A Basic Religious Reference Library
There are many good commentaries on the book of Revelation. The task of selecting one from the many is not an easy one. If the average Bible student could own more than one commentary on Revelation it would greatly simplify the matter. The Triumph of Faith by Willie Wallace Speck and Worthy Is The Lamb by Ray Summers would be a fine combination.. The Triumph of Faith by Sister Speck follows the Continuous-Historical system of interpretation. And Ray Summers' commentary called Worthy Is The Lamb is a very readable commentary which follows the Historical-Background method of interpretation. For those who can add a third commentary to the list, More Than Conquerors by William Hendriksen is a valuable book containing many fine lessons. This commentary is "in the main an adoption of what has been called the Synchronistic or Parallelistic system of interpretation."
For a good study book (private or class) Difficult Scriptures In Revelation Examined by Floyd Myers is fine. The author of this book writes, "We are disposed to view the apocalypse as the pictorial unfolding of great principles; in constant conflict though under various forms." This is called the Philosophy of History system. The author of this book states in the introduction: "We have not been original in this work, with, of course, the exception of the idea and arrangement of this book. More and more we are becoming convinced that the main reason for a lack of study of the book of Revelation is the absence of material to be used in guiding a study through the Apocalypse." This book is recommended as a good guide book to be used in class study and private study as well.
Systems Of Interpretation
Brief definitions of the systems of interpretation mentioned above should be helpful to anyone who is interested in selecting a commentary on Revelation.
1. The Continuous - Historical Method. Those who accept this method as the one by which Revelation is to be explained view the book as a forecast of the history of the church, this forecast being given in symbols, which symbols represent various historical events and characters. This method requires a very precise and correct knowledge of history. Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is relied upon in the main to provide the historical sequence for the earlier part of the book. Of this system Summers comments: "One is forced to admit that, whether this is the true method of interpretation or not, the expositors have fitted the book to history in many places in an admirable way." (Worthy Is The Lamb, p. 38)
The author of The Triumph Of Faith has fitted the symbols of Revelation to the events of history in a very convincing way. The reader will become so engrossed in the book that he will only with reluctance lay it down. The temptation to "skip over" to, the discussion of the "millennium" and the "little season" is hard to resist. But when the reader finally gets to the discussion of the "millennium," his expectations are disappointed. If the continuous-historical system, which calls for a succession of historical events fulfilling the symbols in the sequence, be the correct view, then we have a right to expect as positive identification of it as of other symbols. Here is an extract to illustrate this book's treatment of the millennium. "Nowhere today is a religious faith arbitrarily enforced. The conscience of man is free under God. He may by choice, read the Bible, believe its facts, obey its commands, and have hope in its promises. That is the message of the millennium, that long golden period of time symbolized as a thousand years. It is a time in which the world free from the hindering forces of Satan, may worship God In spirit and in truth. Men of the present century enjoy that dearly bought privilege." (The Triumph Of Faith, p.263) This quotation identifies the period in which we live as being in the millennial period.
The sequence of the symbols has the "little season" in which Satan is loosed, following the millennium. It, in turn, is followed by the final judgment. Commenting upon the "little season" the author writes, "Just what the meaning of the loosing of Satan is, cannot be known since it is future. Without violating any teaching of the Bible the following suggestions are made.
"Since it was the opening of a closed Bible that brought about an era of obedience to God, might not a disregard for the word of God cause a condition that would seem as if Satan was again loose? The Bible may be closed in more ways than one. When it was translated into known tongues and man's hunger for knowledge was awakened, the Bible was avidly read. The privilege of hearing or reading God's Word was regarded so highly that persons risked their lives to avail themselves of it. The privilege of learning God's will is no longer generally regarded as a rare treasure." (The Triumph Of Faith, p. 266)
No fault can be found with the facts stated contrasting the appreciation for the Bible which was manifested by former generations with the apathy and indifference of our day. Encouragement to people to study the Bible more diligently and to cultivate deep conviction of its divine authority is certainly in order — to all this a hearty amen! But the implication that a revival of concern for and reverential study of the Bible might defer the "little season," thus deferring the final judgment is to be rejected. That day is known by the Father; it is a day appointed by him. The idea that the time set by the Father can be changed by the actions of men is wrong. The fatal weakness of the continuous-historical system is in the requirement that the expositor know "times and seasons which the Father hath set within his own authority."
(Note: These comments are not intended as an indictment of the author with consciously teaching that the little season could be deferred by a return to the Bible for our faith and practice. The point is that the Continuous-historical system puts the expositor in the predicament of having to ignore the sequence entirely or to take an untenable position).
