Before Jerusalem Fell - EntreWave

4 BEFORE JERUSALEM FELL
Thus, both in terms of its literary genius and its divine inspiration
and message, Revelation merits its fascinating captivation of the
mind.
Ancient! h.?terest
Consequently, it is not surprising that “neglect did not characterize
the earliest history of the book.”3 Indeed, its transmission history
clearly attests its wide circulation in early times. 4 New Testament
historians, commentators, and textual critics alike have long noted
that “this book is one of the best attested of early times.”5
The intensity of ancient interest in Revelation is evidenced by the
startling fact that “perhaps more than any other book in the New
Testament, the Apocalypse enjoyed wide distribution and early recognition.
“G The prince of evangelical commentators on Revelation,
Henry Barclay Swete, even observed in this regard: “The Apocalypse
is well-worked ground. It would not be difficult to construct a commentary
which should be simply a catena of patristic and medieval
expositions. ” ~ Nevertheless, it should be noted that in its earliest
history, despite both its impressive distribution and recognition “no
book in the New Testament with so good a record was so long in
gaining general acceptance.”s Debate over Revelation in the post-
Apostolic era raged not only over its interpretation (it does still
today!), but over its very canonicity, as well. An excellent, brief
survey of its early canon history can be found in Guthrie’s classic New
Testament Introduction, g the standard introduction among conservative
Bible students. A more comprehensive treatment of the matter – also
from a conservative perspective – is contained in Ned B. Stonehouse’s
The Apoca~pse in the Ancitmt Church. 10
3. Donald B. Guthrie, New ZLrtarnerzt Introductzorz, 3rd ed. (Downer’s Grove, IL:
Inter-Varsity Press, 1970), p. 931.
4. Ibid., p. 932.
5. Walter F. Adeney, A Biblical Introduction, vol. 2: New Testament (London: Methuen,
1911), p. 461.
6. Robert H. Mounce, Tlu Book of Revelatwn. New International Commentary on the
New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977), p. 36.
7. Henry Barclay Swete, Commentary on Reoekrtzon (Grand Rapids: Kregel, [1906]
1977), p. xii.
8. Ibzd, p. cxvii.
9. Guthrie, Introduction, pp. 931-949.
10. Ned B. Stonehouse, The Apoca@se in thz Arwz”ent Church (Goes, Holland: Oosterbaan
and Le Cointre, 1929), pa.ssim.