The Book of Revelation (New International Greek Testament Commentary) Hardcover – October 1, 1998

I pastor a church (10+ yrs now) about 2 hours from Wheaton College where Beale currently teaches. I audited his Spring 2006 course on Revelation in Greek. I have to say that the man is on fire for God's word. He's got a contagious zeal for the book of Revelation. We had a Greek student (from Greece) in class and visitors from Greece. Apparently they like him a lot.His exegetical method weighs heavily on a unique approach that includes a relatively rare Discourse Analysis process that Wheaton and about 6 other schools now teach in their Biblical Interpretations Courses. I think someone at Fuller developed it. The Discourse Analysis process is a nice addition to the regular NT Exegesis that Gordon Fee has outlined for everyone in "NT Exegesis". It seems to help the students catch the flow of the text and to connect ideas in a more complex and systematic way than a regular flow analysis.The linkages to the OT Prophetic books are overwhelming. Beale literally drips with quotations...his live course is about the same as the book. Just compare the quotes on one of his pages to any other commentary and you get way more for your money with Beale.If you are preaching through Revelation, get Beale and Poythress (The Returning King). I recommend Poythress' outline for a sermon series...and Beale for more exegetical tips and references than you could possibly study for a typical sermon in a week. If you don't know Greek, then Poythress will really help you. His outlines preach well. My main criticism of Beale's work is that his Exegetical Summaries for each section sound very much like a summary that a scholar who does not have to speak to regular folks very often would give. It's not preachable...you will have to rework it to keep people with you if you are preaching. That's why Poythress is great...he gives preachable phrases that harmonize well with Beale's material.I think a reviewers' criticism of Beale's failure to interact as clearly with the Preterist is accurate. I don't think Beale needs to interact with them as the reviewer claims. Beale's reasons for rejecting the Preterists approach are solid and difficult to get past (he convinced me). For example, he sees a problem with substituting a world-wide judgement with what happened in Jerusalem. He doesn't think the text warrants that sort of conclusion. He sees a problem with denying a phsyical resurrection. Because of these reasons, (and he has others listed in his book as well), he chooses to interact with the Premillenial view more.I think another book that must be recognized by Revelation students is Regnum Caloreum (see my review on that). He also interacts a lot with Osborne. He recommends Regnum Caloreum and Poythress among other commentators. He seems to interact the most with Mounce, Osborne, Aune, Smalley to name a few.I think that the argument one reviewer criticizes on 'show' in Revelation 1:1 is convincing (the other reviewer says it is confusing...but it really is quite simple) when we look at the useage of 'SEMAINW' throughout the NT-and the stuff of Revelation itself. One clear example of this is the famous use of the term in John 3:14-16 where Jesus interprets the symbol from the desert story about the serpent on a pole being lifted up to provide healing for all who look on it. I cannot recall if Beale uses that exact illustration, but that is the sort of thing he does throughout this book. Sometimes you do have to read slowly to really grasp what he is saying...because he's quite technical.Also-Beale makes a case for a strong link to Daniel. He wrote a book about this. Really his case in the NIGTC Revelation rests on that as well. He builds a very strong case for tying the book of Revelation to the Daniel 2:29-45 dream story about Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel. He shows that phrase in Revelation 1:1; 4:1, and 22:6 'hA Dei Genesthai...' is found only in Daniel 2:28/29 Theo and Daniel 2:45. This grammatically points Revelation 1:1; 4:1 and 22:6 to the dream Daniel interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar...and is therefore an interpretive key to Revelation. The Kingdom which Nebuchadnezzar sees starting during the reign of the Roman Empire Kings (if we follow the typical view on that dream)...is that the Kingdom of God which will never end is NOT something of the future only...it is something that has started...inaugurated by Jesus Christ Himself and will ultimately culminate in the justice of all wrongs and the new Jerusalem/new community.So Beale really is laying out a case for an "Inaugurated Kingdom" which began in the first century...and is prophetically and apocalyptically portrayed in Revelation. This "Inaugurated Kingdom" is expanding and will never be overthrown.The densely packed inferences to OT and Jewish apocalypic literature reinforces the fact that John is portraying the coming Kingdom has now come. The grammatical links to Daniel 2 matching the beginning and end of a story has a similar feeling the the phrase 'In the beginning'...which reminds the reader who knows the bible of two passages...Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1. The fact that there are connections between those two passages should not be lost. Similarly there are links between Daniel 2 and Revelation...not only in the verses quoted...but throughout the entire book. Revelation 1:1, 4:1 and 22:6 all point to Daniel 2:28/45 in the exact way that John 1:1 points to Genesis 1:1. The three word phrase is a direct quote. In Revelation 1, 4 and 22 these are the only places in the entire LXX/GNT where the phrase is quoted from Daniel 2.I think if you read him with a hungry and open heart you will catch fire for the most complex and detailed work of the New Testament...the book of Revelation.Beale's capturing of extensive extrabiblical references to support the inferences from OT scripture is also overwhelming.He contends, successfully, in my view, that the OT is consistently interpreted with the same hermeneutic that is recommended today. He's very good. I have to say that he is a scholar's scholar. Tough to disprove and no one can ignore him on the book of Revelation and maintain a convincing argument. Many fail to convincingly refute him. Many of his points are overwhelmingly convincing...some are not as powerful, but his overall perspective won over every single student in our class (that I could see) and there were some of the sharpest students I've ever sat with in that class. The material in this book is essentially what we studied...so I would not be surprised if you are not stretched beyond normal for a commentary of this sort.You will use it over and over if you buy it. I heartily give this one a five star rating.

