The Joy of Hearing: A Theology of the Book of Revelation

I have taught from Revelation many times over the years, and unlike most never really felt the desire to decode each nuance of the text. It is my firm opinion that we should do our best to know the heart of the Lord and be prepared for his coming. But interpreting every headline through John's writing is not the point. In fact, if you look at the intricacies of the prophesies of the Old Testament Messiah, the ones who knew the Scripture best and thought they knew what each sign meant, missed the coming Savior. So it gave me much joy to see a writer elaborate many of the theories and yet not claim that he has it all figured out with charts and timelines. He pulls out the major themes and presents the case that believers should rejoice that the Lord has a plan and it will be fulfilled. Those who stand with the Lamb will rejoice! If you want to focus on the major themes and what I believe the Lord is focused on rather than deciphering out what headline goes with which verse, this book would be a refreshing change. Highly Recommended.

I have studied Revelation for many years. I have examined the various theological interpretations. I have finally found a commentary that credibly and soundly pulls it all together for me. I am beyond grateful for Dr. Schreiner and his devotion to the word of God!

The joy of hearing is a joy to read. However, it will not be if you are looking for a line by line commentary. The vast majority of the book deals not with specific verses, but with the major things of the apocalypse. A brief introduction, handles the date and what emperor are being referred to. But the major themes include being weary of the government and what we are called to do, spoiler alert, it’s faithfulness and perseverance judgment, well, but it is announced as a call to persevere, and a reminder that victory is promised to all who drafted in. There is a heavily focus on the spirit Whose purpose it is to put the focus on Christ and remind us that any sort of human flourishing, we see now is a reminder of what we will enjoy in heaven. The final chapter does deal with the millennium because any description of revelation in current times seems to. It does throw for a loop what I thought the author’s position was which in itself is a call to evaluate your own position. The log ends with the reminder that despite all : God wins.

Fuller review at my blog SpoiledMilks (April 11, 2022) As the subtitles gives away, The Joy of Hearing is a “theology of the book of Revelation,” surveying six main themes in Revelation (the chapter on the millennium is more of an appendix, as Schreiner notes). In his introduction, Schriener writes, “Revelation reveals to us where the world is going, and it tells us what we should do to be part of the new world that is coming.” But, as he notes, people are easily repelled by the book of Revelation because it is so confusing and difficult to read. John reminds us in Revelation that even while it appears that evil is reigning, God is still on his throne. He has not forsaken his people, and Jesus will come and rescue us. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ stand at the center of history, and those who will suffer judgment are those who turn against Jesus. Schreiner covers six themes within Revelation: 1. Those who refuse to hear the truth; 2. The saints and what they are called to do; 3. God’s sovereignty, holiness, and judgment; 4. The message about Jesus Christ—his shared identity with the God of Israel, his redemption for us, his return, the coming judgment; 5. The Holy Spirit’s work in Revelation—the Spirit calls readers to hear what is said to the churches, and points to the crucified and risen Christ; 6. The promises of blessing and the new creation. The purpose of Revelation isn’t to show us that helicopter locusts will attack the earth in the future. Instead, John wanted to see “ethical formation and transformation, since genuine hearing leads to obedience,” that is, “to keeping the words of the prophecy (1:3; 22:7).” One thing I really appreciate about Schreiner is how clear his writing is. He is able to give nuance with clarity, and he carefully represents other views. Recommended? This is a great start to the New Testament Theology series, and I really look forward to the upcoming volumes. Schreiner is clear and careful, deep but easy to read. Since this is a theology of Revelation, Schriener doesn’t lead you into the weeds. That means there will likely be some places where you will disagree and where Schreiner hasn’t been able to give enough information on his particular view. Regardless, he draws Revelation together and helps you to “hear” the words in Revelation better in order to form you into a better doer, one who perseveres and conquers.

Thomas Schriener writes a readable, but thoroughly scholarly account of a theology of the Book of Revelation. His exegesis of the text is detailed, but not over complicated, and results in practical pastoral applications for the believer. He interprets the Book of Revelation from an amillennial veiwpoint, but this arises from a correct historical and exegetical approach to the text as an apocalyptic piece of literature. Consequently, his application of various symbols and themes in the Book of Revelation, such as the seals, trumpets, bowls, the dragon, the two beasts and Babylon, are firstly understood within their 1st century context, before being applied to the life of believers throughout this current gospel age. Schreiner argues, that the key theme of the Book of Revelation is that suffering is the means by which the believer overcomes and enters the new creation - the kingdom of God. God is in control, despite the flood of evil that is increasingly poured out upon the earth by Satan prior to Christ's return. But the Lord will eventually win the victory over Satan through his sacrificial love, in the suffering of the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. This message of sacrificial love is hidden from the world in the Book of Revelation, but the church is called to proclaim this message of hope to a world full of hate and evil. God’s suffering love is the path to victory, love is stronger than hate, and in the end, love wins.

The author draws from multiple perspectives of what is a very challenging and confusing biblical book, while presenting the various interpretations in a balanced manner. Yet the overall objective is to remind his readers as did the original writer of Revelation that while the going is tough, the outcome is certain and assured, and the call to the reader is to endure in the interim.