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.

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.

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.

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,”

A Commentary on the Book of Revelation - Volume 2 The author presents a detailed study of the Book of Revelation emphasizing prophetic themes from the rest of the Bible which find their fulfillment in Revelation. To understand this controversial book, the author explores the many connections between the visions seen by the Apostle John and previous prophetic revelation given to Old Testament prophets such as Daniel, Ezekiel, and others. It is the author's conviction that an understanding of related passages elsewhere in the Bible is the most important key to unlocking the bewildering variety of interpretations which often accompany the study of the last book of the Bible. The commentary can be used in conjunction with a free companion internet course providing an additional 70 hours of audio instruction linked to almost 1,000 slides.

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.

Revelation is probably the most read, but least understood book of the Bible. History is replete with examples of how not to interpret it, and books featuring end-of-world prophecy claims based on Revelation consistently top the bestseller lists. But how can the message of such an enigmatic book be applied to our lives today? In Discipleship on the Edge, Darrell W. Johnson drives home the challenging and practical message of Revelation in thirty carefully crafted sermons. Paying careful attention to the original context of Revelation and the circumstances surrounding its composition, Johnson shows that the book is not a "crystal ball" but rather a "discipleship manual." Thoroughly researched and yet accessible, this collection of sermons is a helpful resource for pastors and small group leaders who are looking for models to help them preach and teach the message of Revelation in a time when there is much confusion about the end times. Darrell W. Johnson serves as Scholar-in-Residence at The Way Church and Canadian Church Leaders Network in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A popular conference and retreat speaker, he has also served as the preaching pastor for a number of congregations in North America and the Philippines, as well as serving as Adjunct Professor of Preaching for the Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and a Teaching Fellow at Regent College. His other books include Experiencing the Trinity and Fifty-Seven Words That Change The World.