|
The book, with the subtitle Eternal Encouragement from the Book of Revelation, combines the work of longtime friends Scotty Smith and Michael Card in an effort that sometimes borders on evangelical revival.
Smith, a pastor in Franklin, Tennessee, used his study of Revelation to plant a new church. The worship scene described in John's vision became the single purpose that guided the new church. This practical application of Smith's study stays with readers as he leads you through the whole Book of Revelation in 13 essays, an introduction, and an epilogue, each one with "Hope" in the title.
Smith is not writing to settle any firm decision on dates and signs -- although he presents leading theories and interpretations for you to review. What he focuses on instead are the encouraging images of the occupied throne and the awesome, perfected worship of heaven (along with 13 other promises) that were intended to give hope to the frightened, wavering, and persecuted first-century church. These are the same hopes and promises, he enthusiastically preaches, that the twentieth-century church can count
on today if we will but see them.
About the time Smith started writing the book, Michael Card was following his desire to create a musical work on the Book of Revelation by taking the hymn fragments found there and letting them speak for themselves. The synchronistic timing led Card, a Bible scholar as well as award-winning singer and songwriter, to contribute nine essays framed around the poetic fragments and the song lyrics he wrote from them.
"As I struggled to put these fragments to music, the text of Revelation itself began to sing. . . . John provides the words, we provide the music of our imaginations to make the text come alive by the Spirit," writes Card.
The result is anything but stiff and dry. And if you play the CD Unveiled Hope in the background . . . well, it might just be inspiring and awesome!
Card lets each hymn fragment speak for itself. Thus, you have a bit of the jaunty Irish pipe beginning in the Prelude and a rousing black gospel rendition of "You Are Worthy" and all the choirs in heaven singing in "Holy, Holy, Holy." You can feel the menace in "The Dragon" and the peace in the "Song of the Lamb." The CD includes a prelude, interlude, and hallelujah instrumental reprise, giving you the feel of a complete musical package, not just a random selection of nine songs.
If you close your eyes and let your own imagination go as you listen, you might be able to see a musical, a riveting new Broadway play on the Book of Revelation -- or you might just be able to see the revelation, the unveiling of hope for a new millennium.
Pam Zimmerman is a reader, a listener, and a writer in Franklin, TN.
Copyright ©1996, ProMotion, inc.
www@acloserlook.com
Support your