Book Review: "You Can Understand the Book of Revelation," by Skip Heitzig

From the publisher, Harvest House:

"Revelation. It’s often the book of the Bible that Christians, pastors, and seminaries have the most trouble understanding. But Skip Heitzig, the dynamic senior pastor at Calvary of Albuquerque—one of the nation’s largest churches—is eager to bring clarity to the mystery of Revelation and share why it’s an important, relevant, and exciting book to explore.
With a smart, good-natured style and an investigative flair, Skip provides clear explanations and captivating explorations to help readers discover:

• the truth behind the misconceptions
• the meaning of the symbols and signs 
• why messages of Revelation were presented symbolically
• what this book has to do with Jesus and the gospel message
• the good news that most Christians miss

Readers can mine the riches of Revelation for their faith today as they deepen their understanding of and relationship with the loving, all-knowing, and promise-keeping God."

I'm curious about end-time events, since so much of what is taking place in our world today feels like the time is ripe for prophecy to be fulfilled. Plus, I teach a class at church that has a unit on end-time events, and I need all the help I can get!

This book has one chapter devoted to each of the twenty-two chapters in Revelation, and I love that. Each chapter begins with a paragraph summary of the content for that particular chapter in Revelation, and then lists several related scriptures for study. Then, there is a content analysis that feels more like a Bible study than a book on the topic, which, again, I love that! The author gives historical and contextual information that is wonderful for understanding the passages being discussed, and it is in depth enough to be engrossing, but readable enough to not feel overwhelming. A perfect balance, in my opinion.

If you are interested in Revelation but you've felt confused or intimidated when trying to read it, I encourage you to get this book as a companion for studying it. It is important to read and study this book, for it says in Revelation 1:3,

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near," (NASB).

You can get a copy here.

Thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. (I was not required to say something positive.)