Rating: 
Summary: Great Reference Tool for Understanding Revelation
Review: "Revelation Unveiled" is a hand-holding guidebook through the often confusing book of Revelation by prophecy expert Tim LaHaye (co-author of the "Left Behind" series and numerous other prophecy books). LaHaye has a talent for making prophecies recorded thousands of years ago easy to understand for non-experts by explaining his reasoning behind his conclusions. His ability to shed light on prophecy by drawing parallels between the prophecies of Revelation and contemporary events makes this book an excellent reference for students and individuals who want a fuller understanding of the book of Revelation.Before delving into an analysis of Revelation, LaHaye lays out the "ground rules" by giving readers a quick cram course in prophecy interpretation that makes not only the rest of the book more understandable but is also a good reference for future studies of other prophecy in the Bible. From that point on, the book deconstructs the book of Revelation piece by piece, providing plenty of charts, real world examples and other scripture to illustrate the meaning of the scriptures as interpreted by LaHaye. This is definitely another great book by Tim LaHaye and a must-have for serious prophecy students or anyone who is interested in understanding Revelation or prophecy in general. The structure of the book also makes for a great teaching aid for a class setting.
Rating: 
Summary: Interpret the Bible from your own studies, not someone elses
Review: "And many false prophets will arise and will mislead many." Matthew 24:11 "For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." Matthew 24:24 Listen to God's warnings in the Bible. Beware of those "false prophets" who would turn differing Christian denominations against each other, especially in these days where we seem to be becoming the minority. Rejoice in the fact that you have brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter if they choose to worship in a different Christian medium. Leave judgement to Christ and do not judge your brothers and sisters. I've enjoyed reading the Left Behind Series due to the Christian based ideology of it, but would never take it as more than it is....theological fiction. Not to be misunderstood, I am a Christian and believe in the Word of the Lord, the Bible. However, I have faith in the Lord when he tells us that He will come to save us. It is not the job of our religious leaders to do so. Personal responsibility and faith are the only ways to salvation through Him. I would not trust someone who excludes ALL Christians from the Glory of God. No one on earth knows when or how He will come back.
Rating:
Summary: I wish there was a "no star" option. . .
Review: "Revelation Unveiled" is the non-fiction exposition of the Book of Revelation upon which Tim LaHaye has based his hugely popular "Left Behind" series. The book demonstrates what the astute "Left Behind" reader has already figured out: Mr. LaHaye is a die-hard dispensationalist -- and woe (eternally!) to anyone who presumes to disagree with his interpretations. The difficulty with the interpretation of biblical prophecy lies when one insists that one's own interpretation is, and must be, the best; the only one possible; etc. Even more dangerous, is when the interpretation under consideration bears no resemblence whatsoever to the historical facts of the matter. The form of pre-millenial dispensationalism espoused by LaHaye in this book is a recent invention -- promulgated in the 19th century by Darby, and popularized by the "Scofield Reference Bible". It does not represent what the Church has believed through the centuries -- and I am not just referring to Catholics. The Reformers would be equally uncomfortable with the Darby/Scofield/LaHaye interpretations -- and rightfully so, because although LaHaye purports to be following in the footsteps of the Reformers, his theology tells a different story. Also worthy of note (in a negative sense) is the strong anti-Catholic sentiment running through both "Revelation Unveiled" in particular and dispensationalism in general. The hints of such in the "Left Behind" series are openly espoused in this book. LaHaye cites as his principal anti-Catholic source the late Lorraine Boettner's work "Catholicism" -- a work dismissed as non-scholarly and non-factual by Protestants and Catholics alike. If Mr. LaHaye chooses to disagree with the Catholic Church on a particular issue, that's certainly his right. But it is usually best to know what it is one is actually opposing, rather than to rely on discredited secondary sources. What is most disturbing about this book, as previously indicated, is the tendency of the author to insist that his interpretation is the CORRECT interpretation without taking into consideration the rather basic fact that Revelation has been studied by Christians of all backgrounds and persuasions for two thousand years. It borders on theological hubris to neglect other evidence and testimony in this manner.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a waste of time...
Review:
...but not the best use of one's time either. This book is OK as a general introduction to dispensational/premillenial eschatology. It won't hurt to read it, but there are many others that would be a better starting place for novices. Advanced students should pass this up and spend time elsewhere. But give credit where credit is due, Lahaye tirelessly defends God's word against the screwed up eschatology of Preterists and Covenent Thug-ologians alike. If you really want to see a book from Lahaye that shines, pick up a copy of The End Times Controversy: The Second Coming Under Attack; here, as co-editor, Tim just writes the intro chapter, then wisely steps out of the way and lets a top notch band of dispensational theologians do the work.
