El prefacio
Capítulo 1:1-3.— El apóstol Juan empieza afirmando que este libro es “la revelación de Jesucristo”. Es el título divinamente inspirado. Es de notar que, al dar esta profecía a Juan, el Señor la “declaró [significó]” (versículo 1, traducción J. N. Darby). Esto significa que el medio en que fue comunicada es simbólico. Tratar de interpretar el libro literalmente nos despoja irremediablemente de su significado y aplicación. Aunque el libro es escrito de forma simbólica, los símbolos en sí mismos representan cosas literales, y en este sentido creemos en una interpretación literal de la Escritura. Juan nos dice que hay una bendición especial para el que simplemente “lee”, “oye”, y “guarda” (pero no necesariamente entiende) las palabras de este libro.
El saludo
Capítulo 1:4-6.— El libro de Apocalipsis fue escrito “a las siete iglesias que están en Asia” (versículo 4). Estos discursos a las siete iglesias pueden ser leídos por su valor práctico y se puede recoger mucho de ellos de esta forma. Pero su interpretación principal presenta la historia profética de la Iglesia en la tierra —desde Pentecostés hasta la venida del Señor (el Arrebatamiento)—. El hecho de que haya sido dado a la Iglesia en su conjunto significa que el Señor dio este libro de profecía a la Iglesia para su provecho. Algunos piensan que la profecía no es para la Iglesia, pero estos versos claramente desechan esta falsa idea. El Señor quiere que los cristianos estén enterados sobre los eventos futuros que darán lugar a Su eventual reinado en Su reino milenario.
El efecto apropiado de leer este libro de profecía nos llevará a la adoración, alabanza y acción de gracias al Señor Jesucristo. Esto es ilustrado por la doxología de alabanza por Juan (versículo 6b). Mientras estamos en la tierra, y conocemos en parte, nuestra alabanza de Él es limitada. Esto se ilustra en el hecho de que la alabanza mencionada aquí está compuesta por tan solo dos notas: “gloria é imperio”. Pero en el cielo vemos que la alabanza del Cordero será completa como se muestra en las siete notas de alabanza del capítulo 5.
El doble propósito del libro
Capítulo 1:7-8.— El libro tiene dos propósitos:
• El primero es mostrar que toda la humanidad es responsable por la manera en que ha vivido en este mundo, y será juzgada conforme a ello cuando Cristo intervenga en Su Aparición para poner en orden este mundo.
• El segundo es para mostrar cómo Dios obrará para alcanzar Su objetivo final de exaltar y glorificar al Señor Jesucristo en la misma escena en que Él fue deshonrado y rechazado por el hombre.
La venida del Señor
Se hace el anuncio: “He aquí que viene”. Esta es la primera mención de la venida del Señor en el libro. La Escritura indica que Su venida será en dos fases diferentes, las cuales el que estudia la profecía debe tomar en cuenta, si desea entender el esquema de los eventos proféticos en la Biblia. La principal diferencia es:
• La primera fase de Su venida tiene que ver con el Señor llevando a Sus santos al cielo en un estado glorificado. Esto incluirá levantar a los santos del Nuevo y el Antiguo Testamento de entre los muertos en un estado glorificado, y transformar a los santos vivos a un estado glorificado, y entonces llevarlos a todos juntos al cielo (Mateo 25:66And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (Matthew 25:6); Juan 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3); 1 Corintios 15:23,51-5623But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23)
51Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑56); Filipenses 3:20-2120For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:20‑21); 1 Tesalonicenses 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18); 2 Tesalonicenses 2:1; 3:51Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2 Thessalonians 2:1)
5And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5); Tito 2:1313Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)a; Hebreos 9:28; 10:37; 11:4028So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)
37For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Hebrews 10:37)
40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40); Apocalipsis 3:10-11; 22:2010Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:10‑11)
20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)). A esto se le ha llamado el Arrebatamiento, por el hecho de que seremos “arrebatados” (1 Tesalonicenses 4:1717Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)).
