Welwyn Commentary

Series · 45

books · 1979-2010

By Tony Bird, O. Palmer Robertson, Andrew Stewart, and more

Books in series

Travelling Homeward

Exodus Simply Explained

1999

Exodus provides a dynamic picture of the life of the modern believer and Michael Bentley gives sound and relevant application to us. \— Another excellent volume in the series \— Useful for ministers and ordinary Christians \— Well-known author in this series \— An aid to private devotions and group study

The Beauty of Holiness

The Book of Leviticus Simply Explained

2007

Leviticus tells us what is true and of eternal benefit for our lives. Here is a book to make us wise about salvation. The things that happened to Israel in the Old Testament are symbolic pointers to the wonderful salvation we have begun to enjoy in Christ. Like Israel of old, we need to be constantly reminded of who God is, how he is to be approached and worshipped and how we should live our lives as God's people in a hostile environment. Leviticus indicates the kind of people God's covenant community ought to be in the light of God's grace.At the same time and in its own special way, Leviticus points us forward to the one who came to save his people from their sins and bring them to God. Without this book we cannot begin to understand the death of Christ and his priestly work on our behalf. Neither can we appreciate the many references to cleansing, purity, wholeness, separation and holiness that we find in the New Testament. It is also from this book that Jesus quoted the second great commandment: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself '.

According to Promise - Numbers

1993

The book of Numbers bridges the gap between the exodus from Egypt and the entry into the promised land, when God

Even in Darkness

Judges

1985

The period of the Judges was an evil one, requiring hard words for hard times. The people of Israel had rejected their God for the desire of an earthly ruler, and had rebelled against his laws. Yet even in this time of unbelief and hypocrisy, God raised up men and women to call his people back to a personal faith in the living God. The author, in taking us through the book of Judges and Ruth, challenges Christians to live consistently with their profession of faith, and shows that 'Even in Darkness' God offers a message of hope and victory to those who will faithfully follow him.

#10

2 Samuel

Triumph of the King

1993

The history of David - the unfolding drama of 2 Samuel - gives us a slice of life in the real world. We see people in their true the petty, selfish, murderous, yet fiercely loyal, Joab; the war-lord Abner, honourable, perhaps, but only when it suited him; the sad, incompetent Ish-Bosheth, alone and palely loitering through his hundrum colourless life; and the miserable and vicious sons of Rimmon, who murdered Ish-Bosheth in his sleep.

#11

1 Kings

2000

WCS 1 Kings traces the history of God s people from the heights of glory and prosperity enjoyed during the reign of Solomon, through the subsequent division into separate northern and southern kingdoms, and on to the dark days of Elijah s lone stand on Mount Carmel against the worshippers of the false God Baal and its aftermath. The example of Solomon and those who followed him stands as a stark warning to Christians today of the serious consequences of disobedience to God s revealed Word. The same God who would not countenance devotion to false gods will brook no rivals in the affections of his people today. But 1 Kings is not only a book about human failure. It is also a book about God s sovereign purpose, which cannot be thwarted and defeated by human disobedience. In the story of the kings of Israel and Judah, as in all the Old Testament narrative, we see God pointing people to the coming King of whom Solomon, in all his splendor, was only a faint and imperfect picture.

#12

2 Kings

Apostasy, Destruction & Hope

2002

In this volume from the Welwyn Commentary Series, the author shows how 2 Kings has something to say to us today. The history of God's people shows that there are two paths, one of which we must all choose - either we follow God, seeking always to please him or we fail to obey. We learn, as the first readers of 2 Kings did, that God remains faithful at all times to his people. As 2 Kings opens, we find the people of God divided into two Israel and Judah. Neither kingdom was to last. By the end of the book both kingdoms had been taken captive—Israel by the Assyrians and, over 130 years later, Judah by the Babylonians. This was devastating; Roger Ellsworth shows that they needed help, which the author of 2 Kings provided for them. The themes of the book are just as vital for the need to obey God and trust his promises. Explanation is given as to why the exile had taken place, to urge the people to guard against dangers which they faced while in exile and to give them hope for the future. With these things firmly in place, they, as we, can face an uncertain future with a clear sense of direction and with a deep peace. The author draws the reader repeatedly to the Lord Jesus Christ as well as applying what he says pastorally.

