Revelation (Reformed Expository Commentary | REC)

by Richard D. Phillips

Publisher:

P&R

, 2017

Overview

The book of Revelation is a riveting read—but a persistent question Christians have is, “What does it mean?”

Pastor-theologian Richard Phillips provides a thorough and penetrating study of each chapter while highlighting the theme of the sovereign rule of Christ over history for the salvation of his church.The apostle John wrote his book with the intention of being understood by real people. Carefully noting how the book’s symbolism works, Phillips paints the pictures of Revelation and explains its meaning to readers today. Along the way, readers will see the glory of Christ as the exalted Priest and King for his people, observe the vision of present and future history laid out in Revelation, and discover the powerful pattern of faith by which we may join Christians of all ages in victory.

Key Features

• Provides hope and comfort for struggling believers
• Presents Christ as the victorious, reigning King
• Unpacks the portions of Revelation that students often find difficult and troubling

Contents

Part 1: Christ amid the Lampstands

• The Revelation of Jesus Christ: Revelation 1:1–3
• A Revelation Character Sketch: Revelation 1:4–5
• To Him Who Loves Us: Revelation 1:5–6
• Coming with the Clouds: Revelation 1:7
• The Alpha and the Omega: Revelation 1:8
• On Patmos, in Christ: Revelation 1:9–16
• The Christ of the Lampstands: Revelation 1:10–20
• From Death to Life: Revelation 1:17–19
• Rekindling the First Love: Revelation 2:1–7
• Faithful unto Death: Revelation 2:8–11
• Where Satan Dwells: Revelation 2:12–17
• According to Your Works: Revelation 2:18–29
• How to Revive a Dead Church: Revelation 3:1–6
• An Open Door before You: Revelation 3:7–13
• Neither Hot nor Cold: Revelation 3:14–22

Part 2: The Throne of God and the Seven Seals

• A Throne in Heaven: Revelation 4:1–8
• The Weight of Glory: Revelation 4:6–11
• The Lion and the Lamb: Revelation 5:1–7
• Worthy Is the Lamb: Revelation 5:8–14
• The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Revelation 6:1–8
• The Fifth Seal: Revelation 6:9–11
• The Wrath of the Lamb: Revelation 6:12–17
• The Number of the Sealed: Revelation 7:1–12
• Washed in the Blood: Revelation 7:9–17

Part 3: The Seven Trumpets as Warnings of Judgment

• Silence in Heaven: Revelation 8:1–5
• The Four Trumpets: Revelation 8:6–13
• From the Bottomless Pit: Revelation 9:1–21
• The Little Scroll: Revelation 10:1–11
• Measuring the Temple: Revelation 11:1–2
• The Two Witnesses: Revelation 11:3–14
• The Seventh Trumpet: Revelation 11:15–19

Part 4: The Symbolic Histories

• The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon: Revelation 12:1–6
• By the Blood of the Lamb: Revelation 12:7–17
• The Rising of the Beast: Revelation 13:1–10
• The Mark of the Beast: Revelation 13:11–18
• Singing the New Song: Revelation 14:1–5
• The Hour of His Judgment: Revelation 14:6–12
• Blessed in Death: Revelation 14:13
• The Grapes of Wrath: Revelation 14:14–20

Part 5: The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath

• By the Sea of Crystal: Revelation 15:1–8
• The Vindication of Wrath: Revelation 16:1–7
• Armageddon: Revelation 16:8–16
• The End Has Come: Revelation 16:17–21

Part 6: Final Judgment and Victory in Christ’s Return

• Unveiling the Great Prostitute: Revelation 17:1–6
• The Mystery of the Woman and the Beast: Revelation 17:7–18
• Christianity and Culture: Revelation 18:1–8
• Alas for the Great City: Revelation 18:9–24
• Salvation to God: Revelation 19:1–5
• The Marriage Supper of the Lamb: Revelation 19:6–10
• The Rider on a White Horse: Revelation 19:11–16
• The Last Battle: Revelation 19:17–21
• The Thousand Years: Revelation 20:1–3
• Reigning with Christ: Revelation 20:4–6
• Gog and Magog: Revelation 20:7–10
• The Final Judgment: Revelation 20:11–15
• A New Heaven and a New Earth: Revelation 21:1–4
• All Things New: Revelation 21:5–8

