4 out of 4 stars
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The Mark of the Beast Revelation 13: Identifying the Beast with the Number and the Mark is written by Ezra Celestin.
In this thought-provoking book, the author offers his own interpretation of the book of Revelation Chapter 13 and identifies the Beast with the Number as well as the Mark as described in the prophecy of St. John. The author begins with a prayer for an open mind. He, then proceeds by presenting scriptural foundation specifically citing from the book of Daniel which brings into view the image of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and uses four beasts to represent four kingdoms: lion for Babylon, bear for Media and Persia, leopard with four wings and four heads for Greece and a dreadful and terrible beast with ten horns representing Rome.
The author patiently but clearly explains the confusion of other theologians between the four great beasts in the book of Daniel and the beast of John in Revelation 13. He also explains that this confusion is not an accident, but rather planted by the enemy of our souls to create misunderstanding in order to turn the attention away from the true beast of the prophecy.
This book is not only thought-provoking but also very shocking and can be overwhelming, making it not an easy read, but rather a profound, well-written, well-researched and well-referenced book which makes the instructions of other theologians seem a huge misdirection. The author intrepidly and very coherently explains where the confusion begins and then points out, first, the real Beast, then the Mark and proceeds to explain the Number of the Beast. Every line of Revelation 13 is explained and is backed up by actual events supported by footnotes, which make the author’s explanations very convincing.
However, there are some repetitions, which I believe are necessary to emphasize some very important points, that some readers may find redundant. Moreover, as the author probably anticipates that is why he encourages the readers to pray at the beginning of the book for guidance from the Holy Spirit and to give the Holy Spirit ‘permission to work within so the subject is not rejected simply on the basis that it is not how the church teaches it,’ this new and shocking interpretation of Revelation 13 may not sit very well with other theologians and Christians as a whole. Others may even find it downright unacceptable. I, for one, commend the author for his courage and dedication in writing such a great book. In addition, prior knowledge of the books of Daniel and Revelation might be required to fully comprehend and appreciate the subject matter. Finally, I notice some errors which are thankfully too few to detract from the quality of the writing.
I, therefore, rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It is a very interesting albeit a very shocking book about the Beast in the prophecy of St. John in the book of Revelation. I recommend it, especially, to theologians and then to other readers who take interest in this very important matter to our salvation.
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The Mark of the Beast Revelation 13
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I hope you get the chance to read it.
