Read Revelation 1:1-3.

Introduction⤒🔗

At the very end of the Bible there stands a great “mansion” known as the Book of Revelation.

Some Christians have not dared to approach this great and awesome “mansion,” they have stayed away from it. Sometimes they have entertained misgivings about this final book of Scripture, even wondering if it belongs in the Bible at all, it being so unique when compared to the other books of the New Testament. They have been overwhelmed by the intricate passageways and the strange and imposing pictures that hang on the walls, fearing that they would lose their way and, being intimidated by the scenes portrayed in the pictures, they have avoided this majestic “mansion” of divine revelation.

Other Christians have gone to the opposite extreme. They have entered this great mansion of revelation with little fear or trepidation; they have shown little regard for the sacredness of these grounds and the fact that they are part of Holy Scripture. They have exhibited a fascination, even a pre-occupation, with the gallery of exotic pictures, but they have not allowed this book of divine revelation to have a profound and practical impact on their lives.

So, as we undertake a study of this last book of Scripture, we must begin by addressing the question, “How are we to approach the Book of Revelation?” When we come to the Book of Revelation we are not left to our own devices, the Lord has graciously given His counsel to guide us; that counsel is contained in the opening verses of the book. Because this final book of Scripture is such a mysterious book, it is important for us to heed our Lord’s counsel as to how we are to approach it.

We Must Appreciate that Revelation is a Sacred Book←⤒🔗

We must approach this book with great reverence, recognizing that it is “the revelation of Jesus Christ.” It is not only a revelation that comes from Christ to us; it is a revelation that God the Father has given to Christ His beloved Son. In a very unique sense, this book belongs to Jesus Christ: the Gospels are about Christ’s life; the Acts are performed by Christ working with and through His apostles; the Epistles are written to explain Christ’s work; but the Revelation is given to Christ, this book is “the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him” (1:1).

The Revelation is given to Christ by God the Father because Christ is worthy, as is strongly emphasized within the book itself:

And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, 'Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?'...⁴I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or [even] look at it. ⁵Then one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep. Look! The Lion who is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, he has overcome, and [he is able] to open the scroll and break the seals.' ⁹And they sing a new song, saying, 'You are worthy to take the scroll and break the seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.' Rev. 5:2,4-5,9

On one occasion the LORD spoke these words to Abraham:

And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do; ¹⁸seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed by him? ¹⁹The reason I have known [Abraham] [i.e. the reason the LORD entered into covenant with Abraham] is so that he may instruct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice; so that the LORD may bestow upon Abraham that which he has promised concerning him. Gen. 18:17-19

Because Abraham was God’s intimate friend with whom He had made His covenant, the LORD would now reveal to Abraham what He was about to do in the earth. In the ultimate sense, Jesus, the eternal Son of God, is God the Father’s most intimate friend and the true heir to God’s covenant; and it is to Him that God the Father has revealed all that He is about to do; as Jesus Himself testifies, “the Father loves the Son and, [therefore], shows him everything that he is doing. Indeed, greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel” (Jn. 5:20).

Not only has God the Father given this revelation to Jesus Christ personally, He has also given it to Him to share with His people: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him in order to show his servants the things that must swiftly occur.” (1:1a). Thus, it is the Father’s desire that Christ Jesus His Son communicate this revelation to the church, this revelation concerning “the things that must swiftly occur.” The Greek phrase, εν ταχυ, is perhaps better translated, “swiftly,” rather than “soon;” note 2:16, where a form of this word (ταχυ) is likewise translated “swiftly,” or, “quickly.” Such being the case, the meaning of this passage is that the Book of Revelation is revealing events that will take place swiftly in their appointed time, rather than soon in the chronological sense of the term. It may also communicate the fact that, God will give first priority to the fulfillment of the events that shall culminate in the coming of His eschatological kingdom, He will not “set them aside until He gets around to attending to this matter.” Among its several connotations, this Greek term (ταχυ) has the meaning of doing something “without delay.”

When we approach the Book of Revelation, we must appreciate the fact that it is a sacred book of Scripture; it is a revelation of God to Christ and intended for His church.

