Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Christ commanded John to write what he had seen, what was then present, and what would happen afterward, to be sent in a book to the seven churches. The One commanding is Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, who lives and was dead and is alive forevermore with the keys of hell and of death, appearing in glory among the seven golden candlesticks. The mystery He explains is that the seven stars in His right hand are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the churches, with seven representing a perfect whole so the message extends through the church in every period to the close of earth's history. What was to be written opens past, present, and future for instruction, disclosing the closing scenes of earth's history, the last struggles with the beast and his image, the second coming in power and glory, and the final victory and deliverance of the faithful. The writing is not a sealed book but the word of God to be read, understood, taught and proclaimed with all power, and it assures every believer that Jesus superintends His church, watches over it with tender care, and makes even lonely exile the gate of heaven to those who trust Him.
Command and Its Setting
Christ commanded John to write what he had seen, what was then present, and what would happen afterward, after John saw the risen Christ in vision, and the writing was to be sent in a book to the seven churches in Asia. The command introduces the written messages to the churches, including the successive messages in Revelation 2 and 3 and the explanation that the seven stars are the angels of the churches and the seven golden lampstands are the churches.
The command was given on the Isle of Patmos while John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. That day is the Sabbath, the holy day God blessed and set apart as His own from Eden, kept as His sign between Him and His people throughout their generations for a perpetual covenant, and still precious to John in exile. John had been banished to that lonely, barren, desolate island for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ by men inspired of Satan to persecute faithful witnesses. He was separated from his companions in faith and cut off from gospel labor in a time of fierce persecution and great darkness when Satan seemed to triumph over God's faithful witnesses, yet he was not cut off from God's presence, and his desolate place of exile became to him the gate of heaven. God overruled the outward triumph of John's enemies and placed him there so Christ could personally visit him with a more wonderful revelation of Himself to give to the world, and on the holy Sabbath day the risen Saviour made His presence known to John, showing His glory and making known what was to come upon the earth.
Before the command John heard behind him a great voice as of a trumpet declaring Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, and turning saw seven golden candlesticks with One like the Son of man in their midst holding seven stars in His right hand. Glorified, He had white hair, flaming eyes, burning brass feet, voice as many waters, a sharp two-edged sword from His mouth, and countenance as the sun. At the vision John fell at His feet as dead, and Christ laid His right hand upon him, told him not to fear, declared Himself the first and the last, He that lives and was dead and is alive forevermore with the keys of hell and of death, and then told him to write the things seen, present, and future.
The command came to John in old age, more than half a century after he leaned on Christ's bosom, when God was using an old worker nearly one hundred years old to bear a firm, decided testimony. He had been banished for fidelity to his Saviour in a time of great darkness when Satan seemed to triumph.
Christ Himself came from heaven and came personally to John on Patmos to tell him what to write, to tell him about present conditions and future events and what was to come upon the earth, and John received it while worked by the Holy Spirit. His coming is clearly described in the first chapter of Revelation.
The writing is the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent by His angel, with blessing on those who read, hear, and keep it. It is direct word from Jesus Christ in His Word, part of the revelation God gave unto Him, spoken through John.
The command to write what John saw and send it to the seven churches in Asia was not for John on Patmos alone nor for those churches alone. Seven represents a perfect whole, so the revelation is for all churches in the world, and through those churches an inspired message was to come to the people with powerful impression in every age to the close of this earth's history.
Christ Who Commands
The One who gives the command is Jesus Christ Himself, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, He that lives and was dead and is alive forevermore with the keys of hell and of death. He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and the Lion of the tribe of Judah, soon to ride forth conquering and to conquer. He spoke as the glorified Son of God standing in glory in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, laying His right hand upon John after John fell at His feet as dead and telling him not to fear.
He appeared as one like unto the Son of man in glorified humanity, a personal being who will appear in the clouds of heaven. He was clothed with a garment down to the feet and girt about with a golden girdle, His head and hairs white like wool as snow, His eyes as a flame of fire, His feet like fine brass burned in a furnace, His voice as the sound of many waters, with seven stars in His right hand, a sharp two-edged sword going out of His mouth, and His countenance as the sun shining in strength. His first words to John, Fear not, were spoken in the same voice that had said to John from the cross, Son, behold thy mother.
Past Present and Future
The command divides into three parts: what had already been seen, what was then existing in the present, and what would happen afterward in the future of the church and of the world as Christ opened it to view. It embraces matters of deep importance covering past and present and future things laid open for record. What was thus revealed was to be given to the world to be read and understood and appreciated as light and truth. The same instruction introduces the explanation of the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands.
The book therefore opens past and present and future events to the world for instruction. Its prophecies include scenes already fulfilled and events already past. They include matters of continuing interest and things taking place in the present. They include events whose full fulfillment comes at the close of time and things yet to come. In this scope the book is open for study and intended to instruct its readers.
Its reference to the future covers events foretold in prophecy as God predicts in His word the things to take place in this world. Every foretold event has its appointed time for fulfillment and takes place in its season. Each passes in successive order into history.
The threefold charge shows that Jesus Himself superintends all events in the present and future of His church. It reveals how closely heaven is connected with events taking place upon the earth and how great is God's care for those loyal to Him. It shows the world is not without a ruler and the program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations as well as the concerns of His church in His own charge.
The things told to be written, what had been seen and what is and what shall come afterward, make up the entire revelation Jesus Christ gave. That whole revelation was already rehearsed in the Exodus and in the plagues brought upon Egypt. Scripture has no contradiction and can be tested only by Scripture, so the later account is explained by the earlier.
Stars Candlesticks and Churches
The command to write what had been seen, what then existed, and what would happen afterward introduces the explanation of the mystery of the seven stars in the right hand and the seven golden candlesticks or lampstands to be sent in a book to the seven churches in Asia. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks are the churches themselves. Seven is God's symbol of completeness, so the seven churches represent the church in different periods of the Christian era. Their messages and symbols disclose the church's condition in different periods of world history and extend to the end of time, so through those seven the revelation comes to all churches in the world.
Before opening to John the history of the church for future ages, assurance was given of the Saviour's interest and care for His people by revealing One like the Son of man walking among the candlesticks. He holds the stars in His right hand and sends messengers throughout His dominion to communicate His will, to make light shine through them to the world, and to sanctify and prepare His people for higher service in the church above. A church faithful to its trust need not fear coming to nothing, for no star protected by His power can be taken from His hand. If a star separates from God and falls, another takes its place, so there are never fewer than seven. Though enfeebled and defective, the church is the object of Christ's supreme regard, constantly watched over with tender solicitude and strengthened by His Holy Spirit.
The command produces message after message to the churches, contained in the first three chapters, including successive messages to Ephesus, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The things which are and shall be hereafter give the history of Satan's effort through subtlety to bring dissension into the church and destroy much of the good that has been accomplished, as when Ephesus left its first love despite excellent qualifications. The same difficulties must be met today, requiring remembrance of whence fallen, repentance, and doing the first works, lest the candlestick be removed. The messages also rebuke selfishness that leaves destitute places unworked and call for earnest effort to put workers into those fields.
Prophecy of Last Days
The command to write covered what had been seen, what was then present, and what would happen afterward, given after the risen Christ was seen in vision to be sent in writing to the seven churches, disclosing events in the closing scenes of earth's history concerning the last days. Christ visited John when he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, appearing as one like the Son of man in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, declaring Himself Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, He that liveth and was dead and is alive forevermore with the keys of hell and of death, and after raising John who had fallen at His feet as dead He told him to write the things seen, the things that are, and the things to come. That command gave a revelation of what should be in the last days of this earth's history, showing God using an old worker nearly one hundred years old to bear a firm, decided testimony, with wonderful future things taught and revealed to John. The visions so written were intended to instruct the church for all future time and to proclaim God's sure purpose concerning every nation, and the instruction is important and to be studied carefully and prayerfully because it guards against false theories.
The book unfolds solemn truths through Jesus Christ, who chose John to make them known to the world, including events that will take place just before Christ's second coming in power and glory. It reveals Christ as a personal being who will appear in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, with the seven stars as the angels of the seven churches and the seven golden candlesticks as the churches. Standing in the opening three chapters, the command stands as an earnest warning to prepare to meet the Lord in the clouds of heaven, for He comes with power and great glory, confronting indifference to the signs He foretold and giving evidence that the end of the world is right upon us.
