The Heart of Revelation: Understanding the 10 Essential Themes of the Bible's Final Book

by J. Scott Duvall

Despite gallons of ink spilled and hours of movies made on the book of Revelation, it remains one of the most confusing and least understood books of Scripture. But Scott Duvall has good news for discouraged readers--you can benefit from the hope and encouragement of this mysterious book if you grasp its main teachings.
In this thematic approach to Revelation, Duvall reveals its ten most important themes, allowing readers to focus on the vision of hope Revelation provides. Rather than discussing different views of the end times, Duvall points us toward the major biblical themes of God, worship, the people of God, the Holy Spirit, our mission, the Lamb of God, judgment, perseverance, and more, allowing readers to understand and apply the message of Revelation here and now.

Genres: New Testament, Theology, Christianity

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2016

About the author

J. Scott Duvall (PhD. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament at Ouachita Baptist University. He is the coauthor with George H. Guthrie of Biblical Greek Exegesis: A Graded Approach to Learning Intermediate and Advanced Greek and with Terry G. Carter and J. Daniel Hays of the textbook Preaching God's Word: A Hands on Approach to Preparing, Developing and Delivering the Sermon.

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A thematic approach to the book of Revelation focusing around ten key themes which answer the basic question of "who is Lord."

I think I've just found my new "go to" book when someone asks for help in understanding the book of Revelation.  Instead of getting engaged in systems of trying to figure out who in contemporary history might be one of the Beasts, or the significance of the seals, trumpets, and bowls, J. Scott Duvall focuses on themes running through Revelation centering around the purpose of proclaiming that Jesus, not Caesar is Lord and will triumph, to the encouragement of a suffering and persecuted church.

Duvall thinks that taking context seriously is vital. Revelation cannot mean something to us that it didn't mean to the original recipients. Duvall helps us understand how the seven churches faced pressure from Rome, from the Jews, and from false teachers. He emphasizes reading the book as a letter, as prophecy, and as apocalyptic, or an unveiling. He proposes that in interpreting that we try to understand what the book would mean to its original recipients, that we take the text seriously, but not always literally, since much is symbol, and that we focus on the theological message of each vision, particularly around the truth that "God is in control, and he will successfully accomplish his purposes." Also, he offers a kind of theological glossary which he terms "Cast of Characters in the Divine Drama of Revelation," offering a brief explanations of everything from "abyss" to "woman clothed with the sun."

A chapter is devoted to each of the ten themes:

God: "The Almighty"
Worship: " You are Worthy."
The People of God: "His Called, Chosen, and Faithful Followers"
The Holy Spirit: "The Seven Spirits before His Throne"
Our Enemies: "The Dragon Stood on the Shore of the Sea"
The Mission: "My Two Witnesses"
Jesus Christ: "The Lamb, Who Was Slain"
Judgment: "How Long, Sovereign Lord?"
The New Creation: "I Saw a New Heaven and a New Earth"
Perseverance: "To the One Who is Victorious"

Each chapter traces the theme through the whole book, summarizing main points, offering key texts and a reading plan and community group questions. Indeed, the clarity of the text, the inclusion of this reading plan and questions makes this an excellent text for a class or small group, as well as an adjunct to personal study.

The thing that stood out to me most was the idea of the greatness of and ultimate victory of the Triune God. At the same time, chapters on the people of God, our enemies, our mission, and judgment emphasize the call to faith and faithfulness in witness, which has often been accompanied by suffering. Much of the global church needs to understand this. I found myself wondering if there is also a message for the American church in coming years. At very least, the challenge to faithful witness, vigilance, and a preparedness to suffer is a clear message of scripture.

I found myself pausing at times in worship and wonder on reading passages on the greatness of God, and the destiny of his people. One example from the chapter on "The New Creation":

   The new creation will be the fulfillment of God's promise to live among us. This idea can be a bit scary until you let it sink in that every good thing that exists in our lives now comes from the Lord. He is our loving Father, who only wants to give us good things. He wants to be with us and wants us to be with him and to experience the perfect community, the very reality we were created for. In fact, all our longings and desires for life and goodness and beauty will be completely fulfilled in the new creation because we will be dwelling in God's presence....Haven't you ever wanted a short time of such peace and joy and love to last forever because it was so wonderful, almost a fleeting glimpse of heaven? We long for that world, and that longing comes from God, and he intends to fulfill these longings and desires. He will keep his promises (p. 176).

