Revelation of John: A Narrative Commentary

"The strength of Resseguie's work lies in its holistic approach.... An excellent introduction to the book of Revelation. It should prove a useful tool for both beginning and advanced readers of the most enigmatic text in the NT."--Paul B. Duff, Interpretation
As the only book of its kind in the New Testament, Revelation presents interpretive challenges to scholar, student, pastor, and lay reader alike. For readers without specialized training, the historical-critical approach used in many commentaries can provide more complication than illumination. Further, that approach tends to de-emphasize the narrative aspect of the book.
In this new commentary, James Resseguie applies the easily understandable tools introduced in his primer on narrative criticism to this challenging biblical book. As he works his way through the text, Resseguie examines closely how Revelation uses such features as rhetoric, setting, characterization, point of view, plot, symbolism, and style to construct its meaning. This literary approach draws out the theological and homiletical message of the book and shows that Revelation is an organic whole with unifying themes. First, Revelation calls us to listen well. Second, the book stresses an overwhelmingly theocentric perspective we would do well to embrace. The third theme is that of an exodus of God's people to a new promised land. Here is a valuable contribution to the study of Revelation in both the classroom and pastor's study.