Revelation

The Book of Revelation

WRITER, The Apostle John.

PLACE. Probably the Island of Patmos, off the western coast of Asia Minor, where John was banished "for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

DATE, uncertain; according to traditional opinion about A.D. 96

AUTHORITY. It is declared to be the revelation of Jesus Christ
# Re 1:1

METHODS OF INTERPRETATION. These have been exceedingly varied, and often fantastic. Hundreds of volumes have been written upon this book, not one of which has been generally satisfactory.

This is due to the widely diversified opinions concerning its meaning and teachings. There have been three principal schools of thought which have dealt with the subject matter.

(1) The Preterists, who believe that the prophecies of Revelation have already been fulfilled.

(2) The Futurists who hold that the book contains a forecast of universal history.

(3) The Eclectics, who lay stress upon the spiritual elements of the book, and do not attempt to dogmatize upon the meaning of the details of the more mysterious visions. They believe that there are three classes of passages in the Apocalypse. Those that are very clear in their spiritual teaching; those that are more mysterious, and yet contain an element of truth which is instructive; and finally there are some of the visions that are so veiled, that it is futile from our present standpoint of knowledge to give any positive interpretation of them. It is probable that some of the prophecies contain two elements, the near and the far. The former referring especially to the events during John's time, or in the immediate future; the latter, dealing with events of coming ages.

PECULIAR FEATURES.
(1) The Apocalypse is the only book in the Bible that contains a special promise to obedient readers
# Re 1:3

and at the same time pronounces a curse upon those who tamper with its contents
# Re 22:18,19

(2) The number Seven is the ruling number of the book; as: Seven candlesticks, churches, seals, trumpets, thunders, vials, Spirits, star, etc.

(3) The closing chapters of Revelation contain a striking contrast to the opening chapters of Genesis.
Genesis speaks of the creation of the sun, the entrance of sin into the world, the curse pronounced, Satan's triumph, the exclusion from the "tree of life."

Revelation tells of a place where there will be no need of the sun, sin banished, no more curse, Satan overthrown, admission to the "tree of life."

PLAN OF STUDY.
Although this book has often been neglected because of its mysterious character, yet there are many viewpoints from which it may be profitably studied without any attempt at dogmatic or arbitrary interpretation. If the book is written in code, we make no claim of having discovered a key that will unlock all its mysteries. We simply suggest the following subject as a profitable one to pursue.

SUGGESTED THEME, The moral and Spiritual Conflict of the Ages.

CENTRAL FIGURE, The Lamb. At last victor over all the allied powers of evil. The Lamb is mentioned about thirty times.

EPOCHAL EVENTS. There are many such events in the book, we suggest two, which should be kept in mind in studying the visions.

(1) The birth of the man child, regarded by many as the incarnation of Jesus Christ, Ch. 12.
# Re 12:1-17

(2) The sounding of the seventh trumpet which heralded his world-wide victory.
# Re 11:15

SYNOPSIS.
The book bay be divided into a series of visions, some of which are partly or wholly veiled, others are comparatively clear in their teachings. It is not always possible to tell just where one vision ends and another begins, but for convenience they many be studied under various numbers, according to the view point of the student.

Ch. 1.
(1) Introduction and promise to obedient readers
# Re 1:1-3

(2) Salutation of John and of the glorified Christ
# Re 1:4-8

VISION I
.
(1) Of the glorified Christ
# Re 1:9-16

(2) His command to write to the seven churches
# Re 1:19

(3) The message to the churches Chs. 2,3.
# Re 2:1 - 3:1

Ch. 2.
(a) To Ephesus, the backslidden church, persistent in service, strong in discipline, but with love growing cold
# Re 2:1-7

(b) To Smyrna, the poor but truly rich church, facing a period of persecution
# Re 2:8-11

(c) To Pergamos, the church of evil surroundings, steadfast, but infected with heresy
# Re 2:12-17

(d) To Thyatira, the church of good works but harbouring a false prophetess
# Re 2:18-29

Ch. 3.
(e) To Sardis, the dying church
# 3:1-6

(f) To Philadelphia, the weak, but faithful church
# 3:7-13

(g) To Laodicea, the lukewarm, self-satisfied church, boasting of her wealth while poor and miserable and blind
# Re 3:14-22

Recurrent thought, the promises to overcome

VISION II. Partly Veiled.

