NSBT: All Things New: Revelation as Canonical Capstone

For many readers of the Bible, the book of Revelation is a riddle that fascinates and frustrates. Scholars and teachers have proposed different keys to its interpretation, including the ‘futurist’ and historical-critical approaches. However, none of these adequately demonstrates the continuing, vital relevance of the Apocalypse to the contemporary church.

Brian Tabb stresses the importance of the canonical context of the book of Revelation and argues that it presents itself as the climax of biblical prophecy. He shows how various Old Testament prophecies and patterns find their consummation in the present and future reign of Jesus Christ, who decisively defeats his foes, saves his people and restores all things.

Tabb considers key biblical-theological themes: the triune God; Christ’s followers and foes; God’s plan for salvation, judgment and restoration; and God’s word. He also explores how the book’s symbolic visions shape believers’ worldviews in accordance with what is true, good and beautiful according to God’s revealed standards. These visions motivate them to live obediently and counter-culturally in the world as faithful witnesses to Jesus. 

288 pages

Not only does [Dr Tabb] write with clarity and deceptive simplicity, but what he writes will prove enduring. He belongs to that biblical-theological school which, without forcing the evidence, eagerly probes how the trajectories of Scripture come together in Scripture’s last book. As Richard Bauckham has taught us, the Book of Revelation is the very culmination of prophecy — and Dr Tabb is eager to work this out. In a book like Revelation, full of symbols that have little resonance with our world, Dr Tabb brings them to life once again. And he does this in a context that ties the themes of the book to some foundational Christian convictions. Take, and read.