The Returning King, A Guide to the Book of Revelation 1st (first) Edition by Vern S. Poythress published by Presbyterian and Reformed

by Vern Sheridan Poythress

Excellent Book

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, New Testament, Faith

Unknown Binding

First published November 1, 2000

About the author

Vern Sheridan Poythress was born in 1946 in Madera, California, where he lived with his parents Ransom H. Poythress and Carola N. Poythress and his older brother Kenneth R. Poythress. After teaching mathematics for a year at Fresno State College (now California State University at Fresno), he became a student at Westminster Theological Seminary, where he earned an M.Div. (1974) and a Th.M. in apologetics (1974). He received an M.Litt. in New Testament from University of Cambridge (1977) and a Th.D. in New Testament from the University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa (1981).

He has been teaching in New Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia since 1976. In 1981 he was ordained as a teaching elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church Evangelical Synod, which has now merged with the Presbyterian Church in America.

More information about his teaching at Westminster can be found at the Westminster Seminary website.

Dr. Poythress studied linguistics and Bible translation at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Norman Oklahoma in 1971 and 1972, and taught linguistics at the Summer Institute of Linguistics in the summers of 1974, 1975, and 1977. He has published books on Christian philosophy of science, theological method, dispensationalism, biblical law, hermeneutics, Bible translation, and Revelation. A list of publications is found on this website.

Dr. Poythress married his wife Diane in 1983, and they have two children, Ransom and Justin. He has side interests in science fiction, string figures, volleyball, and computers.

The family lived on a farm until he was five years old. When he was nine years old he made a public commitment to Christ and was baptized in Chowchilla First Baptist Church, Chowchilla, California. The family later moved to Fresno, California, and he graduated from Bullard High School in Fresno.

He earned a B.S. in mathematics from California Institute of Technology (1966) and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Harvard University (1970).

Reviews

[Sheri Ingersoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never had a very good understanding of the book of Revelation. It has been confusing and overwhelming. Yet, it is a revelation, a revealing, meant to show us what will soon take place. Our Lord doesn't want us to be left in the dark! Chapter 1:3 says, "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy..." (1:3). I can now say, "Yes! Indeed!"

Prior to reading the book, I listened to a teaching series on the book of Revelation by Voddie Baucham on Youtube. Between the teaching series and the book, I feel I am much more equipped in my understanding. This book was tremendously helpful as I read through Revelation and then through the particular chapter covering what I read. It breaks down the various eschatological viewpoints as well as their strengths and weaknesses.

I loved learning of the significance of numbers and symbols (colors, animals, lampstands). It is a picture book, not a puzzle book! I learned that not everything is in chronological order. Some events coincide with other events but are retold or told from a different vantage point. The references to Daniel and the Old Testament helped to bring more clarity and would have been significantly understood by the early church.

Revelation is for all saints in all times! Believers truly have a Hope to set their eyes upon as they navigate through this world full of spiritual battles between the seed of satan and the Seed of the woman. It helps to understand that the world system/the State and its unholy demands upon Christians who cannot comply is all part of God's plan. He preserves His people. In the end, the unholy trinity (satan, the beast and the false prophet) will reach their doom. And the Bride of Christ will join Faithful and True in the great wedding feast of all time - the Consumation of Redemptive History! Forever with Him!

[Alexander Proudfoot · Rating 4 out of 5]

More thorough than a study bible, less than a commentary. Would make a good first resource to consult.

[Troy Solava · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our elders read this book together in preparation for our preaching series on Revelation. This is a great introduction to Revelation from a (Amill and even Historic Pre Mill) position. It is short enough to be accessible and helps train our eyes to read Apocalyptic literature well.

[Rob Messenger]

Sorry to say this is unreadable and unratable because of the impossible format as purchased from Kindle.

[Thaddeus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been looking for a good, concise, lay-level commentary on the book of Revelation that I could recommend to people and I think I finally found it!

It's hard to find a commentary that reads easily and clearly with passion and pastoral sensitivity about the topic while dealing with the text, but this book manages to do it with surprising efficiency! Vern Poythress is fast becoming one of my favorite writers for his ability to write clearly and how refreshing his work is to read. This short commentary does not focus on polemic arguments or making a strong apologetic for a particular eschatological stance (although it is written from an Amillennial perspective). Instead it focuses the reader on the text and what is the clear message it means to communicate. The commentary is kept fairly brief with bits of vital background information and insights sprinkled in to help the reader appreciate the book better in its proper context.