#13

A Family Tree

1 Chronicles Simply Explained

1997

#14

A House of Prayer

2 Chronicles Simply Explained

2002

A readable commentary, with good illustrations and applications, linking well with the New Testament, especially in its pointing towards Christ. Originally written as one book, 1 and 2 Chronicles summarize, not only the history of God's people from the creation of the world until the edict of Cyrus in 538 B.C., but also the theology of the Old Testament - the revelation that God gave of himself at creation, to the patriarchs, through Moses, during the monarchy, exile and restoration. 2 Chronicles takes up the narrative with the reign of Solomon, the most glorious period in the whole history of Israel, and focuses especially on the construction and dedication of temple as the place where God was to be worshipped in the way he had appointed. Following the division of the kingdom, the Chronicler concentrates almost exclusively on the history of Judah and the godly remnant who remained loyal to the line of David and to the worship of the temple. The book ends on a note of promise as the first exiles prepare to return to the land and rebuild the temple after the seventy years of captivity in Babylon. Throughout we see that, even though God's people may repudiate his covenant with them, God himself remains faithful to his covenant promises. Above all, we are pointed forward to Christ, in whom the promises both of the Messianic King and the temple find their ultimate fulfilment.

#15

Doing a Great Work

Ezra and Nehemiah Simply Explained

1996

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah continue the story of God's people after the exile in Babylon... Ezra and Nehamiah call us back to a renewed obedience to God's Word, a fresh realisation of the power of prayer, and a wholehearted commitment to the work of God in fellowship with God's people. In an age of experienced-centred worship and entertainment-orientated evangelism, the books of Ezra and Nehemiah direct our thoughts to a holy God who demands reverent worship and uncompromising loyalty from his people. Furthermore, Ezra and Nehemiah call us back to a renewed obedience to God’s Word, a fresh realization of the power of prayer and wholehearted commitment to the work of God in fellowship with the people of God. Stan Evers has been in full-time Christian work for over forty years. After itinerating for seven years with the Protestant Truth Society, he served for nine years as a pastor in east London before moving to Potton, Bedfordshire, where he was pastor of the Baptist Church for twenty-five years. Now in retirement he preaches and writes besides editing The Grace Magazine

#16

Unspoken Lessons About The Unseen God

2001

When it seems that God is not active in human affairs, he may be most at work. He may be most present when he seems most hidden. Nowhere is this more clearly illustrated than in the book of Esther. Although God's name is not mentioned in the book, the discerning reader may see the hand of God at work throughout the narrative, as he brings his purposes to pass for the good of his people. The book of Esther challenges all believers to maintain a faithful witness in an unbelieving and hostile world, secure in the knowledge that their lives are in the hands of the God who has already accomplished on their behalf the greatest deliverance of all, through the death on the cross of our saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

#17

Storm Breaks - Job

2003

The book of Job is the harrowing story of a man whose life changed so dramatically in the course of a few short days. It is about the problem of suffering and the answer to the problem is not seen in

#20

Proverbs

Heavenly Wisdom

2003

Proverbs is a book that is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. Do you want to be wide? Do you want to be skilful, shrewd and practically able? Do you want to be intelligent, informed, knowledgeable, The purpose of this book is to show you how!

#21

A Life Worth Living

Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon

1983

Has life really any meaning? Our time in this world is comparatively short. The earthly stage remains, but different actors are constantly passing across it. Generations come and go, but nothing is ultimately different. This is how many people see life. The message of Ecclesiastes is that life is not worth living unless we live it for God. The Song of Solomon teaches us that living for the Lord means loving him. Stuart Olyott makes these two books clear and is very practical. The author admits that, at one time, these two books were neglected in his own life. Brief commentaries helped him to examine this part of Scripture and his hope is that this similarly brief volume would do likewise for many others.