• La segunda fase tiene que ver con el Señor trayendo a los santos glorificados desde el cielo con Él cuando aparezca para juzgar al mundo en justicia y para establecer Su reino milenario (Mateo 24:27,30,36-41; 25:31; 26:6427For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:27)
30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30)
36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:36‑41)
31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (Matthew 25:31)
64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:64); 1 Tesalonicenses 3:13; 4:1413To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14); 2 Tesalonicenses 1:7-10; 2:8-97And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:7‑10)
8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (2 Thessalonians 2:8‑9); Judas 14-1514And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 14‑15); Apocalipsis 11:15; 14:14-16; 16:15; 19:10-2115And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)
14And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. (Revelation 14:14‑16)
15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15)
10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:10‑21)). Esta es llamada la “manifestación”, “revelación” o “aparición” de Jesucristo (2 Tesalonicenses 1:77And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (2 Thessalonians 1:7); 1 Pedro 1:13; 4:1313Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:13)
13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:13); 2 Tesalonicenses 2:8: la “aparición” de Su venida” traducción J. N. Darby; Mateo 24:3030And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30); Colosenses 3:44When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4); Tito 2:1313Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13); 2 Timoteo 4:1,81I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2 Timothy 4:1)
8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8); 1 Juan 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)).
Los santos del Antiguo Testamento sabían algo sobre la MANIFESTACIÓN (la Aparición: Isaías 30:27-2827Behold, the name of the Lord cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: 28And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err. (Isaiah 30:27‑28); Judas 14-1514And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 14‑15); Zacarías 14:55And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (Zechariah 14:5)), pero no tenían conocimiento sobre el ARREBATAMIENTO y la glorificación de los santos. Esto último es algo que no fue revelado hasta los tiempos del Nuevo Testamento (1 Corintios 15:51-5651Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑56); Filipenses 3:20-2120For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:20‑21); 1 Tesalonicenses 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)). Aunque el Señor viene del cielo en ambas ocasiones, estas dos fases son inmensamente diferentes. Algunas de estas diferencias son:
• El Arrebatamiento ocurrirá cuando el Señor venga por Sus santos (Juan 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3)); la Aparición de Cristo sucederá cuando venga con Sus santos que fueron llevados al cielo en el Arrebatamiento (1 Tesalonicenses 3:13; 4:1413To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14); Judas 1414And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 14); Zacarías 14:55And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (Zechariah 14:5)).
• En el Arrebatamiento, el Señor vendrá secretamente, en “un abrir de ojo” (1 Corintios 15:5252In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:52)); en Su Aparición, Él vendrá públicamente y todo ojo Le verá (Apocalipsis 1:77Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)).
• En el Arrebatamiento, Él vendrá para liberar a la Iglesia (1 Tesalonicenses 1:1010And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)); en Su Aparición, Él vendrá para liberar a Israel (Salmo 6:1-41<<To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David.>> O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 3My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long? 4Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. (Psalm 6:1‑4)). La Iglesia será librada de entrar en la Tribulación (Apocalipsis 3:1010Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10)), mientras que los judíos la atravesarán, pero serán liberados de ella al final, trayendo el Señor fin a la Tribulación.
• En el Arrebatamiento, Él vendrá en el aire por Su Iglesia porque ella es Su pueblo celestial (1 Tesalonicenses 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)); en Su Aparición, Él volverá a la tierra (al Monte de los Olivos) para Israel porque es Su pueblo terrenal (Zacarías 14:4-54And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. (Zechariah 14:4‑5)).
• En el Arrebatamiento, Él sacará a los creyentes de este mundo y dejará a los malos atrás (Juan 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3)); en Su Aparición, los malos serán tomados del reino de los cielos para juicio, y los creyentes (aquellos que se hayan convertido a través del evangelio del reino que será predicado durante la Tribulación) serán dejados para disfrutar de la bendición en la tierra (Mateo 13:41-43; 25:4141The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:41‑43)
41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)).
• En el Arrebatamiento, el Señor vendrá como “el Esposo” (Mateo 25:1010And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:10)), pero en la Aparición, Él vendrá como “el Hijo del Hombre” (Mateo 24:30,37,39,44,30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30)
37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:37)
39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:39)
44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:44) etcétera).
