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normdplume
Guest
I had promised another member to put up the following list. Out of seven study guides that I’ve read about Revelation, I found these the most helpful.
Revelation (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture) by Peter S. Williamson. I found this book to most closely match modern Catholic beliefs about Revelation (when compared to contemporary Catholic internet resources). The author believes that the Antichrist and False Prophet are yet to come. On the downside, I found that the author sometimes stretches rather hard to match Revelation with his interpretation. The author assumes Revelation was written during the reign of Emperor Domitian after the destruction of Jerusalem. Interestingly, John never mentions that Jerusalem has already been destroyed, which was an extraordinary event in the era.
Coming Soon: Unlocking the Book of Revelation by Michael Barber. This author uses a partial preterist interpretation. This means he believes that events like the coming of the Antichrist and False Prophet have already occurred in the 1st century (e.g., Nero/Rome were the Antichrist). This book assumes Revelation was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. This would explain why John doesn’t mention the destruction of Jerusalem in the past tense. If I remember correctly, the author suggests that apostate Jerusalem was the False Prophet.
Antichrist and the End Times by Rev. Joseph Iannuzzi. This book deals mostly with trying to identify who the Antichrist is (or, to be more exact, will be). The author claims that the False Prophet and Gog are both Antichrists. Gog is mentioned late in Revelation as an opponent of God. The Antichrist False Prophet and the Antichrist Gog both get their power from nations that support them (the Beast from the sea and Magog, respectively). This book includes many references to the writings of early Church fathers, which neither of the other books above provide.
Of all three books, I believe the first is closest to what Catholics currently believe, but I found the second book equally if not more interesting for its well-reasoned arguments that the Antichrist and False Prophet have already been destroyed. All that remains is the return of Christ.
I’d recommend the first two books if you want good interpretations of Revelation. Both heavily cross-reference their viewpoints with evidence from other parts of the Bible, especially Daniel.
Norm
Revelation (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture) by Peter S. Williamson. I found this book to most closely match modern Catholic beliefs about Revelation (when compared to contemporary Catholic internet resources). The author believes that the Antichrist and False Prophet are yet to come. On the downside, I found that the author sometimes stretches rather hard to match Revelation with his interpretation. The author assumes Revelation was written during the reign of Emperor Domitian after the destruction of Jerusalem. Interestingly, John never mentions that Jerusalem has already been destroyed, which was an extraordinary event in the era.
Coming Soon: Unlocking the Book of Revelation by Michael Barber. This author uses a partial preterist interpretation. This means he believes that events like the coming of the Antichrist and False Prophet have already occurred in the 1st century (e.g., Nero/Rome were the Antichrist). This book assumes Revelation was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. This would explain why John doesn’t mention the destruction of Jerusalem in the past tense. If I remember correctly, the author suggests that apostate Jerusalem was the False Prophet.
Antichrist and the End Times by Rev. Joseph Iannuzzi. This book deals mostly with trying to identify who the Antichrist is (or, to be more exact, will be). The author claims that the False Prophet and Gog are both Antichrists. Gog is mentioned late in Revelation as an opponent of God. The Antichrist False Prophet and the Antichrist Gog both get their power from nations that support them (the Beast from the sea and Magog, respectively). This book includes many references to the writings of early Church fathers, which neither of the other books above provide.
Of all three books, I believe the first is closest to what Catholics currently believe, but I found the second book equally if not more interesting for its well-reasoned arguments that the Antichrist and False Prophet have already been destroyed. All that remains is the return of Christ.
I’d recommend the first two books if you want good interpretations of Revelation. Both heavily cross-reference their viewpoints with evidence from other parts of the Bible, especially Daniel.
Norm