Book Review: Revelation

Revelation: Eternal King, Everlasting Kingdom by Jen Wilkin

Bible Study. 224 Pages. 5 Stars

Synopsis:

Perhaps no other book of the Bible feels as inaccessible and as intimidating to us as the very last one. The book of Revelation overflows with images and ideas that confound our modern ears. But if all Scripture is God-breathed and profitable, we should assume Revelation is as accessible and helpful as any other book of the Bible. Why don’t we see it that way?   Two thousand years ago, John’s Revelation was circulated and read aloud among seven churches in Asia Minor. Those who heard the letter understood it and drew encouragement from its message. The same can be true for you today. Over 10 sessions of verse-by-verse Bible study, Jen Wilkin helps you discover how the last book of the Bible—the culmination of God’s great story—speaks both a steadying word of assurance and a strong call to endure to the church in every age.       

My Review:

This is my third Jen Wilkin study, and y’all, I’m sold. I just love her teaching style and her heart. Her dedication and guidance have changed the way I understand so much of Scripture. I also love that each of her studies isn’t just isolated to one book or passage – what I’ve learned in this study helps me better understand Revelation as a book, Scripture as a whole, and equips me with the skills to better study and understand any portion of Scripture.

Revelation can be such an intimidating book for so many reasons. It can feel impossible to understand. It’s so strange with all the weird symbols and confusing language. It can absolutely be terrifying when you think through the unknowns, the end of the world, and the great wrath of God. But many who attempt to teach or understand Revelation end up pigeonholing Scripture. We try to make it about us, take it out of context or neglect the context altogether, build out some kind of timeline, or who knows what else. So many readers get caught up in the when and how Jesus is coming back that we worry ourselves sick and miss the incredible gift Revelation can be.

Wilkin’s symbolic approach focuses on understanding the text as the original audience would have before we sort out how it applies to the church for all time and to ourselves personally (which she still does, and does it beautifully, I might add). She guides readers to see the encouragement and hope Revelation brings and invites us to fix our eyes on the sovereignty of God. This study focuses on who God is why His return is significant, rather than the how, when, or where He will return.

This study has been my favorite of the year. I cannot more highly recommend it. Don’t let Revelation intimidate you. It is a book of life that beautifully concludes the story a loving, merciful God invites us into. A book of worship, praise, and healing. Amen!