We Must Understand that Revelation is a Symbolic Book←⤒🔗

Having received the revelation, our Lord Jesus “showed it by sending his angel to his servant John” (1:1b), who in turn communicated it to the church. The Greek word (σημαινω) translated, “He showed it,” has the connotation of communicating something by means of figurative representation, making something known by means of imagery; “strictly speaking, it means to make known by some sort of sign”¹ The English translation of this Greek term, “to signify,” contains within it the word “sign.”

An example of this symbolic character of the book, this communicating spiritual truths and future historical events by means of signs, is found in the first chapter of the Revelation: John reports, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice” (vs. 10). When John turns around “to see the voice that spoke to [him],” he beholds “seven golden lamp stands, and in the midst of the seven lamp stands,” there stood “one like [the] Son of man” (vs. 12-13), “and he had in his right hand seven stars” (vs. 16). The Lord Jesus then proceeds to explain to John the meaning of the symbolic vision that he saw: “[With regard to] the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven golden lamp stands: The seven stars represent the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands represent the seven churches” (Rev. 1:20).

But not always does the Lord immediately interpret the symbols that appear before John in his divinely-given visions. As the lexicographers Arndt and Gingrich point out, the Greek word we have translated “to signify” is also used “of speech that simply gives a vague indication of what is to happen.”² This is in keeping with the character of biblical prophecy; namely, that future events were generally revealed to the prophets in veiled terms, with the fulfillment of the prophecy providing the full understanding of the meaning of the prophetic communication. But this does not necessarily mean the Revelation conveys a message that is unknowable to the church until it is fulfilled. If that were the case, the Revelation would be meaningless to the church and of no value to God’s people. A principle for interpreting the Revelation, a principle that applies to any portion of Scripture that is perplexing in itself, is to compare Scripture with Scripture.

Most of the symbols found in the Book of Revelation are borrowed from other parts of Scripture; those symbols that are unique to Revelation are interpreted by Christ (as in 1:20) or by His angel (as in 13:18). The method of studying Revelation needs to abide by this guideline: the biblical symbols that are used in a given passage of the Revelation must be interpreted in the light of their usage in the other parts of Scripture. In addition, we have a two-fold assurance: 1) the assurance that the Holy Spirit, as our Counselor, “shall teach you all things” (Jn. 14:26); and, 2) in accord with the promise the LORD gave to Daniel, the revelation will become more evident as the time of fulfillment approaches:

But you, Daniel, preserve the words and seal the book, [safeguarding it] until the time of the end. Many will diligently study it, and the understanding [of these things] will increase.Dan. 12:4

In verse four of chapter twelve, Daniel is issued the command, “preserve the words and seal the book, [safeguarding it] until the time of the end.” He is to preserve this revelation so that the people of God will have it “until the time of the end” as a permanent record of what to expect from the world, (especially during the reign of the anti-Christ), and of the sure promise of the LORD’s salvation. The phrase often translated, “many shall run to and fro,” (in the New International Version it is rendered, “many will go here and there”), may better be translated, “many will diligently study it.” The phrase appears to be an idiom, meaning “to diligently study a book in an effort to understand its meaning.” The Hebrew word sometimes translated “run to and fro” ( טוּשׁ)  is also used metaphorically to mean, “to diligently pour over,” or, “to scrutinize.” Second Chronicles 16:9a is an example of the term being used in just such a way: “the eyes of the LORD run to and fro [ טוּשׁ ] throughout the whole earth.” The LORD gives Daniel the assurance, “[the] understanding [of these things] will increase.” If the Hebrew term, טוּשׁ , is used in the metaphorical sense, then this present phrase would best be interpreted to mean that as history passes on, as the diligent study of this revelation continues, and as the time of the end draws near, the LORD will grant His people an increasingly greater understanding of the revelation with regard to its details and its fulfillment. And the same holds true with regard to the Book of Revelation.

Why did the Lord Jesus communicate the Revelation to the church by means of symbols? (Note: This is a teaching technique similar to the use of parables.) Symbols make the Revelation vivid and intriguing, so as to stir up contemplation and invite study: the use of symbols provokes thoughtful contemplation and prayerful study. At the same time, the use of symbols shrouds the Revelation in mystery. The use of symbols serves to conceal the message from those who lack a spiritual interest in it; it is intended for Christ’s servants, not for the world at large. Consider what the Lord says with regard to His use of parables: “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand” (Lk. 8:10). Our Lord spoke these words in the context of giving His Parable of the Sower; when He was in private with His disciples, He explained to them more clearly the meaning of the symbolism (Lk. 8:11-15).

