Part 1: The Beginning of the End

Hey, Who's Been Messing with the End of My Bible?

Here's what you're getting yourself into as you approach the Book of Revelation: apocalyptic style, biblical references, numerous interpretations, and much more

Future Schlock?

A consideration of future things, and what you will and won't learn from this book

A Drear John Letter

(Revelation 1) An introduction to the Book of Revelation: the author, the setting, and the circumstances at the time of writing

Seven Churches Get a Performance Review

(Revelation 2--3) Putting the message of Revelation into context by focusing on who sent it and who was to receive it

Part 2: The Storm Clouds Gather

Scrolled, Sealed, Delivered

(Revelation 4--5) We shift from earth to heaven, where we see angels, thrones, wondrously unusual beings, and a very important scroll

Sealings, Nothing More Than Sealings

(Revelation 6--7) The first six seals on the scroll are opened, unleashing the four horsemen of the apocalypse and other dreadful events, but also introducing a special group of 144,000 ``sealed'' people

Horns of Plenty (of Trouble)

(Revelation 8--9) After a silence in heaven, the seventh seal is opened, revealing seven angels with trumpets who initiate a new series of judgments

Witness for the Persecution

(Revelation 10--11:14) John eats a (different) scroll, two amazing witnesses appear, a beast is introduced, and a period of three and a half years begins to be emphasized

A Beauty and Some Beasts

(Revelation 11:15--13) The seventh trumpet sounds, and major conflict begins involving a red dragon, two beasts, a pregnant woman, the child she delivers, and an archangel. We're also warned about someone represented by the number 666

Where the Grapes of Wrath Are Stored

(Revelation 14) Several more significant angels, a return of the 144,000, and a sobering look at the wrath of God as ``the earth is harvested'' and blood flows

The Bowled and the Beautiful

(Revelation 15--16) Seven more plagues invoked by angels with ``bowls of wrath,'' which include a massive war at Armageddon

The Elaborately Dressed, Blood-Drinking, Scarlet-Beast-Riding Prostitute

(Revelation 17--18) ``Babylon the Great'' is represented by an elegant prostitute as well as a glorious city---both of which are brought to great and final ruin

Part 3: High Noon at the End Times Corral

All Bad Things Must Come to an End

(Revelation 19--20) Jesus returns, evil leaders are sentenced to final justice, the dead are judged, and the righteous people participate in a 1,000-year reign of Christ

Imagine There's a Heaven

(Revelation 21--22:6) Many of the glories of heaven are revealed, and are promised to those who overcome the sin and evil that will become so rampant

A Real Page-Turner Comes to a Close

(Revelation 22:7--21) The Book of Revelation ends with some warnings, yes, but also several surprisingly optimistic invitations

Part 4: Theology Meets Optometry

Open to Interpretation?

Why everyone doesn't come to the same conclusions as to the significance of Revelation, and a preview of some of the traditional interpretations

It's the End of the World and We Missed It?

The ``preterist'' view of Revelation, which interprets described events as being mostly (if not entirely) in our past

Revelation Interpretations: Some Minority Viewpoints

Two more interpretations of Revelation (the ``historicist'' and ``idealist'' views), as well as a couple of other ways to approach the book

Back to the Future

The ``futurist'' interpretation of Revelation, which looks to the future for a literal fulfillment of the events described

Putting the Elation Back in Revelation

In spite of the many confusing symbols throughout the Book of Revelation, here are a few things we can be sure of

Epilogue: Biding Your Time, or Timing Your Goodbye?

A few final words and warnings about the temptation to go overboard in regard to prophecy and end-times teachings

Appendixes

A Interpretation Methods

B Additional Reading

C A Few Web Links for Exploring

Index