Revelation: A Shorter Commentary

by Gregory K. Beale, David Campbell

G. K. Beale’s monumental New International Greek Testament Commentary volume on Revelation has been highly praised since its publication in 1999. This shorter commentary distills the superb grammatical analysis and exegesis from that tome (over 1,300 pages) into a book more accessible and pertinent to preachers, students, and general Christian readers.As in the original commentary, Beale views Revelation as an integrated whole, as a conscious continuation of the Old Testament prophetic books, and shows that recognizing Revelation’s nearly constant use of Old Testament allusions is key to unlocking its meaning. Interspersed throughout the volume are more than sixty sets of “Suggestions for Reflection” to help readers better grasp the relevance of Revelation to their lives and our world today.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Biblical Studies, Christianity, Reference, New Testament, Nonfiction

576 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2014

About the author

G. K. Beale (PhD, University of Cambridge) is professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is the coeditor of the Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament and the author of numerous books, including A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New.

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone raised on hardcore Dispensationalism, this was a really refreshing reading of Revelation. Beale makes Revelation relevant to the whole church by emphasizing and elucidating the figurative and spiritual meaning of the visions rather than speculation based on literal interpretation and application to earthly future or past events. Beale has also added questions for reflection, which I found surprisingly helpful. I haven't read the original, but this abridgment remains a learned work. No Greek knowledge is required, but there is a ton of detailed exegetical and grammatical information being conveyed, so it did take work to stay focused. Beale's constant reference to OT prophesy, especially Daniel and Isaiah, made me wish I had studied or at least refreshed myself on those shortly before reading this. The shortening means there are no footnotes. There were a couple typos, but not to the point of annoyance.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best commentaries on any book of the Bible that I've read. Didn't deliver many jaw-dropping-stunned-into-silence insights, but it's clear, lucid, straightforward, and compelling in its interpretations and strikes the perfect note of readability: not so technical that it's arduous to get through, not so pastoral that you're left wanting for substance.

[Henry Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. Does it feel dense and slow at times? Yes, it is an exegetical commentary. Is it long? Yes, but it’s actually the abridged version. Does it cast a plausible, defendable, devotional, applicable, and imminently important vision of the most confusing book in the Bible? Yes.

Read slow, apply thoroughly, and Beal will not let you down.

[Ethan Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent commentary on the book of Revelation and very accessible. Obviously, one may not agree with every jot and tittle of the commentary, especially in a book such as Revelation. There are consistently ingenious insights into the text. Yet, what is most helpful and compelling is Beale's thoughtful approach to interpreting Revelation. He rightly highlights the OT as the dominant influence on the Apocalypse. This would be an ideal resource for pastors as each section is concluded with suggestions for practical application.

[Etienne OMNES · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le commentaire raccourci de l'Apocalypse par G.K Beale est une très bonne ressource, qui sait rendre accessible le livre de l'Apocalypse, en gardant à la fois l'immense érudition du précédent ouvrage sur lequel il est basé, et une vulgarisation réussie.

Il développe une interprétation symbolique de l'Apocalypse, sur la base du prologue même de l'Apocalypse. La structure est irréprochable, on comprend très bien sans avoir besoin d'être un spécialiste. Beale l'a écrit en vue d'aider à la prédication, et si j'avais à prêcher dessus, ce serait une ressource en platine.

Bref, je recommande^^

[Taylor Callen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best commentary on Revelation I’ve ever come across. Beale rights with unparalleled insight when it comes to Revelation’s use of the Old Testament. Beyond thankful for this book and recommend it to everyone I can.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beale does like his eternal conscious torment, but there's no better writer on the thread of temple theology running throughout Scripture.

[Alan Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beale's commentary is one of the best around. It fully explores biblical allusions found in Revelation. However, I do think it deserves some criticism.

The number seven symbolizes completeness for Beale, as well as every other number in Revelation except six. Actually, at one point he says that six symbolizes both completeness and incompleteness. The reason for seven of course is because of the creation week, but he doesn't use that idea to consistently structure the text, despite the many allusions to Genesis 1-3. However, he does mention that the idea of de-creation is in Revelation.

