Kirkus Reviews

 
CELEBRATE KING JESUS
A Chronological Study of the Book of Revelation
Bonnie L. Westhoff
Westbow Press (210 pp.)
$33.95 hardcover, $17.95 paperback, $3.99 e-book
ISBN: 978-1-5127-4099-8; July 28, 2016

 

A book offers a dispensationalist analysis of the New Testament’s Book of Revelation.

In her new biblical work, Westhoff (Song of Solomon, 2016, etc.) explores the Book of Revelation. Her reading is steeped in John Nelson Darbyite language about the End Times that modern readers should recognize from the Left Behind series and other similar sources. The Book of Revelation, which she attributes to the Apostle John, is seen as largely allegorical, with lessons for the church that are parsed in concrete, specific terms. For instance, the letters to the seven churches of Asia, which constitute chapters two and three of Revelation, are interpreted as messages to the global Christian church in easily divided epochs, with the final church and stage—Laodicea—standing for the current period of history. Moving on, Westhoff dissects the mysterious language of Revelation almost line by line, often bringing in prior words of biblical prophecy to help flesh out particular meanings (for instance, Daniel’s vision of a statue is used to further explain the beast in Revelation). The author frequently takes the additional step of interpreting many of the book’s prophecies in relation to modern geopolitics. For instance, Islam, especially radical Islam, is viewed throughout her work as a fulfilment of various verses regarding satanic work in the world. Furthermore, she believes the European Union may embody a revived Roman Empire, which is ruled by the Antichrist, and the kings who are prophesied to do battle against Jerusalem may represent such entities as the Arab League and Russia. Westhoff’s willingness to point toward present-day groups and nations as exemplifying such terrible End Times prophesies may jar some readers, but it is certainly in line with the dispensationalist view of eschatological prophecy that is popular in certain Christian quarters today. The author displays an expert knowledge of Scripture, pulling in passages from across the whole spectrum of Christian writings to strengthen her arguments. But her use of outside sources is limited to a few like-minded commentators. Visually, Westhoff’s thorough work remains engaging and useful, with lists and charts adding clarity throughout.

This engrossing work delivers in-depth, fundamentalist End Times theology.

 

---

SONG OF SOLOMON
The Heart of the Bride of Christ as Seen in the Book of Revelation
Bonnie L. Westhoff
Westbow Press (156 pp.)
$30.95 hardcover, $13.95 paperback
ISBN: 978-1-5127-4096-7; July 27, 2016

 

An exploration of what the Song of Solomon and the Book of Revelation have to say about believers’ relationships to Jesus Christ.

Debut author Westhoff tackles two of the Bible’s most controversial and enigmatic works: the often eroticized Song of Solomon and the apocalyptic Book of Revelation. Following an ancient tradition, she reads the Song of Solomon as an allegory of Christ’s love for the church. She goes further, however, by tying its lessons to Revelation. In her introduction, she lays out a series of events that would have taken place in an ancient Jewish wedding, from the choice of the bride to her acceptance of the union to the marriage ceremony and beyond. Westhoff identifies 18 steps to the wedding process and proceeds to overlay these steps upon the Scriptures in question. Thus, what initially appears to be a story of two young lovers enjoying their romance and the future ahead of them becomes an allegory of salvation, in which God’s love for his church draws it back to him. Indeed, Westhoff constructs a very specific timeline for this salvation, and she innovatively looks ahead to the Book of Revelation to find confirmation of this plan; for instance, she compares a section of the Song of Solomon, regarding Solomon’s entrance, to the idea of a Jewish wedding procession; then, she ties its aspects to the triumphal defeat of the Antichrist in Revelation. Overall, readers will admire the depth of Westhoff’s biblical knowledge as well as the depth of her conviction. However, at times, they may find aspects of the allegory to be a stretch, especially when the Book of Revelation comes into play; for instance, tying the “great white throne judgment” mentioned in Revelation to the romantic, even erotic, language of the Song of Solomon involves an acrobatic interpretive leap. Basically, Westhoff faces a classic apples-and-oranges problem in trying to mesh these two very different books into a shared narrative of salvation history.

An engaging thesis, but one which, like its overarching subject matter, can only be believed through faith.

 

---

REBUTTAL

I feel that the reviewer of my book did not review it as a commentary. While it is true that I embellished on the love of God, that was expected because it is a book that expresses God’s love, but all comments were based on the truth of who God is, as written in the Word of God.

Because both Song of Solomon and Revelation are books based on symbolism, the reader must research what these symbols mean, yet understand the story line behind the book. As a commentary, this is not a book of fiction, but based on the truth of the Bible. My goal was to unveil these books as sister books: the book of Revelation showing the role of Jesus as King during the last days of the period written for all creation in the Bible; and the book of Song of Solomon showing the role of the bride of Christ, the Church, during this same period. This period was Biblically supported through Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27.
As the author, I did not create a scenario with the Ancient Jewish Wedding, but could see it played out as the basis for the ‘bride’. The book is about the bride and her relationship to the King of Kings. All Old Testament books point to Jesus, as with the Song of Solomon, as well. Song of Solomon cannot be about Solomon, as every page of the Bible is about the Redeemer.

