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Revelation Verse by Verse
Revelation is like no other book in the New Testament. Its bizarre images need explaining even for seasoned Bible readers, but when we turn to biblical scholars we find that they don't all agree.In Revelation Verse by Verse, Grant R. Osborne offers a clear exposition of the book that takes seriously both its first-century context and what it means today. Where he disagrees with other interpretations of particular images, he briefly mentions them but remains focused on the text throughout. Rather than being a book that stirs up fear, Revelation is instead a hopeful and even devotional book, focused on the certainty of God's bringing his plans to completion, the futility of Satan and his plans, and the glory of the Lamb.Revelation Verse by Verse is the first volume in the Osborne New Testament Commentaries, a new series from noted Bible scholar Grant R. Osborne directed toward pastors and committed laypeople.
597 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2016
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53 people want to read
About the author
Grant R. Osborne
76 books20 followersGrant R. Osborne was an American theologian and New Testament scholar. He was Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 7, 2019
I read this commentary as I worked through Revelation on my own. Overall, it was helpful and provided a broad overview of the text, as well as included insightful cross references. Osborne wrote relatively unbiased, but he definitely presented his personal theological views on Revelation. I would recommend this for anyone who is looking for an additional reading along with scripture to gain a deeper understanding of the Word.
December 30, 2017
I read this commentary because the book of Revelation is one of two of my favorite books, Isaiah being the other. The book is fascinating to me because of its mystery. I have read the book at least 5 times and each time I had new questions. Who are the Nicolatians? What is the historical background of the church to whom this letter is written? Do the words describe a literal timeline of events as a message of apocalypse to modern readers or do they speak more specifically to the people of John’s day? I had all of these questions and many more.
The book of Revelation combines all the best there is in great literature. It tells a epic story with compelling characters that draws you in and keeps you reading. It has plenty of intrigue, back and forth action and a conclusion that’s literally out of this world!
But the best part is that it’s your story as well; you are a character in this great saga. Yes, it was written as a message for the people of John’s day living in the greater Roman Empire, but it is eminently applicable to us in the modern day. We, believer and nonbeliever alike, are all a part of this story. The end is set, but we have the opportunity to decide our part in the story.
The book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a fascinating, engaging and sometimes intimidating book that’s certainly a must-read. Revelation Verse by Verse helps to remove the intimidation and draw you in to the action of the story while allowing you to answer for yourself the questions that arise in this mysterious, engaging book.
The book of Revelation combines all the best there is in great literature. It tells a epic story with compelling characters that draws you in and keeps you reading. It has plenty of intrigue, back and forth action and a conclusion that’s literally out of this world!
But the best part is that it’s your story as well; you are a character in this great saga. Yes, it was written as a message for the people of John’s day living in the greater Roman Empire, but it is eminently applicable to us in the modern day. We, believer and nonbeliever alike, are all a part of this story. The end is set, but we have the opportunity to decide our part in the story.
The book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a fascinating, engaging and sometimes intimidating book that’s certainly a must-read. Revelation Verse by Verse helps to remove the intimidation and draw you in to the action of the story while allowing you to answer for yourself the questions that arise in this mysterious, engaging book.
August 6, 2020
This commentary offers several types of key insights in its cross-references and various theological interpretations. Osborne presents different perspectives succinctly and then gives his preferred reading without bashing the other viewpoints. Some cultural and historical background, stories and literature of the time also illuminate the passages. Very helpful for our Bible study with a mix of believers and non- We gleaned and discussed important topics related during the Covid crisis when people feel like they might be living through the Tribulation.
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June 3, 2021This book was an INVALUABLE resource for my husband and I as we studied to teach a Bible Study on the book of Revelation. Mr. Osborne simplifies and de-mystifies the book of Revelation.
September 5, 2021
I hold a different rapture view (I'm pre while Osborne is post), yet I thought the book was well-research, insightful, and helpful in my study of the Revelation.
