Not everyone is a “fan” of this book! Martin Luther was very blunt: “My spirit cannot accommodate Itself to this book. For me this is reason enough not to think highly of it: Christ is neither taught nor known in it.” It’s true, that later in his life, Martin Luther found value in the book of Revelation (although some have noted that he used it mainly as a tool against the Catholic church).
And, here are the words of some other well known individuals:
“A hideous version of Christianity…a repulsive work” – D.H. Lawrence, “Apocalypse”
“Resentment and not love is the teaching of the Revelation of St. John the Divine.” Revelation “is a book without wisdom, goodness, kindness, or affection of any kind.” – Harold Bloom, “The Revelation of St. John the Divine”
“We are bound to judge that in its conception of the character of God and His attitude to man the book falls below the level, not only of the teaching of Jesus, but of the best parts of the Old Testament.” – C.H. Dodd, “The Apostolic Preaching and Its Development”
Some, however, view the book of Revelation in a much different light:
“The Apocalypse of John is a work of immense learning, astonishingly meticulous literary artistry, remarkable creative imagination, radical political critique, and profound theology.” – Richard Bauckham, “The Climax of Prophecy: Studies on the Book of Revelation”
“The message of Revelation is best represented as a message of healing and not as a message of destruction.” – Sigve Tonstad
Which camp is true?
[soundcloud id=’200228249′ height=’false’]