Now only slightly dated, but one of the first to which I turn is G. Beale [Full Review]

Many Reformed and evangelical scholars argue that Beale has written the best available contemporary commentary on Revelation. In many respects, it is outstanding. Beale's commentary is the place to turn for insight on the many Old Testament allusions and echoes in the book of Revelation. My fundamental reservation about the book has to do with Beale's modified idealist approach. Revelation is a prophecy (1:3; 19:10; 22:7, 10, 18, 19). We do not interpret Old Testament prophetic books in an idealist manner. They were written to specific people in a specific time and place, often referring to specific imminent judgments and promising a time of restoration in the distant future. Revelation is very similar in that it is dealing with the imminent destruction of Jerusalem and the restoration that will take place at the consummation. To interpret it in an idealist manner is to decontextualize it. In spite of this, Beale's commentary contains a wealth of information and should be consulted by any serious student of Scripture. [Full Review]

A monumental and comprehensive work. Amillennial.

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Grand Rapids: Eerdmans; Cambridge: Paternoster, 1999. Pp. lxiv + 1245, Cloth, $75.00, ISBN 080282174X. Russell Morton Ashland Theological Seminary Ashland, OH 44805 The culmination of over a decade of research and writing on the Apocalypse, Beale's work makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Revelation. While the reader may not necessarily agree on all points, the commentary will certainly provide considerable insight into John's often perplexing vision. In particular, Beale's grasp of the Greek grammar of Revelation is outstanding. Too few scholars today have the linguistic expertise to furnish the reader with such extensive and thoughtful notes. At the same time, Beale does not assume all readers understand he technical terms, and he defines them upon first usage. Furthermore, Beale's often repeated insight, first noted with comments on 1:4a (p. 188), that John's use of solecisms may be a means of calling the reader/hearer's attention to allusions in the Hebrew Bible, is most helpful. A second major contribution is the discussion of Revelation's structure. Recapitulation is accepted, as is the literary unity of the book (pp. 108-144). Thus, John arranges his vision not in chronological, but in topical order, emphasizing three motifs: judgment, persecution, and salvation (p. 144). While noting there is little unanimity among scholars regarding Revelation's structure, Beale's own opinion is that a sevenfold or eightfold division of the book is most plausible (p. 114). Nevertheless, this arrangement may be subordinate to a broader fourfold structure of (1) 1:1-19 (20); (2) 1:19 (20)-3:22; (3) 4:1-22:5 and 22:6-21. Linguistic markers from Daniel 2 (p. 115) denote these sections. "A model for the compatibility of the multiple viable structures" (p. 115) is possible because John arranges his account by overlying interdependent elements, where earlier parts of the book are supplemented and explained by succeeding events and vice versa (pp. 115-116). Insightful analysis is also provided concerning the non-literal, symbolic nature of John's vision. This is emphasized at many points, including the explanation of the topical, rather than chronological arrangement of the book, the metaphors in Rev 11:1-2 (pp. [Full Review]