1:1Revelation 1:1

The word Revelation means something unveiled and opened by God Himself, not sealed or shrouded in unintelligible mystery but able to be understood by receptive seekers.4SP 210.2–211.2+4
God gave it to Jesus Christ to show to His servants, and Christ sent and made it known by His angel to His servant John to write in a book for the churches.CET 240.3+4
All divine revelation comes through Christ and centers in Him, as trustee, mediator, teacher and guide who receives from the Father what He unfolds of God's government and what shall be hereafter.20MR 150.1–2+4
What is shown is things which must shortly come to pass, the history, trials and final victory of the church and the solemn scenes just before Christ's coming and the judgment, continuing and unsealing the line of prophecy given in Daniel.4SP 210.2–211.2+4
It was given to the aged and faithful John in banishment on barren Patmos for the word of God, where Christ Himself visited him, and it demands earnest prayerful study, worldwide proclamation with few human explanations, and obedient keeping that guards against deception and brings blessing.ST Jan 28, 1903+4

The name of the book declares its nature, for revelation means something revealed and unfolded, with what was concealed opened and made known and mystery opened rather than eclipsed in obscurity and mystery.4SP 210.2–211.2+2 The veil is withdrawn by God's own hand, so the book is exactly what its title says, a disclosure and unveiling and not a sealed or closed or hidden book.Ms 15, 1896, par. 1+2 That title contradicts the claim that the prophecies of John are sealed mysteries beyond understanding, since the book was given to be shown to servants and intended to be shown and understood by them.4SP 210.2–211.2+1 It reveals truths, including truths especially applicable to its own time, and gives instruction about events at the close of the world's history, addressed to those living on earth today and to those living in the last days who stand with the veil removed in the holy place of sacred things with reverence and godly fear as the time of fulfillment nears.4SP 210.2–211.2+2 God gave the disclosure to Jesus Christ to show to His servants events that must soon take place, and Jesus sent and made it known by His angel to John, and reading it brings blessing.13MR 59.1+4

The book is therefore not sealed, mystical, or unintelligible, and its symbolic language is no reason to be deterred from it.18MR 22.2–3+2 Its symbols and figures may appear mysterious, but they portray definite events and important events in the last days and the deep things of God, communicating prophetic history through visual symbols sent by angel as a way to make the lessons clear and understandable.ST Jan 28, 1903+2 Symbolic prophecy was likewise given to Daniel to be written plainly so readers could understand it, and the command against images forbids image worship, not God's use of pictures and symbols to teach.HSFM 211.5–212.4 What was shown concerns people living in the last days amid the closing scenes of earth's history, which are near at hand, and its symbols will be fulfilled and its unfulfilled predictions soon fulfilled, for it does not conceal the truth but clearly forewarns what will be in the future.ST Jan 28, 1903+2 In God's perspective a thousand years is as one day, placing the shortly to come to pass in His reckoning of time leading up to the close of world history.Ms 92, 1891, par. 1–4

Understanding can be given to receptive seekers, for Christ can give understanding of its symbols to those who study with receptive hearts, and readers should seek wisdom from God and the Holy Spirit's help to understand it.ST Jan 28, 1903+2 Its truths are to shape the church's principles and work, having a sanctifying influence when studied, and its instruction is meant to be read, heard, kept in practice, and proclaimed, so that people will not be caught unaware.ST Jan 28, 1903+2 It is to be studied with diligence and earnest, prayerful effort by the people of God and should be clearly understood.Lt 210, 1903, par. 1+1

God gave the revelation to Jesus Christ to show to His servants things that must shortly come to pass, and Jesus sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.CET 240.3+4 John received these visions while banished on Patmos and recorded what he saw, and was to make it known to the churches and to God's servants.CET 240.3+2 Its subject is events that must soon take place concerning the closing scenes and last days of earth's history, and in God's perspective a thousand years is as one day.7T 157.4+2 Its truths concern people living in the last days and are to shape principles and work, calling for timely teaching and publication about matters bearing on eternal welfare, and its instruction is meant to be read, understood with the Holy Spirit's help, heard, and kept in practice so that people will not be caught unaware.7T 157.4+2 Its symbols portray definite events that will be fulfilled, and Christ can give understanding of them to receptive seekers whose hearts are open to a sanctifying influence.ST Jan 28, 1903+1

All revelation to humanity comes through Christ and centers in Him, for God has spoken by His Son, whose men are by creation and by redemption.20MR 150.1–2+2 Jesus Christ is the great trustee of divine revelation, and as priest and king of His church, mediator between God and man, teacher and guide, He unfolds to His people in every place the methods of His government and makes known what will be hereafter.Ms 129, 1905, par. 1–4+1 Though endowed with the attributes of God and having all light and life in Himself, He receives His instruction from the Father and presents what the Father makes known to Him.Ms 22, 1905, par. 1–3 To all who receive Him by faith as a personal Saviour He gives power to become sons of God, members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King.Ms 22, 1905, par. 1–3

