover a wide spectrum of supernatural occurrences ranging from a mere sighting to a grand cinematographic happening --from purely auditory to purely aromatic. For many people, the ability to recall dreams diminishes with age--but with visions, the capacity to receive by visions not only increases with age but actually gets better. The scope of visions therefore becomes limitless. Visions can involve the totality of the human being--body, soul, and spirit--such that a vision can sometimes be perceived through the natural senses if the vision has penetrated the natural realm. This means that depending on the nature by the visionary occurrence, the vision can be seen, heard, touched, or smelled! Exciting and intriguing chapters include: Activating Your Spiritual Eyes Diversity of Visionary Encounters Practical Keys for You--the Visionary Infirmities of The Human Spirit The Anointing And The Seer Operating Under an Open Heaven Spiritual Activation Sample Interpretation Exercises To Sharpen Your Skills Understanding and Managing Your Revelations Also included is an excerpt from Dr. Ibojie's excellent Bible-BasedDictionary of Prophetic Symbols to help you distinguish the elements of your God-encounter visions. Prophetic Visions answers pertinent queries, brokering the way forward to the reception, understanding, and application of visions for the edification of the body of Christ. The greatness of each believer is in the story of each of our lives.

Looks at some of the phophets who have surfaced throughout history, and examines some of their visions and predictions.

What does the Church mean when she recognizes private revelations and visions as credible? Which is the point at which God affects the soul? What are the criteria for the discernment of genuine prophecies. Karl Rahner's concern is the theological and psychological significance of phenomena which, despite the Church's care in establishing their authentic character, have been left too often and too readily to human credulity. The danger of error, he suggests, is greater in credulity than in scepticism.