Revelation: A 12-Week Study

Knowing the Bible

by Stephen Witmer, J.I. Packer (Editor)

The Knowing the Bible series is a resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God’s Word. These 12-week studies lead participants through books of the Bible and are made up of four basic (1) Reflection questions help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) “Gospel Glimpses” highlight the gospel of grace throughout each book; (3) “Whole-Bible Connections” show how any given passage connects to the Bible’s overarching story of redemption, culminating in Christ; and (4) “Theological Soundings” identify how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God’s grace on each and every page of the Bible.

The book of Revelation has been a source of both great encouragement and confusion to Christians throughout the centuries. While offering sure hope about the future to Christians, it nevertheless seems mysterious to many. In this accessible study, Stephen Witmer helps Christians understand and appreciate the core message of Jesus Christ has already defeated Satan, sin, and death on our behalf, and we can have great confidence in the future.

Genres: Christian, Religion, Nonfiction

99 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2015

About the author

Stephen Witmer (PhD, University of Cambridge) is the pastor of Pepperell Christian Fellowship, Massachusetts, and is an adjunct professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is also the cofounder of Small Town Summits, an organization that serves rural churches and pastors.

Witmer is the author of Revelation: a 12-Week Study, Jonah: Depths of Grace, and Eternity Changes Everything. He has written for Bible Study Magazine, Reformation 21, The Gospel Coalition, and Desiring God. He lives in Pepperell, Massachussetts, with his wife, Emma, and their three children.

Reviews

[Scott Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great side-by-side for personal study or group discussion. Not a commentary, but asks provoking questions and helps the readers consider theological themes perhaps missed.

Does not take a stance on eschatology, rather points to different views (without their proper names) and leaves the reader to discern.

[Perssis Namour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this lays potato chip study. It is 12 weeks but once I started it I could not stop it was so deliciously good!! I had to tell myself slow down, savour it, and make it last.

The best part of this Revelation study is the approach. It's the last book of the bible and somewhat taunting however this author makes it easy and simple, and puts the focus back on God and His love for His children.

The best thing I learned and loved is that while revelation is somewhat scary it displays the awesomeness of our God on the backdrop of an unbelieving world. While all creation (trees, land, ocean, all animals that swim and fly and craw) recognize their creator and his Son people hold their stubborn heels and say no, nope, no creator her! Yet God is poring our Mercy and holding back His wrath even during the first four broken seals. For the believer, those called by His name, He gives 7, yes seven, blessings!!!

Can't believe I forgot to review this back in August. We are now at the end of October!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would really give it 3 and a half stars. I thought it was very helpful. I was probably looking for answers that we will only have when God tells us in person. It is a book of mysteries and symbols. But I thought it did a pretty good job relating what we can reasonably pull from it, and the two prevalent ways of looking at all the prophesies. I didn’t fill out the parts where they asked me to write in the study section, what i thought. Because I had not much idea about any of it, so i went straight into what the author was reaping from the passages, and felt that he did a very good job of not interpreting something that would just be human conjecture. I am very glad I read it and do feel I am a little bit ahead of where I was before reading it. I appreciated all the cross-referencing with similar passages in the Old Testament. That was very helpful as well.

[Steven Rongley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction for a small group Bible Study (and, rightfully, one that is provocative towards certain narratives often assumed by Evangelical cliques). A good introduction to some developed scholarship. It is hampered a fair bit by the length of the book itself, which means that often only one perspective (the author's) shines through. That I most often agree with him doesn't remedy this issue.

One odd thing was a surprising number of questions where our group found ourselves answering the question with a "....Yes?...." That is, questions that included only an introduction or statement with no corresponding question to direct reflection.

Overall, another solid entry in the series.

[Ryanne Molinari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful - probably should have been longer as it didn’t get in-depth on anything. Still very good.

[Bryanne Mahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so helpful in my understanding of Revelation as a blessing and a comfort of the hope we have in God prevailing and in the celebration of Heaven.