Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation

by Bruce M. Metzger

The Book of Revelation contains passages of great beauty and comfort, as well as passages that strike the casual reader as bizarre, bewildering, and sometimes frightening. How are readers today to discern God’s message in this peculiar part of the Bible? Breaking the Code provides a trustworthy guide to the rich symbolism of this important biblical book. Noted biblical scholar Bruce M. Metzger presents the fruits of solid scholarship in a non-academic style. Breaking the Code serves as a key for understanding this powerful and puzzling book from the first century of the Christian Era. Topics

Genres: Religion, Christian, Theology, Christianity, New Testament, Spirituality, Nonfiction

111 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Bruce Manning Metzger (February 9, 1914 – February 13, 2007) was an American biblical scholar and textual critic who was a longtime professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and Bible editor who served on the board of the American Bible Society and United Bible Societies. He was a scholar of Greek, New Testament, and New Testament textual criticism, and wrote prolifically on these subjects. Metzger is widely considered one of the most influential New Testament scholars of the 20th century.[1][2]

Reviews

[Sandra D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read, does a good job of explaining the Book of Revelation in terms the average reader can understand. This is probably the book I should have given to my mother, who was suckered into that "Left Behind" crap, instead of Worthy Is the Lamb, which she returned to me saying that she couldn't make heads or tails of it.

Worthy is still my favorite; it's a more scholarly and more complete work that explains such things as why Revelation was written in apocalyptic form rather than straightforward prose, and the historical origins of the numbers and symbolism scattered throughout the book, which the original audience of the book would have understood more immediately than we do.

I wish I'd had Worthy on hand for side-by-side comparison while I read Breaking the Code, but it's currently on loan (again) to my father-in-law, the unrepentant premillenialist. We've been working on him for years, but it's been a futile enterprise so far. Incredibly frustrating, but what can you do?

[Patrick Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic little book that is an extremely easy and quick read! I've been devouring more and more resources on the Book of Revelation over the past 6 years, and recently was turned on to this little resource by Dr. Shane Wood, who also has put out some REALLY good stuff on Revelation. I would say that in the current camp that I find myself where it comes to understanding and interpreting this book, I agree with about 85-90% of what Metzger wrote here. Nonetheless, I HAVE NOT encountered a better introduction/overview to the actual text of the book as what he presents in this short, 100-page resource! If you're looking to start a serious study of Revelation and you haven't had much guidance (as opposed to what's out there by a lot of sensationalists), this is a MUST READ in terms of a starting place. It will help you digest what you read and compile a framework from which you can then explore the various parts in more detail and with more care! What a great addition/resource for us to be blessed with!

[Carsten Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worked great for a United Methodist study (with the dated but still helpful dvd lectures as well). Metzger was so articulate and made Revelation digestible for a group that approached the book with both curiosity and trepidation.

[Charlotte Toyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and easy to understand commentary on the Book of Revelation

[Vince Eccles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Revelation is a least favorite topic for me as a Christian. Interest in Revelation is not useful for living a kind Christian life. I have only observed fanaticism and silliness associated with interpretations of this book. My favorite quote about this writing is from G.K. Chesterton:

"And though St. John the Evangelist saw many strange monsters in his vision, he saw no creature so wild as one of his own commentators."

That said, I have to teach to New Testament in full, so I thought I would give myself a tutorial in The Apocalypse of John. This book was recommended by a brilliant bible scholar and the author is a well known Bible scholar and New Testament translator. The book did a very even-handed and clear introduction for the novice scholar on this book. He covers the history surrounding the writing of the book as well as the symbology arising from the Jewish Testament Prophets.

If you are going to read something on the Book of Revelation, then this is the place to start ... along with this little video from the Bible Project ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nvVV...

[Trey Nowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite possibly the best, most concise, scholarly explanation of The Book Of Revelation ever written. This book offers an easy to understand breakdown of the mystery that is The Revelation Of John. I read Bruce Metzger often in college, which helped shape and transform my personal understanding of the New Testament. His work is amongst the best one can read, not forcing opinion onto anyone.

[Simon Wiebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nettes Buch, um einen ersten Überblick über die Offenbarung zu bekommen. An manchen Stellen auch mit Anwendung, wie Texte für die heutige Zeit fruchtbar gemacht werden können. Mir persönlich hat etwas die Kontroverse gefehlt. An vielen Stellen wurde das Offensichtliche beschreiben, aber die kontroversen MInterpretationen blieben weg. Eher ne 3,5, die aufgerundet eine 4 ist.

[Bryan Glassman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Revelations is hard and I really struggled with this book but it helped me to have a better understanding of revelations.

[Alan Castro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview for a casual walk through revelation. I wish there was a little more depth, but other than that it was sufficient for a bird’s eye view of the major themes and sections in Revelation.

[Ryan Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read over 70 books this year, and honestly this might have been one of my favorites to read. It was so well written with utter clarity. I loved it and will definitely read it again. And I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone.

