Apocalypse: Then, Now, and Soon

by Brent Lauder

380 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2023

Reviews

[Gene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastor Brent Lauder has presented a book both academic and pastoral. I really was blessed by reading it. Raised in a dispensationalist perspective, this book that looks at the last book of the Bible from a perspective of covenant theology was of interest to me. I have long been agnostic when it comes to Biblical prophecy - not that I didn't believe it, but that I doubted I could confidently conclude what this book by the Apostle John really meant. I can gratefully say I'm not quite so without a grasp of the main ideas that John was trying to get across, because Pastor Lauder emphasizes them repeatedly, showing how the book repeats them, too. They are that the church will suffer severe persecution between the time of Christ's ascension and His return and that judgment is coming on the world that is causing this persecution. Those are my main take-aways.

So as a guy raised on rapture theology and pre-millenialism, could I decide whether covenant theology provides a better interpretation? Well, I conclude it provides an internally consistent interpretation, which is a very good solid first step in getting someone to accept it. And it provides a modest interpretation, one that doesn't assert charts and time-lines that give the impression of having every last detail figured out. I find that as a plus, though part of me fears that it may be too timid in giving specific explanations in terms of future events. If the whole end times has been going on since Christ returned to the right hand of the Father, it becomes a bit hard to feel the urgency of responding to an overall threat of danger, persecution, etc. I think living my life in the prosperous West, and now the prosperous East, makes me feel like, "If this is so awful, then what's the big deal?" On the other hand though, martyrdom is more common now than any time since Christ, and the West is, as Lauder points out, becoming increasingly hostile to the Christian message that is willing to call sexual deviation from Biblical norms sinful and worthy of condemnation.

I am pleased that many of my questions were answered. I enjoyed the explanation of the parallelism between the Garden of Eden and the son of God there (Adam) with the Paradise to come with the Son of God with His Bride for all eternity. Good stuff.

I would have wished for slightly tighter editing. There were some sentences that were clunkers and some that could be misinterpreted because of it. Oddly the Study Questions for chapters 36 and 37 are identical.

I think all Christians could benefit from this study of the Book of Revelation in order to fill the reader with hope and help him face life's burdens in the light of having a Saviour who loves us and gave
His life for us. Thank you, Brent Lauder!

[Peter Stonecipher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an immensely helpful guide through one of the most difficult books in Scripture. It is evident how much study has gone into this work, but Lauder has digested all of his research and presents it here in a clear, challenging, applicable manner. Revelation should not be the intimidating conclusion to the Bible which few dare pick up and read, it has a sobering, but ultimately hopeful message for God's church in every age, and this book does a wonderful job underscoring that message. I would recommend Lauder's book to anyone desiring a better understanding of Revelation. The footnotes are a wonderful bonus for those wanting to dive in deeper.