Bible Study, New Testament, Prophecies, Prophecy, Meditations, Religion & Spirituality, Commentary, Bible Commentary 

The Anchor Yale Bible Commentaries 

The book of Revelation, also called the Apocalypse of John, encourages Christians to be faithful to their Lord, Jesus Christ, through a rich mixture of symbolism and images. Perhaps the most puzzling book in all Scripture, Revelation introduces bowls and scrolls, saints and angels, horsemen and beasts, the bride and the lamb, in a wondrous end-times drama. The scene shifts from cataclysmic battles to the climax of a new heaven and new earth. In the end, the reader is exhorted to heed the words of this stunning prophecy.
Dr. Ford addresses the seemingly infinite questions surrounding the book of Revelation. Issues of authorship, date, literary composition, theology, audience, purpose, and the meaning of John's now obscure symbolism occupy Ford throughout. Traditionally, Revelation is the final New Testament book, but its theology, imagery, and historical content suggest it might be the transitional link between the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Contrary to general scholarly opinion, Ford identifies the writer as the Hebrew prophet and forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist, not John the Evangelist. She conjectures that the Baptist spread his fiery apocalyptic visions decades before the first Gospels were completed.
Along with a fresh new translation of the book, the author's insightful commentary and unique conclusions make for captivating reading. In light of both ancient writings and recent archaeological discoveries, Dr. Ford shows what this baffling work meant to first-century believers, and what it means for Christians today.

J. Massyngberde Ford is Professor of New Testament Studies at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. 

Part One: Revelation to the Baptist
The Prophet’s Inaugural Vision (4:1–11)
A Time for Opening Seals (5:1–14)
The Angelic Army (6:1–17)
God Keeps His Promise to Secure a Remnant (7:1–17)
The Divine Warrior Enters the Second Phase of the War (8:1–13)
The Infernal Armies (9:1–21)
The Angel of Lights (10:1–11)
The Judgment Begins (11:1–19)
Part Two: Revelation to a Baptist Disciple Concerning the Punishment of Jerusalem
The Faithful Flee to the Desert (12:1–5, 14–18, 6–13)
The Dragon’s Allies Seek to Delude the Faithful (13:1–18)
The Lamb and the Seven “Angels” (14:1–20)
The Climax of the Wrath of God (15:1–8)
Egyptian Plagues Visited upon the Faithless (16:1–21)
The Beginning of the Last Plague (17:1–18)
The “Death” of the “Firstborn” (18:1–24)
Seven, Seven, Seven (19:1–21)
Part Three: The “Resurrection” of the “Firstborn”
Satan Bound (20:1–3)
The Millennial Jerusalem (21:9–27, 8; 22:1–2)
The Final Blessing (22:14–15)
The Millennial Kingdom (20:4–6)
Satan Unchained (20:7–10)
The Last Judgment (20:11–15)
The Eternal Jerusalem (21:1–4c 22:3–5 21:5a, 4d, 5b, 6, 7 22:6–7a, 8–13, 7b, 17b, 18–19)
Part Four: The Prophecies to the Seven Churches
First Introduction and Salutation (1:1–3)
Second Introduction and Salutation (1:4–8)
The Vision of the One like a Son of Man (1:9–20)
Prophecy to Ephesus (2:1–7)
Prophecy to Smyrna (2:8–11)
Prophecy to Pergamum (2:12–17)
Prophecy to Thyatira (2:18–29)
Prophecy to Sardis (3:1–6)
Prophecy to Philadelphia (3:7–13)
Prophecy to Laodicea (3:14–22)
Epilogue (22:16–17a, 20–21)