Revelation and the End of All Things

This book is as good, interesting, and thought provoking as the cover. If you are looking for a great commentary on the Book of Revelation that does not get bogged down in technical language and that is not dispensational hyper sensationalism then this is probably the best place to start. Koester has a great grasp on the history of Christian thought that he displays in the Introduction by going over how Revelation has been interpreted throughout history. He does avoid getting too bogged down in Introductory matters and brings out a very readable commentary that makes sense. You may not agree with all of the opinions of Koester, but he does not have any blatant inconsistancies. His reads Revelation in its historical Jewish and Roman world (which the Preterist will like) and at the same time allows for the timeless truth of the test to apply to all times (which makes the Apocalypse relevant for today). The future is still in view in Koester's interpretation, because he sees the book as timeless truth. This is not to say that a Christian Zionist or someone who thinks that Hal Lindsey, Schofield, Dake, or Tim LeHay hold the keys of interpretation will embrace the book, but anyone with an open mind on the subject will come away with a greater understanding.

Koester has done a masterful job of studying Revelation, one of the most misunderstood and misinterpreted books in all of religious scripture. He clearly describes the message of the book and its multilayered vignette pattern; this effectively puts to rest the millennial dispensationalism which is behind such fiction as the Left Behind series. The message of Revelation is faithful endurance in the Christian life in the face of all challenges in any time. He is able to show us that the book is timeless rather than time predicting.

One of the world's leading experts on the apocalypse (I believe he is presently writing a replacement for Ford's commentary on Revelation in the Anchor Bible series), Koester has poured biblical scholarship, historical knowledge, cultural critique and pastoral care into this book. What emerges, however, is no inaccessible tome, but a delightful, sometimes humorous, piercingly relevant, remarkably brief read in engaging prose.This book clears away the cobwebs surrounding the final book of the New Testament. The first 5th of the book (40 pages) is an enlightening synopsis of the history of interpretations and where they came from, as well as the impact they have had on world history. The rest of the book engages section by section with the text and is packed with deep insights simply expressed. Reading this book is like putting on the spectacles you always needed for the first time. For anyone wanting to understand John's revelation, I know of no better place to start.

I've never read anything before that helped me understand the book of Revelation like this book does. Not only is it elegantly written in attention getting prose, but Craig Koester's interpretations are characterized by careful theological reflection. It is also happily free from many of the sensational and erroneous reflections that are heard coming from many of the apocalyptic television pulpits of America. I also like the way Koester understands the 7 cycles of visions in Revelation and how how one blends into the next one. He points out that every vision ends with a triumphant vision of Christ, which is something I hadn't quite noticed before, but won't soon forget.A previous reviewer pointed out that this book has no study questions, and for this reason I would hesitate to use it as a textbook for a Sunday school class. This is the kind of book you would give to the well read member of your parish or your family. And if you happen to be in some kind of ministry, then this is would be one of the books I would want with me if I were preparing to teach a class on Revelation or if I was preparing a sermon. It is easy to read, hard to put down at times, and always thought provoking.

Thoroughgoing, balanced, compelling, and most importantly, Christ-centered, Craig Koester's book on Revelation is top-notch.Recognizing that Revelation was originally a letter to seven specific churches in ancient Turkey, Koester takes the historical context of Revelation seriously and, by careful research, helps his readers to understand what the book's complicated symbolism would have meant to its original readers. Koester has written a previous book on symbolism in the Gospel of John, and he shows his literary expertise again here.But Revelation is not only a book for people who lived 2000 years ago. Koester also brings home the function of Revelation as it shapes our lives today. Although most famous as one of today's best New Testament scholars, Craig Koester's heart as a church pastor shines through as he shows how Revelation call us over and over again to have faith in the God who in Christ was and is saving the world. As a Christian and a Ph.D. student in New Testament, I appreciate this wonderful new book on Revelation. Without the sensationalism that has characterized much recent work with Revelation, Koester offers a reading of the book that is both compelling and responsible, well suited for both first-time reader and seasoned expert.