Written by Peter Rodriguez
Available in other languages: Português
READING INSTRUCTIONS
Preparation for Reading: Before starting each reading session, take a moment to pray to our Creator, asking him to guide you into all truth and teach you his ways. “For Jehovah gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;” (Proverbs 2:6) “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” (Psalm 119:18) “Call to me, and I will answer you, and I will show you great and inaccessible things (you do not know them).” (Jeremiah 33:3) May the heavenly peace and the presence of God’s holy angels fill the place where you read.
Read this Introduction: This introduction addresses fundamental themes essential for understanding this series, such as the identity of the God presented in it, the nature and reliability of the sacred text upon which it is builded, its hermeneutical approach, and other key elements. Therefore, please read this introduction to the end before proceeding, to ensure we begin from a common foundation and the same knowledge.
Making Long Chapters Easier to Read: (1) For didactic reasons, longer posts have been divided into smaller sections so that the reader will not feel overwhelmed by receiving excessive information at once. It is advisable for readers to pause at the end of each section to reflect about what they have read and pray. (2) At the same time, in order not to lose the train of thought, avoid taking long breaks (like a few days) between sections. If possible, try to distribute reading across the day: for example, the first section in the morning, the second in the afternoon, and the third at night. (3) To assist with time management, each section includes an estimated reading time, allowing readers to plan breaks accordingly. (4) Given that this introduction itself is lengthy, you may apply this suggestion here. Whenever you encounter a section marked with its reading time, feel free to pause before proceeding.
A Reading Journey Worth Taking: Even for those who are not particularly interested in religion, there is nothing to lose by reading this series; on the contrary, it offers interesting knowledge across a range of disciplines. Readers will also encounter knowledge related to world history, literature, ancient civilizations, languages, interpretation of ancient texts, and more. This series deepens our understanding of the world in which we live and the historical developments that have shaped it. But most importantly, by reading this series, you will come to know and understand the Christian religion—and this will enable you to make an informed and thoughtful decision about whether you actually want to follow it or not (the most important decision one can make in life). So, for all these reasons, please read the entire series. It will be well worth your time.
Make Sure to Read the Entire Series: (1) Basically, this series consists of expository analysis of the biblical book in its entirety, examining verses within their context and following the inspired biblical writer’s line of reasoning. (2) Because of this, it is important to engage with this series sequentially and from beginning to end. Reading the material in order and until the end will ensure a coherent understanding of the biblical book under analysis, allowing the student of the Bible to properly discern the biblical writer’s intended meaning within the flow of the argument. (3) Aditionally, many questions that may arise during the study will be answered later on. Therefore, it is important to read the entire series (and in its intended sequence) to gain the understanding of the biblical books under analysis and appreciate the complete picture of the message the writer of this series intended to convey by bringing together the Book of Daniel, the Gospel of Matthew, and Revelation.
Considering the Biblical Background: (1) Throughout this series, you will occasionally find supplemental posts inserted between the main ones. These are designed to clarify earlier chapters or prepare you for what lies ahead. It is important to read these additional posts, as they provide essential background needed to properly understand the biblical books being analyzed. (2) For example, books like Daniel and Revelation draw heavily on other biblical passages and doctrines. Without familiarity with these references, it becomes difficult to correctly understand their intended messages. These supplemental posts ensure that all readers, whether new to Christianity or long-time believers, have the foundational knowledge necessary for accurate understanding.
Q&A Section: At the end of each post, you will find a Q&A section related to the chapter of the biblical book just studied. The questions are either submitted by readers or drawn from other sources. So, if you still have questions about the chapter, please send them to the following email address: questions@thebloodstainedbanner.org
WRITING PROCESS
Authority of the Bible: The Word of God is to be the authority in every post. Therefore, purely interpretative quotations—those not related to original language meanings, archaeological data, or historical facts—are included not to present the writer or theologian as an authority, but simply because they offer a ready, and clear, and biblically grounded explanation of the subject. The Word of God is to be the authority in every post.