#23

Isaiah

God Delivers

1993

'It is Isaiah's conviction that the church needs to remember the consequences of God's holy character and live accordingly if she is to experience blessing and revival ... It is not God's faithfulness, but ours, that is in question.' Derek Thomas

#24

Great is Your Faithfulness

Lamentations Simply Explained

1993

Lamentations is not familiar territory for many Christians, yet it deals searchingly with abiding themes such as the spiritual glory of the church and the tragedy when this is lost. It is a book that speaks directly to the confused Christianity and evangelicalism of our present day. The author applies the lessons of backsliding Judah to contemporary Christianity, reminding us of God 's love. Richard Brooks' warm and pastoral exposition reminds members of the church of Christ to examine themselves and take encouragement. 'Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.'

#25

God Strengthens

Ezekiel Simply Explained

1993

Ezekiel's name means. 'God strengthens.' Every time the prophet's name was mentioned, God's people were assured of his help and reminded of his promise to 'blind up the injured and strengthen the week'.Ezekiel lived in times of great political turmoil and witnessed the final collapse of Judah to the Babylonian empire. His total, unquestioning willingness to do God's will, often at great cost to himself, during the long years of his faithful ministry in exile, is a shining example to Christian workers everywhere.The message of Ezekiel is one of God's faithfulness to his covenant, both in carrying out judgement on sin and in the restoration and blessing of a remnant through the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The prophet's final vision looks forward to days of great blessing, encompassing not only the restoration from exile, but the blessings of the new convenant and the final glory of heaven.

#27

Dare to Stand Alone

1982

The book of Daniel is full of practical help - especially for believers who find themselves standing alone in the classroom or at work, or among their family and friends. Daniel tells us how to remain true to God in a hostile environment, and shows us how to live for him when everything is against us. Daniel dared to stand alone. So can we. Dare to stand alone is a masterpiece of clear, helpful applied writing and causes the book of Daniel to be living and relevant not only in its exciting narrative section but in its highly symbolic section also.

#28

Turning Back To God

2000

Hosea and Obadiah simply explained

#29

Joel

Prophet of the Coming Day of the Lord

1996

For such a short book the prophecy of Joel deals with weighty matters that continue to have significance even today. The certainty and severity of God's judgements that are to fall first on God's own people and then on all the nations of the world, and the prominence of the Day of the Lord in the purposes and plans of God, all display the lordship of God in human history. Joel reminds the people of the divine summons to heartfelt repentance and the glorious truth of the consummate blessing of the Lord in the renewal of the earth by the outpouring of his Spirit on men and women, young and old, Jew and Gentile.

#30

The Lord is His Name

Amos

1986

The message of Amos is pre-eminently a message of new life. The message, however, comes in the context of a nation under judgement. Israel hid the emptiness and godlessness of a corrupt society behind an apathetic and nominal outward religion, like so many today.God's view of our society is revealed in Amos in no uncertain terms. While no refuge is offered for those who reject or disregard God's will, shining through the gloom most brightly is the precious gift of new life through faith in God's Saviour, his Son Jesus Christ.

#31

Preacher on the Run - Jonah

1986

Jonah's reluctance to go is mirrored in many churches today but this book reminds us that no erroneous attitude and no distance should stand in the way of God's people doing God's work in God's power. His commands are to be obeyed and the result left to him. And while all the prophets of the Old Testament are milestones along the road to Calvary, the prophecy of Jonah opens a special window on the New Testament age, when the Lord Jesus Christ would be proclaimed to all the ends of the earth.

#32

Balancing the Books

Micah and Nahum Simply Explained

1994

The prophecies of Micah and Nahum were delivered to the people of the southern kingdom of Judah although Nahum's message came about one hundred years after Micah. Both were given under the shadow of the threat of invasion from the mighty Assyrian empire, which had already taken captive Judah's northern neighbour, Israel. In this commentary, Michael Bentley shows that these prophecies are still relevant for God's people today. The Lord is still in control over the nations and the lives of individuals and one day he will balance the books as all will have to give an account of themselves to him. Yet for those who trust in him he is still, to use Nahum's words, "a refuge in times of trouble" and the messenger is still "one who brings good news who proclaims peace."

