Revelations Books

For many people, the Bible is rather intimidating as a great unknown, sort of like North America before Lewis and Clark. This book gives a quick tour with enough background and details that people can have a picture of what they are dealing with, and be prepared for further study. I have given out twenty copies to friends so far, and people have been enthusiastic.

Sadly, 8 years in Catholic school didn't teach me even a fraction of what this book did about the contents of the Bible. This book explained the different sections and books in plain terms. Now I am actually inspired to read the Bible and learn what it's all about. The only additional thing I would have loved to see is why/how the different religions formed (Judaism, Catholic, Muslim, Protestants, etc). Thank You.

Written by Simon Jenkins, the founder of online community and "magazine of Christian unrest" shipoffools.com, The Bible from Scratch: Catholic Edition is a condensed, simplified run-through of what the Bible has to say in plain-terms English. Black-and-white cartoon illustrations add a visual dimension to the stories of the ancestors, saints, prophets, and historical figures related in the Bible. Covering both Old and New Testaments, The Bible from Scratch is accessible to readers of all ages, backgrounds, and faiths, even though as its title indicates, it presents a Catholic point of view. The Bible from Scratch is essentially a Cliff Notes version of the Bible with a small dose of cartoon humor added for good measure, enthusiastically recommended especially for anyone brand new to Biblical studies and in need of an easy-to-grasp overview.

This book is a great overview of the Bible, full of information and humour in equal portions. The best starting out guide to the reader who wants to figure out how the various parts of the Bible fit together and fit within history.

If you love to get your Revelation views from the front page of today's newspaper, then you will destest this book. If your favorite preachers are those who love to get their Reveltion views from the front page of today's newspaper, then you'll really desest this book. And if you think that Hal Lidsey and Tim LaHaye are significant scholars on Revelation, then you will absolutely hate this book.
BUT if you are a true student of the Bible and love expository teaching, then get ready to have your socks blessed off.
Jim takes a "preterist" view of Revelation and powerfully supports that view. He insists that the reader be consistent with the 12+ scriptures in Revelation that limit the time period for fulfillment of the book to a time that was "soon to take place". NOT "SOON" from 2005, but "SOON" from 79 AD. He also makes the "symbolic" nature of Revelation crystal clear.
And what makes his book the "top of the heap" of preterist commentaries on Revelation is his exposition of chapter 21. Jim is the "ONE & ONLY" perterist commentator who doesn't "bailout" or "jump ship" when it comes to chapter 21.
So to say that there isn't another commentary on Revelation like Jim's isn't an exaggeration. God bless. Mike

Great stuff. Although some things he doesn't cover enough I say. I don't have a list of pro's n con's really, I read this book over a year ago. It is on my list of good commentaries of the book of Revelation. However, I think that commentaries on this book are best when eat the meat of each one and spit out the bones, seeing which views and exegetics work best with harmony of Scripture and history. Jim's book is great, but don't stop with this one, also read "Revelation: Jesus Christ's Last Message of Hope" by Wayne Jackson as well as "An Eschatology of Victory" By J. Marcellus Kik. These are my top 3 recommendations for studying the apocalpyse. There are views by all that I don't believe are biblically irrefutable but we're saved by grace, afterall, not irrefutability in apocalypses. Enjoy your book!

This is the best work on Revelation that I have read. Jim gives a very scholarly approach and looks at the symbolism contained in the Old Testament to unlock the meaning that the original readers of Revelation no doubt were very familiar with. This approach makes so much more sense with the rest of the scriptures than the premillinial view point does. Jim's style of writing is so easy to read,yet he gets to the very heart of the message that was intended by John when he wrote the book. Thank you, Jim.

