23 Comments
Aug 11, 2021Liked by Michael F. Bird

Tom Torrance, under whom I studied in Edinburgh, published in 1960 a marvellous series of sermons that I still use as a 'go to' guide on Revelation called 'Apocalypse today'. It is a valuable resource for preachers in how he structures his exposition of each section.

Expand full comment
Aug 11, 2021Liked by Michael F. Bird

Completely agree about Bauckham - an outstanding book. My deep frustration is that I lent it to someone and can’t remember who! I am also greatly enjoying Ian Paul’s Tyndale Commentary - very readable, insightful with great pointers for application.

Expand full comment

Craig Keener's commentary on Revelation. It's part of the NIV Application Commentary series. Very good for that middle point between academic and popular. Keener is an expert with the background study.

Expand full comment

I am admittedly biased given that I edited the book, but I still think Michael Gorman's book Reading Revelation Responsibly is one of the best books available, especially for students and laypeople. https://wipfandstock.com/9781606085608/reading-revelation-responsibly/

Expand full comment

Checkout the Final Message: Understanding the book of Revelation by Robert R. Davis. It is insightful nothing short of phenomenal. This is by far the best explanation of Revelation to date. Most books on Revelation are simply rehashing the same old theories with slight variations. Sadly, the true meaning of the book still eludes us. Compare it to any other book on the subject and see for yourself.

Expand full comment

I love that the number one book on this list is Bauckham. An invaluable book in understanding Revelation. I also want to give a shout-out for my own book: Worthy is the Lamb: The Book of Revelation as a Drama.

Is anyone familiar with the interpretation that Revelation is written as a Greek Drama. If not, take a look at my book! My website is www.revelationdrama.org

Expand full comment

I was about 12 to 14 in 1966 -1968 and my pastor loaned me a terrific book right out of his books.

I could tell it was from a set.

If I could only find it now !

The cover was 2 colors. The top half and the bottom half had a horizontal line across the middle. One of the colors was gree

The book was approx 4 1/2 wide and about 7" tall.

Inside, the whole narrative is divided into small paragraphs in bold.

Between these paragraphs were clear, conservative, and inviting descriptions, that anyone could read and understand.

I know, because I read and understood !

If anyone knows about this book on Revelation, please tell me how I could get a copy.

Isn't it great, the book says right in it, you'll be blessed by God, just for reading it !

Expand full comment

Think I would add Bauckham’s magisterial The Climax of Prophecy, Simon Woodman’s SCM commentary and Nelson Kraybill’s Apocalypse and Allegiance.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1587432617/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_JEJFP897S1R9WH2Z64R5

Expand full comment

I completely agree about Bauckham. This is truly a classic! For those who don't want to wade through Beale's massive commentary, there is Beale's "Revelation: A Shorter Commentary." I also recommend Brian Blount's NTL Commentary. But for anyone who can find a used copy, I suggest Mathias Rissi's The Future of the World: Exegetical Study of Revelation 19:11-22:15. A classic study of Revelation's final chapters. I am biased having studied under Rissi. Then there is my own book: Worthy is the Lamb: The Book of Revelation as a Drama.

Expand full comment

Eugene Peterson's Reversed Thunder.

Expand full comment

I'm also surprised you didn't have Michael Gorman's book on your list as well as G.K. Beale.

Expand full comment

I found Aune to be a classic case of missing the forest for the trees. I replaced it with Ian Paul’s commentary in the Tyndale NT series

Expand full comment

Where would you rate Brian Blount's NTL commentary? thanks!

Expand full comment

Hello Dr Bird, thanks for this post of books on Bk of Revelation. Very helpful. I wasn't aware of the ones by Tim Beale and Koester. I am hoping to finish Bauckham's volume. I read the Gospel in revelation by Goldsworthy, part of his trilogy. The gospel focus as his trademark was quite helpful but I wasn't sure how he could bring in doctrinal themes into the discussion of the Book.

Expand full comment

Hey Dr. Bird, any thoughts on G.K. Beale's massive commentary on Revelantion or his Shorter commentary? He also has a great book called the use of Daniel in jewish apocalypic literature and in the revelation of St. John which is based off his PhD disseration.

Revelation: A Shorter Commentary https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802866212/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_YBXZH6M88QG75DFMXAC5

Expand full comment

Thanks for the reading list: hope to read some of them some day.

I grew up hearing a fair bit of Dispensational Pre-Millennialism. But two books I’ve I’ve read since on Revelation are “The Days of Vengeance” by David Chilton; and “Revelation for Everyone” by Tom Wright.

Chilton’s reads a bit like part-Preterist Jerusalem-AD70 Post-Millennialism; whereas Wright seems to locate it more somewhere in the Roman world, and treats it partly like the earliest readers may have, while also making timeless applications to ourselves - without feeling that an adamant stance must necessarily be made either way about something like the thousand year reign bit.

I’ve also watched a bit of Shane Willard’s YouTube videos on Revelation. What I’ve heard so far felt helpful, I thought.

Expand full comment