Furthermore, the use of symbols also serves to conceal the full meaning of the message until the time appointed for its fulfillment. This guarantees the divine fulfillment of the prophecy and prevents men from seeking to personally take it upon themselves to bring about the fulfillment. If the prophecy gave a clear and straightforward declaration of its fulfillment, men would know exactly what to expect and would be tempted to take matters into their own hands to produce the fulfillment and bring about what had been foretold.

When we approach the Book of Revelation, we must appreciate that it is a symbolic book; under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we must look to the rest of Scripture to aid us in the interpretation of its symbols, realizing that the full understanding of the revelation will not be completely evident until the moment of fulfillment.

We Must Recognize that Revelation is a Book to be Taken Seriously←⤒🔗

We must approach the Revelation with receptive minds and obedient hearts. The very fact that it is the Word of God means that it has a moral and spiritual quality. The study of Revelation must not be approached with a detached curiosity, as one would approach a jigsaw puzzle or a Chinese puzzle. This book of Scripture must be approached in the same way we must approach the rest of Scripture, with reverence for its sacredness and responsiveness to its message addressed to us.

This is vitally important to bear in mind because the Revelation is dealing with things that must take place and shall take place “swiftly;” i.e. events that will occur swiftly in their appointed time without further announcement, catching the unprepared off guard and at a total loss to cope with these great cataclysmic events. Furthermore, since the Revelation is a word of prophecy (1:3), its purpose is to exhort, to comfort, and to call us to be prepared for the coming of God’s kingdom.

Verse three indicates that a word of blessing is pronounced upon the one who reads and upon all who heed (i.e. hear and obey) this revelation from Christ to His church. Our Lord Jesus attaches to the Revelation the same type of exhortation that He attached to His Sermon on the Mount:

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matt. 7:24-27

As we study the Revelation, one of the great themes it presents to us and to which we must be sensitive, is the sovereignty of God. One of the great overarching messages of the Revelation is the fact that the Lord God is in control and that He is the Ruler over all things. The LORD is identified as “the Almighty” (1:8). He is seen seated upon the throne (4:2). All the events that take place upon the earth are under His complete control and serve His sovereign purpose. Even when the Revelation speaks about the activities of the devil and the beast, the phrase, “he was granted permission [to do such and such],” is used to indicate that their activity is carried out by the sovereign permission of the LORD (cp. Rev. 13:5b,7). With reference to the demonic beast revealed in Revelation 13, we are informed, “[The beast]...was granted permission to rule for forty-two months... 'He was granted permission to wage war against the saints, and to overcome them; furthermore, he was granted authority over every tribe and people and language and nation” (Rev.13:5b, 7). Even when the devil proceeds to establish the anti-Christ kingdom upon the earth (Rev. 12-13), we are made to see the Lord Jesus standing sovereignly above all, and His people with Him: “Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads” (Rev. 14:1).

This is one of the central themes and purposes of the Revelation: to proclaim that the LORD is God, the sovereign God; and this message is intended for the comfort and assurance of God’s people. The message of the Revelation is that there are bad days ahead before the final end arrives: hard times for the world, and for the church of Jesus Christ; but the Lord says, “Fear not, be assured that your God reigns, and none of Christ’s sheep shall perish.”

Another great theme the Revelation presents to us is the revelation of the very heart of God. If there can be such a thing as a “tension” in the heart and mind of the Almighty it is not a tension between His mercy and His holiness, that has been divinely resolved at Calvary: ”’God presented [Jesus Christ] as a sacrifice of atonement...²⁶he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be [both] just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:25-26). If there is a “tension” in the mind and heart of God, it is the tension between His love for His people and His long-suffering over the world, as the Apostle Peter points out: “The LORD is not negligent with regard to the promise, as some consider negligence; on the contrary, he is exhibiting great patience toward you. He does not desire anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