I have consulted almost 100 commentaries in my study on this grand book of the scriptures, but none possess the provocative and dynamic aspects as Jim's Revelation. As with all commentaries by Jim McGuiggan, he presents the material in a conversational manner, which exhibits his keen insights into the scriptures and tremendously helps the lay student. For years Revelation has been a perplexity and an enigma, which has prompted too many students to put it on the shelf and leave it to the "scholars." However, I suggest that with the help of this book, Revelation comes to life and enables the student to understand it in its historical and literary setting. On the other hand, many authors abuse this grand book in today's religious environment. McGuiggan will aptly quail the heresies that are being taught in many of these modern commentaries such as the doctrines of the "rapture," the "tribulation," and the "millennial reign." He will have the reader focus his thoughts of Revelation in their true Biblical sense--as literary figures to be understood symbolically. I am unable to do this book any sort of justice in the minor space I am allowed, but I do suggest that any student's library is incomplete if they do not own this book!

What a treat! This book has it all. Even if you aren't a fan of poetry or have a narrow view/opinion of poetry, this author will dispell all the short sided rumors of poetry being boring and lacking excitement. My favorite is the title poem "Chasing Shadows". If you're looking for a book to add to your collection, this is the one.

Miss Cabell is not only a good writer, but a GREAT woman. Her love for God as well as her love for others illuminates from her very being. I met Briana in one of my college classes when she came to share a few of her revelations with our class. I immediately found a new friend. I cried as she shared her heart with us. Not a dry eye in the class as a matter of fact. I am proud of you Briana! I look forward to Volume 2.

I heard of this book through word of mouth. I really didn't think much of it because I am not a huge poetry lover but I kept hearing so many things about this local (Maryland) girl that I had to check it out. Boy was I surprised! It's not only poetry, it's short stories, and thoughts and ideas and everything in between. Briana Cabell really has something to say and she says it well. I even cried reading a few of her stories because they are so very personal. I almost feel like I know her. Buy this book.

I can't believe this young lady is only 25 years old! Her words and thoughts are extraordinary! Her flow is flawless and her lyrical prowess is unmatched by anyone I have seen so young. This lady has obviously gone through something and is blessing the world by telling about it and really helping other people heal through her healing. Her website says that this is the first book in a 3-part series. I, for one, can't wait for part 2!

This book is one of the most entertaining stories i have ever read. Mr. Coakley has made a jewel in the rough with his first novel. He has a creativity that is different from any other author, which makes his story easy to read and very intoxicating. The action in the story is so discriptive, it makes you feel that you are right in the scene. His characters depict the different aspects of human nature, from good to evil and everything in between. Coakley's knowledge of mythological creatures is vaguely familiar to this reader. Coakley's story that he has woven is a must read for a fantasy lover no matter what the age. This book will be put on my shelf to be read over and over, I can not wait till that vivid imagination comes out with a new book.

Mr. Coakley has penned a great first novel which should appeal to every fantasy lover. It is easy to read and understand with characters that spring to life on the pages. The book is packed with action from start to finish and was hard to set down. The author blends familiar mythological creatures with unlikely heroes and makes it work to his advantage. Despite his unusual writing style, Mr. Coakley's book has won a spot on this reader's shelf. This new author has definite potential.

I am not much into fantasy, however, this book was recommended by a friend. I found it easy to read and follow with delightful characters. The action in the last few chapters makes it hard to put down. I would classify it as a cross between The Lord of the Ring, which I didn't particularly care for, and Harry Potter, which I enjoyed. I would recommend it to anyone who is into fantasy writing.

I just finished reading The Chosen One: Revelation and was really impressed by this author's creativity. His story held my interest throughout the entire book. I am looking forward to the next book by this author. If you are into fantasy, I highly recommend The Chosen One.

My son needed the book for college. The book got to our home in time for him to take back with him after Christmas break. Very quick!! Thanks alot!

This is not really a commentary on Revelation. It's a series of essays on a number of topics in the book. For example he takes the "silence" in heaven or the lamb/lion/dragon imagery and examines them in light of contemporary Jewish apocalyptic books like 4 Ezra, 2 Baruch, and also Enoch. The orientation is fairly conservative and the outlook is NOT premillenial. Some Greek, Latin, and Hebrew is included. This book is probably most geared for the experienced reader. Very good overall.

