一本可以讀懂的啟示錄註釋書A Readable Commentary onRevelation
作者: shane lems 譯者: Maria Marta
假如你想找一本清晰、簡明、易讀、可靠的啟示錄註釋書，我推薦你閱讀溥偉恩（Vern S. Poythress）博士著的《再臨君王──幫你讀懂啟示錄》The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation。 雖然這本註釋書沒有解釋啟示錄的所有細節，但它絕不失為一部優秀作品，為讀者提供了啟示錄概貌的完整圖畫。
我十分欣賞溥偉恩博士的註釋。通常，解經者將太多的時間和精力放在啟示錄的更瑣碎的細節上。細節成為主要焦點，大圖畫便丟失了。但溥偉恩卻能恰到好處的把握住重點：
「神統管歷史，並要在基督裡使歷史達到完滿。如果你在讀這卷書時牢記這一點，你就可以讀懂它。你末必明白每項細節，我也一樣；但即便如此，你仍舊可以從它獲得屬靈的益處。」（9頁）
他繼續說道，有時我們解釋啓示錄的信息相當困難，因為我們的方法錯了。
「假設我首先問：『啓示錄十三章2節中 [熊的腳] 代表什麼意義？』如果我們先從這種細節著手，卻忽略了全貌，這樣我們就會遇到困難。神是啓示錄的中心（啓四至啓五），我們必須從祂開始，並從祂與屬撒但的仇敵的對比開始。反之，如果我們馬上苦心思索細節的答案，這就好像我們想要藉著握住刀刃（而非刀柄）來使用這一把刀。我們從一開始就錯了。」
「啓示錄是一本圖畫書，而不是一本謎語或拼圖。不要費心猜測它背後的答案，不要沈迷在個別的細節裡，我們乃是要全神貫注於整個故事：贊美主；為聖徒歡呼；憎惡那獸；盼望最後的得勝。」（11頁）
假如你想了解更多，還有一些優秀的註釋書與溥偉恩的著作有很多能產生共鳴的地方，它們是：《More than Conquerors》，William Hendriksen著；《Triumph of the Lamb》，Dennis Johnson著；《NIGTC on Revelation》，Gregory Beale著。溥偉恩的註釋書是一本研讀啟示錄的好書（可以將內容分解成14節課程左右），此書附有詳盡的研讀指引和研讀問題，它們對我們的研讀很有幫助。假如你想找一本可以讀懂的啟示錄註釋書，就讀這本溥偉恩所著的《再臨君王──幫你讀懂啟示錄》，並且一定也要查閱我剛才提到的其他註釋書。
附：
《再臨君王──幫你讀懂啟示錄》The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation，溥偉恩（Vern S. Poythress）著/詹益龍譯，改革宗出版有限公司，2018年3月。
A Readable Commentary on
Revelation
by
Reformed Reader
If you’re looking for a clear, concise,
readable, and solid commentary on Revelation, I recommend Vern Poythress’ The
Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation (Phillipsburg: P&R,
2000). Though this commentary doesn’t
comment on all the details in Revelation, it does a fine job of providing a big
picture overview of the book.
I
appreciate Poythress’ commentary because so often commentators spend too much
time and energy on the smaller details of Revelation. Because the details are the main focus, the
big picture is lost. Poythress keeps the
main point the main point: “God rules history and will bring it to its
consummation in Christ. If you read it
with that main point in mind, you will be able to understand it. You will not necessarily understand every
detail – neither do I. But it is not
necessary to understand every detail in order to profit spiritually from it”
(p. 11).
He
continues by saying we sometimes have trouble interpreting Revelation because
we approach it from the wrong end.
“Suppose
I start by asking, ‘What do the bear’s feet in Revelation 13:2 stand for?’ If I start with such detail, and ignore the
big picture, I am asking for trouble.
God is at the center of Revelation (Rev. 4-5). We must start with him and with the contrasts
between him and his satanic opponents.
If instead we try right away to puzzle out details, it is as if we tried
to use a knife by grasping it by the blade instead of the handle. We are starting at the wrong end.”
“Revelation
is a picture book, not a puzzle book.
Don’t try to puzzle it out. Don’t
become too preoccupied with isolated details.
Rather, become engrossed in the overall story. Praise the Lord. Cheer for the saints. Detest the beast. Long for the final victory” (p 12-13).
In
case you are wondering, Poythress’ work resonates with other commentaries such
as William Hendriksen’s excellent More than Conquerors, Dennis Johnsons’
Triumph of the Lamb, and Gregory Beale’s NIGTC on Revelation. Though there aren’t any study questions,
Poythress’ commentary would be a good book to use for a Bible study on
Revelation (one might break it up into 14 lessons, give or take). There’s an exhaustive Scripture index as
well, which I’ve found helpful. If
you’re looking for a readable commentary on Revelation, get Poythress, and be
sure to check out the other ones I’ve just mentioned.
Vern
Poythress, The Returning King (Phillipsburg; P&R, 2000).
shane
lems