Rating:
Summary: Profound and Insightful as well as scripturally accurate
Review: A must read. True students of the Bible and believers in Jesus Christ will not want to miss this one. It's a page-turner and will invoke a deep sense of introspection.
Rating:
Summary: Puts the FUN in Fundamentalism
Review: After a big, public black-eye over failed rapture predictions in 1981 and 1988 it was widely believed that the "pre-tribulation rapture" theory that was just under 200 years old at the time would finally be relegated to the dustbin of history as one of the more curious oddities of American fundamentalists. However, when Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins released their wildly popular best-selling series "Left Behind," it re-energized the flagging school of prophecy and is now almost considered a cornerstone of orthodoxy within conservative evangelical churches. To capitalize on these successes LaHaye re-released an older commentary he had produced on the Revelation with updated info and charts. The packaging is slick and easy to understand. The main problem is... well... with the numerous theological and historical gaffes. He cannot seem to answer some of the most basic questions about why the letter was written to the 7 churches. Why would St. John write a letter to 7 churches under going severe persecution about something that was completely unrelated (19 chapters at least) to the events at hand? He prizes the "literal" method which interprets every passage in the literal since (unless the wording is hyperbolic in nature etc.) and claims that the church became corrupted by Celment of Alexandria and Augustine who prized the allegorical method of interpretation. This is almost too silly to even comment on because the two church fathers mentioned above didn't interpret scripture allegorically always and didn't interpret literally always, they just believed that scriptures can have multiple interpretations. Ironically, most of the New Testament writers uses the allegorical method to interpret the Old Testament (St. Paul seems to be a big fan of this method, see Romans 5 and 9, 1 Cor. 10, Galatians 4:21-31 etc.). Moreover, LaHaye himself is forced to allegorize most of Revelation, even allegorizing the 7 churches to whom the letter is written (something that indeed probably should be understood literally and requires a great leap to interpret allegorically). The Catholic bashing also follows the typical fundamentalist formula of brutal "straw-man" arguments. He takes a cue from the Lorraine Boettner handbook by putting out a list of Catholic "additions" to the gospel without commentary that is used to shock Fundamentalists and uninformed Catholics at how far Catholics have strayed from the "true gospel." The problem is that reasonably informed Catholics could have given an anwser to everyone of these "additions" had Mr. LaHaye just asked and, in fact, many works of Catholic apologists have been produced for the precise purpose of answering that particular list. Second, the guilt-by-association argument is promoted heavily. LaHaye gets a lot of mileage out of the fact that Jesuits educated the devout skeptic Voltaire, as if the mere fact that he was educated by Jesuits makes him an instant skeptic. The "guilt-by-association" argument is used against virtually every contrary opinion (mainly amillennialists and postmillennialist) too. Another big problem I had with it is that the book simply panders to the texts that LaHaye believes teach his belief in a "Pre-Trib" rapture without much discussion of other possible interpretations or biblical texts that flatly contradict him. For instance, the New Testament is littered with texts that explicitly say that their will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked (John 6:39, 40, 44 55; 11:24; 12:48; Acts 24:15, Luke 11:31-32; Romans 14:10-12 etc.), which LaHaye doesn't even attempt to harmonize with his belief that Christians will be raptured 7 years before the rest of the world. This method (sadly typical among most Fundamentalists) leads to a rather boring read for anyone wanting exciting biblical discussions. The bottom line is that this isn't a very good commentary on Revelation by any standard. It borrows way too much from popularizers of this particular rapture theory, it doesn't really prove its case, and all the information you'll get about groups that disagree is mud-slinging and guilt-by-association.
