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Introduction

Message

Interpretation

Authorship

Structure

Historical

References

Comparison

Links

Chap 1

Chap 2

Chap 3

Chap 4

Chap 5

Chap 6

Chap 7

Chap 8

Chap 9

Chap 10

Chap 11

Chap 12

Chap 13

Chap 14

Chap 15

Chap 16

Chap 17

Chap 18

Chap 19

Chap 20

Chap 21

Chap 22

Resources and books on Revelation:

linked to Amazon

Recommended Commentaries on Revelation

Scholars: Beale (idealist) this should keep you happy for some time 1408pp, he uncovers most stones. Stephen S Smalley (2005) is also highly recommended, 633pp. Worth getting is Robert L Thomas, (2 vols) although dispensational he usually gives several alternatives on difficult texts and is therefore quite useful, he is heavy on the Greek.

Students: I would recommend the scholarly and readable Osborne 869 pp or less detailed Mounce 439 pp as a main (conservative evangelical) commentary supplemented by another. Simon Kistemaker and Louis A. Brighton (673pp) are well worth looking at. Krodel 391pp is also quite detailed, Chilton (preterist early date) is very good but he believes that Revelation is about the fall of Jerusalem, Johnson 207 pp which despite its size is quite detailed is very good (but not so easy to get now). Also useful is Ian Boxall 347pp. Less detailed but readable is Ladd (preterist and futurist), Morris (late preterist) is also a useful starter.

D A Carson in his 2001 New Testament Commentary Survey goes for G K Beale; R H Mounce; and for background in the Greco-Roman world, D E Aune, while not a commentary also recommended is Richard J. Bauckham, The Theology of the Book of Revelation.

Teachers and preachers: Use Osborne or Mounce as the standard reference. Keener (NIV Application Commentary) 576 pp, is good for application (emphasis on persecution) but you will still need to supplement with another commentary. Krodel is an excellent commentary for the preacher, he gets to the spiritual heart of the message of Revelation (emphasis on worship/idolatry). See also J. Ramsey Michaels, Ladd.

Study leaders (Sunday school) - to get started I suggest getting Hendriksen who is fun to use and good on the symbolism. Well worth getting is Koester, a highly readable guide. Wilcock is also designed for the layman. Morris or Barclay will give you the historic background, Barclay is good on the mark of the beast. Barton is an easy and quite detailed (and cheap) starter, you could recommend to class. Later use Osborne as a serious reference, supplement with Krodel. See also Bruce M. Metzger Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation : Leader's Guide. Steve Gregg (Ed.), Revelation, four views:

Laymen: Try Hendriksen (idealist) who is always good to start with, Barclay (preterist - 2 volumes) is good on the history as is Hailey (preterist), Ladd (preterist and futurist) is readable or Wilcock (idealist) is designed for layman and Morris (preterist). For the young Christian there is Barton which is good value and quite detailed. Finally new for 2001 Craig R Koester, a highly readable guide for the layman and study leader, deals with Revelation as seen by its first century hearers (209p) recommended. For more details see below:

Tapes: Also useful for study leaders, home group and laymen are the two sets of tapes on Revelation by Malcolm Smith each set has 6 tapes and costs $30, these could be used by a house group (1 hr). 1-800-457-0947 Code: UL 1341, 1347.

Of course you can also download mine for FREE. My commentary interacts with many of the commentaries cited below.

Comparison: For a comparison of how over 30 commentaries interpret the first seal, the 144,000, the two witnesses, the woman of Ch 12, Babylon and the millennium see my comparison chart.

Prices: For a list of commentaries sorted by price click here.

Authors cited in 7 recent commentarties (1997-2005)

For commentaries on Daniel, Joyce G Baldwin, is a good one to start with.

Annotated bibliography

Massive works: Top

These were published too late for me to use in my commentary, although I have now added comments by Beale and Osborne.

