Revelation

Review: Brian Tabb’s “All Things New”

October 29, 2020 by wagraham Leave a Comment

Brain Tabb’s All Things New aims to provide a biblical-theological commentary on the book of Revelation. While overall quite successful, one design choice frustrated me and (I suspect) will also frustrate other readers. All Things New reads like a commentary but does not comment on the text in sequence. For that reason, it may annoy those who want to see Tabb’s interpretation of a specific passage since such comments are not always easy to locate.

That said, despite this flaw or design choice, Tabb’s work ably and clearly interprets the book of Revelation, while paying attention to biblical and theological themes throughout. Tabb sees Revelation as the climax of biblical prophecy (following Bauckham somewhat, see p. 24), which finds its end in Christ’s reign (2). He calls his perspective on Revelation a redemptive-historical idealism (10). In this way, he takes an eclectic approach to Revelation (9). [Read more…] about Review: Brian Tabb’s “All Things New”

Who Are the Two Witnesses in Revelation 11?

May 15, 2020 by wagraham 6 Comments

The two witnesses in Revelation had invited much speculation over the years. Some have identified them as Moses and Elijah, some as the church and Israel, and many more views besides.

While some ambiguity may exist in the best of interepretations, I think the book of Revelation itself provides solid evidence for taking the witnesses as representative of the whole church. [Read more…] about Who Are the Two Witnesses in Revelation 11?

Who Are the 144,000 in Revelation?

March 11, 2020 by wagraham Leave a Comment

Revelation 7 describes two armies—the 144,000 and the multitude from the nations. These two groups are identified in various ways.

Some have argued that they represent Jewish and Gentile believers respectively (dispenational).Others see them as two visions of the same group (non-dispensational).

Probably the best way to understand the vision, however, is as a recapitution of the earlier vision of the Lion and Lamb in Revelation 5:5–6. A number of reasons lead to this conclusion.* [Read more…] about Who Are the 144,000 in Revelation?

Revelation Is a Fifth Gospel in Which Jesus Fully Reveals Himself

February 26, 2020 by wagraham 2 Comments

Most of us read the four Gospel books to hear the recorded words and deeds of Christ. Yet few of us think about reading Revelation for the same reason. That is a mistake. Revelation is an epistle from Jesus Christ that not only records his words but also his deeds throughout. In this sense, it is like a fifth Gospel book.

What makes Revelation unique is that Jesus no longer keeps his messiahship a secret. The hidden has become manifest. He is the ascendant Lord. And to his churches, he reveals himself in his full splendour. Consider a few points to explain this idea further. [Read more…] about Revelation Is a Fifth Gospel in Which Jesus Fully Reveals Himself