Before God opened to John the history of the church for future ages He gave assurance of the Saviour's interest and care for His people by revealing One like unto the Son of man walking among the candlesticks, which are the seven churches. The things to come include the last great struggles of the church with earthly powers, the church brought into deadly conflict with the beast and his image with worship of the beast enforced on pain of death. Beyond the smoke and din of battle is seen the final victory and deliverance of the faithful, a company upon Mount Zion with the Lamb having the Father's name written in their foreheads instead of the mark of the beast, and those who got the victory over the beast and his image and mark and number standing on the sea of glass with the harps of God singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
The vision disclosed events extending across future ages to Christ's coming and made God's counsel for those ages known. It did so in symbolic scenes that foretold the church's history through the close of time, given so that God's people in John's day and later ages could understand the dangers and conflicts ahead. It also opened before John the glories of the heavenly home and the redeemed who had come through great tribulation.
Study and Proclaim Message
What was ordered to be written is the word of God in Revelation, not a sealed book but a mystery unfolded that must be understood, especially what it tells about the scenes to take place in the last days of this earth's history. To have no desire to understand the things to take place on this earth is lack of wisdom, because the enemy will bring in everything he possibly can to carry out his deceptive designs. Every verse of the first chapter is important and solemn and is to be clearly understood, because it holds what Jesus was to give to all who will be alive on the earth to hear and receive. Its true meaning is to be taken in with an open heart, with solemn humility, and with exact care to make no mistake in interpretation, for it shows His servants things which must shortly come to pass. The command to write what had been seen and what is present and what will come afterward is therefore to be studied carefully and prayerfully, and this careful prayerful study guards against false theories.
The matters of deep importance thus opened — things seen and present things and future things — were to be given to the world to be read, understood, and appreciated as light and truth. It is a present duty to put the books Daniel and Revelation and The Great Controversy into circulation above all others and to arouse men bearing responsibilities to clear the King's highway rather than block the road. The revelations given on Patmos were meant to be read, understood, and appreciated by the world, and the messages to the churches call God's people to hear and share what has been revealed. The light is not to be hidden. It is to be taught to people unacquainted with truth in camp-meetings, and to be studied and believed and preached by the Seventh-day Adventist Church today, because seven represents a perfect whole and the command to write and send to the seven churches means the revelation is for all churches in the world.
That same commission to put what has been revealed into written form produces thousands of pages now in printed form in books that are to be studied. The message commanded to be written is a wonderful, dignified, exalted, solemn message, received while worked by the Holy Spirit after Christ Himself came from heaven to tell what to write. To present this message with decided emphasis demands all the talents and capabilities that God has given to man. It exceeds in importance any other message ever entrusted to mortals, an importance medical workers need to realize. What is written includes instruction given in vision concerning the relation of Scripture to Scripture, by which the truths of the third angel's message are revealed point by point.
The message given, recorded in the first three chapters, is to be heeded. Its messages in the next two chapters, read critically, bring a yet-unrealized power as hearts are humbled before God, His love abides within, cold loveless indifference passes away, and love for souls for whom Christ died takes its place.
Personal Duty and Comfort
The same Jesus who appeared to John on the lonely, barren Isle of Patmos still visits isolated believers, and His presence and love can make a lonely island home a heaven to the exile who keeps close to Jesus, looks to Him, and trusts Him with every grief and trouble. John had been banished there for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ by men inspired of Satan to persecute faithful witnesses, in old age in a time of fierce persecution and great darkness when Satan seemed to triumph, separated from companions in faith and cut off from gospel labor but not from God's presence, so that his desolate place of exile became to him the gate of heaven. He was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, the holy day God blessed and set apart as His own, and was visited by the heavenly messenger, hearing behind him a great voice as of a trumpet declaring Alpha and Omega, turning to see seven golden candlesticks with one like unto the Son of man in their midst holding seven stars in His right hand, glorified with head and hairs white, eyes as a flame of fire, feet like burning brass, voice as many waters, a sharp two-edged sword from His mouth, and countenance as the sun. That Speaker laid His right hand on John and told him not to fear, declaring Himself the first and the last, He that liveth and was dead and is alive forevermore with the keys of hell and of death, and then bade him write what he was shown. The writing is the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent by His angel, with blessing on those who read, hear, and keep it.
Every child of God has a connection with heaven, with angels descending and ascending on a ladder of shining brightness reflecting the light and glory of God to give light and grace and strength. Neglecting prayer in the home refuses that help, while living prayers going up to God keep believers by the power of God through faith unto salvation. The verse is given so believers may know how to escape the perils of the last days which are upon them and may know where their dependence lies. It calls for refusing to make gods of men and for worshiping the Lord God with all the heart, mind, soul, and strength, and loving neighbor as self, for all it teaches hangs upon the two great principles of love to God and love to man, on which hang all the law and the prophets.
The command to record what had been seen, what then existed, and what would come afterward lays a present duty on all who profess to believe God's Word to teach and write about things now being fulfilled that concern the eternal warfare for souls. Believers are to give timely spiritual food to old and young, to saints and sinners, and to speak without further delay the many things that will awaken the church from sleep, no longer dwelling on nonessentials that have no bearing on the present necessities of God's people and of those ignorant of the truth but giving what is essential. The Speaker is the One who lives, died, and lives forevermore and holds the keys of hell and death, and the charge agrees with the opening of Revelation that sets forth the blessed work of receiving and keeping its message. Writing was to be the assigned work, not an added task alongside other demanding duties, and the command to write what has been seen makes the recipient responsible for faithfully recording and sharing the light given. That light is to reach all nations, languages, and peoples in every place, with God's angels preparing the way while Satan works among both unbelievers and believers to prevent the message from doing its work, and that same divine commission to put what has been revealed into written form produces thousands of pages now in printed form in books that are to be studied.
The Lord's command, Write the things that are revealed, is repeated even when physical weakness makes the hand unsteady and writing seem impossible, and it must be obeyed. Obedience brings the Lord's own help to steady the hand and make writing page after page comparatively easy, proving the Lord Himself directs what is written. When in right relation to Him and wholly given to Him His miracle-working power appears in words and deeds, and the commission does not depend on schooling or natural strength. A sixteen-year-old child with schooling ended at twelve and nerves and hand ruined and trembling from injury could be enabled to take pen and paper and trace easily with an even hand, and to keep recording what was given volume after volume until seventy-eight years old, with the blessing of God resting on the work and carrying it through the world, binding the soul to love Christ with the whole heart and to magnify His holy name. What is written includes instruction given in vision concerning the relation of Scripture to Scripture, by which the truths of the third angel's message are revealed point by point, and the commission comes from Christ revealed as Saviour, merciful, kind, tender, loving and enough for a lifetime, opening through manifold visions the great work of salvation and the part to act in it.
Jesus gave mysteries to the aged, persecuted, beloved John to make known to the churches, using a human messenger because an angel could not do the work and because humanity must be reached through humanity. Christ took humanity upon Himself so sinful people could see the Lord and live, and even then John's humanity could not endure the glory of Christ's self-revelation, so John fell as a dead man until Jesus came, revived him, strengthened him, and told him He had a message for him. A divine message still comes through human lips and must not be thrown aside for that reason. The manifestation of the Spirit of God through the spirit of prophecy embraces past, present, and future, showing what has been, what is, and what shall be, including knowing faces never seen until met years afterward, being aroused from sleep with a vivid sense of subjects previously presented to the mind, writing at midnight letters that go across the continent and arriving at a crisis save great disaster to the cause of God, and being impelled by a power to reprove and rebuke wrongs not thought of. To declare such testimony of warning and reproof to be merely human opinion insults the Spirit of God. Christ reveals Himself and addresses messages to His churches to be written, and the church, though enfeebled and defective, is the object of His supreme regard, constantly watched over with tender solicitude and strengthened by His Holy Spirit. Church members are to allow Him to impress their minds and work through them to His glory, to heed and obey the messages He gives to His church, to make certain their redemption, and to be among those who meet Him with joy at His coming and not among those who shall wail because of Him.
Christ commanded John to write what he had seen, what was then present, and what would happen afterward, to be sent in a book to the seven churches. The One commanding is Jesus Christ, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, who lives and was dead and is alive forevermore with the keys of hell and of death, appearing in glory among the seven golden candlesticks. The mystery He explains is that the seven stars in His right hand are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the churches, with seven representing a perfect whole so the message extends through the church in every period to the close of earth's history. What was to be written opens past, present, and future for instruction, disclosing the closing scenes of earth's history, the last struggles with the beast and his image, the second coming in power and glory, and the final victory and deliverance of the faithful. The writing is not a sealed book but the word of God to be read, understood, taught and proclaimed with all power, and it assures every believer that Jesus superintends His church, watches over it with tender care, and makes even lonely exile the gate of heaven to those who trust Him.
Command and Its Setting
Christ commanded John to write what he had seen, what was then present, and what would happen afterward, after John saw the risen Christ in vision, and the writing was to be sent in a book to the seven churches in Asia. The command introduces the written messages to the churches, including the successive messages in Revelation 2 and 3 and the explanation that the seven stars are the angels of the churches and the seven golden lampstands are the churches.
The command was given on the Isle of Patmos while John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. That day is the Sabbath, the holy day God blessed and set apart as His own from Eden, kept as His sign between Him and His people throughout their generations for a perpetual covenant, and still precious to John in exile. John had been banished to that lonely, barren, desolate island for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ by men inspired of Satan to persecute faithful witnesses. He was separated from his companions in faith and cut off from gospel labor in a time of fierce persecution and great darkness when Satan seemed to triumph over God's faithful witnesses, yet he was not cut off from God's presence, and his desolate place of exile became to him the gate of heaven. God overruled the outward triumph of John's enemies and placed him there so Christ could personally visit him with a more wonderful revelation of Himself to give to the world, and on the holy Sabbath day the risen Saviour made His presence known to John, showing His glory and making known what was to come upon the earth.
Before the command John heard behind him a great voice as of a trumpet declaring Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, and turning saw seven golden candlesticks with One like the Son of man in their midst holding seven stars in His right hand. Glorified, He had white hair, flaming eyes, burning brass feet, voice as many waters, a sharp two-edged sword from His mouth, and countenance as the sun. At the vision John fell at His feet as dead, and Christ laid His right hand upon him, told him not to fear, declared Himself the first and the last, He that lives and was dead and is alive forevermore with the keys of hell and of death, and then told him to write the things seen, present, and future.
The command came to John in old age, more than half a century after he leaned on Christ's bosom, when God was using an old worker nearly one hundred years old to bear a firm, decided testimony. He had been banished for fidelity to his Saviour in a time of great darkness when Satan seemed to triumph.
Christ Himself came from heaven and came personally to John on Patmos to tell him what to write, to tell him about present conditions and future events and what was to come upon the earth, and John received it while worked by the Holy Spirit. His coming is clearly described in the first chapter of Revelation.
The writing is the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent by His angel, with blessing on those who read, hear, and keep it. It is direct word from Jesus Christ in His Word, part of the revelation God gave unto Him, spoken through John.
The command to write what John saw and send it to the seven churches in Asia was not for John on Patmos alone nor for those churches alone. Seven represents a perfect whole, so the revelation is for all churches in the world, and through those churches an inspired message was to come to the people with powerful impression in every age to the close of this earth's history.
Christ Who Commands
The One who gives the command is Jesus Christ Himself, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, He that lives and was dead and is alive forevermore with the keys of hell and of death. He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and the Lion of the tribe of Judah, soon to ride forth conquering and to conquer. He spoke as the glorified Son of God standing in glory in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, laying His right hand upon John after John fell at His feet as dead and telling him not to fear.
He appeared as one like unto the Son of man in glorified humanity, a personal being who will appear in the clouds of heaven. He was clothed with a garment down to the feet and girt about with a golden girdle, His head and hairs white like wool as snow, His eyes as a flame of fire, His feet like fine brass burned in a furnace, His voice as the sound of many waters, with seven stars in His right hand, a sharp two-edged sword going out of His mouth, and His countenance as the sun shining in strength. His first words to John, Fear not, were spoken in the same voice that had said to John from the cross, Son, behold thy mother.
