Recommended Revelation Commentaries for Lay People (and the Top 3 For In-Depth Study)
By Steven L. Childers
The New Testament Book of Revelation is known for being one of the most enigmatic and misunderstood texts in religious literature. Its symbolic language and complex imagery have led to countless interpretations, many of which diverge from one another, causing much confusion and misinterpretation for church leaders and members.
Recognizing the need for clear guidance, we've reached out to trusted scholars to curate a list of recommended accessible commentaries on the Book of Revelation. What sets this list apart is that the recommended commentaries are thoughtfully classified by the three major theological positions.
The futurist view sees most of Revelation as awaiting a future fulfillment.
The preterist view (from the Latin word preter, which means “past”) sees most of Revelation as having been fulfilled around AD 70 with the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem.
The idealist view emphasizes a symbolic or spiritual interpretation and sees Revelation as being fulfilled throughout the history of the church.
This unique approach allows you to understand the commentator's underlying theological view, offering insight into their interpretations and enabling you to evaluate their conclusions in contrast and comparison to other respected views.
Whether you're a curious reader or someone seeking deeper spiritual understanding of the book of Revelation, these recommended resources have been carefully selected to help guide you through the profound layers of meaning within this mysterious book.
Book of Revelation Commentaries for Laypeople[1]
Brooks, Richard. The Lamb is All the Glory. Welwyn: Evangelical Press, 1986. English text. Popular. Idealist. Amil.[2] 222 pp.
*Colclasure, Chuck. The Overcomers: Discovering Hope in the Book of Revelation. 2d edn. Nashville: Nelson, 2020. Idealist. Amil. Down-to-earth language, vigorous application and illustration. Excellent as a popular exposition. 208 pp.
*Hendriksen, William. More than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1961. English text. Idealist. Amil. 237 pp.
Metzger, Bruce M. Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation. Nashville: Abingdon, 1993. Preterist, and some degree of Idealist. Amil. 143 pp.
Mounce, Robert H. What Are We Waiting For? Commentary on Revelation. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992. Popular level, with more attention to application. Futurist. Premil. 152 pp.
Thomas, Derek. Let’s Study Revelation (Let’s Study Series). Banner of Truth, 2003. Popular. Idealist. Amil. 224 pp.
Wilcock, Michael. I Saw Heaven Opened: The Message of Revelation. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1975. English text. Idealist. Amil view. 223 pp.
More in-depth commentaries:
*Beale, G. K. Revelation: A Shorter Commentary (Eerdmans, 2015) This is the widely acclaimed master commentator on Revelation. This is his abridged 1,300 pp. Idealist. Amil. 552 pp.
Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation, NICNT (Eerdmans, 1997) Premil. 475 pp.
Phillips, Richard, Revelation: Study Guide to the Book of Revelation (P&R, 2017) Idealist. Amil. Technical. 784 pp.
*Recommended first commentaries in each category
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[1] Compiled by Steve Childers (Pathway Learning) from recommendations received from Vern Poythress (Westminster Seminary-Philadelphia) and John Hughes (P&R Publishing-Academic).
[2] The idealist view of Revelation emphasizes a symbolic or spiritual interpretation in distinction from other major interpretations of Revelation such as the futurist view and the preterist view. The futurist view sees most of Revelation as awaiting a future fulfillment. The preterist view (from the Latin word preter, which means “past”) sees most of Revelation as having been fulfilled around AD 70 with the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. The idealist view sees Revelation as being fulfilled throughout the history of the church.
