Coming Soon: Unlocking the Book of Revelation
Overview
Is there a book of the Bible more discussed and yet less understood than the book of Revelation? The “seven seals.” The “dragon.” The “beast.” The “sea of glass.” The fantastic imagery found in the book of Revelation has long captivated Christians but remains mysterious to many. In the midst of so much discussion about the end times, what does Revelation teach us about living in our current era, with our eyes focused on the heavenly Jerusalem?
Michael Barber’s Coming Soon explores these questions by taking a detailed look at Revelation and its rich tapestry of prophecy, history, and biblical allusion. Barber explores the profound link between the Mass celebrated here on earth and the eternal reality of heaven, demonstrating that the Apocalypse reveals truth that has practical implications for today—and that points to a firm hope in tomorrow.
Coming Soon is a verse-by-verse commentary on the book of Revelation based on the Revised Standard Version. Barber provides a Catholic interpretation concerned with the liturgical background of this book—a perspective missing in many Protestant commentaries.
Perfect for students, pastors, and laypeople alike, the Logos edition of this volume is fully searchable and easily accessible. Scripture passages link directly to your English translations and to the original-language texts, and important theological concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of resources in your digital library.
- Unpacks the biblical text through a Catholic lens
- Includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter
- Provides verse-by-verse commentary
- Holy Ghost Writer
- The End of the World as We’ve Known It
- Revelation’s Mass Appeal
- In All His Glory and Splendor
- P. S.: Repent!
- On Earth as It Is in Heaven
- Ransom Captive Israel
- Trumpeting God’s Victory
- Archetypical Woman
- Beauty and the Beasts
- When He Reigns, He Pours
- The Whore-able City
- The Perennial Millennial Question
- City of Angels
- Hindsight Is Twenty-Twenty
Top Highlights
“The half-hour represents the Jewish rite of the offering of incense.” (Page 119)
“Catholics have understood the ‘1,000 year reign’ as referring to the age of the Church. In this interpretation, the ‘thousand’ years are understood symbolically. The thousand years stand for the time Christ would reign through the Church—from the time of His first coming to the time of His Second Coming. Satan is restrained—the power of the sacraments administered by the Church hold him at bay.” (Page 243)
“The year 70 is a dress rehearsal for the real thing. The destruction of Jerusalem symbolizes the end of the world and teaches us the lessons we need to prepare for it.” (Page 19)
“Yet, whereas ancient Israel copied the worship of heaven—the Church actually participates in the heavenly liturgy.11” (Page 87)
“The test of the garden was meant to teach man the one lesson he needed to learn to enter heaven—self-giving love.” (Page 38)
A timely masterpiece. Barber’s book is a jewel to read and pass along to a friend worried about how and when the world might end.
—David B. Currie, author, The End-Times Error That Leaves the Bible Behind
Mr. Barber asserts that the solutions to the world’s problems do not lie in politics, government programs, or social action. In this fine book contemporary readers can learn what Christians can do to battle against the enemies of God.
—Laurie Watson Manhardt, author, Come and See Catholic Bible Studies
Not many books attempt to correlate the visions of the Apocalypse with Catholic liturgy and life. Michael Barber’s commentary does precisely this. If the ‘end times’ mania of our day leaves you wearied and wondering how it all applies to the here and now, Coming Soon will renew your strength, enrich your mind, and increase your desire for worship!
—Curtis Mitch, author, Ignatius Catholic Study Bible
- Title: Coming Soon: Unlocking the Book of Revelation
- Author: Michael Barber
- Publisher: Emmaus Road Publishing
- Publication Date: 2005
- Pages: xiii, 326