#33

Habakkuk

The Expectant Prophet

2009

The days in which Habakkuk preached were a dark time for the church in the Old Testament. God's people were suffering at the hands of others in the community, and the law of God was being sidelined in society. It was about to get worse! Why would God allow this? The author shows how Habakkuk teaches the sovereignty of God in a way not found in any other book of the Bible. The days in which Habakkuk preached were a dark time for the church in the Old Testament. God's people were suffering at the hands of others in the community, and the law of God was being sidelined in society. The prophet questions why God would allow such things to happen and to continue. Why is God not doing something about the suffering and injustice? Habakkuk learns that the just shall live by faith, even though the covenant nation itself is about to be destroyed, and the prophecy ends with a psalm of joyful praise to God. And so we learn, right along with the prophet, that no matter what is swirling around us, good or ill, we are to place our full trust in the sovereign Lord of the universe. We learn of the different genres of literature in the prophecy, wisdom, lamentation, complaint, psalmody. It is, what the author calls, 'a menagerie of genres'. Ultimately, this is about God's full control over, and care for, his people.

#34

Zephaniah

Coming of The Warrior King

2004

One of the greatest needs of the modern church is to know God and to know him better. We need a knowledge of God that not only stimulates the mind, but moves the heart to worship and the will to obey. Daniel Webber shows how the prophecy of Zephaniah presents us with an awesome picture of the God whom we are all one day destined to meet. It also beckons us—indeed, it pleads with us—to face up to what it will mean to meet the living God.

#35

Haggai & Zechariah

Building for God's Glory

1989

Times were tough for the first recipients of the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah. They needed to be encouraged to resume the work of reconstructing the temple - to awake from their lethargy and to be enthusiastic for a life lived in obedience to God. A simple and non-technical explanation of these two books. The people were still very materialistic in their outlook. Their zeal was for ritual rather than reliance on the Lord. Their concern was for respectability in religious observance rather than an acknowledgement of their sin and a desire to please God in all their thoughts and actions.

#36

Losing Touch with the Living God

Malachi

1985

For many people their Christian life has become indifferent. Faith has lost its edge and the great enthusiasm which followed their conversion has gradually cooled. The Christian life has become comfortable and easy. It almost seems as if they are losing touch with the living God.While this may be a description of ourselves and even of the church today, it was the state of Israel at the time of Malachi. The prophet addresses the problem of spiritual degeneration, the fossilizing of our faith, and through Malachi God challenges and accuses Israel about their spiritual condition.John Benton shows how Malachi's book is a call from lax and hollow religion and points the way back to genuine, enduring faith in the Lord who does not change

#40

The King and His Kingdom

The Gospel of Matthew Simply Explained

2004

According to Christ himself, the Christian's priority must be to seek the kingdom of God. The aim of Matthew's Gospel, and therefore of this commentary is to be both Christ-centred and practical. Its focus is the King and his kingdom. The structure of this commentary is based on the five lengthy discourses each of which deals with an aspect of Christ's kingdom: its nature, its work, its coming, its community and its culmination in grace and judgement. After the prologue, which deals with the King's birth, the Gospel follows the outline of Jesus' life, interspersing this with various themes, especially the revelation of the person of Christ, the training and development of the disciples, the place of the Gentiles in the expanding kingdom, and the spiritual character of Christ's reign. The last three chapters, describing the the final days of Christ's earthly life and ministry, do not exactly follow this pattern, but, far from being an anti-climax, look forward to the kingdom's final consummation.