We might express it like this, in the Revelation you find God “torn” between His desire for the final redemption of His people and His desire for the repentance of apostate mankind. The LORD hears the cry of His people, as we long for the consummation of our redemption:

When [the Lamb] opened the fifth seal, I saw beneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain on account of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. ¹⁰They cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'How long, O Master, [you who are] holy and true, will you refrain from judging those who dwell on the earth and avenging our blood?' Rev. 6:9-10

It is God’s desire to bring history to its ultimate conclusion with the coming of His eternal kingdom; yet, for Him to do so means the eternal damnation of the unrepentant world, and so it is that the LORD restrains the final coming of His kingdom and calls upon His people to wait: “Each one of them was given a white robe, and they were told to rest for a little while longer, until their fellow servants and brothers, who were destined to be killed just as they had been, shall have finished their course” (Rev. 6:11). The LORD calls upon His people to wait “for a little while longer,” as He brings the world through cycles of ever-increasing temporal judgments as a warning of that inevitable day of Final Judgment and as a call to repentance: The Seven Seals, (Rev. 6:1-8:2), is the first cycle; The Seven Trumpets, (Rev. 8:2-11:19), is the second cycle; and The Seven Bowls of Wrath, (Rev. 16:1-21), is the third cycle.

The message of the Book of Revelation addressed to the church of Christ may be summarized in these words: Although there will be hard times for the people of God, be assured that the LORD is in control, and His kingdom will surely and finally come; therefore, take courage, take comfort, and be prepared.

When we approach the Book of Revelation, we must appreciate that it is to be taken seriously. This is imperative due to the fact that “the time [i.e. the occasion of the fulfillment of the Revelation] is at hand” [i.e. it is imminent]. Here it is helpful to consider the words of the Apostle Peter, he speaks of “the salvation that is ready to be revealed at the last time” (1 Pet. 1:5). Peter is speaking of a salvation that is complete and fully prepared, a salvation that shall be revealed “at the last time,” which is the very period of time in which we are living. In referring to this New Testament dispensation, the period of time in which we live, the writer to the Hebrews describes it as “these last days” (Heb. 1:2). Perhaps the best way to express the meaning of the statement, “the time is at hand,” is to say: We are living in the period of history when the fulfillment of the Revelation is an ever-imminent possibility.

Note the contrast between Daniel 12:4,9 and Revelation 22:10,

But you, Daniel, preserve the words and seal the book, safeguarding it until the time of the end. Many will diligently study it, and the understanding of these things will increase ... ⁹But he said, Go your way, Daniel; for the words are preserved and sealed until the time of the end.Dan. 12:4,9

Then he said to me, 'Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.'Rev. 22:10

Why the difference in the instructions given to Daniel and John respectively? The reason: Since the time of Daniel, the Messiah has come and accomplished the work of redemption at the cross of Calvary, He Himself has now declared, “It is finished!” (It is accomplished!) (Jn. 19:30)

In biblical chronology, we are living in “the last days,” the days when the work of redemption has been accomplished and our salvation is ready to be revealed. At present, it is only the long suffering mercy of God towards fallen mankind that holds back the day of fulfillment: “The Lord is not negligent with regard to the promise, as some consider negligence; on the contrary, he is exhibiting great patience toward you. He does not desire anyone to perish, but all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). But, the Apostle Peter goes on to assure us, and warn unrepentant mankind, “the day of the Lord will come” (2 Pet. 3:10).

Conclusion←⤒🔗

That great ‘’spiritual mansion,” situated at the close of the Scriptures, the Book of Revelation, can be a very intimidating edifice: mysterious and awesome. Indeed, when we enter through its gates we find that we are standing on holy ground, and when we open the door we find ourselves in the presence of the LORD God Himself.