1. G K Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text (New international Greek Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1999.) 1408 pp. Synopsis This is a massive and detailed work suitable for the scholar and student already familiar with Revelation. The interpretative approach is eclecticism or a Redemptive-Historical form of modified idealism that fits most within the overall interpretative framework of such past commentators as Caird, Johnson, Sweet, and above all Hendriksen and Wilcock, he found Mounce and Bauckham useful.
   For further reviews see Amazon and Georg S. Adamsen of Revelation resources
2. David E. Aune Word Biblical Commentary : Revelation 1-5 (Vol 52) Hardcover Vol 52 (September 1997) Word Books; Amazon Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3. Review "The purpose of this work is to relate Revelation to the literary background of the Classical world. Apparently, in order to have room to do this most thoroughly, virtually all other topics are excluded. There is no discussion of canonicity, history of interpretation, or exposition. Even so, the author often piles on so much information, that it is sometimes hard to follow his argument. Unlike most of the other books in the Word Biblical Commentary series, this treatment in entirely secular in approach. If you are looking for spiritual guidance, you had better look to the works of Boring or Mounce, depending on your theological bent "
   For further reviews see Amazon Vol 1 and Georg S. Adamsen Revelation resources
3. Robert L Thomas, Vol I Revelation 1-7 (pp. 524), Vol II ch8-20, An exegetical commentary. Moody press (1992), dispensational, futurist and premillennial approach, a very detailed commentary on the Greek text and therefore an important addition and a useful resource for the scholar. Amazon The second volume is also available (Rev 8-22). Amazon
4. R. H. Charles A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John: With Introduction, Notes, and Indices Also the Greek Text and English Translation. reprint of the 1920 classic work. (568pp)
5. Isbon T. Beckwith The Apocalypse of John (Paperback) 810 pages Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers (March, 2001) reprint of 1919 edition