This book makes both a great first book on reading Revelation as well as a helpful resource for deeper study and for those who would teach others. It models a good example of doing biblical theology in tracing great biblical themes running through this book in a way that at the same time is consistent with the context and content of Revelation.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Eliana Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t read Revelation and are unsure where to start or scared to start then this book is a good place to begin your Revelation journey. Written very well and gives an over arching view of 10 themes found in the book of Revelation that allows for comprehension of unsettling imagery or concepts that are hard to digest.

[aiza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duval's "Heart of Revelation" is one of the most accessible and helpful books on the Book of Revelation I've ever encountered. It is pastoral and warm, brimming with anecdotes, thought-provoking reflective questions, and discussion points, all capped with a summary at the end of each chapter. This book truly is a valuable gift to the church. Even if someone doesn't agree with all of Duval's exegetical interpretations in this book, they can still benefit from his clear and easily comprehensible teachings.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps you agree with Duvall when he writes, “Revelation is the strangest book in the whole Bible.” (1) It seems people either avoid it or obsess over it. But Duvall offers a third way, appreciating the book by looking at the big picture, identifying what we can know for certain, and finding lessons for our Christian living today.

He has a good introduction to Revelation, exploring the circumstances of the writing, the type of literature, and principles of interpretation.

I like how Duvall emphasizes that Revelation shows reality from God's perspective. “...God defeats the power of darkness, judges evil, rescues his people, and transforms creation.” (7) It is a book of hope but does not offer the false hope of avoiding persecution and suffering of the last days. The book of Revelation, he writes, “makes it crystal clear that Christians will face such things.” (61)

I like that Duvall does not try to identify the characters in Revelation with particular people. Writing about Revelation 13, for example, “The beasts represent wicked empires empowered by Satan.” (91) And, “The two witnesses represent the witnessing church.” (107) Regarding the judgments, “Revelation spirals forward in repeated cycles of judgment rather than progressing in a neat, straight line.” (149) As a general principle, “We must take Revelation seriously, but we shouldn't always take it literally.” (9)

This book is written for Christians who want to know the main teachings of Revelation. It is not a technical, scholarly book (by design). Questions are included at the end of each chapter for group discussion. He prays, “that it will strengthen your walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and bring you hope, courage, and wisdom.” (3)

I highly recommend this book to those who are tired of authors trying to identify the Antichrist or trying to put the events of Revelation into current news broadcasts. Duvall's book shares the encouraging message of Revelation through its major themes. It's a refreshing book that clears away the confusion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

[Mrs. Angie Vogt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book loaned to me by my pastor. I've been studying the various eschatological views of Christianity. Warning: this book will not satisfy you if you are trying to dig into exegetical implications or if you are studying a specific end-times perspective on the millennial. It is a starting point and will be helpful regardless of your end-times perspective; whether you believe the 1000 year reign of Christ has begun or is yet to come, whether you believe in a literal 1000 year reign, whether you read the Apocalypse from a linear, historical, futuristic, idealistic, or a preterist hermeneutic (or a combination of these) won't matter. The themes as described by Duvall are a core interpretive lens of the Book of Revelation. In fact, missing any of these themes would compromise the accuracy of one's interpretation. Once again, for those who are intimidated by the Apocalypse or just want an aerial view before delving more deeply, Duvall's book would be extremely helpful and a good start.

There is no need to have a graduate degree in theology to enjoy this book! Duvall writes clearly and in a very accessible style.

Here are the chapter titles:
1. God the Almighty
2. Worship: You Are Worthy
3. The People of God: "His called, chosen, and faithful followers"
4. The Holy Spirit: "The seven spirits before his throne"
5. Our Enemies: "The Dragon stood on the shore of the sea"
6. The Mission: "My two witnesses"
7. Jesus Christ: "The Lamb, who was slain"
8. Judgement: "How long, Sovereign Lord?"
9. The New Creation: "I saw a new heaven and a new earth"
10. Perseverance: "To the one who is victorious"

[Patty Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I generally don’t read commentaries because they’re often really old or really hard to read.
I loved this book. I loved the way it was written, split up into 10 huge themes in the book of Revelation so the crazy imagery gets sorted into helpful categories, rather than unhelpful exegesis bending around crazy images. He tells stories throughout so you can relate, but also clearly explains what each of the symbols mean as you go through, with different references to the rest of the book and the Bible. I also loved that his approach with the stories and conversational tone meant that it wasn’t so head heavy there was no room to explore what it means for the heart – when we read Revelation, we can come away with hope, stronger faith, energy to persevere for the future. We can love God more when we understand just how much he has already loved us and how he will in the future.

