With the Rev. James M. Efird
7 p.m. In the Parish Hall, St. Michael's, Raleigh
March, 4, 11, 18, 25
All are invited!

The book of Revelation is one of the most misunderstood and abused of all the books of our Scripture. It has been used to try to predict the return of Jesus, the end of the world, along with other craziness. It is, however, an example of apocalyptic literature and thinking which arose in post exilic Judaism and which was used by the early Christians as well.

This type of literature arose during a period of distress and persecution. Revelation is no different and was directed to Christians in the Roman province of Asia during the last decade of the first Christian century. It is a call to keep the faith in the face of persecution and a conviction that God will ultimately win the war with evil in this fallen world. It is a book
of hope, not fear.

James M. Efird is Professor Emeritus of Biblical Interpretation,
Duke Divinity School, where he has taught for
50 years. He is the author of 14 books and over 60
articles, many of which are in the Harper Collins One-
Volume Dictionary of the Bible. An Ordained Presbyterian
(UPUSA) minister, he is now honorably retired by
New Hope Presbytery. He actively teaches Biblical
courses for churches of many different denominations.