Classic Commentaries and Studies on Revelation (27 vols.)

New Testament scholar deBurgh believes that Scripture is its own interpreter, and with this view in mind, he sets out to classify the book of Revelation. Divided into twenty-four lectures covering the whole of Revelation, he answers common questions about this mysterious book, and offers solid commentary. He also includes sixteen topical appendixes to guide study.

In this work, theologian Harvey Eugene Dana provides valuable commentary on this often confounding book of the New Testament. Concise and applicable, The Epistles and Apocalypse of John: A Brief Commentary is perfect for students or general readers who want to understand the scope of Revelation.

Bible scholar John Taylor Dean focuses on the historical context of Revelation, presenting key insights on the Roman influence and the state of the Church at the time of its writing. Dean goes over the purpose of the book, the relationship to other Hebraic literature, date, and author. He also provides an outline of Revelation and notes for further study.

James Durham’s work on the last book of the Bible has been a commentary standard ever since its publication in 1680. With over a thousand pages, Durham provides a solid and thorough exposition from a postmillennial point of view. This commentary will help laity and students alike understand this mystifying apocalyptic book.

This is arguably one of the most influential and thorough works on the book of Revelation. First published in 1844, it took Elliot seven years to complete the first edition. Considered an immediate scholarly standard, Horae Apocalypticae focuses on critical historical context of both the time and the writing itself, as well as the supernatural inspiration of the text. Defending Revelation from a purely rationalist view common at the time, Elliot believed that a combination of historical context and spiritual considerations were essential to reading not just Revelation, but all of Scripture. Boasting over 2,500 pages for all four volumes, Elliot provides a systematic view of the Apocalypse. This first volume includes an introduction to Elliot’s line of thinking, St. John in exile, general views of the Seven Seals, and explanation and application of certain symbols.

This second volume continues Elliot’s extensive study on the book of Revelation. Elliot covers an overview of Western Christendom, principles of the Reformation appearing in the ministry of Christ, the two witnesses, and an appendix and a list of illustrative plates.

The third volume of Elliot's work contains examinations of various symbols and prophecies, such as the sun-clad woman, the image of the beast, and the mark of the beast. Elliot also points out parallels between Revelation and historical events and people.

Elliot concludes his massive study with a discussion of Daniel’s prophecies, as well as other Old Testament prophets. He also addresses the Apocalyptic philosophy of Christendom over the years and a concluding application. Elliot also includes an appendix and a list of plates.

Biblical scholar E. W. Hengstenberg turns his attention to the book of Revelation in this commentary. Seeking not a typical rationalistic or traditional reading of this book, Hengstenberg provides a fresh exposition. He wrote this volume for anyone who wishes to read and understand Revelation, presenting a concise and highly readable commentary. Hengstenberg looks at the historical context, the thoughts of previous theologians, and the influence of the Old Testament. He also provides a comprehensive introduction, and a systematic reading and analysis of each chapter.

Hengstenberg concludes his extensive compendium on Revelation, beginning with a discussion of the Beast from the Sea. After an exposition of the New Jerusalem, he examines the background and historical context of St. John and the writing itself. He finishes with an essay on the authenticity of the book as a whole.

Presented first as a series of twenty-eight lectures, this work contains a scholarly commentary on the book of Revelation. Ramsey divides his lectures into five sections on the new kingdom of Christ:

• Introductory
• The Visible Representation of the Kingdom
• The True Conception of the Visible Kingdom
• Its Mediator King, and His Reign
• Its Conflicts and Triumph

This serious work will help modern readers to understand the scope and application of Revelation.

Written with the belief that Revelation is just as applicable and fresh as when it was composed, Stuart interprets this book from a historical and contextual point of view to discover what it means for Christians today. He examines the style and origin of Revelation with great care and attention to detail. Stuart wrote this book primarily for seminary students and the general reader, making it highly readable. And with over 500 pages in the first volume alone, Stuart also provides a comprehensive analysis as well.

This concludes Stuart’s examination and interpretation of Revelation. He goes over various word meanings, Old Testament quotations, symbolic and prophetic characters and events, and several appendixes for further study.

The seven letters at the beginning of the book of Revelation provide both encouragement and critique for the Church. Theologian and priest Trench presents valuable exposition on just these letters, giving focus and careful attention to these epistles and what they mean. Trench’s readable yet scholarly interpretation will be of great value to students and general readers alike.

Bible scholar Bousset presents a comprehensive study of the Antichrist in this volume. Going over various sources from both Hebrew and Christian traditions, as well as the history of the stories, Bousset seeks to clear the mystery and confusion associated with this controversial topic. He compares stories of an Antichrist figure with Babylonian legends. Translated from the original German, this is a solid exploration of the Antichrist, as well an invaluable historical document from this time.

This engaging study reveals a panoramic view of Revelation, presenting a wide-scope study. Bowman divides this book of the New Testament into seven major sections or acts. He also includes a translation of the text from the original Greek, incorporated right into the text, allowing for reading and understanding at the same time. The format makes it easy to study Bowman's interpretation.

In this short study written for students, Case seeks to interpret this book according to historical context. Believing that a knowledge of the times and events is necessary for comprehension, Case gives valuable historical information and commentary that will help the reader understand the meaning of Revelation. This edition features a detailed table of contents and an outline of the book of Revelation. There are also helpful study questions.

Biblical academic Calkins seeks to discover the practicality of Revelation, taking away the confusion and mystery of this book of prophecy. Calkins shows how this book of the New Testament can be used to understand evil and how to live in the present. He wrote this book primarily for students and general readers, believing that the message of Revelation is especially relevant for today. Calkins provides a detailed table of contents, an introduction, and a bibliography.

Featuring twenty-six lectures on the first half of the book of Revelation, eschatological scholar John Cumming presents a comprehensive examination of this book of the Bible in the first of a two volume series. Holding that this book is an unveiling of the nature of Christ, he takes each chapter and topic under careful consideration, focusing on the intended meaning and context of the passages, and what they mean for today’s readers. This edition also has several prefaces by the author, a detailed table of contents, and a through introduction.

John Cumming provides thirty-four lectures on the latter half of the book of Revelation, including topics such as the divinity of Christ, the fall of Jerusalem, the marriage-supper of the Lamb, and the New Song. These lectures are perfect for students and the reader who wants to understand more of the context and the application of the passages.

Prominent German scholar and theologian Georg Heinrich Ewald provides an academic lens for this complicated book of the New Testament. Approaching the text from a scientific point of view, Ewald examines Revelation and religion in light of historical and social contexts. There are three sections:

• The Nature of the Revelation of the Word of God
• Revelation in Heathenism and in Nature
• Revelation in the Bible

He covers topics such as true community, stages and results of revelation, and the influence of the Holy Spirit. Believing that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that a social and historical understanding can illuminate our understanding of it, Ewald presents a readable yet academic reading for the book of Revelation.

Bible scholar James Glasgow presents a systematic method for interpreting the book of Revelation. Avowing the necessity of application and comparison with the Old Testament prophecies, Glasgow discusses Revelation as a book of future occurrences. He quotes from Christian figures such as Augustine, Ambrose, and Dionysus. The work contains a detailed table of contents, introduction, cross-references, and an appendix to guide study.

Influential scholar Fenton John Anthony Hort’s study of the book of Revelation was published after his death. A Greek New Testament scholar, Hort focuses on the Greek text and the historical context to answer three major questions about Revelation, author, reader, and time. Using a methodical approach, Hort covers these questions, as well as the impact of the Roman Empire on early Christianity, various views of the time that Revelation was written, and the unity of the book as a whole. He also includes indexes and notes to guide study.

First delivered in 1853, these lectures present a scholarly view of Revelation. Kelly focuses on the Greek text, believing that Scripture interprets Scripture, and that using outside methods such as Rationalism is unnecessary and even harmful. In the introduction, Kelly defends his position against C. E. Elliot, author of Horae Apocalypticae: A Commentary on the Apocalypse, Critical and Historical, as they disagreed about the use of the Old Testament to interpret the book of Revelation. This volume is an important example of textual criticism, as well as solid Biblical theology. It also includes Kelly’s translation of Revelation from the original Greek.

Theologian William Newell divides up his study of the book of Revelation into two parts: judgment and the New Creation. He goes over the each chapter verse-by-verse, presenting a solid and thorough interpretation of this often confusing book of the Bible. Newell doesn't believe that this book should cause fear or division, but should strengthen the saints until the return of Christ. This volume contains a detailed table of contents, four appendixes, and a dissertation on the placement of the church in the End Times.

Theologian and pastor J.A. Seiss asserts the need for study of the book of Revelation, pointing out the lack of knowledge and familiarity with this last book of the Bible. He calls for a renewed interest and careful attention to this book. To this end, he presents a series of lectures that intensely inspect the book of Revelation passage by passage. The first volume contains sixteen lectures.

Table of Contents

• The Preface, Scope, Contents, Derivation, Value, and Preciousness of the Apocalypse
• The Apostolic Introduction to the Apocalypse, and its Several Important Allusions
• The First Vision—A Picture of the Savior in His Relation to the Churches
• Supplementary Declarations, Touching the Character and Prerogatives of Christ
• The Seven Churches—Meaning of Numbers—The Seven Ages of the Church
• The Seven Epistles—Their General and Contexts
• The Prophetic Significance of the Seven Epistles, and Their Identification in History
• The Career and End of the Church on Earth
• The Church in Heaven—The Throne—The Elders—The Living Ones
• The Seven–Scaled Book—What it Imports—The Taking of it by the Lamb
• The Breaking of the Seals—The First Seal—The Conquests of the White Horseman
• The Second, Third, and Fourth Seals—War—Famine—Death
• The Fifth Seal—Bloody Persecution—The Souls under the Alter
• Opening of the Sixth Seal—A Universal Shaking of the System of Nature
• A Lull in the Storms of Judgment—The Mysterious Sealing of the 144,000
• The Heavenly Palm–Bearers Clothed in White—Who They are—Whence They Came

Seiss continues his inspection of the book of Revelation in this second volume. Focusing on the person of Jesus as presented in Revelation, Seiss completes his study of the Apocalypse with a series of eighteenth lectures.

Lectures Included

• Silence in Heaven—The Seven Angels of God’s Presence
• Preparations—First Trumpet
• The Woe Trumpets—The Angel in Mid-Heaven—Mercy in Judgment
• The Sixth Trumpet—The State of Society in this Period
• The Cloud-Robed Angel—His Lion Cry
• The Current Method of Interpreting the Apocalypse
• The Two Witnesses—Their Individuality
• A Great Earthquake
• The Seventh Trumpet—Heaven full of Excitement and Interest
• The Sunclad Woman—The Church in its Entirety
• The Great Red Dragon—His Tail—His Head and Horns
• The Man-Child—The Visible and Invisible Church—Manhood and Destiny of this Child
• The War in Heaven—The Forces Marshaled
• The Flight of the Woman
• The Beast from the Sea—The Antichrist
• The Beast from the Earth—Counterfeit Trinity
• The False Prophet—His Miracles