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Wednesday, June 28, 2006
A Brutal Blueprint of Judgment Day or a Coded Political Manifesto? National Geographic Channel Unlocks the Secrets of Revelation
NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"The effort to decode the symbols in the Book of Revelation... is the quest to find the ultimate answer to the ultimate human riddle: 'How does this story end?'"
(Washington, D.C. - June 28, 2006) The hooded silhouettes of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. The terrifying beast numbered 666. The pit of fire. The war to end all wars at Armageddon. The second coming of Jesus Christ. These haunting images, seared into the popular imagination, are all from the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament. For millions, it is a precise blueprint of God's plan for the future, and some even interpret recent wars, natural disasters and devastation as evidence its prophecies are upon us now.
For nearly 2,000 years, the Book of Revelation has haunted mankind. On Sunday, July 16, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the National Geographic Channel (NGC) premieres Secrets of Revelation, a one-hour special that explores the mysteries behind this ancient and provocative text that has endured as the ultimate story of good triumphing over evil. Was the Revelation meant to be interpreted only as a prophecy? Written by a man persecuted for his religious beliefs, was it also a coded political manifesto against the oppressive Roman Empire? How did its author intend for the Revelation to be read?
Tradition holds that the Book of Revelation was probably written by a man named John about 60 years after Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus was a living memory at the time, and Christianity was a Jewish sect trying to survive the horrors of the Roman Empire. Secrets of Revelation features experts in theology, history, archaeology and psychology who examine John's dreamlike visions and his status as a political exile, which some believe may shed light on the true meaning of his writings. At a time when Christians were actively persecuted by the Romans, the mere writing of the Revelation was a political act. But are there deeper layers of meaning hidden in the imagery John so graphically described?
"Most people think that the Book of Revelation is a prophecy of what's going to happen in the future. For believers, it remains an absolutely contemporary text, just as relevant as the morning newspaper," asserts Dr. Paul Samuel Boyer, professor of history at the University of Wisconsin.
"The effort to decode the symbols in the Book of Revelation... is the quest to find the ultimate answer to the ultimate human riddle: 'How does this story end?'" adds John L. Allen, Jr., a reporter for the National Catholic Reporter.
Additional experts featured in Secrets of Revelation include the Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing, professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago; Pastor Antonio Adamo, Valdese Church (Rome, Italy); Pastor Doug Batchelor, prophecy instructor; Professor Eric Cline, archaeologist, George Washington University; Dr. Tim LaHaye, creator, "Left Behind" book series; Bishop Carlton Pearson, senior pastor, New Dimensions Church; Pastor Bill Scheer, Guts Church; Father Ugo Vanni, professor emeritus of sacred scriptures, Gregorian University (Rome, Italy); and Dr. Paul Watsky, clinical psychologist and Jungian analyst.
Secrets of Revelation is produced for the National Geographic Channel by National Geographic Television & Film. Producer and writer is Jonathan Halperin; editor is Andrew Gersh. For NGC, Kathleen Cromley is executive producer; Michael Cascio is senior vice president of production; John B. Ford is executive in charge of production.
# # #
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Television & Film (NGT&F) and Fox Cable Networks. Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD, which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high definition. NGC has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available to 59 million homes. For more information, please visit www.nationalgeographic.com/channel.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Russell Howard, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6652, RHoward@natgeochannel.com
Chris Albert, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6526, CAlbert@natgeochannel.com
National Broadcast: Dara Klatt, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6720, Dara.Klatt@natgeochannel.com
National Broadcast: Cathy Saypol, CSPR, 212-288-8496, Saypolpr@aol.com
National Broadcast: Laura Reynolds, Reynolds Public Relations, 434-295-1128, Laura@reynoldspublicrelations.com
National Print: Nord Wennerstrom, The Fratelli Group, 202-496-2124, NWennerstrom@fratelli.com
National & Local Radio: Clare Hertel, Clare Hertel Communications, 845-340-0731, CHertel@aol.com
Local Print: Licet Ariza, The Fratelli Group, 202-496-2122, LAriza@fratelli.com
Photos: Matthew Royse, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6707, MRoyse@natgeochannel.com
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"The effort to decode the symbols in the Book of Revelation... is the quest to find the ultimate answer to the ultimate human riddle: 'How does this story end?'"