As we approach the study of this last great book of Scripture, we must be careful to take seriously our Lord’s counsel, suggested to us in the opening verses of the Revelation, namely, 1) that we appreciate the fact that the Revelation is a sacred book; 2) that we appreciate the fact that the Revelation is a symbolic book; and, 3) that we appreciate the fact that the Revelation is a book that must be taken seriously. As we bear in mind these things in our study of the Book of Revelation, we shall receive the blessing it is intended to convey.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. How does the Apostle John describe the Book of Revelation? See Rev. 1:1a. Since this book is nothing less than divine revelation, the very Word of God, how must we approach it? May we neglect it because it contains such strange and even fearsome imagery? Note 2 Tim. 3:16,

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him in order to make known to his servants the things that must occur swiftly. He showed it by sending his angel to his servant John... Rev. 1:1

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...2 Tim. 3:16

2. On the other hand, may we ever approach this sacred book of Scripture as though it were little more than an interesting puzzle; a riddle to challenge our intellect? What else are we told about the Revelation? See Rev. 1:3,

Blessed is the one who reads and those that hear the words of this prophecy, and observe those things that are written in it, because the time is at hand. Rev. 1:3

3. For what reason did God the Father give this revelation to His Son Jesus Christ? See Rev. 1:1b. This book reveals increasingly severe tribulations that the church must unavoidably face prior to the final coming of the kingdom of God; were it not for the Son of God Himself informing us of these things and preparing us for them, what would very likely happen to our faith if they were to come upon us unawares? Note Jn. 16:33. What does the Revelation, and the whole N.T., teach us: That God spares His people from any and all tribulation? Or, that the LORD is faithful to bring us through every tribulation? Cp. Acts 14:21-22 / 2 Tim. 4:17-18,

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him in order to make known to his servants the things that must occur swiftly. He showed it by sending his angel to his servant John... Rev. 1:1

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation. But have courage; I have overcome the world. Jn. 16:33

²¹Paul and Barnabas ²²strengthened the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and [saying], 'Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.' Acts 14:21-22

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me...¹⁸And the Lord will deliver me out of every evil work and preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen! 2 Tim. 4:17-18

4. According to the Revelation, in what manner, in what way, will “the things that must occur” happen? See Rev. 1:1b. What is the difference between an event occurring soon and one that occurs swiftly? Does not “soon” express when an event will occur (i.e. the chronological timetable), while “swiftly” expresses how an event will occur (i.e. suddenly, unexpectedly)? Cp. Mk. 13:33-37,​

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him in order to make known to his servants the things that must occur swiftly. He showed it by sending his angel to his servant John...Rev. 1:1

Beware, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come. ³⁴It is like when a man travels to another country, leaving his house and giving authority to his servants, assigning to each one his work, and also instructing the doorkeeper to stay alert. ³⁵Stay alert, therefore; because you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether [he will come] in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows at daybreak, or in the morning. ³⁶[Stay alert], so that when he suddenly comes he will not find you sleeping. ³⁷Now what I say to you, I am saying to everyone, Stay alert. Mk. 13:33-37

5. In what manner did the Lord Jesus, by His angel, communicate the Revelation to John? See Rev. 1:1b. What bearing should the manner in which our Lord communicated the revelation have upon the way we interpret the revelation? Where and to whom should we look for an understanding of the imagery? Note Jn. 16:13. Does this mean we will understand the revelation immediately and completely; did the disciples have instant, or progressive, understanding of our Lord’s teaching? Note Jn. 2:19, 21-22. Concerning the progressive comprehension of the divine revelation pertaining to the end times, what does the LORD inform Daniel? See Dan. 12:4b,

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him in order to make known to his servants the things that must occur swiftly. He showed it by sending his angel to his servant John... Rev. 1:1

The Greek word (σηµαινco) translated, “He showed it,” has the connotation of communicating something by means of figurative representation, making something known by means of imagery.

...the Spirit of truth...will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak of his own accord; on the contrary, he will [only] declare the things he hears, and he will reveal to you the things that are still to come. Jn. 16:13

Jesus answered them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. ²⁰The Jews said, For forty-six years this temple was in [the process of] being built, and will you rebuild it in three days? ²¹But he was speaking about the temple of his body. ²²After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; then they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. Jn. 2:19-22

But you, Daniel, preserve the words and seal the book, [safeguarding it] until the time of the end. Many will diligently study it, and the understanding [of these things] will increase. Dan. 12:4

What our LORD assures Daniel is that as history passes on, as the diligent study of this revelation continues, and as the time of the end draws near, the LORD will grant His people an increasingly greater understanding of the revelation with regard to its details and its fulfillment. The same would also hold true for the final book of Revelation the Lord Jesus provided for His church.