Finally, with special emphasis it should be said, that it is of prime importance for those who would understand the Apocalypse in its proper relations to Biblical thought, that a careful study should be made of the prophecies of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Isaiah, Amos, Joel, and Habakkuk, together with the Book of Psalms, in connection with the Revelation, in order to catch the inner thought of the book; also of some portion of the Apocalyptic literature, particularly the _Book of Enoch_,(63) the _Apocalypse of Baruch_, and the _Fourth Book of Ezra_, for these will furnish the atmosphere of Jewish thought in which the Apocalypse was conceived, and will provide substantial aid in understanding the peculiarities of its literary form and the general spirit of the work, as well as in freeing the mind from the trammels of traditional interpretation. But, above all, we should not forget that the book of Revelation is a properly recognized part of canonical Scripture in practically the universal judgment of the entire Christian world, and that notwithstanding its many and persistent difficulties of interpretation, it is yet entitled to our earnest study and attentive thought as containing a living and abiding message from Almighty God, through his Son Jesus Christ our Lord to John the last of the apostles, and through him to the sin‐ burdened souls of men the world over.
A few authorities are named below, which will be found sufficient to give most that is of value in interpretation for the general reader; others are referred to in the foot‐notes. For a fuller list, especially of the older books, consult the Schaff‐Herzog _Encyclopaedia_, or Smith’s _Dictionary of the Bible_, art. “Revelation”; while for the later literature see Hastings’ _Dictionary of the Bible_, and the _Encyclopaedia Biblica_.
Faussett, in _Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown’s Commentary_.
Wordsworth, _Lectures on the Apocalypse_;
Barnes, _Notes on the Book of Revelation_.
Milligan, in _Expositor’s Bible_, and in _Popular (International) Commentary_;
Stuart, in _Commentary on the Apocalypse_.
Moffatt, in _Expositor’s Greek Testament_;
Scott’s “Revelation”, in _New Century Bible_;
Alexander Ramsay’s “Revelation and Johannine Epistles”, in _Westminister New Test._;