Before it was written there were a wide variety of views about the end of time held across different Jewish movements. Historically there have been four main methods of interpretation in both Judaism and Christianity, of which we see all on display in the New Testament. The controversy around interpretation of prophecy existed in the days of Jesus, led some to reject Christ, was not resolved by the Protestant Reformers, and still divides our churches today. This book looks at how we got here and proposes a way we should all move forward together. Using only the Scriptures, the sola scriptura approach challenges us to understand what the original audience of the letter from John would have understood. By identifying singularities and parallels within the book, built from years of research and verse-by-verse exegetical study, we will see how it is the fulfillment of the hopes and expectations of the Hebrew prophets and the early church.

Brian E. Barnes holds four degrees including a doctorate and an MDiv and has been a teacher of biblical studies for overfifteen years. He is an ordained deacon in a large non-denominational church and has served in numerous roles, including as a board member, teacher of both adults and children, and has served on many committees and teams. Brian lives with his wife of over twenty years, teenage daughter, and two rescue dogs in Nashville, Tennessee, and has a son away in college.