The instruction was so important that Christ came in person from heaven to the Isle of Patmos to present the message to John, to show him the things that were to be and command him to write them because they are of vast importance.Ms 136, 1902, par. 1–2+4 He sent a mighty angel to make plain by symbols the things to come to pass until the coming of Christ.Ms 105, 1906, par. 27–28 That angel is Gabriel, who stands next in honor to the Son of God.Ms 105, 1906, par. 27–28 John was told to write the instruction in a book for the seven churches, preserved as the book of Revelation, containing the message for the last days whose prophecies are to be dwelt upon much and explained scripture by scripture.Ms 105, 1906, par. 27–28

What John saw and heard he was bidden to write in a book and send to the seven churches in Asia, bearing record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ and of all things that he saw.Ms 53, 1890, par. 46–47+2 This was not for John alone on Patmos nor for those churches alone, for the churches represent all the churches in the world, and the number seven represents a perfect whole.Ms 53, 1890, par. 46–47+1 Through those churches it is an inspired message for God's people to make its powerful impression in every age to the close of this earth's history, with messages to write out for the church in all ages so that those who live in the closing days might know the future as revealed.Ms 53, 1890, par. 46–47+1 After His ascension Christ came from heaven with a very important message exceeding in importance any other message ever entrusted to mortals, to give through John to the churches to be written and sent so they would heed its warnings as of divine origin and know what was to come upon the earth.Ms 136, 1902, par. 20+2

The light John received did not originate with John himself, for the book is the word of God and the revelation and testimony of Jesus Christ, something right from Him in His Word which God gave unto Him to give to His servants.Ms 46, 1904, par. 3–6+3 Its opening words present the book as opened, not closed, a mystery unfolded that must be understood for what it tells about the scenes to take place in the last days.Ms 46, 1904, par. 3–6+1 It contains truths that concern present and future welfare, including precious promises as well as solemn warnings given in their order, and they are truth to be believed and studied and proclaimed rather than displaced, not guesswork or deception.RH Oct 22, 1903+1 Those who have no desire to understand the things to take place on this earth are lacking in wisdom, because the enemy will bring in everything he can to carry out his deceptive designs.Ms 46, 1904, par. 3–6

The vision was given to John while he was banished to the lonely, barren, rocky Isle of Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus.Ms 174, 1898, par. 15–17+2 Wicked men sent him there after trying and failing to take his life, thinking to silence his testimony and that cut off and alone he would become discouraged and soon die and trouble them no more.Ms 97, 1906, par. 43–47+2 His persecutors thought his voice would there be forever silenced, yet in solitude and in his old age he was given a view of heavenly things and bidden to write what he saw and heard.Ms 154, 1904, par. 22–25+2

At that time he was an aged, faithful, beloved disciple, the last survivor of the first chosen disciples and the oldest living man who had seen Christ.20MR 150.1–2+2 He was one who always spoke the truth with unchanging faith, beholding divine light and continuing even in old age to speak of what he had seen and heard, and men grew tired of that ever-fresh testimony.Ms 188, 1905, par. 21–26+1 He was chosen to receive the revelation and was honored under the New Testament dispensation as the prophet Daniel had been honored under the Old Testament dispensation.20MR 150.1–2+2

He was not alone or forsaken on that lonely island, for God did not forsake him after he had grown old in the service of his Lord.Lt 91, 1896, par. 2–6+2 Christ knew where to find him, came to him Himself from heaven, and appeared to him, and a heavenly messenger visited him.Lt 91, 1896, par. 2–6+2 Light from the Son of God shone on Patmos and made it a heaven to the lonely exile, and it became a happy place where every day he communed with God with words of praise on his lips and God revealed Himself to him in a most signal manner.Lt 91, 1896, par. 2–6+1 There by His angel He gave him more communications from heaven than he had received during the rest of his lifetime, showing that believers cut off from the world are not alone and that feeble, aged ministers are not forgotten or neglected.Lt 91, 1896, par. 2–6+2

What was opened to him was a revelation of Jesus Christ and of His glory, making known what was to come upon the earth, with instruction of great importance concerning the closing scenes of earth's history and God's purpose concerning every nation, not the Jewish nation only.Ms 106, 1897, par. 26–28+1 About half a century after Christ ascended to present His church before God and to prepare mansions for His faithful ones, He still loved His people and came Himself to His aged servant to reveal God's plan for future ages.Ms 99, 1902, par. 78–79 The revelation opened the glories of heaven before his enraptured vision, where he saw the throne of God and heard anthems of joy resounding through the heavenly courts, so that readers long to stand with the redeemed in the presence of God.Ms 99, 1902, par. 78–79 The words he wrote there under inspiration have lived through the ages and were to continue bearing witness as a lamp when he could no longer speak.Ms 97, 1906, par. 43–47+1