Full length commentaries: Top

1. Stephen S Smalley Excellent scholarly commentary based on the Greek text by a recognised Johannine scholar, less verbose than Beale, published Sep 2005, InterVarsity Press (a must buy for the scholar and advanced students) 633pp. He follows Beale in being a modified idealist following Hendriksen, Caird, Sweet and Wilcock. He regards the author as being John the apostle and assumes an early date, but this is not noticable in his comments. His introduction is short, but he has already published "Thunder and Love" which covers much introductory material. He covers a section at a time under the headings: translation, textual variants, literary setting, comment, and theology. There are a number of useful excursuses. The commentary is based on the Greek, but the Greek is transliterated. At 633pp he is not as verbose as Beale and is far more readable. Students now have to choose between Mounce, Osborne and Smalley. He regards the first seal as "lust for power"; Ch 7 deals with the church on earth and in heaven; the two witnesses are the witnessing church; the woman of Ch 12 is the covenant community of God from both the OT and NT; Babylon is worldly, idolatrous, oppressive powers; on Ch 20 he is amillennial.
2. Grant R. Osborne Revelation (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). Hardcover: 869 pages, published in Dec 2002. More accessible for the student than Beale, he is very readable and lucid and the layout is clear. He compares the views of different commentators (useful because he includes Beale and Aune). He deals with most options on difficult passages before coming to his own conclusion. Despite its size he is not over detailed. His interpretation is eclectic, i.e. he combines preterist, idealist and futurist, with the futurist being primary rather than idealist. Premill on chap 20. Uses his own translation of the Greek, which is better than the NIV. He is useful on the Greek and Greek text is transliterated. Footnotes are kept to a minimum and textual variants are left to the end of each section. There is a good bibliography and four indexes. The introduction is short (49 p) but adequate for the student. Comments on a paragraph at a time, individual verses are not indicated, which is a pity. He is a little weak on numerology and sometimes fails to see or mention contrasts such as the new Jerusalem the Bride and Babylon the whore. Overall however, a very useful commentary, which I highly recommend for students, teachers and preachers. I found him hard to put down, he reads so well. He bodes well to replace Mounce as the standard evangelical commentary for students, which is too short and now out of date.
3. R. H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, New international Commentary on the New Testament, Eerdmans, 1997 (426 pp, 2nd ed). The standard evangelical commentary for students. The 1977 first edition is the volume I referred to more than any other book. It is a scholarly work, detailed enough for most students, good but relies a bit too much on non-biblical sources, one of the best single books, includes much secondary literature, a good reference book which should be supplemented by another book Now in second edition (if you already have the 1977 first edition it is not worth buying the second edition, buy Osborne or Smalley instead). A second-hand copy of the first edition is still worth getting. Review by Georg S. Adamsen Revelation Resources.
4. Louis A. Brighton Revelation (Concordia Commentary) Concordia Publishing House; (November 1999) 673 pages, excellent commentary, Amill approach, although I think he gets the interpretation of the harlot wrong. The Greek is not transliterated, but he is very readable. His chapter heading on Rev 7 is brilliant "The church militant and the church triumphant", that alone tells me that he understands Revelation.
5. Simon Kistemaker Exposition of the Book of Revelation (New Testament Commentary) by Simon Kistemaker emeritus professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Baker Book House. Published June 2001 (576pp)
6. G. B. Caird, The Revelation of St John the Divine, Black's new testament commentaries, A & C Black. 2nd Ed 1984. Scholarly work, has a good understanding of Apocalypses, Mounce is a better reference tool but Caird has more depth (318 pp). OP
7. Gerhard A. Krodel, Revelation (Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament).Paperback - 391 pages (September 1989) Augsburg Fortress Publications; Amazon. Excellent for the preacher. "This 391 page commentary written by an American Lutheran is perhaps the favorite of mine. Krodel has provided a very good introduction where he shows himself to be more than familiar with recent scholarship, both American, English and German. The commentary is well worth studying, and might easily be considered as textbook for courses on Revelation. It is not technical, but learned. I am not sure what to think about the millennium, but I am quite sure that if you should choose to argue for a premillennialistic view, Krodel's argumentation is worth considering as one of the best available. This commentary has my warmest recommendations." Review by Georg S. Adamsen Revelation resources.
8. Alan F Johnson, Revelation, The Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 12, Zondervan. Excellent commentary and well worth getting. The full commentary by Alan Johnson is now available as a single volume in paperback (207 pp), I recommend it for students and well read laymen. Good footnotes. Amazon [Note: this is also summarised with over 100 pages in The NIV Bible Commentary, Vol. 2: New Testament, K L Barker & J R Kohlenberger III (editors), Zondervan, 1994.]
9. Craig S. Keener The NIV Application Commentary, Zondervan, 2000, 576 pp. Good, covers the original meaning and then applies it to today. Reasonable detail and footnotes. The author is well aware of the contemporary N American church situation. Recommended for teachers and preachers who have to teach Revelation. (576pp)
