Contemporary analysis of the world that produced the book of revelation suggests that patmos was not a penal settlement, and there is little evidence that domitian systematically persecuted. The book was published in 2000 by bloomsbury publishing and has 264 pages. The novel was unusual for its detailed descriptions of a non statutory female on male rape the protagonist of the novel is a male ballet dancer living in amsterdam with his french girlfriend brigitte. Revelation explained by charles thompson, paperback barnes.
Thompson thompson here examines the importance of the genre apocalypse, and analyzes the form and structure of the revelation, its narrative and metaphoric unity, the world created through johns visions, and the social conditions of the empire in which john wrote. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. The book of revelation deserves far more time than one quarter of study, but it is my desireand no doubt that of sabbath school lesson contributors and my professors ranko stefanovic and jon paulien. However the main issues which this book tackles are broadly apocalyptic, metaphysical ones. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. In my opinion, thompson s study is one of the most important studies on revelation written in the last decade. Worship as confession and moral identitypart 1 of 2. The thompson chain reference study bible online the wise. There are no biblical references in the book so why does rupert thomson choose such a blatantly religious title. Entry for revelation thompson chain reference one of 6 bible concordances freely available, this timeless classic, with over 3,700 entries, is the concordance guide for serious students. His innovative approach has unharnessed the mystery of this great book, leading to greater understanding.
The novel was unusual for its detailed descriptions of a non statutory female on male rape. Rupert thomson has a solid reputation as a cult writer. In this original study of the book of revelation, thompson examines the importance of the genre apocalypse, analyzes in detail the form and structure of the revelation, its narrative and metaphoric unity, the world created through john of patmoss visions, and the social conditions of the empire in which john wrote. Michael battle is the herbert thompson professor of church and society and director of the desmond tutu center at general theological seminary in new york. The panorama bible study, the book of revelation by alfred thompson eade, is a pictoral study of revelation for indivudual and group studies. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory.
The understanding of phophecy calls for many years of reading, studying, and researching the scriptures. The book of revelation raises questions that many of us would rather not think about. Thompson has many ingenious observations on revelation and is particularly useful for those who do not want to consult. Placing the book of revelation clearly in the social setting of asia minor challenges much of the older scholarship on johns work being set in a time of persecution. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a.
Thompsons commentary employs socialscientific methods and argues strongly that there was no persecution in the last decade of the first century. The book of revelation apocalypse and empire leonard l. The book of revelation is a curious title for this disturbing and haunting story about the systematic,traumainduced destruction of an amsterdam based male dancers life. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder. Gods call to community in the book of revelation, this curriculum is offered to all free of charge. Eade walks us through the study of revelation with panoramic illustrations from chapter one through chapter 21 of revelation, using the king james version of the bible as his guide. The revelation is a very solemn book speaking much about divine judgments but it is also a. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. Revelation which thomson, a brilliant londoner, certainly never writes the same book twice.
See thompson, the book of revelation, 101115, for an extended discussion. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. In a grand way, it is not so hard to understand because it begins with people on earth and ends with the same people in heaven. In the face of apparently insuperable evil, either from within or from without, all christians are called to trust in jesus promise, behold, i am with you always, until the end of the age mt 28. The book of revelation is superbly written and thomson describes the emotional turmoil of the central character perfectly, from the dramatic effect of his ordeal on his sexual behaviour, to his desire for solitude and his disconnection from society. The bibles answer the greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka.
Thompson, 9780195115802, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Apocalypse and empire 9780195115802 by leonard thompson. Worship in the book of revelation worship in the book of revelation. The book of revelation by rupert thomson thriftbooks. Product details the new panorama bible study course no.
On the face of it, the book of revelation presents a minority report on how christians. About seventy years after the death of jesus, john of patmos sent visionary messages to christians in seven cities of western asia minor. The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Bible the new panorama bible study course facebook. Explains how revelation s context and setting can help us understand its original meaning and apply its message to our own lives in the modern world. This online course features new testament scholar craig keener teaching through the book of revelation. The revelation is the only prophetic book of the nt and it is the keystone of the word of god. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The book of revelation an illustrated revelation bible. Greetings from john the writer, and from jesus christ in heaven, vv.
A book like revelation can grip people in different ways, and it is not easy to explain just how the scholarly grip differs from, for example, coovers brunists who use the book of revelation to illumine an unfinished note of a preacherminer killed in a mining explosion. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. The book of revelation is a 2006 australian film based on the novel by rupert thompson, directed by ana kokkinos and starring tom long, greta scacchi, colin friels, anna torv and deborah mailman talented and acclaimed dancer daniel long is preparing for the opening night of a new performance directed by isabel scacchi. The book of revelation is a novel by uk author rupert thomson. Today, we will look at worship as it is depicted in the book of revelation. The revelation of jesus christ this is evidently a title or caption of the whole book, and is designed to comprise the substance of the whole. Throughout his study, thompson argues that the language of revelation joins the ordinary to the extraordinary, earth to heaven, and local. About the book of revelation in an edgy psychological thriller that is as mesmerizing as it is profound, rupert thomson fearlessly delves into the darkest realm of the human spirit to reveal the sinister connection between sexuality and power. The protagonist of the novel is a male ballet dancer living in amsterdam with his french girlfriend brigitte. Buy a cheap copy of the book of revelation by rupert thomson. As the author states, his interest in the book of revelation is limited to the situation in which it was first read and written p. Delve into the book of revelation with the author to reveal its vibrant aspects of worship. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture.
