The Climax of Prophecy: Studies on the Book of Revelation

by Richard Bauckham

The Apocalypse of John is a work of immense importance and learning. Yet among the major works of early Christianity included in the New Testament it has received relatively little scholarly attention. This work is a significant contribution to remedying this neglect. The author examines the meticulous literary artistry, creative imagination, radical political critique and profound theology of the Apocalypse of John. It is a sustained enterprise to understand both the form and the message of the Apocalypse in its literary and historical contexts. An invaluable and illuminating work for students, scholars and ministers

Genres: Biblical Studies, Theology, Religion, Biblical, New Testament, Reference, Christian

550 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Richard Bauckham (PhD, University of Cambridge) is senior scholar at Ridley Hall, Cambridge University, in Cambridge, England, where he teaches for the Cambridge Federation of Theological Colleges. He is also a visiting professor at St. Mellitus College, London, and emeritus professor of New Testament at the University of St. Andrews. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and the author of numerous books.

Reviews

[Douglas Fyfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone interested in a close reading across the book of Revelation, this is your book. When Bauckham applies himself to a question he is uniquely able to get to the core of it and make it clear to others. His opening essay on the structure is thorough and convincing, and the rest of the book follows in much the same vein. He traces themes through the book, such as the hope of the nations or the imagery around Nero, and carefully explains how John has explored them. Bauckham has an encyclopaedic knowledge of apocalyptic literature of the period and describes the complicated relationship between it and Revelation, without resorting to easy answers.
This book is by no means an easy read, but it is very well paced in bite-sized chunks, and very much worth your effort.

[Seumas Macdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is one of the best books i have read at a scholarly level regarding the book of Revelation

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

11 brilliant essays mine the book of Revelation from literary, theological, and cultural-historical directions. For scholars only.

[Caleb Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

By no surprise, Bauckham's The Climax of Prophecy is a thorough study of Revelation, particularly of its literary, historical, and thematic elements. Though it does touch on Revelation's theology in some chapters, he deals with that in greater detail in his smaller volume, The Theology of the Book of Revelation. Up until the time that Bauckham wrote this book, there was very little secondary literature on Revelation. Thirty years later, that has changed substantially, but though some of Bauckham's work is a little outdated, it still remains invaluable for the serious student of Revelation. Bauckham's command of the primary and secondary literature, especially historical works, opens up new understandings for the complex and daunting content of Revelation. The last chapter, "Nero and the Beast," stands out as being a fitting capstone to such a fine study. Bauckham never misses the forest for the trees, which tends to be the temptation for many scholars when studying Revelation. Even where disagreements on exegetical conclusions stand, any student or scholar will be rewarded by having The Climax of Prophecy next to them as they study Revelation.

[An Te · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without doubt, this is an advanced study on the Book of Revelation. This is a single commentator's reflection on the book of Revelation by a seasoned theologian. His treatment is in depth on many angles particularly concerning the images and meanings behind the Dragon and Lamb. His reflections on the economic aspect of Babylon as 'Rome' and on the cargoes (Rev 18:12ff) was a rip-roaring smorgasbord of sources from antiquity were highlights.

Lastly, I found the last chapter on gematria a little hard going and gave up the ghost on the matter. I think pursuing arcane codes to unearth the Beast as a portentous 'Nero revivified' is a little farfetched for my liking.

In sum, it's a helpful summary but it's far less comprehensive than you would expect. They are more reflections, as indicated in the title, to provoke thought. For a comprehensive summary, refer to a different source before reading this. Reading this first may shut down your imagination and put you on a wild goose chase of Bauckham's crafting...

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bauckham because he has so many brilliant insights and does such a thorough job of making his case, whatever that might be. It sometimes feels like a slog getting through all the details, but all those details give me more confidence in his argument. I look forward to coming back to this one when I do a deep study of Revelation some day.

[Charles Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

The BEST book on revelation, bar none. This one is a compilation of essays, all rather technical, on various aspects of Revelation. One chapter, "The conversion of the nations" is new for this volume, and is alone worth the price of the book. The thesis is that it is the faithful nonviolent witness of the church that will "convert the nations". Bauckham leaves no stone unturned here!

[Alan Fuller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bauckham offers a literary and numerical analysis of the text. He then compares it to other ancient apocalyptic literature. The later part of the book is an examination of Nero and Imperial Roman history.

[Jared Hiebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to understand the overall themes of this oft misunderstood book. It's a heavy one, but very much worth the time and effort it takes to read it.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the most comprehensive book I’ve read on Revelation, but maybe the best. And I’ve read quite a few!

[Mary Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still am working my way through this work.

I like the fact it is a series of stand alone essays.

I am disappointed in that it deals far more widely with how certain language is used in the wider world of apocalyptic than the Book of Revelation. I am feeling that it is not giving me sufficient analysis of how particular apocalyptic language is used in the Book of Revelation that I would like.

But when I have finished working through it I will adjust this review.

I still tend toward Caird and Beale for Revelation with great material from Bob Mulholland on Asbury iTunes site.

[Tommi Karjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good exposition. I hoped to be able to read more on methodology.

[Rob Dalrymple · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read. For the serious student. One who knows Greek