We might call John a double dissident because he had his eyes on the evil powers at work in the empire as well as those same powers at work in the church. He saw too much Rome in the church, and not enough church in Rome. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

Dissidents tap into the mind of God and return with a vision that sees the powers of this world differently. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

Windy but not too hot this morning. A nice ride along Yarrie Lake Rd. #cycling #Narrabri #Biketooter

The powers of that time lived in suspicion and fear, even fearful of this pocket of house churches. Their songs were subversive, pointing to a different hope, and their witness announced a different Lord. There was something about them that made those in power nervous, so they began at the top with a plan to eliminate the most influential Christian in western Asia Minor: a Jew who believed Jesus was the Messiah. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

The book of Revelation, when read well, forms us into dissident disciples who discern corruptions in the world and church. Conformity to the world is the problem. Discipleship requires dissidence when one lives in Babylon. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

The Apocalypse is not about prediction of the future but perception and interrogation of the present. It provides readers with a new lens to view our contemporary world. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

The book is for all times because it is about all time. The flexibility of the book to give Christians a sense of direction and meaning throughout church history is the big clue to a different approach. The clue is that Revelation is timeless theology not specific prediction, and the moment it turns to specific predictions it loses its timeless message. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett

Countless students and friends and people have told us this. They’ve had their excitations about the imminent rapture, they’ve heard the predictions, and they’ve seen that every one of them was wrong. Every. One. No. Exceptions. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett