The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation (2000) Vern S. Poythress

The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation (2000) - Vern S. Poythress

P&R Publishing

Trade paperback, 213 pages 

ISBN 9780875524627

Retail price: $14.99

Many pastors avoid preaching on it. (Even John Calvin didn’t write a commentary on it.) Many Christians know they should study it, but aren’t sure where to turn or how to get started. But Vern Poythress, professor of New Testament interpretation at Philadelphia’s Westminster Theological Seminary, says a child could understand the Book of Revelation. 

In fact, a 12-year-old boy once told Poythress that he read Revelation and understood it. “I read it just like a fantasy,” the boy said, “except that I knew it was true.” 

Poythress states, “Revelation is a picture book, not a puzzle book. don’t try to puzzle it out. Don’t become preoccupied with isolated details. Rather, become engrossed in the overall story. Praise the Lord. Cheer for the saints. Detest the Beast. Long for the final victory.”

Poythress also shows that the apostle John’s writings were most likely not confusing at all to his original audience. The reason is that his audience was steeped in a knowledge of the Old Testament, which is necessary for a proper understanding of Revelation. In fact, it seems there’s actually very little in the Bible’s final book that hasn’t been referenced throughout the Old Testament. 

Then what gets people bogged down? Dragons and beasts and angels? Seven seals and seven trumpets? The white horse? The 144,000? The sea of glass? The little scroll? The 42 months? 

Yes, all of the above. In other words, the details. People want to know what every single detail means, so they obsess over them, missing the big picture, which is actually pretty simple: 

Jesus wins. 

There, I’ve just told you the whole story of Revelation. But there’s much more to it than that. 

Poythress lays out the big picture (which is very big), then breaks down the big picture into large (but manageable) rocks, not pebbles. You won’t have every question answered (we never will in this life, anyway), but you’ll have a good, basic understanding of the themes and structure of Revelation. Poythress provides many helpful Scriptural references, especially those referring back to important sections of the Old Testament. One annoyance, however, is the frequent use of “See ‘Schools of Interpretation below’” for example, when that section is actually not below, but in another chapter. This is a small frustration, but when you’re already going back and forth in your Bible, this is a serious challenge to keeping your focus. Why not just give us a chapter number or a page number?

If you’ve kept the Book of Revelation at a distance up until now, it’s time to pick it up and start reading. Poythress’ book can be a great help in helping you to understand and enjoy (yes, enjoy!) the Book of Revelation.  

4/5