#42

Luke

Saving a Fallen World

1993

Saving a Fallen World. At the heart of Luke's Gospel is the truth that God sent his Son to 'seek and to save what was lost'. More than any of the other Gospel writers, Luke shows us the Lord dealing with individual people and how their lives were changed as a result of their personal encounter with him. These people came from all ranks of the rugged fisherman, the poor widow, the wealthy tax collector, the ruler of the synagogue, the Roman centurion. As the only New Testament writer who was not a Jew, Luke consciously writes his account for Gentiles as well as Jews, showing that the message of the Gospel is for all kinds of people in this fallen world.

#45

The Gospel as it Really is

1979

The gospel as it really is was the first Welwyn Commentary to be printed in 1979, and has now been revised and updated. In this book the author aims to present a simple introduction to Romans for the ordinary reader. His exposition goes straight to the heart of the passage, avoiding technicalities or obscure textual criticism. Perhaps no other part of Scripture has had so profound an infl uence on the history of the Christian church as Paul's Epistle to the Romans. Luther said of Romans: 'It can never be read or considered too much or too well, and the more it is handled, the more delightful it becomes and the better it tastes.'

#46

Strengthening Christ's Church

1 Corinthians

1995

Roger Ellsworth

#47

2 Corinthians

Strength in Weakness

2004

2 Corinthians provides a compelling portrait of the Apostle Paul - his soul is bared and his readers are given a glimpse of his inner life. We are enabled to see what made him tick and what were the motives and attitudes that moulded his life of service for Christ. Amongst other things, the author suggests that this letter is for Christians who want to stand out - a much-needed plea for excellence. The future of the Christian cause depends to a large degree on the quality of the next generation of spiritual leaders. Where will these men find role models? To whom will they turn for inspiration? There is the ever-present danger that they will do as Paul's rivals did in Corinth and turn to the world outside the Church and try to emulate the qualities that make for success in secular life. Indeed, it is not exaggerating to observe that the churches of the modern West, like the Church at Corinth, face a crisis of authority and leadership. In 2 Corinthians we have both a stern warning that we should avoid styles of leadership that are worldly, perhaps even cultic while cultivating the kind of leadership that Paul himself showed, leadership that was self-sacrificing and self-giving, a model of loving service based on the character of Christ himself. 'This sensitively-applied exposition ... the author keeps us glued to the page through a lively style. It is encouraging to find him drawing on personal experience to illustrate and confirm the points he makes.'

#48

Who Made God? Searching for a Theory of Everything

1996

Author Bill Bryson "I am immensely grateful [for the book]". Fay Weldon calls the book "Thoughtful, readable, witty, wise ..." Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, "... written in a very lively style and conveys complex subjects in a palatable form". The Principal of London Theological Seminary, England, "Richard Dawkins has more than met his match". A book written by a distinguished scientist about the existence of God, which has chapter headings like Sooty and the universe, Steam engine to the stars and The tidy pachyderm, has to be different. It is. Addressing profound questions of science, philosophy and faith with an amazing lightness of touch, Edgar Andrews exposes the pretensions of the new atheism of Richard Dawkins and others, blending incisive arguments with gentle humour. However, the author s aim is not simply to raise a standard against the aggressive atheism of our age but to provide a logically consistent and altogether more satisfying alternative. He describes how his fellow physicists dream of discovering a theory of everything that will embrace every physical process and phenomenon in the cosmos. But he points out that there is more to existence than the material world; the things that make life worth living are mainly non-material. Can there, then, be a theory of everything that includes not only space, time, matter and energy but also the realms of the heart, mind, conscience and spirit? Yes, indeed, as this book shows. It is the hypothesis of God, a theory that, in spite of its opponents, still towers above the barren landscape of atheism and despair.

#49

Ephesians

1994

Ephesians is powerful spiritual fuel for every believer! Beginning with the great, heart-warming teaching of the opening chapters, Paul presents the riches the Christian has in the Lord Jesus Christ.Here are inexhaustible 'heights of love and depths of peace.' But in addition to rich doctrine this letter has an immensely practical dimension. If you want to know how to live in the twenty-first century world with all its confusing views of truth and reality, Ephesians is the place to go. Stuart Olyott writes with his usual clarity, enabling both the new believer and the more mature Christian to find spiritual refreshment from this sparkling jewel of the New Testament.

