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3 John ⇐
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For more great commentaries on Revelation check:
Commentaries on the Whole New Testament & Whole Bible Commentaries
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Subsections
Partial-Preterist 14+
Historicist 50+
Futurist 3
Idealist 10+
Poetry
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Order of Contents
Intro & Views
Best 17
General & Unclassified 6
Revelation Generally 6
Early & Medieval 24+
Chs. 2-3: Seven Letters 11
Authenticity 2
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Introduction & Views
The Main Thing
The main thing to be kept in view in reading this dark but important book of Scripture, is to be sensitive to the many spiritual truths contained in it (readily apparent to any and all who read the book, whatever interpretative paradigm one may take of the whole) and to keep these commandments (Rev. 1:3; 22:29) insofar as we are able to understand them, until Christ comes again (Rev. 2:26).
Rev. 1:3: “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.”
There are many works in each category that will fulfill this end. Take hope in Revelation’s promises, fear its judgments, and give glory to God who has revealed it aforehand.
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The Different Views of Revelation
The four main interpretative paradigms of Revelation are:
1 – Partial-Preterism
“[Most of] The prophecies contained in the Apocalypse were fulfilled with the destruction of the Jerusalem and the fall of heathen Rome. This is the view of Bossuet, Grotius, Hammond, Wetstein, Eichhorn, Ewald, De Wette, Lucke, and others, among whom is the American expositor, Moses Stuart.” – Spurgeon
The Antichrist is often taken as Nero, Titus, Caligula, or others. This view can be further divided into Premillennial (Gordon Clark), Amillennial (Jay Adams) and Postmilllennial (American Reconstructionism, Greg Bahnsen, Kenneth Gentry, American Vision, etc.).
Hyper-Preterism, sometimes calling itself ‘consistent preterism’, ‘full-preterism’, or simply ‘preterism’, which says that all prophecies have already happened, including the 2nd Coming of Christ, is a false and reductionistic hermenuetic, involves serious heresy and is a repudiation of historic Christianity.
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2 – Historicism
“The Apocalyptic prophecies are predictive of progressive history [through the Church age], being partly fulfilled, partly unfulfilled. Thus Mede, Brightman, Isaac Newton, Woodhouse, Cunningham, Birks, Elliott (and many Germans).” – Spurgeon The Antichrist is usually taken to be the Papacy (see our page: Antichrist).
This was the nearly universal view of the Reformation, puritans and confessional Reformed Orthodoxy (see WCF 25.6), and as such, is the majority historic Reformed view. Historicism only declined in popularity after the 1850’s.
The strongest arguments for Historicism are:
(1) that it is in part by recognizing the fulfillment of Scriptural prophecies through progressive history that we discern that Jesus is the Messiah; and
(2) the book of Daniel is admitted by all evangelicals to be fulfilled through progressive history, and is thus historicist. Every argument against Historicism is an argument against the book of Daniel.
New Testament revelation is interpreted in continuity with the light of the Old, and continues thereon, there being one understood method of interpreting prophecy through the whole Bible.
We recommend the general framework of this view (while not endorsing the details of any one particular author), which is consistent with understanding much of the prophecies to have symbolic and spiritual teachings, and hence a measure of Idealism (below). Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Revelation is a prime example of such a mix. Other recommended interpreters are Fairbairn, Hengstenberg and Steele. We declaim all predictive date setting.
This view can be further divided into:
Premillennial,
(some of the early Church, J.B. Elliott, Charles Spurgeon, etc. All forms of Premillennialism are contrary to the Westminster Confession of Faith as they necessarily entail multiple resurrections and judgments, contra WCF 32 & 33);
Amillennial,
(Augustine, Lutherans and others)
Postmillennial.
(Recommended, many of the Reformed, the Scottish Covenanters, et al.)
