Reddit mentions of Revelation: A Shorter Commentary

>I guess I'd say I'm still a Continuationist and a Credobaptist

There are several of that variety around here. Welcome.

>Do most reformed people believe that the majority of the events depicted in Revelation have already taken place?

No, I don't think the majority of us hold to the partial-preterist view. In my view, for instance, the events of Revelation are taking place and have been since the book was written. Though, the book ends with Jesus coming back, which hasn't taken place, it starts by saying the book is about "what must soon take place". So it makes sens to read it as what has been and is still happening.

>Where is the easiest place to start to read up on some of this stuff?

The easiest place to start getting a Reformed view of eschatology, I would say, is from Kim Riddlebarger. Go to his website, look at the side bar on the right and scroll down to see the "Amillenialism 101". Obviously this presents a specific view, but it's a great place to start with non-pre-trib, non-pre-mil views.

>Any similar resources/commentaries from someone in the reformed camp?

If you want a straight-up Reformed commentary on the book, you can't go wrong with Revelation: A shorter commentary by G.K. Beale. Don't let the name fool you, it still weighs in at 552 pages. In the commentary, Beale shows that the things described by Revelation are not all past and not all future, but shows, "The goal of Revelation is to bring encouragement to believers of all ages that God is working out His purposes even in the midst of tragedy, suffering, and apparent Satanic domination. It is the Bible's battle cry of victory."

If you want a work that's about half that length and available to read at no price, take a look at The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation by Vern Poythress, where he writes, "You can summarize its message in one sentence: God rules history and will bring it to its consummation in Christ." This one seems more similar kind of resource to the one you linked, as far as accessibility and organization.

>Maybe you could briefly explain to me some of the different eschatological beliefs and views on the book of Revelation.

In the Reformed camp, I've encountered several positions. These positions are usually defined as some combination of a general view of Eschatological revelation and a specific view of the Millenium in Revelation 20. I think I've encountered these:

|Millennium|Partial-Preterist|Historicist|Idealist|Futurist|
|------------|-----------------|-----------|--------|---------|
|Pre-mil |X | | |X |
|Amil |X |X |X | |
|Post-mil |X | |X |X |

• Partial-Preterist Views most of eschatological revelation as having been fulfilled already.
  
• Historicist Views it as fulfilled in specific events through the history of the church.
  
• Idealist Views it as being continually fulfilled through the church age
  
• Futurist Views it as being almost entirely fulfilled in the future
  
• Pre-millennial Expects Jesus to come back before the Millennium, which will be a golden age on the earth under Jesus' direct rule
  
• Amillennial Expects Jesus to come back after the Millennium, which is symbolic of the Church Age where Jesus is building His kingdom
  
• Post-millennial Expects Jesus to come back after the Millennium, which will be a golden age on the earth as Jesus' kingdom as the church pervades the world.
  
  The pre-trib view of Calvary Chapel and others is a specific kind of Pre-millennial Futurism that's distinct from the Historical Pre-millennial view.
  
  >I think that the secret rapture is probably not true.
  
  You're on the right track there.
  
  EDIT: missig lettrs

> I also think he has a shorter commentary on Revelation that's under thirty dollars that may also be a good place to start

Let the reader beware that Beale's shorter commentary clocks in at 562 pages. It is shorter in the sense that it is less than half as long as his full NIGTC commentary, but don't be fooled into thinking it is easy reading or anything.

It's apocalyptic. The apocalyptic genre is highly symbolic and uses a lot of colorful imagery. But it attempts to convey underlying truths. It's just hard to get at them because it's often hard to interpret.

In the case of the Book of Revelation, we can be helped along by noticing that the author uses a lot of the same apocalyptic imagery that is used in other apocalyptic books where we are giving the interpretation. Also, Revelation often interprets itself. It'll tell you explicitly what this or that symbol or image represents.

Here is a book recommendation that can help: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802866212/?coliid=I3PDWH0U4MQDX1

G.K. Beale Commentary on Revelation or his Shorter Commentary on Revelation as well as many of the other books he's written on Thessalonians, New Testament use of Daniel, etc. are some of the best resources for an amillennial, idealist interpretation. He also has a lot of shorter articles and lectures available online, if you're lazy like me.