I’ve never read another commentary on Revelation, but I really want to say this is the best. I was warned beforehand commentaries on Revelation either have a tendency to lean towards freaking out about the end of the world or clinically dissecting the book until it has lost its meaning and punch. I would say this book does neither and handles some wild ideas with grace and humour so you are still left worshipping God, but reading Revelation with less trepidation. There’s also a reading plan for you to cover Revelation as you understand it and Bible study questions for those interested.

[Doug Adamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains ten chapter length studies of major themes in the book of Revelation: God, Worship, the People of God, the Hoy Spirit, our Enemies, the Mission, Jesus Christ, Judgment, the new creation, and Perseverance. It is biblically rich while at the same time very readable. Duvall is not Dispensational in his approach to the Scriptures and so I did not agree with some of his observations and conclusions but I did find the book well worth the reading. In fact, I filled nine typed pages with observations and statements from the book.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing read. Simple language and easy to understand, but rarely plumbs the depths of Revelation. Most of the points made could have been plucked from any other books in the Bible just as easily. Doesn't offer much in the way of demonstrating the cohesive story of Revelation, instead parcelling it out into a series of devotional thoughts. May be useful for someone who has never read Revelation at all. Wouldn't recommend otherwise.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a summary of the key ideas of the book of Revelation, kinda like “hey since no one reads this, here are some great points you could get and since you won’t read it read this instead.” I read this as someone who has read Revelation, hoping to glean some new insights into how to best teach this book....so I was disappointed, but I will pass it on to someone else who will be blessed by it.

[Blake Western · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on the last book of the Bible. The author takes themes from the book and develops them. He shows that the book is a Christ centered book. Those who want to fit the book into a particular theory of Revelation will likely be disappointed. But many who read the book will get great benefit. The author applies the teaching to the Christian life today. If you have given up trying to understand the last book of the Bible, you might want to read this book.

[Jackson McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duvall's Heart of Revelation wonderfully connects the themes of Revelation in a way that is extremely accessible. Duvall takes the time to dispel the misconceptions many have about Revelation and point us ultimately to what it is really about, hope. Though the book does not dive too deeply into the details of the chronology of Revelation, it is a wonderful starting point when it comes to coming to understand the most confusing book in the Bible.

[Michele Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 Reasons Why You Should Study the Revelation




If the last book of the Bible is an intimidating peak, unclimbed and unchallenged, The Heart of Revelation is a succession of ten handholds to expedite your ascent. If John’s apocalyptic words are a map, J. Scott Duvall has provided bearings, a sense of direction, an aerial view of the terrain. His ten essential themes are really ten arguments for a student of Scripture (every Christian, right?) to be tackling a study of the Bible’s final book:
1. The Revelation proves that God is the true center of the universe — in other words, it’s not all about you! God is revealed as faithful and in control. He has a plan for the future and has made very specific promises pertaining to community. Best of all, He wins in the end.
2.The Revelation will ensure that your worship (because we all worship something) is directed toward its only worthy Object. Eugene Peterson defines worship as “an act of attention to the living God who rules, speaks and reveals, creates and redeems, orders and blesses.” God alone can bear the weight of your worship, and this is the only reasonable response to His flawless character, mighty acts, and victory over evil.
3.God has a lot to say about His people, and He has expressed much of it through John in the Revelation. Since he made us, He “gets” us: the fact that we all struggle, that we need His protection. God has a multicultural mission in mind that looks beyond the present and sees the brightest of futures.
4.The role of God the Holy Spirt is made manifest in the Revelation. He is continuing God’s work on Earth and is the source of prophetic messages about Jesus. He “both comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.” It is interesting that Duvall attributes the “seal of God” to the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer rather than a literal mark on the forehead.
5.The Revelation reveals “the various strategies and tactics” of the enemies of God. These include accusation, deception, temptation, and persecution. With persecution of Christians today more intense even than in the early centuries of the church, there are also more Christian martyrs in our era, making it abundantly clear that God and His people are at war against evil.
6.Revelation names John the beloved disciple and Antipas as Jesus’ two faithful witnesses, defining our mission as God’s people to be “faithful witnesses to Jesus and His kingdom.” Though the nations are described as vulnerable to deception and darkness, God loves all cultures and calls us to love as He does. A faithful witness obeys Gods commands and perseveres in mission, “following the Lamb wherever He goes.”
7.John’s Revelation is a book about Jesus — who He is, what He has done, and what He will do. It is “theological icing on the cake” of the Jesus story provided in the four gospels. He is exalted as fully God, as the Shepherd Messiah, The Slaughtered Lamb, the Firstborn from the Dead, and The Roaring Lamb.
8.In our judge-not age, the Revelation is key study material for establishing God’s right to judge, for He is unique in His ability to distinguish between good and evil. In the process of destroying evil, God, at this time, is allowing it to run its course. The Revelation shatters our sensitivity and sentimentality because it teaches that the wicked will ultimately be judged. This issue transcends doctrine and becomes very personal if we permit ourselves to consider the fate of unbelieving family and friends.
9.In the Revelation, John was privileged to see The New Creation — “a New Heaven and a New Earth” — and he straightens out a lot of the faulty thinking about “going to” heaven, who will be there, what it will be like, and even what we will be doing there. Key to the New Creation will be the unmitigated presence of God. Like C.S. Lewis’s The Last Battle, the book of Revelation makes the heart long for heaven.
10.Finally, the book of Revelation trains Christians to expect and to endure through suffering. Perseverance through persecution, resisting the temptation to compromise, is the key to enduring to the end. The Apostle John, with the heart of a pastor, comforts his readers with the knowledge that even if our perseverance results in death, God still holds us to Himself. The clear message of this letter is: “Say No to evil. Say Yes to Jesus. It will be worth it.”

