Revelation

As the subtitle indicates, this present book shows Revelation is a book of hope rather than fear. People often import popular notions about things that simply are not in the book, such as Antichrist and the Rapture. Or they exaggerate elements such as the Battle of Armageddon. Professor Lawrence Webb's writing style as a religion editor and radio speaker will help casual readers and church lay members discover what actually is in the book and what is not. Admittedly, Revelation is not an easy read: A red dragon knocks a third of the stars out of the sky with his tail, and a seven-headed beast has the mysterious number 666. An army of locusts from the bottomless pit look like horses but have men's faces, women's hair, lion's teeth, and tails that sting like scorpions. A human army marches two hundred million strong. With all this, you may not recognize hope. But hope is what Revelation is about. In chapters 4-5, John has a vision of God, worshiped by all His creatures. And Christ is "a Lamb standing as though it had been slain." In 11:15, before the decisive battle of Armageddon even begins, we are told, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever." Visions of great disasters unfold, but in the final revelation of God's new heaven and new earth, all is beauty and bliss forever. The future is in the hands of a loving God who will wipe away all tears (21:4), and Jesus Christ is declared "King of kings and Lord of lords" (19:16).