Additional information
by Grant R. Osborne (Author)
The Book of Revelation contains some of the most difficult passages in Scripture. Grant Osborne's commentary on Revelation interprets the text while also introducing readers to the perspectives of contemporary scholarship in a clear and accessible manner.
Osborne begins with a thorough introduction to Revelation and the many difficulties involved in its interpretation. He discusses authorship, date of writing, and the social and cultural setting of the work. He also examines elements that complicate the interpretation of apocalyptic literature, including the use of symbols and figures of speech, Old Testament allusions, and the role of prophetic prediction. Osborne surveys various approaches commentators have taken on whether Revelation refers primarily to the past or to events that are yet future.
Rather than exegeting the text narrowly in a verse-by-verse manner, Osborne examines larger sections in order to locate and emphasize the writer's central message and the theology found therein. Throughout, he presents his conclusions in an accessible manner. When dealing with particularly problematic sections, he considers the full range of suggested interpretations and introduces the reader to a broad spectrum of commentators.
Revelation seeks to reach a broad audience with scholarly research from a decidedly evangelical perspective.
Back Jacket
Osborne has successfully combined a thorough familiarity with the text of Revelation, a detailed knowledge of recent scholarship, and a clear writing style with a vital concern for the practical needs of students, pastors, and laity alike. His commentary invites a broad readership and will serve as an excellent text for courses on Revelation.
--David E. Aune, University of Notre Dame
"This clearly written commentary reflects thorough engagement with the literature and careful interaction with the text. I find Osborne's judgments sound and well supported. This work is an excellent resource for both scholars and students and will undoubtedly take its place among the standard academic commentaries on Revelation."
--Craig S. Keener, Asbury Theological Seminary
"A standard reference commentary on the book of Revelation. . . . People of similar theological perspective as Osborne (i.e., conservative, premillennial) have what will be a much-used reference work. People who come to the text with a different theological commitment have an excellent resource introducing the major issues that surround the interpretation of any given text in Revelation."
--Kevin W. Larsen, Review of Biblical Literature
"[A] significant commentary. . . . [Osborne] has written a massive yet manageable treatment of the New Testament's concluding book. While clearly conversant with current scholarship, the commentary is written with the pastor or teacher in mind and will be of real value to anyone planning to preach in Revelation."
--Michael Duduit, Preaching
Author Biography
Grant R. Osborne (1942-2018; PhD, University of Aberdeen) was professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He wrote a number of books, including The Hermeneutical Spiral.
