INTRODUCTION. Allow me to explain that these messages on Revelation are lengthy but of the utmost importance. Please read them slowly and carefully, and don’t skip through as you would a field of flowers; you will miss many a deep revelation that God has for you.
One can never get too much of the Word of God!!
Revelation is the last book in the Bible, and it is perhaps the most neglected, generally disregarded, and shunned of all the books written in God’s Word.
If you see this excellent book as the Word of God and not the word of men, and believe it to be directly from God, you will find hope and happiness in your life.
No other book opens with a promise of blessing upon the one who reads it, primarily upon those who hear, believe and obey everything written therein.
Yet there are warnings to heed if you subtract or add to its message because the message is of the utmost importance and supreme value.
In it, we find the consummation ( bringing into perfection ) of all of God’s works and plans. The climax of all His promises and challenges with men. When every promise and prophecy finds its fulfilment.
In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we have the “beginning of all.” In Revelation, we will experience the “end of all.”
It is a difficult book to read and understand, as many renowned Preachers have differing opinions about its meaning.
A critic once came to C.H. Spurgeon, the prince of preachers and asked him. “What does Revelation mean.”
With a twinkle in his eye, Spurgeon replied, “Why, I can tell you what it means. It means what it says.”
The answer to that question would take a long time—it may take a century, as it is still unfolding.
Though mysterious, the word “Revelation” means “Unveiling.” The word Apocalypse means removing the veil of mystery and concealment.
As you read the book with me, let us pray for the Holy Spirit’s understanding and discernment to teach us its significance and focal message as we apply it to our circumstances. He is the Spirit of Truth and will lead us into “All Truth ” and give us the right approach to it.
FOUR DIFFERENT APPROACHES.
Speaking broadly, there are four different approaches whereby scholars interpret it.
PRAETORIST.
HISTORIST.
IDEALIST.
FUTURIST.
Firstly, the PRAETORIST sees the greater part of the book already fulfilled in the history of the Church. They base this upon chapter one, which says, “Write the things you have seen and the things that are, and the things which will come to pass in the future.”
Secondly, the HISTORIANS. (presentists) See a Prophetic programme covering history from the days of the Apostles to the end of time in the book. They teach that the book is unfolding throughout our present age.
IDEALIST. Thirdly the Idealist take the book of Revelation as to what is still in the future.
They accept that the letters to the seven churches cover successive stages in history. But after this, they say that future events will occur shortly before and some actually at the coming of Christ. Then, chapter 20 leads through the Millennium to the final judgement of mankind, and the last two chapters bring us into the “New Heaven and the New Earth.”
WHICH VIEW IS CORRECT?
Many impressive men of God have associated themselves with each view.
IDEALIST VIEW… They take the position that what is unveiled is Prophetic.
PRAETORIAN VIEW… They believe that what is unveiled is Prophetic, yet to be fulfilled. Things were not fulfilled by the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th Cenury. They hook the symbols to events that have already taken place in history.
For example, the seven vials refer to the judgement of the Papacy of the Roman Catholic Church and Muhamadism in the 19th Century.
FUTURISM. This I think is the correct interpretation as it fits into the whole scheme of Biblical prediction.
What is the whole picture?
The Old Testament prophecy repeatedly foretell the coming of the Royal Christ who will reign on David’s throne in Jerusalem over a regathered and a regenerated Israel and rule over the Gentile people.
But there is also a strain of Messianic prediction which has shown Jesus the Messiah as the Suffering Servant who has brought Salvation to all men everywhere.
There is one Messiah with two comings… First: The suffering servant.
Second: As King of King’s seated upon David’s throne.
Also there is a mention of a tribulation of such magnitude that has never been before.
To keep us on track our guiding principle is not to think that if any part of Scripture is symbolical then it is “all symbolical.”
Or, if any part of Scripture is literal, then “all is literal.” That is a sweeping assumption.
Here in the portrait of Jesus, we have both the symbolic and the literal view of Him.
In reality, He is portrayed as:
One who is like the “Son of Man.”
- Clothed with a garment down to His feet.
- A golden girdle around His chest.
- His hair as white as snow.
- His eyes, a flame of fire.
- His feet the colour of brass
- His voice was the sound of many waters.
- He holds many stars in His right hand.
- Coming from His mouth is a double edged sword.
- His face shone as bright as the sun.
Hey, this is the Risen Christ! The One whom we worship and love, the…
ALL- CONQUERING ONE.
THE OVERCOMER.
THE KING OF KINGS, THE LORD OF LORDS.
OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, JESUS CHRIST.
This Almighty Christ, God Himself, is your closest friend. It is hard to imagine in our finite minds the “Glory and Splendour” of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Yet, when we shall see Him, we shall be like Him! For we will see Him as he is.
Hallelujah!😀
There is symbolism in these aspects of Christ, but John saw Jesus in reality, not just a symbolic representation.
So in this book of Revelation we see symbolism grouped around central, literal truth and reality.
Amen.
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Blessings, HEATHER DALZELL.🤗
Light in the Darkness! 