In\u00a0Love Fights Back<\/em><\/strong>, Patrick Johnson, Ministerial Association director at the Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists, explores the everlasting gospel of\u00a0Revelation 14:6\u201313<\/a>\u2014typically thought to contain the most frightening warnings in the Bible\u2014and suggests that it is not a threat from a harsh, merciless dictator but an appeal from a loving heavenly Father.<\/p>\n The author confesses an underlying unease that marked years of pastoral ministry. A radical shift in his perception of the character of God transformed not only his relationship with God but also his approach to pastoral ministry.<\/p>\n The author convincingly argues that a genuine understanding of the three angels\u2019 messages necessitates a healthy understanding of God\u2019s character. Otherwise, the second (v. 8) and third messages (vv. 9\u201311) will seem not only complex but also condemning and arbitrary. Both of these traits make Christianity unappealing to a contemporary generation unattracted to a divine version of Nebuchadnezzar, who exerts arbitrary power and eliminates those who oppose him.<\/p>\n A healthy understanding of God\u2019s character necessitates reading the book of Revelation, including the three angels\u2019 messages, within the framework of a cosmic conflict. Salvation history recognizes the heart of the conflict as a diabolical campaign against God and His reputation, a deceptive attack against the trustworthiness of His character.<\/p>\n The three angels\u2019 messages are intended to unmask the deceptive work of the archenemy, who manipulates those who live on the earth to subscribe to misconceptions about God, the world, and their human life. Johnson argues that in the three angels\u2019 messages, divine love fights back. The first message demonstrates that judgment is not an arbitrary decision but good news. The second message unmasks the character of Babylonic human structures as broken because they operate through force. The third message points out that God allows human beings to have the freedom to reject Him, despite His decisive warning: \u201cChoose wisely!\u201d<\/p>\n The author argues that misleading presentations of doctrines that picture God in an arbitrary light need to be rethought, particularly since our age is characterized by a crisis of trust. By focusing on God\u2019s character, the author demonstrates that the three angels\u2019 messages present an attractive gospel about an attractive God who is attractive to serve. The doctrines of law, salvation, and judgment are explored within this framework.<\/p>\n Some readers might take issue with a lack of attention to the prophetic significance of\u00a0Revelation 14:6\u201313<\/a>. This book is not an exegetical, scholarly study of the Apocalypse or some other interpretive issues. Such discussions might miss the point. Rather, the book is a creative, pastoral attempt to demonstrate to a generation of contemporary readers, growing up in an age of distrust, the relevance of the three angels\u2019 messages and the essence of the gospel: God is not a God to be afraid of\u2014He is a God to be a friend of. He is not a dictator who operates on fear. He is an attractive character who treats human beings with dignity, not oppression. He can be fully trusted. This perspective is a much-needed corrective for curing an unhealthy fear of God, which is ingrained in the minds of many pastors and church members. I recommend this book to all who are ready to rethink and grow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Story Everyone Should Hear<\/strong><\/p>\n During the COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom, I slipped into our closed office to make photocopies. Coincidentally, Patrick Johnson was there on the same mission. I asked him what he was doing to fill his days of lockdown. He said he was writing a book about Revelation\u2019s three angels\u2019 messages. To myself I thought, Couldn\u2019t he find something more optimistic and upbeat than \u201cThe hour of [God\u2019s] judgment has come\u201d? Or \u201cFallen, fallen is Babylon\u201d? And \u201cIf anyone worships the beast . . .\u201d?<\/em> I thought lockdown was getting to this guy.\u00a0Months later my heart sank when Stanborough Press released the book. Now I had to read it. Dutifully and begrudgingly, I picked it up.<\/p>\n Within pages I discovered that this is a quintessential Adventist book. All Adventists should read it. It\u2019s almost clich\u00e9 to refer to our movement as the three angels\u2019 messages. We do it without considering how that name integrates our identifying Adventist doctrines with justification by faith alone and friendship with Christ. This book does precisely that.<\/p>\n The book paints an engaging picture of how the angels\u2019 messages beautifully capture Adventist identifying doctrines (i.e., the Sabbath, the pre-Advent judgment, the law, the Second Coming, and the last judgment). But its most important contribution is the description of how the angels integrate them in the motif of righteousness by faith alone and our special friendship relationship with God.<\/p>\n Starting off isn\u2019t too easy. The first chapter, \u201cLaying the Foundations,\u201d recounts Patrick\u2019s journey searching for the Adventist identity. It felt almost apologetic about the topic. The personal touch was nice, but the chapter should have launched readers quickly, confidently, and unapologetically into the rest of the book.<\/p>\n I noted a weakness in this chapter when it dismissed the value of the book to a non-Adventist audience. The only thing that makes it not a fantastic book for non-Adventist readers is its apology for not being a fantastic book for non-Adventists. It has been a long time since I have read such a good book explaining Adventism so well to non-Adventist Christians. After reading the volume, I realised that the book does a marvelous job of explaining Adventist beliefs in the context of hope and God\u2019s love. Consequently, my strongest impulse was to get copies for my non-Adventist Christian friends.<\/p>\n If you are wondering why it\u2019s crucial to be an Adventist in this time, Johnson\u2019s book offers a worthy read.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/image-2-2.jpg\")
<\/a>Some of the major challenges pastors may face are misconceptions about God in the minds of those to whom they minister. These misconceptions are often fueled by a misinterpretation of biblical texts that picture God in terms of an arbitrary despot who imposes His divine will and punishes those who do not comply. Picturing God as punitive rather than loving results in fear-based obedience, often producing rebellious characters.<\/p>\n<\/a>This review first apereaed on the March 2023 edition of Ministry Magazine<\/a>. Dr Laszlo Gallusz serves as a senior lecturer at Newbold College of Higher Education and is Head of the Centre for Ministry and Mission.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n