Revelation

<p><span style=color: rgba(65 65 65 1)>This is a phrase-by-phrase commentary and exposition of </span><em style=color: rgba(65 65 65 1)>Revelation</em><span style=color: rgba(65 65 65 1)> and continues the author's New Testament commentary series.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>The only book of prophecy in the New Testament</span><span style=color: rgba(65 65 65 1)> </span><em style=color: rgba(65 65 65 1)>Revelation</em><span style=color: rgba(65 65 65 1)> presents unique challenges. </span><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>Revelation 1:1 announces itself as being given in symbolic language.  </span><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Symbols make comparisons and Revelation uses things from the physical world to illustrate spiritual truths. </span><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>In recording the various visions he saw the Apostle John gave us a book filled with signs and figurative language to depict real events and people. However because symbols and figurative language are non-literal their interpretation can be innately difficult. Further John's visions cover an expansive historical timeline. Over and over the visions take us from Jesus' time on earth to the final judgment at the end of the age while giving us glimpses of his own present the near-future the end times and even of eternity to come. And throughout John interweaves a variety of perspectives: of the earthly and heavenly of Christians living on earth and of Christians presently in the intermediate state of the physical and spiritual dimensions and of men and angels and demons and even of God Himself.</span></p><p class=ql-align-justify></p><p><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>This commentary uses the </span><em style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>Progressive Parallel</em><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)> or Historical Cycle method of interpretation. That is John sees the course of history revealed in six sets or cycles of overlapping complementary visions. </span><em style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>Parallel</em><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)> means various symbols are often the subject of two or more visions and different visions cover similar time periods. </span><em style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>Progressive</em><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)> means later visions often reference earlier visions and the spiritual conflict John witnesses intensifies as Revelation advances.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>While Revelation is the only book of prophecy in the New Testament the NT contains other prophetic passages and the Bible contains other prophetic books. In both the </span><em style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>Introductory Studies</em><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)> and within the commentary itself Dr. Reese harmonizes his</span><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)> interpretation of Revelation with other less symbolic passages</span><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>. A </span><em style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>Glossary of Key Symbols</em><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)> connects Revelation's symbols to other Scriptures. And the </span><em style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)>Language of Prophecy</em><span style=color: rgba(80 80 80 1)> appendix summarizes key passages anyone must wrestle while studying Revelation.</span></p><p></p><p><span style=color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>The words of Revelation are not just John's own; they reflect what John was told to write by the Lord or by the angel sent to help him interpret what he was seeing. This commentary seeks to stoke interest in Revelation's message and to stimulate readers to further in-depth study of the mystery God has opened to us.</span></p>