We have been working our way through a sermon series on Revelation.
John writes to seven local churches so that believers would hear and heed the slain and standing Lamb (Rev 1:9–11 // 22:16; 5:6).
The following resources help in understanding the book and loving the Lamb. (We have given some of these away during our prayer service.)
- The Bible.
- One Guide to the Book.
- Four Commentaries on the Book.
- One Bible Study on the Book.
The Bible.
ESV Scripture Journal: Revelation
The best way to understand the Bible is to read the Bible.
Reading Revelation in one sitting (or in a few large blocks, e.g., Rev 1–5; 6–11; 12–19 and 20–22) and marking repeated words and themes will help capture the message and movement of Revelation.
The ESV Scripture Journal: Revelation contains a lightly-lined blank page opposite each page of Bible text, allowing readers to both mark the text and make notes beside corresponding passages of Scripture.
One Guide to the Book.
Thomas Schreiner. The Joy of Hearing: A Theology of the Book of Revelation.
Schreiner walks step-by-step through the book of Revelation, considering its many themes, as well as itssymbolic imagery andhistorical context. Reading The Joy of Hearing will help one see how the Revelation is a message of hope written to Christians facing hardship.
Four Commentaries on the Book.
(In alphabetical order.)
G.K. Beale and David H. Campbell. Revelation: A Shorter Commentary.
This abridgement of Beale’s larger work focuses on details more accessible and pertinent to pastors and church members. The authors pause throughout for more than sixty sections of “Suggestions for Reflection” in their book to help readers grasp the relevance of Revelation for their lives and world today.
Robert H. Mounce. The Book of Revelation (New International Commentary on the New Testament).
Mounce writes for both the head and heart in his book. He steers a middle course between an extreme literalism and a highly imaginative subjectivism. Don Carson writes that Mounce’s work is “a learned and well-written work that . . . explains the text satisfactorily in most instances.”
Grant Osborne. Revelation (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Osborne weighs the various passages before providing the one he thinks is best. He is thorough, without being tedious, and like Mounce, writes for the head and heart.
Thomas Schreiner. Revelation (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament).
Schreiner’s larger work on Revelation was the 2024 Christian Book Award Winner (biblical reference works). With extensive research and thoughtful chapter-by-chapter exegesis, he leads readers through the text of Revelation to help them better understand the meaning and relevance of this biblical book.
One Bible Study on the Book.
Nancy Guthrie. Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation.
In 12 chapters, Blessed covers the full text of the book of Revelation, exploring its call to patient endurance as God’s sovereign plans for judgment and salvation are worked out in the world. Guthrie takes the fear, intimidation, and confusion away from studying Revelation, providing a solid and accessible resource that individuals and small groups can use to studythis important yet often avoided book.