Past Present and Future
The command divides into three parts: what had already been seen, what was then existing in the present, and what would happen afterward in the future of the church and of the world as Christ opened it to view. It embraces matters of deep importance covering past and present and future things laid open for record. What was thus revealed was to be given to the world to be read and understood and appreciated as light and truth. The same instruction introduces the explanation of the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands.
The book therefore opens past and present and future events to the world for instruction. Its prophecies include scenes already fulfilled and events already past. They include matters of continuing interest and things taking place in the present. They include events whose full fulfillment comes at the close of time and things yet to come. In this scope the book is open for study and intended to instruct its readers.
Its reference to the future covers events foretold in prophecy as God predicts in His word the things to take place in this world. Every foretold event has its appointed time for fulfillment and takes place in its season. Each passes in successive order into history.
The threefold charge shows that Jesus Himself superintends all events in the present and future of His church. It reveals how closely heaven is connected with events taking place upon the earth and how great is God's care for those loyal to Him. It shows the world is not without a ruler and the program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations as well as the concerns of His church in His own charge.
The things told to be written, what had been seen and what is and what shall come afterward, make up the entire revelation Jesus Christ gave. That whole revelation was already rehearsed in the Exodus and in the plagues brought upon Egypt. Scripture has no contradiction and can be tested only by Scripture, so the later account is explained by the earlier.
Stars Candlesticks and Churches
The command to write what had been seen, what then existed, and what would happen afterward introduces the explanation of the mystery of the seven stars in the right hand and the seven golden candlesticks or lampstands to be sent in a book to the seven churches in Asia. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven candlesticks are the churches themselves. Seven is God's symbol of completeness, so the seven churches represent the church in different periods of the Christian era. Their messages and symbols disclose the church's condition in different periods of world history and extend to the end of time, so through those seven the revelation comes to all churches in the world.
Before opening to John the history of the church for future ages, assurance was given of the Saviour's interest and care for His people by revealing One like the Son of man walking among the candlesticks. He holds the stars in His right hand and sends messengers throughout His dominion to communicate His will, to make light shine through them to the world, and to sanctify and prepare His people for higher service in the church above. A church faithful to its trust need not fear coming to nothing, for no star protected by His power can be taken from His hand. If a star separates from God and falls, another takes its place, so there are never fewer than seven. Though enfeebled and defective, the church is the object of Christ's supreme regard, constantly watched over with tender solicitude and strengthened by His Holy Spirit.
The command produces message after message to the churches, contained in the first three chapters, including successive messages to Ephesus, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The things which are and shall be hereafter give the history of Satan's effort through subtlety to bring dissension into the church and destroy much of the good that has been accomplished, as when Ephesus left its first love despite excellent qualifications. The same difficulties must be met today, requiring remembrance of whence fallen, repentance, and doing the first works, lest the candlestick be removed. The messages also rebuke selfishness that leaves destitute places unworked and call for earnest effort to put workers into those fields.
Prophecy of Last Days
The command to write covered what had been seen, what was then present, and what would happen afterward, given after the risen Christ was seen in vision to be sent in writing to the seven churches, disclosing events in the closing scenes of earth's history concerning the last days. Christ visited John when he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, appearing as one like the Son of man in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, declaring Himself Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, He that liveth and was dead and is alive forevermore with the keys of hell and of death, and after raising John who had fallen at His feet as dead He told him to write the things seen, the things that are, and the things to come. That command gave a revelation of what should be in the last days of this earth's history, showing God using an old worker nearly one hundred years old to bear a firm, decided testimony, with wonderful future things taught and revealed to John. The visions so written were intended to instruct the church for all future time and to proclaim God's sure purpose concerning every nation, and the instruction is important and to be studied carefully and prayerfully because it guards against false theories.
The book unfolds solemn truths through Jesus Christ, who chose John to make them known to the world, including events that will take place just before Christ's second coming in power and glory. It reveals Christ as a personal being who will appear in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, with the seven stars as the angels of the seven churches and the seven golden candlesticks as the churches. Standing in the opening three chapters, the command stands as an earnest warning to prepare to meet the Lord in the clouds of heaven, for He comes with power and great glory, confronting indifference to the signs He foretold and giving evidence that the end of the world is right upon us.
