Customer Reviews

The Apocalypse--Letter by Letter: A Literary Analysis of the Book of Revelation

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The quirky, doughnut-scarfing author of this book is proof positive that God is no respecter of persons when he chooses his Prophets. Stephen Paul demonstrates the necessity of translating accurate syntax and metaphor as used in the Book of Daniel in order to understand the language of the Apocalypse. Parsing the Greek of the Book of Revelation accurately results in precise meaning, AND a plausible method of interpreting that meaning. Paul shows how the inaccuracies of all previous English translations of the Bible's last book about things to come has concealed its timely message until now. Though the author posits a couple of incorrect theological conclusions (notably failing to see that the "woman clothed in the Sun" is simultaneously The Church AND the Virgin Mother of God as exemplar of the Church) these flaws do not compromise or detract from the success of his rigorous textual analysis.

Stephen Paul's attention to use of metaphorical and literal statements makes the cryptic book of Revelation astoundingly comprehensible in the contemporary context; and useful as a practical guide for "reading the signs of our times", explaining the spiritual zeitgeist precipitating the rise of the Anti-Christ--.

Coincidentally, I read this book just after reading "Hope of the Wicked" by Ted Flynn: Stephen Paul's book delineates the spiritual dynamic, --and Flynn's the socio-politic arena where history is forged by current events. Reading both these books in conjunction makes for an eerie but coherent picture of what will soon be upon us. Fear not; --but hold on to your hats; it's gonna get worse before it gets better . . . .

The great good of this book is that it is written by someone who does not owe his first born to academia or some dicastery of the Church. This is the voice of a layman during this hour of the laity, to borrow from Pope John Paul II. His insights seem fresh and new, and indeed some are like long lost treasures brought out once more into the light.

On occasion he makes a declaration or takes a decision one may wish he did not. But no one should be looking for infallibility in this work. What one will find is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit touching the author with a reading of the Revelation to St. John that is a great help to all us during the times in which we live.

I no longer esteem the works of Biblical literary critics or those who must grind out verbiage in order to keep their niche in academia. This account is far more trustworthy because it is honest about what it is and because it is far more concerned about being faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and his Church than serving some earthly-minded agenda.

Steven Paul, wrote a very good indepth summary of his thoughts about all he had learned from the Bible (namely the book of Revelations) and its truths about our future. He wrote and thought as an ordinary guy but seeked to do and understand extraordinary things. I recommend this book for those who have a zeal to understand the tougher books of the Bible and would like to hear some great insights from a great man.

At first I found the author's style confusing. He seemed to jump around. And then I realized that was the whole point. You need to compare different sections of the Book of Revelation to each other to determine what they mean. "By indirection, find direction out," the author says. By the end, you understand.