10. Dennis E. Johnson Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation P & R Press; (August 2001) 384 pages, very good, Amill approach (326pp)
11. Ben III Witherington. A socio-rhetorical commentary on the Book of Revelation published in Sep 2003 (320pp)
12. James B Ramsey, The book of Revelation: An exposition of the first eleven chapters, Banner of Truth Trust, 1977, 518 pp. A pious study and difficult for the modern reader, but it gives the most spiritual interpretation of any commentary, a pity he did not write on the second half of Revelation. Amazon First published in 1873 after his death in 1871.
13. Steve Gregg (Ed.), Revelation, four views: a parallel commentary, 1997, Thomas Nelson Publishers. Gives parallel comments from other commentaries devoted to the Preterist; Historicist; Futurist and Spiritual (or Symbolic or Idealist) viewpoints. Definitely a useful resource to the student of Revelation. Amazon
14. Eugene M. Boring, Revelation (Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching) Hardcover - 236 pages (October 1989) John Knox Pr; Amazon:
15. Ian Boxall The Revelation of Saint John (Black's New Testament Commentary), 2006, 347 pp. This replaces Cairds commentary. It is a good very starter for students. See my review on Amazon.
16. David Chilton, The Days of Vengeance (download for free), Dominion Press, 1987 (721 pp). This book is rather unique being preterist and postmillennial. He sees Revelation and Matthew 24 fulfilled by the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and therefore opts for the earlier date of the book. The book is very scholarly, well written and will be challenge the conventional interpretations of Revelation. I recommend it although I do not agree with his premise. Still available from American Vision's prophecy library or Amazon
17. Paige Patterson New American Commentary, Broadman & Holman Publishers, Published Nov 2000
18. H B Swete, The Apocalypse of St John, Macmillan, 1906, A classic just preceding publication of R H Charles mammoth work. Greek, Latin and several other European languages required, strictly for the scholar, otherwise his English is concise, precise and excellent (introduction 219 pp, commentary 314 pp). OP Review by Georg S. Adamsen Revelation resources
19. Kendell H Easley Holman New Testament Commentary, 1998, 438 pp. Suitable for the study leader.
20. David L. Barr Tales of the End, A Narrative Commentary on the Book of Revelation. Paperback (March 1998) Polebridge Press; ISBN: 0944344666
21. Frederick James Murphy Fallen Is Babylon : The Revelation to John (New Testament in Context) Paperback - 416 pages (August 1998) Trinity Pr Intl; ISBN: 1563381524
22. John F Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Moody press, 1989 Ed. Dispensationalist, futurist approach, widely read in America, it gives a good summary of the dispensational futurist school, much is based on Alford (350 pp). Amazon
23. William R Newell, Revelation chapter-by-chapter, 1935, this Ed 1994 Kregel Publications. Dispensational approach (393 pp). Amazon
24. Stanley M Horton, The Ultimate Victory, An Exposition of the Book of Revelation. Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, Missouri, 1991, Futurist and Premillennial; a scholarly approach and not as dogmatic as most dispensational approaches and therefore worth getting. Note this is the same author who wrote the commentary for the NTSB. (368 pp). Amazon
25. John F. MacArthur, Revelation 1 - 11 (MacArthur New Testament Commentary Series) by John, Jr. MacArthur, Hardcover - 344 pages (April 1999) Moody Press; ISBN: 0802407730. Dispensational, not as good on the Greek as I had hoped. Unfortunately, I think he gets the plot wrong, the Church is absent after Ch 4.
26. Philip Mauro Things Which Soon Must Come to Pass : Commentary on Revelation - a classic historicist commentary.
27. David Haggith, End-Time Prophecies of the Bible , 560 pp, 2000. This includes much on Revelation.
28. Austin Farrer The Revelation of St. John Divine: Commentary on the English Text (Paperback) 242 pages Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers (March, 2005) - reprint of the 1964 ed.
29. William Milligan, The book of Revelation, The expositor's bible, Hodder and Stoughton, 1893, (392 pp). A short commentary of the authors main work, written in readable English. Worth getting if you can get second hand copy.
30. Siegbert W. Becker Revelation : The Distant Triumph Song Hardcover (March 1985) Northwestern Pub House; ISBN: 081000190X (OP) Amillennial
31. Lehman Strauss, Revelation, Loizeaux brothers, 1964, 381 pp. Premillennial, dispensational approach.
32. Ralph W Harris (Executive editor), Revelation, The New Testament Study Bible (NTSB), The Complete Biblical Library, Vol. 10, 1990, World Library Press Inc., Springfield, Missouri 65802. Includes the word by word Greek text with English translation along with comment. An excellent aid, but it uses its own number system not Strong's meaning that you need to buy their 6 volume Greek-English dictionary. Note, commentary written by Horton. (428 pp).
33. Stanley M Horton, Revelation, The Preachers Outline & Sermon Bible (POSB) Vol. 13, 1992, Alpha-Omega Ministries, Inc., Leadership Ministries Worldwide, PO Box 21310, Chattanooga, TN 37424-0310, Ph 615 855 2181 Fx 615 855 8616. (314 pp). A preachers outline, mainly futuristic and somewhat dispensational, but a useful resource.
34. G R Beasley-Murray, Revelation, New Century Bible, 1981. Scholarly study (352 pp). OP
35. J P Sweet, Pelican, 1979, 361 pp. Useful for the scholar, but much is in note form. OP
36. R. C. H. Lenski, Interpretation of Revelation, 1943, Augsburg Publishing House. Scholarly but not very readable, knowledge of Greek would be an advantage (675 pp). OP
37. Homer Hailey, Revelation An Introduction and Commentary, 1979, The Wakeman Trust, 438 pp. This has an excellent section on the historical background, it is especially good on the Greek, it is a very good commentary, although I would not agree on all his (mainly late preterist) interpretation. OP