In apocalyptic we usually see a heavenly messenger and then a message or vision. Beale chooses not to use that pattern in his overall structure of the text, although he recognizes it in the churches section. Instead he resorts to inserted parentheticals and broken numbered narratives. He says there is a lack of concern for chronology in the book.

For instance, 12:5 represents the entire Gospel, but the first birth of Christ is in view in 12:2. The twelve stars represent the disciples or believing community. His real birth is the resurrection. That seems not to match the narrative to me. Christ claimed to see Satan fall before his resurrection (Luke 10:18).

Much is made about the fact that the explaining angel in 17:1 is one of the bowl angels, while that identification is practically ignored in 21:9. The second (18:1) and fourth (19:17) angels in that series are misidentified as the first and second. (17:1, 18:1, 18:21, 19:17, 20:1, 20:7 end of thousand years and gathering (16:12), 21:9)

The chiliasm in the early church was based on the idea of six days of creation and six thousand years of history. Reformers such as Luther and Wesley recognized this as the "double millennium" in Rev 20. Beale never mentions the six thousand years or double millennium. He criticizes historicism for producing many different interpretations, but are there many interpreters with the same understanding as Beale? He uses the terms redemptive history, history and world history synonymously in a confusing way, without much clarification.

If we want to find out what Revelation is about we need to compare with writings that are the most similar and from about the same time period. Many modern theologians tend to ignore extra-biblical writings from the early church, when the teaching tradition of the apostles was still fresh. Did the Word of God go out without effect (Rom 9:6)? Beale makes four times as many references to the Targums and rabbinic teachings than he does to the Christian church fathers. Why is that? In the Shepherd of Hermas I find at least 20 similarities to Revelation. He also mostly ignores apocalyptic non-canonical literature from the second temple period as well. 1 Enoch mentions 7 mountains 6 times (Rev 17:9). We hear nothing from Beale about that. Although he considers mountains "spiritual geography" in OT prophecy, he thinks the seven mountains in Revelation may have been influenced by the seven hills Rome was built on. How does that fit in with completeness? Just a coincidence? Somehow it all has to do with the worlds corrupt economic and apostate religious kingdoms.

Perhaps Beale is right about everything, but there is room for greater scrutiny. For some good alternative views I suggest "Revelation of John, The: A Narrative Commentary," by James L. Resseguie.

[J. Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. If you are studying Revelation, whether your Amil, Premil, or Postmil, this book will still benefit you. He connects the Bible’s temple theme well and uses the OT extensively in exegeting Revelation. While I am not agreeable with his exegesis entirely as a partial preterist, I gleaned a lot and found him helpful in connecting the total Biblical narrative to the themes and imagery used in Saint John’s Revelation of Jesus Christ. Full of exhortations for todays church (as he believes the book is being fulfilled throughout the age of the church) without being a dispensational cloud watcher. Additionally, he has very helpful and thought provoking discussion questions after each section. Fantastic work. Side note, I did not read it cover-to-cover but used it as a resource throughout my study of Revelation and read much of the text.

[Brenden Ashby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forgot to include this commentary last year on my Revelation reads. This is the "shorter" version of Beale's entry in the NIGTC. The amount of detail in this shorter volume is impressive. I think the strongest point of this volume is the amount of Old Testament connections, allusions, and citations the author shows Revelation makes.

That being said, as much as I loved it, I had to stop using it to teach Revelation. Not because it was a bad commentary but because I was so interested in the Old Testament connections that it was starting to bog down my class. Of course, that's more of a me problem than a Beale problem!

Highly recommend.

[John Pawlik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful commentary in its simplicity, Beale is a classic on Revelation. Two main issues hung around consistently, the first is his repetitive writing style. Even with David Campbell editing the book down he still takes the long way around saying things.

The second issue is that he strains a lot of the text down through his reformed theology in a way that reduces the scope of the text. He misses the love and holistic witness the church is called to at times and falls into many classic reformed pitfalls.

Tom Schreiner’s commentary has been much better so far if you are looking for an alternative, but I’m still working on it!

