Reading Revelation by C. Marvin Pate

Reading Revelation: A Comparison of Four Interpretive Translations of the Apocalypse is a very interesting book. I have read a number of books on Revelation but this is the first one I have seen that takes four different viewpoints and puts them side by side.

I think this would be a great book to use for personal or group studies. Looking at it as a tool for a study group to use, I found it to be helpful in answering questions I had. It was interesting to see how the different "translations" corresponded with one another. 

As a topic question, I wanted to know how dramatic it would be if the second coming of Christ all ready happened at the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. After reading this chapter in the four interpretive translations, I believe it would be very dramatic if the seconding coming of Christ has already happened. For one thing, the world has yet to experience the Great Tribulation. I think the second coming of Christ is something yet to be fulfilled. I also think the fall of Jerusalem was important because it caused the Jewish people who believed in Christ to scatter and share the gospel in all of the world. The second coming of Christ is an important event in the life of believing Jews and Christians alike. It is then all who have died for their faith will see the King of kings ride in triumph and finally destroy His enemies, including the beast and false prophet. 


Reading Revelation is a tool not to be used lightly, but one to help anyone studying Revelation get a better grasp and understanding of this very rich letter.

C. Marvin Pate is a professor of biblical studies at Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He is the author and editor of numerous works related to eschatology and Revelation, including Four Views of Revelation, The Apoclaypse: A Historical Novel, Doomsday Delusions, and The End of the Age Has Come: The Theology of Paul. He is coeditor of the Dictionary of Biblical Prophecy.


Reading Revelation was provided by Kregel Publication for the purpose of review. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.