See The Strange: The Gospel According to Revelation

Revelation, the last book of the Bible, with its own set of graphic images seems to inspire fear more than a sense of victorious hope and celebration. Brett Davis, author of the book, writing on his own experience with the book writes "It began to germinate at a young age, and the seed was fear" and this is something that I think we can identify with. However, Davis also adds that fear has not been the sole dominant emotion in the study of this book. 

He further adds,

So fear planted the seed, but beauty has since watered it....I have come to see Revelation as a beautiful book - an ingenious, inspired masterpiece of literature, calling us into beautiful lives worthy of the beautiful future prepared for this world by our beautiful God. 

To be able to see Revelation as a beautiful book will perhaps mean to be able to look past the bewildering images in the book and actually see who and what matters in this book. For Davis, his energy is directed towards giving his readers "a starting place for Revelation that centers around Jesus." The book contains 16 chapters and each chapter ends with a prayer in response to what has been discussed. 

The book itself is not a difficult reading. It is definitely a good place for someone who wishes to know more about Revelation to start. It covers the entire book of Revelation as it traces and explains the content sequentially. The explanations engages both with what the text means and importantly how the first readers would have perceived it (and this is where I think the beauty of the book is born as we begin to see the message of John through his eyes and that of his readers). I have personally come to enjoy this book as one that has provided a fresh perspective in reading this rather scary book of the end times. Spoiler alert: Towards the end, as Davis talks about heaven, there can be issues where we might disagree or agree with him or discover a new perspective of heaven. But this I leave it for you to discover on your own.

On the whole, I recommend this book very happily for anyone who wishes to get a basic grasp of the book of Revelation. I have used the e-book version and it has a total of 229 pages. It is therefore not a big book, but for its brevity, it has lots to offer for us to chew on. Do consider reading this book. 

Thank you for your time,

kk