The Revelation to John: A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Apocalypse

by Stephen S. Smalley

Publisher:

SPCK

, 2005

Overview

Dr. Stephen Smalley provides a fresh and stimulating contribution to the scholarly study of an exciting but often perplexing work in this detailed yet accessible commentary on the Greek text of Revelation. Smalley shows how Revelation speaks directly to all situations in every age, offering a testimony to God’s love, made available through his justice, which is relevant for our own society.

A Revelation to John interprets the dense and colorful imagery of Revelation with careful balance. Smalley is sensitive to the literary shape of Revelation, and sees the book as a creative and coherent drama. He takes seriously the volatile nature of the Johannine community from which, it is argued, the Apocalypse, Gospel, and Letters of John arose.

Key Features

• Presents a fresh and stimulating entry in the study of Revelation
• Demonstrates how Revelation reveals truths applicable to today’s society
• Takes a balanced, sensitive approach to the imagery and form of Revelation as a coherent narrative

Contents

• Prologue: The Oracle is Disclosed (Revelation 1:1–8)
• Scene 1: Seven Oracles (Revelation 1:9–3:22)
• Interval: Adoration in Heaven’s Court: God and His Christ (Revelation 4:1–5:14)
• Scene 2: Seven Seals (Revelation 6:1–17)
• Interval: The Church Protected (Revelation 7:1–17)
• Scene 3: Seven Trumpets (Revelation 8:1–9:21)
• Interval: God’s Sovereignty (Revelation 10:1–11:19)
• Scene 4: Seven Signs (Revelation 12:1–14:20
• Interval: A New Exodus (Revelation 15:1–8)
• Scene 5: Seven Bowls (Revelation 16:1–21)
• Interval: The Fall of Babylon (Revelation 17:1–18:24)
• Scene 6: Seven Visions (Revelation 19:1–20:15
• Interval: Prelude to the Final Scene (Revelation 21:1
• Scene 7: Seven Prophecies (Revelation 21:2–22:17
• Epilogue: The Oracle is Complete (Revelation 22:18–21)

Top Highlights

“The verb σφραγίζειν (sphragizein, ‘to seal’) includes the ideas of authentication and ownership, as well as protection” (Page 183)

“In the writer’s understanding of salvation, the past, the present and the future are all important, and his eschatology never loses contact with reality (see Topham, ‘Dimensions of the New Jerusalem’ 417–19, esp. 417). His testimony is for the Asian community and for the Church universal. For John, the apocalypse of the future is already in progress; and a new and eternal quality of living is offered through the Lamb in the present. Such an eschatological perspective is distinctive, and provides a specially creative setting for the drama which unfolds within it.” (Page 13)

“The Apocalypse was written essentially as a testimony to God’s plan in Christ for his world, and to disclose by means of a series of visions the fulfilment of his salvific purposes, through his judgement, both in history and in eternity.” (Page 3)

“The stance adopted in this commentary is literary and theological, rather than simply critical and historical” (Page 2)

“By definition, symbols point to a reality which is greater than themselves; they are pictures, usually incorporating a material element or object, which are used to represent and evoke a spiritual reality.” (Page 47)

Endorsements

A warm welcome awaits this noteworthy achievement that combines learning with relevance.

—Ralph P. Martin, scholar-in-residence, Haggard of Theology, Azusa Pacific University

Smalley offers a richly detailed, traditional commentary on the Johannine Apocalypse.

—David A. deSilva, trustees’ distinguished professor of New Testament and Greek, Ashland Theological Seminary

Stephen Smalley, having spent much of his academic career working on Johannine literature, now provides us with a full-dress theological and narrative commentary on Revelation especially attuned to its dramatic quality. Full of interesting analysis and keen and seasoned insight, this sane and creative approach to the most difficult book of the New Testament is something for which we may indeed be thankful.

—Ben Witherington III, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: The Revelation to John: A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Apocalypse
• Author: Stephen S. Smalley
• Publisher: SPCK
• Print Publication Date: 2005
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. N.T. Revelation › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 0281050317, 9780281050314
• Resource ID: LLS:RVLTNJHNCMMGRKT
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:50:24Z

About Stephen S. Smalley

Stephen S. Smalley is a New Testament scholar and author. He was formerly chaplain and dean of Peterhouse, Cambridge and vice-provost of Coventry Cathedral. He is dean emeritus of Chester Cathedral. Smalley has also taught at the universities of Ibadan and Manchester. He is the author of The Revelation to John: A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Apocalypse.