Lange’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures has served as a standard reference for more than a century. The subtitle “Critical, Doctrinal, and Homiletical” aptly describes the three-pronged approach to the biblical text. This translated version of the German text is often considered by many to be superior to the original.
“The following from the Treatise of Sir Isaac Newton is well worthy of consideration: ‘The Apocalypse of John is written in the same style and language with the prophecies of Daniel, and hath the same relation to them which they have to one another, so that all of them together make but one complete prophecy.—The prophecy is distinguished into seven successive parts; by the opening of the seven seals of the book which Daniel was commanded to seal up; and hence it is called the Apocalypse or Revelation of Jesus Christ.’” (Page 89)
“The assumption, since Heumann, that the term Nicolaitans is a symbolical expression; in support of this hypothesis it is alleged that the Greek word Nicolas means conqueror of the people; the Hebrew Balaam, devourer of the people; the two, in symbolical unity, signifying religious seducers of the people (analogous is the Antichrist Armillus, ἐρημόλαος [desolator, ravager of the people]).” (Page 116)
“And whilst Balaam hoped for outward gain, and the Nicolaitans, on the other hand, were following an Antinomian principle, we find, together with the coincidence of the two names, a certain difference which we have previously pointed out.” (Page 119)
“It is possible that one and the same antinomianism branched into three forms: 1. A doctrinal form (Nicolaitans); 2. A worldly-wise form (Balaamites); 3. A spiritualistic form (Jezebel).” (Page 116)
“The fundamental idea of all the seven epistles is the fundamental idea of the Apocalypse itself—the Coming of the Lord.” (Page 114)