Classic Commentaries and Studies on the Apocalypses of Daniel and Revelation (14 vols.)

In the nineteenth century, as human society changed at an unprecedented pace, interest in how biblical prophecy might be fulfilled skyrocketed. Many groups began anticipating an imminent apocalypse. Responding to the demand for literature on prophetic Scriptures and several failed predictions of Christ’s coming, Josiah Litch wrote this explanation of the various prophetic events that occur in Daniel and Revelation. His exposition reflects the evolving futurist view of prophecy that proliferated in later decades.

Responding to the flurry of challenges textual criticism posed to the Old Testament, Carl August Auberlen writes defending its authenticity. He compares the apocalypse of Daniel to Revelation, and holds up Old Testament prophecy as essential to understanding the New Testament. Auberlen explains how an understanding of Daniel and Revelation enrich each other. He offers detailed commentary on the most controversial passages of each book and summarizes a variety of nineteenth-century views.

Baptist minister Isaac Taylor Hinton illustrates a historicist view of how the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation are representative of five empires: the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Catholic Church, and the true church. Hinton attempts to remain faithful to Scripture, while avoiding the superstition that pervaded the church regarding prophecy in the nineteenth century. He also summarizes the views of other nineteenth-century scholars, providing a glimpse into the landscape of biblical studies at the time.

In this commentary on the apocalyptic prophecies of Revelation, Samuel S. Ralston examines how the Bible’s final book enriches the reading of other prophetic Scripture. Ralston also speaks to “a very great propensity to estimate too highly the relative importance of current events” when evaluating biblical prophecy in view of history. His study reads Revelation in light of other biblical prophecy and provides valuable insight into the history of modern prophetic interpretation.

Printed for members of the Prophecy Investigation Society, this volume captures the spirit of prophetic scholarship in the early twentieth century. The papers address the first chapter of Zechariah and examine the relationship between Daniel and Revelation. Presenters include F.L. Denman, C.S. Painter, H.G. Emeric de St. Dalmas, and J.J.B. Coles.

Reflecting the unique American spirit of the nineteenth century, Joseph F. Berg puts forth America as the fifth kingdom described in Daniel. Berg argues that America is a “political miracle,” and his commentary is a valuable window into the many unique attitudes toward prophetic literature in the nineteenth century.

In this volume, Reverend S.C. Alexander examines how the United States might be represented in the prophetic Scriptures. Alexander focuses on the fifth kingdom in Daniel, theorizing how the history of the American continent might be represented therein. His study is indicative of the varied interpretations of prophecy that were so pervasive in the nineteenth century.

Samuel Sheffield Snow, an atheist until he was 35, examines the apocalyptic visions in Daniel and Revelation. Snow writes to encourage believers in the hope of their ultimate redemption in Christ, exhorting them to live their lives in light of Christ’s imminent return. He covers the visions of Daniel and John, and presents their possible representations in historical events.

Noting that “the apocalypse is more eminently marked . . . by the peculiarities which distinguish the works of inspiration from those of men,” David N. Lord carefully works his way through each chapter of Revelation. Lord seeks to show how even in the opaque verses of the Bible’s final chapters, God’s glory is on full display.

Uriah Smith’s Seventh-day Adventist commentary on Revelation responds to the surge in interest in prophetic Scripture that occurred in the nineteenth-century. Smith focuses on how Revelation “takes us at once and so irresistibly into another sphere,” revealing the incomprehensible glory of God. His commentary encourages Christians to live in anticipation of Christ’s return, and to persevere in the knowledge of the church’s ultimate victory.

Originally published in 1829, William March’s Apocalyptic Sketches was brought back into print years later in the midst of great religious revival in Europe and America. March’s historicist work reflects the anticipation of Christ’s imminent return that filled many commentaries on prophetic Scripture in the nineteenth century.

Comprising the University of Dublin’s Donnellan Lectures for 1891, Thomas Lucas Scott’s work introduces the nature of biblical prophecy and the literary character of Revelation. He then goes on to lecture on the theological significance of the events portrayed in Revelation for the Christian church. Scott’s work is intelligent and entertaining, as he draws on the traditional interpretations of Augustine and Bede.

In this volume, Cambridge scholar E.P. Cachemaille presents the predominant historicist interpretations of Daniel and Revelation. Cachemaille writes in accessible English, providing the arguments of historicists, but leaving any ultimate conclusion to the reader.

In this brief pamphlet, Cambridge scholar E.P. Cachemaille offers an explanation of the three angels in Revelation 14. Seeing Revelation as “history written beforehand,” Cachemaille theorizes about the angels’ potential parallels in current and future events.