Smaller commentaries: Top

1. William Hendriksen, More than Conquerors, Baker Book House, 1962. Evangelical and scholarly, a classic of the idealist school (216 pp). He writes on a passage rather than a verse and therefore he is more useful to the layman than the student.Amazon Still popular after 60 years, and rightly so.
2. George E Ladd: A commentary on Revelation, Eerdmans, 1971. An excellent readable commentary suitable for the student and laymen. He combines the preterist approach with the futurist. (308 pp). Amazon
3. J. Ramsey Michaels, ThD, Revelation (Ivp New Testament Commentary Series, 20) by Hardcover - 300 pages (September 1997) Intervarsity Amazon. "Professor Michaels has written a commentary well worth the reading. The most interesting contribution, perhaps, is his analysis of the structure of Revelation. Michaels argues that the concept of interludes should be dismissed. In my opinion, this should be accepted at least as a working hypothesis."
4. Michael Wilcock, The Message of revelation, The Bible Speaks Today, IVP, 1975. Popular but serious work with a deep discussion on some points, well worth reading. Amazon
5. Leon Morris, Revelation, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. 2nd Ed 1987. Good scholarly summary, mainly preterist approach, 256 pp. Amazon
6. John P Newport, The Lion and the Lamb, 1986, Broadman Press. This is a nice commentary, he started out with a dispensational view and the view he now holds is described as historical-premillennial or covenant-premillennial. He quotes Mounce, Ladd and Johnson quite a lot and contrasts his views with dispensationalist such as Hal Lindsey. It is well written and one that I would recommend for the average reader. Amazon (381pp)
7. Bruce M Metzger. Breaking the Code, understanding the book of Revelation.Abingdon Press. 1993. Too short for the student but useful for those leading classes. Amazon
8. Charles H Talbert, The Apocalypse, A reading of the Revelation of John. Westminster John Knox Press. 1994. Deals with Apocalyptic literature, a useful contribution. Amazon
9. Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Revelation Vision of a Just World, Fortress Press, 150 pp.1991. Now in 2nd ed Book of Revelation : Justice & Thought 1999 240 pp. Good one for scholar or advanced student.
10. Paul T. Butler, Approaching the New Millennium: An Amillennial Look at A.D. 2000. Twenty Six Lessons on Revelation.
11. Robert W Wall, Revelation, New International Biblical Commentary, Hendrickson Publishers, 1991. A well designed but less detailed commentary, mainly idealist interpretation, a useful starter commentary for the student and good value for money. Quite extensive footnotes (295 pp). Amazon
12. Bruce B. Barton et al Life Application Bible Commentary : Revelation (Life Application Bible Commentary) Paperback - 360 pages (March 2000) Tyndale House Pub. For young Christians and study leader.
13. William Barclay, The Revelation of John, Westminster press, 1976. An excellent, readable, layman's commentary in two volumes, with much very useful background material on the Roman empire, devotional and practical. An important supplement to the above (vol. 1 (Ch 1-5) 183 pp Amazon, vol. 2 (Ch 6-22) 232 pp OP). Note the earlier edition is best if you can get it second hand.
14. Philip Edgcumbe Hughes, The book of the Revelation A commentary, 1990, IVP. Idealist amillennial approach, well written and not too academic, very readable style, suitable for the layman and as a supplement for the student (242 pp). OP
15. Merrill C Tenny, Interpreting Revelation, Wm B Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1957. There is a minor commentary on Revelation but also much additional scholarly comment on various interpretations, the Christology, eschatological method, symbolism, OT background etc. making it a very useful contribution. (220 pp.) OP
16. Geoffrey B Wilson, Revelation, Evangelical Press. 1985. Combines quotes from classic commentaries. Short but good summary, excellent value for money. OP
17. G H Lang, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, Select Studies, 1947. Little known brethren scholarly study of Revelation well worth getting hold of second-hand.
18. F F Bruce, The International Bible Commentary, 1986 Revised Ed, Zondervan, General editor F F Bruce. This is a one book bible commentary on the whole bible and the section on Revelation is small but in view of the respect for F F Bruce his views are frequently quoted. Amazon

Popular commentaries: Top

1. Craig R Koester, Revelation and the end of all things, Eerdmans, 2001. Readable guide for the layman and study leader, deals with Revelation as seen by its first century hearers (209p) recommended.
2. Lerry W Fogle, Revelation Explained, Not setting dates but seeing Jesus, Bridge Publishing, 2nd ed. 1995, Symbolic approach, concentrates on the visions of Jesus, useful for the layman (326 pp) Amazon
3. Richard Brooks, The Lamb is all the Glory, 1986, Evangelical press. Pastors treatment, too light weight to be of much use to the scholar, but useful for the layman and leading a class. Idealist in the tradition of Hendriksen.Amazon
4. Warren W Wiersbe, Be Victorious, Victor books, 1985. Preacher's treatment of Revelation. Amazon
5. Ted Grimsrud, Triumph of the Lamb, A Self-Study Guide to the book of Revelation, Herald press, 1987. (188 pp.) Amazon
6. Martin H Franzmann, The Revelation to John, A Commentary, 1968 Concordia Publishing House. (148 pp.) Amazon
7. Esther Onstad, Courage for Today - Hope for Tomorrow. A study of Revelation, 1973 Augsburg Publishing House. (144 pp.) Short commentary and study guide, useful for group bible study. Amazon
8. Tim LaHaye, Revelation Unveiled – Revised and updated ed 1999, Zondervan (384 pp.). Dispensational, anti Roman Catholic and it takes the seven churches as representing the seven church ages. Another work of fiction from LaHaye, his theology is wrong. This the revised edition of Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain. A more sensible popular dispensational commentary is the one by Walvoord.
9. R H Mounce, What are we waiting for? A commentary on Revelation. Eerdmans, 1992. A popular summary of the author's main work above. OP
10. Dr. David Reagan Wrath and Glory : Unveiling the Majestic Book of Revelation - futurist, 2001

