Revelation (Believers Church Bible Commentary | BCBC)
Overview
The Believers Church Bible Commentary Series is published for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today—Sunday school teachers, members of Bible study groups, students, pastors, and other seekers. The series is based on the conviction that God is still speaking to all who will listen, and that the Holy Spirit makes the Word a living and authoritative guide for all who want to know and do God’s will.
Each volume illuminates the Scriptures; provides historical and cultural background; shares necessary theological, sociological, and ethical meanings; and, in general, makes "the rough places plain." Critical issues are not avoided, but neither are they moved into the foreground as debates among scholars. The series aids in the interpretive process, but it does not attempt to supersede the authority of the Word and Spirit as discerned in the gathered church.
The Believers Church Bible Commentary is a cooperative project of Brethren in Christ Church, Brethren Church, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Brethren Church, and Mennonite Church.
Overall Outline
The commentaries are organized into sections according to the major divisions of the text. Each section comprises five parts:
- An introductory preview
- A summary outline of the section
- Explanatory notes
- The text in its biblical context
- The text in the life of the church
Revelation
The message of Revelation speaks to Christians for all times, and historically has especially encouraged persecuted groups. Today Christians in many parts of the world are also at opposition to the worldview of the time. Revelation gives strength to those who are oppressed, and John R. Yeatts' commentary attends to themes of martyrdom, suffering, service in the world, hope, the triumph of Christ, and the role of the church in bearing witness to the triumphant Christ. The commentary includes clear biblical commentary, relationships between various portions of Scripture, and applications drawn from the Anabaptist tradition and the larger Christian community.
Top Highlights
“Third, failure to worship the emperor was viewed, not as apostasy, but as political revolt. Not to worship the emperor—and thus not to recognize all the Roman government had done for the empire—was perceived to be a lack of gratitude. The person who refused to give honor to the emperor was considered unpatriotic.” (Page 20)
“Laodicea was especially noted for three things. First, it was a banking and financial center” (Page 76)
“Fractions in Revelation are a symbol of God’s mercy and an invitation to repentance” (Page 161)
“Third, Laodicea was a medical center and the location of a medical school” (Page 76)
“Thus, it symbolizes the brightness of God’s purity.” (Page 97)
This commentary is both a helpful guide to the content of Revelation and a challenge to contemporary Christians to live out the nonviolent faith of Revelation's central figure—Jesus Christ.
—Nancy R. Heisey, Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Title: Revelation
- Author: John R. Yeatts
- Publisher: Herald Press
- Publication Date: 2003
- Pages: 524