The Throne, the Lamb & the Dragon: A Reader's Guide to the Book of Revelation

by Paul Spilsbury and J.I. Packer

Book Overview

The book of Revelation has long intrigued, puzzled and even frightened its readers. Surely it is the most misunderstood book in the Bible. And some faulty interpretations of Revelation are so entrenched in the consciousness of Christians that they are regarded as "gospel truth" and provide riveting plot lines for end-time fiction. But behind the ancient multimedia show that is Revelation lies a message both simple and profound. It is told in a...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830826718
• ISBN13: 9780830826711
• Release Date: February 2002
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 3.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Revealing Revelation to the Reader

As the subtitle suggests, A Reader's Guide to the Book of Revelation, this is not a commentary or a prophecy interpretation book. It is a reader's guide focussing on two things within Revelation: its concept of God and what it means to worship him. Spilsbury does not examine the minutia of Revelation but surveys the overall message that it conveys, although he does focus in on certain points that have long been debated such as the identity of the Beast; 666=Caesar Nero. Everything is examined in the context of the first century and how John's original audience would have understood the message. He acknowledges that John really did see the vision that he records but keeps in mind that John then framed that vision for us in written form using the literary devices available to him at that time. This is an excellent introduction to reading Revelation and includes a brief bibliography for those looking to learn more about the details of this revelation.

revelation understood intelligently and carefully

this is a splendid and sane little treatment of the main themes and content in the book of revelation. Really helps one to get the main concepts of revelation on many fronts. Scripturally honoring and well thought out. Some other good ones are: Revelation and The End of All Things by Craig Koester and: Breaking The Code by Bruce Metzger.

Understanding what Rev. means by what it meant

This is a good, fairly short summary of scholarly analysis of the book of Revelation, solidly grounded in what it meant to those who originally wrote and recopied it.

A Non-dispensational View

This short work introduces the reader to another approach to the book of Revelation. It is refreshing because it is based upon a symbolic interpretation. Symbols from the Old Testatment appear in Revelation. Spilsbury uses them to present an interpretaion which views Revelation as not a book of detailed prophecy but one in which the symbols stand for the Church age and the struggle all Christians face. This short work does not fully cover all the questions it raises but opens up a new way of thinking. It is a fast read that left me wanting more.