The book of Revelation, despite (or perhaps because of) the perplexing nature of its imagery, continues to attract both academic and popular interest in Western societies in the early years of a new millennium. But the stimulus for this study has come from involvement in the task of translating the scriptures into the languages of Asia and the Pacific. The context of Bible translation has given a pragmatic edge to my study. While I have focussed principally on understanding the text within its original context, the goal and purpose has always been not only to add to academic literature on the book of Revelation, but to provide a secure basis for contextualizing its message in the vastly different languages and thought worlds of contemporary societies.

This work has its origins in the major part of my Otago University doctoral thesis, and my thanks go to Paul Trebilco, Tim Meadowcroft, and Peter Carrell for their skilful supervision and advice and also for their friendship and encouragement. Otago University (Dunedin), the Bible College of New Zealand (Auckland), and Tyndale House (Cambridge, UK) have all played a significant part in bringing this research to fruition.

The research was carried out with the help of a scholarship provided by the United Bible Societies, to whom my sincere thanks are due for their generous sponsorship.