Description
Is there a book in the Bible that is more misunderstood or mysterious than Revelation? In the 66 chapters of the Bible, no other book is the subject of more speculations, questions, and, yes, fear. In his new book, Revelation: A Book of Promises, pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie takes a deep dive and demystifies one of the most colorful and image-driven books of the Bible in what promises (no pun intended) to be a fascinating read.
Revelation: A Book of Promises is designed to help you see Jesus as the centerpiece, the star, and the focus of Revelation. With this eminently practical guide, you can experience the blessing promised to those who read, hear, and keep the works of this prophetic book. After all, Bible prophecy is not given to inflate our brains but to enlarge our hearts.
There is no denying that our world is in turmoil: a global pandemic that continues to wreak havoc in our communities, political tensions that seem to only increase with the dawn of a new administration, and social issues that threaten the very fabric of society, just to name a few. In the book of Revelation, the apostle John writes of a world facing a time of reckoning, waiting for Jesus’ return, waiting for the Rapture. One obvious question faces the Lord’s followers: Are these signs of the times? Are we getting closer to the events depicted in Revelation? Should we fear what is coming? In his trademark style, Pastor Greg simplifies the language, outlining what John meant and offering readers a thoughtful analysis and comforting narrative to bring confidence in His promise.
Without bringing doomsday prophecies, Pastor Greg reiterates that we are indeed in the end days, that the Lord’s return is near, and that we must understand both what is happening around us, and more importantly, what is about to happen. In chapter 13 of the book of Romans, Paul writes: “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone” (verses 11–12 NLT).
In his book, Pastor Greg confirms that God is not hiding things from us. He is there to reveal (which is what Revelation ultimately means) what His intentions are for us as we anticipate His return. Pastor Greg says, “God doesn’t want to conceal these things from us. Rather, He wants to reveal them to us. Bible prophecy is not given to scare us; it is given to prepare us. Bible prophecy is not given to inflate our brains; it is given to enlarge our hearts.”
Armageddon, the Antichrist, and the Mark of the Beast: all images that have struck fear and confusion in the hearts of Christians, and let’s be frank, non-Christians alike. In this masterful study companion, Pastor Greg brings context to those stories and allows us to understand its history and that, ultimately, God is in control. He is the one in power whose judgment is final. There is no doubt that in the book of Revelation, John writes about the Lord’s master plan for us, His hope for the world, and the future of our world.
In this new book, Pastor Greg demonstrates who Jesus Christ is and who He should be in our lives. It also reveals where He should stand in our lives, which is at the center of it all. As Pastor Greg writes: “The book of Revelation is a bit like putting on those 3-D glasses. However, what we see in the pages of this book isn’t conjured up in some Hollywood studio or special effects lab; it’s real. This last book of the Bible enables us to look beyond the physical realm into another world, another dimension. It’s the supernatural realm of Heaven and Hell, of angels and demons, of God and Satan.” The imagery is vivid, and so are the words of the apostle John.
It brings in stark contrast the difference between an “imaginary” heaven, often depicted in rosy terms, and soft and beautiful floating clouds in movies and on television, with the actual depiction of the reality of Heaven, Hell, Satan, and God Himself look like.
Ultimately, Revelation: A Book of Promises is Pastor Greg’s guide to what the last book of the Bible is truly like, and what it reveals for our future. It is a thoughtful and thorough examination of John’s writings and their meaning. It is a book meant to help you understand what God’s plan is for us and the promises of eternity.