Revelation for Everyone: 20th Anniversary Edition with Study Guide (The New Testament for Everyone)

NT Wright continues to be a leading New Testament scholar among Christians. In the New Testament for Everyone series, he shows that he can adroitly write for "everyone." This book introduces readers to the often misunderstood and off-putting Revelation. Wright usually approaches each chapter as a whole unit -- although sometimes he focuses on partial chapters at a time. He does not treat the text of Revelatin verse-by-verse as many commentaries do for their subject. He looks at the themes, messages, context, symbols and connection of Revelation to the rest of the New Testament and Bible. This is a book that would be great for Bible studies. The leader would probably want to use a more detailed thorough commentary in addition to this one. Wright sets Revelation in the general context of Biblical Theology that emphasizes the Kingdom of God that has been inaugurated on earth in Jesus Christ and will be fully consummated when he returns to make all things new. Wright completely rejects notions of rapture, a seven year dispensation, a literal millenium, and generally the literal interpretation of the numbers and apocalyptic visions of the book. I think Wright's view of Revelation is in line with historic and apostolic teaching of the church. This book is a good corrective to those misled by the "Left Behind" series and the dispensationalist scheme taught by many in the West. Wright looks at how Revelation spoke to the 1st Century church to whom it was written. He also looks at how it speaks to us today. I encourage readers not to be turned off if this seems not to agree with what you have previously been taught. Wright, altough certainly not perfect in his interpretation, offers a faithful interpretation.

Tom Wright (aka N T Wright) is the most insightful and unique conservative scholar to come along in some time. He has shared with us his great gift of, not only his theology, but his whimsical writing, anecdotes, story telling and of course the most important of all correct interpretation of the text itself. Wright is not only a theologian, but is as much a historian. I recommend the entire everyone series from him. You will not regret buying these easy to read, entertaining, and remarkably insightful books. In his long awaited commentary on Revelation, N. T. Wright does not disappoint. Wright tackles the difficult imagery of this book and is able to bring clarity and understanding to everyone who cares to read and understand the book of Revelation. Wright gives this book back to the Church in a sense. This book has been stolen by extreme preterists and dispensationalists and either relegated to the past or put off to sometime in the future. Wright shows that this is a book that has relevance for today. He recognizes the first century audience to whom John writes and keeps them in mind throughout the book. He does a good job of recognizing the OT allusions in Revelation and is able to work through the complexities of thought and keep it simple at the same time. I will not spoil the book with details of Wright's views, but I do recommend this book. You will not be disappointed.

Practical, readable book for those of any intellectual level who are confused about the symbols, animals and other metaphors in the Book of Revelation. Tom Wright comes down with a pretty Orthodox Christian view of the Book of Revelation without going off the edge on "last days" predictions. Ret. Rev. David Coffin

Full disclosure - I hold Dr. Wright in the highest esteem as both a brilliant scholar and humble minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. His vast body of work has been life-changing for me. He easily could have lived a more comfortable life by leveraging his great intellect in law, science or any number of fields. Instead, he has mixed his deep scholarship with a life dedicated to tending to the flock of "regular people" in the local church and students on college campuses. The "for everyone" series is a great gift to the Body of Christ; honestly, because most of what he has written in the past is "NOT for everyone" - it's just too complex for the average reader and so is reserved for a smaller group of New Testament scholars. We should all be very grateful he's now translated and commented on every verse in the New Testament through the "for everyone" series - plus the newly released "Kingdom New Testament" translation (no commentary there). I first learned of Dr. Wright in the late 90's from a friend who recommended his work as a follow up to my reading Dallas Willard's classic "Divine Conspiracy". Willard's book opened my eyes to a more expansive understanding of the "Kingdom of God", but Dr. Wright takes the quantum leap to a whole new level. Beyond "heaven when you die", he helps us shift our sights to the reality that we will be coming back to rule and reign with Christ for eternity (a two stage process he calls, "life after life after death - more on that in his book "Surprised by Hope). Everything we do in this life will count for the "age to come", so that "our labor is not in vain" (1 Cor 15:58). The book of Revelation is a complex symbolic picture of the future. It took someone with Dr. Wright's expertise and panoramic understanding of scripture (not many qualify) to boil Revelation down to its essence and serve it to us in a way that allows us to see a victorious future. I'm not critical of other attempts to interpret Revelation (i.e. "Left Behind") - everyone is trying their best - but I am grateful to have a new lens to look through, written in plain English, that has really helped answer so many questions about the most difficult book in the bible.

I have taken classes, attended Bible Study workshops and read countless books on Revelation only to be more confused by "End Times" explanations and doomsday buzzwords. For years, I've felt that there was something wrong with me because I couldn't understand this final chapter in the New Testament. Forget the "Left Behind," series. That did nothing but confuse a nation of believers. Along comes N.T. Wright. This author provides insight and historical information guaranteed to help anyone understand the true message in Revelation -- and it's so much more than "the end is near." If you struggle with this chapter, invest in this book. N.T. Wright unlocks the mystery of Revelation by taking us back to the first century. The author provides clear and simple historical information. Without this history, one cannot understand the message of Revelation. Each chapter of Revelation is divided and explained in simple terms. Do a little research on the author to gain an understanding of his extensive theological knowledge. This book is based on years of studies and research and buries some of those "left behind" theories that border on heresy. If you purchase any book with the hopes of gaining an understanding of the final chapter of the Bible, make this the one. I am attaching photos of several passages from this book as examples of the wonderful writing of N.T. Wright.

I am using Tom Wright's Revelation commentary as a basic text with lay people who are studying the book. His writing style, which is most approachable to laity, and his familiarity with the subject matter, are a welcome relief to so much 'fear mongering' that passes for Biblical interpretation today. If, though, one wants to take an in-depth look at this book, then you will want to look elsewhere. Wright touches on the dominant themes and, from my perspective, draws the appropriate conclusions, yet in some ways he merely touches to surface. Having said that, I think is one of the easiest ways of getting into a book that is most rewarding with its message of hope and victory over evil.

I am a long-time fan of N. T. Wright's work, and this book doesn't disappoint. This is text for people whose lives are immersed in the daily push-pull of the non-academic world, yet value the Bible and want to dive as deeply as possible. But be forewarned: Those who have embraced the Left Behind/Late Great Planet Earth way of looking at Revelation will either be angered at a new way of thinking or relieved to be freed from the crippling literalism that has made the book relevant only to the generation that thinks it's all about them. This is an easy read and there is a helpful glossary of terms as well as a study guide for the more serious of biblical students. I highly recommend it!

I'll start with the most important point first. If you are looking for a highly readable, helpful guide to Revelation, I can't imagine a better book. Professor Wright takes you chapter by chapter through Revelation, provides necessary historical background information, explains the difficult symbolism, shows Revelation's debt to the Old Testament writers of Ezekiel and Daniel, and provides inspiring insights about applying Revelation's teachings to our lives in this day and age. The book is succinct and is intended for a general audience. Professor Wright makes some great points about how Revelation expresses the Bible's optimistic view of history. Despite the terrifying images, Revelation is ultimately a hopeful book that teaches us that history has a goal: the reign of God on earth. If you are looking for a clear, helpful, and inspiring guide to Revelation, you couldn't possibly do better than Professor Wright's Revelation for Everyone.