Present Projects
Revelation Project Introduction
Since our establishment in 2005 Dr. Gentry has been diligently researching and writing a commentary on the Book of Revelation. The proposed title for the commentary is: "The Divorce of Israel: A Redemptive-Historical Interpretation of Revelation." It will probably be published in two or more volumes and will cover more than 1000 pages.
Given Dr. Gentry's preterist understanding of Revelation, he is not only digging deeply into Revelation itself, but into much ancient literature. He is reading widely in ancient history, using the works of Tacitus, Suetonius, Dio Cassius, the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Eusebius, and others. He also is engaging Hebrew literature, researching in the Apocrypha, pseudepigrapha, Sibylline Oracles, Philo, Josephus, Mishnah, Tosefta, Talmud, The Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan, and more.
He is doing laborious spade-work in order to trace out historical confirmations of his approach and to develop some helpful new insights into John's forensic drama. This is resulting in valuable insights, but is enormously time-consuming.
Dr. Gentry's commentary will provide a fully orthodox, evangelical, and conservative approach to a first century fulfillment of Revelation. This redemptive-historical perspective is known as "preterism" (which is based on the Latin word meaning "passed by"). It takes note of and emphasizes the near-term indicators that recur throughout Revelation in 1:1, 3; 3:10; 6:11; 10:6; 12:12; 22:6, 10, 12, 22. It also affirms the inspired character of the prophecy, maintains a future visible, personal Second Advent of Christ, and avoids heretical excesses.
Revelation Project Distinctives
Dr. Gentry's commentary will highlight Revelation's special relevance to John's original audience (which is so often overlooked). As it does so, it will emphasize the long-term implications for the on-going Christian faith (which is generally thought to be lost in a preterist exposition). The evangelical preterist view balances Revelation's near term relevance for his original audience with the long term significance for his ongoing audience.
It will trace the unified flow of Revelation that is rooted in John's judgment theme as stated in Revelation 1:7. This theme warns that Christ will soon come (metaphorically-providentially) in judgment against "those who pierced him," the first century Jews (see: Lk 24:20; Acts 2:22-23; 3:13-15a; 5:28, 30; 7:52; 10:39; 1 Thess. 2:14-15). It also will give full significance to the unmistakably Jewish flavor of the prophecies, the Hebrew character of John's unusual grammar, and his heavy use of the Old Testament passages and imagery.
The commentary will establish a direct and irrefutable relationship between Revelation and Christ's Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24 and parallels). In that famous Discourse Christ prophesies the first century (Matt. 23:36; 24:34) destruction of the Jewish temple (Matt. 23:37-24:2), which dramatically, forcefully, and permanently concludes the old covenant (Matt. 8:11-12; 21:40-43; John 4:20-23). (The Epistle to the Hebrews also speaks of the removal of the temple and the ending of the old covenant, Heb. 8:13; 9:8-11; 12:22-28; cp. Matt. 8:11-12; 12:40-45.)
As the temple economy winds down in the first century, Christ sends the messengers of the new covenant to take the gospel into the broader world to gather his church from all nations (Matt. 24:31; cp. Matt 28:18-20; John 3:17; 11:51-52; 12:31-32; Acts 1:8).
Dr. Gentry's commentary will provide a remarkable co-ordination of Revelation with the wider New Testament expectation of Christ's first century judgment upon the Temple and Israel. This recurring New Testament concern appears, for instance, in Matthew 21:40-45; 22:1-7; Acts 2:36-40; 1 Thess. 2:15-16; and Hebrews 8:13, to name but a few passages. Though this message appears time and again in the New Testament, it is too often either overlooked or misinterpreted by the contemporary Christian.
In the commentary Dr. Gentry will present an unparalleled and fascinating interaction of Revelation's text with Josephus' writings. Josephus inadvertently provides historical evidence for the first century fulfillment of John's prophecies. The commentary will engage Josephus' Greek text and show how it presents the historical events which John symbolizes in his forensic drama.
The commentary will offer an in-depth, verse-by-verse exegetical analysis of Revelation. But at the same time it will transliterate the Greek characters into English.
It will provide an abundant use of side-bar studies designed to clear the confusion and allay the fears of modern evangelicals regarding preterism. These excursuses will amplify important elements of the text that would otherwise encumber the verse-by-verse exposition.
Revelation Project Results
This major project will not only produce a lengthy, academic, in-depth commentary, but more. We have already released some residual studies arising from Dr. Gentry's research. Our first-ever book publication was released in November 2009: Navigating the Book of Revelation: Special Studies on Important Issues (200+ pages; paperback). This book contains scaled-down versions of several of the major excursuses in the commentary. This book may be ordered on-line through KennethGentry.com.
After completion of the major commentary, Dr. Gentry plans on producing two smaller commentaries targeting a different audience. He will produce a 250 page commentary suitable for pastors and intelligent laymen. It will be thorough but not as detailed as the major commentary.
Then after publishing that one we plan on releasing a 125 page survey of Revelation suitable for Sunday school classes, Bible study groups, or personal inquiry.
Revelation Project Funding
All of this research time comes with a price. The Lord has blessed us with faithful giving from interested Christians—and we are thankful for his blessing and their assistance. However, we still need additional funds.
If you would like to send a tax-deductible gift to our ministry you may make out your check to "GoodBirth Ministries" and send it to:
GoodBirth Ministries
P.O. Box 1722
Fountain Inn, SC 29644