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3 – Futurism
Most of the Apocalyptic prophecies remain for the future. “Thus, Burgh, Maitland, Benjamin Newton, Todd, and others” & “Kelly, and some Irish authors.” – Spurgeon
The Antichrist is usually taken as a future, individual person. This view can be further divided into:
(1) The older, non-Dispensational understanding, which can be divided into: Historic-Premillennial, Amillennial and Postmilllennial. The last two of these are not precluded by the Westminster Confession.
(2) Dispensationalism, that there is a hard separation between the dispensations of God’s dealings with the Church age and national, ethnic Israel. All forms of Dispensationalism are inconsistent with the Westminster Confession of Faith. Dispensationalists are all Premillennial, though can be divided into:
(i) Pre-Tribulation: The Church is raptured before the 7 year Tribulation. This is practically a standard of orthodoxy amongst many Fundamentalists and Evangelicals. Tim LaHaye, Hal Lindsey, John MacArthur are representative examples, among many others.
(ii) Mid-Tribulation: Believing Christians are raptured in the middle of the Tribulation.
(iii) Post-Tribulation: The rapture happens after the Tribulation at Christ’s 2nd Coming.
No dispensational writings are included on this webpage as it represents a novel system of serious error, originating from the late-1800’s and early 1900’s.
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4 – Idealism
The prophecies of the Revelation generally do not have historic referents, often cover the whole time-span between the first and second comings of Christ, and are to be understood symbolically and spiritually.
This view has become more popular in Reformed circles during the 1900’s, and is represented by B.B. Warfield, William Hendricksen, G.K. Beale and others.
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The Best Commentaries on Revelation
Articles & Booklets
Silversides, David – The Antichrist: a Biblical & Confessional View Buy (James Begg Society, 2002) 20 pp.
While not a commentary on Revelation, this is one of the best short, easy to read explanations and arguments for the general historicist viewpoint.
Silversides exegetes 2 Thess. 2, 1 John 2:18, and other passages. He also defends why this doctrine is an important part of the 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith. Silversides is a Reformed Presbyterian of Ireland minister.
Warfield, B.B. – ‘The Apocalypse’ in Selected Shorter Writings, vol. 2, pp. 651-54
Warfield’s piece is an explanation and defense of the Idealist position.
“B.B. Warfield’s short article below is probably the most helpful three page piece on the structure of the book ever written.” – Rev. Nick Batzig at FeedingonChrist.com We will add though, that Warfield’s argument for Idealism is not incapable of critique.
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Simple, Practical & Devotional
1800’s
Bonar, Horatius – Light & Truth, vols. 5 (d. 1889) Bonar expounds a verse or two from most chapters of the book.
Bonar (1808-1889) was an influential Scot and brother to Andrew Bonar.
*** ‘…The passages selected are popularly expounded, but the thought is not deep. The volumes will be more prized by the ordinary reader than by the minister.’ – Spurgeon
Ramsey, James – The Spiritual Kingdom, an Exposition of the First Eleven Chapters of Revelation (1873) This work has been reprinted by the Banner of Truth in their Geneva Series of Commentaries.
Ramsey majors on the spiritual teaching of Revelation, but does take a general historicist approach, though unwilling to pin down many specifics (which is not a bad thing).
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Intermediate
1800’s
Fairbairn, Patrick – Prophecy
‘The Antichrist as Represented in the Apocalypse, & in regard to its overthrow & final doom’, pp. 364-93
‘An Outline of the General Plan of the Apocalypse, from ch. 5-19’, pp. 393-431
Fairbairn was a professor in the Free Church of Scotland. The book is a standard work on Prophecy. Fairbairn’s exposition is a good example of historicism mixed with idealism.
Steele, David – Notes on the Apocalypse (1870) 336 pp.
This is perhaps the best medium-size historicist commentary on the book of Revelation. It thoroughly uses scripture to interpret itself, is balanced, is hermenuetically on target, has an easy to discern outline, is brief, is easily consulted, answers all the major questions, and generally gets one in the right ballpark.
