A Revelation Invitation

by Brian K. Blount, Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.

Revelation’s revelation is that Jesus Christ is Lord. p13

Apocalyptic literature, then, has an ethical motivation. It implores people to act in the present in a way that agrees with its understanding of the future. … In every case it means that [followers] must choose sides. (p 18)

If John was indeed asking his people to stand up and stand out in a world they had accepted, a world that had accepted them, he was essentially telling them to go out and pick a fight! … slaughter was not the goal. The goal was an active ministry of resistance that would witness to the singular lordship of Jesus Christ. (p 118)

Here is the irony: evil will be unleashed, but evil will be made to act as God’s judgment tool. (p 174)

The Lamb’s worthiness does not derive from any miraculous events, even one as stupendous as resurrection. The Lamb’s worthiness derives instead from the same source as the worthiness of those who follow him. The Lamb’s worthiness comes from his willingness to witness to his own lordship and the lordship of his God at the expense of his own life. (pp 247-8)

Searches for a commentary on Revelation at any book store or web site will yield a list of dozens, if not scores, of titles. How do you know if you’re getting a good one? You want better odds than a roll of the dice. I have found that keeping an ear out for recommendations from people I respect – whether authors, bloggers, pod cast hosts, etc. – has served me well. I don’t remember specifically who brought Brian K. Blount’s Revelation: A Commentary to my attention (probably heard it mentioned in a podcast). But, I’m glad they did. I have found his scholarship and insights into Revelation both theologically sound, engaging and relevant. His 417 page work is one of the best modern commentaries that I have read. However, this book is not for beginners. (Beginners should look to N.T. Wright’s Revelation for Everyone.) I recommend this work for students who want to take their understanding and appreciation of Revelation to the next level. Blount did his homework before writing this well-researched book. Moreover, his insights are not theoretical; he skillfully makes application to our modern circumstances even as he contextualizes Revelation’s message in its own historical setting. Buy it and enjoy. I certainly did.