Joy in Our Weakness: A Gift of Hope from the Book of Revelation

by Marva J. Dawn

This study of Revelation emphasizes the joy Christians have in Christ, despite earthly suffering and pain. Encourages readers to look to Christ and his Word for strength and assurance in the face of physical and mental limitations.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Christian

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Marva J. Dawn is an American Christian theologian, author, musician and educator, associated with the parachurch organization "Christians Equipped for Ministry" in Vancouver, Washington. She also serves as Teaching Fellow in Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dawn is generally perceived as a Lutheran evangelical.

Reviews

[Brooke Fradd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book because of a health issue my husband experienced with a flu-like virus at the beginning of the year. Complications from that virus are still with us, and I hope this book would help me adapt. I had to put it away when COVID first shut down the US, but then appreciated the perspective the book offers.
This is my first time reading through Revelation with a sense of hope rather than fear or overwhelm.

[Lisa Tangen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, inspiring and insightful. Loved this one.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book to help me as I preached through Revelation, and it was regularly one of my favorites to read. Dawn approaches the book primarily through the lens of how this book helps the suffering. Her own disability, and the disability of others, come up again and again to provide perspective. I frequently disagreed with her more metaphorical interpretation of the book, but I was always moved by it.

[Ted Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

1) true joy is not necessarily the same thing as a temporary sense of being chipper and bubbly and 2) there are no doubt plenty of people who, like me, are having a hard time figuring out how to find joy, genuine, saccharine or otherwise. So I'd like to share a powerful resource with you. Joy in our Weakness, by Marva Dawn, is an amazing book that can help us discover genuine joy in the most painful and confusing times.

"Neither a commentary on the book of Revelation nor a devotional work -- though it offers aspects of both -- Joy in Our Weakness is instead a theological and practical guide that ushers readers into the very presence of Christ and His Lordship over the powers of evil. Marva Dawn writes compassionately for those who suffer, for this book was born out of her own struggles with physical limitations and chronic illness, and it is intended to help the whole Church learn how to find Joy in every circumstance of life, especially in trials and sufferings... The Revelation's original purpose -- to comfort afflicted, suffering believers..." From the Synopsis on Barnes & Noble.com

Bad things happen to good people, but God wants to wipe away every tear. What is more, He wants to turn our ugly hurt into something beautiful and useful. No matter what we've been through, He can use it, and use us to help others face what they have to go through. That gives hope and peace through sharing His love.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always believed Revelation is primarily a book of comfort to people suffering, and this book deals primarily with how it comforts people today in our weakness and vulnerability. I enjoyed it very much and it helped even more to apply Revelation to our lives and challenges today. We are to resist to idolatries of the world around us yet compassionately offer the world a message of hope. It talks of a theology of weakness critically needed to resist the world's idolatries. "In spite of all appearances, God is still in control of world history." "Satan and his cohorts are busily at work, wrecking havoc in this world, corrupting that which is good, deceiving the people of the earth and leading them astray into all kinds of false values and idolatries, rebellions and self-centerdness." "Because Jesus is Lord in spite of the powers of evil, we yearn for a greater willingness to endure suffering patiently. In biblical patience we do not just ask how long it will be till things are different, but we seek to learn who the Lamb is and how He enables us to respond in the midst of our suffering."

[Brant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique approach to the questions of suffering using the book of the Revelation for answers.

[Matthijs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meditatief commentaar op Openbaring

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended for anyone wanting to understand and apply the Book of Revelation