The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.

In the book of 2 Peter, the apostle writes under inspiration that another apostle, Paul, wrote "Things, in which are some things hard to be understood" (2 Peter 3:16). Imagine, one inspired apostle, speaking about another inspired apostle's writings. But such, as any Christian will testify, is the absolute truth about Scriptures-they can be hard to comprehend!In my years interacting biblically, there are three comments I would inevitably get about three Scripture portions that reflect the statement by Peter, two sections in Paul's letter to Romans (Romans 7 and 11) and one from the Apostle John-Revelation. With John's Revelation, difficulties are universal and always the same subjects of books and conversations: "How should we read and interpret the book of Revelation with all the symbols, visions, etc.?" Anyone today will be familiar with the Left Behind series and the work that spawned many such books-The Late Great Planet Earth of the early '70s. Ideas on this book are legion.I have expounded on the first eleven chapters of Revelation-verse by verse-to attempt to show that the intended edification John had in mind when writing this work (see Revelation 1:1-3 etc.) actually was understood and edifying to the saints of the first century (and also to us). I wrote to show that if we are careful to lean on the Old Testament and its style of writing (in particular the book of Daniel), the book of Revelation turns out to be quite a straightforward work especially if we let Scripture interpret Scripture (example: Revelation 6:16 compare Luke 23:27-30). Indeed I think the truths of Revelation chapters 1 through 11 are so self-explanatory that the chapters that follow (if we keep comparing Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures) will fall quite naturally into place. Details may be tough, but general themes come out much clearer.In my life, preaching and exhortation a section of the Bible somewhat akin to the subject of Revelation would arise day in and day out: what is the meaning of Romans 11:26a, "And all Israel shall be saved," and how does it speak to the future of Israel? This verse was the central text for our greatest expository thinkers, the Puritans, and from the 1600s through the 1800s and into our twentieth century. This chapter was the basis for what was known as Puritan PostMillennialism (as opposed to the PreMillennialism of men like Tim Lahaye and Hal Lindsay).In this book, the section on Romans 11 (like Revelation and Romans 7) is handled verse by verse and is expounded systematically and slowly so that the mysteries that have often hung over Christians here might be seen in a newer, clearer light. In my travels, I've found many books, and too many conversations, approach these passages without regard to surrounding ideas. There is a desire for answers to Bible verses that, as Peter said, were hard to be understood and, without some patience, we will twist to our own harm and misunderstanding.Views are abundant when the subject is Romans 7. The inevitable comment or question-asked in multiple ways is: who is that guy in Romans 7 that cannot do what he wishes to do? It was Romans 7:13-25 that this type question arose, and I discovered over a period of a year the various views of this passage as well as the beauty, power, and answer to the question of: who is that guy in Romans s7? Indeed the study and writing of just Revelation chapters 1-11; Romans 7:13-25; and Romans 11:11-32-verse by verse-bore the fruit I believe we all desire when the going gets tough.This book is the fruit of a slow and steady exposition of these three aspects of the Scriptures: Romans 7:13-25; Romans 11:11-32; and Revelation chapters 1-11. As in any work in the Word of God, the wonders and glories you gain are incalculable.

The Knowing the Bible series is a new resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God's Word. Each 12-week study leads participants through one book of the Bible and is made up of four basic components: (1) Reflection questions designed to help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) "Gospel Glimpses" highlighting the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) "Whole-Bible Connections" showing how any given passage connects to the Bible's overarching story of redemption culminating in Christ; and (4) "Theological Soundings" identifying how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from a wide array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God's grace on each and every page of the Bible. The book of Romans was Paul's greatest literary achievement, a majestic letter in which the apostle expounds on crucial doctrines such as original sin, election, substitutionary atonement, the role of the law, and justification by faith alone. Plumbing the theological depths, Jared Wilson writes with a pastor's eye toward understanding and application as he explains the biblical text with clarity and passion, helping readers follow along as Paul recounts the history of salvation and illuminates the glories of the cross of Christ.