While this commentary is excellent and highly recommended, do be aware that Steele was the fountain-head of the ‘Steelites’ who have extreme and dangerous views of ecclesiology and covenanting. Steele only mentions such views in a few isolated sentences in the book. This should not detract from the value of the book.
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1900’s
Mauro, Philip – Of Things which Soon Must Come to Pass: a Commentary on the Book of Revelation (1933) 650 pp.
Mauro was a Partial-Preterist, an American lawyer, judge and writer on theological topics.
Hendricksen, William – More than Conquerors (1940; London: Tyndale Press, 1962) 215 pp. ToC
This work has been greatly influential in 20th century interpretation and is Idealist.
“This work ably sets forth the amillennial interpretation of this prophecy.” – Cyril J. Barber
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Advanced
1600’s
Durham, James – A Learned & Complete Commentary upon the Book of the Revelation EEBO (d. 1658)
Durham (1622-58) was a Scottish covenanter and writes in the historicist school of interpretation, which was the nearly universal view of the Scottish covenanters, along with the Reformation and puritan era.
** – ‘After all that has been written, it would not be easy to find a more sensible and instructive work than this old-fashioned exposition. We cannot accept its interpretations of the mysteries, but the mystery of the gospel fills it with sweet savor.’ – Spurgeon
Poole, Matthew – Critical Synopsis of the Bible: Revelation, 3 vols. Buy This work on Rev. 1-9:13 is online.
This is different and much larger than Poole’s Annotations on Scripture. Here Poole gives something of a history of interpretation (from Jewish writers until Christian interpreters of Poole’s own day) on every verse of the Bible.
‘…you will find in Poole’s Synopsis a marvelous collection of all the wisdom and folly of the critics. It is a large cyclopedia worthy of the days when theologians could be cyclopean, and had not shrunk from folios to octavos. Query—a query for which I will not demand an answer—has one of you beaten the dust from the venerable copy of Poole which loads our library shelves?
Yet as Poole spent no less than ten years in compiling it, it should be worthy of your frequent notice—ten years, let me add, spent in Amsterdam in exile for the truth’s sake from his native land. His work is based on an earlier compilation entitled Critic Sacri, containing the concentrated light of a constellation of learned men who have never been excelled in any age or country.’ – Spurgeon
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1800’s
Hengstenberg, William – The Revelation of St. John Expounded, vols. 1 (1-12:17), 2 (12:18-End) ToC
Hengstenberg is a good example of Historicism mixed with Idealism.
** “Highly esteemed by the best judges.” – Spurgeon
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1900’s
Swete, H.B. – The Apocalypse of St. John, the Greek Text with Introduction, Notes & Indices (1906)
Swete (1835–1917) was an English Biblical scholar and professor at Cambridge, following B.F. Westcott. He was a liberal.
“A masterful exposition of the Greek text… Amillennial.” – Cyril J. Barber
Charles, Robert H. – A Critical & Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Revelation, vol. 1 (1-13), 2 (14-22) 1920 in The International Critical Commentary
Charles (1855–1931) was an Irish Biblical scholar who is known for his works on the pseudopigraphia. The ICC series is liberal.
“This work and Swete’s exemplary treatment vie for supremacy.” – Cyril J. Barber
Gentry, Kenneth – Before Jerusalem Fell, Dating the Book of Revelation: an Exegetical & Historical Argument for a Pre-A.D. 70 Composition (Tyler, TX: ICE, 1989) 478 pp. ToC
This is the most in depth defense of the early dating of the authorship of the book of Revelation to the late A.D. 60’s, as opposed to the more common later dating in the A.D. 90’s. This may be the most exhaustive contemporary defense to date of the partial-preterist position. As thorough as Gentry’s scholarship is, his tightly argued case is not above critique.
In Gentry’s argument for the internal evidence within the book of Revelation for an early date, he gives an interpretative commentary on the major, significant portions of Revelation.
Beale, G.K. – The Book of Revelation: a Commentary on the Greek Text in The New International Greek Testament Commentary (Eerdmans, 1998) 1,305 pp. ToC
Beale is an Idealist. This is perhaps the standard, modern, advanced work on the Revelation. One will need to be familiar with Greek in order to adequately read it.