#50

Shining in the Darkness

Philippians Simply Explained

1998

Chained \[Paul\] might be, yet this joyful prisoner of the Lord never wrote more warmly nor more wisely than in this letter to his friends in Philippi ... Yet the apostle is not blind to faults, even of

#51

Philippians

For the Sake of the Gospel

2010

The church in Philippi was, in many respects, a church like any other in any place or time. There were no great doctrinal nor moral problems there; yet, it was not without its difficulties. It faced opposition from outside and there were threats to unity from within. Paul wrote showing the need to live in a way that was 'worthy of the gospel'. Paul wrote to them longing for the church to grow, so what he spoke then speaks now to us today. A comparison of the Epistle to the Philippians with the letters that Paul had written before it might seem to indicate that the church at Philippi had no censurable weaknesses at all. Such a thought, of course, cannot be true because just as "there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins" (Eccl. 7: 20 ESV) so it is with churches, and even though the church at Philippi is not charged with any doctrinal deviation or moral blemish a little investigation will soon uncover its difficulties. It was a church which could be prayed for (1: 4) and preached to (1:28). It could gain more. It could even lose much of what it had. In these general, but important, respects, it was a church like any other in any place or time.

#52

Colossians & Philemon

Christ All Sufficient

2007

Phil Arthur reminds us that there was a problem with the church in Colosse, prompting Paul to write. It seemed there was a real danger that an impressionable young church might be dragged away from their devotion to Christ. Worryingly, as today, there were those who were influenced by false teaching. The letter to Philemon was personal he was a member of the Colossian church. The theme here is forgiveness. It is also vital as its lack between Christians brings God s cause into disrepute. Paul, under house arrest in Rome, wrote these two letters which were both sent to Colosse at the same time and by the same messenger, a man named Tychicus. Colossians is packed with good things. Not a word is wasted. The most important consequence of the new teachings the Colossians were hearing was that they would wean people away from Christ in subtle ways by making them preoccupied with other things in addition to him. In order to counter this emphasis, Paul wrote a letter that is full of Christ. Read it, and it will work wonders for your confidence. In a variety of ways it makes the point that Christ is magnificent, that nothing can compare with him, and if we have Jesus, we have enough. The second letter, the epistle to Philemon, was addressed to one of the members of the church in Colosse and related to another person from the same town. It is a highly personal letter, written from one Christian to another, and it has a fascination all its own. Dealong with forgiveness, Christians are, by definition, a forgiven people, and forgiveness is an ongoing necessity in all our relationships. Phil Arthur longs for the readers to understand Paul s mind better, grasping the fact that the fullness that we have in Christ is more sufficient for the church in any age.

#53

Straightening Out the Self-Centred Church

1997

In studying the book of Titus, John Benton deals with the problem of how the modern world affects, almost unconsciously, the way we think. Many of the issues that Titus faced on Crete are faced by the church today: false teachers, the roles of men and women, authority and, which the author suggests is the main theme of this letter, the gap that so often exists between what Christians profess to believe and the way they actually live. Many Christians are unaware of this gap. This does not always arise from conscious disobedience to the Lord. Often sincere Christians find that this gap is opening up in their lives and they are rather bewildered by it. Something is happening which they do not quite understand, and they are not sure what to do about it. Because of this dichotomy between belief and behaviour the epistle has much to say to our generation of Christians today. As Paul writes to Titus, he is well aware of the problem. But he has a sure and firm answer. The apostle provides us with spiritual dynamite to blast a way out of the prison of subjectivism and self-centred living into the freedom and integrity which are ours in Christ. Titus is not just a book for trainee pastors, elders and Christian leaders. It is a book which has an urgent message for us all.

