In 1989 Herald Press, the publisher of the first edition, decided to discontinue printing the commentary after a number of printings. All copyright details were assigned to the Smith family. Mr. Paul Smith was the son who represented the family.
Through a definite leading of the Lord, an appointment was made with Mr. Smith to discuss the possibility of an update of the text but to hold intact the basics of the original author, J. B. Smith. Paul Smith and his siblings readily agreed to the proposal to revise the commentary.
The central principle of this commentary is, "When the literal sense makes sense, seek no other sense. Any other sense is usually nonsense." While there may be some sections of the Book of Revelation that are hard to understand no one should take the liberty to take away or add to the Word written.
In essence this commentary is the life time study of J. B Smith. In the revision we took special care to retain his in-depth studies. The twenty-four appendices call for special attention. In them he demonstrated how to do detailed research. Effort was made to use the layman's language rather than the scholar's.
The editorial work on the Smith commentary was done during my years of teaching Bible at Eastern Mennonite College and Seminary. The work of revision was done along with the administration of Heralds of Hope, Inc., an international radio and literature ministry, producing two radio programs weekly.
The warnings in Revelation 22:18,19 are relevant -- "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
As world conditions take shape in line with the message of the Book of Revelation, the heart of the expectant Christian quickens in anticipation of the words of the trumpet voice, "Come up hither" (Revelation 4:1).
We trust that every reader will profit from the study of the Book of Revelation as outlined in the commentary. Being well aware of the deviant approaches to the study of prophecy, in particular the Book of Revelation, we make a plea for tolerance when the reader may be at variance with the position held in this book. We have aimed to capture the motto of the reformers, "Sola Scriptura."
We send forth this volume praying that God will bless all who read it with deep insight into the meaning of Jesus' words: "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand" (Revelation 1:3).
295 pages -- hardcover
Dimensions: 5.6" x 8.75"
ISBN: 0836114787
Copyright: 2003
Heralds of Hope
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