Ch. 4.
(1) The vision of God in heaven upon his throne, the creator of the universe, receiving the worship of the living creatures and the four and twenty elders
# Re 4:1-11

Ch. 5.
(2) The opening of the Seven-sealed Book by the Lamb, the singing of the New Song, and the universal worship of the Lamb. Conjectural interpretation--Christ in his redemptive office alone can unlock the deepest divine mysteries.

Ch. 6.
(3) The opening of the six seals, (veiled)
# Re 6:1-17

There have been many widely different interpretations; it is notworth while to add another. One clear lesson,
# Re 6:9-11

the saints tested by divine delays.

VISION III. Partly veiled.
Ch. 7.
Suggested thought, God's protection of his chosen people.
# Re 7:1-8

VISION IV.
Ch. 7.
Comforting Assurances.
(a) The innumerable host of the redeemed
# Re 7:9,10

(b) The means by which they appear in God's presence
# Re 7:13-15

(c) Their activities and eternal felicity
# Re 7:15-17

VISION V. Partly veiled.
Ch. 8.
Momentous event, the opening of the seventh seal, causing silence in heaven
# Re 8:1

Possible explanation, That all the harps and the voices of the angels were stilled by the fact, that during the period of the seventh seal Christ was to leave for his earthly mission. This is not purely imaginary. The fullness of time was evidently approaching, "There shall be delay no longer," &c.
# Re 10:6

If this conjecture is correct, here in ch. 8.1, we are at the very sources of the divine plan of salvation and we shall see the events focusing toward the birth of the MAN CHILD in the 12th chapter.
# Re 8.1 12:1

In chapter 8, verses 3, 4, the thought appears to be, that the prayers of the saints are ascending to God, for the coming of the messianic kingdom.
# Re 8:3,4

Ch. 9.
Then follows a veiled portion of the vision, the sounding of the six trumpets in chapters 8 and 9, apparently announcing impending judgments.
# Re 8:1 - 9:1

Chs. 10 and 11.
VISION VI. Partly veiled.
We can say no more than that the events seem to be moving forward toward the great consummation. This is indicated by the announcement of the mighty angel,
# Re 10:5-7

that there shall be delay no longer (R.V.) but that the good tiding spoken of by the prophets are about to be fulfilled. Among so many different opinions it is hazardous to suggest any interpretation of the "little book" in Chapter 10, and the "two witnesses," in chapter 11.
# Re 10:1 - 11:1

Possibly as these immediately precede the vision of the birth of the man child in chapter 12, they may refer to the prophetic period prior to the coming of Christ. In our studies we suggest that chapters 12-20, contain partly veiled visions connected with the great messianic conflict.

VISION VII.
Chs. 12 and 13.
The great epochal event, The birth of the man child, Christ, and the simultaneous manifestation of the Satanic powers arrayed to destroy him. The justification for this view-point is, that during Christ's earthly life the powers of darkness were in frenzied activity. Note the attempt of Herod to destroy the child, the numerous cases of
demoniacal possession, and the malignant persecution which resulted in Christ's crucifixion. We are not seeking to give any detailed interpretation of the mysteries, but call attention to the spiritual weapons by which the
victory was to be won
# Re 12:11

VISION VIII. Partly veiled.
Ch. 14.
Without strained interpretation, it is possible to regard this chapter as a prophetical summary of the coming conflict between the Lamb and his enemies. If this view point is accepted, in the first five verses the one
hundred and forty-four thousand would represent the ancient worthies of the old dispensation.
# Re 14:1-5

Verses 6 and 7, would refer to the opening up of the world-wide missionary campaign.
# Re 14:6,7

Verses 8-11 the preliminary announcement of the final victory
# Re 14:8-11

Verses 12, 13, the blessedness of the holy dead.
# Re 14:12,13

VISION IX. Partly veiled.
Ch. 14.
The harvest and vintage of grapes
# Re 14:16-20

VISION X. Partly veiled.
Ch. 15.
(1) The early victors and their song
# Re 15:1-4

(2) The Seven Angels and the golden vials
# Re 15:5-8

Ch. 16.
The outpouring of the seven vials of wrath
# Re 16:1-21

VISION XI. Veiled.
Chs. 17, 18
The doom of Babylon, the harlot city, and the enemies of the Lamb which he shall overcome.
Re 17:1 - 18:1

VISION XII.
Ch. 19.
(1) The hallelujah chorus in heaven celebrating the spiritual victory
# Re 19:1-6

(2) The marriage of the Lamb
# Re 19:7-9

VISION XIII.
(1) Christ, the spiritual conqueror, upon the white horse, smites the nations with the Sword of the Spirit.
# 19:11-16

(2) Partly veiled. The beast, and the false prophet and their allies overcome by Christ.

VISION XIV. Partly veiled.
Ch. 20.
(1) The binding of Satan
# Re 20:1-3

(2) The first resurrection
# Re 20:4-6

(3) Satan loosed and his evil activity
# Re 20:7-9

(4) The doom of Satan, the beast, and the false prophet
# Re 20:10

(5) The last judgment
# Re 20:11-15

VISION XV.
Chs. 21-22
The new heaven and the new earth The holy city, a type of the church, the Lamb's wife
# Re 21:1 - 22:1

Ch. 21. Characteristics of.

Heavenly origin
# Re 21:2

radiant
# Re 21:11

separated and protected
# Re 21:12

accessible
# Re 21:13

sure foundations
# Re 21:14

immovable
# Re 21:16

beautifully adorned
# Re 21:18-21

having a spiritual temple
# Re 21:22

divinely illuminated
# Re 21:23-25

glorified
# Re 21:26

undefiled
# Re 21:27

Ch. 22. Paradise restored. Distinguishing marks of,
The river of life
# Re 22:1

the tree of life
# Re 22:2

removal of the curse
# Re 22:3

the beatific vision and the divine impress upon saints
# Re 22:4

eternal day and saints dominion
# Re 22:5

The last teachings, faithful and true
# Re 22:6

emphasize the speedy coming of the Lord
# Re 22:7

God only to be worshipped
# Re 22:8,9

character tends to final permanence
# Re 22:11

the last promise
# Re 22:14

the last invitation
# Re 22:17

the last warning
# Re 22:18,19

Benediction and prayer
# Re 22:21

		The Book of Revelation WRITER, The Apostle John. PLACE. Probably the Island of Patmos, off the western coast of Asia Minor, where John was banished "for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." DATE, uncertain; according to traditional opinion about A.D. 96 AUTHORITY. It is declared to be the revelation of Jesus Christ # Re 1:1 METHODS OF INTERPRETATION. These have been exceedingly varied, and often fantastic. Hundreds of volumes have been written upon this book, not one of which has been generally satisfactory. This is due to the widely diversified opinions concerning its meaning and teachings. There have been three principal schools of thought which have dealt with the subject matter. (1) The Preterists, who believe that the prophecies of Revelation have already been fulfilled. (2) The Futurists who hold that the book contains a forecast of universal history. (3) The Eclectics, who lay stress upon the spiritual elements of the book, and do not attempt to dogmatize upon the meaning of the details of the more mysterious visions. They believe that there are three classes of passages in the Apocalypse. Those that are very clear in their spiritual teaching; those that are more mysterious, and yet contain an element of truth which is instructive; and finally there are some of the visions that are so veiled, that it is futile from our present standpoint of knowledge to give any positive interpretation of them. It is probable that some of the prophecies contain two elements, the near and the far. The former referring especially to the events during John's time, or in the immediate future; the latter, dealing with events of coming ages. PECULIAR FEATURES. (1) The Apocalypse is the only book in the Bible that contains a special promise to obedient readers # Re 1:3 and at the same time pronounces a curse upon those who tamper with its contents # Re 22:18,19 (2) The number Seven is the ruling number of the book; as: Seven candlesticks, churches, seals, trumpets, thunders, vials, Spirits, star, etc. (3) The closing chapters of Revelation contain a striking contrast to the opening chapters of Genesis. Genesis speaks of the creation of the sun, the entrance of sin into the world, the curse pronounced, Satan's triumph, the exclusion from the "tree of life." Revelation tells of a place where there will be no need of the sun, sin banished, no more curse, Satan overthrown, admission to the "tree of life." PLAN OF STUDY. Although this book has often been neglected because of its mysterious character, yet there are many viewpoints from which it may be profitably studied without any attempt at dogmatic or arbitrary interpretation. If the book is written in code, we make no claim of having discovered a key that will unlock all its mysteries. We simply suggest the following subject as a profitable one to pursue. SUGGESTED THEME, The moral and Spiritual Conflict of the Ages. CENTRAL FIGURE, The Lamb. At last victor over all the allied powers of evil. The Lamb is mentioned about thirty times. EPOCHAL EVENTS. There are many such events in the book, we suggest two, which should be kept in mind in studying the visions. (1) The birth of the man child, regarded by many as the incarnation of Jesus Christ, Ch. 12. # Re 12:1-17 (2) The sounding of the seventh trumpet which heralded his world-wide victory. # Re 11:15 SYNOPSIS. The book bay be divided into a series of visions, some of which are partly or wholly veiled, others are comparatively clear in their teachings. It is not always possible to tell just where one vision ends and another begins, but for convenience they many be studied under various numbers, according to the view point of the student. Ch. 1. (1) Introduction and promise to obedient readers # Re 1:1-3 (2) Salutation of John and of the glorified Christ # Re 1:4-8 VISION I . (1) Of the glorified Christ # Re 1:9-16 (2) His command to write to the seven churches # Re 1:19 (3) The message to the churches Chs. 2,3. # Re 2:1 - 3:1 Ch. 2. (a) To Ephesus, the backslidden church, persistent in service, strong in discipline, but with love growing cold # Re 2:1-7 (b) To Smyrna, the poor but truly rich church, facing a period of persecution # Re 2:8-11 (c) To Pergamos, the church of evil surroundings, steadfast, but infected with heresy # Re 2:12-17 (d) To Thyatira, the church of good works but harbouring a false prophetess # Re 2:18-29 Ch. 3. (e) To Sardis, the dying church # 3:1-6 (f) To Philadelphia, the weak, but faithful church # 3:7-13 (g) To Laodicea, the lukewarm, self-satisfied church, boasting of her wealth while poor and miserable and blind # Re 3:14-22 Recurrent thought, the promises to overcome VISION II. Partly Veiled. Ch. 4. (1) The vision of God in heaven upon his throne, the creator of the universe, receiving the worship of the living creatures and the four and twenty elders # Re 4:1-11 Ch. 5. (2) The opening of the Seven-sealed Book