#54

No Turning Back

An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews

2003

No Turning An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews

#55

Hebrews

A Glorious High Throne

2003

Other than Revelation, Hebrews is the most difficult New Testament book to understand clearly. It has often been said that in order to do so the reader must have a pretty thorough knowledge of the Old

#56

Practice Makes Perfect

James Simply Explained

2008

The book of James is one of the most practical books in the New Testament. It is filled with advice about facing the trials of life, coping with poverty, the desire to be rich, controlling the tongue, making plans for the future and much more. Raise the bar on your Christian life! The author shows that reading James ought to drive us to contemplate afresh the wonder of God, and then lead us to worship him. Three things stand out when reading James: it is very down-to-earth; it is very diverse; Christ's name is rarely mentioned. With this in mind, Tony Bird says that James is one of the most daunting of all New Testament books to write about. His hope is that this volume might stimulate prayerful study of the text. Christians are better equipped to obey Scripture and, thus, make a useful contribution to the church of Jesus Christ.

#61

Knowing Where We Stand

the Message of John's Epistles : 1, 2 and 3 John

1998

In these days of spiritual and moral decline we stand in the particular need of the message of John's epistles. We need to test ourselves first to see where we stand before God and then, with charity of heart an clarity of mind, we need to test the claims of others too. That is why John's epistles are so important for us. With good reason Martin Luther wrote of 1 John 'I have never read a book written in simpler words than this one, and yet the words are so inexpressible'.

#66

Revelation

The Lamb is All the Glory

1993

The book of Revelation is the glorious culmination of Scripture. Everything focuses on the one who is the Lord of glory Jesus Christ. As Joel Beeke observes, 'Richard Brooks comes afresh to the message of Revelation with a warm, pastoral exposition that feeds the hearts as well as the mind of the reader. This volume is practical, clearly written, and easy to understand. Above all, it points us to the glorious victory that awaits all those who faithfully follow the Lamb of God'. The interpretation of the book of Revelation has led to a vast array of prophetical and historical schemes that have deterred many Christians from serious study. This volume will help prevent us from being deterred. The visions are clearly explained, and there is, throughout, good application.

#67

Revelation

The Final Word

2007

The book of Revelation was written for a people under pressure ' a people who knew all too clearly that the world was against them. Nearly all their early leaders, the apostles, had most of them had been martyred. Although the gospel had spread throughout the Roman Empire, it had not taken it over. Persecution was looming and the law was against them. It is in that context of suffering and oppression that the Lord gives John the series of visions which he writes down in the form of this book. It is a survival manual, explaining how to survive when the world is against you. Even though it is a little harder for us to see, this is what we need to know in our day as well. We in the West are not yet being openly persecuted, but at least in the UK that is the direction we are heading. In any case,the world is against us and we have to know how to survive as believers on increasingly hostile ground. This is why Revelation is so vitally relevant for our day. The basic message can be summed up simply and Jesus wins, and as Christians we are safe with him!

#69

The Mystery of Christ

1993

Authors

Owen Palmer Robertson (born August 31, 1937) is an American Christian theologian and biblical scholar. He taught at Reformed Theological Seminary, Westminster Theological Seminary, Covenant Theological Seminary, Knox Theological Seminary as well as at the African Bible Colleges of Malawi and Uganda. He also served as principal of the latter institution. Robertson is perhaps best known for his book The Christ of the Covenants. His definition of a biblical covenant being "a bond in blood, sovereignly administered" has been widely discussed. In 2008, a Festschrift was published in his honor. The Hope Fulfilled: Essays in Honor of O. Palmer Robertson included contributions by Bruce Waltke, Richard Gaffin, Robert L. Reymond and George W. Knight III.

