Before Jerusalem Fell - EntreWave

122 BEFORE JERUSALEM FELL
dieck, for instance, sees verse 7 as the “principal theme” 3 that expresses’’the
fundamental idea . . .ofthewhole book.’’ 4 Weiss views
it as “a motto for the whole book.”5 Justin A. Smith comments that
“if any one theme can be named as the absorbing and comprehensive
one in this book, it must be given to us in the words (1:7), ‘Behold,
he cometh with clouds.’ “G Of Revelation 1:7, 8, Terry observes that
“these two verses contain, first, a solemn declaration of the great
theme of the book.”7 Russell argues that this verse is “the keynote of
the Apocalypse” that “is the thesis or text of the whole.”8 T. D.
Bernard in his Bampton Lectures at Otiord University calls this
verse “the first voice, and the keynote of the whole.”g Donald W.
Richardson states of this verse: “The Coming of the Lord is the
dominant note of the book.”lo Chilton concurs; “Verse 7 announces
the theme of the book.” 1 ]
That these observations as to Revelation’s theme are correct
should be evident in the emphasis placed on His coming that is a
constant refi-ain in the personal letters to the Seven Churches (Rev.
2:5, 16, 25; 3:3, 11, 20) and elsewhere (Rev. 16:15; 22:7, 12, 20). As
Dusterdieck observes: “He (Christ) cometh; this is the theme of the
Apoc., which is expressed here not in indefinite generality, but directly
afterwards its chief points, as they are further unfolded in the
book, are stated.”’2 The ~ematic idea is not only introduced early
in the work (Rev. 1:7); and it not only closes it (Rev. 22:20); but it
is also presented dramatically with an attention-demanding “Behold!”
at its initial appearance. Clearly something of tremendous
3. Friedrich Diisterdieck, Critiad and Exegetical Handbook to h Revelation of John, 3rd
cd., trans. Henry E. Jacobs (New York: Funk and Wagnalls, 1886), p. 28.
4. Ibid.
5. Bernhard Weiss, A Manual of Introdw%on to th New Testament, trans. A. J. K.
Davidson, vol. 2 (New York: Funk and Wagnalls, 1889), p. 71.
6. Justin A. Smith, CommentaT on th Revelation. An American Commentary on the
New Testament (Valley Forge: Judson, [1884] rep. n.d.), p. 18.
7. Milton S. Terry, Biblical Apocdyptics (New York Eaton and Mains, 1898), p. 280.
8. J. Stuart Russell, % Parowia: A Stub of th Ntw Testament Doctrine of Our Lord%
.%cond Corning, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, [1887] 1983), p. 368.
9. Thomas Dehany Bernard, Progrem of Doctrim in th Ntw T~tamtnt (Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, [1864] 1949), p. 213.
10. Donald W. Richardson, l% Rsuelation of Jesus Chtit (Richmond, VA: John Knox,
1964), p. 28.
11. David Chilton, 7% Days of Vmgeanre: An Exposition of h Book ~ Revelation (Ft.
Worth, TX: Dominion Press, 1987), p. 64.
12. Diisterdkck, Reoelatwn, p. 105.