Revelation and the End of All Things

by Craig R. Koester

Overview

Since its first publication in 2001, Revelation and the End of All Things has been a highly readable guide to one of the most challenging books in the Bible. Engaging the questions people most frequently ask about Revelation and sensationalistic scenarios about the end of the world, Craig Koester takes his readers through the entirety of Revelation, offering perspectives that are clear and compelling.

In the second edition Koester provides new insights from recent scholarship and responses to the latest popular apocalyptic voices. Study questions make this new edition ideal for use in classrooms and study groups. Revelation and the End of All Things offers an accessible, engaging, and profoundly hopeful interpretation for students and general readers alike. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467450522
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	05/10/2018
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Craig R. Koester is the Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, Saint Paul, Minnesota. His other books include The Word of Life: A Theology of John's Gospel, and he has also written a major commentary and widely used educational materials on Revelation.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition ix

Preface to the First Edition ix

1 Interpreting the Mystery 1

Future Prediction or Timeless Truth? 2

History Politics, and Reform 8

Apocalyptic Fever, Disappointment, and Tragedy 14

Rapture, Tribulation, and Armageddon 18

Historical and Literary Study of Revelation 27

Silence or Song? 35

Venturing Forward 42

2 Christ and the Churches (Revelation 1-3) 45

A Revelation-A Prophecy-A Letter (1:1-8) 46

In the Presence of the Living One (1:9-20) 56

Not All Readers Are Alike (2:1-3:22) 60

3 The Scroll Unsealed (Revelation 4-7) 75

The Creator (4:1-11) 76

The Lamb Who Was Slain (5:1-14) 80

The First Six Seals (6:1-17) 84

The Redeemed: 144,000 and a Great Multitude (7:1-17) 92

4 Trumpets of Terror and Hope (Revelation 8-11) 96

The First Six Trumpets (8:1-9:21) 97

Judgment Interrupted (10:1-11) 103

Suffering, Witness, and Glory to God (11:1-14) 106

The Kingdom of the Lord (11:15-19) 113

5 The Beast and the Lamb (Revelation 12-15) 115

The Woman, Michael, and the Dragon (12:1-18) 118

The Two Beasts (13:1-18) 125

Judgment, Blessing, and Endurance (14:1-20) 135

Lord of the Nations (15:1-4) 140

6 The Harlot and the Bride (Revelation 15-19) 143

The Seven Bowls of Wrath (15:5-16:21) 144

The Great Harlot (17:1-18) 151

Babylon's Funeral (18:1-24) 159

Hallelujah, the Lord Reigns (19:1-10) 165

7 The End (Revelation 19-22) 168

The Great Battle (19:11-21) 170

The Millennial Kingdom (20:1-6) 177

Final Conflict and Final Judgment (20:7-15) 183

The New Jerusalem (21:1-22:5) 187

The End Is Near (22:6-21) 197

Discussion Questions 202

Bibliography of Works Cited 208

Index 211

Editorial Reviews

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION

Adela Yarbro Collins
— Yale Divinity School 
“This book offers an innovative introduction to Revelation. . . . Highly recommended for ministry students, church study groups, and general readers.” 

— The Bible Today 
“Anyone looking for a good, interesting, and nontechnical study of the book of Revelation will want to consider this fine work.” 

— Review & Expositor
“A popular and easy-to-read work on Revelation. . . . For laity and those in the churches who are seeking alternatives to the unsound and popular views of Revelation, Koester’s book is a good recommendation.” 

From the Publisher