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Apocalypse: The Book of Revelation
“There has never been a book provoking more delirium, foolishness and irrational movements, without any relationship to Jesus Christ [than the Book of Revelation].”
—Jacques Ellul, Introduction
Known for his trenchant critique of modernity and of those Christians who celebrate their captivity to it, Ellul here cuts to the heart of the theological intention of the Book of Revelation, and thereby reveals the liberating gospel in all its offensiveness. Neither an exhaustive commentary nor a work of historical-exegetical analysis, Apocalypse is a provocative, independent interpretation. Ellul seeks to rescue Revelation from the reassuring and orthodox banality to which commentators often reduce it. The goal is to perceive the totality of the book in its movement and structure . “Architecture in movement” is the key to understanding Revelation’s puzzling but simple message. This edition also comes with a new foreword by Jacob Marques Rollison who provides an essential aid for guiding readers through Ellul’s thorough engagement with Revelation.
—Jacques Ellul, Introduction
Known for his trenchant critique of modernity and of those Christians who celebrate their captivity to it, Ellul here cuts to the heart of the theological intention of the Book of Revelation, and thereby reveals the liberating gospel in all its offensiveness. Neither an exhaustive commentary nor a work of historical-exegetical analysis, Apocalypse is a provocative, independent interpretation. Ellul seeks to rescue Revelation from the reassuring and orthodox banality to which commentators often reduce it. The goal is to perceive the totality of the book in its movement and structure . “Architecture in movement” is the key to understanding Revelation’s puzzling but simple message. This edition also comes with a new foreword by Jacob Marques Rollison who provides an essential aid for guiding readers through Ellul’s thorough engagement with Revelation.
283 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1977
7 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Jacques Ellul
123 books450 followersBaptised Catholic, Ellul became an atheist and Marxist at 19, and a Christian of the Reformed Church at 22. During his Marxist days, he was a member of the French Communist Party. During World War II, he fought with the French Underground against the Nazi occupation of France.
Educated at the Universities of Bordeaux and Paris, he taught Sociology and the History of Law at the Universities of Strausbourg and Montpellier. In 1946 he returned to Bordeaux where he lived, wrote, served as Mayor, and taught until his death in 1994.
In the 40 books and hundreds of articles Ellul wrote in his lifetime, his dominant theme was always the threat to human freedom posed by modern technology. His tenor and methodology is objective and scholarly, and the perspective is a sociological one. Few of his books are overtly political -- even though they deal directly with political phenomena -- and several of his books, including "Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes" and "The Technological Society" are required reading in many graduate communication curricula.
Ellul was also a respected and serious Christian theologian whose 1948 work, "The Presence of the Kingdom," makes explicit a dual theme inherent, though subtly stated, in all of his writing, a sort of yin and yang of modern technological society: sin and sacramentality.
Educated at the Universities of Bordeaux and Paris, he taught Sociology and the History of Law at the Universities of Strausbourg and Montpellier. In 1946 he returned to Bordeaux where he lived, wrote, served as Mayor, and taught until his death in 1994.
In the 40 books and hundreds of articles Ellul wrote in his lifetime, his dominant theme was always the threat to human freedom posed by modern technology. His tenor and methodology is objective and scholarly, and the perspective is a sociological one. Few of his books are overtly political -- even though they deal directly with political phenomena -- and several of his books, including "Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes" and "The Technological Society" are required reading in many graduate communication curricula.
Ellul was also a respected and serious Christian theologian whose 1948 work, "The Presence of the Kingdom," makes explicit a dual theme inherent, though subtly stated, in all of his writing, a sort of yin and yang of modern technological society: sin and sacramentality.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 17, 2017
The Book of Revelation is one I have avoided because of its complex structure and vast symbolism that has its roots in the rich tradition of the Old Testament. Jacques Ellul's book, while not effortless to read, shows a profound discernment of the last book of the Bible.
Moreover the author emphasizes the central theme, which incidentally is found exactly in the mid point of reading the Apocalypse. That central theme is not, as many suppose, the "Final Judgement Day". Instead, the mystery that is being revealed is the Incarnation, Death and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The entire human history - past, present, future - acquires its meaning from the truth of this momentous historical encounter between God and man.
God's condemnation of humanity's sins had already taken place. It happened on the cross and it was there that, in Jacques Ellul's own words, God condemned God for our sins. Since that day each one of us is judged everyday of our life by our very words and deeds. Judgement, according to the author, is the revealing of the true nature of the person being judged. When we do not speak the truth we are accordingly judged to be liars. When we do not love one another we are accordingly judged to be haters of one another.
While most Christian denominations teach that only those who put their faith in Christ in this life attain Eternal Life, Jacques Ellul boldly says "No!"
His careful treatment of the text of the Apocalypse challenges, with a hint of disdain, this widely held belief. In this, and a few of his other books, he draws a clear distinction between 'judgement' and 'condemnation'. All are judged and all are in danger of condemnation but it is God who ultimately accepts the punishment on the cross.
