How to Understand the Revelation.
By F. A. Barlow
BLESSED, says the Lord, are they that keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Of course we cannot keep till we understand them; and how are we to understand them? It is necessary, in the first place, to get an understanding of the historical part. To illustrate, “And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, The Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth.” Rev. 17:5. To the uninformed in history this verse could probably have no meaning; but everything is plain to him who understands. The same might be said of the 8th verse. Unless we have some knowledge of history, how are we to know that Rev. 17:10-12, has reference to the different forms of government under which Rome pagan existed, that the “beast that was, and is not” represents Rome papal and that the ten horns symbolize the ten kingdoms of Western Europe? It would be impossible for men and women ever to get an understanding of such passages as these in our fashionable churches. In fact, I do not know of any class of people, except S. D. Adventists, that are teaching these important truths; and unless the people are educated in these things, how can they keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book? It is important for those seeking after the truth to know that the 13th verse has reference to the ten kingdoms of Western Europe under the papal head, when that kingdom was at the height of its glory; and it is important to know that verse 16 is speaking of the same kingdom with its condition greatly changed. I understand this to take place just before the second coming of the Lord, and that it is now being fulfilled before our eyes. These things rightly understood are important, and how are we to get this information? By going into our fashionable churches on a pleasant Sunday and listening to the organ, and by listening thirty minutes to a flowery speech in which nothing is brought up—no plunging down after these all-important truths? Verily, I have learned that that is not the place. Well, say the hungry throng, where shall we go? Go to the Bible, and listen to those who are able to instruct you in these important truths. “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word [the Bible], it is because there is no light in them;” Isa. 8:20; and if they do speak according to this word, then give them your prayerful attention. How are we to know? Read attentively the word of God. If you see the ire of the dragon begin to rise, you may know of a certainty that the truth is being preached. You can ascertain to just what extent the truth is being preached by keeping your eye on the dragon; and when the dragon’s wrath is fully aroused; Rev. 12-17; you will see the doors of51the churches and school-houses shut and locked against the faithful preacher who dares to stand up in the presence of an audience and declare plain Bible truths. And yet this class of preachers are the only ones that will make you acquainted with the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Only one class of people, according to the text, are to be blessed, and that class are the people who are keeping the sayings of the prophecy of this book. What is to be the fate of the other class? We leave the reader to decide. Says one, I cannot understand the Revelation. Then practice what you do understand. Take the step that you know to be duty; take it promptly and decidedly, and the light will shine another step in advance of you, to show you how and what the next step is, but do not wait for the light to shine a day’s march on the road ahead of you; for it never will. The head light of the locomotive does not shine the entire length of the road at once; but, no matter how fast the man at the throttle wishes to run his engine, the light is always ahead. If he chooses to stop, the light shines no further ahead than when he was rushing along the road. The same with us. If you have learned one truth, then practice it. To illustrate: You read in the 20th chapter of Exodus that the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. My advice is, Obey that command, until you find another which says in just as plain and positive terms that the first day of the week is the Sabbath of the Lord, or until you find a text which says that the seventh part of time or no day in particular is now the Sabbath. Suppose that some reliable man were to awake you at midnight and tell you that the fire was approaching your farm and house some miles distant, and that its danger was imminent. Suppose, while you were preparing to go to save it, another man of equal verity and respectability rides by and tells you that he has just passed your property, and that there is a total mistake, that there is no fire there, and no danger exists. Here we might say there is such an equilibrium in testimony that you scarcely know how to act. Then suppose a third messenger, somewhat inferior in credibility, comes along, and tells you that the fire is approaching your estate. Here you might say, I scarcely know what to believe. But I must act. Indolence is inexcusable when there is any preponderance on the side of danger. It is safer to act. You are not confirmed in your belief of the advancing conflagration, but you are unwise if you neglect exertion. Go, now, and act for your soul. If you tell us that you cannot believe the Scriptures, we answer, Go and obey them. But all who sincerely and earnestly obey these precepts receive the same evidence of their truth that the man who approaches the fire receives of its warmth. The adversary of souls would rejoice should you refuse to act. Ten thousand excellences of the inspired volume are too lofty to be seen by the earth-gazing eyes of drowsy mortals. F. A. BARLOW.