Making Sense of the Book of Revelation

by Robert L. Millet

Making Sense of the Book of Revelation represents a distillation of insights Brother Millet has gained from thirty years of teaching the New Testament. This book serves as a concise guide to help readers focus on what matters most the doctrine. Modern revelation, not a knowledge of history, languages, and symbolism alone, is the key to making sense of the Apocalypse. This book provides Guidelines to interpreting the book of Revelation. Background about the characteristics of apocalyptic writings. A summary of key messages and themes for each chapter of the book of Revelation. Insights from modern scripture and latter- day prophets. Answers to common questions about the Second Coming and the Millennium. The book of Revelation is meant to be understood, treasured, and applied in our day. This accessible and informative book has been written with that goal in mind.

Genres: Religion, Lds

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 6, 2011

About the author

Robert L. Millet, professor of ancient scripture and former dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University, holds a master s degree in psychology from BYU and a Ph.D. in religious studies from Florida State University. He is a popular speaker and prolific writer whose other books include Lost and Found: Reflections on the Prodigal Son; Grace Works; and More Holiness Give Me. He and his wife, Shauna, have six children and live in Provo, Utah.

Reviews

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent read you can finish in a day or two about John's book of Revelation in the New Testament. It really helps you put the symbols and images into context and better understand what is meant by these scriptures. I found it interesting how it was common custom in Jesus' time for slaves to be marked or branded on their forehead or their right hand where it could not easily be covered up by clothing. So when John talks about a mark on the forehead or the hand, this was very common imagery for the people of his time. There were also people who belonged to different religious groups who would mark themselves in a similar manner saying they were devoted to God, or belonged to God. This also has context in the Book of Revelation. This is just one helpful insight from the book. There were many others including a discussion of the beasts and how the 7 heads with crowns could possibly be the 7 different Roman emperors that ruled during this time. This book helps a cryptic work come to light.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy read. I'm not sure I learned a lot from it, though. The first part of the book goes chapter by chapter through Revelation but often just summarizes without providing insight or commentary. The second part of the book has a question and answer section and then the third part is all about the millennium.

[Hilaree · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good guide to Revelations with a hopeful view!

[Sandra Strange · Rating 5 out of 5]

This commentary does just what the title says: makes sense of the Book of Revelation, from an LDS point of view, blending scholarship and scripture to make the book make sense. The first chapters treat the Book of Revelation chapter by chapter with easily understood background and commentary, weaving in other scriptures that help enlighten modern readers. However, that kind of approach ends with the Apocalyptic chapters, where Millet explains the prophecies related to the Milennium and the 2nd Coming of Christ correlating references to the book with other Biblical references and modern scriptures to treat various topics about these momentous future events, but carefully NOT proposing a specific interpretation or chronology, specifying what is known and what is speculative. It is a volume that helps clarify the book and helps make it a bit more accessible, but leaves the more obscure puzzles of the book still puzzling.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. It was more of a summary of the different chapters of Revelation instead of a verse by verse explication. He also included some Q&As about the second coming and Millennium that were fascinating.

My only minor complaint is that the information is redundant and wordy at times. I told my husband, it seems like he says a lot without saying anything at all. I'm also not sure I agree 100% with some of his interpretations, but it was definitely worth reading. It was quite as helpful understanding Revelations as I hoped.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a big book. I think it offers an excellent overview of the Book of Revelations from an LDS perspective.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick insightful read for understanding the symbolism of the book of Revelation. I'll read it again in a couple of months.

[Ky White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Puts it into perspective.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative book that sheds some light on the symbols in the Book of Revelation as well as the overall message. Interesting, well written and makes you want to delve deeper.