Andy’s book, Three Woes for Babylon: Revelation the Same, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, is excellent for anyone new to the book of Revelation, as well as those who’ve read many commentaries on Revelation. While delving into the hidden points that can be difficult to understand, (or even notice) buried in the scriptures, Andy never forgets what is truly important about Revelation or any other book of the Bible. What is the core of Revelation? What did John attempt to communicate to those who were to receive this wonderful revelation of encouragement? What did God want to communicate to every disciple from the late first century, to today, until the Day of the Return of our Lord? So many books on Revelation will break down the scriptures in an impractical or inaccurate fashion. Andy’s exegesis gives the reader insight without confusion. He does not; “Miss the forest for the trees”. The trees are lovely, and we should examine them, but not at the expense of admiring the beautiful forest that is Revelation.
If you have never studied Revelation, you will get a great deal out of this book as Andy explains some of the finer mysteries of John’s Apocalypse. If you’ve read many commentaries on Revelation, you will almost certainly discover something you’ve never read or noticed before. Not only does Andy look at the symbolic and historical aspects of this great work, he makes the scriptures relevant to the reader. Whether you are a layman or a scholar, there is something new for you to discover. This book also addresses some of the alternative viewpoints on Revelation, and makes an excellent case as to why the ‘Mainstream’ theories on Revelation are inaccurate, or just plain false. Andy speaks to a number of the false doctrines that Denominational ‘Christianity’ has inaccurately derived from passages in Revelation, as well as scriptures which are inappropriately fused with other scriptures in the Bible. Andy does not mince words, and writes with a conviction that has been forged over decades of dedicated service to the Lord.
After spending many years working on this book, Andy has compiled a commentary which not only addresses the details of Revelation, but also seriously and clearly discusses what is truly important about this beautiful work of God. After you finish reading, you will understand what God really meant for you to understand, and you will discover many wonderful and fascinating details along the way.
22 comments:
I may ck it out. need some ammo for my Jehovah's Witnesses next time they come around. They like goin into Revelations.
Course there are lots a opinions c/o Rev. I know little to none about it.
There is that thing about baptism not bein a requirement for salvation (somewhere near the middle I think) but I won't go there :)
Well Baptism isn't really addressed in Revelation so he doesn't really cover it. There may be a brief mention, but I'm not positive. But he definitely addresses some of the things Jehovah's witnesses talk about. Specifically the 144,000. If you want some good info on countering JW's, a website that we've found is:
http://www.sixscreensofthewatchtower.com/screenshome.html
I don't agree with everything on this website. Kind of the way some attacks on Obama were unfair, some attacks on this website are unfair, but all in all, it gives some good insight, points out scriptures in the JW bible which have been 'mistranslated' to suit their doctrine, and how those mistranslations create serious holes in their bible.
There definitely are lots of opinions on Revelation. I remember getting into it with Mrs. J. She definitely held the mainstream (futurist) view of Revelation. There is just too much of the book that reflects the Roman Empire to believe that some or most (probably most) of the prophecies have not happened already. There may even be some of them that happened in the first and second centuries on a lesser scale that will happen again, but if Revelation had no relevance to the 1st century Church, it wouldn't have been much encouragement to those who were being fed to lions for not offering incence to and calling Domitian, 'lord and god'.
I'll ck out that site.
Honestly, I've read none of Rev unless directed there while studying other Scripture.
It's great. It might be worth reading slowly, let it sink in and murinate.
While I love the entire book this is one of my favorite scriptures in the whole bible:
"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."
(Revelation 19:11-16)
Went to that site of thode former JWs last nite. Interestin stuff.Definitely will bring up the discrepancies in their version of the Bible to the true version in the first book of John. Then I'll tie it in to 44th chptr of Isaiah. I've been treadin softly w/ these guys cause I don't want to scare em off like the last few that came before em. Usually when I touch on Scriptures that speak of the Holy Spirit I lose em.
Best line to tell a Jehovah's Witness:
Don't join dangerous cults, practice safe sects.