Other reference material. Top

1. Billy Graham, Approaching Hoofbeats, Hodder and Stoughton, 1983. Deals with the seven seals of Revelation. Amazon
2. Malcolm Smith, 1981. Set of nine tapes on Revelation, Good News Crusade - Audio Tape library. The best treatment I know of belonging to the idealist school, transcripts here. Can be ordered from Good News Crusade - Audio Tape Library (£3.50 each) Tel (44) 1726 813 595 Fax (44) 1726 69853. These are post free to UK and approx cost to the USA inc postage: 1 tape $7.50, 4 tapes $27, 5 tapes $33, 6 tapes $40 VISA accepted.

   i. Christ among the Candlesticks

   ii. The throne, Lamb and sealed book

   iii. First six seals

   iv. The 144,000

   v. Two witnesses

   vi. Woman, Child and the Dragon

   vii. Beast like a Lamb

   viii. The thousand years

   ix. The New Jerusalem

   Some of these tapes can be borrowed in the US from Springs of Living Water Tape Library (free)

3. Twelve tapes on Revelation Malcolm Smith's website - he was my inspiration for this commentary, his tapes are also available there. Two sets of 6 tapes, $30 per set. Revelation I & II. These are spiritual - amillennial interpretation similar to Hendriksen. Highly recommended for laymen. 1-800-457-0947.
4. David Pawson, When Jesus returns, Hodder & Stoughton, 1995. Summarises Revelation. Discuses the rapture and the millennium. Useful discussion of the millennium. Amazon
5. Dave Hunt, A Woman Rides the Beast, 1994, Harvest house publishers, Deals with Rev 17, describes the Roman Catholic church as the woman, an antidote to ecumenism. Amazon
6. Clifford and Monica Hill, From Ephesus to Laodicea, Prophecy Today, Vol. 11, No 5. p26-27.
7. Jerome H Smith, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. 1992. Thomas Nelson Publishers. Contains some useful cross-references allowing one to compare scripture with scripture, although its view is both futurist and dispensational.
8. Arthur W Pink, The Antichrist, 1923, Kregel publications 1988. Useful background material, includes OT references to Antichrist, discusses Babylon.
9. Charles C Ryrie, Dispensationalism today, 1965, Moody press, Essential reading in order to understand the background to dispensational commentaries like Walvoord and Newell. Amazon
10. Joyce G Baldwin, Daniel, 1978, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, IVP. Early date, amill. A good first buy on Daniel. Amazon
11. Graeme Goldsworthy, The Gospel in Revelation, Paternoster press, 1984, 1994. A series of essays on Revelation which are well worth reading. Amazon
12. Leon Morris, Apocalyptic, IVP, 1973. A general study of Apocalyptic writing in general. OP
13. H H Rowley, The Relevance of Apocalyptic, A Study of Jewish and Christian Apocalypses from Daniel to the Revelation, 2nd ed., Lutterworth Press, London, 1947. OP
14. Matthew Henry's commentary in one volume, Ed. Dr. Leslie F Church, Zondervan Publishing house, 1960. Amazon
15. Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology, Banner of Truth, 1949. Worth reading for his discussion on the millennium. Amazon
16. Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament, AMG Publishers 1992. Uses Strongs number system. Amazon
17. John R W Stott, The letters of John, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Inter-Varsity Press, 1988 (234 pp). Useful discussion about the Antichrist. Amazon
18. Vines Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1985. Amazon
19. Daniel, Gleason L Archer, Jr. Daniel, The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Summarised in The NIV Bible Commentary, Vol. 1: Old Testament, K L Barker & J R Kohlenberger III (editors), Zondervan, 1994.
20. Jack Deere, Surprised by the voice of God: How God Speaks Today Through Prophecies, Dreams, and Visions. Useful comments on prophecy and also a good read, Zondervan, 1996. Amazon
21. Carlton and Mineer, Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation, using the Keys of the Feasts of the Lord, 1999. Available from amazon.com
22. Dr Kenneth L Gentry, Before Jerusalem Fell: Dating the book of Revelation, Institute for Christian Economics, 1989. Scholarly book on the dating of Revelation, which argues for an early date. Ccan be bought at prophecy books website
23. Dr Kenneth L Gentry. The beast of Revelation, Institute for Christian Economics, 1989. This is a two part book, the first is on the identity of the beast (Nero) and the second is on when Revelation was written (early date). The second part is a popular version of the author's scholarly book on the dating of Revelation 'Before Jerusalem Fell: Dating the book of Revelation'. Amazon
24. Richard J. Bauckham, The Theology of the Book of Revelation (New Testament Theology) Paperback - 169 pages (May 1993) Cambridge Univ Pr - This is almost a commentary on Revelation in itself, I was disappointed that he did not discuss John's theology of the church. Another reader found it "very enjoyable and informative. It is a small but "dense" book. Not casual reading." A bit overpriced but he has some very useful insights, and he is well regarded by the scholars. Amazon
25. Don K Preston. Who is this Babylon? Argues that Jerusalem is Babylon. http://www.eschatology.org/
26. Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones The Church and the Last Things : Great Doctrines of the Bible Vol 3. 1998. At long last we have in print what the great doctor thought about the last things including Daniel and Revelation. This book is full of common sense.
27. Interpreting the book of Revelation by Kevin J. Conner - examines various methods and principles for interpreting Revelation. Useful especially for Sunday school teachers.

