A Companion to the Book of Revelation (Cascade Companions)
Overview
This book is meant to be a companion and guide through what many deem to be the most perplexing book of the New Testament. As such, it introduces the reader to the kind of literature Revelation is, how to interpret its pervasive symbolism, and sees it as a response to the unique circumstances of seven historical churches in first-century Asia Minor living under the shadow of the Roman Empire. This companion pays special attention to the literary context and flow of argument of John’s unique book, while also giving attention to the effect the visions would have had on the first churches. It also pays attention to the more perplexing details of the text. Revelation was primarily a book that called the churches to maintain their faithful witness in the face of a hostile environment. It also continues to speak to the church today, though perhaps not in the way we often think.
- Provides a short guide to reading through this unique biblical book
- Introduces the key theological issues
- Examines how to interpret its pervasive symbolism
- Reading the Book of Revelation
- Revelation: Story, Structure, and Symbols
- The Messages from the Risen Lord to Seven Churches (Revelation 1–3)
- A Vision of Heaven’s Throne Room (Revelation 4–5)
- Visions of Judgment and Salvation I (Revelation 6–16)
- Visions of Judgment and Salvation II (Revelation 17–20)
- A Final Vision of Future Salvation: The New Creation (Revelation 21–22)
- The Relevance of Revelation for the Church Today
Top Highlights
“While prophecy does contain future predictions, biblical prophecy is far more interested in forthtelling, that is, proclaiming a message to the present time of the first readers, a message of comfort, exhortation, or warning.” (Page 6)
“Revelation is a book about the first-century Christians and their world, not about our twenty-first-century world, though as God’s word it is still relevant to us today.” (Page 9)
“The point is that while John’s narrative is a unified story, it does not develop in a linear fashion but cycles through visions that cover the same ground—the period of the church’s existence until the end-time judgment and salvation—from different perspectives and with different images. Therefore, it would be incorrect to think that John is giving the reader a precise timeline for how events in history and the end times will unfold.” (Page 28)
“John draws on images primarily from the Old Testament but also the Greco-Roman world to describe his vision” (Page 16)
“Revelation was a book meant to be understood by its first readers.” (Page 14)
David Mathewson provides a solid and straightforward guide to reading Revelation as if John’s churches mattered, asking how they would have understood the book’s message and challenges. He helps us think about the landscape that those early Christians inhabited and how Revelation casts a new and piercing light upon it and upon living out a distinctively Christian witness in that landscape. . . . This is a very helpful first companion to reading a challenging book.
—David A. deSilva, Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Ashland Theological Seminary
Dave Mathewson is a wise and trustworthy navigator through the mysterious and controversial book of Revelation. His Companion to the Book of Revelation is exactly what most people need to negotiate this apocalyptic wilderness successfully. He offers substantive, up-to-date scholarship in clear, understandable language and covers all the essential areas: historical background, interpretive issues, theological concerns, and contemporary application. If you are drawn to study the book of Revelation, I can think of no better guide than Mathewson’s Companion.
—J. Scott Duvall, Professor of New Testament, Ouachita Baptist University
David Mathewson has given us a clear, concise, and reliable guide through the distinctive challenges that Revelation poses for modern readers. Users of this volume will discover not only that Revelation can be understood by readers today, but also that it carries a profound and sober message that needs to be heard in our times. Prepare yourself for many ‘Aha!’ moments as you read Revelation with this trustworthy Companion.
—Martin Culy, Former Professor of New Testament and Greek, Briercrest Seminary
- Title: A Companion to the Book of Revelation
- Author: David L. Mathewson
- Series: Cascade Companions
- Publisher: Cascade
- Print Publication Date: 2020
- Logos Release Date: 2020
- Pages: 157
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Bible. N.T. Revelation › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Bible. N.T. Revelation › Theology; Bible. N.T. Revelation › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9781532678165, 9781532678172, 9781532678189, 1532678169, 1532678177, 1532678185
- Resource ID: LLS:COMPANIONREV
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T22:56:30Z