• En el Arrebatamiento, Él vendrá sin ninguna señal, porque el cristiano anda por fe y no por vista (2 Corintios 5:77(For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (2 Corinthians 5:7)); en la Aparición, Su venida estará rodeada de señales, porque los judíos buscan señal (Lucas 21:11,25-2711And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11)
25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:25‑27); 1 Corintios 1:2222For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: (1 Corinthians 1:22)).
La Teología Reformada ve al Arrebatamiento y a la Manifestación (Aparición) como si fueran un solo evento, y esto no ha traído más que confusión en cuanto a Israel y la Iglesia. Es imposible que estos dos eventos sucedieran al mismo tiempo porque hay varias cosas que la Escritura indica que ocurrirán entre ellos que lo hacen inviable. Por ejemplo, cuando el Señor venga y nos llame a salir de la tierra, nos llevará a “la casa de Mi Padre” y nos hará entrar formalmente en esa escena celestial (Juan 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3)). Poco después, tendrá lugar la revisión de nuestras vidas ante el “tribunal”, tiempo en el que los santos recibirán recompensas por su fidelidad (2 Corintios 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)). Después de esto, habrá un tiempo de adoración “alrededor del trono” en el cielo (Apocalipsis 4–5). Entonces, después de esto, vendrán “las bodas del Cordero” y “la cena” que la sigue (Apocalipsis 19:6-106And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:6‑10)). Es sólo cuando hayan ocurrido estas cosas, que el Señor vendrá del cielo con nosotros en Su Aparición (Apocalipsis 19:11-2111And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Revelation 19:11‑21)). Si se juntan el Arrebatamiento y la Aparición en un solo evento, no hay lugar para que estas cosas sucedan.
El territorio, la tierra, y el mundo
Se distinguen tres grandes sectores de la raza humana en el versículo 7 en conexión con la venida del Señor. Estas tres esferas en la tierra tienen diferentes responsabilidades de acuerdo con el grado de luz que han recibido de parte de Dios. Son:
• “Todo ojo le verá”: Las naciones cristianizadas (versículo 7a).
• “Los que le traspasaron”: La nación de Israel (los judíos particularmente) (versículo 7b).
• “Todos los linajes de la tierra”: Las naciones que están fuera de la tierra profética (versículo 7c).
La profecía está expuesta en las Escrituras con relación a estas tres esferas. Estas se distinguen como: “tierra” [o territorio de Israel], “la tierra”, y “el mundo” (Isaías 18:2-3; 24:3-6; 26:9-102That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled! 3All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye. (Isaiah 18:2‑3)
3The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word. 4The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. 5The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. 6Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. (Isaiah 24:3‑6)
9With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. 10Let favor be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. (Isaiah 26:9‑10)). Estos son círculos concéntricos, cada uno siendo mayor que el que lo precede. “La tierra [territorio]”, es la esfera más pequeña y se refiere al territorio de Israel, no la pequeña parte que posee en la actualidad, sino la que fue prometida a Abraham. “La tierra” es una esfera más grande; incluye la herencia prometida a Israel, pero también añade aquellas naciones que el Imperio romano conquistó en Europa Occidental. Estudiantes de la profecía la llaman la “tierra profética”. Proféticamente, hace referencia a las naciones occidentales. Puesto que los que habitan las Américas hoy en día provienen en gran parte de las naciones de Europa Occidental, la mayoría de los que estudian la profecía les incluyen en la tierra profética (Daniel 2:43: “ ... mezclaránse con simiente humana”). “El mundo” es una esfera aún mayor; incluye el territorio y la tierra profética, pero también suma las partes restantes del planeta —es decir, las naciones que quedan fuera de la tierra profética.