The Letters to the Seven Churches.

1. William Mitchell Ramsay, Mark W. Wilson (Editor). The Letters to the Seven Churches. 1994. Classic treatment about the seven churches.Amazon
2. Colin J. Hemer The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting (The Biblical Resource Series)
3. William Barclay Letters to the Seven Churches 95 pp, Barclay is never dull.
4. John R. W. Stott What Christ Thinks of the Church: An Exposition of Revelation 1-3 (Paperback)

Go here for Images of Ephesus

Prophecy books: Top

1. R C Sproul. The Last Days according to Jesus. Baker books. 1998. This discusses the preterist view of prophecy, especially regarding Mat 24. Amazon
2. Thomas Ice and Kenneth Gentry Jr., The Great Tribulation, Kregel, 1999. Compares the partial preterist verses futurist view of Matthew 24. Amazon
3. Gary DeMar, Last Days Madness : Obsession of the Modern Church, 1999, This is a welcome corrective to the current last days madness. Partial preterist view.Amazon More books like this available from their prophecy books website.
4. Gary Demar End Times Fiction : A Biblical Consideration of the Left Behind Theology
5. Dave MacPherson, The rapture plot, 1995. The origins of the pre-trib rapture theory. Amazon
6. David Chilton, Paradise restored: A Biblical Theology of Dominion, 1985. Postmillennial. Amazon See free books from the Institute of Christian Economics
7. James Stuart Russell, The Parousia: A Critical Inquiry into the New Testament Doctrine of Our Lord's Second Coming. The 1890's classic exposition of full-Preterist Christianity. Amazon
8. Keith A Mathison. Postmillennialism: an eschatology of hope, 1999, 287 pp. This book gives a detailed description of postmillennialism. It deals with the history, OT and NT, and theological considerations including objections to postmillennialism. It includes a brief 14 page critique of full preterism (see J S Russell). Amazon
9. Kenneth L., Jr. Gentry, He Shall Have Dominion : A Postmillennial Eschatology Hardcover (September 1992) Inst for Christian Economics; ISBN: 0930464621 Amazon He Shall Have Dominion is as convincing as it is Biblical! This book is the most biblical, insightful, common-sense eschatalogical treatise in print. This book is about victory! Jesus is Victor. Dr. Gentry leaves no stone unturned. He deals seriously with ALL of the arguments typically leveled at Postmillennialism. Read it for yourself. Gentry proves that Postmillennialism is the eschatology and philosophy of history that is contained in HOLY Scripture.
10. C. Marvin Pate (Editor) Four Views on the Book of Revelation -- (Counterpoints) 1998, 192 pages. Four views on the book of Revelation are presented, critiqued, and defended: preterist (Gentry), idealist (Hamstra), and the classical dispensationalist (Thomas) and progressive dispensationalist (Pate) forms of the futurist approach. Amazon
11. Darrell L Bock. Three views on the Millennium and Beyond. Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, Amillennialism. Zondervan, 1999, 333pp. Amazon
12. Gleason L. Archer (Editor), Three Views on the Rapture : Pre; Mid; Or Post-Tribulation? (Counterpoints) by Paul D. Feinberg, Richard R. Reiter (Contributor). 1996, 272 pages.Three Views on the Rapture assumes a premillennial eschatology and contrasts the three primary rapture views. It is scholarly and probably not for the average reader.Amazon
13. Stanley J. Grenz, The Millennial Maze: Sorting Out Evangelical Options. IVP, 1992, 239 pages. Amazon.
14. Gary North, Gary Demar, Christian Reconstruction: What It Is, What It Isn't. Paperback - 219 pages (June 1994) Inst for Christian Economics. In today's world, Christians have been told that there is nothing they can do to improve society. This idea is the devil's own lie. Christians have believed this, but the results have been anything but neutral: secular humanism, New Age mysticism, and abortion on demand. In the name of neutrality, Christians have handed the world over to Satan and his covenanted disciples.Amazon
