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The Revelation of Jesus Christ
A verse-by-verse study of one of the most complex books in the Bible. It points out the symbolic nature of Revelation while showing it should be interpreted literally.
360 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 18, 2021
Best basic Commentary on Revelation I have found. It strikes a good balance between too deep and basic. Dispensational in approach and quite readable. I highly recommend it, especially since good Revelation commentaries are hard to come by!
May 23, 2012
Excellent coverage of the book of Revelation. I have read a number of books on eschatology, and this is the best I have read. Very readable, even for someone who is not very knowledgable of end times prophecy. I highly recommend it.
December 13, 2008
If you are wanting to do a study on Revelation, this book must be included in your studies.
July 31, 2011
Excellent book! Easy to read and gives good explaniations.
March 19, 2025
I have read this account several years ago and now have read again for our Church of the Open Door Essentials of the Faith Adult Sunday School class. I am blessed to study the commentary of the most respected biblical prophecy scholar. This book has been most helpful in my leading our study on the Book of Revelation!
“The problems of interpretation of Revelation have often been made far greater than they really are. They frequently yield to patient study and comparison with other portions of Scripture. The linguistic study of Revelation is an endless task but offers rich rewards to the patient student…
…portions of the book of Revelation can be appreciated and understood now. Other portions will not be understood until they are fulfilled. The general tenor of the book, even in the unfulfilled sections, however, is the assurance that God will ultimately triumph, the saints will be blessed, and sin will be judged.”
—John Walvoord in his commentary: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”
“The problems of interpretation of Revelation have often been made far greater than they really are. They frequently yield to patient study and comparison with other portions of Scripture. The linguistic study of Revelation is an endless task but offers rich rewards to the patient student…
…portions of the book of Revelation can be appreciated and understood now. Other portions will not be understood until they are fulfilled. The general tenor of the book, even in the unfulfilled sections, however, is the assurance that God will ultimately triumph, the saints will be blessed, and sin will be judged.”
—John Walvoord in his commentary: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”
August 4, 2020
Unfortunately, I was exposed to other eschatological views as I read through this causing me to doubt many of Walvoord’s interpretations (though not staunchly holding to any of the other [postmil/amil] views because I am not thoroughly convinced yet). Fortunately, I was exposed to these other views widening my scope of the Scriptures and opening up to the possibility of other views while not arrogantly and dogmatically holding to the one view (Dispensationalism) I have only ever been taught and believing was the only view. Four stars for scholarship, three stars because I had a hard time being fully engaged throughout the book.
December 13, 2011
A great book to read when trying to understand the Dispensational Premillennial view of Revelation.
September 10, 2023
I was looking for a scholarly commentary on Revelation from a pretribulation rapture perspective. Most books written from that perspective are far from scholarly. Most of them really aren’t commentaries, rather they consist of the author laying out what he thinks the text means, with him expecting that you will just accept it.
Walvoord is a genuine scholar though. He is quoted a number of times in G K Beale's magisterial commentary, sometimes so that Beale can refute him, but also sometimes because Beale finds Walvoord's observations notable.
Walvoord's principle that Revelation must be interpreted literally whenever possible causes him to struggle in several places, such as when the martyrs are given white robes. How can they be given (literal) robes unless they have bodies? Walvoord concludes that their bodies are neither earthly nor resurrection bodies but some kind of undefined interim bodies. Wouldn’t it just be better to admit the robes are figurative? Walvoord is even less successful as he struggles with how an immaterial angel can lay hands on an immaterial Satan and bind him with a chain, a conundrum he doesn’t really resolve.
The repeated use of words such as "certainly", "surely", or "obviously" is annoying, not only by this author but by Bible expositors generally. I was amused by Walvoord’s assertion that in Revelation 12 there was "obviously" a considerable gap in time between Christ's ascension and the start of the 42 month period the woman will be protected in the wilderness. Not only is it not obvious, it isn’t even hinted at, as Beale correctly points out. It is only obvious if you are beholden to the pretribulation rapture schema that Walvoord takes as a given.
Nonetheless this book is much superior to other pretribulation rapture books I have read. Walvoord reference previous scholarly works and his comments about the Greek is passable. He points out and discusses important textual variants and points out important references to the Old Testament. Although his main text is the Authorized Version, he recognizes the inferiority of the Greek text on which it is based and points out superior readings when necessary. While there are certainly superior commentaries out there, such as those by G K Beale and David Aune, you can do a lot worse than this commentary.