Because I am a new author, I quoted Spurgeon in the introduction because he wrote his book of Song of Solomon as 52 sermons as an allegory focused on the love of Christ for His bride, the church. On the cover of Spurgeon’s book, The Most Holy Place, Wilbur Smith is quoted as saying that this was the greatest sermon set in the English language.

I do not agree with the reviewer that referring to what happens in the book of Revelation is a stretch. The reason I published the two books as sister books was so that one could see the role of the church throughout the book of Revelation. It only makes sense that somewhere in the Bible God has shown us what will happen during this time for the church and for Israel. There is nothing hidden in the Bible that God will not reveal if we read it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The defeat of Antichrist in Revelation is written in the Bible as God’s truth. As we enter into Chapter 4 of Song of Solomon, understanding that the first three chapters meshed with Revelation, we can continue with Daniel’s timeline in Revelation. The focus in the Song is not on the war, but how the bride goes through the war. The passage in 4:6 shows Christ bringing His bride back to earth, and we see in Revelation what will happen. After all even Revelation doesn’t show how Jesus marches in to Jerusalem, that is captured in Zechariah 14. It is up to the reader of the Bible to connect the dots, and up to the author of a commentary to explain how they are connected. Every book does not have the whole picture, but it is important to understand what truth is and this whole picture can only come by connecting all Scripture as one story of the Redeemer.

The same thing goes for the great white throne judgment. In chapter 6 there is a comparison of goats and sheep. Throughout the whole Bible goats are unbelievers and sheep are believers. In verse 6:5 it says, “Your hair is like a flock of goats going down from Gilead.” Hair in Numbers 6:1-5 means separation – Christ is separating the goats from the sheep. It says the goats are going down from Gilead. Mount Gilead was the place of temple sacrifice. Then it refers to the sheep as coming up from their washing. I believe that the author of Song interpreted the great white throng judgment well, even better than other sections of the Song where it is difficult to find the symbolism if you don’t have Daniel’s prophecy map to follow.

I see all of this as truth. No where have I tied the Song of Solomon into a romantic or erotic language. What I have done, is tied everything to the love of Christ for His bride and shown that it isn’t romantic or erotic, but that love is a demonstration of Christ’s provision and protection for His bride, leaving the Holy Spirit here in the present to lead, guide and direct her steps. Love is demonstrated by the bride because she believes and accepts the covenantal marriage proposal that Christ has for her.

I believe I actually leaned on the side of truth throughout, and asked the Holy Spirit to guide me in showing the extent that Jesus will still go through to show believers their destiny. Nowhere else in the Bible can you find this truth. I learned that Christ’s mother will crown Him King of Kings, which brought to mind that in the Old Testament how the mother’s name was always given for each king. It was so descriptive in how the crown is a wreath that is made for each king. I so look forward to seeing that. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb in the book of Revelation and in the Song of Solomon is meshed together at the same time in Daniel’s timeline. I learned that Christ brings His bride back to earth into the Garden of Eden and that is why it has been sealed all this time, for Christ to return to the spot where creation began, so He can begin all over again under His rule of grace. I understand the Book of Revelation so much more with this added information from the Song.

I wrote the Song of Solomon and Revelation as sister books. It is recommended that one reads the book of Revelation first to see the chronological picture of the end times as pictured in the Bible. Only after you see the time line played out can you then see where the bride will be during this time.

This is not easy reading. It shouldn’t be. The Bible is the place where when you seek you will find. What is exciting is to find that the answers are there. To me this has been the most exciting read, to know my destiny and how I will rule and reign throughout time. It helps me realize what my purpose is for today. What I learn and experience now won’t be wasted time in heaven. I will be received and my rewards will be based on this greater truth that God has shown us in His Word. My objective is to live moment-by-moment walking in the spirit and overcoming the flesh. Only then can God use me to His fullest extent for my life. I live in Christ. When I begin every sentence with thank you Jesus, I am fulfilling Paul’s challenge to be ever present in prayer. How precious is our God.

But how much greater that what we learn, we share with others. God did not give me this information for me. This is His message that He gave me to pass on to the world. I need a good review so that people can learn how to live in Christ and receive the rewards God wants them to receive when they arrive in heaven. Many read commentaries on Song of Solomon and they might as well be reading fiction, or an erotic romance novel. This is a true commentary speaking of God’s truth. It is backed up by Scripture, over and over. Every chapter begins by being backed up by Daniel’s prophecy. I did not take this book lightly, and I truly believe that the Holy Spirit inspired every word.

I ask for another look at this book in all seriousness as to how it can help a Christian walk in Christ. That of course is my objective, because that is the objective of the Holy Spirit, as seen throughout the Bible. I appreciate your looking further into this review.

Thank you and God bless you,
Bonnie L. Westhoff