Now Ready | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 14, 1867

Now Ready.

THOUGHTS on the Revelation. This work is now completed and ready for orders. An idea of its nature and design, may be gathered from the Preface, which we herewith present:

“An increase of knowledge in reference to the prophetic portions of the word of God, was to be one of the characteristics of the last days. Said the angel to Daniel, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased;” or, as Michaelis’ translation reads, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even unto the time of the end, when many shall give their sedulous attention to the understanding of these things, and knowledge shall be increased.” While it is true that, of late years, knowledge has marvelously increased, in every department of science, yet it is evident that this prophecy specially contemplates an increase of knowledge concerning those prophecies that are designed to give us light in reference to the close of this dispensation, and the setting up of the everlasting kingdom of God. The fulfillment of the prophecy in the increase of this knowledge, is one of the pleasing signs of the present time. For about half a century, light has been breaking forth upon the prophetic word, and shining with ever-increasing luster to the present day.”

“In no portion of the word of God is this more apparent, than in the book of Revelation; for no other part of that word deals so largely in prophecies that pertain to the closing scenes of earth’s history. No other book contains so many chains of prophecy reaching down to the end. In no other book is the grand procession of events that leads us through to the termination of probationary time, and ushers us into the realities of the eternal state, so fully and minutely set forth. No other book embraces so completely, as it were, in one grand sweep, all the truths that can concern the last generation of the inhabitants of the earth, and sets forth so comprehensively all the aspects of the times, physical, moral, and political, in which the triumph of earthly woe and wickedness shall end, and the eternal reign of righteousness begin. It is to call attention especially to these features of the book of Revelation, which seem heretofore to have been too generally overlooked, that these Thoughts are now offered to the public.”

“No effort to arrive at a correct understanding of the Revelation needs any apology. The Lord of the prophecy has himself pronounced a blessing upon him that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things which are written therein; for the time is at hand. And it is with an honest purpose of aiding somewhat in arriving at this understanding, which is set forth by this language as not only possible but praiseworthy, that the following pages have been prepared, and are now commended to the careful and candid attention of the reader.”