A review of Apocalypse the Book of Our Times by Father Albert Joseph Mary Shamon
ISBN # 1-88003-300-3
published by The Riehle Foundation,
92 pages
$ 6.95 from Resource Connections to History
Apocalypse The Book for Our Times is the work of Father Albert Shamon. As with his other books, he takes a complex topic and presents it in a very approachable manner. This particular book is an explanation of the book of Revelations.
The book begins with a chapter explaining the background of Revelations. He explains who wrote it and why. An explanation of the literary form, usage of numbers, emperor worship and structure of the book enhance the reader's understanding.
Living in an area that is heavily fundamentalist, I find Revelations often used to justify an anti-Catholic position. Apocalypse The Book for Our Times is a very useful book for refuting these arguments. Each of the sixteen chapters begins by stating which chapter and verse of Revelations it corresponds to. This makes it easier to find the Catholic interpretation of a particular section.
Father Shamon's book shows Revelations in a historical and modern light. He uses his vast knowledge of Scriptures and history to explain the circumstances surrounding the writing of Revelations. I found the discussions on the seven churches Revelations was addressed to especially helpful. Father Shamon quotes Father Gobbi's messages from Our Lady and Sr. Lucia from Fatima to show how Revelations is relevant in our times.
My only criticism of this book is that it does not contain the actual text of Revelations. Having the Scriptures contained within the book would have enhanced my understanding. I found I could not benefit from the book unless I had a Bible open to Revelations. If Father Shamon were to revise this book, I would suggest he set it up in a fashion similar to his book entitled Facts On Acts (Of Apostles).
It is available from:
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