Waddell, Robert C. The Spirit of the Book of Revelation. Journal of Pentecostal Theology Supplement Series, 30. Blandford Forum: Deo Publishing, 2006. xii + 226 pp.

This book is the author’s revised Ph.D. thesis at the University of Sheffield, supervised by Professors L. C. A. Alexander and J. C. Thomas.

According to Jan A. du Rand’s review in Review of Biblical Literature (pdf), Waddell focuses on hermeneutical issues (“intertextuality” and the role of the reader, in the case of this author, the Pentecostal reader). This is the subject of Chapters 2ff.

Chapter 1 deals with history of research (modern period), while the last chapter analyses Revelation 11:1-13, which, according to Waddell’s understanding of the structure of the book, “sits at the center of the book literarily and … theologically and forms the
intertextual center of the role of the Spirit in the Apocalypse” (cited by du Rand; no page number).

According to Waddell, there is no longer need to acquiesce to the evangelical doctrine sola Scriptura because the revelation of God is transmitted by the work of the Holy Spirit to new generations. The doctrine solus Spiritus would be more appropriate. This emphasis by some exegetes about the role of particularly Pentecostal receivers in the process of interpretation may be heavily debated by others, when it comes to the issues of exclusivity and the role of the Spirit in doing theology. (Jan du Rand)

See du Rand’s review for a more systematic presentation!

ISBN: 9058540308

Bauckham, Richard: The Climax of Prophecy. Studies on the Book of Revelation. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1993. xviii + 550 pp.

This book is closely connected with Bauckham’s Theology and sometimes provides the arguments or more detailed arguments to the views in The Theology, sometimes extends or develops arguments in depth. Bauckham knows other ancient sources as well as contemporary research very well.

No short review can do justice to this book. Bauckham’s essays are important, regardless of whether you agree or disagree.

After a short introduction, Bauckham analyses the structure and composition of Revelation (ch. 1, pp. 1-37). Bauckham argues that Revelation is designed for reading, which means that the structural markers must be aurally (cf. Barr, Apocalypse as Oral Enactment). Among the most important aurally structural markers are the numbers. In my opinion, this is a very important insight.

In chs. 2 and 3, Bauckham examines the use of apocalyptic traditions (pp. 38-91) and the relationship between the synoptic parousia parables and Revelation (pp. 92-117).

In ch. 4 and 5, Bauckham discusses the worship of Jesus (pp. 118-149) and the role of the Spirit (pp. 150-173).

Ch. 6 is devoted to a study of the Lion, the Lamb and the Dragon (pp. 174-198).

Ch. 7 focuses on one of the important minor themes: the eschatological earthquake (pp. 199-209).

Ch. 8 deals with Revelation as a Christ War Scroll (pp. 210-237).

Ch. 9 is the longest chapter, 99 pages. It studies the Conversion of the Nations (pp. 238-337). The chapter is critiqued in Herms, Apocalypse.

Ch. 10 argues that Revelation 18 is an economic critique of Rome (pp. 338-383).

Ch. 11 studies the theme: Nero and the Beast (pp. 384-452). To my knowledge, it is the longest and, in any case, the most erudite and comprehensive argument for the view that John makes use of the legends of Nero’s return, and that the number and name of the beast is Nero.

The back matter includes a list of abbreviations (pp. 453-462), a 29 page bibliography (pp. 463-492) and indices of passages cited, ancient persons and places, and modern authors (pp. 493-550).

Bauckham’s Climax is already a classic work and will remain so for a long time.

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