Revelation And The General Epistles

This commentary on the Hebrews, the General Epistles, and Revelation, excerpted from the Fortress Commentary on the Bible: The New Testament, engages readers in the work of biblical interpretation. Contributors connect historical-critical analysis with sensitivity to current theological, cultural, and interpretive issues. Introductory articles describe the challenges of reading the New Testament in ancient and contemporary contexts, as well as exploring other themes ranging from the Jewish heritage of early Christianity to the contexts of diaspora. These are followed by the survey “Introduction to Hebrews, the General Epistles, and Revelation.” Each chapter (Hebrews through Revelation) includes an introduction and commentary on the text through the lenses of three critical questions: The Text in Its Ancient Context. What did the text probably mean in its original historical and cultural context? The Text in the Interpretive Tradition. How have centuries of reading and interpreting shaped our understanding of the text? The Text in Contemporary Discussion. What are the unique challenges and interpretive questions that arise for readers and hearers of the text today? Hebrews, the General Epistles, and Revelation introduces fresh perspectives and draws students, as well as preachers and interested readers, into the challenging work of interpretation.

Condensed from its larger parent, volume eight of the Mercer Commentary on the Bible comprises commentaries on the general epistles and the book of Revelation, and contains several articles from the acclaimed Mercer Dictionary of the Bible. This convenient yet thorough edition is for the classroom and for anyone who wishes to focus study on these particular texts from the New Testament.Praise for the Mercer Commentary on the Bible: It is easy to criticize a one-volume commentary on the whole Bible for what it does not say. The Mercer Commentary on the Bible should be praised for how much it does say. Having all this information...makes it especially useful. The contributors write clearly.... They write for the church, laity as well as clergy. I am sure I will refer to this commentary often. William M. Ramsay (In Interpretation).The special contribution of [the Mercer Dictionary of the Bible] is its thorough, up-to-date scholarship and large amount of information offered in just a single, inexpensive volume. A truly balanced, thorough, and useful reference work for both academic and public libraries. Especially recommended for undergraduates. Choice

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.

In clear English, using as much traditional biblical vocabulary as possible, and using between-the-verse notes where appropriate, the reader is able to discern the interaction in Acts among the Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Herodians, Romans, native Jews, Hellenistic Jews, and Hebrew Christians, both native and Hellenistic. Peter's foundation and Paul's four journeys for the kerygma of the Kingdom of God are made easy to understand. James with his exhortive Decalogue on worldliness is shown to be the best written book in the NT. Jude, Jesus's other half brother, also shows genius as an author. John the theologian couples love to keeping God's commandments, while Peter, with authority, lays out the foundations of our faith. The multilevel metaphors of Revelation are explained in clear English. The story is shown to be the story of the Father and the Son with the power of the Holy Spirit interacting with four women: Jezebel, the wife of Yahweh, the Bride of Christ, and the Mother of Harlots. Notes reveal the reasons for and the timing of the Great Tribulation. The notes also discuss the timing of the Rapture and OT descriptions of the Anti-Christ.