What is condemned and thrown into the Lake of Fire are the 'powers and principalities' that keep humankind separated from God's love. The Death of Death. Ellul's simple example of a cancer patient suffices. The patient is judged to be unhealthy and the cancerous portion is condemned and cast out.
Ellul highlights for us the unorthodox version of Heaven, as he sees it presented in the Apocalypse. In stark contrast to what most Christians and other religions hold, God announces that at the end of time humanity is to enter not into the old Garden of Eden but into a New City!
For anyone who cringes at the sight of modern day urban monstrosities this news might be somewhat bitter. We are disillusioned with utopias. But it is God Himself who builds this New Jerusalem and brings it down to us. Ellul makes enough references to his book "The Meaning of the City".
In presenting us with the gift of this Perfect City, God reveals his Love for humanity in that He retains the sum of all those efforts of humanity, from within this broken reality, that reflect His Eternal Character.
Will Heaven retain an image of humanity's best? (Architecture, Landscaping, Art, Engineering, Literature, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Science, etc.)
In conclusion, coming back to the central theme of The Book of Revelation, the mystery revealed cannot be overstated. God's selfless sacrifice through the life, death and the resurrection of His Unique Son leaves no doubt as to the magnitude of His Love for His unique creation - us... all of us.
Moreover the author emphasizes the central theme, which incidentally is found exactly in the mid point of reading the Apocalypse. That central theme is not, as many suppose, the "Final Judgement Day". Instead, the mystery that is being revealed is the Incarnation, Death and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The entire human history - past, present, future - acquires its meaning from the truth of this momentous historical encounter between God and man.
God's condemnation of humanity's sins had already taken place. It happened on the cross and it was there that, in Jacques Ellul's own words, God condemned God for our sins. Since that day each one of us is judged everyday of our life by our very words and deeds. Judgement, according to the author, is the revealing of the true nature of the person being judged. When we do not speak the truth we are accordingly judged to be liars. When we do not love one another we are accordingly judged to be haters of one another.
While most Christian denominations teach that only those who put their faith in Christ in this life attain Eternal Life, Jacques Ellul boldly says "No!"
His careful treatment of the text of the Apocalypse challenges, with a hint of disdain, this widely held belief. In this, and a few of his other books, he draws a clear distinction between 'judgement' and 'condemnation'. All are judged and all are in danger of condemnation but it is God who ultimately accepts the punishment on the cross.
What is condemned and thrown into the Lake of Fire are the 'powers and principalities' that keep humankind separated from God's love. The Death of Death. Ellul's simple example of a cancer patient suffices. The patient is judged to be unhealthy and the cancerous portion is condemned and cast out.
Ellul highlights for us the unorthodox version of Heaven, as he sees it presented in the Apocalypse. In stark contrast to what most Christians and other religions hold, God announces that at the end of time humanity is to enter not into the old Garden of Eden but into a New City!
For anyone who cringes at the sight of modern day urban monstrosities this news might be somewhat bitter. We are disillusioned with utopias. But it is God Himself who builds this New Jerusalem and brings it down to us. Ellul makes enough references to his book "The Meaning of the City".
In presenting us with the gift of this Perfect City, God reveals his Love for humanity in that He retains the sum of all those efforts of humanity, from within this broken reality, that reflect His Eternal Character.
Will Heaven retain an image of humanity's best? (Architecture, Landscaping, Art, Engineering, Literature, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Science, etc.)
In conclusion, coming back to the central theme of The Book of Revelation, the mystery revealed cannot be overstated. God's selfless sacrifice through the life, death and the resurrection of His Unique Son leaves no doubt as to the magnitude of His Love for His unique creation - us... all of us.
January 9, 2016
Surprenant, essentiel, et pourtant hérétique. Son universalisme teinte toute son exégèse et lui force à des explications vraiment fantastiques parfois, presque ruinant un commentaire que, de reste, est excellent, respectueux, soigneux de l’honneur de Dieux et rempli d’admiration pour la gloire de Christ.
January 10, 2023
Dit boek is de meest overtuigende verdediging dat oordeel en genade hand in hand gaan. En dat een scherper oordeel zelfs een grotere genade mogelijk maakt. En gewoon het meest verbluffende commentaar op het boek Openbaring dat ik gelezen heb.
August 12, 2024
Mostly beyond my comprehension but when it’s clear it feels wonderful. Here is a magnificent mind transmitting his stunning insights into words.. delightful to muse upon. Looking forward to more from Ellul !!
January 21, 2022
I learned of this book because it is often quoted in Stephen Smalley's commentary on Revelation. Ellul's book is not exactly a commentary, but it does make for interesting reading.
July 6, 2023
Consider the present an atemporal eschatology, consider density a product of specular attribution, and consider expanse a product of specular poiesis.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews