A Revolutionary Look at the Revelation by J. M. MacLeod
Nonfiction. 248 Pages. 5 Stars
Synopsis:
J. M. MacLeod, although admittedly not a credentialed Bible scholar, has invested most of his life in the study and teaching of scripture in various churches and Bible study groups. He has received “words of wisdom and knowledge” concerning The Revelation which many other Bible teachers haven’t seen or have seen only in part, due to being committed to out-dated, denominational interpretations of prophecy forged in bygone centuries.
MacLeod explores the relationship between the seven churches mentioned and seven Church Ages that are almost completed in our day; he compares the seven Israeli feasts with the unfolding plot of man’s salvation through the seals, trumpets, thunders and bowls, comparing Old Testament prophecies with John’s and Paul’s writings. There is no doubt that this book will challenge what you think you know about the Revelation.
My Review:
Before I get to the actual review, I’m not sure why, but the page count is incorrect for this book on Goodreads. It should read 248 pages. Just FYI.
I enjoyed this commentary/devotional book on Revelation very much. I’ve tried a few times to read through Revelation on my own and it’s usually ended in headache and confusion. Revelation has always felt like a coded message from a spy movie. I loved the code. It’s intriguing and terrifying all at once, but I could never even begin to pick it apart. I figured maybe I’d just get the bits and pieces I could comprehend and almost understand and just keep trying on the rest. It’s not that I ever felt hopeless about it; maybe a little disheartened and confused. I just figured I wasn’t ready to understand, wasn’t mature to put the pieces together. And, maybe that was partially true. But, I have also learned that when you go through unknown territory in the jungle, it’s best to take a guide.
Mr. MacLeod has offered his wisdom and years of study here for anyone willing to listen. What I loved most about this book was that Mr. MacLeod didn’t ever proclaim to know the deepest mysteries of the Revelation without a shadow of a doubt. In fact, he was quite adamant that you take what he offers and discern for yourself. He wants the reader to hold his personal theories to the test, compare them with Scripture, with current events, with history, and so on. He offers his thoughts and his experiences, as well as historical evidence and scriptural passages, to interpret the great mystery of the Revelation. I appreciated being given the choice to believe and develop my own thoughts on the matters presented in this final book of the Bible.
Furthermore, I have always been so bad at history. I love studying it, but I’m not a great student in this subject. There’s a lot I don’t know, a lot that escapes my notice. I don’t get every single political update and I certainly can’t recall something that happened when I was in middle school and too young to pay attention or give care. Mr. MacLeod provides historical events of significance to help understand how the Revelation is relevant to us right now, and how it’s been relevant since Christ’s time here on earth. I have taken points away from this reading that I can go and do further research on. I have been given a renewed interest in current events and, this time, I have a better understanding of the significance geographically in current events. (I was worse in geography even than history!)
MacLeod pulls from the Old and New Testaments alike to set a pattern for discernment. He uses the Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment as a blueprint for unraveling these New Testament promises and warnings. Revelation is a deep read, an interesting read, and this companion commentary is a valuable resource, in my personal opinion. Mr. MacLeod doesn’t shy away from his opinions and he doesn’t conform to modern theorists. He puts out his two cents and says boldly, “You compare the facts, the evidence, and you decide what to think.” I’d highly recommend this devotional to anyone willing to open their eyes and heart. Don’t miss this extraordinary look at the Revelation told through the eyes of a man who’s spent his life studying God’s Word.