Considering these ten major themes of the Revelation has opened my eyes to the big picture message of the book which startles, alarms, comforts, and poses important questions — and then allows the Word of God to speak for itself.

//

This book was provided by Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christian films, books and TV preachers give their take on the last book of the Bible, Revelation. Speculation about end times is a Christian cottage industry with theories bandied about on things like the identity of the beast, the rapture, the role of Israel, or the nature of the judgments poured out on the earth. Revelation is written in highly metaphorical language, so there are tons of speculations. Other Christians read through Revelation once or twice but unsure of what to do with it, so they ignore it. In The Heart of Revelation, J.Scott Duvall offers a third way of of reading revelation. He attends to the vision of hope in the book without devolving into personal speculation about what we may or may not suffer.

TheHeartOfRevelation_hires+spine.inddAfter a brief introduction discussing the cultural context, Duvall explores the book's message through the lens of ten themes: God, Worship, the People of God, the Holy Spirit, our enemies, our mission, Jesus Christ, judgment, new creation, and perseverance. By attending to Revelation thematically, Duvall provides a overview of the book rather than a detailed walk through the text (elsewhere he has published a commentary on revelation in the 'Teach the Text Commentary Series).

In his introduction Duvall offers these guidelines for understanding the book: (1) attend to the meaning of the book to its original hearers in Asia Minor, (2) Be aware of the symbolic nature of its language and (3) a focus on the main theological message of each vision (9-10). The result is a historical-literary sensitive reading which doesn't get caught up in theorizing about locust in smoke or Russia's role in Armageddon (Sorry Hal). This isn't to say that what Duvall says isn't compatible with various eschatological options. He allows for the book's future orientation without speculating about the minutia. His focus remains on the major themes through out the book and I think that mild Preterists, Millennialists and Dispensationalists can all read this book profitably.

The picture he paints is of a loving God who is the true center and source of life, a worshipping community drawn from every tongue, tribe and nation, a Holy Spirit who is living and active among us, an oppressor who is defeated by the cross and enemies we will overcome as we take up our cross and suffer. We also see our calling to be faithful witnesses to Jesus, the coming judgment against sin which takes seriously God's holiness and our human freedom, a new heaven and new earth where God will dwell with his people, and the challenge and promise for those who persevere until the end.

If Revelation mystifies you and you want a book that helps you see the meaning and purpose of the book, this is a great place to start. Each chapter ends with a list of key texts, a reading plan and community group questions for exploring Revelation in a small group setting (or personal study). I give this book four stars.

Note: I received this book from Baker Books in exchange for my honest review.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a great introduction to the book of Revelation the author goes into ten central themes important for the first century readers as well as for Christians today. While the themes are essential to understanding the book of Revelation, the way the author broke the story up into separate topics disconnected them from one another and diminished their collective impact. The narrative found in Revelation is part of the literary genius of John and echoes back to the ancient prophecies of the Scriptures. When you disconnect these themes and take a more systematic/topical approach to the book you lose much of the beauty that John's writing has. That being said, The Heart of Revelation can be a good introduction to a difficult book and provide anchors and keys to understanding just what is happening in the narrative while readers continually go over it. Rather than being a strange and mysterious book, Christians can come to appreciate the beauty and encouragement that are found in the book of Revelation.

Thank you to Baker Books for providing this book for review.

[Suzy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Dr. Duvall back in November where I first heard him speak about Revelation. I read this book alongside my sister and cousin. Revelation was our late grandfather's favorite book of the Bible, and Duvall's book helped us further understand this challenging book in the Bible.

[Kristie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so helpful in getting the big picture of revelation. Highly recommend!