This book is for the serious reader and researcher of the Book of Revelation. Bauckham has not only great exegetical skill, but has a great knowledge of history. This book is a series of essays that can be read independently of one another. Some essays are better than others, but the overall book is definately worth reading. Bauckham does not take a dispensational approach, but he is not clearly a preterist either. He appreciates the historical setting of John's day, but does not believe that the message of Revelation stays only in John's day, but is characteristic of how God acts in history and in the future. I like this book, but I liked his "The Theology of the Book of Revelation" better because it is in a more reader friendly style. If you are going to purchase this book it would help to know Greek, because he uses it extensively.
This essays or topics he covers best in the book are his explanation of the 144,000, Nero and the number 666, the positive view of God's plan in his chapter entitled "the coversion of the nations" and how he sees the worship of Jesus as aprimary focus in Revelation. One chapter has an excellent presentation about how the book of Revelation should be outlined. Bauckham offers great insight and I highly recommend this book.

This is not a traditional commentary but a specialized study on the book of Revelation. Apoocalyptic literature is difficult to understand but Dr. Bauckham allowws the reader to see the theology, literary qualities, and see the connection and rootedness in the Old Testament. Clarity is brought to much of the enigma of this book while engaging one's interest and imagination. If you are going to study, preach, or teach on the book of Revelation make sure you haveThe Climax of Prophecy close at hand. or preac

The author gives a consistent commentary on the literal meaning of Revelation and a good explanation of the spirtual senses (i.e the loving moral view, a faithful analogical/typological view and a hopeful anagogical view.) Particular care for the liturgical elements in the book and their relation with the Divine Liturgy (the Roman Rite Mass) is developed and applied, showing the biblical basis for the New Testament Church's Liturgy.

My only criticism of this book is that Mr. Barber sometimes doesn't develope the relationship between some things as strongly as I think the text indicates. For exmaple the releationship between Jerusalem and Rome in Revelation 17 is connected much stronger in my view than in Michael's.

My small group is currently about half-way through this book, and we are all enjoying it very much! Michael Barber does a great job going through what can be a confusing,frightening and often misunderstood book. A great study for either small groups or individuals wanting to learn more about St. John's Revelation.

The book is an excellent study of the book of revelations. It is direct and to the point. It is easy to read and understand. My only concern would be that the study questions are not as thought provoking as I like in a bible study.

As a Catholic Christian you only hear the Christian prospective on the "end times, rapture, mark of the beast, the whore of Babylon, the four horsemen (not the wrestlers)...etc". Catholic theologian Michael Barber has done an excellent job explaining what each on of these (and more) mean along with there implications in our life time. I highly recommend this book along with Dr. Scott Hahn's Lamb Supper. CATHOLICS: "ALWAYS BE READY TO GIVE AN EXPLANATION TO ANYONE WHO ASKS YOU FOR A REASON FOR YOUR HOPE ...
1 Peter 3:15-17

This is similar to (although not as good as) the Apocalypse Culture books where you have a collection of compiled articles on subjects or people that are from the fringes of mainstream belief.

Overall this was worth reading but one big annoyance is the condescending, smirking attitude Parfrey has towards some, if not most, of the people and subjects being discussed. This attitude seems to be a very common thing that west coast and Jewish types (Parfrey is both) have towards anybody that doesn't share their world view. Which is really funny because one of the essays in this, "How to Frame a Patriot", does a great job of pointing out how a writer can subtly twist words around in order to defame the person they are writing about. I don't want to seem like I'm being too hard on Parfrey though because I enjoy a lot of his work and think his Feral House is argueably the best publishing house going right now.

