Sign-In
Cart
Living in an Unholy Empire: Revelation's Call to a Higher Allegiance
Paperback
Publisher Price: $29.95
Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers
Published: Oct 6 2026
Pages: 184
Weight: 0.60
Height: 0.50 Width: 6.00 Depth: 8.90
Language: English
What if the book of Revelation isn't a playbook for the end times? What if it isn't a fanciful letter to be decoded? What if the apostle John actually had a pressing and relevant message for the first-century churches he addressed?
Amid the fervor for popular apocalyptic books and speculative end-times theology, New Testament scholar David deSilva offers a book to help readers thoughtfully approach Revelation as it was intended to be read by John's audience.
In this expanded and revised edition of Unholy Allegiances: Heeding Revelation's Warnings (Hendrickson, 2013), deSilva continues his exploration of the world of first-century Roman Asia, the context in which Revelation was written, explaining why John wrote such a graphic and startling message to the church. While many books today persist in offering innovative so-called decodings of Revelation, deSilva reminds us that John's letter is not a historical blueprint for prophecy or prognostications but a letter about the dangers the church faced under Roman rule following Jesus' resurrection--a warning as apt today as it was two thousand years ago.
Clear and thoroughly researched, this book offers readers:
- A levelheaded approach to the interpretation of Revelation that falls in line with scholarly approaches to all the New Testament writings addressed to specific congregations
- Historical and cultural context on the early church audience John was writing to and how it informed his message
- Reflections on the insights and challenges that Revelation offers Christians in the twenty-first century
The true power of the book of Revelation is not in a mystical unfolding of the future but in its confrontation with the unholy allegiances already at work in the world. It's time to pay attention without playing endgames. It's time to take Revelation seriously and focus our allegiance on the kingdom of God--not to the unholy world that competes for our loyalty and submission.
Also from
deSilva, David A.
An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation
deSilva, David A.
Hardcover
Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle "To the Hebrews"
deSilva, David A.
Paperback
Canvas: A Portrait of Humanity Student Guide
Keat, James
deSilva, David A.
Rev Natalya Cherry
Paperback
Fourth Maccabees and the Promotion of the Jewish Philosophy: Rhetoric, Intertexture, and Reception
deSilva, David A.
Paperback
Invitation to the New Testament: Participant Book: A Short-Term Disciple Bible Study
Powery, Emerson
deSilva, David A.
Paperback
Canvas: A Portrait of the Holy Spirit Student Guide
Keat, James
deSilva, David A.
Rev Natalya Cherry
Paperback
Invitation to the New Testament: Leader Guide: A Short-Term Disciple Bible Study
Powery, Emerson
deSilva, David A.
Paperback
Canvas: A Portrait of the Holy Spirit Leader Guide
Keat, James
deSilva, David A.
Rev Natalya Cherry
Paperback
Also in
Bible Studies
The Early Versions of the New Testament: Their Origin, Transmission, and Limitations
Metzger, Bruce M.
Hardcover
The Apostle and the Empire: Paul's Implicit and Explicit Criticism of Rome
Heilig, Christoph
Hardcover
The Kabbalistic Mirror of Genesis: Commentary on the First Three Chapters
Smith, David Chaim
Paperback
Praying the Names of God for 52 Weeks, Expanded Edition: A Year-Long Bible Study
Spangler, Ann
Paperback
Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
The King Is Coming Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: It's Time to Prepare for the Return of Christ
Bevere, John
Paperback
Becoming Like Jesus Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: A Bible Study on the Beatitudes
Chandler, Matt
Paperback
Where to Find It in the Bible: The Ultimate Resource for Quick-And-Easy Biblical Reference
Anderson, Ken
Paperback
Experiencing the Heart of Jesus for 52 Weeks Revised and Updated: A Year-Long Bible Study
Lucado, Max
Paperback
The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-To-Face with Jesus
Johnston, Jeremiah J.