Originally from Wales, Dr. Derek Thomas is the John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. After pastoring for 17 years in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Dr Thomas returned to the USA in 1996 where, in addition to his work at the seminary, he serves as the Minister of Teaching at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson. In addition to serving in the pastorate, Derek has served as editor of the Evangelical Presbyterian, a monthly denominational magazine. A 1978 graduate of RTS, he gained a Ph.D. from the University of Wales, Lampeter, in Calvin’s preaching on the book of Job. He has written numerous books, including The Storm Breaks: Job Simply Explained, Wisdom: the Key to Living God’s Way, and God Strengthens: Ezekiel Simply Explained, Making the Most of Your Devotional Life based on the Ascent Psalms, and Praying the Savior’s Way, based on the Lord’s Prayer. Recently he published Let’s Study Revelation (Banner of Truth), Let’s Study Galatians (Banner of Truth), and Calvin’s Teaching on Job: Proclaiming the Incomprehensible God (Christian Focus). He also co-edited, Give Praise To God: A Vision for Reforming Worship (P & R). His interests include the music of Anton Bruckner, Richard Wagner and Gustav Mahler as well as a passion for good coffee. He has been married to his wife, Rosemary, for almost 30 years. They have two adult children, Ellen and Owen.

Roger Ellsworth

Author · 3 books

Roger Ellsworth is the pastor of Covenant of Grace Church, Salem, Illinois, USA. He has a number of books in print, including What the Bible teaches about Christian parenting; What the Bible teaches about angels; Hold your course — 22 daily readings from the book of Colossians; Moses, God’s man for challenging times; Be patient, God hasn’t finished with me yet; The Guide—the Bible book by book; Faithful under fire; A promise is a promise; and a number of books in the Welwyn Commentary Series, all published by Evangelical Press.

Richard Brooks

Author · 9 books

Former tax-inspector Richard Brooks reports for Private Eye on a range of subjects and has contributed to the Guardian, the BBC, and many other media outlets. With David Craig he was co-author of the bestselling Plundering the Public Sector. In 2008 he was awarded the Paul Foot Award for Investigative Journalism. He lives in Reading.

Derek J. Prime

Author · 4 books

After serving churches in the UK as a pastor for thirty years, first at Lansdowne Evangelical Free Church, West Norwood, in London; and then at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh, Derek Prime has devoted himself since 1987 to an itinerant ministry and to writing.

John D. Currid

Author · 7 books

Dr. Currid has been part of the RTS Faculty for 20 years, serving as both Chair of the Biblical Studies Division in Jackson and Professor of Old Testament in Charlotte. Prior to coming to RTS, he served as Associate Professor of Religion at Grove City College. He is currently an adjunct faculty member at the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies in Jerusalem, Israel. Dr. Currid serves as Project Director of the Bethsaida Excavations Project in Israel (1995-present). He lectures and preaches in many countries including Russia, Ukraine, Great Britain, Australia, and Brazil.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. Peter Barnes is the pastor at Revesby Presbyterian Church in Sydney, Australia, and also the lecturer in Church History at the Presbyterian Theological Centre in Sydney. He is married to Lyn, and they have six children.

Philip Eveson served churches in South Wales and London, as well as lecturing at London Theological Seminary, being its principal between 1997 and 2008. He is the author of a number of books, including commentaries on Genesis and Leviticus in the Welwyn Commentary Series, published by EP

Gordon J. Keddie is the minister of Grace Presbyterian Church in State College, Pennsylvania. He is the author of numerous titles including He spoke in parables and seven other Welwyn Commentaries published by EP Books.

Edgar Harold Andrews is an English physicist and Bible-teacher. He is Emeritus Professor of Materials at Queen Mary, University of London and co-pastor of the Campus Church, Welwyn Garden City, UK.. Professionally, he holds a BSc degree in theoretical physics at the University of London (1953), a PhD in applied physics (1960), and a DSc (higher doctorate) in physics (1968). He is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics (FInstP), Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM), Chartered Engineer (CEng, UK) and Chartered Physicist (CPhys). Andrews is an international expert on the science of polymers (large molecules) and was a Consultant to the Dow Chemical Company, USA, for over 30 years, and to the 3M Company, USA, for 20 years. He has written extensively on the subject of the Bible and science, including the books "God, science and evolution", "Christ and the cosmos", "Who made God? Searching for a theory of everything" and "What is Man? Adam, alien or ape?". He has also written "The Spirit has come" (a survey of the Bible's teaching on the Holy Spirit) and two read-like-a-book Bible Commentaries, "Free in Christ" (Galatians) and "A glorious High Throne" (Hebrews).