Part 7: The Great Consummation and Eternal Glory

• The City with Foundations: Revelation 21:9–14
• The Shape of Glory: Revelation 21:15–21
• The City without a Temple: Revelation 21:22–27
• The River of the Water of Life: Revelation 22:1–5
• Trustworthy and True: Revelation 22:6–9
• The Last Testimony of Jesus Christ: Revelation 22:10–16
• Come to the Waters: Revelation 22:16–17
• Coming Soon! Revelation 22:18–21

Top Highlights

“The best answer notes that the number seven in the Bible stands for completion, starting with the seven days that completed the week of creation. So while John wrote actual letters to these seven churches, their number was selected to represent the entirety of the church during the gospel age and the kinds of challenges that would beset Christians at all times.” (Page 19)

“According to the opening verses, Revelation is an apocalyptic prophecy, a historical letter, a gospel testimony, and a means of blessing for God’s needy people.” (Page 6)

“James Boice explains that here, Christ ‘is knocking at the closed hearts of those who are his but who have turned their backs on him and shut him out of their complacent, self-satisfied, worldly Christian lives. The knocking Christ is an image, not of Jesus calling unbelievers to give their hearts to him but of calling drifting, worldly believers to sincere repentance and renewal.’” (Page 159)

“Christians may strengthen the church through the vital ministry of prayer” (Page 137)

“‘The purpose of this vision is to show us, in beautiful symbolism, that all things are governed by the Lord on the throne.’” (Page 167)

Endorsements

This book matches, or even supersedes, Richard Phillips’s other fine volumes in this reputable series. The author opens up Revelation in a manner that informs the Bible student, equips the preacher, comforts the suffering believer, and ignites the worshiper for the praise of Christ. Highly recommended!

—Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids

Richard Phillips does not flinch at the daunting texts and famed cruxes of the Apocalypse. Moreover, as a result of this resolute commitment, Dr. Phillips has given us a full, exegetically rich, pastorally sensitive exposition of Revelation. Revelation is sure to grace and elevate thousands of pulpits and Bible studies across the world!

—R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church, Wheaton

Richard Phillips, in the providence of God, has provided an excellent asset for any and all who embrace the promised blessing to all who read, hear, and keep ‘the words of the prophecy of this book.’ The book of Revelation is undoubtedly a challenge to understand, so this excellent systematic preaching commentary will be of inestimable value to the sacred task.

—Harry L. Reeder III, Senior Pastor, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham

Dr. Phillips requires no recommendations, given the number of volumes he has written in this series and the consistently high standard of exposition he has attained. . . . Phillips excels in providing not just background and insight, but relevance and real excitement regarding how the book of Revelation might apply today. Managing to avoid silly and crass interpretations, Phillips provides the reader with a tour de force in hermeneutical methodology. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

—Derek W. H. Thomas, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

Product Details

• Title: Revelation
• Author: Richard D. Phillips
• Series: Reformed Expository Commentary
• Publisher: P&R
• Print Publication Date: 2017
• Logos Release Date: 2017
• Pages: 784
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. Revelation › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781629952390, 9781629952406, 9781629952413, 1629952397, 1629952400, 1629952419
• Resource ID: LLS:REC87REV
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:39:26Z

About Richard D. Phillips

Richard Davis Phillips has been the Senior Minister of Second Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina (PCA) since July, 2007. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Michigan, and a master of business administration degree at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Prior to entering the ministry, he commanded tank units as an officer in the U.S. Army and later served as an assistant professor of leadership at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He came to faith in Jesus Christ at the age of 30, and was soon was leading evangelistic Bible studies at the college where he was teaching. A few years later he received God’s call to enter the gospel ministry, and received a master of divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.