15. Keith A. Mathison, Dispensationalism : Rightly Dividing the People of God? Paperback - 160 pages (July 1995) Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing Company. You don't have to have a PhD to understand his writing style. Mathison's treatment is complete and concise. Single-best layman's intro to Dispensational criticism. Amazon
16. Greg L. Bahnsen, Kenneth L Gentry, House Divided : The Break-Up of Dispensational Theology Hardcover (November 1989) Inst for Christian Economics; Amazon
17. J. Marcellus Kik, Eschatology of Victory Paperback (February 1992) Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing Company; Amazon
18. Marvin J. Rosenthal The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church
19. Robert D. Van Kampen The Rapture Question Answered : Plain and Simple.
20. William E Cox, Amillennialism Today, Paperback (January 1992) Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing Company. 143 pages. Defining and explaining 'amillennialism' . Cox shows that our understandings of eschatology, the second advent, the resurrection, the judgement, and the final state should be determined by the entirety of Scripture (not just Revelation 20). Amazon
21. William E Cox, An examination of Dispensationalism, 1992, Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co, 61 pages. An antidote to dispensationalism. Amazon
22. William E Cox, Biblical studies in Final things, 1992, Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co. 226 pages. Covers Daniels 70th week, Israel and the church, tribulation, antichrist, second coming, resurrection, judgement, millennium, Rev 20, etc.Amazon
23. Craig A. Blaising, Darrell L. Bock, Progressive Dispensationalism. Hardcover (November 1993) Baker Book House; A non-technical discussion of Progressive Dispensationalism Amazon
24. Robert Horton Gundry First the Antichrist : A Book for Lay Christians Approaching the Third Millennium and Inquiring Whether Jesus Will Come to Take the Church Out of the Tribulation
25. George Eldon Ladd Blessed Hope. Argues that the rapture and the Second Coming occur together. 167p.
26. Robert Horton Gundry The Church and the Tribulation
27. Millard J. Erickson A Basic Guide to Eschatology : Making Sense of the Millennium
28. Josephus; The Complete Works by William Whiston, Flavius Josephus Hardcover - 1200 pages (January 1999) Thomas Nelson; Amazon
29. Flavius Josephus, The Jewish War (The Penguin Classics) by G. A. Williamson (Translator), E. Mary Smallwood (Photographer) Paperback - 511 pages Reissue edition (April 1984) Viking Pr Amazon
30. Eusebius : The History of the Church from Christ to Constantine by Eusebius, G.A. Williamson (Translator) Paperback - 434 pages (April 1990) Penguin USA (Paper) Amazon

The best book on the KJV Only debate is The King James Only Controversy : Can You Trust the Modern Translations? by James R. White, from Amazon

By Their Blood: Christian Martyrs of the Twentieth Century , by James and Marti Hefley. There have been more people martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ in the 20th Century than in all the previous nineteen combined.

Looking for a good holiday read: Top

Jung Chang Wild Swans : Three Daughters of China (1992 524pp). Biography of a grandmother, mother and daughter in China during the 20th century. This is a good read and also the author went to my university.Amazon This is not a Christian account for this see Life and Death in Shanghai

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