One of the best things about Adam Parfrey's articles are the subtle sarcasm that abounds. While one man recounts his ardour for Russian mail-order brides, Parfrey, without shame reveals his opinion of this man as a travesty. Not all the subjects in this collection of articles are treated as rudely though. Parfrey investigates anything weird from millenialists to congenital human oddities with an open-mind. Photographs adorn the articles, making this book more alive in the reality of the strange.

Where other reporters are afraid of letting their opinions be known, Adam Parfrey, in his exploration of the fringes of society, is fearless. At times he does seem a bit mean, but come on, he is printing what everyone is thinking! Included in this collection are tongue-in-cheek reports on women sexually obsessed with Elvis, the history of big-eyed waif velvet paintings, the Unarians (who prophesized that the Space Brothers would land in their UFOs and save the world in 2000 -- are they still around?), Bo Gritz (the man who Rambo is based upon) and, yes, a group that encourages the empowerment of the handicapped through sex. There are other articles on various charlatans and conspiracy theories,including an excellent one on Waco (Fact: did you know that every ATF agent killed at Waco worked as security for Bill Clinton while he was governor?!?). My personal favourite is an interview with Shelby Downard, my all-time favourite "paranoid" (I can't wait until his collected works are released in 2002 by Feral House!).

I am David Brandenburger. My (deceased now) wife & I are the sources/subjects of "May I Touch Your Scar", in this book. Parfey makes some stuff up, takes things people said, either out of context, or alters their words to suit his own pervertions of thought. While sex INSTRUCTION was a small part of what we taught people (adults only), it was NOT our main focus. To refer to us as, "a sex cult for cripples" is ludicrious. Please contact me for further information if anyone is interested. E-mail to irhp@phonl.com a Thank you.

I'm a Catholic but don't have a problem with Edgar Cayce & reincarnation. I think this is because Cayce readings really stress the traits as a Christian I believe in...kindness, forgiveness, longsufferingness! (is that a word)?! prayer etc. I try to read the Bible everyday because for me it really is soul food...nothing compares except the Mass. Cayce's books always feel like such a comfort, though. This book, to summarize, is about getting rid of our selfishness. And it explains the Revelation. I'm on my second reading because it was rather difficult the first time through. Rather dense. Very recommended.

I'm giving this book 5 stars but if you're not into metaphysical, philosophical type of information you may not enjoy it.

The Cayce material is already esoteric enough on its own. Combine Cayce's philosophy with the already confusing Book Of Revelation and you end up with a very deep discussion.

Keep in mind the second part of the title is:

A Study Guide For Spiritualizing Body And Mind

The author is very much into the 'inner life' which involves using meditation techniques to unlock information contained in the subconscious mind.

He includes a lot of that type of information in the book (Part 2) since Cayce said the Revelation was itself a result of the apostle John going into a deep meditative state.

There is so much information in this book that I'm having a hard time summarizing the key points.

One point is Cayce related the Revelation to the human body. The seven 'churches' correspond to the 7 spiritual centers or 'chakras' in the body.

The four 'beasts' in the story are man's lower spiritual centers. Our more animalistic tendancies that must be overcome.

There's a lot of numerology in the Book Of Revelation. The numbers seven and twelve come up a lot. I think there are twelve universes.

If you're looking for dramatic revelations about who the anti Christ is and where the battle of Armeggedon will occur forget this book. For Cayce these were mainly spiritual concepts rather that actual people and events.

But yet Cayce did mention that the scriptures often have a literal, spiritual, and metaphysical interpretation and he hints in a few places that some parts of the Revelation do correspond to actual people and events.

I am finding with the Cayce material that he focused mainly on the spiritual aspects of things.

Still I recommend this book for anyone who is into meditation and similar types of searching or if you want to read an alternate interpretation for the Book Of Revelation.

Edgar Cayce was very mysterious. He provided answers to any questions that were posed to him regardless of the subject. Philosophy, science, ancient history, health, reincarnation.

We may sometimes forget that he had no noticeable way to obtain all of this information.

