The Consummation

of the Ages

By  Kurt Simmons  

A Book Review

by Doug Reed

 

Finally, a verse by verse commentary on the book of Revelation that we full preterists can recommend without reservations! Before Kurt Simmons’ “The Consummation of the Ages” was published, I probably would have recommended “The Days of Vengeance” by David Chilton to those wanting a verse by verse study of  John’s apocalypse. However, Chilton’s book is from a partial preterist viewpoint. It simply does not go far enough. Simmons’ book has no such flaws. It plants us squarely in an fully consummated New Covenant. Furthermore, Chilton’s book could get a little tedious if you ask me. I had no such feelings about “The Consummation of the Ages.” It is well written and concise even at 428 pages. 

 

Simmons takes a bimillennial approach to difficult passages in Revelation chapter 20. This may sound odd to some folks. Two millennial periods in Revelation? Yet, Simmons makes a very convincing argument that his view is sound. He puts one 1000 year period during the time that Satan (The Dragon) is bound that the church might take the gospel to the ends of the earth. This period extends from the end of first great persecution that arose through the likes of Saul to the beginning of persecution under Nero. The second 1000 years is the reign of the saints and the martyrs in Paradise from Abel to the general resurrection. This interpretation seems to iron out some textual difficulties that other viewpoints cannot.

 

Simmons also takes the stance that the opposition that comes against the church in the book of Revelation is both Roman and Jewish, and he does so in a most convincing manner. Some preterists believe that the last days persecution in John’s apocalypse is purely Jewish.  However, those who take this view will have difficulty with the evidence The Consummation of the Ages presents. 

 

If you have been waiting for a sound verse by verse analysis of the book of Revelation from a full preterist perspective, your wait is over. Go get “The Consummation of the Ages.” It is a truly great work.   

 

Doug Reed