It is ironical that a book called 'the revelation' remains probably the most obscure of all the books of the Bible. Many Christians have never ventured further than the first 3 chapters and others have studied its intricacies and the split churches that resulted wished that they hadn't

For those who already love the book of Revelation this commentary will take you a little deeper and stimulate thinking about how the teaching should be applied to the modern church.

Paul Gardner is also the author of Ephesians: Encouragement and Joy in Christ (ISBN 978-1-84550-264-5) and 1&2...

Acts is an exciting story of church growth despite inner problems and outward conflict. The Book of Acts describes the spread of the gospel throughout the known world of the first century and the establishment of Christian churches in many different places. As the gospel entered new places, its preachers often faced opposition from followers of other religions, and sometimes this opposition extended to include political persecution. Nevertheless, within a generation the gospel had spread from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond. While Luke, the writer of Acts was a historian, Acts is not merely...

Come and hear a wonderful story of evangelism, church planting and Christian growth. Colossians was a letter, which would have first been read by Tychicus in Philemon's house in Colossae. People who were to read that letter had been converted as a result of Paul's teaching in Ephesus (Acts 19). As they read they are about to understand better the reality of life in Christ and reading it years later we can understand better too.
You will see the power of fellowship at work as a formerly useless slave and his master are brought together to work together as brothers in the Lord.

The Apostle Paul has a deep-seated joy in Christ. He is content whether he is in want or plenty and yes even in the face of great suffering and persecution. His life exemplifies what it means to live a Christ-like life full of devotion and joy. There is no better place to go to find an autobiography and indeed the theology of Paul than the book of Philippians. It is here we see his focus on Christ and his pastoral concern and spiritual feeling for the people at Philippi. David Chapman skilfully unpacks the book of Philippians and provides us with some personal reflection questions which...

Genesis provides us with a foundation for correctly understanding the world. Within Genesis, the character and the role of human beings within the world God has created is revealed. In reading Genesis we find on every occasion, in his dealings with mankind, God steps in by his grace and demonstrates that he is in control.

1 Peter addresses Christians who have known suffering and persecution to a degree that we will never know. In 2 Peter, Peter was very concerned that those who deny Christ's return should be withstood and that the church could be confident that Christ has not abandoned them. The theme of Jude is similar and also points Christians towards the evidence of believers who heard Jesus speak, to enable them 'to fight on for the faith which once and for all God has given to his people'.

In the message of Hosea we see the passion of God. We see the jealousy of God, the commitment of God, the heartbreak of God, the enthusiasm of God, the love of God. People often talk about what they feel about God. Hosea tells us what God feels about us. It is the author's prayer that as we explore the message of Hosea the Spirit of God would reveal God's passion so that He stirs our passion: our jealousy for God, our commitment to God, our heartbreak at sin, our enthusiasm to serve, our love for the lost.

Disaster and Deliverance, these two words sum up something of the message of both Joel and Obadiah. In Joel, the prophet begins by announcing a disaster in terms of a locust invasion, which has affected Judah. This, however, is but the pretext for warning of an even greater disaster on the horizon for Judah. Nevertheless, the prophet holds out the prospect of deliverance. In the case of Obadiah, the focus is on Edom. Edom's pride and longstanding hostility against the people of God has led her to be party to an attack upon them, and as a result, she is threatened with disaster. The...

Exodus is the story of the first redemption of God's people for Himself. Starting with a people enslaved and oppressed, seemingly forgotten by their God, it culminates with the Tabernacle. God had chosen His people, setting them apart from the other nations: His kingdom of priests. Exodus forms the sub-structure of the Old Testament - and points at every stage to the coming Messiah of the New Testament.