In an era where people try to dissect the future views of Revelation, Metzger does a good job showing how we have it so wrong. How the apostle John wasn't intending for the book to be secret code for the end of the world. Not at all. Rather, the book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature. And it was written to specific Christians in the 1st century who were going through difficult situations and tempted to give in. John simply was revealed a vision and then describes what we saw with hundreds of Old Testament images. It isn't a final secret code for the last 7 years or anything. Rather, it is John describing over and over the torrents going on in the world (especially in Rome in the first century) which threatened Christians, and which will not win in the end. Metzger argues all this well and shows this is the right understanding of Revelation as he carefully goes through the text.

With all that said, here are some quick reasons why I love the book so much.

First, he somehow amazingly covers the whole book really well in 106 pages. This is biblical explanation at its finest! Detailed where he needs to be, but also getting across the major ideas from the book chapter by chapter in an intriguing way.

Second, he doesn't take stances where it isn't clear. He focuses on what it is clear when John's usage of the Old Testament and imagery is taken into account. But where there are a couple options, he admits it. But he still shows that overall, it is a book written to the 1st century church dealing with the temptations they had then with Rome. It is applicable today because of the same lessons it teaches as we're tempted to give in as well.

Third, it simply is very clear and interesting. It is so thrilling to read as he covers the book so well.

I do not agree with everything he says--as he sometimes has this weird view of free will--but when he stays to the text and interprets it with the Old Testament in mind, I think he is usually spot on. In this way, I loved and enjoyed it. I'm sad it isn't in a reprint, better looking form yet! But maybe someday.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a popular level overview of Revelation that I was reasonably certain would not come from a sensationalist perspective. That's what I found in Breaking the Code. Metzger offers an introductory chapter followed by 2 chapters over the 7 churches (Rev 2-3). Then, breaking the text down into 7 sections, he gives an overview of what each section is seeking to say to the first century reader as well as to us.

His comments are clear and helpful. He keeps in focus that this book was written for 1st century believers, yet has application to modern day Christians. He is fair in his assessment and does a good job of keeping with a theme he introduces early on: the text "does not mean what it says; it means what it means" (p27).

The book ends with a leaders guide and explanations of how to use this in a small group Bible study session (there is also a video available--which I've not seen).

The book is what I expected, so if you are looking for a more detailed treatment or more scholarly presentation, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for something to give you a conservative, helpful and encouraging overview, read Breaking the Code.

[Barbara Heerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting explanation of the Book of Revelation that makes the Book comprehensible in terms of the period it was written. Not taking Revelation literally, the author analyzes the symbolism in its historic context of the Roman Empire. It is easy to see that the city of seven hills is Rome, not Babylon, and that the promise of eternal life is fulfilled with the Church as Christ's bride. I appreciate the author's historic references and his ability to refer to both Old and New Testament scriptures that affirm his interpretation of Revelation. My pastor has led us through this well in the pandemic, and I appreciate his use of selected images (of Roman ruins for example), and his encouragement to use our "disciplined imagination."

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be fair I’m not widely read on the book of Revelation. There is a lot written on Revelation that I’m pretty sure I don’t ever want to read. This book, in my opinion, is outstanding. There is an accompanying video study that I am not sure is available any longer that I used with a way back in the 1990’s - it was well received. I recently have been preaching for multiple weeks from Revelation and so those who were interested read through the book a chapter a day and I posted some commentary to go along with what was being read. Based on my past experience I went back and found my copy of Breaking The Code and it was still as useful as ever.

[John Bolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, scholarly explanation of The Book of Revelation. Metzger’s exhaustive knowledge of the Bible gives him the ability to relate most of the images John presents to what they REALLY are talking about, not what dispensationalists would have you believe. Revelation is not a picture of the “end time,” but a book giving hope to a people being persecuted by the Roman Empire.

[Nathan Ellzey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Metzger is a solid, reliable scholar. His short treatment of Revelation is extremely helpful and illuminating. It gives perspective and insight into what is certainly the most misunderstood book in the Bible.

[Leanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more of an expanded commentary. Revelation is a complex book and I like reading it periodically because each time I do I learn a little more about it. This book was a recommendation from a long time ago and I decided to pursue some of my "to read" books. I'm glad that I did.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Book of Revelation has not ever been a favorite of mine, but this book at least helped me to understand where so many of the ideas came from. I had not remembered how much we read in Revelations is already in the Old Testament. Overall, the book was ok, but I was glad to finish it.

[Steve Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful and centered, if far too short, introductory commentary on Revelation.

[Lee Wolfe]

Not much added to new edition.

[Bill Hooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent little book -- giving an overview of the book of Revelation. Doesn't get too deep, and breaks down what is important.

[Magen]

Read for a class. We'll see how it goes. I don't know how helpful this is alone without other reading material or curriculum.

[Jessica Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the first time I’ve read this. It is really helpful for providing symbolic meaning to a really confusing book, also provides a lot of historical context.