Paperback
Every Thought Captive Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: How Renewing Your Mind Can Change Your Life
Idleman, Kyle
Paperback
The Divine Mercy Message and Devotion: With Selected Prayers from the Diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska
Michalenko, Seraphim
Paperback
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Large Print Edition: Discovering God's Love for You (Large Print Edition)
Keller, W. Phillip
Paperback
The Meaning of Marriage Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video, Updated Edition: A Vision for Married and Single People
Keller, Timothy
Keller, Kathy
Paperback
The Women of the Bible Speak Workbook: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today
Bream, Shannon
Paperback
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Paperback
Twelve Ordinary Men Workbook, Revised and Updated: How Jesus Shaped His Disciples for Greatness and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter: Expanded Second Edition
Freeman, Lindsay Hardin
Paperback
Revelation: An Insightful Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through the Book of Revelation
Dewaard, Erica
Hardcover
Parables Workbook: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through the Stories Jesus Told
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Catholic Book of Prayers: Popular Catholic Prayers Arranged for Everyday Use (Large Print Edition)
Fitzgerald, Maurus
Paperback
Making Your Case for Christ Bible Study Guide: An Action Plan for Sharing What You Believe and Why
Strobel, Lee
Mittelberg, Mark
Paperback
The Complete Orthodox Ethiopian Bible in English: A Comprehensive Collection of Scriptures and Apocrypha Including the Book of Enoch, Ezras, Jubilees,
Press, Covenant Sacred
Hardcover
Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a Dehumanizing World
Armas, Kat
Paperback
Nothing Is Impossible with God: Eleven Heroes. One God. Endless Lessons in Overcoming.
Bream, Shannon
Hardcover
The Wiersbe Bible Study Series: Philippians: Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy
Wiersbe, Warren W.
Paperback
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Strobel, Lee
Paperback
Brain Games - Large Print Bible Word Search: The Words of Jesus
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
The Beginner's Bible Study Guide: An Introduction to All 66 Books of the Bible
Trimble, Cameron
Paperback
The Complete Ethiopian Bible in English: The 88 Books Canon Including The Book of Enoch, Jubilees, Meqabyan, Ancient Biblical Apocrypha and More Ortho
Various Ancient Authors
Hardcover
Evidence That Demands a Verdict Bible Study Guide: Jesus and the Gospels
McDowell, Sean
McDowell, Josh
Paperback
God's Irreplaceable People: Israel's Continuing Story Through the Pages of the New Testament
Tsarfati, Amir
Paperback
The Westminster Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition with the Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books
John Knox Press, Westminster
Hardcover
Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs: How the People of the Bible Really Lived
Vos, Howard
Paperback
30 Life Principles Bible Study: An Action Plan for Living the Principles Each Day
Stanley, Charles F.
Paperback
No More Boring Bible Study: Why Taking Scripture Seriously Is Easier and More Exciting Than You Think
Womack, Faith
Paperback
My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language Paperback (a Daily Devotional with 366 Bible-Based Readings)
Chambers, Oswald
Paperback
Considering Sparrows: What Birds Teach Us about Who We Are, Where We're Going, and the Joy of Following Jesus
Burrell, Kevin
Hardcover
The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible
Cobble, Tara-Leigh
Hardcover
El Poder de la Kabbalah: 13 principios para superar los desafíos y alcanzar la realización
Berg, Rav
Paperback
Brain Games - Bible Crossword Puzzles: Prayers, Parables & Prophets - Large Print
Brain Games
Publications International Ltd
Paperback
The Book of Signs Bible Study Guide: 31 Undeniable Prophecies of the Apocalypse
Jeremiah, David
Paperback
God, AI and the End of History: Understanding the Book of Revelation in an Age of Intelligent Machines
Lennox, John C.
Hardcover
Morning and Evening - Matt Black: Daily Readings by C. H. Spurgeon
Spurgeon, Charles Haddon
Hardcover
When God's People Pray Bible Study Participant's Guide: Six Sessions on the Transforming Power of Prayer
Cymbala, Jim
Paperback
The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) about Scripture's Most Controversial Issues
McClellan, Dan
Hardcover
Grace Bible Study Participant's Guide: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine
Lucado, Max
Paperback
Parables: The Mysteries of God's Kingdom Revealed Through the Stories Jesus Told
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Resilient Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times
Eldredge, John
Paperback
Twelve Unlikely Heroes Study Guide: How God Commissioned Unexpected People in the Bible and What He Wants to Do with You
MacArthur, John F.
Paperback
Reversing Hermon: Enoch, the Watchers, and the Forgotten Mission of Jesus Christ
Heiser, Michael S.
Paperback