This accessible guide, aimed at the non-expert, explores why Revelation appears so difficult to understand and engages positively with the key issues. With extensive additional material on the Grove web site (including charts, teaching material, and resources for further reading) it opens up some exciting new ways of hearing Revelation's message afresh. (2003)
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Review by Sydney Smart
In this short booklet of 32 pages, the author does not attempt to summarise the teaching of Revelation. His purpose is to help many who find it difficult to undrstand the graphic imagery and the frequent use of number - features of the book. Revelation differs from all other New Testament books. In the first verse, it is claimed that God directly revealed to John what will soon come to pass. Although written between 65 and 80AD, it was not included in the Canon of Scripture until 300AD.
John first records that he was guided by the Spirit to send to the seven churches of Asia messages of criticism, guidance and hope. He claims then that he had a vision of heaven and saw Christ on a throne holding a book, which had seven seals. Round the throne there were 24 elders. As the seals were opened by seven angels, seven trumpets were sounded. The author claims that for the Hebrews and Romans some numbers, 4, 7, 12, 24, etc., have special significance. He seeks to explain this by a number of diagrams, which are not easy to understand.
In several of the chapters which follow, it is made clear that there is a continual battle between God and the powers of evil. In one chapter there is reference to "war in heave", when the devil and his angels are cast out - but the war continues on earth. There is a description of beasts and dragons bringing suffering and destruction - horrifying scenes of people being slaughtered, rivers of blood ruining the environment.There is a chapter in the book, "How to interpret the violent texts." There is a suggestion that this is like the history of the world since the book was written.
In the midst of this wickedness, there is the story of the woman giving birth to a son who was to be the Saviour of the world. The book concludes with a chapter on "The Millennium", which sums up the message of the last five chapters describing in vivid language the victory of the risen Christ over all the powers of evil and the establishing of the everlasting kingdom for all who love the Lord. These chapters develop the message of Jesus recorded by Matthew and Luke.
This book should encourage us to study what is a neglected part of Scripture.
ISBN: 9781851745333
Catalogue code: N/A
Publisher: GROVE BOOKS LTD* - published 15/10/2003
Format: Paperback