Focus on Pertinent Topics: (1) While the preparation of these materials involves a thorough study of each biblical book under analysis in this series—examining the text verse by verse and word by word—what is presented to the reader is not a verse-by-verse commentary. (2) Not everything needs an explanation. There are moments when we are simply following a narrative, and not every passage demands explanation. Given the urgency of the present time, as we approach the final pages of this world’s history, there is no room to include nonessential details about a biblical verse, such as “fun facts” that do not contribute to the message of the biblical book. “For what has straw to do with grain? declares Jehovah.” (Jeremiah 23:28) (3) Therefore, whenever you encounter a commentary, please give careful attention to the explanation and know that it is important. The topic drawn from the Bible verse and explained provides key information that will be essential for understanding future verses as we progress through the biblical book. It will also equip the reader to discern and reject wrong teachings that float in the air and may eventually reach their ears. (4) The writer will focus on the truths for this present time, providing “meat in due season.” For all this, the commentaries prioritize necessary, essencial explanation over exhaustive verse-by-verse exposition.
Historical Sources: Although the texts written by historians and cited in this series may appear to be commentaries on the biblical prophecies, they are not. Historians were simply writing about history, and history has been unfolding as prophesied in the Bible. This is why their writings resemble commentaries on prophecy, even though they were not intended as such.
Where our Sources Come From: All sources cited in this series come from impartial researchers and scholars. Whether referencing the work of archaeologists, linguists, historians, or even theologians, none of the quoted texts come from individuals who share the set of teachings drawn from the Bible and presented in this series. All sources cited in this series come from impartial researchers and scholars.
Content Quality (AI-Free): (1) No AI tools were used to generate content, outline posts, or provide ideas for this series. This is mentioned to prevent readers from feeling discouraged about reading this series by assuming the material they will read will be like those created by AI. (2) The use of em dashes simply reflect the author’s personal writing style and taste. As for the Oxford comma, it is employed in accordance with standard grammar (and due to the writer’s preference).
This Series Is Original: (1) Apart from the question of whether this work was created using AI, another similar frequently asked question raised before reading is whether this work was created by the author himself or copied from another work. So, also because of this, let us address that as well. (2) This series is original. No content or sermon was stolen from others and published as the author’s own. To do so would be to take advantage of someone else’s labor and rob them the support they might need to create more material or the patronage they might need to dedicate their life entirely to this line of work in God’s mission. (3) There is no need for two different works to be in existence when one would have been all-sufficient. If a work like this already existed, the author would have gladly referenced it and encouraged others to read it, not write another one using different words or covering nearly the same subjects as the first one. (4) The originality of this series is also addressed to reassure readers that what they will find here is not a repetition of material available elsewhere. So, please, read this series. (5) And because this is not a copy of another work, the author asks for the reader’s understanding and patience regarding the time it takes to publish each new chapter. The process requires from him considerable time, the reading of many books, thorough research, in-depth study of the biblical text, and financial investment in acquiring sources and books.
Aligned with the Church: (1) While this is an original work, the core and fundamental doctrines it presents are well-known and embraced by the organized church. This series is intentionally and clearly denominational in nature. Although the author drew its teachings from the Bible and allowed the Bible to speak for itself, the established doctrines of the church served as a guiding framework throughout the process. (2) Through expository Bible teaching, this series offers a biblically structured presentation of those doctrines, along with impartial, easily accessible sources—conveniently gathered in one place—that support their claims. It also introduces new, previously unpublished revelations from Scripture that strengthen these same well-known doctrines. It also equips readers to navigate modern challenges, respond to new claims that has been opposing biblical truth, and also provides solutions to genuine and valid objections the author anticipates concerning some minor, secondary matters. (3) There is perfect agreement between this series and the teachings of the church, which is the “pillar and bulwark of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). This is not an independent work, and the author is a member of the organized church. In agreement with biblical teaching (1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:2-3), the writer submits to the authority of the church in all matters of doctrine (so long as it is in accordance with, and truly based on, the Word of God). (4) Thus, despite the originality of this work, the fundamental doctrines found in it are well-known and in no way goes against the fundamental doctrines of the organized church. We are one.