S told me I missed my JW's by about 5 minutes this mornin. Too bad, I read ALL of that site you mentioned am and WAY more informed about em. Also went to the "officia" JW site; interestin.
So are they coming by regularly? One bit of advice, just make sure you're calm and not combative. Like I've said before some JW's are not really happy or 'fired up' but go door knocking because it's what 'Good JW's' do, and they don't want to be excluded and shunned.
It's sad really. Their attitude toward those who leave is the opposite of the parable of the prodigal son, and that alone shows there is something wrong with their movement. The thing I know though, is that there are people who are genuine in their faith, they are good, honest people, but they have been indoctrinated into a system that is evil, run by the Watchtower.
Bein combative isn't in my nature ;)
Actually, we get along well.
Good point about the "shunning"; the mormons do that too.
Gonna go to John chptr 1 w/ em next time (and compare our Bibles)and then Isaiah chptr 44. I've pretty much let them say their piece each time, But, it's time for some counter points on my side now.
Reck,
Also look at Colossians 1:16, and possibly the surrounding verses. This scripture has been edited in their bible.
"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him."
(NIV)
In the JW Bible, New World Translation, it says something like; "For by him all [other] things were created:" I think this was done in an effort to try to fight the Trinity doctrine. But it contradicts John 1:3. When you try to change the scriptures to suit your doctrine, you are going to run into problems. This is why they don't encourage their members to 'Be a Berean' and check what their leaders say against scripture. They don't discourage it, but they don't encourage it either.
My question to JW's is this: Was Isaiah a liar, John a liar, Paul a liar, or is Jesus one with God?
Well, this brings me to a question for you. From previous convos I (think) you said that the Son was just below (or not exactly equal to) the Father.
Am I rememberin that right?
I don't know if I properly explained it. I don't know if I properly understand it myself. But Jesus doesn't consider himself equal to the Father. The scripture is in Hebrews, but I don't have time to look for it right now. That doesn't mean he isn't one with the Father. This is one of those places where you struggle when you use human logic, and it's the JW's biggest issue when discussing the Trinity, human logic.
That's ok, the Trinity is a hard subject to explain anyhow.
I do have a another question, one I've wanted to ask for awhile...
Does the ICOC (and/or you) believe that members of other Christian denominations aren't truly saved?
There was a period of time, before we became Christians, that some members of the ICOC did believe that. I don't. I don't know how many true Christians there are outside the ICOC, or mainline Churches of Christ, but I do believe there are. The biggest thing is that so many churches out there don't believe in following the Great Commission, they aren't radical about wiping sin out of their life, Church is not necessarily a REAL commitment and there is a general attitude of; "Yeah I should stop sinning in this area, but I've got grace bro, so don't be judgin' me."
If you've read stuff about Kip McKean, I go back and forth about him. He's done great things for God. I don't know him personally, so I can't really say what's in his heart. I believe that he is trying to do what he thinks if right for the Kingdom of God. The result is lots of Christians all over the world where there wouldn't be. There are lots of churches in places where the penalty for being a Christian is death, due in large part to his vision, and the vision of the men and women around him at the time.
With that said, there has also been divisiveness. He has put criticism out about the ICOC since he stepped down from leadership and the formal Churchwide leadership structure was dissolved. Some of it was, in my opinion, deserved, some was not deserved. I think the result in the 'Post-McKean era' has been too little co-operation between churches and a general malaise, which is beginning to go away. I don't think we need the rigid struture of the past, but God's Kingdom shouldn't be loosey-goosey either. This has gotten much longer than I intended, but let me know if you have anymore questions.
No, that's it. I always believed you didn't hold that opinion (or was pretty sure based on our convos). Did some readin on ICOC way back when I first learned you were of that denomination and that bit just stuck w/ me.
"This has gotten much longer than I intended" :)
That's ok, we expect you to cover the bases.
Merry Christmas Nestor & Crew!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Nestor!!!!
Thanks Guys, Merry Christmas.
Have a happy Hava Nagila, Nestor!
Brave Combo: Hava Nagila (twist) -
http://www.technohippie.com/geeklog/public_html/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20090102002155222
Post a Comment