THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Today I want to introduce a brand new series on the Book of Revelation. For the next few weeks we are going to take a comprehensive look at this book. Revelation is one of those books everyone is curious to know what it says, but too afraid to read it. People generally are too afraid to read Revelation because they are frightened by what they might find or they are simply intimidated by the style in which it is written.

In spite of the confusion and terror surrounding this book, Revelation contains some of the most important revelation and Christian theology. This is the real reason I have decided to take the time to fully examine the contents of this book.

First, we notice that this book is described as the “Revelation of Jesus Christ.” It is not the John’s (man’s) Revelation to the Church. This is Jesus’ Revelation to the Church.

The word “revelation” (Greek: apokálupsis) means “an unveiling of things that could not be known without an unveiling.” As a literary style, apocalypse has been associated with the return of Christ and His Kingdom. Since both shall usher in the end of the world as we know it, apocalypse is often connected with images of world-wide destruction.

apokálupsis) means “an unveiling of things that could not be known without an unveiling.” As a literary style or genre, Apocalypse centers on the return of Christ and His coming Kingdom. Since His return and coming Kingdom shall mark the end of the world as we know it, apocalypse literature (or apocalypse in general) has always been associated with doom and world-wide destruction.Moreover, Jesus made His revelation known to John by means of an angel (see ). Therefore, the angel of God came to John and remained with John until he had concluded giving John this revelation ().

Second, the revelation in this book was ‘signified’ to John. Meaning this book utilizes a lot figurative or symbolic language. Therefore, the information is often vague, even sketchy. Furthermore, although it is the ‘Revelation of Jesus,’ it was made known to John by an angel (see ). The angel of God came to John and remained with John until he had concluded giving him this revelation ().

It’s important to note that the things (events) contained in the book are things that must come to pass (see ; ). The word “must” tells us that the events described in this book have not yet happened, but must happen because God has decided that they will happen!

The book of Revelation falls under the category of Apocalypse Literature. Apocalypse is a Greek word that simply means “revelation” or “an unveiling of things previously unknown and things which could not be known without an unveiling.”

Finally, the information was made known (i.e. “signified”) by Jesus. Meaning, Jesus made them known by the use of signs and symbols. This book utilizes a lot of figurative or symbolic language. Furthermore,

Also, the word “must” tells us that the events described in this book are events God decided will happen. Therefore, they must take place!

The revelation was given to John who, in turn, was to give it to God’s ‘servants.’ Only the servants (disciples/followers) can know/understand the truth contents/message of this book.’

Also, the word “must” tells us that the events described in this book are events God decided will happen. Therefore, they must take place!

John has written this book not only to provide information of Jesus’ revelation, but to bear record of His testimony. What is the “testimony of Jesus”? The testimony of Jesus in short is the word of God (; ). The “testimony” of Jesus also represents God’s views and opinions about the state of things. However, this testimony is not always obvious. It’s often hidden and must be made known unto by the Spirit (, ). John wanted to thank the angel for the revelation he just received, but the angel reminded him that these “sayings” (the testimony of Jesus) is the result of the Spirit of prophecy. Therefore, worship God! Even though prophecy comes through a human/angelic agent, it originates from God. Moreover, the same Spirit that enables men/angels to prophesy (speak) the testimony of Jesus, is the same Spirit that is needed to understand the testimony of Jesus (, ).

Natural men can only see the “letter” of God’s revelation. They cannot discern/understand the mind (testimony) of Christ ()! Jesus spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood and many of His disciples did not understand His words (). However, they didn’t understand because the explanation was spiritual (). Whenever God speaks in parables (symbolic) language His intent is to hide the true meaning from those who are not spiritual/disciples (, , ). Even though the book of Revelation is intended to uncover the mysteries of God, the message contained in this book (testimony of Jesus) is symbolic and hidden from those who are not overcomers ().

In particular, it represents something that is revealed directly by God without the aid of human assistance. Lastly, it is a message that deals specifically with information related to the end of this age (world). makes it clear that John was able to understand this message through prophetic inspiration (the meaning for the technical term ‘in the Spirit’).

The ‘testimony of Jesus,’ however, can only be known prophetically from the Spirit (). Otherwise, it’s not the true ‘word of God,’ but rather only the letter. Furthermore, if the testimony of Jesus must be given by the Spirit, that same testimony must be understood by the Spirit (). This tells us that natural man’ (men who see the natural.physical) cannot discern/understand the spiritual! The Jews were looking for a natural Messiah. Therefore, they could not see the spiritual Messiah when He stood before them. Similarly, if we look for a natural beast, harlot, false prophet, we will miss when the spiritual beast, harlot, etc. shows up! Jesus spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood and many of His disciples fell away saying that the sayings were ‘hard’ (). However, they didn’t realize that the explanation was spiritual (). The letter which we read must be translated into spirit if we are to understand it’s message.

