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READING CIRCLE STUDY

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 9, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 41.

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READING CIRCLE STUDY.

By S. N. Haskell

S. N. HASKELL.
The first chapter of Revelation is an introduction to the book. The first three verses are an introduction to the chapter. The first verse is a key to every prophetic book in the Bible, and shows how they were all given. Dan. 10 : 20. The first verse gives the title of the book, its author, its object, the manner by which it came, and the agent who brought it to John upon the Isle of Patmos. The book is a revelation of the Saviour to the servants of the Most High. If we do not have an interest in the study of the Revelation, it is high time for us to begin to find out whose servants we are (Rom. 6 : 16); for this book is a revelation to the servants of God. Deut. 29 : 29. There is not a doctrine in the Bible that is not found in the book of Revelation. It is a compendium of the entire Bible.
The Spirit of God states the faithfulness of John in giving this book to the people. Verse 2. God pronounces a special blessing, something more than ordinary, upon him who reads and those who hear and keep the sayings that are written in this book. Such blessings remain upon individuals. 1 Chron. 17 : 27. To all such comes a heavenly benediction of peace from God the Father, the seven Spirits which are before the throne, and from Jesus Christ, who has washed us from our sins in his own blood, and exalted us to the position of kings and priests in the spiritual kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Col. 1 : 13, 14. This position is above earthly potentates. No human name, title, or position gives any preference before God. The humblest of his children are exalted as high as those whom the world calls great.
God reveals himself through his word, to the heart of everyone who loves and obeys him. He is also revealed as the one who destroys the wicked, and delivers his people when he comes with the clouds of heaven. It is then that every eye will see him (Matt. 24 : 30); and a representative class of the wicked, who took part in his crucifixion, will behold him. Matt. 26 : 64; Dan. 12 : 2.
He is also revealed as the merciful High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary. The apostle John, banished to the lone Isle of Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of his Son, identifies himself as our brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. He states distinctly the day upon which he had his visions (Rev. 1 : 10; Isa. 58 : 13; Mark 2 : 27); and while in vision, his attention was arrested by Christ’s voice, “saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.” This expression and its equivalent occurs four times in this chapter, and more times in the book of Revelation than in all the other portions of the Bible. “I AM” refers to Christ, and should ever be written in capital letters. Ex. 3 : 6, 14.
The seven churches in Asia, with their names and character, are used as an object lesson of the seven periods of the gospel, reaching to the second coming of Christ. Christ amid the seven golden candlesticks is an object lesson of his walking in the midst of his people, holding his ministers in his right hand.
The description of Christ in this chapter is quite similar to that in Daniel 10. The penetrating eyes of Christ watch the purifying effect of the trials upon the church, as they have fellowship with Christ in his sufferings. 1 Peter 4 : 12, 13. The roar of the sea represents the voice of the Almighty. Eze. 1 : 24.
The word of God is salvation to him who receives it, but destruction to him who rejects it. Matt. 21 : 4. The shining of the sun is but a figure of the light of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ, representing the righteousness of God that clothes the Son of God from his head to his feet. The righteousness of Christ covers his people from their birth to the grave (Isa. 49 : 5; 46 : 3, 4); and if found in the way of righteousness, hoary hairs are a crown of glory. Prov. 16 : 31.
Christ not only took the nature of man in his fallen condition, but passed through the grave, and henceforth and forevermore holds the keys of the grave and death. The book itself speaks of things which were, and are, and which will take place in time to come.
This first chapter is the keynote to the whole book. It is truly a “revelation of Jesus Christ,” the world’s Redeemer. In verses 5 and 6 we have a beautiful glimpse of his character. He is “the Faithful Witness,” in the heavenly courts, having power to come forth from the grave. He is “Prince of the kings of the earth,” and loves us with such perfect love that he can take us, all befouled by sin, and wash us in his own precious blood, and exalt us to positions of kings and priests in his kingdom. What a privilege for fallen humanity! Truly, our citizenship is in heaven. Phil. 3 : 20, 21. Those who are worthy to claim kingship with him, will demonstrate their relationship by being true witnesses for the truth, in deportment as well as in words.
In verses 13–16 we have a revelation of his personal appearance—One whose glory could not be looked upon by mortal man unless especially strengthened by the Lord. In verses 16 and 20 his tender love for his people is revealed, for he holds the ministry in his right hand.
The seventh verse reveals the majesty of his return to this earth, when “all kindreds of the earth” will behold him as the mighty conqueror.
Truly, this chapter is indeed a “revelation of Jesus Christ,” revealing his character, his personal appearance, his present care for his people, and his design finally to free them from all the powers of earth, hell, and death.