The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. The holy scriptures start with a revelation on the past genesis 1 and they end with a revelation on the future. Most often personal revelation will come as we study the scriptures, listen to and follow the counsel of prophets and other church leaders, and seek to live faithful, righteous lives. This week is the last of the progression we have been following for the last weeks, all on the subject of worship, looking at worship from various perspectives and times in history. The book of revelation by rupert thomson goodreads. Thompson s revelation is intriguing, illuminating, compelling, and convincing. The thompson chain reference study bible online at this section of the website, you can select any topic that you want to study as it was originally organized topically and published within the thompson chain reference study bible. Throughout his study, thompson argues that the language of revelation joins the ordinary to the extraordinary, earth to heaven, and local conditions to suprahuman processes. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it.
Throughout his study, thompson argues that the language of revelation joins the ordinary to the extraordinary, earth to heaven, and local conditions to supra. Thomsons book is a haunting meditation of eros and abuse. For more than twentyfive years, charles thompson has fully immcersed himself into understanding the book of revelation. Rather it reveals the perspective of the writer and readers. The book of revelation is both difficult and fascinating. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. The lion is a royal and kingly symbol and represents the fact that jesus is king of kings and lord of lords revelation 19. The postincarnate christ in a glorified body, judging his church the. After discussing the importance of the apocalypse gendre, he considers the form and the structure of the book, the unified world created through johns visions, and the social conditions of the empire in which john wrote. Following a discussion of the importance of the genre apocalypse, he closely analyses the form and structure of the revelation, its narrative and metaphoric unity. I recommend this book to anyone who assumes, as i have, the normal interpretation of the book of revelation as inspired and written for christians enduring widespread and politically motivated persecution.
Thompsons commentary on revelation is written in an engaging literary style and, by presenting perceptive comparisons and contrasts with both grecoroman and jewish literaturecanonical and noncanonicalhe highlights the distinctive features of this book. Revelation is the new testament book in which worship is most prominent. Pastor mike thompson 01262019 the book of revelation. Use it as your advent sunday school curriculum, in a small group, or on your own to gain a new perspective on revelation and what it means for our lives now. Sometimes inspiration will come from a single verse of scripture or from a line in a conference talk. But all the particulars between those points can be challenging to understand. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. Those who study the book of revelation usually view it from one of several positions regarding a time of tribulation, the rapture of the church, and the thousandyear reign of christ on earth. Eleven interesting facts about worship in revelation. These lessons, based on keeners revelation commentary in the niv application commentary series, help you grasp the message of revelation and the powerful impact it can have today. The panorama bible study 4 was created with the hopes of building a visual explanation of revelation. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka.
Battle was ordained a priest by archbishop desmond tutu in 1993 and received his masters of divinity from princeton theological seminary, a masters of sacred theology from yale university, and a. Thompson is renowned for a revisionist take on emperor domitian that has been questioned by scholars for not being even handed, but knowing this before hand means that the rest of. Revelation thompson chain reference bible concordance. In the book of revelation by alfred thompson eade, dr. The book of revelation by rupert thomson reading guide. The book breaks naturally into five major visions plus a prologue and an epilogue on how these came to be written down. Ministry magazine worship in the book of revelation. Some have used revelation to pinpoint present and future events ranging from the identity of the antichrist to the exact date and hour of christs return.
A book that catches my heart not by surprising twists. This name indicates the meaning of revelation it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written. Thompson critically examines the language, literature, history, and social setting of the book of the apocalypse. Product details the second coming of christ new panorama bible study by alfred thompson eade aug 1982 formats price new used.
These messages would eventually become part of the new testament canon, as the book of revelation. Thompson worship provides the main conflict of the book of revelation, the contrast between those who worship god and those who worship the beast. Select any topic that you want to study, and you will quickly realize how valuable this online. Thompson basically contends that john did not write his.
Thompson has many ingenious observations on revelation and is particularly useful for those who do not want to consult the major. Thompson in this original study of the book of revelation, thompson examines the importance of the genre apocalypse, analyzes in detail the form and structure of the revelation, its narrative and metaphoric unity, the world created through john of patmoss visions, and the social conditions of the empire in which john wrote. Revelation explained by charles thompson, paperback. Thompson suggests from the evidence he gathers that overt conflict between christians and their nonchristian neighbors requiring official, legal acton was rare. In an edgy psychological thriller that is as mesmerizing as. Buy the book of revelation by rupert thomson from waterstones today. In an edgy psychological thriller that is as mesmerizing as it is profound, rupert thomson fearlessly delves into the darkest realm of the human spirit to reveal the sinister connection between sexuality and power. Thompson argues strongly that the traditional pejorative view on domitian is due not to balanced arguments in modern. God will not tolerate false worship, so the story revolves around the theme and is punctuated often by scenes of true worship. The rider with bow and crown represents the rule of kings and lords on earth, such as the roman caesars.
Thompson and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Air and fire was a wonderfully ambient tropical adventure, soft a devastating contemporary london thriller. Truths about him and his final victory, that the rest of scripture merely allude to, become clearly visible through revelation about jesus christ see historical and theological themes. Thompson s commentary employs socialscientific methods and argues strongly that there was no persecution in the last decade of the first century.
The book of revelation had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid and meaningful for christians of all time. Set in amsterdam, the book of revelation is both a crime novel and an extended, complex, and often disturbing exploration of sexual abuse and its aftermath. In most areas of the roman empire christians lived quietly and peaceably among their neighbors, conducting their affairs without disturbance. Thompson, the book of revelation, 175, concludes that the text is not necessarily addressing a crisis for the church, contending the apocalyptic theme reveals nothing of the actual political situation. The book of revelation general introduction good word. Coolly revelatory, meticulously crafted, the book of revelation is rupert thomson at his imaginative best. The book of revelation by rupert thomson waterstones. The book of revelation by alfred thompson eade online at alibris.