[Drake Barnhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily, my favorite commentary on Revelation I’ve come across. Highly accessible and enjoyable.

[Kelle Craft · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his shorter commentary, Beale brings together a pastorally rich yet theologically rigorous and insightful understanding of the book of Revelation. Understanding this book in light of its own unique genre, symbolism, and myriad of OT allusions, he shows that if one is really to understand this book that many in the church stray from trying to understand, one must know the OT well, along with the entire meta narrative of Scripture. Beale illustrates from his work in biblical theology that he succeeds in understanding both and we are rewarded with the rich insight he brings, allowing the average lay member to be well equipped in understanding this often neglected book.

Although this is the shorter commentary (@ 500+ pgs) and is merely one giant footnote to his larger commentary (@ 1100+ pgs) it doesn’t lack in showing differing views/interpretations of texts, and working occasionally with outside references outside the biblical text, it also incorporates multiple reflections for pastoral/personal application after each section of the text, making this great for the busy pastor or lay person trying to have a good understanding of the book without getting drenched into all the nuances of the Gk text and critical scholarship. This book has helped me to better treasure and understand the book of Revelation.

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very in depth commentary about Revelation, almost too in depth for my purposes. I definitely learned from it, yes, but I read commentaries more like Bible studies and read them cover to cover with whatever book of the Bible I am currently choosing to read at that point in time, and this is set up more for seminary students/pastors to use in reference for their sermons/papers. After 500+ pages of verse by verse, it became pretty repetitive, since a lot of Revelation is actually kinda repetitive. I understand that the numbers and such are symbolic but telling me that every time a verse when the number 12 came up got to become quite the task to get through. It was, however, interesting seeing his commentary on the different Greek words and how that plays out in the book of Revelation. As American Christians, I think that is something we don’t focus enough on: the fact that the Bible was originally written in Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew and so some of the grammar is very different so I really did appreciate how in depth he went with that and that he would point out “This Greek word is only used once in Revelation.” That was super insightful to me and I love when commentaries focus on Greek/Hebrew words.

[Jim Kirkwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the Best!

I have just finished reading this book cover to cover, or should that be beginning to end. I wish that qualified me in some way to provide a more academic review but all I would be doing is quoting this book. What it did do for me, as a layman, is give me a greater understanding of God's purpose as it is revealed in Revelation without the usual Hollywood style of stupid speculation based upon the latest news stories of the media. I love the way it explained the scriptural background to the text. If you want to go deeper into Revelation, then this book should be your first choice. There may be others. Hendrickson's "More than Conquerors", is a lighter but worthy read. And I have not read Grant Osbourne's commentary yet, though I understand that is a worthy contender.

[Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beale's "shorter" commentary is both deeply theological and richly pastoral in nature. I didn't agree with all of his interpretations (I'm still a historic premillenialist rather than an amillenialist), but Beale has definitely made a big impact in the way I approach the book of Revelation as a whole. As a result, I found Revelation to be more interesting, edifying, and enjoyable to read than I ever have before.

[Andrew Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used this all throughout my papers for class on Revelation. For a "shorter commentary" it is unparalleled in value and digs deep of a beautiful consistent trinitarian hermeneutic. Definitely need to buy the full one but for the purpose it was condensed it seems it couldn't be much better. Thank you, Dr. Beale.

[Matt Quintana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greg Beale's Revelation commentary in the NIGTC series is unmatched in terms of its depth and comprehensiveness. However, at over 1,300 pages, it is far beyond the capacity of many pastors, and its technicality scares many away. Enter this "shorter" commentary. Now, this work is still not small (nearly 600 pages), but it is far and away more accessible and easy to use (not to mention that is also much cheaper!). The exhaustive and impressive exegetical work of the original volume is included, though it is summarized and consolidated, repackaged in a format that is much easier to digest. There are no footnotes or technical excursuses, and after a short introduction, the commentary proceeds section by section through the entire book. One helpful feature of the work is that each unit contains a one sentence summary/main idea statement. These are found at the beginning of large sections, spanning several chapters, as well as at the start of smaller units, consisting of a handful of verses. Additionally, there are theological and pastoral reflections aiding in application included for each major unit. Beale is a leading authority on the New Testament's use of the Old, and his scholarly work on the use of the Hebrew Bible in Revelation shines through here. Not everyone will agree with his interpretations or intertextual proposals, but it is clear that all of his ideas are exegetically informed and arise from a close study of the Greek text. Overall, Beale offers a coherent and compelling case for an amillennial interpretation of the book. His work is theologically sensitive and canonically informed, and will provide any student of the Apocalypse with more than enough to sink their teeth into. This should be a top priority commentary for any preacher or teacher of John's Revelation, especially if they are unable to tackle the technicality of his offering in the NIGTC series.