by the Lamb, the singing of the New Song, and the universal worship of the Lamb. Conjectural interpretation--Christ in his redemptive office alone can unlock the deepest divine mysteries. Ch. 6. (3) The opening of the six seals, (veiled) # Re 6:1-17 There have been many widely different interpretations; it is notworth while to add another. One clear lesson, # Re 6:9-11 the saints tested by divine delays. VISION III. Partly veiled. Ch. 7. Suggested thought, God's protection of his chosen people. # Re 7:1-8 VISION IV. Ch. 7. Comforting Assurances. (a) The innumerable host of the redeemed # Re 7:9,10 (b) The means by which they appear in God's presence # Re 7:13-15 (c) Their activities and eternal felicity # Re 7:15-17 VISION V. Partly veiled. Ch. 8. Momentous event, the opening of the seventh seal, causing silence in heaven # Re 8:1 Possible explanation, That all the harps and the voices of the angels were stilled by the fact, that during the period of the seventh seal Christ was to leave for his earthly mission. This is not purely imaginary. The fullness of time was evidently approaching, "There shall be delay no longer," &c. # Re 10:6 If this conjecture is correct, here in ch. 8.1, we are at the very sources of the divine plan of salvation and we shall see the events focusing toward the birth of the MAN CHILD in the 12th chapter. # Re 8.1 12:1 In chapter 8, verses 3, 4, the thought appears to be, that the prayers of the saints are ascending to God, for the coming of the messianic kingdom. # Re 8:3,4 Ch. 9. Then follows a veiled portion of the vision, the sounding of the six trumpets in chapters 8 and 9, apparently announcing impending judgments. # Re 8:1 - 9:1 Chs. 10 and 11. VISION VI. Partly veiled. We can say no more than that the events seem to be moving forward toward the great consummation. This is indicated by the announcement of the mighty angel, # Re 10:5-7 that there shall be delay no longer (R.V.) but that the good tiding spoken of by the prophets are about to be fulfilled. Among so many different opinions it is hazardous to suggest any interpretation of the "little book" in Chapter 10, and the "two witnesses," in chapter 11. # Re 10:1 - 11:1 Possibly as these immediately precede the vision of the birth of the man child in chapter 12, they may refer to the prophetic period prior to the coming of Christ. In our studies we suggest that chapters 12-20, contain partly veiled visions connected with the great messianic conflict. VISION VII. Chs. 12 and 13. The great epochal event, The birth of the man child, Christ, and the simultaneous manifestation of the Satanic powers arrayed to destroy him. The justification for this view-point is, that during Christ's earthly life the powers of darkness were in frenzied activity. Note the attempt of Herod to destroy the child, the numerous cases of demoniacal possession, and the malignant persecution which resulted in Christ's crucifixion. We are not seeking to give any detailed interpretation of the mysteries, but call attention to the spiritual weapons by which the victory was to be won # Re 12:11 VISION VIII. Partly veiled. Ch. 14. Without strained interpretation, it is possible to regard this chapter as a prophetical summary of the coming conflict between the Lamb and his enemies. If this view point is accepted, in the first five verses the one hundred and forty-four thousand would represent the ancient worthies of the old dispensation. # Re 14:1-5 Verses 6 and 7, would refer to the opening up of the world-wide missionary campaign. # Re 14:6,7 Verses 8-11 the preliminary announcement of the final victory # Re 14:8-11 Verses 12, 13, the blessedness of the holy dead. # Re 14:12,13 VISION IX. Partly veiled. Ch. 14. The harvest and vintage of grapes # Re 14:16-20 VISION X. Partly veiled. Ch. 15. (1) The early victors and their song # Re 15:1-4 (2) The Seven Angels and the golden vials # Re 15:5-8 Ch. 16. The outpouring of the seven vials of wrath # Re 16:1-21 VISION XI. Veiled. Chs. 17, 18 The doom of Babylon, the harlot city, and the enemies of the Lamb which he shall overcome. Re 17:1 - 18:1 VISION XII. Ch. 19. (1) The hallelujah chorus in heaven celebrating the spiritual victory # Re 19:1-6 (2) The marriage of the Lamb # Re 19:7-9 VISION XIII. (1) Christ, the spiritual conqueror, upon the white horse, smites the nations with the Sword of the Spirit. # 19:11-16 (2) Partly veiled. The beast, and the false prophet and their allies overcome by Christ. VISION XIV. Partly veiled. Ch. 20. (1) The binding of Satan # Re 20:1-3 (2) The first resurrection # Re 20:4-6 (3) Satan loosed and his evil activity # Re 20:7-9 (4) The doom of Satan, the beast, and the false prophet # Re 20:10 (5) The last judgment # Re 20:11-15 VISION XV. Chs. 21-22 The new heaven and the new earth The holy city, a type of the church, the Lamb's wife # Re 21:1 - 22:1 Ch. 21. Characteristics of. Heavenly origin # Re 21:2 radiant # Re 21:11 separated and protected # Re 21:12 accessible # Re 21:13 sure foundations # Re 21:14 immovable # Re 21:16 beautifully adorned # Re 21:18-21 having a spiritual temple # Re 21:22 divinely illuminated # Re 21:23-25 glorified # Re 21:26 undefiled # Re 21:27 Ch. 22. Paradise restored. Distinguishing marks of, The river of life # Re 22:1 the tree of life # Re 22:2 removal of the curse # Re 22:3 the beatific vision and the divine impress upon saints # Re 22:4 eternal day and saints dominion # Re 22:5 The last teachings, faithful and true # Re 22:6 emphasize the speedy coming of the Lord # Re 22:7 God only to be worshipped # Re 22:8,9 character tends to final permanence # Re 22:11 the last promise # Re 22:14 the last invitation # Re 22:17 the last warning # Re 22:18,19 Benediction and prayer # Re 22:21


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