Reading Revelation by C. Marvin Pate Book Review

'Reading Revelation: A Comparison of Four Interpretive Translations of the Apocalypse'
by C. Marvin Pate

About this Book:
The complex symbolism of Revelation has baffled and intrigued exegetes for centuries. Now Pate objectively sets in parallel columns the four leading approaches (preterist, historicist, futurist, idealist) alongside the Greek text and a literal word-for-word translation, so you can make up your own mind.

Preterist interpretation helps you understand the events of Revelation in the first century of the Christian era around 70 A.D.

The historicist understanding of this book interprets the prophecies as its unfolding in the church's history.

The futurist makes a point that the events of this book remain largely unfulfilled. Awaiting the end times.

The idealist view is to pinpoint the symbolism of Revelation. The spriritual viewpoint.

How to Use this Book:
This wasn't necessarily designed to be read cover to cover and is not a bible study. It's an interpretive translation of Revelation. The book is read horizontally with word for word scripture of the entire book of Revelation in Greek Text and English translation. You then can look at the individual views verse by verse to better understand the scripture passage. Like dissecting it for better knowledge in the Preterist view, Historicist view, Futurist view and Idealist view. A quick reference to multiple interpretations and it helps you to draw your own conclusions on the passages presented in this book.

If you were doing a Bible study on Revelation, this book would help you to think carefully about the text, along with helping you see different views of the passages you are studying. Great book to help you understand views of others while you are studying this together.

My Thoughts on this Book:
When I first saw this book to review, I'll be honest I thought it was a bible study on the book of Revelation. When I got it I was initially sad that this wasn't the case. But as I dug deeper and read how the book worked I found it full of knowledge that I could come back to time and again where I bible study you couldn't get that. Full of information you just couldn't take in all in one sitting. Perfect reference book as you study this book as well as use it to help interprate different viewpoints of this book from others.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review of this book. No other compensation was given.