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An elder in our church first told me about this book several years ago, and my dad got me a copy. I was a bit intimidated by the density of the information, so it took me a while to pick it up and try to get through it. Even with my determination, it took me three months to get through this book, but I am SO glad I did.

Beale cuts through the extremely prevalent belief that Revelation should only be understood literally and instead shows that it should be interpreted through the lens of symbology. He goes through the entire Bible, especially the Old Testament, and shows many verses as examples of how to interpret this seemingly impenetrable book.

There is so much in this commentary that I can’t explain it all. Beale goes into great detail on every verse, drawing connections between Revelation and the rest of the Bible to elucidate every point. The amount of information is staggering to a non-scholar like me, and this is just the SHORTER commentary. But it is definitely worth reading.

I wouldn’t get into this book without realizing that it’s a huge undertaking, especially if you are pre-millennial or post-millennial. This book challenges almost all of the common beliefs about Revelation and the end-times, and it’s so refreshing to see a view that makes sense and speaks to the ENTIRE church age. If you want to learn about the redemptive-historical amillennialism viewpoint. Just be prepared to have your world shaken.

[Caleb Reese · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ironic time to read this. I meant to read this along with Revelation all year (and I did) to help me "figure out my eschatology". Little did I know, there would be a lot more "figuring out" lol. I guess by default I align with his a-mil view now!

I admire anyone who wants to tackle trying to understand Revelation because of its well-earned reputation of being difficult to understand. So in that, I give Beale props. I don't know what I expected from a commentary, but he seemed to have his position, distinctly reformed and a-mil, and communicated it as if it were absolutely true. So...on what basis? Why should I believe your arguments and frameworks over anyone else's? Someone in his position has to show that his interpretation is obviously the most true because he did the best research, or something. Then I guess the reader has to decide which argument is most compelling...to them. Sounds exhausting.

A lot of it was also fairly dry and repetitive, but I can't really fault him for that either, given the dense nature of the text.

[Joe Koehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though never using the phrase, Beale and Campbell assume something close to amillenialism, rejecting a chronological-futuristic interpretation of Revelation, and instead favoring an interpretation of the vision-sequences of 7's as recapitulations of the same events. Arguing from many different angles, the authors make a strong case for their view: Development and allusion to OT passages; the incoherency of futurist claims, the failure of a futurist view to have any blessing on readers, save those believers at the end of the age. Authors do allow for some texts to be seen as still off in the future, but see most of these events ignited by the death and resurrection of the Messiah, and manifested in the Church age (i.e. now). Format of the commentary is helpful and accessible
for any average reader, offering in-depth analysis of OT texts, as well as helpful reflections at the end of each section.

[Leslie Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this 10 stars if I could! I was pointed to GK Beale while reading Nancy Guthrie’s book on Revelation titled BLESSED. That book whet my appetite to dig deeper and since she referenced Beale often I decided to order his (shorter!) commentary. I was not disappointed. I read it devotionally each morning. Took me 4 months; worth every minute. I’m just a layperson but I found it very accessible. I love all the OT references and how there is a connection to the OT in just about every verse in The Revelation. I also appreciate how clearly Beale demonstrates the “recapitulation” present in the passages referring to the seals, trumpets, and bowls, which makes Revelation relevant to our life in the present and not just something in the future. What a blessing it is to have this revelation, ultimately a letter to the church universal from the Lord Jesus Himself! And what a blessing this commentary is to His church! Soli Deo Gloria!!!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am by no means a Biblical scholar. But I am a Christian who loves to study and understand scripture. I found this commentary to be incredibly enlightening and helpful. Beale's framework reads Revelation symbolically (since Rev. 1.1 literally says to "show" as seen in Dan. 2, meaning to symbolize), points out textual allusions to the Old Testament throughout the book and takes a primarily amillennial approach (though doing justice to other modes of interpretation). I appreciate that he wrote this shorter commentary for those of us who still care to understand some of the nuances of the language and the allusions in the original Greek text, but who don't have the endurance (gifting) to sift through his original commentary. I will read this book again.

[Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading the whole thing

I worked through this commentary side-by-side with the Bible during in my morning devotions (obviously, these books don’t stand side-by-side; the first is God’s word and the second a helpful tool). I journaled my thoughts each day, guided by the commentary’s insights. I feel richer for it.

This was hugely helpful in increasing my understanding of Revelation. I didn’t realize how much of the book was based on Old Testament passages and images. More though, this book helped me see how Revelation applies to my life. It’s a very practical commentary. Revelation isn’t just for ‘then’ but for right now, today. What Revelation reveals is being played out now, so the warnings and exhortations have an immediacy that should impact how I live. The book blessed me.

[J.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laud Beale for his enormous effort to interpret the Book of Revelation verse by verse. The original version of this commentary is well over a thousand pages. In this book, the religious will find not only an interpretation of each verse but also a reflection of such interpretation as to how we can apply them to our daily lives.

I do not agree with many of Beale's views concerning the Book of Revelation. I myself have my own perspective on the vision of John (I see the characters in Revelation neither as physical nor as spirit beings). But for those who are looking to enriching their spiritual well-being, I recommend this book.

[Julie Rowbory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really excellent. Don't be deceived by the description of 'Shorter' it's pretty long and very thorough (just not as long as his other Revelation commentary). He has a very clear writing style and really helpful reflection questions after each section. I particularly found his exposition of the Old Testament allusions really good, and the connections he drew out between sections in the book itself. When the Bible study group I lead started studying Revelation at the beginning of the year, I was using a few commentaries in preparation, but this quickly became the main one as it was so good. Can't recommend it enough.

[Dylan Dickinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

G.K. Beale argues for a position he labels "eclectic redemptive-historical idealist." His focus is primarily on symbolic interpretation while leaving some room for the possibility of literal readings. He argues that the seals, trumpets, and bowls refer to the same events and that the millennium in chapter 20 is a vision that symbolically depicts the age before the final judgment of Babylon in 17-19.

As someone who has only begun to study Revelation, this book was informative and helped me understand one side of the debate. I particularly appreciated how he drew out the Old Testament allusions that permeates John's visions and have been fully convinced on the profit of such studies.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be shorter, but it does not feel like it and is plenty dense. Beale has been the standard for the amillenial/metaphorical interpretation of Revelation, and I don't see that changing any time soon. I do wish he was more charitable at times towards other views. And there are moments where his interpretation of events feels repetitive and unimaginative, at least compared to the historical allegorical interpretations of the fathers.

Still, this is a book that must be addressed or reckoned with. Even though I disagree with a lot of his conclusions, I was continually sharpened by reading it.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and true to the text

Finally a commentary on Revelation that interprets John's visions in light of the rich historical background of the Old Testament. I read Beale's commentary to clear up popular confusion around the symbolism in the book, as well as for getting a grasp of what messages in Revelation are directed to the church today. Long-story short, I wasn't disappointed. Highly recommend for anyone who wishes to open Revelation without feeling like they're trying to decipher secret codes.

[Robin Bittick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best commentary on the book of Revelation I have read. It is meant for a serious, long term study of this book. G K Beale ties imagery in this book to Old Testament books, and also goes into the meaning of the Greek text.
It is important to understand that prophecy is not the same as divination. Prophecy emphasizes guiding Christians in the present to love God and our neighbors by looking to the past to understand the foundation of our faith and to the future culmination of God's purpose for hope. It is about the "already and not yet."