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The Magnum Opus of all Historicist Commentaries
Elliott, E.B. – Horae Apocalypticae: A Commentary on the Apocalypse, Critical and Historical, Including also an Examination of the Chief Prophecies of Daniel…, vol. 1, 2, 3, 4 2nd ed. (1846)
Elliott (1793-1875) wrote here the most exhaustive historicist defense and exposition of the Book of Revelation, building upon all the commentators before him. The last volume includes a critique of all of the other main interpretations of Revelation. He was a historicist premillennial (as was Charles Spurgeon who has commended it). ‘Horae Apocalypticae’ in the title means ‘of the hours of the Apocalypse’.
*** “The standard work on the subject.” – Spurgeon
Abridgments of Elliott (in order of shorter to longer):
Pratt, J.H. – Paraphrase of the Revelation of St. John (1862) 97 pages
This is a paraphrase of the Book of Revelation, starting at chapter 6, according to E.B. Elliott’s interpretation. This is a handy way of quickly seeing how Elliott interprets the book without digging through his 4 volumes.
Tucker, H. Carre – Brief Historical Explanation of the Revelation of St. John according to the Horae Apocalypticae of Elliott (1863) 117 pp.
E., H.E. – The Last Prophecy: Being an Abridgment of Elliott’s Horae Apocalypticae, to which is subjoined his last paper on ‘Prophecy Fulfilled & Fulfilling (1884) 375 pp.
This work was originally intended as a course of lectures in church history for the young pertaining to the events of the Book of Revelation.
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General & Unclassified Commentaries on Revelation
Simple, Practical & Devotional
1800’s
Bonar, Horatius – Light & Truth, vols. 5 (d. 1889) Bonar expounds a verse or two from most chapters of the book.
Bonar (1808-1889) was an influential Scot and brother to Andrew Bonar.
*** ‘…The passages selected are popularly expounded, but the thought is not deep. The volumes will be more prized by the ordinary reader than by the minister.’ – Spurgeon
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1900’s
Scroggie, William G. – The Great Unveiling: an Analytical Study of Revelation (1920; Zondervan, 1979) 140 pp. ToC
“A study guide of the different views of interpretation, which, for brevity, clarity, and accuracy, is hard to duplicate.” – Cyril J. Barber
Barnhouse, Donald G. – Revelation: an Expository Commentary, God’s Last Word Buy (1971)
Barnhouse was reformed and was a presbyterian.
“Contains articles reprinted from Revelation magazine. The last two chapters have been contributed by Ralph Keiper.” – Cyril J. Barber
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Intermediate
1800’s
Rogers, George – Lectures on the Book of Revelation, vol. 1, 2, 3, 4 Ref (1844)
** “Not half so well known as it ought to be: a mass of judicious remarks. We do not subscribe to the author’s system of interpretation, but his expositions always command our respect.” – Spurgeon
Vaughan, C.J. – Lectures on the Revelation of St. John (1861; London: Macmillan, 1882) 555 pp. ToC
Vaughan was an Anglican.
** “Does not grapple with the difficulties, but inculcates the lessons of the book. A sensible course.” – Spurgeon
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1900’s
Barclay, William – The Revelation of John, vol. 1 (1-5), 2 (6-22) in The Daily Bible Study Series rev. ed. (1961; Westminster Press, 1976) ToC 1, 2
Barclay was a liberal.
“Volume I is devoted entirely to chapters 1-5, and provides an extensive study of the seven letters to the churches of Asia. It in no way duplicates material contained in the writer’s Letters to the Seven Churches. The chief value of this set lies in the historical data and interesting Greek word studies. Apart from these notable features, the exposition is uninspiring.” – Cyril J. Barber
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On Revelation Generally
De Graaf, S.G. – Chs. 44-46 of Promise & Deliverance, vol. 4 (on Rev. 12, 19, 21-22)
De Graaf was Dutch Reformed.