Jeff Marzano

Ufo...Contact from Planet Iarga

Edgar Cayce's Egypt: Psychic Revelations on the Most Fascinating Civilization Ever Known

Jesus: His Words Decoded, His Mystery Teachings Revealed

Christ: The Power and the Passion

This is one of the most facinating books I have read about Revelation. It is almost a step by step guide to spiritualize your mind and body. I like the way the author states this process is not only a journey of the individual but of humanity as group to undertatke. This book will be understood best by students of metaphysics 101 or those who have previous exposure to the Edgar Cayce materials. Also, there are many of the same symbols and achetypes used in Revelation that the tarot uses, so tarot devotees will enjoy this book as well.

This book is a study guide and explanation of the mystic readings of Edgar Cacye as given to him in a sleep state by his guide. The first part gives an overview of what his readings revealed chapter by chapter through the Bible book of Revelation. After the study, the actual readings with the actual reading numbers as recorded by Cayce's secretary are listed. Those who have not studied Edgar Cacye's readings may find this book confusing, and may want to begin with "The Sleeping Profit" so they gain an understand of the readings, what the numbers represent, and how Cacye was but a vessel for mystical information to be revealed to mankind in this time and age. This book is not an easy read, and will take time to absorb the teachings. What the author does, however, is combine readings and place them in an order the reader can understand in accordance with the writings of Revelation in The Bible

Staniloae is simply breathtaking. He holds the tensions of Christian faith in a beautiful harmony. For instance, his discussion of the cataphatic and apophatic way of spiritual life is the best treatment I have ever read on the topic. It steers away from what he considers to be a Westernized understanding of negative theology which borders on agnosticism. Staniloae presents a relational God who creates time and space for man's place of movement toward intimacy with God. Staniloae's thought is particularly relevant in this postmodern age. He would be interesting to read in conjunction with Colin Gunton, Stanley Grentz, Thomas Torrance, or other Trinitarian theologians.

Dumitru Staniloae is one of the great theologist of our siecle through his profound and full of life view of God.

This invigorating book is the first time a major work of Fr. Staniloae's has appeared in english. He treats the topics of Revelation, Knowledge of God and the Trinity. Staniloae's theology is based in personal experience of love and communion with God. It is never abstract but is expressive of the encounter with the Triune God. Staniloae's perspective is eschatological and so is focused on human freedom and its fulfillment in God. Staniloae is grounded in the Christian patrisitc tradition in such a way as to demonstrate the wisdom of our forebears and their vital contribution to contemporary theological discourse without ever being trapped in a patristic archeology or fundamentalism.Staniloae's prose is exceedingly dense and can be tough going. However, the pay off is immense as we gain creative insights and understanding into love, freedom, the nature of space and time, the Trinity, the Church and the experience of God

How to convey the spiritual riches contained in this book by Dumitru Staniloae? I knew it was enriching and enlightening when I first read it, but it was only after I picked it up again recently and began really to read it as closely as I could that it gradually dawned on me how wonderful a work this is. It is not an easy book to classify or to read, but I would not characterize his writing style as "exceedingly dense," as did the first reviewer. I understand what the reviewer was trying to say, and I agree with it, but I think it is clearer to say that Staniloae's prose is not dense so much as extremely demanding. His writing demands that you stay present with him in concentration and single-pointed purpose. His writing is not dense in the sense of some closely written, jargon-laden economic thesis, but dense in the sense of exceedingly meaningful, and once penetrated, highly illuminating and enormously rewarding (as the other reviewer also pointed out). You really have to pay attention every moment, because every sentence, every phrase is significant, has meaning, and builds upon what he has previously said in a cumulative and interlocking way, until suddenly, the light dawns and you see something--a familiar doctrine, a spiritual practice, a liturgical prayer--in an entirely new and illuminating way. His writing is rich indeed with meaning and full of light, "shining like shook foil" on many levels.