Walvoord is a genuine scholar though. He is quoted a number of times in G K Beale's magisterial commentary, sometimes so that Beale can refute him, but also sometimes because Beale finds Walvoord's observations notable.
Walvoord's principle that Revelation must be interpreted literally whenever possible causes him to struggle in several places, such as when the martyrs are given white robes. How can they be given (literal) robes unless they have bodies? Walvoord concludes that their bodies are neither earthly nor resurrection bodies but some kind of undefined interim bodies. Wouldn’t it just be better to admit the robes are figurative? Walvoord is even less successful as he struggles with how an immaterial angel can lay hands on an immaterial Satan and bind him with a chain, a conundrum he doesn’t really resolve.
The repeated use of words such as "certainly", "surely", or "obviously" is annoying, not only by this author but by Bible expositors generally. I was amused by Walvoord’s assertion that in Revelation 12 there was "obviously" a considerable gap in time between Christ's ascension and the start of the 42 month period the woman will be protected in the wilderness. Not only is it not obvious, it isn’t even hinted at, as Beale correctly points out. It is only obvious if you are beholden to the pretribulation rapture schema that Walvoord takes as a given.
Nonetheless this book is much superior to other pretribulation rapture books I have read. Walvoord reference previous scholarly works and his comments about the Greek is passable. He points out and discusses important textual variants and points out important references to the Old Testament. Although his main text is the Authorized Version, he recognizes the inferiority of the Greek text on which it is based and points out superior readings when necessary. While there are certainly superior commentaries out there, such as those by G K Beale and David Aune, you can do a lot worse than this commentary.
August 12, 2017
Though I am not a Dispensationalist, this is an intelligent interpretation of the Book of Revelation in the Christian Bible from a Dispensationalist view.
December 28, 2017
Likely a few gems within, but overall far too pre-Trib Dispensational for me.
December 27, 2022
Excellent presentation of the classic dispensation understanding of the Revelation by the late president of the Dallas Theological Seminary.
December 1, 2024
Obviously the subject matter was not bad, as Jesus will always be infinite stars!! But it was hard to follow. Outdated language and very fluffy with big words
September 30, 2012
On the positive side this is a very detailed, verse-by-verse examination of the book of the New Testament that is probably least amenable to comprehension by simple, unassisted reading.
However, there is no attempt to discuss the many different interpretations and conclusions drawn by different scholars on this text. This is one interpretation - a completely literal one - presented as authoritative.
If you are prepared to put your blind faith in Pastor Walvoord, then this is a comprehensive exposition of what he believes to be the true meaning of the text, combined with his exhortations on its implications.
If, however, you want a proper discussion of the different possible interpretations - and why one should be preferred over another - then you will find this book deeply unsatisfying.
However, there is no attempt to discuss the many different interpretations and conclusions drawn by different scholars on this text. This is one interpretation - a completely literal one - presented as authoritative.
If you are prepared to put your blind faith in Pastor Walvoord, then this is a comprehensive exposition of what he believes to be the true meaning of the text, combined with his exhortations on its implications.
If, however, you want a proper discussion of the different possible interpretations - and why one should be preferred over another - then you will find this book deeply unsatisfying.
March 27, 2017
The author is an acknowledged expert on the subject of Biblical end times events from an evangelical dispensationalist's perspective. To that end the work is worthwhile, for Walvoord is more accommodating to other viewpoints than most who are in his camp; but some conclusions of this (and so, Walvoord's) particular school of eschatology (end times study) stand on rather shaky theological underpinnings. Hence, 2 stars.
May 17, 2014
It took me some time to get into, but after the initial setback I learned to love this book. Walvoord lays out every single argument imaginable, explains why they're wrong, and then states why what he believes must be right. Great read.
July 14, 2021
Great study in the Book of Revelation. the author presents alternative views for interpreting some of the prophetic language and images in Revelation, and then he makes it clear why some interpretations fall apart, leading you to the ones that make sense logically and scripturally.
October 9, 2014
Amazing commentary on the book of Revelation.
September 13, 2015
Having read several commentaries about the book of Revelation this one is by far the best that I've read.
April 12, 2017
EXCELLENT! Want to LEARN sound doctrine? A must read!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews