J. Scott Duvall. The Heart of Revelation: Understanding the 10 Essential Themes of the Bible’s Final Book. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2016. 224 pp. $12.44.
It is a joy to read a book on Revelation that is neither a commentary nor a fantastical fiction but actually a helpful and thoughtful volume. J. Scott Duvall has given us such a work in the recently released The Heart of Revelation.
Unlike many books on the Bible’s final book, The Heart of Revelation is a thematic study. The author works through ten key themes that are prominent in the book. These themes include God, worship, the people of God, the Holy Spirit, our enemies, the mission, Jesus Christ, judgment, the new creation, and perseverance.
What is lovely in this book is the author’s simple presentation of difficult topics. Duvall offers clear and sensible explanations for themes and characters that could both have been present in the first century and which could be still to come.
What is even more helpful in this book is the author’s ability to demonstrate how the themes and promises in the book of Revelation are helpful to the present-day church. Duvall shows the church how God’s word in Revelation applied to the persecuted first century church, the church throughout history, and the present and future church. This is no study stuck in AD 70 or in a possible future; it is a study of a helpful and beautiful book of the Bible that shows us Jesus and encourages us to live for his glory regardless of the age in which we read it.
I would happily recommend this book to pastors and church members. It would work well for a thematic group Bible study or for personal encouragement. I especially would hold this book up to those who are frustrated and tired of eschatological wrangling. This book is going to be helpful as it shows us how the book of Revelation offers strength and courage to a church living in an age when Christianity’s popularity is waning.
I received a free copy of this book from Baker Books in exchange for an honest review.
Pastor Travis Peterson 