[I was greatly honored when my friend and pastor, Michael Rowntree, asked me to write the Foreword to his book, The World Made Right: Finding Confident Hope in the Book of Revelation (Zondervan). The book won’t be officially released until October 20^th, but you can preorder today at Amazon. I strongly urge you to do so. Here is why.]

I am unashamedly addicted to the wide array of books at our local Barnes & Noble store. The good news is that I purchase very few of them, but that doesn’t keep me from browsing and reading the newest in each of many genres. Genre? No, it is not pronounced with a hard ‘g’ but, being of French derivation, the ‘g’ sounds more like ‘zh’ and the ‘re’ in the final syllable is itself barely enunciated, hence, ‘zhawnruh. Ok, but what does it mean and how does it help me as I dive into the book of Revelation?

Let’s go back briefly to my weekly perusal of books at B&N. I spend most of my time in the section labeled “non-fiction” and rarely give the newest “fiction” books more than a passing glance (aside from the newest novel from John Grisham). Across the aisle are teen-aged romance paperbacks, science fiction, poetry, and works of literature. The history books cover everything from ancient times to the present day. Then there are the sections devoted to self-help, mystery, children’s books, sports, art, religion, biography and any number of other topics and themes.

Each of these many literary expressions, in addition to several others, constitute their own particular “genre” or type and style of literature. One would never think it helpful to read a book on the history of World War II in the same way one reads Winnie the Pooh. Science fiction authors employ language and imagery far different from the typical romance novel.

So, why is this important to know? The reason is that reading the book of Revelation requires a vocabulary and worldview different from what one employs when reading a biography of Abraham Lincoln or even the book of Romans. Many have forgotten this when they open their Bibles to the Apocalypse of John. They never think twice about the different hermeneutical principles required for understanding the extensive symbolism of the last book of the Bible as over against those necessary when perusing this week’s Wall Street Journal.

Failure to keep the genre of Revelation in mind largely accounts for the many bizarre interpretations to which it is regularly subjected. The symbolism of apocalyptic literature simply cannot be read in the same literal or wooden manner that one employs when reading historical narrative. Once we are in touch with the unique nature of this book, the words in Revelation 1:3 make sense. There John encourages us with these words: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”

To put it simply, God wants you to understand this remarkable book and promises that those who read it and hear it (and properly interpret it) are blessed! Perhaps you’ve been told that Revelation is too complex and its imagery too bizarre to be of any practical spiritual benefit. John thinks otherwise and assures us that hearing and heeding its teaching will reap a blessing otherwise unattainable.

This is why Michael Rowntree’s book is so important and why I am exceedingly happy to write this Foreword. Many of you have likely had a bad experience with Revelation. This may have come from a well-intentioned pastor or professor who largely ignored the historical context of the book or tried to tie its interpretation to current events in the world around us. Or perhaps you were subjected to a barrage of exegetical details and insights into the Greek text that left you frustrated and confused. Then, of course, there are those books and sermons that minimize the force of John’s language for no other reason than that it comes in the form of admittedly strange images of ferocious beasts, locusts, scorpions, dragons, and serpents.

Michael studiously avoids these many pitfalls in trying to make sense of Revelation. His is not a technical treatment accessible only to those who read Greek. And yet, he does not avoid or carefully navigate around the more challenging images. But neither does he engage in the sensationalistic approach taken by so many whose primary concern is how many books they can sell.

There are several reasons why you should devote yourself to a close reading of this book. In the first place, Michael is a superb writer. His prose is lively and punctuated with just the turn of phrase or analogy that makes reading his book a sheer delight. His numerous illustrations serve well to enlighten the reader to the many bizarre images and controversial topics in Revelation. And he has an uncanny ability to make sense of Revelation in its original context while simultaneously making application to the contemporary scene in which we find ourselves. His is the best combination of exegesis and application.

In addition, Michael does an excellent job of explaining the difficult and challenging statements in Revelation. He does so with profound theological insight and awareness of how the entire Bible plays into the meaning of the apocalypse. Revelation is filled with interpretive complexities and Michael bravely unpacks them in a way that makes sense for the contemporary Christian. He writes with profound insight into the controversial texts and demonstrates how they serve to exalt the ultimate and decisive triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ. After all, Revelation is fundamentally about God’s final victory, through Jesus Christ, and the consummation of his sovereign reign over all of creation.

One of the more perplexing realities in reading Revelation is the structure of the book and its thematic development. Tracing its focus from one chapter to the next can be tremendously frustrating. Michael is to be commended for providing a clear and intelligible account of how each chapter of Revelation relates to all the others.

You may be wondering about Michael’s understanding of the various eschatological systems of thought. Does he believe in a rapture, and if so, when will it occur? What about the so-called “Great Tribulation”? Will it be precisely seven years in length? And what of the Antichrist and of Israel’s role in the end times? And will non-Christians be tattooed with 666? And everyone will want to know his view of the millennium. I won’t spoil the party by giving away Michael’s perspective (and trust me, he has one; indeed, the correct one in my humble opinion!), but will simply assure you that regardless of which view you embrace, this book will inform you, challenge you, and I hope persuade you of the proper interpretation of all things related to the return of our Lord.

If you’ve studiously avoided Revelation, convinced that it is unintelligible to the average Christian, this book is for you. In fact, it is for both the uninitiated lay person and the seasoned scholar. I’ve studied and written about Revelation for nearly half a century and I can honestly say that this short volume has contributed to my understanding as much, if not more, than the most dense and technical commentaries. Revelation 1:3 rings ever so true to me because of Michael’s book. If you long for the “blessing” promised to those who read, hear, and obey Revelation, this is the place to begin.