If you're looking for a deep exegetical treatment of Revelation though, this is not your book. You'd be better off going with either Beale's NIGTC volume or Beale's shorter commentary (both of which are excellent and thorough!).

However, if you're looking for a readable, devotional commentary to read alongside Revelation - especially if you've never seriously tackled understanding the book of Revelation - then this may be the right book for you! It's a great easy to read devotional commentary that will help you see the big picture of Revelation and long do His return!

This book is available for FREE as a PDF from frame-poythress.org

The only reason I give it 4 stars is because I prefer the more thorough commentary of Beale. I'd also like to check out "The Triumph of the Lamb" by Dennis Johnson at some point to compare another short-form commentary on Revelation.

[Jamie Thomson · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most disputed books in the Bible is Revelation. Many scholars have noted that there are nearly as many positions on the book as there are commentators. Poythress, in his commentary, provides the groundwork to navigate this difficult book. About the first third of his book is dedicated to introducing the book: historical background and structure. From this foundation, he is then able to exposit in a clear and concise way what each section of the book of Revelation is about. Poythress’ method of interpretation relies heavily on examining what the meaning and application would have been to the original recipients and to the Old Testament background of the book. By this, he is able to ground his commentary in certainty rather than the fanciful applications that are offered by so many other commentators.

Since this commentary is focused on the big picture rather than individual verses, there are many details that are skipped over, but overall this is a benefit because it makes it easier to see the broad picture of Revelation. The introduction is particularly valuable for the structural analysis that it provides. This is a good intermediate level commentary on Revelation.

[Steven Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short guide to the book of Revelation is extremely helpful. Taking a childlike view of the characters in the book, rather than being lost in convoluted details and wild whimsical ideas of the day, Poythress provides the big picture of the nature of the battle between good and evil. Further, his insights into the structural framework of the book are powerful. He illuminates the repeating patterns with each series culminating in the second coming in a way I had missed. Further, his notion that some combination of preterism, futurism, historicism, and idealism is appropriate because the book addresses audiences in the first century, the end, and all in between makes a lot of sense to me. Some of his interpretations of a given symbol were a little too loose in places, but this can be forgiven. This little book encourages the reading of the book of Revelation, not as a puzzle but as a picture. I felt the wonder of Jesus Christ and the intensity of the battle as I read it. I would recommend you pick it up and experience the same.

[Cassia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful read-along with the book of Revelation. Poythress never gets his reader bogged down with the myriad of opinions or speculations regarding the signs or symbols, he keeps our eyes on Christ and the magnificent glories that surround him and are him. He does provide very simple and easy to understand sentences and small paragraphs about the various eschatological views where it's necessary, but mostly keeps the study rather devotional.
There is not an explanation for every confusing phrase or word like a larger commentary might try to provide, but that comes to feel appropriate, because in reality there is NOT an explanation for every confusing word or phrase on this side of glory.
The book added richness to my self-study in Revelation and keep me on the course to worship and praise. "Come, Lord Jesus!"

[Brendan Westerfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short, super helpful. Would recommend to anyone in the church attempting to know a bit more about Revelation. Poythress somehow faithfully yet briefly treats the text; highlighting the key Old Testament texts that bring light to book of Revelation. Vague signs, symbols, and allusions can make Revelation frightening, but Poythress makes it approachable. His exegesis pegs him as an amillenial, even though he attempts to "play nice" by presenting each position with its pros and cons. Ultimately, Poythress repeatedly comes back to one point: God rules history and will bring it to consummation in Christ. With this hermeneutic, Revelation becomes much easier to understand.

While it's not Beale's commentary in terms of scope, this will do the trick for most.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to the book of Revelation and short and easy-to-read. The opening chapter is wonderful for removing the veil and helping you appreciate reading Revelation for what it is rather than being "scared" of it. But the best part here is Poythress' variety of outlines for the book, which in itself acknowledges the literary craft of the book and helps us to see how it's arranged in layers. So much better than a single outline that "insists" on its way. Comparing the outlines helps you get a better sense of the structure of the book than just looking at one.