His living connection with Christ, receiving from Him to impart and to give to others, is the pattern believers are to have.Ms 151, 1904, par. 10–12 They are to have that same living connection with God that braids their life in with Christ, receiving from Him as John was receiving, rather than being satisfied to keep precious, glorious truths to themselves.Ms 151, 1904, par. 10–12

The things shown are things which must shortly come to pass, concerning the closing scenes and the last days of this earth's history.4SP 210.2–211.2+4 The shortly is in God's perspective, with whom a thousand years is as one day.Ms 92, 1891, par. 1–4 What was shortly to come then included truths especially applicable to its own time and instruction about events at the close of the world's history, calling for timely teaching and publication about matters bearing on eternal welfare.4SP 210.2–211.2+1 The message was given on Patmos to be studied so that God's people may understand the events ahead before the close of the world's history, and what was shortly to come then is very nigh now.Ms 92, 1891, par. 1–4+1

It is truth especially for those living now amid the perils of the last days, to guide them in their position and duty.Ms 46, 1904, par. 3–6+4 It warns that the end of all things is at hand and calls them to prepare to meet God and to stand in the judgment.Ms 46, 1904, par. 3–6+4 Its instruction was given by Christ to John for His people in the last days, with solemn messages presented in their order to hold first place in their minds and to shape the principles and work of the church.ST Jan 28, 1903+1 Studied carefully and prayerfully with receptive hearts, it has a sanctifying influence, for Christ can give understanding of its symbols and its prophecies are to be fulfilled near the time when the veil is removed.ST Jan 28, 1903+2

Its visions cover what has been, what is, and what is to come, including past events, matters unfolding in the present, and future events, some reaching full fulfillment at the close of time.Ms 22, 1905, par. 1–3+1 They reveal events on earth and the history and condition of the church through the end, its backslidings, the position it must hold to please God, its trials, and its final victory and deliverance in God's kingdom.AA 570.4+2 They proclaim God's sure purpose concerning every nation, not the Jewish nation only, as a lamp continuing to shine for the church in all future time.AA 570.4+1 The book is not sealed but contains light for the present time, to come to the people as it is and to be studied with intense earnestness.Ms 22, 1905, par. 1–3+1

It unfolds solemn scenes immediately before Christ's second coming in the clouds with power and great glory and the final judgment, with unfulfilled predictions soon to be fulfilled.Lt 363, 1904, par. 2–6+3 From its opening chapter to its close it unfolds solemn truths that make people accountable for the truth they receive, clearly forewarning what will be in the future and not concealing the truth.Lt 210, 1903, par. 1+1 Diligent study is required to know the will of God and to understand the difference between sin and righteousness, and in the day of final judgment a heavy charge will be brought against those who have not appreciated these messages of warning and hope.Lt 363, 1904, par. 2–6 Its truths, especially the twenty-first and twenty-second chapters, are written especially for people living amid the perils of these last days, to be presented more frequently and kept constantly before the people and made prominent in preaching, for through its study dangers are learned and how to avoid them.Lt 408, 1907, par. 9+1

It continues the same line of prophecy taken up in Daniel and complements what was revealed to Daniel, with God repeating some prophecies to show that great importance must be given to them.Ms 107, 1897, par. 2+1 What was closed up and sealed till the time of the end is unsealed in the revelation to John to show what shall be in these last days and to carry history forward to the last scenes when the first angel's message is proclaimed to the world.18MR 15.1–3+1 Its visions are to be understood alongside Daniel's visions and the rest of Scripture, with the Scriptures themselves explaining the truth and the Spirit of prophecy having an important part in establishing the truth.EW 194.2–195.1+2 While many shall be purified and made white and tried and the wise shall understand, the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand, because sin is transgression of the law and those who will not accept light in regard to the law of God will not understand the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels' messages.18MR 15.1–3 Increased knowledge from Daniel concerning the last days, now unsealed, prepares a people to stand in the latter days, with sacred and solemn warnings calling people to prepare for the coming of the Son of man.EW 194.2–195.1+2

The book is the gospel Christ came in person to present, holding the grandest and most important truth ever given to the world and facing the most important issues ever met.Lt 97, 1902, par. 3+4 The lesson for the present time is how to most clearly understand and present that gospel, proclaiming its great and solemn truths to the world and bringing those truths into the very designs and principles of the church.Ms 105, 1902, par. 26+1 Its theme of greatest importance is the third angel's message embracing the messages of the first and second angels, whose truths all must understand and demonstrate in daily life because this is essential to salvation and to obtaining an abundant entrance into the kingdom.Lt 97, 1902, par. 3+2

