Includes bibliographical references (pages 58-66) and index.

INTRODUCTION -- How Revelation Began -- New Testament Apocalypses -- I & II Thessalonians -- The Gospels -- Jude and II Peter -- Post-New Testament Christian Apocalypses -- The Didache -- The Shepherd of Hermas -- The Ascension of Isaiah -- The Apocalypse of Peter -- The Christian Sibyllines -- Summary of Christian Apocalypses -- The Character of Revelation -- The Christology -- Messianism -- The Son of Man -- The Lordship of Jesus Christ -- Summary of Christology -- The Historical Jesus -- The Pneumatology -- The Ecclesiology -- Baptism and the Eucharist -- The Hymns -- The Jews -- Jewish Apocalypses with Christian Additions -- The Uniqueness of Revelation -- The Authorship of Revelation -- Revelation and Traditions about the Baptist -- The Lamb -- "He that cometh" -- Baptism by Fire -- The Bridegroom -- Minor Baptist Affinities -- The Last Two Chapters -- The Christian Prefix -- Christological Features -- Ecclesiological Features -- Linguistic Features -- The Structure of Revelation -- Seven Series of Seven -- The First Septet -- The Second Septet -- The Third Septet -- The Fourth Septet -- The Fifth Septet -- The Sixth Septet -- The Seventh Septet -- Six Series of Six -- Series One: A Sextet -- Series Two: A Sextet -- Series Three: A Sextet -- Series Four: A Septet -- Series Five: A Sextet -- Series Six: A Sextet -- Summary of the Argument -- The Baptist's Revelation -- The Disciple's Interpretation -- The Christian's Redaction -- REVELATION -- Part One: Revelation to the Baptist -- The Prophet's Inaugural Vision (4:1-11) -- A Time for Opening Seals (5:1-14) -- The Angelic Army (6:1-17) -- God Keeps His Promise to Secure a Remnant (7:1-17) -- The Divine Warrior Enters the Second Phase of the War (8:1-13) -- The Infernal Armies (9:1-21) -- The Angel of Lights (10:1-11) -- The Judgement Begins (11:1-19) -- Part Two: Revelation to a Baptist Disciple Concerning the Punishment of Jerusalem -- The Faithful Flee to the Desert (12:1-5, 14-18, 6-13) -- The Dragon's Allies Seek to Delude the Faithful (13:1-18) -- The Lamb and the Seven "Angels" (14:1-20) -- The Climax of the Wrath of God (15:1-18) -- Egyptian Plagues Visited upon the Faithless (16:1-21) -- The Beginning of the Last Plague (17:1-18) -- The "Death" of the "Firstborn" (18:1-24) -- Seven, Seven, Seven (19:1-21) -- Part Three: The "Resurrection" of the "Firstborn" -- Satan Bound (20:1-3) -- The Millennial Jerusalem (21:9-27, 8, 22:1-2) -- The Final Blessing (22:14-15) -- The Millennial Kingdom (20:4-6) -- Satan Unchained (20:7-10) -- The Last Judgment (20:11-15) -- The Eternal Jerusalem (21:1-4c, 22:3-5, 21:5a, 4d, 5b, 6, 7, 22:6-7a, 8-13, 7b, 17b, 18-19) -- Part Four: The Prophecies to the Seven Churches -- First Introduction and Salutation (1:1-3) -- Second Introduction and Salutation (1:4-8) -- The Vision of the One Like a Son of Man (1:9-20) -- Prophecy to Ephesus (2:1-7) -- Prophecy to Smyrna (2:8-11) -- Prophecy to Pergamum (2:12-17) -- Prophecy to Thyatira (2:18-19) -- Prophecy to Sardis (3:1-6) -- Prophecy to Philadelphia (3:7-13) -- Prophecy to Laodicea (3:14-22) -- Epilogue (22:16-17a, 20-21)

Dr. Ford addresses the seemingly infinite questions surrounding the book of Revelation. Issues of authorship, date, literary composition, theology, audience, purpose, and the meaning of John's now obscure symbolism occupy Ford throughout. Traditionally, Revelation is the final New Testament book, but its theology, imagery, and historical content suggest it might be the transitional link between the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Contrary to general scholarly opinion, Ford identifies the writer as the Hebrew prophet and forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist, not John the Evangelist. She conjectures that the Baptist spread his fiery apocalyptic visions decades before the first Gospels were completed.

Along with a fresh new translation of the book, the author's insightful commentary and unique conclusions make for captivating reading. In light of both ancient writings and recent archaeological discoveries, Dr. Ford shows what this baffling work meant to first-century believers, and what it means for Christians today.