2. The Historical-Background Method. This method is a mixture of some of the preterist method with some of the philosophy of history method. Unlike some of the advocates of the preterist method, the advocates of this method hold that Revelation has a universal message and is not limited to those who originally received it. The assurance of victory, in spite of the tremendous social forces, economic and political pressures and apposition of false religions, is for the Christian in every generation. This opposition to truth and righteousness is observable in every age, but the victory of Christ is not always as apparent. Hence, the final triumph of Christ and his followers must be revealed. This is the philosophy of History angle in the historical-background method of interpretation. This method constantly harks back to the idea that the things symbolized were primarily fulfilled in the days of the Roman Empire. It thus requires a close study of the church of that day and acquaintance with the "moral, religious, social and political conditions of the day when the book was written." (Worthy Is The Lamb, p. 40)
Worthy Is The Lamb by Ray Summers follows the historical-background method. Summers writes, "Revelation is a series of apocalyptic images given for the assurance of the people of God that Christ is going to be victorious over all opposition. For the Christians of John's day, the assurance was given by showing the victory of Christ over the system of emperor worship that was the greatest enemy of Christ in that day. The same assurance is given to Christians in every age. Find the greatest enemy of Christ (whether corrupt religion, godless government, social anarchy, or any other) put it in the place of emperor worship, and see its eventual failure as the living Christ, the Redeeming Lamb, marches to victory over chaotic conditions — Worthy Is The Lamb." (Worthy Is The Lamb, p. 208)
Summers expresses some sentiments with reference to inspirations which call for a hearty AMEN from sincere Christians. He writes: "To the sincere Christian who holds that Revelation is inspired Scripture and has a place in the canon of the New Testament because the Holy Spirit wanted it there, the left wing can be only repulsive. It cannot be received by any who look upon John as God's spokesman concerning the affairs of men in John's day or any other. It is entirely rejected and has no strong points." (Worthy Is The Lamb, p. 44)
But in several places the author makes a mistake, a mistake which some gospel preachers are making. Misleading terminology is the mistake. The experiences, feelings, and meditations of the New Testament writers do not produce the message, yet often such expressions as the writer of Revelation "communicating his thoughts," are found. The thoughts communicated in Revelation are not John's thoughts — they are God's thoughts. Summers writes, "In this group were many mystics who felt the personal power of Deity. As is natural with mystics, their feelings led them to see visions and dream dreams." The idea that John's feelings led him to see these visions is emphatically rejected 3. The Synchronistic or Parallelistic System. William Hendriksen follows the Parallelistic system in his commentary called More Than Conquerors. This is an able exposition of Revelation from this view point. Hendriksen says, "A careful reading of the book of Revelation has made clear two facts: (1) The book consists of seven sections. (2) These seven sections run parallel. Each of them span the entire dispensation from the first to the second coming of Christ. This period is viewed now from one aspect; then from another." (More Than Conquerors, p. 25) This system as developed by the author combines part of the preterist, the philosophy of history and even the continuous-historical system in his treatment.
He writes, "Nevertheless, although it is true that we must take our starting point in the age in which John lived, and must even emphasize the fact that the conditions which actually prevailed during the last decade of the first century A. D. furnished the immediate occasion for this prophecy, we should give equal prominence to the fact that this book was intended not only for those who first read it, but for all believers throughout this entire dispensation." (More Than Conquerors, p. 15)
Many valuable lessons are presented in the book, but, as with any human production, care must be exercised to select that which is according to sound doctrine and reject the error. It seems that some of the ideas of Calvinism have influenced the author, at least he employs Calvinistic terminology. He says "And believers conquer together with Christ. By the irresistible grace of God they were called, (1 Peter 2:9; Rom. 8:30). (More Than Conquerors, p. 208) Now if the grace is irresistible, how could any resist the call? If the call is irresistible, all to whom it comes will respond properly, hence all men have been irresistibly called for "the grace of God hath appeared to all men." (Titus 2:11) The old sectarian expression "irresistible grace" is unfortunate and incorrect. The author does not really believe that grace is irresistible for he recognizes the fact that there are people who oppose the "believers." Notice this comment, "What is used by the world in order to turn believers away from their God is in this cup: sex magazines, sports in which one becomes completely absorbed, luxury, worldly fame and power, the lusts of the flesh, etc.,, (More Than Conquerors p. 202) If the grace by which believers are called is irresistible, why is the grace by which they are kept not irresistible? Yet the author recognizes the possibility of believers being turned "away from their God."
With but few exceptions this book is safe and will provide the careful student with many inspirational lessons.
The book of Revelation will yield lessons of great practical value to the earnest student. Good commentaries will assist the student to understand what is revealed in the symbols. But care should be exercised to avoid being led, by some commentator, under the curse of Rev. 22: 18, 19.
— 417 E. Groesbeck, Lufkin, Texas