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COVENANTAL LANGUAGE
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The Destruction
of Jerusalem |
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The Book of Revelation Made Easy
You Can
Understand Bible Prophecy
Copyright © 2008 by Gentry Family Trust Ltd, April
2, 1999
Published by:
For additional educational materials by Dr. Gentry, visit:
www.KennethGentry.com
For Dr. Gentry’s biblical research ministry, see:
www.GoodBirthMinistries.com
Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from the New
American Standard
Bible, © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972,
1973.
The American Vision, Inc.
3150 Florence Road
Powder Springs, Georgia 30127-5385
www.AmericanVision.org
1800-628-9460 |
The Book of Revelation Made Easy
You Can
Understand Bible Prophecy
I n
The Devil’s Dictionary Ambrose Bierce defined “Revelation” as
“a famous book in which St. John concealed all that he knew. The
revealing is done by the commentators who know nothing.” Revelation
is so difficult and requires so much technical knowledge that one
theologian has complained that Revelation commentaries are often
like a black hole, they are so dense that no light can escape from
them.
One of the great ironies
of Scripture is that the most difficult book within it is called
“Revelation.” To “reveal” means to “uncover, open up”—with a view to
understanding. How can such a perplexing book as this be called a
“revelation”? If we were naming the book, rather than calling it
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” we might be tempted to title it
“The Mystery from John the Apostle.” Indeed, John himself is
perplexed and confused from time to time (Rev 7:13–14; 17:6–7;
19:10; 22:8–9).
One of the continuing
surprises of the pastoral experience is the new convert’s deep
interest in studying Revelation. Fascination with the mysteries of
Revelation is not limited to those well schooled in Christian study
who are ready for the deeper things of God. That curiosity reaches
all the way down to the newest believer in Christ.
One of the great
disappointments of the serious Christian exegete is the flood of
literature on Revelation that is virtually worthless. When we
combine the mysterious nature of Revelation with the continuing
fascination with it, the market is primed to generate all sorts of
wouldbe “prophecy experts” to fill the demand. Instead of being
nourished on the sincere milk of the word, the new Christian is too
often fed a milkshake by confused approaches to Revelation.
In this small study you
will discover the keys that are absolutely essential for unlocking
John’s message, the guide posts necessary for following its winding
path, and the identifications required for discerning its key
figures and their roles. I will not provide a full exposition of the
text; rather I will focus on the keys necessary to opening its
meaning.[1] I hope this introductory treatise will help you
understand the foundational meaning and general thrust of
Revelation, for only then are you equipped to engage a detailed
exposition of the text.
Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., Th.M., Th.D.
Author, Before Jerusalem Fell
Director, NiceneCouncil.Com
Footnote
1. I am currently working on a large,
academic commentary on Revelation, tentatively titled: The
Divorce of Israel: A Redemptive-Historical Interpretation of the
Book of Revelation. In that work I will be providing a thorough,
verse-by-verse commentary and analysis of the book. |
|
Table of
Contents |
|
Chapter Title |
Page # |
| Preface |
9 |
| Abbreviations of
Ancient Writings . |
11 |
| 1.
Expectation and Interpretation |
|
| John’s Expectation |
13 |
| John’s Interpretation
|
19 |
| John’s Confirmation
|
27 |
| Conclusion
|
28 |
| 2.
Literary Theme and Flow |
|
| Literary Theme |
31 |
| Thematic Flow
|
45 |
| Conclusion
. |
52 |
| 3. The
Beast and His Fury |
|
| Introduction |
53 |
| The Beast’s Time |
54 |
| The Beast’s Location
|
55 |
| The Beast’s Authority |
56 |
| The Beast’s Chronology |
57 |
| The Beast’s Character
|
58 |
| The Beast’s Number
|
60 |
| The Beast’s Action |
63 |
| The Beast’s Revival
|
64 |
| Conclusion
|
67 |
| 4. The
Harlot and the Bride |
|
| The Theme of Revelation |
69 |
| The Great City |
71 |
| The Saint’s Blood |
73 |
| The Harlot’s Attire
|
76 |
| The Name-Calling Pattern |
79 |
| The Literary Contrast
|
82 |
| Conclusion
|
84 |
| 5. Key
Judgments and Their Meaning |
|
| The Falling Mountains and
the Hiding Caves |
89 |
| The Flowing Blood and the
Horses’ Bridles |
96 |
| Conclusion
|
98 |
| 6. The
Millennium and the New Creation |
|
| The Millennial Reign of
Christ |
99 |
| The New Creation |
113 |
| Conclusion |
124 |
| 7.
Conclusion |
|
| Basic Principles |
127 |
| Key Characters and
Actions |
129 |
| New Testament Concurrence
|
129 |
| |
133 |
| Bibliography |
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| |
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| Scripture Index |
|
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| Subject Index |
|
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The Beast of Revelation: Identified
Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry
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HISTORICAL
SIGNIFICANCE
"During the Middle
Ages, Josephus was the most widely read ancient author in Europe..
Josephus' literary influence had no equals, with the sole exception of
the Bible." |
Flavius Josephus, a
Jewish priest and Pharisee, was put in command of the national
resistance in Galilee at the time of Israel's revolt against Rome.
When he was captured at Jotapata; his life was spared upon his
prediction to rival Vespasian, that the Roman general would soon
become emperor. Upon the fulfillment of this prophecy shortly
thereafter, he was commissioned to provide his captors with a history
of the Jewish people, although he initially wrote a history of the
Roman-Jewish war suited for both a Roman and a Jewish audience. His
works, disputed though they may be regard accuracy, are an
indispensable source on the life and history in Roman Judea. |
THEOLOGICAL
SIGNIFICANCE
"The destruction of Jerusalem was
more terrible than anything that the world has ever witnessed, either
before or since. Even Titus seemed to see in his cruel work the hand
of an avenging God." (C.H.
Spurgeon) |
|
The Gary DeMar Show is your 15 minutes of
sanity each weekday. Four out of five doctors surveyed recommend
this show along with a large dose of commonsense to help combat
the insanity served up by the mainstream media. Gary DeMar
serves your daily recommended allowance of rationality. Gary's
Show is where you will hear current events, pop culture,
politics, religion, and bunches of other stuff examined through
the lense of a biblical worldview. |
What Are Conservatives
To Do?
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