[Unpil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a nice introduction to the Book of Revelation for laypeople. Due to profuse apocalyptic imageries and symbolism, apparent to the original Hebraic and Greek audience but arcane for most modern readers, the Book of Revelation has been misunderstood by many people, often resulting in apocryphal prophecies with little to no base. Therefore, for those who are reading the Book of Revelation for the first time, I strongly recommend reading this guide to get a balanced overview based on sound exegesis, from which you can dive deeper into the book as you wish.

It also helps that the book, without much jargon, is easy to read.

[Steve Irby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished "Breaking the Code: Understanding the book of Revelation, " by Bruce M. Metzger.

Right off the bat, no, this isnt some quick, found-it-at-a-gas-station book on Revelation telling people to stock up on canned goods, look out for the Russians-in-the-text nonsense which has airliners falling from the sky because they lost pilots mid flight. Metzger was the chief editor for the NRSV and a long time professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, hes no dummy. Now hush.

As I have said before about the wonderful writings of Gordon Fee, since this is exegetical I will probably make fewer comments. I save my verbosity for theological works, about which I am more confident.

He begins well by stating that when word pictures are used we need not be uncontrolled and think an actual beast is coming out of the sea. He tells us that in instances like this and others (dry bones etc) we need be imaginative but constrained.

It is interesting that he dates the book between 69-96ad (I think this is to appeal to the various schools who place so much stock on if it was telling about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70ad or not) with his "probably" landing during the reign of Domitian at around 96ad. The reason for this was because Christianity was not persecuted empire wide during Nero's reign; that was restricted mainly to Rome. Domitian though went all the way in persecuting the Christians demanding them to worship him by addressing him "our lord and our god." (By the way, in light of that how does Thomas' confession in Jn. 20:28 sound?--it is revolutionary.)

The prologue (1:1-3) states that this, the revelation, must take place soon. Because of this we have to be cautious when going to hermeneutics from exegesis: who was it written to, what did it mean to them? Ok, in light of those answers which we must have first, "what does it mean to me?"

Throughout the church congratulations or chastisement Metzger has tons of history littered throughout. What really gives flesh to these accounts is when the paganism comes out via archeology. Like the size of a temple or the amount of animal sacrifices offered for their gods. Where revelant he has other scripture notated to point one to a, for instance, historical parallel in Acts or a prophetic parallel in the OT.

His coverage of the thousand year reign has him defining the three camps. The closest he comes so far is when covering Amil he 1) lists scripture to cover his points, which is something left out of pre and postmils and 2) he says Amil isnt as pessimistic as premil and isnt as optimistic as postmil.

Good quick study of the Revelation, and from all appearances it is from an amil perspective.

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Metzger's book is a short commentary attempting to establish the basic flow of what Revelation is about. He accepts and defends the position that the book is written between 69-96, likely between 91-96, and involves a series of visions, many of which tell the same story, telling in apocalyptic imagery the "things that are" (Jesus' birth, establishment of His Kingdom, cruelty of Rome) and "the things that are to come" (Jesus' victory over Rome, the Judgment).

This book is broad but not deep; do not look to this book to provide in-depth explanations but instead a general overview of the main themes of the images of Revelation. For its purposes an excellent book to consider when studying Revelation.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for "breaking through the code". John understood the dangerous times he was living in. In order for him to leave a message behind, based upon his vision, he had to make it cryptic enough to the "outsiders" and understandable enough for the believers. Reading Revelation today, as it is written, would leave the reader (most anyway) not understanding a lot of what he was conveying. I would not have read it alone, but by reading each chapter in the Bible, interpreting on my own, then going back and gleaning a deeper understanding from the "code" has helped me. I would recommend this book.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accessible and clear, this brief commentary highlights Revelation's overall message of hope and comfort for Christians suffering persecution, especially those Christians under the Roman Empire. Metzger cautions the reader to remember that John was describing the symbols that he saw, not necessarily literal events that follow a sequential timeline. His knowledge of the history and culture of Ancient Rome and Jewish thought at the time illuminates the text of Revelation, placing it within its proper context.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Metzger explains that a reader of Revelation should consider the historical period in which the book was written and John's purpose for writing it, which was to give hope and meaning to early Christians who were being persecuted in the Roman Empire. Thus, much of the "hidden meaning" is related to Rome and to Nero and symbols are just that, symbols, and not to be taken literally. This book is very helpful in guiding one through the Book of Revelation.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discussion guide for study of the Book of Revelation, arguing that the book is neither completely wacky nor a guide to the end of the world. Metzger briefly demonstrates the author's grounding in Old Testament prophecies and the messages (coded to get by Roman censors) to persecuted Christians in the late 1st century. Not entirely convincing, if the more hard core folk at my church are any indication.

[Abraham Ndungu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book helps one to think about symbolism as used in the book of Revelation. It provides food-for-thought, especially in helping to "mess-up"one's assumed theology with regard to what Revelation is all about. The downside is that the book is too brief and doesn't delve deeply into discussing symbols and codes used. May be I am biased, in that regard, because I am a seminary graduate 🙈 But, on the whole, the book has enough stuff to whet an appetite for reading more. Kudos to the author(s)