On the Old Testament portion of the larger work: “De Graaf studies the Old Testament with an eye on the covenant and the kingdom of God. The book is written in an easy-to-undrstand style.” – Tremper Longman III, 4 out of 5 stars
Warfield, B.B. – ‘The Book of Revelation’ in Schaff-Herzog Cyclopedia, vol. 3, 1884, pp. 2,034-2,038, also in Selected Shorter Writing of B.B. Warfield, vol. 2, pp. 80-90
On the Words of Christ
Stier, Rudolph – Chs. 9-12 of Words of the Risen Savior (1859) 30 pp. Stier expounds Rev. 2-3; 4:1; 21:5-8. Some of the words of Christ, for instance in ch. 1, are not expounded.
*** “No one can be expected to receive all that Stier has to say, but he must be dull indeed who cannot learn much from him. Read with care, he is a great instructor.” – Spurgeon
On the Words of the Angels
Stier, Rudolf – Part 2: the Revelation of St. John 102 pp. in Words of the Angels, or, their Visits to the Earth and the Messages they Delivered (1862)
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The Early Church on the Book of Revelation
Compilation
ed. Weinrich, William – Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Revelation Pre Buy (IVP Academic, 2005) 450 pp. ToC
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Numerous Fathers
The Ordinary Gloss
The Glossa Ordinaria on Revelation trans. Sarah Van der Pas in Consolamini Commentary Series Ref (Consolamini Publications, 2015) 152 pp.
Glossa Ordinaria on Revelation 1 at Patristic Bible Commentary
Catena on Revelation 1 at Patristic Bible Commentary
Catena Commentary on Revelation 1-3:1 at Patristic Bible Commentary
Latin Commentaries on Revelation: Victorinus of Petovium, Apringius of Beja, Caesarius of Arles & Bede the Venerable in Ancient Christian Texts Pre Buy (IVP Academic, 2011) 200 pp. ToC
Victorinus (fl. 270; d. 303 or 304); Apringius (fl. 500’s); Caesarius (468/470 – 542); Bede (672/3 –735).
Cassiodorus, St. Gregory the Great, & Anonymous Greek Scholia Writings on the Apocalypse in The Fathers of the Church trans. Francis X. Gumerlock et al. Pre (Catholic University of America Press, 2022) 155 pp. ToC
Cassiodorus (c. 485 – c. 585); Gregory the Great (c. 540 – 604).
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Individuals
Victorinus of Pettau – Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John 20 pp. in Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 7, pp. 344-64 HTML
Victorinus (fl. 270; d. 303 or 304)
Ambrosiaster – On Rev. 10:8 at Patristic Bible Commentary
Tyconius of Carthage – Exposition of the Apocalypse in The Fathers of the Church Pre Buy (Catholic University of America Press, 2017) 200 pp. ToC
Tyconius (fl. 370–390) was a Donatist and one of the most important theologians of 4th-century North African Latin Christianity. His conception of the City of God influenced Augustine.
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The Medieval Church on Revelation
Compilation
The Book of Revelation trans. David Burr in The Bible in Medieval Tradition Pre (Eerdmans, 2019) ToC
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Numerous Fathers
Greek Commentaries on Revelation: Oecumenius & Andrew of Caesarea trans. William C. Weinrich in Ancient Christian Texts Pre (IVP Academic, 2011) 210 pp. ToC
Oecumenius (fl. late-sixth century or early seventh century); Andrew (563–614).
Early Latin Commentaries on the Apocalypse ed. Francis X. Gumerlock Pre Buy (TEAMS, 2016) 320 pp. ToC
“In the century after Bede at least six different Latin commentaries on the Apocalypse were produced, but until now none of them were available in English translation. This book provides translations of two brief Apocalypse commentaries from approximately 750-810 CE.”
The two translated medieval authors are Pseudo-Jerome and a Reference Bible.
