This tremendous exposition of the capstone of Scripture issues from years of teaching, dedicated study, and sound evangelical scholarship. The author defends the premillenninal position, but at crucial points considers other views as well.

The final book of the Bible, Revelation prophesies the ultimate judgement of mankind in a series of allegorical visions, grisly images and numerological predictions. According to these, empires will fall, the "Beast" will be destroyed and Christ will rule a new Jerusalem. With an introduction by Will Self.

A new and transforming approach to the Book of Revelation. Margaret Barker bases her study on a fresh reading of the primary sources. As an Old Testament scholar, she can read Revelation as Hebrew prophecy - ancient temple oracles which inspired Jesus and his own prophecies, and influenced the whole Jerusalem Church. Jerusalem was waiting for their Great High Priest to return and complete the Atonement at the end of the Tenth Jubilee. This expectation fuelled the revolt against Rome. Josephus, who deserted to Rome, was the false prophet. John, who escaped to Patmos, compiled Revelation as a record of the first generation. In the future, he taught, the Lord would return to his people in the Eucharist.This work illuminates the formative years of Christianity, in the social, religious and political situation of mid-first-century Palestine, in a quite remarkable way. It will have profound implications for the understanding of Christian origins and the development of Christian liturgy.

Principal Subjects. 1. Title and Character of the Book, The Divine Salutation The Glorious Vision of Christ, The Seven Churches, Threefold Division of the Book, 2. Addresses to the Seven Churches, Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea. Satan’s Throne and Dwelling Balaamism and Nicolaitanism, 3. Rewards to the Overcomer. The Seven Spirits and the Seven Stars, The Coming Hour of Trial, Christ Stands, Knocks, and Speaks, Third Division of the Apocalypse, 4. The Throne of the Eternal, Royal Authority of the Redeemed, The Living Creatures and their Worship, 5. The Throne and the Slain Lamb, The Seven-Sealed Book, The Intelligent Universe in Praise to God, 6. Opening of the First Six Seals, First — Sixth, (Seventh.) 7. Parenthetic Visions of Grace, Three Companies of Millennial Saints, Great Tribulation, 8. The First Four Trumpets, First — Fourth, (Fifth, Sixth.) 9. The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets, The Fallen Star or Personal Antichrist, The Number of the Avenging Hosts, 10. Descent of the Strong Angel — The Little Opened Book, Solemn Oath of the Angel, Recommencement of John’s Prophetic Ministry, 11. Jewish Testimony and the Seventh Trumpet, Jerusalem Trodden Down The World Kingdom of our Lord, 12. Events as God Views Them, The Woman and the Man-Child, Satan — His Names and Work, 13. The Two Beasts, Revival of the Roman Empire, The Number of the Beast, 666, 14. Sevenfold Intervention in Grace and Judgment, (1) Jewish Remnant Spared, (2) The Everlasting Gospel, (3) Fall of Babylon, (4) Worshippers of the Beast, (5) The Blessed Dead, (6) Harvest of the Earth, (7) The Vine of the Earth. 15. The Seven Vials, or Bowls of Wrath, The Victorious Martyred Company of Judah, Ministers of God’s Wrath equipped for Judgment, 16. The Seven Vials, etc. (Continued), First — Seventh. 17. Babylon and the Beast, The Great Harlot Described, 18. The Fall of Babylon. Lamentation on Earth, Triumph in Heaven, 19. The Marriage of the Lamb, The Judgment of the Rebellious Nations, The Conqueror and His Victorious Army, 20. The Millennium, and the Judgment of the Dead, The Reign with Christ, The Last Human Confederacy, Satan Cast into the Lake of Fire, 21. The Eternal State, and the Bride in Governmental and Millennial Splendour, A New Heaven and a New Earth, The City and its Glories, 22. Concluding Vision and Testimonies, The River and Tree of Life, “Surely I come quickly,”

From the Introduction by Merrill C. Tenney: This commentary is an attempt to make plain the meaning of Revelation. With commendable reserve, Dr. Smith has restricted himself largely to interpretation by other passages of Scripture which are related to Revelation by actual quotation or by striking parallelism. His painstaking studies of vocabulary and of related ideas make the book valuable to the earnest student of the Bible. Dr. Smith is a futurist and a premillenarian, holding that all of the Book of Revelation beginning with the fourth chapter relates to the future period of judgment known as 'the great tribulation,' which will be followed by the personal return of Christ and by the establishment of His kingdom. In this regard he is in a long line of renowned commentators, including Seiss, Gaebelein, Ottman, and others. The distinguishing feature of this commentary is its use of Biblical statistics and comparisons. The uses of important terms in the Revelation are cataloged, and their interpretation is derived from their context. The appendices contain some extensive studies of individual topics, correlating information not easily obtainable elsewhere. Dr. Smith follows a literal interpretation except where avowed symbolism demands a different procedure. He has sought to make his exposition consistent in method and in results. His use of Greek is apt, and shows a careful investigation of the underlying vocabulary of the Greek text. This commentary will probably be the mainstay of premillennial exposition for some years to come.

The book of Revelation has long fascinated and even confused readers and students of the Bible. Yet the Bible is written to be understood, and Revelation is no exception. Who better to help you understand the seals, trumpets, vials, woes, and plagues than John F. Walvoord, one of evangelicalism's most prominent leaders, and Mark Hitchcock, today's leading Bible prophecy expert? In this first in a renewed series of commentaries from Dr. Walvoord, he points out that much of the book's symbolism can be interpreted literally. At key points, different views and approaches to interpretation are explored. Walvoord devotes special attention to textual and doctrinal issues while avoiding technical language. Refined, updated with the English Standard Version (ESV), and streamlined, this classic text is set to help you interpret the last book of the Bible and gain a better grasp of current trends and the climax of history!