This is an exhaustive commentary on the Book of Revelation. Dr. Beale is a genius and this is his masterpiece. I highly recommend this volume to any serious student of the Word of God. If you want to go deep into Revelation, look no further. This is hands down the most thorough exegesis and commentary of the Book of Revelation.

The commentary by Beale can serve as the main commentary you use to study Revelation. The density of the book may turn some readers off to it; however, it is organized to give readers clear indications of each sections content, the main assertions and interpretations, special sections to provide more focused discussion and further references and background on texts. It is not necessary to know Greek to use this commentary.I read through this entire book in preparing a study on Revelation and found that it was an excellent choice for such use. I think Beale approaches Revelation with a sound theological foundation, understanding of Biblical theology, appreciation for historical, literary and religious contexts, and awareness of various views and arguments for the big and small pictures of Revelation.Beale writes for the highest level of academia, as this is often a text used by seminary classes, and he is accessible for the seasoned lay reader. In other words, this book does not require a seminary education to understand and appreciate. It does require a passion to gain understanding and wisdom of the Book of Revelation and God's salvation.Like all good commentaries on Revelation, Beale introduces and discusses the several approaches to interpreting the book. I think Beale's method and approach to interpreting Revelation are correct theologically, historically and Scripturally. He describes his approach as Eclectic or Redemptive-Historical. He recognizes historically relevant texts without limiting them to one historical reality. He recognizes those texts that refer to future events as relevant to Christians in all ages. He takes up the crucial and challenging task to identify through careful exegesis how texts pertain to the past, present and future. He sees most symbols as applicable to realities throughout the "church age" until the New Jerusalem descends at the return of Jesus. This approach allows for the "Already-Not Yet" reality of God's Kingdom and Christ's rule. Beale identifies the various genres in Revelation and interprets them appropriately.Beale writes, "The book portrays an end-time new creation which has irrupted into the present old world through the death and resurrection of Christ, as well as through the sending of the Spirit at Pentecost." He often restates themes of Revelation emphasized to the original audience and to the church in all times.Throughout the book, Beale will cite differing views on texts and then offer his interpretation and why. I found this process helpful. Those who approach Revelation with a different interpreation such as a futurist view would be well served to read this and examine Beale's interpretation against their own.Beale has contributed the chapter on Revelation to the book Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament And in this commentary on Revelation, he provides many references and connections between Revelation and the Old Testament. This is a necessity to understanding and interpreting Revelation correctly. Beale stays faithful to New Testament and Old Testament teachings in his interpretation of Revelation. What Beale writes concerning the "millenium" in Revelation 20 reveals his approach: "the only hope of obtaining any clarity about this segment is to interpret it primarily in the light of its closest parallels elsewhere in the [Book of Revelation] and in the New Testament and Old Testament." BEale also references extra-canonical sources and traditions when helpful.Ultimately, Beale's interpretation centers on the gospel of Jesus Christ -- the cross, resurrection, ascension, pouring out of the Holy Spirit and his promised return and consummating his kingdom. Beale writes the following concerning the suffering of saints revealed in the book: "Suffering of Christians is a sign, not of Satan's victory, but of the saints' victory over Satan because of their belief in the triumph of the cross, with which their suffering identifies them." As Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain and is alive, is the center of Revelation, He is the center of this commentary, too.I can fully recommend this book to help readers gain the correct message of Revelation, its purposes, truths, warnings, confrontations, etc. The message of Revelation is an imperative for the church, and it is important for the church to study the message and teach it correctly. This book is a great tool for that purpose.