Some measure of Staniloae's uniqueness as a theologian lies in the fact that this book is the first volume of his masterwork, Dogmatic Theology, with a projected five further volumes to come. Imagine naming a work on Dogmatic Theology, which is usually a subject treated almost entirely in rational, systematic and academic terms, The Experience of God! Anyone who went to seminary in any denomination knows what it means to say that normally nothing could be further from the experience of God than a good stiff exposition of dogmatic theology! And yet, truly, reading Staniloae draws one closer--by preparing the soul and infusing it with fruitful, dynamic images and concepts--to an actual spiritual experience of Divine love and communion. Staniloae discusses the dogmas of Christianity totally through the lens of experience and communion, in a profoundly effective way that is almost unknown or unheard of. One feels completely assured of the possibility and probability of tasting the love of and communion with God, and you feel your heart burning with excitement and hope. Can I really come to experience communion with God in this way, in a way that brings the doctrines of the Church to life almost beyond expectation? Staniloae says, yes, that is what the Incarnation of Christ is all about. While it is a truism about the Orthodox Church, since Lossky, that Orthodox theology has never separated doctrine and experience, I know of no one writing today who brings the experiential so completely into harmony with the intellectual aspects of theology as does Staniloae. And this is to be expected of a man who was himself fully and totally immersed in the mind and spirit of the niptic or hesychast Fathers of the Church, esp. Sts. Dionysios the Areopagite, Maximos the Confessor, Symeon the New Theologian and Gregory Palamas. He knew the ascetic and hesychastic life from the inside, and it is this quality which is so evident in his writing and which makes the spiritual workout it takes to read him with understanding worth all the effort.

To give a brief example from the book itself, one of the ten chapters is entitled, The Supra-Essential Attributes of God. Nothing in this chapter is exactly what you might expect from the title. He discusses therein such Divine aspects as infinity, simplicity, eternity, supra-spaciality, and omnipotence, but he does so in such a way that these mind-boggling concepts, rather than fostering an image of an inaccessibly perfect and impassible Divinity who has no actual place in our religious life, produce instead a dynamic image of God whose very transcendence from everything finite and human, creates in a paradoxical way the actual conditions for the most intimate personal communion and union with Him. In this same context of eternity and infinity, Staniloae presents a meditation of time and space and shows in a marvelous way how genuine and truly Christian is the poets insight of infinity in a grain of sand and eternity in an hour.

The spiritual greatness in this book is worth every bit of the effort it takes to extract it. Magnificent!

When I first picked this book up, I couldn't put it down. I've read it front to back and continue to go back to it regularly.

The words, the thoughts are simple and easy to understand. And though the entirety of this book deals with serious matters of religious comparisons, the author always makes his points clear with provided evidences either from either the bible or the koran.

An excellent read. I recommend it to everyone.

Basically a polemic against Christianity in favor of Islam. The book is well-researched and remains consistent in its argument until the end. This argument is basically that for a religious belief to be valid, it must be based in scripture- and he demonstrates that this is lacking in most of the key tenets of Christianity. This is his main criticism and he follows it rigorously throughout the book- not digressing at all into other possible (and common) polemical themes. In the end, I find his argument convincing...The last one fifth or so of the book is about Islam, though a bit different than the usual presentations- dealing heavily with quantifiable things such as scientific proofs and aspects of Muslim civilization. All and all, the best book of its kind.

I couldn't put the book down; highly recommend it for all those who are searching for the similarities and differences between the three Abrahamic faiths.

The book discusses the theology of God, belief in angels, prophets, divine books, Day of Judgment, predestination and redemption in all three religions.

A very scholarly and thorough account of the evolution of scriptures of the Abrahamic lineage. I don't know of any other work that gives the perspective as clearly as this from the view point of each of the monotheistic faiths and yet maintains the banner of "rationality and reason come before and above doctrine."

Sure to become a standard work on comparative religion. Should be essential reading for people from all monotheistic faiths and for all historical and theological students with interest in scriptural history and evolution including teachers.

Highly recommended.