Thanks, Dlee. Since Barber believes most of it was set in the past or is happening now, the number of unknowns related to his interpretation are relatively limited, although I still have questions. However, I’m also reading another Catholic study guide (Revelation by Peter Williamson) that is also excellent, but it interprets much of Revelation as still to come. For example, the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven woes are not entirely chronological in John’s book (e.g., one of the events burns up all the grass on earth, but later the demonic locusts are instructed not to harm the grass). Also, the end times Antichrist and False Prophet (assuming they are individuals and not just political/secular entities) have yet to appear. If I remember correctly, both Barber and Williamson allow for both individuals as well as collective forces. Satan’s attack on the woman in Rev 12 applies equally well to Mary and the Church. Jesus is born in that chapter, which is placed after the seven seals and the seven trumpets. There are more examples, but I’d need to review my notes to find them all. Dispensationalists interpret parts of Revelation more literally, and I’ve found many timelines from them, but I’m interested in the Catholic interpretation, especially one that incorporates private revelations like the Chastisements, Era of Peace, Great Catholic Monarch, and Angelic Pope. I may have to make my own for the Catholic novels I’m planning, but I don’t consider myself sufficiently qualified, even after reading numerous study guides and websites. There are a couple more sources I’m investigating.
