America
"Beale . . . is a master not only of the biblical text but also of the secondary literature. His work will serve primarily as a reference commentary to be consulted when the reader wants a comprehensive and fair presentation of the evidence regarding a disputed point coupled with a clear line of argumentation and the author's own conclusion. . . As an evangelical scholar he takes seriously the scholarship of other evangelicals, while also treating with equal seriousness the views of scholars coming from other interpretative perspectives. His work belongs alongside David Aune's three-volume commentary on Revelation as a reliable and up-to-date guide to the many literary, historical and theological problems encountered in reading Revelation."
Currents in Theology and Mission
"Learned, detailed, and comprehensive."
Journal of Biblical Literature
"The culmination of over a decade of research of writing on the Apocalypse, Beale's work makes a significant contribution to our understanding of Revelation. While the reader may not necessarily agree on all points, the commentary will certainly provide considerable insight into John's often perplexing vision. In particular, Beale's grasp of the Greek grammar of Revelation is outstanding. Too few scholars today have the linguistic expertise to furnish the reader with such extensive and thoughtful notes. . . Beale also provides the reader with a rich collection of intertextual references from the Hebrew Bible, rabbinic literature, Jewish apocalyptic, and early Christian texts. . . Beale has written a truly important work that should be consulted as a reference by serious scholars of the Apocalypse."
The Bible Today
"A massive and thorough commentary on Revelation. . . Takes its places as one of several important resources for interpreting this fascinating New Testament book."
Themelios
"Beale's commentary reflects the distillation of a lifetime of research and thinking on the book of Revelation. . . Beale leaves virtually no stone unturned in his careful analysis of the text of Revelation, while interacting with a wide range of commentaries, monographs and articles in several different languages. This commentary is a work of impressive scholarship and the size lends itself primarily to use as a reference tool. However, Beale's work could also be useful to pastors and theological students. . . Beale has provided a valuable service to scholars, pastors and students in providing a commentary that should remain a standard for some time to come. This long-awaited commentary was certainly worth waiting for."
Word & World
"As this millennium draws to its close, interest in the book of Revelation remains high, and Beale's encyclopedic commentary has a great deal to offer those who wish to probe its mysteries. . . Those who want comprehensive coverage with summaries of recent scholarly discussion will appreciate Beale's contribution and find it to be a valuable tool for many years."
Internationale Zeitschriftenschau für Bibelwissenschaft und Grenzgebiete
"One of the finest scholarly commentaries on the book of Revelation. . . Beale has much to say on almost every subject the book — and its commentators — deals with, and he does so with great skill."
Religious Studies Review
"It is precisely Beale's theological perspective that could make this text very useful for undergraduate students. . . There are other reasons why Beale's commentary would be a helpful tool for undergraduates. First, Beale pays a significant amount of attention to the narrative flow of the Apocalypse and, as a result, his commentary can help students contextualize the information that he presents. Second, the structure of the commentary makes it student-friendly. The more detailed information that would be of interest to more advanced students or scholars is placed within the text in a smaller font. As a result, these sections can be selectively skipped over by undergraduates. Third, Beale's prose style is less academic than, for instance, Aune's, and so is more accessible to students. Finally, Beale does not engage extensively with contemporary scholarship in the body of the commentary. As a result, students may be less inclined to get bogged down in contemporary arguments while trying to understand the flow of the narrative."
Interpretation
"A strong contribution to scholarship and a valuable resource for a more general audience. . . Beale has performed a distinctive service. His bold positions are thoroughly argued. His erudition and depth of research are admirable. And he displays strong skills in historical reconstruction and exegesis. His treatment of John's work with the Hebrew scriptures alone makes his commentary worth consulting."