(Washington, D.C. - June 28, 2006) The hooded silhouettes of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. The terrifying beast numbered 666. The pit of fire. The war to end all wars at Armageddon. The second coming of Jesus Christ. These haunting images, seared into the popular imagination, are all from the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament. For millions, it is a precise blueprint of God's plan for the future, and some even interpret recent wars, natural disasters and devastation as evidence its prophecies are upon us now.
For nearly 2,000 years, the Book of Revelation has haunted mankind. On Sunday, July 16, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the National Geographic Channel (NGC) premieres Secrets of Revelation, a one-hour special that explores the mysteries behind this ancient and provocative text that has endured as the ultimate story of good triumphing over evil. Was the Revelation meant to be interpreted only as a prophecy? Written by a man persecuted for his religious beliefs, was it also a coded political manifesto against the oppressive Roman Empire? How did its author intend for the Revelation to be read?
Tradition holds that the Book of Revelation was probably written by a man named John about 60 years after Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus was a living memory at the time, and Christianity was a Jewish sect trying to survive the horrors of the Roman Empire. Secrets of Revelation features experts in theology, history, archaeology and psychology who examine John's dreamlike visions and his status as a political exile, which some believe may shed light on the true meaning of his writings. At a time when Christians were actively persecuted by the Romans, the mere writing of the Revelation was a political act. But are there deeper layers of meaning hidden in the imagery John so graphically described?
"Most people think that the Book of Revelation is a prophecy of what's going to happen in the future. For believers, it remains an absolutely contemporary text, just as relevant as the morning newspaper," asserts Dr. Paul Samuel Boyer, professor of history at the University of Wisconsin.
"The effort to decode the symbols in the Book of Revelation... is the quest to find the ultimate answer to the ultimate human riddle: 'How does this story end?'" adds John L. Allen, Jr., a reporter for the National Catholic Reporter.
Additional experts featured in Secrets of Revelation include the Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing, professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago; Pastor Antonio Adamo, Valdese Church (Rome, Italy); Pastor Doug Batchelor, prophecy instructor; Professor Eric Cline, archaeologist, George Washington University; Dr. Tim LaHaye, creator, "Left Behind" book series; Bishop Carlton Pearson, senior pastor, New Dimensions Church; Pastor Bill Scheer, Guts Church; Father Ugo Vanni, professor emeritus of sacred scriptures, Gregorian University (Rome, Italy); and Dr. Paul Watsky, clinical psychologist and Jungian analyst.
Secrets of Revelation is produced for the National Geographic Channel by National Geographic Television & Film. Producer and writer is Jonathan Halperin; editor is Andrew Gersh. For NGC, Kathleen Cromley is executive producer; Michael Cascio is senior vice president of production; John B. Ford is executive in charge of production.
# # #
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Television & Film (NGT&F) and Fox Cable Networks. Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD, which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high definition. NGC has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available to 59 million homes. For more information, please visit www.nationalgeographic.com/channel.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Russell Howard, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6652, RHoward@natgeochannel.com
Chris Albert, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6526, CAlbert@natgeochannel.com
National Broadcast: Dara Klatt, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6720, Dara.Klatt@natgeochannel.com
National Broadcast: Cathy Saypol, CSPR, 212-288-8496, Saypolpr@aol.com
National Broadcast: Laura Reynolds, Reynolds Public Relations, 434-295-1128, Laura@reynoldspublicrelations.com
National Print: Nord Wennerstrom, The Fratelli Group, 202-496-2124, NWennerstrom@fratelli.com
National & Local Radio: Clare Hertel, Clare Hertel Communications, 845-340-0731, CHertel@aol.com
Local Print: Licet Ariza, The Fratelli Group, 202-496-2122, LAriza@fratelli.com
Photos: Matthew Royse, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6707, MRoyse@natgeochannel.com
*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.
The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
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About Religion Press Release ServicesReligion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others. The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.
Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.
Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777