The book is to be studied earnestly, prayerfully, diligently and carefully, with receptive, opened hearts and the help of the Holy Spirit, taxing the power to learn and comprehend to the utmost, dwelling much upon its prophecies and explaining them scripture by scripture.Ms 92, 1891, par. 1–4+4 Its symbols may seem mysterious, but wisdom from God gives understanding to receptive seekers, and Christ Himself can make their meaning plain, definitely explained verse by verse with solemn humility and without mistake.ST Jan 28, 1903+2 Those who read, hear and keep its words are blessed because the time is at hand, receiving a sanctifying influence upon principles and work, a foretaste of heavenly things, and readiness so they will not be caught unaware.ST Jan 28, 1903+2 The first chapter is important and solemn and is to be clearly understood, every verse marked, and the instruction is to be received as living reality, believed as well as read.Ms 88, 1910, par. 3+1

What is understood is to be clearly defined and presented just as the Word is, with as few human explanations as possible, for no one mind alone can do this work.Lt 97, 1902, par. 3 It is to hold first place in minds and in preaching, with its solemn messages given in their order occupying the first place and nothing else allowed to engross attention, and it is to be taught to those unacquainted with truth, studied, believed and openly proclaimed, not hidden under a bushel.RH Oct 22, 1903+2 It is to be proclaimed to the world with all possible spiritual power, with pen and voice through books and periodicals, going into all the world, bringing its great and solemn truths into the very designs and principles of the church.7T 157.4+2 This is timely teaching and publication about events that must soon take place, bearing on eternal welfare, holding the grandest and most important truth ever given, whose theme of greatest importance embraces the first, second and third angels' messages to be understood and demonstrated in daily life as essential to salvation.7T 157.4+1

Its instruction is meant to be read, heard, kept and practiced, obeyed as doers of the Word and not readers only, shaping principles, work and daily life with earnest zeal so that others see belief.ST Jan 28, 1903+3 The first chapter is to be clearly understood verse by verse with solemn humility, and the first three chapters in particular are to be spoken from with the Holy Spirit, read, studied and heeded by the churches to show the solemn importance of doing the Word.Ms 88, 1910, par. 3+2 Co-workers with Christ show deep interest in these pure essential truths needed for the last days and strive with pen and voice to make them plain.Lt 211, 1903, par. 4–7

Its light is special instruction from God to guard against false theories brought in by men not under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, against Satanic agencies working the world with intensity, and against specious scientific errors.Ms 46, 1904, par. 3–6+2 Those with no desire to understand the scenes to take place in the last days lack wisdom, and gaining this understanding is the one thing needful to secure eternal life by loving God supremely and neighbor as self, with practical godliness revealing Christ as the true Medical Missionary.Ms 46, 1904, par. 3–6+1 To treat those coming scenes as unimportant, to estimate the light as nothing, or to dismiss their importance rejects heavenly truth and the light Christ gave John for His people, diverts from duty, robs past experience, and leaves to division and deception.Lt 303, 1903, par. 3–4+2

This charge rests upon every minister of the gospel to declare the words given with great boldness under the Holy Spirit, studying and acting upon them and going into all the world to preach to every creature.Ms 174, 1898, par. 15–17 Medical workers need to realize the importance of this message exceeding in importance any other ever entrusted to mortals, written down from what was seen and heard so the churches might know what was to come.Ms 136, 1902, par. 20 Students in schools are to be taught it freshly with Christ lifted up, and God has provided it to occupy hearts and minds in place of trash reading such as love stories and disappointments in love, which must be kept out of heart and mind.Lt 363, 1904, par. 2–6+1 Understanding this solemn revelation of temporal and eternal interests is of far greater importance than Latin or Greek or the science of drug medication and speculative scientific problems, branches not needed, and a heavy charge will come in the judgment against those who have not appreciated these warnings of the end at hand and the final judgment soon to take place.Lt 363, 1904, par. 2–6+2

The messages to be heeded include solemn warnings and precious promises concerning present and future welfare, the history of Satan's subtle effort to bring dissension into the church, and the call to prepare to meet the Lord coming in the clouds with power and great glory, confronting indifference to foretold signs when the end is right upon them.Lt 386, 1904, par. 1+2 The instruction of the first three chapters is for those who grieve the Lord by searching into scientific problems that make void past experience, seeking influence as evidence of higher education, becoming dissatisfied and supposing with superficial minds to comprehend God, lest churches follow a course God condemns.Lt 116, 1905, par. 1–4 Those chapters are to be read just as they read to prepare men and women gathered in places like Battle Creek to go forth as witnesses and missionaries to their appointed work, carrying the Word to those accepting the archdeceiver's pattern, instead of being held there while Satan with sophistries keeps possession of unworked fields.Ms 21, 1906, par. 6–7+1