Sacra Pagina: Revelation: Revelation: Volume 16

by Wilfrid J Harrington

Overview

Revelation, a prophetic apocalyptic letter, is a profoundly Christian text. Father Harrington is concerned to open up Revelation and to convey its Christian message. 

After an introduction he provides a new translation of each section of the writing, followed by notes which deal with mattes of text and content that require clarification. He then treats the passage as a whole by discussing its literary character, its theological significance, and its relevance to our situation. Bibliographies direct the reader to important modern studies. 

Father Harrington brings his scholarship to the Book of Revelation and conveys its Christian message. He puts the work in its historical and social setting a first-century c.e. province of the Roman Empire and explores its social and religious background and its literary character. Through Father Harrington we hear clearly the challenge of John, the prophet, to the Churches of his time and to ours not to compromise the gospel message.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814658185
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	10/01/1993
Series:	Sacra Pagina , #16
Pages:	302
Product dimensions:	6.26(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.06(d)

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Editor's Preface   xi
Preface   xiii
Abbreviations   xvii

Introduction
   I.  Literary Form   1
  II.  Authorship and Date   8
 III.  Background   9
 IV.  Purpose   12
  V.  Lines of Interpretation   14
 VI.  An Outline   17
VII.  Theological Perspectives   23
General Bibliography   39

Translation, Notes, Interpretation

         I. PROLOGUE, ADDRESS, AND INAUGURAL VISION
1. Prologue (1:1-3)   43
2. The Address (1:4-8)   45
3. Vision of One Like a Son of Man (1:9-20)   49

          II. THE MESSAGES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES
4. Message to Ephesus (2:1-7)   54
5. Message to Smyrna (2:8-11)   58
6. Message to Pergamum (2:12-17)   60
7. Message to Thyatira (2:18-29)   63
8. Message to Sardis (3:1-6)   67 
9. Message to Philadelphia (3:7-13)   69
10. Message to Laodicea (3:14-22)   73

          III. THE SCROLL VISION
11. The Heavenly Temple (Ch. 4)   78
12. The Lamb and the Scroll (Ch. 5)   83

          IV. THE SEVEN SEALS
13. The First Four Seals (6:1-8)   89
14. The Fifth Seal (6:9-11)   92
15. The Sixth Seal (6:12-17)   95
16. The Sealing of the Faithful (7:1-8)   97
17. Song of Victory (7:9-17)   100
18. The Seventh Seal (8:1-5)   103

           V. THE SEVEN TRUMPETS
19. The First Four Trumpets (8:6-13)   105
20. The Fifth Trumpet (First Woe) (9:1-12)   108
21. The Sixth Trumpet (Second Woe) (9:13-21)   111
22. The Open Scroll (Ch. 10)   114
23. The Temple Measured (11:1-2)   118
24. The Two Witnesses (11:3-14)   120
25. The Seventh Trumpet (11:15-19)   125

          VI. THE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON
26. The Woman and the Dragon (12:1-6)   128
27. Victory in Heaven (12:7-12)   131
28. Dragon and Woman (12:13-18)   135

          VII. THE TWO BEASTS
29. The First Beast (13:1-10)   137
30. The Second Beast (13:11-18)   142

          VIII. SALVATION AND JUDGMENT
31. The Companions of the Lamb (14:1-5)   146
32. Proclamation of Judgment (14:6-13)   149
33. The Harvest (14:14-16)   153
34. The Vintage (14:17-20)   156 

          IX. THE LAST PLAGUES
35. Song of Moses and the Lamb (15:1-4)   158
36. The Angels of the Bowls (15:5-16:1)   160
37. The First Four Bowls (16:2-9)   162
38. The Fifth Bowl (16:10-11)   165
39. The Sixth Bowl (16:12-16)   165
40. The Seventh Bowl (16:17-21)   168

          X. THE HARLOT AND THE BEAST
41. The Harlot and the Beast (Ch. 17)   170

          XL THE END OF BABYLON
42. The Fall of Babylon (18:1-8)   176
43. Dirges Over Babylon (18:9-19)   179
44. The Judgment of Babylon (18:20-24)   182
45. The Vindication of God's People (19:1-10)   185

          XII. THE EN D OF EVIL
46. The End of the Beasts (19:11-21)   189
47. The End of Satan (20:1-10)   195
48. The Last Judgment (20:11-15)   202

          XIII. THE NE W JERUSALEM
49. The New Heaven and Earth (21:1-8)   206
50. The New Jerusalem (21:9-22:5)   212

          XIV. EPILOGUE AND CONCLUSION
51. Epilogue and Conclusion (22:6-21)   220

Excursus. Positive Eschaton Only:
       Revelation and "Universal Salvation'7   229
Complete Translation   237

          Indexes
1. Principal Ancient Parallels   261
2. Subjects   267
3. Authors   269

Supplemental Bibliography   273

Editorial Reviews

Scholars, pastors, and theological students who have good background in Scripture and theology will benefit much from this book. It should however, be on the shelf of every university library and seminary.
Catholic Library World


After an introduction, Fr. Harrington provides a new translation of each section of the writing, followed by notes which deal with matters of text and content that require clarification. He then treats the passage as a whole, by discussing its literary character, its theological significance, and its relevance to our situation. A comprehensive bibliography is included to direct readers to important modern studies.
Crux


One of the unique features of this volume is the printing of Harrington’s continuous translation. . . . the introduction addresses a number of the most pertinent critical issues and the notes and interpretation sections offer steady guidance.
The Expository Times


Have you preached from the Revelation recently? Have you taught a study of the book? Harrington’s seriously pastoral and scholarly book would be an excellent place to begin.
Homiletic


While the struggle between good and evil is a messy affair, Harrington's thesis that Revelation provides a positive perspective for Christians is convincing in detail and substance.
The Canadian Catholic Review

From the Publisher