December 23, 2025
Fine. Revelation Verse by Verse provides much needed clarity on the broad-stroke ideas of Revelation, while unfortunately leaving some to be desired in terms of specific fulfillments of prophecies. The clarity mainly comes through the highlighting of theological takeaways at nearly every opportunity, which makes the book approachable to the average Christian, particularly for devotional activities. In fact, nearly every chapter ends with a devotional thought. One that especially stands out to me is the end of the commentary on chapter 7 about the multitude of Christians gathered in Heaven where Osbourne comments that “no matter how bad it may get for the followers of Christ, it will all be worthwhile." Christians can endure all sorts of abuse and persecution with joy, knowing that every harsh word shouted, every hand raised, every hurt caused against them simply hearkens us one step closer to the triumph already secured in Christ for a countless number from every tribe and tongue.
One other theme that particularly stands out is Osbourne’s focus on the character of Christ. The author points out throughout the commentary how high and glorious the Christology of Revelation is. For instance, I honestly had not noticed how many references there are to the deity of Christ, but Osbourne shines a light on this area by commenting that the “worship of chapter 4-5 in particular highlights the unity of Father and Son. The two hymns in chapter 4 worship God, the first two in chapter 5 worship the Lamb, and the fifth hymn in 5:13 is sung to the two on the throne together” (Osbourne 2016, 103-104). He also points out that the title “King of kings and Lord of lords” in reference to Jesus “means that he is Lord of the universe” and therefore is God. While this may appear obvious, I had not previously made the connection that being “Lord of lords” clearly entails deity, and it is these kinds of insights that give the commentary value.
Sadly, Osbourne has a habit of making claims with little in the way of justification or explanation. This habit appears in his commentary on Revelation 20:5, which states that “the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.” He rightly takes this to be referring to unbelievers, but then inexplicably takes this to “mean that when unbelievers die, their next conscious moment will be when they face God at the last judgment, unlike Christians, who go immediately to heaven." This does not follow from the text at all. For one thing, if he is taking the phrase “come to life” to mean “come into consciousness from a state of unconsciousness,” then according to verse 4 his logic would demand that, after dying, the next conscious moment for believers would be the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ, which he flatly denies. For another thing, he provides no justification whatsoever of why we should take the phrase “come to life” to mean this, rather than talking about a physical resurrection. He simply asserts this modified version of the doctrine of soul sleep for unbelievers and moves on, with no explanation.
One other minor criticism is that Osborne does not include the actual text of the verses of Revelation that he is commenting on, which is slightly inconvenient. With these criticisms in mind, I would still say that the book was overall helpful in increasing my understanding of the prominent themes Revelation, but it was not the clearest commentary that I have read on the book.
One other theme that particularly stands out is Osbourne’s focus on the character of Christ. The author points out throughout the commentary how high and glorious the Christology of Revelation is. For instance, I honestly had not noticed how many references there are to the deity of Christ, but Osbourne shines a light on this area by commenting that the “worship of chapter 4-5 in particular highlights the unity of Father and Son. The two hymns in chapter 4 worship God, the first two in chapter 5 worship the Lamb, and the fifth hymn in 5:13 is sung to the two on the throne together” (Osbourne 2016, 103-104). He also points out that the title “King of kings and Lord of lords” in reference to Jesus “means that he is Lord of the universe” and therefore is God. While this may appear obvious, I had not previously made the connection that being “Lord of lords” clearly entails deity, and it is these kinds of insights that give the commentary value.
Sadly, Osbourne has a habit of making claims with little in the way of justification or explanation. This habit appears in his commentary on Revelation 20:5, which states that “the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.” He rightly takes this to be referring to unbelievers, but then inexplicably takes this to “mean that when unbelievers die, their next conscious moment will be when they face God at the last judgment, unlike Christians, who go immediately to heaven." This does not follow from the text at all. For one thing, if he is taking the phrase “come to life” to mean “come into consciousness from a state of unconsciousness,” then according to verse 4 his logic would demand that, after dying, the next conscious moment for believers would be the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ, which he flatly denies. For another thing, he provides no justification whatsoever of why we should take the phrase “come to life” to mean this, rather than talking about a physical resurrection. He simply asserts this modified version of the doctrine of soul sleep for unbelievers and moves on, with no explanation.
One other minor criticism is that Osborne does not include the actual text of the verses of Revelation that he is commenting on, which is slightly inconvenient. With these criticisms in mind, I would still say that the book was overall helpful in increasing my understanding of the prominent themes Revelation, but it was not the clearest commentary that I have read on the book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews