Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
John faithfully wrote down all he was shown in holy vision, the word of God and the testimony Jesus Christ gave him, including the revelation of the risen Christ in glorified humanity commanding it to be written. What he bore record of did not originate with himself but came down a chain in which God gave the revelation of Jesus Christ to show His servants what must shortly come to pass, and Christ sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John on Patmos. The title itself means a thing revealed with the veil withdrawn, not a sealed mystery in obscurity, and its figures and symbols do not make it unintelligible. Its visions outline the closing scenes of earth's history before Christ's second coming in the clouds, the deliverance of His people and the final judgment, given especially as waymark truth and lamp-light for those living amid the perils and deceptions of the last days. It is now to be diligently searched with reverence and prayer, proclaimed to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, and kept in life by hearers who become doers, under blessing promised to all who read, hear and keep what is written because the time is at hand.
Patmos Giving and Writing
The record stands in a chain of transmission in which God gave the revelation of Jesus Christ to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, and Christ sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John. Jesus Christ is the great trustee of divine revelation, for all revelation comes through Him and centers in Him, and through Him comes knowledge of what to look for in the closing scenes of earth's history and the truth for these last days. John was chosen for this prophetic task as the servant who received what God had given to Christ and what Christ communicated, honored under the New Testament as Daniel was honored under the Old.
Christ came in person from heaven to the Isle of Patmos to present the message to John and to show him the things that were to be, commanding him to write them because they are of vast importance to His people. His coming is clearly described in the first chapter, telling him the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter, finding His servant where He knew him to be half a century after the ascension. The instruction was so important that Christ came from heaven to give it with command to write in a book what should take place in the closing scenes and to send it to the churches, revealing waymark truth for the closing scenes. As the oldest living man who had seen Christ, having beheld divine light, John could not hold his peace but bore record because he always spoke the truth and his faith did not change at all.
A mighty angel sent by the Lord Jesus made the coming events plain to John by symbols until the coming of Christ, concerning events leading up to Christ's coming. John was bidden to write all he saw and heard in a book for the benefit of the seven churches, hearing behind him a great voice as of a trumpet commanding what he saw to be written and sent to the seven churches in Asia. That writing is preserved as the book of Revelation, containing the message for the last days and the message of the first, second, and third chapters that Christ came from heaven to give. What he wrote in a view of heavenly things was bidden for those living in the closing days that they might know the future as revealed to him.
That record was not for John alone on Patmos nor for those seven congregations alone, but through those churches an inspired message was to come to the people to have its powerful impression in every age to the close of earth's history. The seven churches represent all the churches in the world, for seven represents a perfect whole. The light was not to be hidden under a bushel, and what was written was for the church in all ages, that they might heed its warnings believing its divine origin.
John had been banished to the lonely, rocky, barren Isle of Patmos to silence his testimony, to stop his mouth and put his voice beyond hearing. Wicked men inspired by Satan to persecute those who bore faithful witness tried to take his life and, failing, banished him there expecting him to become discouraged and soon die and trouble them no more. The world and those who hated the crucified Redeemer rejoiced to be rid of him, amazed and condemned by his ever-fresh testimony witnessing against their wicked deeds, yet they could put him nowhere that his Lord could not find him. His suffering came because Satan, the opposing power that apostatized in heaven, has been on the track of every soul that would favor Jesus Christ and be saved by Him and is determined to block the way by himself and his emissaries.
John was then old, having grown old in his Lord's service as the beloved disciple and last survivor of the first chosen disciples. God did not forsake him in old age and exile, for Christ knew where to find him, and though counted by human wisdom as past service, an old and broken reed, unrecognized and unhonored, he was never forgotten by God. On that isle Patmos became a happy place where every day he communed with God with words of praise on his lips, and there God revealed Himself in a most signal manner. On that lonely island he received more communications from heaven than he had received during the rest of his lifetime, receiving a wonderful revelation from his Lord in his old age.
The light of the revelation did not originate with John himself but comes right from Jesus Christ in His Word, given from God through Jesus and His angel. John bore record of the Word because he would keep that Word, speaking it from a desolate island where he was for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Meaning of John's Record
To bare record means John faithfully recorded, wrote, followed, preached, and presented the word of God wherever he was, giving fresh testimony even in old age. He is identified as the one who faithfully bore record of God's word, of Jesus Christ's testimony, and of everything he saw in the vision on Patmos. While banished there he received a revelation of the future of the church, including the revelation of the risen Christ and the prophetic things shown to him. The light did not originate with John himself, for God gave the revelation to Jesus, who sent and signified it through an angel to John to give to the churches. That record forms part of the prophecy intended for study and instruction, not to be treated as sealed or unimportant, but as opening the subjects His people would need in the last days.
His threefold record is God's word, the testimony of Jesus Christ, and everything he was shown in holy vision. On the Isle of Patmos he bore record of what he saw in holy vision of the One he honored and loved above all others, for Christ presented Himself to him in His glorified humanity as one like unto the Son of man. Behind him John heard a great voice as of a trumpet commanding what he saw and heard to be written in a book and sent to the seven churches in Asia. The revelation came from God and was sent and made known by Christ through an angel, concerning things soon to take place and events that would occur before the close of the world's history. His record belongs to that revealed prophecy, not a sealed message beyond human understanding, but a message intended to make its important lessons known and understood.
What John wrote was not for himself alone on Patmos nor for those seven congregations alone, but 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. The testimony Jesus gave John runs all through the book as pure, essential truth thoroughly winnowed from error, as wheat against the chaff, with no guesswork and no scientific deception. From beginning to end its message is light from Jesus, revealing solemn truths and events leading up to Christ's second coming. It joins most precious, elevating promises with warnings of most fearfully solemn import that concern present and future welfare, including scenes and duties of special importance in the last days. This testimony is of the most solemn character to be borne to the world and read by all who profess to know the truth, to be believed, lived, and proclaimed in all its bearings rather than set aside by the claim The temple of the Lord are we.
The very title Revelation means a thing revealed, unfolded with the mystery opened, not a thing eclipsed and placed in obscurity and mystery. The book is not a sealed or closed book that cannot be understood, for God's own hand has withdrawn the veil of apparent mystery from it to enlighten understanding, and God speaks and teaches those who read it. Its opening verses set forth the character and object of the book as the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent and signified by His angel to His servant who faithfully recorded them. Its truths are addressed to those living in these last days, who stand with the veil removed in the holy place of sacred things nearing the time when its prophecies are to be fulfilled. Therefore it is to be entered not from without with careless irreverence, irreverent thoughts, impetuous footsteps or haste, but with reverence and godly fear, and its solemn messages in their order are to occupy the first place in the minds of God's people, with nothing else allowed to engross attention. Those who work together with Christ will show deep interest in these truths and with pen and voice strive to make plain the wonderful things Christ came from heaven to reveal, teaching them as Bible truth for this time and proclaiming them to people of all denominations.
Prophecy for the Last Days
The record John bore outlines events in the closing scenes of this earth's history before the close of the world and of world history. It leads up to meeting the Lord in the clouds of heaven, for He comes with power and great glory, with the end of the world right upon us, and to the deliverance of God's people and the final judgment. The instruction came as the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent and signified by His angel to John, the great trustee of divine revelation through whom all revelation comes and in whom all centers, giving knowledge of what to look for in the closing scenes and truth for these last days. Studying it, especially its teachings for the present time, helps people understand Christ's position and His relation to God and to humanity.
It was given especially to guide people living in the last days in understanding their position and duty, and was written especially for those living amid its perils, dangers, conflicts, and deceptive designs of the enemy. Its truths are to receive attention and be made plain, and its messages were to go out as waymark truth establishing feet on a sure foundation and as lamp-light declaring the Lord's purpose for every nation. Its prophetic record faithfully traces events that may be unpleasant to consider, and it is to be the object of careful and prayerful study to guard against false theories brought in by men not under the teaching of the Holy Spirit.
The message recorded in the first, second, and third chapters is the message Christ came from heaven to give to John, and it is to be heeded and obeyed to the best of one's knowledge. It sets forth an earnest warning to prepare to meet the Lord, rebuking indifference to the signs foretold by Christ. It also sets forth Satan's effort to bring dissension into the church and the difficulties to be met today, requiring those who know the truth to become not only readers but doers who hear, understand, keep what is written, maintain living connection with God, and consecrate body, soul, and spirit without reserve because the time is at hand. Churches must read and study this instruction lest they follow a course God condemns, for it is given to members who grieve the Lord by searching into scientific problems that make void the past experience of God's people, who become dissatisfied when they cannot sway minds in their channel, and who with superficial minds suppose they can comprehend God and His working when they cannot comprehend past facts of faith.
The visions given to John harmonize with Daniel's visions and other parts of the Bible and other Scripture, and understanding those prophecies helps people recognize the warnings to prepare for the coming of the Son of man and to stand in the judgment. The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation are to be traced out before the people with Bible in hand, with human words few while the Scriptures are made to explain the truth themselves, and those who see the truth are then called to express their conviction. The whole book can only be tested by Scripture and contains no contradiction. It is part of the gospel light that shines throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and the entire revelation is a rehearsal of what Moses wrote in Exodus about the Exodus and the plagues the Lord brought upon Egypt.
Its unfulfilled predictions about the closing scenes are soon to be fulfilled, and these things are of the greatest importance and vast consequence because they will soon be fulfilled in the very last days and reach to the close of this earth's history. The book does not conceal the truth but clearly forewarns, telling what will be in the future, and is now to be studied with diligence by God's people and to be clearly understood. Messengers who present these solemn truths are handling subjects of eternal interest and must seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit so they speak words given them by God and not their own words. The revelation opened the glories of heaven before John's enraptured vision; he saw the throne of God and heard anthems of joy resounding through the heavenly courts, and his description makes readers long to stand with the redeemed in the presence of God.
Its twenty-first and twenty-second chapters should be presented more frequently before the people.
Open Book to Study
The book is not sealed, closed, or an incomprehensible mystery, for its very name means a thing revealed, unfolded with the mystery opened, not eclipsed in obscurity. It does not conceal the truth but clearly forewarns what will be in the future, and its figures and symbols do not make it unintelligible. What was recorded of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ and all things seen belongs to a revelation given to those on earth today, addressed to those living in the last days with the veil removed, as the time nears when its prophecies are to be fulfilled. It must be understood, especially what it tells about the scenes to take place in the last days of this earth's history and the deceptive designs the enemy will bring in to carry out.
God intends its important lessons to be known and understood, even clearly understood, for the visions were given through Christ's angel to show events before the close of the world's history. The solemn first chapter is definitely explained in the Word that the Lord Jesus was to give to all who will be alive on the earth to hear and receive the representations made. The book is not closed but can be understood and should be understood much better, and its lessons are for us, yet they are not now fully understood. The injunction in the first verses is to search and study in order to understand what the revelation of Jesus Christ means, giving more time to study of the Bible and of the Word with receptive mind and heart open to divine impressions.
It is now to be diligently searched, dwelt upon much, and entered with reverence and godly fear, not from without with careless irreverent thoughts, impetuous footsteps and haste, or mistakes in interpretation. It calls for careful and prayerful study as special instruction of vast importance, with every heart opened to take in the true meaning of the vision with solemn, humble response. Those who study with receptive mind and hearts open to divine impressions receive sanctifying influence from its revealed truths.
A blessing is pronounced on all who read and hear and keep and give heed to what is written, because the time is at hand. The book is a revelation of truth whose truths are to be taught and learned because they concern the momentous events and fearful import of things to transpire in the last days of earth's history. Those who devote themselves to such study are rewarded by the discovery of important truths.
Only very few understand its message for the last days, though it contains that message made plain by symbols of things to come until the coming of Christ and preserved in writing for the benefit of the churches. Its prophecies are therefore to be dwelt upon much and explained scripture by scripture by ministers awake to the time. Whom the Lord will guide and lead in unknown ways to bear the lamp of life in the dark places of the earth and hasten the coming of the King. When as a people what the book means is understood, there will be a great revival.
Careful, prayerful study guards against false theories brought in by men not under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, who are not safe interpreters. Such teachers confuse minds by mingling specious scientific errors with scriptural instruction, commingling pure instruction for training Christian missionaries and deceiving those training to be missionaries and leading them away from what was entrusted to the churches. Messengers who present these solemn truths of greatest importance soon to be fulfilled in the very last days are handling subjects of eternal interest and must seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit so they speak words given them by God and not their own words.
Satan has blinded the eyes of men against this book, and they have been glad of any excuse for not making a study of it, though it is full of truths that need to be understood, especially the prophecies referring to these last days. It must be studied with humble, contrite hearts, and those with no desire to understand these coming scenes and deceptive designs lack wisdom.
Proclaiming and Living Message
The record John bore on Patmos is a message to be carried to the churches in this stage of earth's history, and giving it is the work of every minister and every church member, with the Holy Spirit resting on the messenger to declare it with great boldness to all the world. Its truths are Bible truth for this time, to be taught, proclaimed, definitely exalted and made understood throughout the world to people of all denominations and to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, as a showing that the end is near. Those who work together with Christ show deep interest in these pure, essential truths winnowed from error and strive with pen and voice to make plain the wonderful things Christ came from heaven to reveal. Those taught from the Word are to go out as missionaries to their appointed work in unworked fields and not be held where sophistries keep possession, while the first three chapters are read for this work and stand against division, discord, party spirit, and scientific propositions contrary to Christ's teaching.
Its solemn messages in their order are to occupy the first place in the minds of God's people, with nothing else allowed to engross attention. They must be held without being led away, for teachers who mingle specious scientific errors with scriptural instruction are not safe interpreters and deceive those training to be missionaries. This testimony of Christ given to John, with its precious promises and grave warnings concerning present and future welfare, is to be borne to the world and given priority over distractions and speculation. It is profitable study to put in place of trashy reading about love stories and disappointments in love, keeping such trash out of heart and mind, and it is the pure instruction for training Christian missionaries.
The words Christ gave John to send to the churches are of the most importance, containing messages of warning and hope and instruction to be decidedly interested in and appreciated. They declare that the end of all things is at hand and the solemn scenes of final judgment are soon to take place, giving earnest warning to prepare to meet the Lord coming in the clouds with power and great glory and rebuking indifference to foretold signs. They lay a special work on believers to teach and write the things now to be fulfilled concerning the eternal warfare of souls, giving meat in due season to old and young, saints and sinners, to awaken the church from slumber without losing time on nonessentials having no bearing on present necessity. Through well-prepared books and periodicals believers testify that the end is near and urge all to prepare to meet God.
Neglect of this instruction will bring a heavy charge in the day of final judgment when the whole world receives sentence and all are asked whether they diligently studied the Word to know God's will and to understand the difference between sin and righteousness. Those who know the truth are therefore to become not only readers but doers who hear, understand, and keep what is written, because the time is at hand. They maintain living connection with God and consecrate body, soul, and spirit without reserve to Him. The great truths Christ came from heaven to give John are to shape life and by believers are to be proclaimed to the world with clear, intelligent testimony guided by the unction of the Holy Spirit, keeping abreast of the times.
That revealed truth is waymarks from the Word establishing feet on a sure foundation for everyone acting a part in the closing scenes, to be presented with a certain trumpet sound and stood for firmly without turning aside to attack others, giving a sacred hold upon the Lord. All arguments are to be based on the Word with Bible in hand, the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation traced out before the people, human words few while Scripture explains truth itself, and then those who see the truth called to express conviction. The message John wrote of what he saw and heard exceeds in importance any other ever entrusted to mortals, a fact to be realized including by medical workers. Written in a book to the churches, it is to be heeded and obeyed to the best of knowledge, its warnings believed as of divine origin, and its God-given messages made familiar to all.
The same Jesus who appeared to John will visit isolated believers in their homes, and light from the Son of God that made barren Patmos a heaven to the lonely exile will honor their homes with the divine presence when they keep close to Jesus. Banished to that lonely rocky isle by men inspired to persecute faithful witnesses, with wicked men having tried to take his life and expecting him discouraged soon to die, John was not alone but visited by the heavenly messenger and faithfully wrote what was shown. There the aged disciple communed happily with God with praise on his lips every day, and God revealed Himself in most signal manner with what was recorded under inspiration living through the ages. The revelation opened heaven's glories before enraptured vision, the throne of God and anthems of joy resounding through heavenly courts, so that the description makes readers long to stand with the redeemed in God's presence.
God did not forsake John when grown old in his Lord's service and exiled to Patmos; Christ knew where to find him, and on that lonely island he received more communications from heaven than in the rest of his lifetime. This shows ministers who faithfully bore the burden of the work are not forgotten by God when old and feeble in health. They are not to be neglected but to be cared for and helped.
John faithfully wrote down all he was shown in holy vision, the word of God and the testimony Jesus Christ gave him, including the revelation of the risen Christ in glorified humanity commanding it to be written. What he bore record of did not originate with himself but came down a chain in which God gave the revelation of Jesus Christ to show His servants what must shortly come to pass, and Christ sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John on Patmos. The title itself means a thing revealed with the veil withdrawn, not a sealed mystery in obscurity, and its figures and symbols do not make it unintelligible. Its visions outline the closing scenes of earth's history before Christ's second coming in the clouds, the deliverance of His people and the final judgment, given especially as waymark truth and lamp-light for those living amid the perils and deceptions of the last days. It is now to be diligently searched with reverence and prayer, proclaimed to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, and kept in life by hearers who become doers, under blessing promised to all who read, hear and keep what is written because the time is at hand.
Patmos Giving and Writing
The record stands in a chain of transmission in which God gave the revelation of Jesus Christ to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, and Christ sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John. Jesus Christ is the great trustee of divine revelation, for all revelation comes through Him and centers in Him, and through Him comes knowledge of what to look for in the closing scenes of earth's history and the truth for these last days. John was chosen for this prophetic task as the servant who received what God had given to Christ and what Christ communicated, honored under the New Testament as Daniel was honored under the Old.
Christ came in person from heaven to the Isle of Patmos to present the message to John and to show him the things that were to be, commanding him to write them because they are of vast importance to His people. His coming is clearly described in the first chapter, telling him the things which are and the things which shall be hereafter, finding His servant where He knew him to be half a century after the ascension. The instruction was so important that Christ came from heaven to give it with command to write in a book what should take place in the closing scenes and to send it to the churches, revealing waymark truth for the closing scenes. As the oldest living man who had seen Christ, having beheld divine light, John could not hold his peace but bore record because he always spoke the truth and his faith did not change at all.
A mighty angel sent by the Lord Jesus made the coming events plain to John by symbols until the coming of Christ, concerning events leading up to Christ's coming. John was bidden to write all he saw and heard in a book for the benefit of the seven churches, hearing behind him a great voice as of a trumpet commanding what he saw to be written and sent to the seven churches in Asia. That writing is preserved as the book of Revelation, containing the message for the last days and the message of the first, second, and third chapters that Christ came from heaven to give. What he wrote in a view of heavenly things was bidden for those living in the closing days that they might know the future as revealed to him.
That record was not for John alone on Patmos nor for those seven congregations alone, but through those churches an inspired message was to come to the people to have its powerful impression in every age to the close of earth's history. The seven churches represent all the churches in the world, for seven represents a perfect whole. The light was not to be hidden under a bushel, and what was written was for the church in all ages, that they might heed its warnings believing its divine origin.
John had been banished to the lonely, rocky, barren Isle of Patmos to silence his testimony, to stop his mouth and put his voice beyond hearing. Wicked men inspired by Satan to persecute those who bore faithful witness tried to take his life and, failing, banished him there expecting him to become discouraged and soon die and trouble them no more. The world and those who hated the crucified Redeemer rejoiced to be rid of him, amazed and condemned by his ever-fresh testimony witnessing against their wicked deeds, yet they could put him nowhere that his Lord could not find him. His suffering came because Satan, the opposing power that apostatized in heaven, has been on the track of every soul that would favor Jesus Christ and be saved by Him and is determined to block the way by himself and his emissaries.
John was then old, having grown old in his Lord's service as the beloved disciple and last survivor of the first chosen disciples. God did not forsake him in old age and exile, for Christ knew where to find him, and though counted by human wisdom as past service, an old and broken reed, unrecognized and unhonored, he was never forgotten by God. On that isle Patmos became a happy place where every day he communed with God with words of praise on his lips, and there God revealed Himself in a most signal manner. On that lonely island he received more communications from heaven than he had received during the rest of his lifetime, receiving a wonderful revelation from his Lord in his old age.
The light of the revelation did not originate with John himself but comes right from Jesus Christ in His Word, given from God through Jesus and His angel. John bore record of the Word because he would keep that Word, speaking it from a desolate island where he was for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Meaning of John's Record
To bare record means John faithfully recorded, wrote, followed, preached, and presented the word of God wherever he was, giving fresh testimony even in old age. He is identified as the one who faithfully bore record of God's word, of Jesus Christ's testimony, and of everything he saw in the vision on Patmos. While banished there he received a revelation of the future of the church, including the revelation of the risen Christ and the prophetic things shown to him. The light did not originate with John himself, for God gave the revelation to Jesus, who sent and signified it through an angel to John to give to the churches. That record forms part of the prophecy intended for study and instruction, not to be treated as sealed or unimportant, but as opening the subjects His people would need in the last days.
His threefold record is God's word, the testimony of Jesus Christ, and everything he was shown in holy vision. On the Isle of Patmos he bore record of what he saw in holy vision of the One he honored and loved above all others, for Christ presented Himself to him in His glorified humanity as one like unto the Son of man. Behind him John heard a great voice as of a trumpet commanding what he saw and heard to be written in a book and sent to the seven churches in Asia. The revelation came from God and was sent and made known by Christ through an angel, concerning things soon to take place and events that would occur before the close of the world's history. His record belongs to that revealed prophecy, not a sealed message beyond human understanding, but a message intended to make its important lessons known and understood.
What John wrote was not for himself alone on Patmos nor for those seven congregations alone, but 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. The testimony Jesus gave John runs all through the book as pure, essential truth thoroughly winnowed from error, as wheat against the chaff, with no guesswork and no scientific deception. From beginning to end its message is light from Jesus, revealing solemn truths and events leading up to Christ's second coming. It joins most precious, elevating promises with warnings of most fearfully solemn import that concern present and future welfare, including scenes and duties of special importance in the last days. This testimony is of the most solemn character to be borne to the world and read by all who profess to know the truth, to be believed, lived, and proclaimed in all its bearings rather than set aside by the claim The temple of the Lord are we.
The very title Revelation means a thing revealed, unfolded with the mystery opened, not a thing eclipsed and placed in obscurity and mystery. The book is not a sealed or closed book that cannot be understood, for God's own hand has withdrawn the veil of apparent mystery from it to enlighten understanding, and God speaks and teaches those who read it. Its opening verses set forth the character and object of the book as the Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent and signified by His angel to His servant who faithfully recorded them. Its truths are addressed to those living in these last days, who stand with the veil removed in the holy place of sacred things nearing the time when its prophecies are to be fulfilled. Therefore it is to be entered not from without with careless irreverence, irreverent thoughts, impetuous footsteps or haste, but with reverence and godly fear, and its solemn messages in their order are to occupy the first place in the minds of God's people, with nothing else allowed to engross attention. Those who work together with Christ will show deep interest in these truths and with pen and voice strive to make plain the wonderful things Christ came from heaven to reveal, teaching them as Bible truth for this time and proclaiming them to people of all denominations.
Prophecy for the Last Days
The record John bore outlines events in the closing scenes of this earth's history before the close of the world and of world history. It leads up to meeting the Lord in the clouds of heaven, for He comes with power and great glory, with the end of the world right upon us, and to the deliverance of God's people and the final judgment. The instruction came as the revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent and signified by His angel to John, the great trustee of divine revelation through whom all revelation comes and in whom all centers, giving knowledge of what to look for in the closing scenes and truth for these last days. Studying it, especially its teachings for the present time, helps people understand Christ's position and His relation to God and to humanity.
It was given especially to guide people living in the last days in understanding their position and duty, and was written especially for those living amid its perils, dangers, conflicts, and deceptive designs of the enemy. Its truths are to receive attention and be made plain, and its messages were to go out as waymark truth establishing feet on a sure foundation and as lamp-light declaring the Lord's purpose for every nation. Its prophetic record faithfully traces events that may be unpleasant to consider, and it is to be the object of careful and prayerful study to guard against false theories brought in by men not under the teaching of the Holy Spirit.
The message recorded in the first, second, and third chapters is the message Christ came from heaven to give to John, and it is to be heeded and obeyed to the best of one's knowledge. It sets forth an earnest warning to prepare to meet the Lord, rebuking indifference to the signs foretold by Christ. It also sets forth Satan's effort to bring dissension into the church and the difficulties to be met today, requiring those who know the truth to become not only readers but doers who hear, understand, keep what is written, maintain living connection with God, and consecrate body, soul, and spirit without reserve because the time is at hand. Churches must read and study this instruction lest they follow a course God condemns, for it is given to members who grieve the Lord by searching into scientific problems that make void the past experience of God's people, who become dissatisfied when they cannot sway minds in their channel, and who with superficial minds suppose they can comprehend God and His working when they cannot comprehend past facts of faith.
