Originally published in the May 2007 issue of The Christadelphian magazine
“Behold, I come quickly”
WHEN Bible Seminar students ask if they can study the Book of Revelation next, we encourage them to try something simpler, because a lot of Bible background is necessary. That complication has discouraged many potential readers, so Brother Michael Ashton is to be congratulated for choosing the Book of Revelation as the next Study Guide, in the series.
Accessible and Informative
He has made a complicated book accessible by working systematically and selectively. He deals briefly with its writing and timing before addressing the structure of the book, comparing its sevenfold pattern to the conquest of Jericho – first one circuit of the city and then seven on the last day. Throughout, diagrams and charts are used to make things a lot clearer.
The guide starts with an Overview – Kingdom glimpses, Old Testament usage and recurring earthquakes. Then it examines frequent signs and symbols: the beasts in Daniel; Jerusalem and Babylon; the Bride and the Harlot, and the growth of false Christianity. This introductory section takes up nearly half of the book.
The slow start has two advantages. First, it shows the importance of the Old Testament background and demonstrates how God’s word fits together perfectly. Secondly, it shows readers what to look out for, as they work through the book, chapter by chapter. This could make the guide suitable for some Seminar students too, who would thus have to face the challenge of whether or not their existing beliefs are counterfeit or true. But the depiction of the False Prophet (on page 69) suggests that any committed Catholics who had strayed in would probably stalk out at that point, if not before!
Brother Michael presents the continuous historic interpretation of the Lord’s message in a way which can be readily followed and easily understood. That is no mean feat, as some of the arguments and identifications are often presented in a complicated way. He is careful to point out, as he goes along, that there is more to the book than just prophecy – that believers are being counselled to do various things, from the Seven Letters onwards. Time periods are important and a few pages explain how these can be understood (on a day-for-a-year basis) and, incidentally, why the Millennium should be understood as a literal thousand-year reign.
The seven-sealed scroll is said to have a prophetic message on the back and a spiritual message inside. The seven trumpets sound the invasion of Rome from outside forces, before the work of the two witnesses is briefly mentioned. Here the spiritual message of the scroll is disclosed, when John is told to proclaim the offer of salvation, and finds it bitter-sweet.
Now the earlier linkages with Daniel come into their own and the interplay of the two women and the beasts. The seven plagues and the destruction of all opposition is described, with the nations subdued and Christ and his bride exalted. Next the restraint and eventual destruction of the dragon power is explained, and the guide ends with the establishment of the kingdom in a transformed world.
Books for further reading are recommended, all of them standard works which present the continuous historic interpretation. This guide should encourage such further investigation.
