Dear Christian Friend:

For the past few years I have been diligently researching and writing a full-length (1000+ pages), in-depth, fully exegetical, technical commentary on Revelation. Through the generous support of a number of donors, I have been able to engage this work which had previously been an on-again, off-again project. I am deeply thankful and greatly humbled at the generosity of all who have given to this project.

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Rome wasn't built in a day, and I have discovered that a Revelation commentary cannot be built in a year (not even from the used parts provided by over ten years of part-time study). In fact, a day in the Hebraisized Greek of Revelation is as a thousand years, you might say. Currently I plan on having volume 1 at the printer by Spring of 2012. The final volume should be at the printer by December 31, 2012.

(For more information: Plese click on the "Donation" button at the bottom of the screen. Don't worry: it will not charge your card yet, but will show you more information.)

I am digging deeply into Revelation and searching widely in ancient history (Tacitus, Suetonius, Dio Cassius, Eusebius, etc.), Hebrew literature (Apocrypha, pseudepigrapha Sibylline Oracles, Philo, Josephus, Mishnah, Tosefta, Talmud, and more), as well as the pseudepigrapha and Apocrypha. I do this in order to trace out historical confirmations of my approach and to develop some startling new insights into John's forensic drama. This a valuable inquiry, but time-consuming.

I am committed to providing a noteworthy, long-lasting, and scholarly study. I want not only to present the integrity of the preterist approach, but to seriously challenge alternative viewpoints. As a result, I am now seeking additional funds to continue underwriting my work. My research has slowed somewhat as giving has declined -- though it is still consumes a major part of my time.

In that you are interested in my theological research, I am inviting you to assist me in finalizing this important work. I hope you will be able to give toward this important project, which is tentatively titled: The Divorce of Israel: A Redemptive-Historical Interpretation of Revelation.

Please notice the Donation amount options at the bottom of his screen. Choose the size of gift with which you feel most comfortable.

Before I let you know how you can give, I will provide some information that will let you know exactly what you are giving toward:


DISTINCTIVES OF MY REVELATION COMMENTARY

My 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.

My 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.

My commentary will trace the unified flow throughout Revelation, which 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 imagery.

My 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).

My 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.

My commentary 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. I will engage Josephus' Greek text and show how it presents the historical events which John symbolizes in his forensic drama.

My commentary will offer an in-depth, verse-by-verse exegetical analysis of Revelation. But at the same time it will maintain an easy readability for the intelligent Christian layman. It will transliterate the Greek characters into English.

My commentary will provide an abundant use of side-bar studies designed to clear the confusion and allay the fears of modern evangelicals regarding preterism. These excurses will amplify important elements of the text that would otherwise encumber the verse-by-verse exposition.


HOW YOU CAN HELP

There are two ways you can give to my Revelation Commentary Project. One of these is tax deductible. Rest assured: in each way of giving, 100% of the funds will be used to subsidize my research and writing of the commentary.

First, you can give a tax-deductible gift. Please write your check to: "GoodBirth Ministries." Be sure to designate it for the "Revelation Commentary Project" on your check's Memo line. Mail to:

GoodBirth Ministries
P.O. Box 1874
Fountain Inn, SC 29644

If you send in a check please send your e-mail address with it so that I can keep you abreast of my research progress.

Second, you can give on-line. Your gift will be debited from your credit card. You can give either a lump sum, or on a regular monthly basis. (Please note: this form of giving is not tax-deductible.) Please notice the Donation amount options at the bottom of his screen. Choose the size of gift with which you feel most comfortable.

MY PERSONAL THANKS TO YOU

As an expression of my gratitude for your support, you may expect the following:

You will receive a special study of Revelation 1:7. This study provides a thorough analysis of Rev. 1:7, demonstrating that John's theme verse must apply to the A.D. 70 judgment on the Temple rather than to the (still future) Second Coming of Christ.

Your name will be listed in the commentary on the "Donor Page." I will do this unless, of course, you prefer that I not do so -- just let me know. This will serve as a permanent, public "Thank You" for your assistance.

You will receive valuable, insightful occasional studies. I will also send you occasional exegetical tidbits from my research to enhance your understanding of Revelation. These "Revelation Commentary Updates" should whet your appetite for studying Revelation and anticipating the final commentary. When you donate to the Project, I will send you all back issues of the "Revelation Commentary Updates." Currently (Nov., 2008) these include:

"The Cast Out Temple" (Rev. 11:1-2)
"War in Heaven" (Rev. 12:7-9)
"'The Land' in Revelation"
"The Temple and Emperor Worship"
"The Throne of the Beast and the Temple of God"
"Jerusalem As 'Babylon'" (Rev. 17)
"Nero and Asian Christians"
"Problems in Revelation 17"
"Is Preterism Anti-Semitic?"
"AD 70 in Redemptive History"
"The Millennium"
"Recapitulation v. Progression in Rev. 19 and 20"
"The Martyrs' Millennium"
And more are on the way!

Special note: You will also be interested to know that once I finish the large, academic commentary, I plan on publishing two shorter versions: One would be a 300 page version designed for the intelligent layman. The other would be a 125 page version designed for the high school student and for Sunday school and Bible study classes. So effectively, you are giving to three Revelation commentaries!

Once again: Thank you for your previous encouragement to my various Christian educational labors. I hope that you might be able to help underwrite my ongoing research in Revelation. As I labor in this project I keep uncovering surprising and helpful supporting evidence for preterism. Your help is much needed, and greatly appreciated.

In Christ's service, I am

Faithfully yours,

Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.
Author, Before Jerusalem Fell: Dating the Book of Revelation
Executive Director, GoodBirth Ministries