The visions given to John harmonize with Daniel's visions and other parts of the Bible and other Scripture, and understanding those prophecies helps people recognize the warnings to prepare for the coming of the Son of man and to stand in the judgment. The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation are to be traced out before the people with Bible in hand, with human words few while the Scriptures are made to explain the truth themselves, and those who see the truth are then called to express their conviction. The whole book can only be tested by Scripture and contains no contradiction. It is part of the gospel light that shines throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and the entire revelation is a rehearsal of what Moses wrote in Exodus about the Exodus and the plagues the Lord brought upon Egypt.
Its unfulfilled predictions about the closing scenes are soon to be fulfilled, and these things are of the greatest importance and vast consequence because they will soon be fulfilled in the very last days and reach to the close of this earth's history. The book does not conceal the truth but clearly forewarns, telling what will be in the future, and is now to be studied with diligence by God's people and to be clearly understood. Messengers who present these solemn truths are handling subjects of eternal interest and must seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit so they speak words given them by God and not their own words. The revelation opened the glories of heaven before John's enraptured vision; he saw the throne of God and heard anthems of joy resounding through the heavenly courts, and his description makes readers long to stand with the redeemed in the presence of God.
Its twenty-first and twenty-second chapters should be presented more frequently before the people.
Open Book to Study
The book is not sealed, closed, or an incomprehensible mystery, for its very name means a thing revealed, unfolded with the mystery opened, not eclipsed in obscurity. It does not conceal the truth but clearly forewarns what will be in the future, and its figures and symbols do not make it unintelligible. What was recorded of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ and all things seen belongs to a revelation given to those on earth today, addressed to those living in the last days with the veil removed, as the time nears when its prophecies are to be fulfilled. It must be understood, especially what it tells about the scenes to take place in the last days of this earth's history and the deceptive designs the enemy will bring in to carry out.
God intends its important lessons to be known and understood, even clearly understood, for the visions were given through Christ's angel to show events before the close of the world's history. The solemn first chapter is definitely explained in the Word that the Lord Jesus was to give to all who will be alive on the earth to hear and receive the representations made. The book is not closed but can be understood and should be understood much better, and its lessons are for us, yet they are not now fully understood. The injunction in the first verses is to search and study in order to understand what the revelation of Jesus Christ means, giving more time to study of the Bible and of the Word with receptive mind and heart open to divine impressions.
It is now to be diligently searched, dwelt upon much, and entered with reverence and godly fear, not from without with careless irreverent thoughts, impetuous footsteps and haste, or mistakes in interpretation. It calls for careful and prayerful study as special instruction of vast importance, with every heart opened to take in the true meaning of the vision with solemn, humble response. Those who study with receptive mind and hearts open to divine impressions receive sanctifying influence from its revealed truths.
A blessing is pronounced on all who read and hear and keep and give heed to what is written, because the time is at hand. The book is a revelation of truth whose truths are to be taught and learned because they concern the momentous events and fearful import of things to transpire in the last days of earth's history. Those who devote themselves to such study are rewarded by the discovery of important truths.
Only very few understand its message for the last days, though it contains that message made plain by symbols of things to come until the coming of Christ and preserved in writing for the benefit of the churches. Its prophecies are therefore to be dwelt upon much and explained scripture by scripture by ministers awake to the time. Whom the Lord will guide and lead in unknown ways to bear the lamp of life in the dark places of the earth and hasten the coming of the King. When as a people what the book means is understood, there will be a great revival.
Careful, prayerful study guards against false theories brought in by men not under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, who are not safe interpreters. Such teachers confuse minds by mingling specious scientific errors with scriptural instruction, commingling pure instruction for training Christian missionaries and deceiving those training to be missionaries and leading them away from what was entrusted to the churches. Messengers who present these solemn truths of greatest importance soon to be fulfilled in the very last days are handling subjects of eternal interest and must seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit so they speak words given them by God and not their own words.
