Understanding the Revelation- Introduction

'The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.' {Revelation 1:1, 2}

The book of Revelation, with its symbology and warnings, has often been described as a book that is mysterious and obscure to the understanding; a book to be feared and to be left alone. If this is so, then firstly, God would not have placed it in His Sacred Writings; and secondly, He would not have pronounced such a blessing upon the reader of its contents. Hear Him as He speaks:

'Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.' {verse 3}

Friend, there is a blessing in the reading, the hearing, and the obeying of the truths that are found here. The Greek word for 'blessed', here, is translated to mean 'happy'. That don't sound like there is any fear that should come upon you when you study this book. If we get fearful about it, then there is obviously something wrong in how we are reading.

One day, as I was preparing my Bible study on Revelation 1, which I was going to teach my daughter, I came across something that just blew my mind. It was clear to me why so many of us, including myself, have preached the solemn truths of prophecy with no living, vital power from on High; but just a presentation of facts, figures and events. And friends, it's out of love that I share this, because if we misunderstand the truths in this book, we will misunderstand its application to our lives in these last days, and we will be no more ready than the world is, for the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

In many Bibles, at the top of the book of Revelation, you will find the title: 'The Revelation of St. John the Divine.' This is nothing short of blasphemy; for there is only One who is Divine, and that is God. Yes, we can, and are required to become partakers of God's divine nature, but we can't go around calling someone Divine. God alone is ascribed that title. Secondly, it is not the Revelation of John. You know, I really believe that in God's foresight of this title being placed there, He purposely began the very first verse in the book as: 'The Revelation of Jesus Christ'. This just blows that title out of the water!

This blessed and most beautiful book, is about the revealing, the unveiling of Who? Jesus Christ. So hold on a minute, are you trying to tell me that this prophetic book is really about Jesus Christ??? Yes, that's what God says. In every prophecy; in every line; in every symbology; in every reproof and warning found therein, is the revealing of the Son of God! The question is, do we see Him there?

I just want to put another thing in place here: Why is it called the Revelation? What does that mean? To reveal, means to 'make known', to 'unseal'. If something has to be 'made known', it implies that prior to that time of it being 'made known', it was 'hidden', correct? If something has to be 'unsealed', then it implies that this thing was previously, 'sealed'.

Was there a time when Jesus' character was ever hidden? Whose character was really hidden? It was the Father's. When did this happen?

Before Adam and Eve fell ino sin, they enjoyed dwelling in and beholding the fullness of God's glory, His character; but as soon as they sinned, that glory was no longer covering them; they now saw the Father as Satan would have them to see Him. Satan attributed to the Heavenly Father, the attributes which he himself possessed. So now, instead of the holy pair viewing God as one to be trusted, they now beheld Him as one to be feared. As God's voice called to them, you'll remember that they 'hid themselves' from His presence. So as mankind would progress in sin, the true nature of God, would be eclipsed from us. It was for the purpose of dipelling this erroneous view of the Father, that Jesus came into this world:

' "The light of the knowledge of the glory of God" is seen "in the face of Jesus Christ." From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father; He was "the image of God," the image of His greatness and majesty, "the outshining of His glory." It was to manifest this glory that He came to our world. To this sin-darkened earth He came to reveal the light of God's love,--to be "God with us." ' {DA 19}

Thus it is written: 'The Revelation of Jesus Christ (the revealing of the true character of the Father), which God gave unto Him (Jesus)...' In other words: the glory of the Father, was handed down to Jesus Christ, to reveal to fallen man; and He did this throughout His thirty-three years on this earth; and He continues to throughout the entire book of Revelation.

This glory, was entrusted to Jesus. It is this which the book of Revelation is about. And it is in this light, that we are to learn of those things which must shortly come to pass. So therefore, as we approach the study of these truths, we should be praying for the character of our Heavenly Father to be revealed to us in every line, so that we might be changed from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Then, and only then will we understand the prophecies, warnings and events that are portrayed. Then and only then, will the Revelation become living water and living bread to our soul. And it is only then, that the world will be interested and attracted to the messages that we bear:

'And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto Me.' {John 12:32}

'Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.' {John 5:39}

.......to be contiuned, as we look at other factors that will help us to understand this most awesome and beautiful book: The Revelation of Jesus Christ........