The first question is: Should Revelation be studied at all? Is it monopolised by fundamentalists, or of such a minority interest that it doesn't belong in the New Testament? This study guide introduces the text anew by a series of thematic readings. The text is seen to deal with essential themes-God and Christ, the Church in the World, Creation and the end of the Universe, Politics and Rival Powers, and the Future Hope. Special attention is paid to the living traditions within which Revelation is interpreted, including art, literature and music. Not only does this guide seek to orientate the reader within the whole range of the text and its traditions; it also focusses discussion in three substantial chapters dealing in turn with the key literary, historical, and theological issues raised. How can one describe Revelation's literary character? From what historical and social context did it come? What are its abiding theological values and doctrines? This study is set in the context of modern approaches to the biblical text and is supported by selected bibliographies and recommendations for further reading.

A seven headed ten horned red Dragon, with a seductive Harlot called Babylon riding on its back; stars falling from the sky with the earth being destroyed; a world ruler setting up a global economy and demanding that the whole world worship him as god; Jesus returning to the earth to destroy this world leader (the "Antichrist"), and all his followers, as well as the world as we know it; really? Really? Does it make any sense? Is it scientifically believable? And if we think it is believable, which of the hundreds of interpretations and scenarios are we supposed to believe?Revelation Revisited is the product of over 10 years and thousands of hours of analysis and evaluation, and research on the subject. This admittedly involved some disillusionment with a host of interpretations and theories and scenarios. It represents an attempt to implement and adhere to certain rules of interpretation and exegesis and logic. It required an intentional attempt to put aside personal biases and doctrinal presuppositions in order to let the text speak for itself. It also is what emerges from applying two other principles which are unique to biblical exegesis and interpretation. The first is to let scripture interpret scripture. The amazing and little recognized reality is that even the very cryptic passages and somewhat bizarre symbology are actually interpreted and often explained elsewhere in scripture. For example, the various beasts featured in Revelation are actually interpreted and explained in the Old Testament prophetic book of Daniel (and vice versa). Attempts to understand and explain Revelation, or Daniel, without a familiarity with, understanding of, and reference to the rest of both Old and New Testament prophetic scripture, are doomed to fail to produce accurate interpretations - as has historically been the case.The findings and interpretations and scenarios articulated in this commentary have areas of commonality and agreement with many other mainstream works (inasmuch as they are all futurists and to varying degrees literalists). But there are also significant and consequential differences with each of them. The implicit message of many of these more famous authors and their works, is that the revelations and frightening descriptions found in the book are actually not very relevant to the Church today, because she won't even be here when they all will be occurring. Thus the most important messages of the book are mostly missed and almost negated with respect to their intended impact, that we need to live differently in light of these things, especially as we see them happening in our world today. A more accurate and realistic interpretation of the book tells us that we need to see what is happening today in light of what was predicted in scripture, and live our lives accordingly. Moreover, we need to be passing on to the next generation the truths about what to expect in our future and theirs. While we are promised deliverance from the wrath of God to be poured out on Satan and his followers, we are not promised deliverance from what God describes as a time of testing and tribulation for His church. Those who choose to believe the more palatable and comfortable teaching that Christ will come to take out His church before the Antichrist appears, may very well fail to recognize the Antichrist when he does appear, and scriptures warns many will be deceived by him. People today need to hear this truth proclaimed. This is book 1 of 4 volumes.

The emotionally evocative power of the book of Revelation has been often noted and experienced by interpreters, but until now it has never been systematically explored. The strange visions of the book of Revelation provide some of the most difficult passages of the New Testament, yet Christians have long been fascinated by its power and provocative pronouncements. David deSilva analyzes how the book argues and persuades us to see the world through the eyes of John, and suggests that the study of ancient rhetoric is particularly valuable in understanding the book of Revelation. deSilva interprets the book of Revelation as a rhetorical and communicative strategy to persuade a particular audience for specific goals. Throughout this analysis, he pursues John's construction of his own authority, John's use of emotion and logic, and his attempt to shape the formation of the reader. Despite the complexities of Revelation, deSilva has produced a remarkably clear text sure to cause readers to rethink their view of Revelation.

The presentations I have seen on Revelation have bothered me for years. If I have taken the time to study Revelation, a book I have always avoided, I must have been very distressed. Let me show you a couple of the things that I have found.If you look at the seven headed beast in Revelation 13, you will find that this beast is described by three other beasts which are found in the book of Daniel, chapter 7. These beasts are the lion, the bear, and the leopard. The fourth beast in Daniel 7 is conspicuous by its absence. The terrible beast which is a representation of Rome is missing. Many people are saying that the end times will produce a one world government which is a revived Roman Empire. Hmm. Does this mean that, if the terrible beast is missing from the seven headed beast that the seven headed beast will have nothing to do with the revived Roman Empire? No matter what your conclusion, This needs to be carefully inspected.Next, in Rev 5:19, it is stated that 1/3 of mankind will be killed when the 6th trumpet is sounded. The word anthropos is used to indicate who will die. The dead will be “man faced”, or, human beings. When the four horsemen reign in the 1st four seals, Rev 6:8 says “And power was given to them over a fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, etc.”. The problem is that, so far, everyone I have heard speak on this section says that ¼ of mankind will be killed at this point. That doesn't seem to fit the text. These horsemen will have the power to kill over ¼ of the earth's soil (“ge” in the Greek). I'm sure people will die at this time, but having the power to kill is not necessarily to kill, and why kill soil?Some Revelation studies amount to little more than a rehashing of other studies. Other studies go into minute details and miss the overall picture. Not so with this book. It takes a new look at Revelation which gives an overview of Revelation and applies it to modern times. Furthermore, many people know more about what the other books of the Bible say about Revelation than they know about the book of Revelation itself. This is almost peculiar. This book will show you what Revelation says about its self.The methods used to study Revelation in this book are simple. First, look primarily at the text of Revelation. Next, stick to the more obvious meanings and skip the obscure.When I started this study, it was like I was holding a blank piece of paper in my hand and I wasn't sure what was going to fill the page when I was done. To my surprise, I have found a cohesive and straightforward understanding of Revelation which has gone far beyond my wildest dreams.Clearly identified are: The seven headed beast, The seven heads, The eighth head, The two horned lamb, The time of the ten horned rule, Many time sequences, And much more.