Before God opened to John the history of the church for future ages He gave assurance of the Saviour's interest and care for His people by revealing One like unto the Son of man walking among the candlesticks, which are the seven churches. The things to come include the last great struggles of the church with earthly powers, the church brought into deadly conflict with the beast and his image with worship of the beast enforced on pain of death. Beyond the smoke and din of battle is seen the final victory and deliverance of the faithful, a company upon Mount Zion with the Lamb having the Father's name written in their foreheads instead of the mark of the beast, and those who got the victory over the beast and his image and mark and number standing on the sea of glass with the harps of God singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.
The vision disclosed events extending across future ages to Christ's coming and made God's counsel for those ages known. It did so in symbolic scenes that foretold the church's history through the close of time, given so that God's people in John's day and later ages could understand the dangers and conflicts ahead. It also opened before John the glories of the heavenly home and the redeemed who had come through great tribulation.
Study and Proclaim Message
What was ordered to be written is the word of God in Revelation, not a sealed book but a mystery unfolded that must be understood, especially what it tells about the scenes to take place in the last days of this earth's history. To have no desire to understand the things to take place on this earth is lack of wisdom, because the enemy will bring in everything he possibly can to carry out his deceptive designs. Every verse of the first chapter is important and solemn and is to be clearly understood, because it holds what Jesus was to give to all who will be alive on the earth to hear and receive. Its true meaning is to be taken in with an open heart, with solemn humility, and with exact care to make no mistake in interpretation, for it shows His servants things which must shortly come to pass. The command to write what had been seen and what is present and what will come afterward is therefore to be studied carefully and prayerfully, and this careful prayerful study guards against false theories.
The matters of deep importance thus opened — things seen and present things and future things — were to be given to the world to be read, understood, and appreciated as light and truth. It is a present duty to put the books Daniel and Revelation and The Great Controversy into circulation above all others and to arouse men bearing responsibilities to clear the King's highway rather than block the road. The revelations given on Patmos were meant to be read, understood, and appreciated by the world, and the messages to the churches call God's people to hear and share what has been revealed. The light is not to be hidden. It is to be taught to people unacquainted with truth in camp-meetings, and to be studied and believed and preached by the Seventh-day Adventist Church today, because seven represents a perfect whole and the command to write and send to the seven churches means the revelation is for all churches in the world.
That same commission to put what has been revealed into written form produces thousands of pages now in printed form in books that are to be studied. The message commanded to be written is a wonderful, dignified, exalted, solemn message, received while worked by the Holy Spirit after Christ Himself came from heaven to tell what to write. To present this message with decided emphasis demands all the talents and capabilities that God has given to man. It exceeds in importance any other message ever entrusted to mortals, an importance medical workers need to realize. What is written includes instruction given in vision concerning the relation of Scripture to Scripture, by which the truths of the third angel's message are revealed point by point.
The message given, recorded in the first three chapters, is to be heeded. Its messages in the next two chapters, read critically, bring a yet-unrealized power as hearts are humbled before God, His love abides within, cold loveless indifference passes away, and love for souls for whom Christ died takes its place.
Personal Duty and Comfort
The same Jesus who appeared to John on the lonely, barren Isle of Patmos still visits isolated believers, and His presence and love can make a lonely island home a heaven to the exile who keeps close to Jesus, looks to Him, and trusts Him with every grief and trouble. John had been banished there for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ by men inspired of Satan to persecute faithful witnesses, in old age in a time of fierce persecution and great darkness when Satan seemed to triumph, separated from companions in faith and cut off from gospel labor but not from God's presence, so that his desolate place of exile became to him the gate of heaven. He was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, the holy day God blessed and set apart as His own, and was visited by the heavenly messenger, hearing behind him a great voice as of a trumpet declaring Alpha and Omega, turning to see seven golden candlesticks with one like unto the Son of man in their midst holding seven stars in His right hand, glorified with head and hairs white, eyes as a flame of fire, feet like burning brass, voice as many waters, a sharp two-edged sword from His mouth, and countenance as the sun. That Speaker laid His right hand on John and told him not to fear, declaring Himself the first and the last, He that liveth and was dead and is alive forevermore with the keys of hell and of death, and then bade him write what he was shown. The writing is the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave Him to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent by His angel, with blessing on those who read, hear, and keep it.