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief, simple, but profound and Christ-centered guide to Revelation. I felt that Poythress grasped the heart of the book's message.

"Christ wages war in Revelation 19, not only on behalf of God and his justice, but also on behalf of man and his welfare. He frees us forever from the threat of bestial tyranny. As the last Adam, he achieves perfect dominion. The Beast is subjected to Man."

"Revelation calls not for cleverness, but for spiritual discernment."

[Chris Rohde · Rating 4 out of 5]

For years I have avoided reading Revelation because it intimidated me. It seemed to be this incomprehensible book that drove people to crazy theories and obsession. Thankfully a friend and pastor recommended this book as an accessible way to approach studying Revelation. I found it to be incredible insightful and really demystified Revelation for me. As Poythress points out, Revelation can be summed up in two words, "Jesus wins."

I highly recommend.

[Nate Weis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introductory level commentary on Revelation from a primarily idealist perspective. Does a very good job of showing how the Apostle John used Old Testament allusions and imagery. Very readable and accessible. Will gladly recommend to friends who are new to the study of Eschatology and looking to understand Revelation.

[Amanda Tranmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and concise. Seemed to be written with ammillenial emphasis but fair and forthright about the premillenial interpretations of contested passages. It was great supplement to the other commentaries I already had, for quick looks at alternative views and also overarching themes of the book and of the story of the Bible in general.

[Karl Kranich · Rating 5 out of 5]

So helpful! For starters, a wonderful reminder that the book of Revelation was given to us to reveal the glory and purposes of God, not to confuse us with mysterious details.

I really appreciate Poythress’ explanations of various ways to see the structure of the book of Revelation. It’s much less intimidating to me now.

[Landon Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

While teaching the book of Revelation to men in my church, this was one of my favorite reference works. Poythress has not written a verse-by-verse commentary, but he has written a thorough, accessible, and helpful treatment of the book of Revelation. His overall structure and interpretive approach is very helpful for making sense of the book and teaching it to others.

[Joshua Centanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good popular-level introduction to Revelation. Happened to read while also working on Richard Bauckham's "The Theology of the Book of Revelation." Knocked down a star or two because Bauckham's book is *amazing*.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but didn't seem to me to add a lot. In general, Poythress surveys and pulls the good from a variety of interpretations, and doesn't usually argue vigorously for one. While I appreciate the charity of his approach, I think I wanted a more settled conclusion in a number of places.

[Jesse Keyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how reading this commentary felt like the beginning of the study of Revelation and not the end. He gave just the right amount of details and insights that, as his subtitle promises, will guide me as I study Revelation. A very successful and helpful work.

[Scott Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and readable introduction to the book of Revelation. I used this as a guide for a series I did with my senior students (17 & 18-year-olds) in Revelation. They really enjoyed the studies, which were largely based on this book.

[Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and simple commentary on Revelation. Poythress takes pictures that cause many to scratch their head and presents them in a way that children can understand. This book gives confidence to read and study Revelation.

[Caleb Falbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource to give a very concise overview of Revelation from an idealist perspective. I used it as a very helpful aid as I taught Revelation. It is not the book to get if you want to go in depth, but it is the perfect introductory book of this perspective of Revelation.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality approach to Revelation. It is a commentary, but reading it is not tedious. Poythress will not appeal to all, but his view point is pretty standard in the post-mil/A-Mil camp. Does a great job of working through the biblical text.
FYI this book is free on www.Monergism.com

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Not as good as Koester's "Revelation and the End of all Things," however. But this is a very accessible text on Revelation.

[Oliver Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful introduction to the book of revelation on an average reading level.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, albeit brief, commentary on Revelation.

[C.S. Wachter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear, balanced, and informative study of Revelation. Worth reading if you are interested in understanding John's Revelation.

[David King · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, brief commentary on Revelation. If the hallmarks of one who really knows his subject are the abilities to be clear and concise, then Poythress proves himself with this book.

[Marty Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview and enormously helpful.

[Kevin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent commentary on one of the most (arguably the most) difficult books in the Bible, the book of Revelation. Thoroughly biblical and sound interpretation. I highly recommend.