People are always interested in what's going to happen in the future. This book goes into depth as to Scripture or Scriptures which are never touched by other end-time scholars, I've studied in depth Eschatology for forty years; the Scriptures others don't or won't understand or simply pass by. My book concerns an enlightening overview into the Bible for a novice's information and a very close look into the end-time scenario, as well as a close look into the book of Revelation as others fail to see.

In their excellent treatise, The Visionary's Handbook, authors Watts Wacker and Jim Taylor give the principles that govern the realm of visions. Simple to grasp, equally profound, they show that America's corporate world is sorely lacking in vision. The church is on the hot seat, too, when their greatest rule is applied – that the future always disrupts the present, while the present resists the future. For prophecy is never the status quo, projected into the future. And God will never give man a vision that gives the glory to man. Hal Lindsey thus errs when using technology to explain God's end-times judgments. And Tim LaHaye, content in the present, strays with agreeable fiction. But neither approach will work in explaining the very last book of the Bible. John's Revelation is the highest of visions, given to those who are exiled. Revelation Revisited thus takes the high road by taking God at his word. The result is a greater glimpse of the judgments coming upon the earth. In it, the Antichrist is revealed, with his anti-saints from hell. His prophet and mark are also disclosed, with the site of earth's last pagan kingdom. The depth of apostasy in our day is also clearly presented. For false professions, now the rule, are the link between Beast and False Prophet. And the church that yearns for prosperity here placates the kings of the earth. All concepts combine in this fast-paced book, meant for the Christian and curious. Turkey is the nation to watch. And the kingdom of Christ is well worth the wait, for those who endure tribulation.REVIEWS: “A scholarly, quality product…the obvious result of tremendous research.” Rusty Shelton, Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists “Thank you for your book….it is excellent. Good applications.” Pastor Perry F. Rockwood, The People's Gospel Hour “I am really impressed. It is very easy to read, beautifully written, and so deep. I loved the ending.” Courtenay H., Abilene, TX

Today, more than at any other time in the history of creation, people have a great hunger for and desire to understand the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. Reverend Behrens takes the reader through the fascinating book of Revelation, as well as, the visions of Daniel and the apocalyptic writings found in the Gospels of the New Testament. This study strives to bring to light, some very interesting facts concerning the teachings of the twenty-first century Church. This book is a companion to a DVD Bible Study, of the same name, that will greatly enrich the reader's experience. It consists of twelve video sessions, including: (1) Introduction (2) The Rapture Theory (3) The First Vision of Daniel (4) The Seventy Weeks of Daniel (5) The Olivet Discourse (6) The Revelation of Jesus Christ (7) The Invitation (8) The Victory Belongs to God (9) Seals, Trumpets and Bowls (10) Silence in Heaven (11) The Two Beasts and Babylon (12) A New Heaven and New Earth The layout of the book offers ample space for the participant to write down notes, thoughts and comments. The DVD Bible Study (not included) is facilitator ready, as each of the twelve sessions are followed up with discussion questions.

I had an unhealthy fear of dying when I was younger. I don't know the cause or circumstances, but I always worried about my parents dying. Even when I went to college in upstate, Ohio, I thought that every phone call from home would be a call that one of my parents had passed. That never happened. Both of my parents lived into their 90s, so a lifetime of worry was wasted on something that never happened. My fear of death may be part of the reason that I shied away from delving too deeply into end times, stories of Armageddon, and the book of Revelation. The end was near, and I didn't want to think about it. Not until January 2024 did I receive a push from the Holy Spirit to revisit Revelation with a renewed mind and an open heart. I did not expect to jump to the end of the Bible for the next devotional, but the Holy Spirit showed me that Revelation is the bookend to Genesis. What God created from the beginning in its purest form he will restore in the end, purifying the earth, calling his people to a new heaven and earth, and purging the old earth of sin. Readers don't close the Bible feeling defeated, lost, or wondering what happened to the main characters. We read the last words with victory, hope, and praise to God for keeping his promises, his covenant of love for us. Let's start at the beginning of the last book of the Bible and personalize our reading to better understand the message of the prophecy given to John. That journey begins now.

Daniel Revisited makes the case that the ancient book of Daniel reveals four specific events to occur in the Middle East in the end times prior to the Tribulation. This new look at old assumptions about prophecy and plain reading of Scripture combines a comprehensive study of relevant history with the fresh perspective of today’s current events. Not only does it show that the Antichrist will be Muslim, it also identifies four events the author calls Signposts which will occur in a series leading right up to the Tribulation. The first event involving Iraq has already occurred. The second of the four events will be the invasion of the whole Middle East by Iran. The fourth event will witness the Antichrist's emergence.