Every child of God has a connection with heaven, with angels descending and ascending on a ladder of shining brightness reflecting the light and glory of God to give light and grace and strength. Neglecting prayer in the home refuses that help, while living prayers going up to God keep believers by the power of God through faith unto salvation. The verse is given so believers may know how to escape the perils of the last days which are upon them and may know where their dependence lies. It calls for refusing to make gods of men and for worshiping the Lord God with all the heart, mind, soul, and strength, and loving neighbor as self, for all it teaches hangs upon the two great principles of love to God and love to man, on which hang all the law and the prophets.
The command to record what had been seen, what then existed, and what would come afterward lays a present duty on all who profess to believe God's Word to teach and write about things now being fulfilled that concern the eternal warfare for souls. Believers are to give timely spiritual food to old and young, to saints and sinners, and to speak without further delay the many things that will awaken the church from sleep, no longer dwelling on nonessentials that have no bearing on the present necessities of God's people and of those ignorant of the truth but giving what is essential. The Speaker is the One who lives, died, and lives forevermore and holds the keys of hell and death, and the charge agrees with the opening of Revelation that sets forth the blessed work of receiving and keeping its message. Writing was to be the assigned work, not an added task alongside other demanding duties, and the command to write what has been seen makes the recipient responsible for faithfully recording and sharing the light given. That light is to reach all nations, languages, and peoples in every place, with God's angels preparing the way while Satan works among both unbelievers and believers to prevent the message from doing its work, and that same divine commission to put what has been revealed into written form produces thousands of pages now in printed form in books that are to be studied.
The Lord's command, Write the things that are revealed, is repeated even when physical weakness makes the hand unsteady and writing seem impossible, and it must be obeyed. Obedience brings the Lord's own help to steady the hand and make writing page after page comparatively easy, proving the Lord Himself directs what is written. When in right relation to Him and wholly given to Him His miracle-working power appears in words and deeds, and the commission does not depend on schooling or natural strength. A sixteen-year-old child with schooling ended at twelve and nerves and hand ruined and trembling from injury could be enabled to take pen and paper and trace easily with an even hand, and to keep recording what was given volume after volume until seventy-eight years old, with the blessing of God resting on the work and carrying it through the world, binding the soul to love Christ with the whole heart and to magnify His holy name. What is written includes instruction given in vision concerning the relation of Scripture to Scripture, by which the truths of the third angel's message are revealed point by point, and the commission comes from Christ revealed as Saviour, merciful, kind, tender, loving and enough for a lifetime, opening through manifold visions the great work of salvation and the part to act in it.
Jesus gave mysteries to the aged, persecuted, beloved John to make known to the churches, using a human messenger because an angel could not do the work and because humanity must be reached through humanity. Christ took humanity upon Himself so sinful people could see the Lord and live, and even then John's humanity could not endure the glory of Christ's self-revelation, so John fell as a dead man until Jesus came, revived him, strengthened him, and told him He had a message for him. A divine message still comes through human lips and must not be thrown aside for that reason. The manifestation of the Spirit of God through the spirit of prophecy embraces past, present, and future, showing what has been, what is, and what shall be, including knowing faces never seen until met years afterward, being aroused from sleep with a vivid sense of subjects previously presented to the mind, writing at midnight letters that go across the continent and arriving at a crisis save great disaster to the cause of God, and being impelled by a power to reprove and rebuke wrongs not thought of. To declare such testimony of warning and reproof to be merely human opinion insults the Spirit of God. Christ reveals Himself and addresses messages to His churches to be written, and the church, though enfeebled and defective, is the object of His supreme regard, constantly watched over with tender solicitude and strengthened by His Holy Spirit. Church members are to allow Him to impress their minds and work through them to His glory, to heed and obey the messages He gives to His church, to make certain their redemption, and to be among those who meet Him with joy at His coming and not among those who shall wail because of Him.