The Seven Seals of the Apocalypse: Medieval Texts in Translation ed. Francis X. Gumerlock PreBuy (TEAMS, 2009) 90 pp. ToC Includes 15 authors from the 6th through the 15th centuries on Rev. 5-8
Includes: Apringius, Ps-Alcuin, Irish Reference Bible, Celtic Catechism, Hugh of St. Cher, Nicholas of Gorran, Caesarius, Cassiodorus, Ps-Jerome, Alcuin, Joachim of Fiore, Vital du Four, Confessions of Prous Boneta, Peter Auriol & Giovanni Nanni.
Carolingian Commentaries on the Apocalypse by Theodulf & Smaragdus… ed. Francis X. Gumerlock Pre (TEAMS, 2019) 111 pp. ToC
Smaragdus (fl. 585-611); Theodulf (c. 750/60 – 821).
eds. Davis, Schmidt & Talia – Revelation 1-3 in Christian Arabic Commentary: John’s First Vision & the Letters to the Seven Churches Pre (Fordham University Press, 2019) ToC
This includes translations from Bulus al-Bushi (bishop from 1240), one of the greatest Coptic Orthodox theologians of the 13th century and also a monk, priest and bishop, and Ibn Katib Qaysar (1313-1374), an Arab Andalusi polymath, poet, writer, historian, philosopher, physician and politician from Emirate of Granada.
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Individuals
Apringius of Beja – Latin Commentaries on Revelation: Victorinus of Petovium, Apringius of Beja, Caesarius of Arles & Bede the Venerable in Ancient Christian Texts Pre Buy (IVP Academic, 2011) 200 pp. ToC
Apringius (fl. 500’s)
Caesarius – Latin Commentaries on Revelation: Victorinus of Petovium, Apringius of Beja, Caesarius of Arles & Bede the Venerable in Ancient Christian Texts Pre Buy (IVP Academic, 2011) 200 pp. ToC
Caesarius (468/470 – 542)
Andrew of Caesarea – Commentary on the Apocalypse trans. Eugenia Constantinou in The Fathers of the Church (Catholic University of America Press, 2012) 280 pp. ToC
Andrew (563–614). His principal work is this work, which is the oldest Greek commentary on Revelation written by a recognized father of the Church.
Oecumenius – The Complete Commentary of Oecumenius on the Apocalypse… (Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan, 1928) 270 pp. ToC
Oecumenius (fl. late-sixth century or early seventh century)
Bede – Commentary on Revelation ed. Faith Wallis in Translated Texts for Historians (Liverpool University Press, 2016) 343 pp. ToC HTML
Bede (672/3 –735) was a Medieval English monk and historian.
Alcuin of York
On Revelation: Commentary & the Questions & Answers Manual (English & Latin) trans. Sarah Van Der Pas in Consolamini Commentary Series Ref (2016) 312 pp.
Alcuin (c. 735 – 804) was a scholar, clergyman, poet, and teacher from York, Northumbria.
at Patristic Bible Commentary
Commentary on Revelation
Questions & Answers on Revelation
Geoffrey of Auxerre – On the Apocalypse trans. Joseph Gibbons in Cistercian Fathers Series, vol. 42 (Cistercian Publications, 2000) 230 pp. ToC
Geoffrey (1115-1120 – post-1188) of Auxerre or Clairvaux was the secretary and biographer of Bernard of Clairvaux and later an abbot of a number of monasteries in the Cistercian tradition.
Nicholas of Lyra – Apocalypse Commentary trans. Philip D.W. Krey Pre Buy (TEAMS, 1997) 237 pp. ToC
Lyra (c. 1270–1349)
Opus Arduum Valde [A Very Difficult Work]: A Wycliffite Commentary on the Book of Revelation eds. Romolo Cegna, Christoph Galle & Wolf-Friedrich Schäufele in Studies in Medieval & Reformation Traditions: Texts & Sources, vol. 10 Ref (Brill, 2021) 691 pp.