Satan has blinded the eyes of men against this book, and they have been glad of any excuse for not making a study of it, though it is full of truths that need to be understood, especially the prophecies referring to these last days. It must be studied with humble, contrite hearts, and those with no desire to understand these coming scenes and deceptive designs lack wisdom.
Proclaiming and Living Message
The record John bore on Patmos is a message to be carried to the churches in this stage of earth's history, and giving it is the work of every minister and every church member, with the Holy Spirit resting on the messenger to declare it with great boldness to all the world. Its truths are Bible truth for this time, to be taught, proclaimed, definitely exalted and made understood throughout the world to people of all denominations and to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, as a showing that the end is near. Those who work together with Christ show deep interest in these pure, essential truths winnowed from error and strive with pen and voice to make plain the wonderful things Christ came from heaven to reveal. Those taught from the Word are to go out as missionaries to their appointed work in unworked fields and not be held where sophistries keep possession, while the first three chapters are read for this work and stand against division, discord, party spirit, and scientific propositions contrary to Christ's teaching.
Its solemn messages in their order are to occupy the first place in the minds of God's people, with nothing else allowed to engross attention. They must be held without being led away, for teachers who mingle specious scientific errors with scriptural instruction are not safe interpreters and deceive those training to be missionaries. This testimony of Christ given to John, with its precious promises and grave warnings concerning present and future welfare, is to be borne to the world and given priority over distractions and speculation. It is profitable study to put in place of trashy reading about love stories and disappointments in love, keeping such trash out of heart and mind, and it is the pure instruction for training Christian missionaries.
The words Christ gave John to send to the churches are of the most importance, containing messages of warning and hope and instruction to be decidedly interested in and appreciated. They declare that the end of all things is at hand and the solemn scenes of final judgment are soon to take place, giving earnest warning to prepare to meet the Lord coming in the clouds with power and great glory and rebuking indifference to foretold signs. They lay a special work on believers to teach and write the things now to be fulfilled concerning the eternal warfare of souls, giving meat in due season to old and young, saints and sinners, to awaken the church from slumber without losing time on nonessentials having no bearing on present necessity. Through well-prepared books and periodicals believers testify that the end is near and urge all to prepare to meet God.
Neglect of this instruction will bring a heavy charge in the day of final judgment when the whole world receives sentence and all are asked whether they diligently studied the Word to know God's will and to understand the difference between sin and righteousness. Those who know the truth are therefore to become not only readers but doers who hear, understand, and keep what is written, because the time is at hand. They maintain living connection with God and consecrate body, soul, and spirit without reserve to Him. The great truths Christ came from heaven to give John are to shape life and by believers are to be proclaimed to the world with clear, intelligent testimony guided by the unction of the Holy Spirit, keeping abreast of the times.
That revealed truth is waymarks from the Word establishing feet on a sure foundation for everyone acting a part in the closing scenes, to be presented with a certain trumpet sound and stood for firmly without turning aside to attack others, giving a sacred hold upon the Lord. All arguments are to be based on the Word with Bible in hand, the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation traced out before the people, human words few while Scripture explains truth itself, and then those who see the truth called to express conviction. The message John wrote of what he saw and heard exceeds in importance any other ever entrusted to mortals, a fact to be realized including by medical workers. Written in a book to the churches, it is to be heeded and obeyed to the best of knowledge, its warnings believed as of divine origin, and its God-given messages made familiar to all.
The same Jesus who appeared to John will visit isolated believers in their homes, and light from the Son of God that made barren Patmos a heaven to the lonely exile will honor their homes with the divine presence when they keep close to Jesus. Banished to that lonely rocky isle by men inspired to persecute faithful witnesses, with wicked men having tried to take his life and expecting him discouraged soon to die, John was not alone but visited by the heavenly messenger and faithfully wrote what was shown. There the aged disciple communed happily with God with praise on his lips every day, and God revealed Himself in most signal manner with what was recorded under inspiration living through the ages. The revelation opened heaven's glories before enraptured vision, the throne of God and anthems of joy resounding through heavenly courts, so that the description makes readers long to stand with the redeemed in God's presence.
God did not forsake John when grown old in his Lord's service and exiled to Patmos; Christ knew where to find him, and on that lonely island he received more communications from heaven than in the rest of his lifetime. This shows ministers who faithfully bore the burden of the work are not forgotten by God when old and feeble in health. They are not to be neglected but to be cared for and helped.