Whenever God speaks in parables (symbolic) language He is doing so to hide the true meaning from those who are merely religious and so He can reveal it to those who are righteous/disciples (, , , ). Even though the book of Revelation is intended to uncover God’s plan for the ages, the message contained in this book is symbolic and hidden from those who are natural and not spiritual. The revelation contained in this book is ‘hidden manna’ that only overcomers can partake of (). The ‘hidden manna’ is the ‘spirit of prophecy’ that is hidden inside the body of the ‘testimony of Jesus.’ The ‘testimony of Jesus’ are the words we read in the book, while the ‘spirit of prophecy’ is the meaning/explanation (truth) of those words.

Those who understand the message (testimony of Jesus) will not be deceived in the end (). Those who only see the letter will take the mark because they do not recognize the truth. Those who do not recognize or love the truth will ultimately give in to deception (, ).

Those who understand the truth (testimony of Jesus) will not worship the beast because they will recognize the what it is. Those who only see the letter will take the mark because they cannot see (do not recognize) the spirit of prophecy (testimony of Jesus). Those who ultimately give in to deception (believe a lie) in the last days will be those who do not love or understand the truth (, ).

The real issue here is will we receive God’s interpretation (testimony of Jesus) or will we receive man’s interpretation (testimony of man)? The book of Revelation is a reminder how we need to seek the truth (testimony of Jesus, God’s interpretation). The overwhelming majority have never been right concerning any truth. The majority is always walking in error (, ). This is because what is accepted by most is that which is less threatening to the flesh and cost nothing to obtain.

How can we know if the interpretation we have received is the true ‘testimony of Jesus’? First, you must stop following the multitudes. The multitude is hardly ever right. This is because they gravitate towards what’s less threatening to the flesh and cost nothing to obtain (, ). Secondly, you must grow up spiritually, because only the spiritually mature can know the mind/wisdom of God (, ). Now, man has taken this word “perfect” to mean ‘initiated/instructed in into the mysteries of this world.” But, it actually means those who are initiated/instructed in the mysteries of God. Moreover, you are not “spiritual” (instructed in the things of God) if you are still walking/behaving like mere men (). You cannot know if the things you are receiving are the truth unless you grow, and with growth comes discernment ().

How can we know if the interpretation we have received is the true ‘testimony of Jesus’?

First, you must stop following the multitudes. The multitude is hardly ever right. This is because they gravitate towards what’s less threatening to the flesh and cost nothing to obtain (, ).

Secondly, you must grow up. Only the spiritually mature can know the mind/wisdom of God (, ). You are not “perfect” (spiritually mature, spiritual) if you are still walking/behaving like mere men (). With growth comes discernment ().

We should point out that the word “read” means to read aloud in public (i.e. an assembly or place of worship).

Moreover, John congratulates (literally says, “May happiness come to the person who reads this book and obeys its message.” He is not referring to TWO different groups of people, but to ONE (i.e. “The one who hears AND obeys it”).

Why should they be “happy”? Because God will make these things happen very soon!

be spiritually mature to fully understand the wisdom/mind of God (, ). Now, man has taken this word “perfect” to mean ‘initiated/instructed in into the mysteries of this world.” But, it actually means those who are initiated/instructed in the mysteries of God. Moreover, you are not “spiritual” (instructed in the things of God) if you are still walking/behaving like mere men (). Therefore, when we want to know the mysteries of God, we don’t need to turn to men who have matriculated through universities. We need to look to men who mature spiritually.

This revelation was initially written to seven churches in Asia (minor). This is the Roman province of Asia (called Phrygia). This Asia is present day Turkey or ‘Central Asia’. (Asia is one of the seven continental regions of the world. Moreover, Asia can be divided into 4 parts: Central—Turkey/Kazakhstan, South—India/Pakistan, East—China/Korea/Japan, North—Russia. This is very similar to how ‘America’ is divided into: South—Brazil/Columbia, Central—Mexico and North—US/Canada.)

Although the contents of this book is specifically addressed to the churches located in Central Asia, the true recipients of this revelation are the ‘servants of Jesus Christ’ (Revelation 1:1).

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