“The Opus arduum valde is a Latin commentary on the Book of Revelation, written in England by an unknown scholarly author in the years 1389-1390. The book originated from the early Wycliffite movement and reflects its experience of persecution in apocalyptic terms. In England it soon fell into oblivion, but was adopted by radical exponents of the fifteenth-century Bohemian Hussites. In the sixteenth century Luther obtained a copy of the Opus arduum valde which he had printed in Wittenberg with his own preface in 1528.”
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Revelation 2-3, the Seven Letters to the Churches
Practical to Intermediate
1500’s
Perkins, William – A Godly & Learned Exposition or Commentary upon the Three First Chapters of the Revelation. Preached in Cambridge (1595) 220 pp.
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1600’s
More, Henry – An Exposition of the Seven Epistles to the Seven churches together with a brief discourse of Idolatry, with application to the Church of Rome (1669) 140 pp.
More (1614-1687) was an Arminian, Latitudinarian Anglican.
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1800’s
Cumming, John – Apocalyptic Sketches: Lectures on the Seven Churches of Asia Minor (1854) 560 pp. Cumming has 4 lectures on verses in ch. 1 as well.
** “Here the views of Elliott [a historicist] are admirably popularized.” – Spurgeon
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1900’s
Whyte, Alexander – The Angels of the Churches n.d. 60 pp. being chs. 27-33 in Bible Characters: our Lord’s Characters, pp. 249-312 (d. 1921)
Stott, John – What Christ Thinks of the Church: an Exposition of Revelation 1-3 (1958; Baker, 2003) 120 pp. ToC
“Characteristic of the writer’s penetrating insight and usual brilliant exposition, these messages on Revelation 2-3 set forth the ideal qualities of the church.” – Cyril J. Barber
Morgan, G.C. – The Letters of our Lord: a First Century Message Buy (1961)
“A series of simple, devout messages revealing the conditions of church life to be found continuously in the Christian church.” – Cyril J. Barber
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Intermediate to Advanced
1800’s
Trench, R.C. – Commentary on the Epistles to the Seven Churches in Asia (1897) 270 pp.
“An important exegetical exposition.” – Cyril J. Barber
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1900’s
Ramsay, William – The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia & their Place in the Plan of the Apocalypse (1904) 520 pp.
Ramsay (1851–1939) was a Scottish archeologist, New Testament scholar and the foremost authority in his day on Asia Minor (to which area are addressed the seven letters in Rev. 2-3).
After a lifetime of research, from initially being skeptical of the early Church history recorded in Acts, he came to the conclusion that “it was written with such judgment, skill, art and perception of truth as to be a model of historical statement” and that “You may press the words of Luke [who wrote Acts] in a degree beyond any other historian’s and they stand the keenest scrutiny and the hardest treatment…”
“A brilliant study of the historical and archeological material relating to these churches.” – Cyril J. Barber
Blaiklock, Edward M. – The Seven Churches: an Exposition of Revelation Chapters 2 & 3 Buy (1950)
“An up-to-date historical treatment.” – Cyril J. Barber
Barclay, William – Letters to the Seven Churches (1957; Westminster Press, 1982) 120 pp. ToC
“A historical treatment based upon a careful re-creation of the historic setting of the first century A.D. Includes a description of the pagan religions and customs, Caesar worship, persecution, the slander of the Jews, internal heresy, and apathy—all of which faced the early church.” – Cyril J. Barber
Tatford, Frederick A. – The Patmos Letters Buy (1969)
“A scholarly investigation into the historic setting of the Asian churches in the first century A.D. together with a careful exposition of the text of Scripture.” – Cyril J. Barber
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The Authenticity, Apostolicity & Integrity of the Book of Revelation
1800’s
Hengstenberg, E.W. – The Revelation of St. John Expounded, vol., 2, pp. 389-492
Chappel, John – ‘A Concise Review of Evidence Respecting the Authenticity & Divine Inspiration of the Apocalypse’ (1828) 51 pp. in Annotations on the Apocalypse
Chappel was an Anglican.
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Related Pages