Revelation: A Shorter Commentary

This is a very deep, beautifully written book. The writing style is simple yet poetic and it's also very repetitive, which is quite nice as the topic is on Revelation which is an extremely dreamy, atmospheric book that you can easily get lost in and forget the details of - it's like reading a dream. The author, Dr. Beale, is a Cambridge scholar who translated the book and so I loved the academic rigor but also how it is presented with such elegant writing at the same time. It made me think about Revelation on a much deeper level and I use this book as a reference in relation to how I interpret the Bible book. I highly recommend it - it's a very enjoyable read; Revelation is an incredibly beautiful book - it's a work of art and meditating on it has been a deeply spiritual experience for me.

This is a revision of my earlier review, after a second reading.Beale’s shorter commentary is an excellent addition to commentaries on the Apocalypse (Revelation). His perspective is eclectic, historical idealism. He understands the message of John’s work to be the sin of idolatry, which is fundamental in its recapitulated visions. As stated early, Revelation is not a timeline or sequential chronology of the end, but rather the same message seen from differing perspectives, encompassing the entire history of the church since the Resurrection.Beale references the numerous Old Testament texts (especially Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel), which John embeds and weaves into the visions. These Old Testament passages provide the framework and remind the reader of continuing, historic, prophetic themes. Occasionally, it seems Beale forces an aspect or element of a vision to fit his understanding. This is typical of any commentary on Revelation. While Beale does indicate there are other potential views on the subject at hand, he gently insists his position explains most fully. Whether this is true or not depends a great deal upon the reader’s understanding of and experience with apocalyptic literature.The “Suggestions for Reflection” at the end of each section of the commentary are valuable and thoughtful. However, in some instances, I sensed a polite deference, so as not to offend. To delicately call into question the love of money, comfort, and economic security (the Babylon theme) without addressing it more explicitly (vis-a-vis the current, wealthy “Christian” culture) is to draw perilously close to hypocrisy. That other suggestions are direct in addressing common, “hot-button” moral issues, proves the point.Like many commentators, Beale erroneously substitutes “the Lord’s Day,” for the more accurate “the Day of the Lord” to promote an institutional, brick-and-mortar, perception of the corporate Body of Christ. John’s first-century readers would have laughed at this.Historically, Revelation has been read from a variety of perspectives—some more cogent than others. It has “suffered much at the hands of doctors.” A variety of interpretations is the sound way of approaching Revelation, so long as no one perspective is proclaimed imperator. It seems that apocalyptic literature can be fully understood only backwards. Whether we have reached that point in human history is questionable.

I was looking for a short more easy read of revelation. This is not the case here. I woud hate to see the long more detailed version.

Most people find the book of Revelation largely unintelligible and think that 90% of it cannot possibly be understood in any meaningful way. The opposite is in fact true. As John states at the start, it is a book of symbols, and all of the symbols he describes are to be found in the Old Testament. One only needs a learned scribe such as Beale to help guide you along your journey as you read through John's vision. This shorter version of Beale's 1999 commentary on the Greek text is probably the best one-volume work on Revelation available for those who live outside of a seminary. All of the great insights are here without the unnecessary footnotes and discussion of the underlying Greek text.Beale notes that there are four approaches to interpretation of the book of Revelation: Preterist, Historicist, Futurist, and Idealist. He takes a modified, or eclectic, Idealist perspective, stating that the events depicted are a symbolic presentation of the battle between good and evil, speaking to the events of human history in every age and giving believers of all ages an exhortation to remain faithful in the face of suffering. Some have fulfillment in particular historical events, others in countless events throughout the church age, and still others pertain to the final return of Christ. Consistent with this approach, Beale also sees the structure of Revelation as recapitulatory, or occurring in a set of cycles that basically tell the same story, from the first advent to the second advent, from a different perspective. I believe this is correct and is consistent with many other commentators such as Hendriksen, Poythress, Johnson, Kistemaker, Smalley, Bauckham, and Hoekema. Beale also takes an amillennial perspective, laying out a thoughtful analysis of ch. 20, its relation to ch. 19, and to passages in Ezekiel and Zechariah.The most valuable insights of the book are provided by the many linkages the author makes between Revelation passages and numerous Old Testament prophecies and symbols. By the end of Beale's book it is quite gratifying to find that 90% of the book of Revelation is indeed understandable in a very meaningful way.

Since I became a believer in 2004, I've read through Revelation countless times, completed four bible studies, and read at least 5 other books in an effort to understand the text. Today, I finished reading Revelation: A Shorter Commentary by G.K. Beale. The author really connected the dots for me by continuously noting where John was alluding to the words of OT prophets. The way he allowed scripture to interpret scripture, helped me gain a more complete picture of what is being said, its significance, and the beauty of God's plan for his bride, the church. I feel both admonished and encouraged by my time in the book of Revelation. This commentary one I'll hang onto and refer back to often. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣I highly recommend this book, especially if you are coming from a dispensational church background.⁣⁣⁣

New shorter version available since 2014 makes this the best commentary available. The earlier fuller version was too long and detailed for non-academic use but this brings it within the reach of preachers like me. I have used it for a 12 week sermon series after trying and rejecting 5 others. A little too technical for most small group bible study leaders. His careful analysis of the Greek text, the historical context and the many allusions to earlier in the Bible makes this the most reliable interpretation. Even academics who disagree with his conclusions admit that they scholarship is very good and can't be ignored. He takes the conservative evangelical view that all scripture is reliable, authoritative and inerrant but recognises the extensive use of non-literal imagery in this style of writing. He persuasively argues that Revelation reveals the end of the world, but also a great deal about life in the meantime, with John's first readers in mind, but with truth that is relevant to every generation of believers. He shows why amillenialism, a simple single-event day of the Lord, is the best reading of Revelation 20, engaging with the other views in a respectful and convincing way. He includes reflections about how to apply these passages to help preachers.

One of the best, if not the best, short commentaries on the book of Revelation. A must read for all Christians who desire to know more about the only one true God of Scripture, His ways, His purposes and His promises.

What an amazing, inspiring book. Easily accessible and really opens up the book of Revelation for you revealing God's awesome plan.

Excellent exegesis applying Revelation to Christians throughout history. With topics for further thought at the end of each section.

Still in the reading - most interesting and helpful;