Revelation (Continental Commentary Series) [Hardcover]

Jurgen Roloff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1993

"Roloff has produced an intrepretation of the Revelation of John that can be certain to gain the special interest of theologians because of his . . . emphasis on the Christological starting-point of Revelation and the perspective that this discloses for the Christian community." -- Hans-Friedrich Weiss "In this commentary, one catches the Revelator's vision of eternity ablaze with promise and expectation of accountability in the bleakness of the present. May this book find many who are willing to dialog with the Revelator." -- Frederick Danker

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Fortress Press; 1st Fortress Press Ed edition (June 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800696506
• ISBN-13: 978-0800696504
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,705,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Revelation of Comfort and Hope, January 21, 2012

By 

Orville B. Jenkins "Research Guy" (Arlington, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Revelation (Continental Commentary Series) (Hardcover)

A volume in the Continental Commentary. Roloff has done an excellent job of summarizing the historical factors behind the symbols and images in Revelation, explaining how every one of them fits the current situation of the young Christian community in the precarious Roman environment of growing pressure in Asia Minor to publicly participate in Emperor Worship. The Emperor Woreship cult was the most active in this province.

The English translation for the German of this Swiss Reformed scholar is smoothly handled, with helpful indications of the German chosen to represent the particular Greek word or concept. The Greek vocabulary is presented in the discussions, enabling the reader to understand the original concerns and expression of the Revelator.

Although he takes a thematic approach, rather than an analytical approach, Roloff follows a standard classic exegesis format, providing a summary of main points of each focal passage as he goes. He then provides a brief commentary of the passage as a whole, before analyzing the passage point by point. He provides a very competent and thorough thematic analysis, enabling the reader to see the connection and interaction of the various and multi-focal images the Revelator uses.

The author traces themes, images and concerns, even specific phrasing, in the Revelation to Jewish-Christian sources, and distinguishes these influences from the Gentile Christian influences in the mixed cultural setting of Asia Minor. This work helps us understand the interplay of the Old Testament apocalyptic visions adapted by the Revelator.

He provides the first detailed comparison I have seen of the partial borrowings, changes made by the Revelator in some visions, images or metaphors and the creative combination of two or more images from scenes or visions in different Old Testament writings.

He spends meaningful time on the possible influences and themes from non-canonical, but very popular, literature of Jewish apocalyptic of that time. His careful and prolific referencing to chapter and verse of these common sources clarifies the broader Jewish context of the Revelation and its message, and provides some insight into the prominent Jewish composition of the churches of Roman Asia.

Each section ends with suggestions for application of the meaning in our time and socio-political setting. He deftly shows how Emperor-worship finds its modern contemporary in the modified political structures of western governments and nationalism that equates God with country or nationality.

Roloff maintains the integrity of the text, rightly rejecting the modern popular-culture "Rapture" cult of prediction and linear end-time scenario, to place the book of encouragement and hope in its proper historical and cultural context. This prodigious yet readable work brings the Revelation to vibrant life and enables its message to speak anew to our time.

This prodigious yet readable work brings the Revelation to vibrant life and enables its message to speak anew to our time.