Revelation

Michael's commentary deciphers the challenging text of The Book of Revelation. His work is not exhaustive, nor should it be given the purpose of the IVP Commentary Series. His comments elucidate the difficult without confusing the reader. Scriptural continuity is maintained while conservative textual elaboration is affirmed. We use this commentary for a small men's group discussion. When stumped or for simple clarification, we refer to Revelation by J. Ramsey Michaels.

Retired seminary professor Michaels has written a sound commentary, as you would expect coming from IVP. He has the advantage of having taught Revelation over many years in seminary, college, and church; the result is a mature reflective commentary. The commentary is not over technical, or large, there are useful footnotes as required and he comments on a passage rather than verse by verse. His writing style is a bit like D M Lloyd Jones so he is not a quick skim. It is meant to be read as a book and not dipped into. The text of Revelation is in italics and appears in small sections or individual words as he discusses a passage. The commentary could do with more detail, but as he says "writing a book, like making fine sculpture, is about knowing what to leave out" and this is a commentary that needs to be savored not gulped. The commentary would be useful to the pastor having the time to study and digest the passages, especially for those who have not preached beyond Rev 3. At the time Revelation was written the greatest danger to the church was complacency just as it is today.I found his transformation of the seven trumpets to the two witnesses to be interesting; the first being unsuccessful while the second successful in achieving repentance among some of the earth's inhabitants. Worth getting for the pastor and the scholar, but not my first choice for the student, try Mounce, Krodel or Ladd.