The Lamb The Beast The Devil

Revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. Dogmatism abounds as different groups insist on their own interpretation. This introduction explains its relevance to modern readers.

"The Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour."--1 John 2:18 We see evidence of the Antichrist and his spirit in the chaos, fear, hate, deceit, arrogance and cruelty both in news headlines and in the world around us. Our ancient enemy is cunning, and his subtle deceptions can infiltrate an unsuspecting heart--and church. When we don't know or take seriously the daily relevance of the Bible's teaching on Satan and the end times, we can unwittingly get swept up in his schemes. In this eye-opening book, trusted Bible scholar Derek Prince reveals what the Scriptures really say about Satan, the Antichrist and the mark of the Beast--and why Jesus Christ as the Lamb is so important. Derek also gives you the tools you need to · defend against confusion and fear · guard your heart with purity and assurance · hold fast in the midst of great opposition Today and in the days ahead, a destiny-determining choice lies before you: Will you give in to the nature and deception of the Beast? Or will you stand firm in the nature of the Lamb, preparing yourself for the day He returns?

The final book of the Bible, Revelation prophesies the ultimate judgement of mankind in a series of allegorical visions, grisly images and numerological predictions. According to these, empires will fall, the "Beast" will be destroyed and Christ will rule a new Jerusalem. With an introduction by Will Self.

"...the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour." (1 John 2:18) We see evidence of the Antichrist and his spirit in the chaos, fear, hate, deceit, arrogance and cruelty, both in news headlines and in the world around us. Our ancient enemy is cunning, and his subtle deceptions can infiltrate an unsuspecting heart - and church. When we don't know or take seriously the daily relevance of the Bible's teaching on Satan and the end times, we can get swept up unwittingly in his schemes. In this eye-opening book, trusted Bible teacher Derek Prince reveals what the Scriptures really say about Satan, the Antichrist and the mark of the Beast - and why Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God is so important. Derek also gives you the tools you need to: Defend against confusion and fear Guard your heart with purity and assurance Hold fast in the midst of great opposition Today and in the days ahead, a destiny-determining choice lies before you. Will you give in to the nature and deception of the Beast? Or will you stand firm in the nature of the Lamb, preparing yourself for the day He returns?

Most evangelical Christians believe that those people who are not saved before they die will be punished in hell forever. But is this what the Bible truly teaches? Do Christians need to rethink their understanding of hell? In the late twentieth century, a growing number of evangelical theologians, biblical scholars, and philosophers began to reject the traditional doctrine of eternal conscious torment in hell in favor of a minority theological perspective called conditional immortality. This view contends that the unsaved are resurrected to face divine judgment, just as Christians have always believed, but due to the fact that immortality is only given to those who are in Christ, the unsaved do not exist forever in hell. Instead, they face the punishment of the "second death"--an end to their conscious existence. This volume brings together excerpts from a variety of well-respected evangelical thinkers, including John Stott, John Wenham, and E. Earl Ellis, as they articulate the biblical, theological, and philosophical arguments for conditionalism. These readings will give thoughtful Christians strong evidence that there are indeed compelling reasons for rethinking hell.

The act of martyrdom in the worldview of the Apocalypse has been considered to be an exemplification of non-violent resistance. Paul Middleton argues here, however, that it is in fact a representation of direct participation by Christians, through their martyrdom, in divine violence against those the author of Revelation portrays as God's enemies. Middleton shows that acceptance of martyrdom is to grasp the invitation to participate in the Revelation's divine violence. Martyrs follow the model laid down by the Lamb, who was not only slain, but resurrected, glorified, and who executes judgement. The world created by the Apocalypse encourages readers to conquer the Beast through martyrdom, but also through the experience of resurrection and being appointed judges. In this role, martyrs participate in the judgement of the wicked by sharing the Lamb's power to judge. Different from eschewing violence, the conceptual world of the Apocalypse portrays God, the Lamb, and the martyrs as possessing more power, might, and violent potential than the Emperor and his armies. Middleton believes that martyrdom and violence are necessary components of the worldview of Revelation.

The doctrine of the Antichrist is one of the most interesting doctrines found in Scripture, says author Kim Riddlebarger. Unfortunately, it's also one which has been subject to far more speculation than sound biblical exegesis. Until now. Unlike other resources available on the Antichrist, The Man of Sin focuses on Scripture, not contemporary events, to uncover the truth about this mysterious entity. With skilled exegesis Riddlebarger asserts that, contrary to popular speculation, the Antichrist is not a singular individual but a series of beings that will arise to challenge Christ throughout the inter-advental age before culminating in an end-times Antichrist. Backing this claim first in Scripture, Riddlebarger also draws from historical teachings including those of the church fathers, the Reformation, and historic Protestantism, before contrasting this evidence to the sensational interpretations of many contemporary writers. Pastors, teachers, and study groups wanting to understand the doctrine of the Antichrist will find The Man of Sin to be a unique and comprehensive study.

New in the Eerdmans Classic Biblical Commentaries collection In this now-classic exposition of Revelation, first published in 1972, George Eldon Ladd offers a clear, engaging, and insightful reading of the Apocalypse that is ideal for the pulpit, classroom, or personal study. In a brief introduction Ladd discusses the subject of authorship, the date and historical setting of Revelation, and the various methods of interpretation (preterist, historical, idealist, and futurist) that have been applied to the book throughout history. He then offers an analytical outline of Revelation’s structure and his verse-by-verse commentary, which reflects a historic premillennial perspective. The entire work is marked by Ladd’s sensitivity to the needs of both scholars and general readers and by his concern for proclaiming the message of Revelation for our time.