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Foreword - The Ven. Dr. Peter Rouch
An Evangelist's Story
Conviction, energy, joy, curiosity, these are some of the words that come to mind as I reflect on how I have heard the voice of The Rev. Cpt. Ron Meacock on these pages. I hope and believe that the reader also will encounter these excellent attributes in abundance. Ron does not write primarily as a biblical scholar, although at times, his recognition of the scriptural context of passages he is considering is impressive. He does not present as a historian, although those interested in the fascinating historical contexts of the seven churches of Asia Minor say, or the Roman Empire in the 3rd century will find much that Ron has to say very illuminating. He does not write as a systematic theologian, although strong themes run through his work that you will not miss. The chief is the call to faith in Christ as the accomplisher of human salvation, the way to complete, eternal life, and the lordship of Christ over all time and space. Ron Meacock writes as what he is, an evangelist. ✞
Calling Developing Sending
Maybe I see this mainly because, as the CEO of Church Army U.K. and Ireland, we are in the business of calling, developing, and sending evangelists, and Ron is a Church Army evangelist. My experience of evangelists is that they are often people of conviction, energy, joy, and curiosity. They speak of what they have received and experienced, of those things they have found bring light and fulfillment in life. Sometimes one has questions that it would be good to pursue. On occasions, some details may seem important to the reader or hearer to which the evangelist does not directly attend. That is not because the evangelist doesn't think they are essential per se, but because they are not the things that have fired the evangelist's imagination and faith. ✞
An Encounter
To read "Glimpse of Glory" is then something of an encounter with Ron Meacock, or perhaps more accurately, an encounter with how the Book of Revelation has impacted and come alive in Ron's life and ministry. He is, you see, an evangelist. ✞
Matter of Mystery
The Book of Revelation has been, for many people, as Ron observes early on, a matter of mystery, a seemingly confusing text that generally one steps around. When a passage from Revelation appears in the lectionary, I guess that most preachers will decide to focus on the Gospel reading that Sunday for similar reasons. ✞
Complex Imagery
A "Glimpse of Glory" offers much that will help locate the complex imagery of Revelation in the life and experience of the Early Church and its wider historical and narrative context, making its convolutions more accessible without diminishing their power. Moreover, it will help the reader understand how this biblical text has shaped, challenged, and envisioned the life of one who is an evangelist at heart. ✞
The Ven. Dr. Peter B. Rouch, M.A. (Oxon) M.A. (Cantab) Ph.D.
CEO of the Church Army U.K. and Ireland,
Sheffield, ENGLAND ✞
Foreword - Pastor Lionel Pye
Gospel at the Forefront
Ron has a heart for evangelism, and therefore, throughout, the reader will discover the author's desire that the church of Jesus Christ acts as the church and thus constantly reach out to people with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This book is a constant reminder that the gospel must continue to be at the forefront of the thought and action of every believer. He has dedicated many years of research and study to provide this detailed commentary on one of the most under-read books of the Bible, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." Reading "Glimpse of Glory" will encourage greater interest in this all-important biblical book. ✞
Rich Treasure Trove
In the introduction, the author states, "The Biblical book of Revelation is a rich treasure trove for those who wish to explore it." This statement is true, but the book itself is also a treasure trove of information for the serious Bible student and reader. I am deeply impressed with the detailed information provided. There are excellent references to Christian and secular history that interest the reader to dig more deeply for their knowledge and understanding. ✞
Study Discussion and Internalization
Pay special attention to the author's introduction on "Revelation's Symbolic Colors" and "Revelation's Devotional Numbers." While the author's paradigm of unfolding events in "Revelation" differs from mine, this book is well worth reading. His unique perspective provides an excellent basis for study, discussion, and internalization. ✞
Rev. Lionel A. Pye, B.Sc., M.A.R., D.D.
Pastor, Campbellford Baptist Church,
Ontario, CANADA ✞
Copyrights
Bible References
Copyright is a legal right created under law to grant the original work's creator exclusive rights for its use and distribution. Bible References come from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Over a hundred leading Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, and Latin scholars from around the World developed this original Bible translation. All rights are reserved worldwide. The "NIV" and "New International Version" are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademarks Office by Biblica, Inc.
Other Bibles
In certain places, where helpful, I have quoted from the Living Bible (TLB) © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation - used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Also, the Complete Jewish Bible © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved. ✞
Active Voice
I have adopted an active rather than a passive voice which is more appropriate for a modern readership. The grammar checking program Grammarly comments, "The passive voice is not a grammatical error. It is a style choice, but most readers prefer the active voice. The active voice is often clearer and more direct because it puts the actor at the beginning of the clause, whereas passive voice constructions use a different word order from what readers see. However, switching from the passive voice to the active voice sometimes changes the sentence's emphasis." Using an active voice also sometimes reveals subtle meanings to the text, which you might otherwise miss. Great care has been taken not to alter the text's meaning and context by comparing translations, one with the other. ✞
Author's Goal
The author seeks to engage people with God's Word so that God may transform their lives through a relationship with Jesus Christ. "There are two great days in a person's life," wrote Professor William Barclay (1907-1978), "the day we were born, and the day we discover why." Saint Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 5.17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ✞
"Glimpse of Glory Foreword"
by Ron Meacock © 2021
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