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An Introduction to Reading the Apocalypse
'[The Apocalypse] is a book widely misunderstood, that has given rise to numerous strange heresies; and yet it is a book that we neglect at our peril, for it speaks to us, in the most literal sense, about matters of life and death'eternal life, eternal death. Here, more than anywhere else in Scripture, we recognize the truth of the Ethiopian's reply to 'How can I understand what I am reading, unless someone guides me?' (Acts 8:31) 'In Fr Columba Flegg we have found exactly the guide who can help us. His tone is sober and his words are as precise as possible; and this is of crucial importance when commenting on a text that has occasioned so much bizarre speculation. While open to the insights provide by modern biblical scholarship, he takes as his basic guideline the interpretation given by the Fathers. As we read his pages, gradually we see unfolding before us the coherence of the Apocalypse, the true unity of its cosmic vision.' Bishop Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia, from the Foreword
111 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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May 19, 2021As Fr. Columba reminds us in this brief examination of the Book of the Revelation, the mind of our Church Fathers shows us that Holy Scripture can be profitably read at several different levels. Reading the Apocalypse is also a book written to edify in more than one way. Written for the “ordinary Christian reader,” it is a scholar’s accessible examination of Revelation, but also clearly models for the reader the best universal practices of Bible study:
"But our major objective … is to build up a framework which will help us to read [Revelation] for ourselves with some degree of genuine understanding. … In order to get behind [the] imagery, it is essential that we be familiar with certain of the prophetic works of the Old Testament … those who study it should be firmly grounded in the essentials of the Christian faith, and, in particular, in “orthodox” Christian eschatological teaching, particularly as it is to be found in the gospels and epistles of the New Testament” (pp. 3-4, 7).
In other words, to read Scripture with confidence and with out being swept into error means reading it a) with an awareness of pertinent Old Testament passages, b) with the mind of
Christ as revealed across the New Testament and c) inside the historical witness and teaching of His Church. Otherwise, we can fall prey to “fanatics of various persuasion” and as well as distortions made “by more sober and well-intentioned persons who are in all innocence presenting interpretations which neither serious scholarship nor “orthodox” Christian belief can support” (p. 4).
Fr. Columba therefore doesn’t begin exploring Revelation’s text until Chapter Four. Chapter One is 27 pages of “Old Testament Background.” Chapter Two, at 10 pages, is “New Testament Apocalyptic Teaching.” Then, 22 pages on the Apocalypse’s “Background, History and Structure.” After
this, we have the context needed to profit from Flegg’s study of Revelation itself.
“The Letters to the Seven Churches” starts on page 63. Clearly written “to edify certain first-century Christian congregations;” Flegg suggests we should also “measure ourselves, both as individuals and communities, against all those things singled out for condemnation” (p. 82).
Many of us might want to skip the lead-up and jump directly to the juicy parts of Revelation discussed in Chapter 5, “The Time of the End.” But Fr. Columba reminds us at the outset, “We cannot expect to under the significance of every word. Most important, it is a book which must speak spiritual messages to our hearts” (p. 83) He focuses on “the broad sweep of images and their significance” and goes on to work through John’s mysterious apocalyptic vision with a balanced
tone and a minimum of drama.
As Metropolitan Kallistos says in the book’s introduction, “May Fr. Columba’s study help all of us to repeat with fresh conviction the early Christian prayer ‘Maranatha,’ ‘Our Lord, come!’” (1 Corinthians 16:22).
"But our major objective … is to build up a framework which will help us to read [Revelation] for ourselves with some degree of genuine understanding. … In order to get behind [the] imagery, it is essential that we be familiar with certain of the prophetic works of the Old Testament … those who study it should be firmly grounded in the essentials of the Christian faith, and, in particular, in “orthodox” Christian eschatological teaching, particularly as it is to be found in the gospels and epistles of the New Testament” (pp. 3-4, 7).
In other words, to read Scripture with confidence and with out being swept into error means reading it a) with an awareness of pertinent Old Testament passages, b) with the mind of
Christ as revealed across the New Testament and c) inside the historical witness and teaching of His Church. Otherwise, we can fall prey to “fanatics of various persuasion” and as well as distortions made “by more sober and well-intentioned persons who are in all innocence presenting interpretations which neither serious scholarship nor “orthodox” Christian belief can support” (p. 4).
Fr. Columba therefore doesn’t begin exploring Revelation’s text until Chapter Four. Chapter One is 27 pages of “Old Testament Background.” Chapter Two, at 10 pages, is “New Testament Apocalyptic Teaching.” Then, 22 pages on the Apocalypse’s “Background, History and Structure.” After
this, we have the context needed to profit from Flegg’s study of Revelation itself.
“The Letters to the Seven Churches” starts on page 63. Clearly written “to edify certain first-century Christian congregations;” Flegg suggests we should also “measure ourselves, both as individuals and communities, against all those things singled out for condemnation” (p. 82).
Many of us might want to skip the lead-up and jump directly to the juicy parts of Revelation discussed in Chapter 5, “The Time of the End.” But Fr. Columba reminds us at the outset, “We cannot expect to under the significance of every word. Most important, it is a book which must speak spiritual messages to our hearts” (p. 83) He focuses on “the broad sweep of images and their significance” and goes on to work through John’s mysterious apocalyptic vision with a balanced
tone and a minimum of drama.
As Metropolitan Kallistos says in the book’s introduction, “May Fr. Columba’s study help all of us to repeat with fresh conviction the early Christian prayer ‘Maranatha,’ ‘Our Lord, come!’” (1 Corinthians 16:22).
Displaying 1 of 1 review