Ranko Stefanovic - Plain Revelation

PLAIN

REVELATION

Ranko Stefanovic

Andrews University Press

Sutherland House

8360 W. Campus Circle Dr.

Berrien Springs, MI 491041700

Telephone: 269-471-6134

Fax: 269-471-6224

Email: aupo@andrews.edu

Website: http://universitypress.andrews.edu

Copyright 2013 by Andrews University Press

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner or translated into other languages without written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

ISBN 978-1-883925-86-4

ISBN 978-1-883925-94-9 (e-book)

Quotations from the book of Revelation are the authors own translation. Unless otherwise stated, scripture quotations from other books are taken from the New American Standard Bible , Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission (www.Lockman.org). Scripture quotations marked RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Stefanovic, Ranko.

Plain Revelation / Ranko Stefanovic.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-883925-86-4 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Bible. Revelation--Commentaries.

I. Title.

BS2825.53.S738 2013

228.077--dc23

2013041520

This book is dedicated to

G. David Jang, MD

whose vision and support

led to the realization of this project

Were putting you on notice!

The book you are reading, Ranko Stefanovics Plain Revelation , is a concise introduction to a journey of great discovery in the Apocalypse.

When you finish this book, you will be ready for Dr. Stefanovic to take you further on that amazing journey.

For that, you will need his landmark, verse-by-verse, commentary on this epic book of the Bible.

Its titled Revelation of Jesus Christ: Commentary on the Book of Revelation .

Read more about it at the

The idea for writing this book was born sometime in the year 2011. Niels-Erik Andreasen, president of Andrews University, invited me to his office one day and explained that he had met with G. David Jang, MD, from Loma Linda University, who had enthusiastically asked him if I might be willing to write a concise, user-friendly book on Revelation that would be accessible to all informed readers. Dr. Andreasen then urged me to seriously consider that suggestion.

The idea was not entirely a surprise for me because, since the publication of my commentary Revelation of Jesus Christ in 2002, there have been constant requests from many readers and my listening audiences across the globe for a non-commentary-type book, written in a concise style and plain language, which would be financially affordable to many readers and could be easily translated into different languages. After talking personally to Dr. Jang and consulting Ronald Knott, director of Andrews University Press, I felt compelled to embark on the task.

This book is intended to be an introduction to my commentary and can serve as a personal study guide, a study tool for small groups, and a textbook. I hope that it will be of help to many who are interested in understanding the last book of the Bible, but are afraid to delve into its contents because of a common misperception that the Apocalypse is almost impossible to comprehend. It is my desire that readers will discover that the Apocalypse is actually not as hard to understand as many people think it is. As they read it, may they also realize that the book of Revelation provides guidance for a contented life today and a hope, not fear, for tomorrow. When the book is studied properly, an understanding of its central theme inevitably results in changed lives for Gods glory.

I want to express my deep gratitude to Dr. G. David Jang, whose vision and support initiated the realization of this book. I am dedicating this book to him. Many thanks also go to Dr. Niels-Erik Andreasen, who took a personal interest in this project; to my wonderful daughter Zeljka, for spending with love many hours patiently proofreading the text and correcting details; to Evelyn Kissinger, who volunteered to read the manuscript and offer feedback on the content of the book; and to Laura Morrow, my graduate student reader, for proofreading and correcting the text. I also wish to express my thanks to Andrews University Press personnelRonald Knott and Deborah Everhart in particularfor the editing and design of the book.

This book would certainly not have been written without the love and unselfish support of my life partner and dear wife Estera. She did all she could to provide me with the necessary time for writing. She deserves much more than a simple thanks.

The writing of this book has been done with a lot of prayer. I want to give all honor to my God for providing me with good health and wisdom in dealing with the text of Revelation. This book is written to His glory.

O f all the books in the Bible, the book of Revelation has provoked the most interest and curiosity. Yet, for many Christians, it is the most obscure book of the Bible. It comes as a surprise that the book entitled Apocalypse (revelation or unveiling) has become, for many, a symbol of confusion and obscurity. Strange images and frightening scenes described in the book have caused many to turn away from reading it.

However, Revelation clearly shows that it was written to be understood (see Rev. 22:10). The beginning of the book states: Blessed is the one who reads and the ones listening (1:3). The text describes a public reading of Revelation where one person reads the book and others listen. This shows that Revelation is intended to be read in the church. The text in Greek, however, shows that this reading is more than merely reading. The person who reads makes the message of Revelation understandable to the congregation assembled for worship.

This is not to say, however, that the book was given to only a few individuals to study; rather, it was given to all Gods people. Great blessings are promised to all who read Revelation, heed its messages, and treasure them in their minds and hearts (Rev. 22:7).

The purpose of this book is to explain Revelation and to explicate this difficult Biblical book in plain language. I hope that readers will discover that Revelation is not as difficult to understand as it appears to be. True, there are and will always be obscure prophecies and symbols that we will probably never be able to understand until they are fulfilled. However, if we understand the messages of Revelation as a whole, we will discover its central theme: Jesus Christwho is the focal point of Revelationand His promise to be with His people as the future unfolds.

Before moving through the pages of Revelation and attempting to unlock the meaning of what is written in it, it is important to acquaint ourselves with some basic information about the book, including how and when it was written, how the book is organized, and how to interpret its contents.