The back cover of The Book of Revelation Made Clear by Tim LaHaye and Timothy E. Parker states that this is "a fun and fascinating way to learn about the book of Revelation". I don't know that I had much fun reading this book, but it does offer a basic understanding of just what the heck John is writing about in the last book of the New Testament.
The Book of Revelation Made Clear is divided into 22 chapters, one for each chapter of Revelation. Each chapter breaks down the verses into bite-size chunks and then gives an explanation of what those chunks mean. I found it kind of jarring to be continually interrupted in the middle of scripture and then jump back into it over and over again, especially because some of the scripture I didn't really think needed explaining.
Before each verse passage, there is also a three-question multiple choice quiz to see what you know or don't know about Revelation, and then the answers to those questions are reviewed after the explanation of the verses. The authors say they do this for maximum learning and retention potential. They write that readers may be able to review the quizzes months or years later and still know the answers. I looked at some of the quizzes again a few days after reading them, and I still got some of the answers wrong. But how important is it that I know how John described Jesus' hair? Isn't the more important thing that I understand the basic message of Revelation, that if I don't follow God now, I won't be saved and life is really going to suck on Earth for a long time.
Speaking of time, the authors of The Book of Revelation Made Clear seem very certain about specific time frames, and I wasn't sure where that info was coming from. In Revelation 8:9-11, for instance, John writes that a poison star/plant will fall into the rivers and springs and kill the men who drink the bitter water. Okay. But in the explanation, the authors say that this will happen over a period of three and a half years. Did I miss something? Where did that number come from?
As you can see, The Book of Revelation Made Clear didn't make everything clear to me. I still have questions, and this book was a little too basic for me. I really need, and expected this to be, something more in-depth with a more flowing reading style instead of a bunch of quizzes and jumps. This is more of a textbook or Bible study book than something you can actually sit down and read.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The Book of Revelation Made Clear is divided into 22 chapters, one for each chapter of Revelation. Each chapter breaks down the verses into bite-size chunks and then gives an explanation of what those chunks mean. I found it kind of jarring to be continually interrupted in the middle of scripture and then jump back into it over and over again, especially because some of the scripture I didn't really think needed explaining.
Before each verse passage, there is also a three-question multiple choice quiz to see what you know or don't know about Revelation, and then the answers to those questions are reviewed after the explanation of the verses. The authors say they do this for maximum learning and retention potential. They write that readers may be able to review the quizzes months or years later and still know the answers. I looked at some of the quizzes again a few days after reading them, and I still got some of the answers wrong. But how important is it that I know how John described Jesus' hair? Isn't the more important thing that I understand the basic message of Revelation, that if I don't follow God now, I won't be saved and life is really going to suck on Earth for a long time.
Speaking of time, the authors of The Book of Revelation Made Clear seem very certain about specific time frames, and I wasn't sure where that info was coming from. In Revelation 8:9-11, for instance, John writes that a poison star/plant will fall into the rivers and springs and kill the men who drink the bitter water. Okay. But in the explanation, the authors say that this will happen over a period of three and a half years. Did I miss something? Where did that number come from?
As you can see, The Book of Revelation Made Clear didn't make everything clear to me. I still have questions, and this book was a little too basic for me. I really need, and expected this to be, something more in-depth with a more flowing reading style instead of a bunch of quizzes and jumps. This is more of a textbook or Bible study book than something you can actually sit down and read.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
"But in the explanation, the authors say that this will happen over a period of three and a half years. Did I miss something? Where did that number come from? As you can see, The Book of Revelation Made Clear didn't make everything clear to me." .....
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your integrity. I suspect the reason it isn't clear is because the notion of a pre-tribulational rapture (which is relatively new -- a little over 100 years -- belief) is not all that biblical. Take a look at Jesus' parable of the wheat and tares, as well as Paul's explanation in 1Cor15 about the resurrection. Notice, those passages agree that the dead and the living -- believers or not -- will be taken at the same time. It doesn't suggest one will disappear before the other. Instead, both will be taken at the final trumpet to be judged accordingly.
If this topic is of interest to you, I highly recommend "End Times Fiction", by Gary Demar.
http://www.amazon.com/Fiction-Biblical-Consideration-Behind-Theology/dp/0785266429/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407173711&sr=8-1&keywords=left+behind+fiction+gary+demar