In this well-known commentary originally published in the Zuercher Bibelkommentare series, Roloff attempts to give a new understanding of the book of Revelation. He argues, 'the understanding of Revelation that has been favored down to the modern era is not satisfactory- the book does not intend to present an interpretation of church and/or world history, and it is a mistake to interpret particular images in terms of specific events and persons... John does not intend to provide a predetermined portrayal of the course of the world for the later church. Instead, in a very concrete, contemporary situation he is concerned that the oppressed interpret their situation in light of their faith in the reign of the exalted Christ over this history. Jurgen Roloff is Professor of New Testament at the University of Erlangen in Germany.
