Coming Soon: Unlocking the Book of Revelation and Applying Its Lessons Today

by Michael Barber

Is there a book of the Bible more often discussed and yet less understood than the Book of Revelation? The "seven seals." The "dragon." The "beast." The "sea of glass." The fantastic imagery found in the Book of Revelation has long captivated Christians but remains mysterious to many. In the midst of so much discussion about the end times, what does Revelation teach us about living in the present moment, with our eyes focused on the heavenly Jerusalem? Michael Barber's Coming Soon explores these questions by taking a detailed look at Revelation and its rich tapestry of prophecy, history, and biblical allusion. Barber explores the profound link between the Mass celebrated here on earth and the eternal reality of heaven, demonstrating that the Apocalypse reveals truth that has practical implications for today and points to a firm hope in tomorrow. Coming Soon is a verse-by-verse commentary on the Book of Revelation using the Revised Standard Version: Catholic Edition of the Bible. Barber provides a Catholic interpretation, which sees the liturgical background of this book of Scripture-a perspective missing in many Protestant commentaries.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Faith

340 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

Michael has his Ph.D. in Theology from Fuller in Pasadena, CA. His dissertation was on the Historical Jesus and Sacramental Eschatology under the world famous scholar, Colin Brown. He has an MA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and received his B. A. in Theology and Philosophy from Azusa Pacific University. He is the author of several books, including, 'Coming Soon: Unlocking the Book of Revelation and Applying Its Lessons Today' (Emmaus Road, 2006) and most recently, 'Genesis to Jesus: Studying Scripture from the Heart of the Church' (Servant, 2007), a Bible study co-authored with Kimberly Hahn. He is a Senior Fellow for the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology, founded by Dr. Scott Hahn.

Dr. Barber has been granted the mandatum by Robert Brom, bishop of San Diego, as an ecclesial recognition of Michael's posture and commitment to teach always in communion with the Church.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has quizzes at the end of each chapter. Meh. Read Robert Bellarmine "on the Antichrist" de controversies series. Very elaborate and thorough and well written and well founded.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOTS of detail as the Book of Revelation is taken apart, verse by verse. I find Dr. Barber's perspective on the dating of John yields the most elegant understanding of this prophecy. It is not foremost a prophecy of the end times, though that is present at the end of the book, but concerns the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. Everything fits cleanly when this is understood. This comes of dating the book before the fall of Jerusalem, rather than in the 90's as some do. And his unpacking of the Scriptures of the heavenly Jerusalem as the Church and the Mass are beautiful and build up the awe I sense at every Mass. It is Heaven come down, a foretaste of glory.

[Michelle M. Silvers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on the Book of Revelation

Best book on the Book of Revelation I have ever read. Recommended to me by the priest at my church. Ties the entire Bible together...the covenants - Adam, Abraham, Noah, Moses, David - as well as the prophets. Excellent read!!

[Bailey L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I almost didn’t rate the book because it’s odd to rate a biblical commentary book.

This book was recommended by the Cistercian priest who married us, who is also a tenured Bible professor.

This book takes the preterist view, that everything happened by the fall of Jerusalem temple in AD 70. I think if you are going to study the book of Rev, it’s worthwhile to hear the argument for this view. This book does an excellent job explaining it. And if you are skeptical of all things rapture, this book is a good choice.

I read a few different kinds of commentaries and views simultaneously, and this one is one I’m glad to have included. It has this very helpful table format for connecting the many passages in Revelation to OT prophecies. If it offered nothing else, this book is worth it for that.

The author also uses punny headers throughout which I enjoyed, ha.

He is a bit too confident at times and doesn’t allow room for nuance or the idea that he could be wrong. I don’t get how believing 100% in this or that view of Revelation is so important to so many people……. Anyway that is the reason for only 3 stars.

[Iter Meum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very well written book, and one that has left me with much to think about. Though this is a work written from a Catholic perspective, the view the author takes is generally similar to the view held by RC Sproul from the Protestant perspective. Essentially, the author sees the book of Revelation as being written primarily about the Jewish/Roman war that took place over 7 years between 66 AD and 73 AD. This approach strikes me as the most logical and fitting interpretation of the Apocalypse. Its major problem however is getting around the view held by most scholars and some early Church fathers that the Apocalypse was written after 90 AD. For this reason I have generally held to the Idealist interpretation that sees the book of Revelation as a symbolic book about the spiritual warfare faced by the Church throughout Church history. It looks like there will need to be some comparative reading in my future if I am to ever reconcile these two views in my own mind.

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot of misinformation from many sources regarding the book of Revelation, here's a thorough historical and Old Testament referenced Catholic study that you will enjoy. Truth.

[Brian Ulczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good breakdown and explanation of the Book of Revelation. Learned a lot of contextual history that I never knew, as it explains Revelations almost verse by verse.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readable and enlightening supplement to the study of the Book of Revelation. A Catholic perspective.

[Brad Gade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best and clearest approach to this controversial subject that I have ever read. Highly recommended!!!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough and informative. Well worth reading.

[Sir Badgerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise! Not at all what most people think of.. Well done.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not particularly scholarly, but Barber cites some sources I haven’t read and might get to. It’s a decent Catholic-oriented Bible study of Revelation.

[Jason Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very in depth look at understanding the viewpoints and meanings behind the book of Revelation, Barber shows the relevance between what was perceived when it was first written and how that compares to our uses and followings today. Each chapter and verse is walked through to help those that want further comprehension of what the book of Revelation can mean to everyone today.
A very detailed description of how to interpret Revelation, some may find it overwhelming with the amount of information analyzed, but the author also gives many references to help any reader further understand his approach to reading and utilizing the book of Revelation.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book.I could not put it down once I began to read it. Not complicated at all. It is one that is aimed at the general reader. You will see that this book is very easy to understand. This book is truly insightful. It gives a new appreciation and understanding of the Book of Revelation as it relates to the Old and New Testaments. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in making sense of the Book of Revelation. It is a very engaging book.

[Tommy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming soon certainly explored the apocalypse and the Book of Revelation.
I'm not Catholic so the interpretation was sometimes off for me. I liked the study questions and discussions, they certainly were thought provoking. It took me a long time to read because it did require a lot of thought and scripture study.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book to use as a course to study the Book of Revelation. In fact, it explains Salvation History. I have bought extra copies to give to friends.