Rating:
Summary: Puts the FUN in Fundamentalism
Review: After a big, public black-eye over failed rapture predictions in 1981 and 1988 it was widely believed that the "pre-tribulation rapture" theory that was just under 200 years old at the time would finally be relegated to the dustbin of history as one of the more curious oddities of American fundamentalists. However, when Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins released their wildly popular best-selling series "Left Behind," it re-energized the flagging school of prophecy and is now almost considered a cornerstone of orthodoxy within conservative evangelical churches. To capitalize on these successes LaHaye re-released an older commentary he had produced on the Revelation with updated info and charts. The packaging is slick and easy to understand. The main problem is... well... with the numerous theological and historical gaffes. He cannot seem to answer some of the most basic questions about why the letter was written to the 7 churches. Why would St. John write a letter to 7 churches under going severe persecution about something that was completely unrelated (19 chapters at least) to the events at hand? He prizes the "literal" method which interprets every passage in the literal since (unless the wording is hyperbolic in nature etc.) and claims that the church became corrupted by Celment of Alexandria and Augustine who prized the allegorical method of interpretation. This is almost too silly to even comment on because the two church fathers mentioned above didn't interpret scripture allegorically always and didn't interpret literally always, they just believed that scriptures can have multiple interpretations. Ironically, most of the New Testament writers uses the allegorical method to interpret the Old Testament (St. Paul seems to be a big fan of this method, see Romans 5 and 9, 1 Cor. 10, Galatians 4:21-31 etc.). Moreover, LaHaye himself is forced to allegorize most of Revelation, even allegorizing the 7 churches to whom the letter is written (something that indeed probably should be understood literally and requires a great leap to interpret allegorically). The Catholic bashing also follows the typical fundamentalist formula of brutal "straw-man" arguments. He takes a cue from the Lorraine Boettner handbook by putting out a list of Catholic "additions" to the gospel without commentary that is used to shock Fundamentalists and uninformed Catholics at how far Catholics have strayed from the "true gospel." The problem is that reasonably informed Catholics could have given an anwser to everyone of these "additions" had Mr. LaHaye just asked and, in fact, many works of Catholic apologists have been produced for the precise purpose of answering that particular list. Second, the guilt-by-association argument is promoted heavily. LaHaye gets a lot of mileage out of the fact that Jesuits educated the devout skeptic Voltaire, as if the mere fact that he was educated by Jesuits makes him an instant skeptic. The "guilt-by-association" argument is used against virtually every contrary opinion (mainly amillennialists and postmillennialist) too. Another big problem I had with it is that the book simply panders to the texts that LaHaye believes teach his belief in a "Pre-Trib" rapture without much discussion of other possible interpretations or biblical texts that flatly contradict him. For instance, the New Testament is littered with texts that explicitly say that their will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked (John 6:39, 40, 44 55; 11:24; 12:48; Acts 24:15, Luke 11:31-32; Romans 14:10-12 etc.), which LaHaye doesn't even attempt to harmonize with his belief that Christians will be raptured 7 years before the rest of the world. This method (sadly typical among most Fundamentalists) leads to a rather boring read for anyone wanting exciting biblical discussions. The bottom line is that this isn't a very good commentary on Revelation by any standard. It borrows way too much from popularizers of this particular rapture theory, it doesn't really prove its case, and all the information you'll get about groups that disagree is mud-slinging and guilt-by-association.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth A Read
Review: After reading all of the reviews, I thought I would provide my viewpoint. I am about halfway through this book and I have to say that he makes some good points. I am in the process of determining my viewpoint, pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib. I don't agree with everything Lehaye says and at times I think he stretches pretty far to make a point, but it has caused me to dig deeper into the Bible and determine for myself. The book of Revelation is an interesting book and is opened for a lot of interpretation. This book will give you a good pre-trib viewpoint. As for all the anti-catholic statements and Lehaye's condemnation of the view of non-pretribers, don't take it personally. Just consider his views as just that, his views and put brains in your faith and do your own study. As always, do not rely on just one commentary, read a bunch, most of all the Bible and when in doubt ask God for clarification. I am currently a pan-triber, it will all pan out in the end. In the meantime, read this book and use it along with other commentaries and the Bible to make up your own mind.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding, easily understood and thorough
Review: After reading the Left Behind series, I wanted to know more about the prophecies used to create the story. Although I'm familiar with biblical prophecy and the book of Revelations, I didn't realize how little I understood until reading this book. The discussion is thorough but easily followed. The various interpretations are discussed in detail with explainations as to why the author prefers one over the others. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of church history as it applied to the seven churches. Although I'm not Catholic, I felt the discussion of the Catholic Church was factual and well argued. In short, the book is outstanding and a "must read" for any one interested in the "End Times".
Rating:
Summary: Perfect book. THE BEST!
Review: All the negative posts here are SOO WRONG. Tim has written THE BEST End-times book. I've read many end-times commentaries and NOTHING comes close. Everyone I've given this book to can't thank me enough.
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