Dios sabe que no seríamos capaces de comprender los detalles de la profecía si Él nos diese todo a la vez lo que tiene que ver con cada una de estas esferas. Por lo tanto, en las Escrituras proféticas, Dios sabiamente trata con estas esferas una a la vez. Él nos da detalles que empiezan en algún momento durante el período de la Tribulación y nos lleva hasta la Aparición de Cristo, la cual introduce el Milenio. Luego, regresa y vuelve a cubrir el mismo tema desde otra perspectiva, nuevamente llevándonos a la Aparición de Cristo y al Milenio. Es importante notar esto; toda la profecía es dada de esta manera en la Biblia. Se repite una y otra vez a lo largo de las Escrituras proféticas. Es de esta misma manera que se presentan los eventos en los libros proféticos del Antiguo Testamento incluyendo los Salmos, y el discurso profético del Señor en Mateo 24–25; y no es diferente en el libro de Apocalipsis. Es la manera establecida por Dios para enseñarnos la profecía. Se verá en los capítulos 6–16 que el Espíritu de Dios transporta al lector desde el período de Tribulación hasta la Aparición de Cristo tres veces, cada una en relación con una de estas tres esferas.
Versículo 8.— Como ya fue mencionado, el segundo propósito del libro es mostrar cómo Dios conducirá todo hacia Su objetivo principal de exaltar públicamente al Señor Jesucristo en este mundo. Cristo es “el Alpha y la Omega” (el principio y el fin) de toda profecía (versículo 8). Es la fuente y el objetivo de todos los caminos de Dios en la creación, la gracia, y el juicio. Siendo el personaje central de la profecía, Dios Lo revelará ante todos en Su Aparición.
En la Aparición de Cristo dos cosas tendrán comienzo. Una es “el día del Señor” (1 Tesalonicenses 5:2; 2:22For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
2But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. (1 Thessalonians 2:2); Isaías 2:10-2210Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty. 11The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. 12For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: 13And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan, 14And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up, 15And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall, 16And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures. 17And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. 18And the idols he shall utterly abolish. 19And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 20In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; 21To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. 22Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? (Isaiah 2:10‑22); Joel 1:1515Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. (Joel 1:15); Sofonías 2:2-32Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger come upon you. 3Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger. (Zephaniah 2:2‑3); Malaquías 4:55Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: (Malachi 4:5)), que es cuando Su autoridad de Señorío será establecida en la tierra a través del juicio. Se extenderá por 1000 años, lo que durará el Milenio (2 Pedro 3:8-108But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:8‑10)). La otra es “el día de Cristo” (2 Tesalonicenses 1:1010When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:10); 1 Corintios 1:8; 3:13; 5:58Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8)
13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (1 Corinthians 3:13)
5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1 Corinthians 5:5); 2 Corintios 1:1414As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:14); Filipenses 1:6,10; 2:166Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)
10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; (Philippians 1:10)
16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. (Philippians 2:16)), que es el día de Su manifestación en gloria a través de la Iglesia durante el mismo tiempo: el Milenio. Estos dos días presentan dos lados del reinado público de Cristo en este mundo en aquel día venidero.
El libro de Apocalipsis es, por lo tanto, un libro de juicio, pero también es un libro de bendición. (Hay siete bendiciones mencionadas: capítulos 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14).
La condición necesaria del alma para comprender las profecías del libro
Capítulo 1:9-11.— Juan menciona estar “en el Espíritu en el día del Señor” cuando recibió esta revelación por parte del Señor. Esto apunta a la necesidad de estar en una buena condición del alma para recibir estos temas proféticos. El libro fue escrito por un hombre “en el Espíritu” y únicamente será entendido por hombres y mujeres que están en el Espíritu.
Juan “volvió” y vio a Cristo como el “Hijo del Hombre”. El Hijo del Hombre es el título que se usa en la Escritura en relación con las acciones de Cristo en juicio (Daniel 7:1313I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (Daniel 7:13); Mateo 24:27,36-41; 25:31; 26:6427For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matthew 24:27)
36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:36‑41)
31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (Matthew 25:31)
64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:64)). Juan tuvo que volverse para ver a Cristo en este carácter judicial, porque no es la manera común en la que el Espíritu Le presentaría ante los santos. Bajo condiciones normales, el Espíritu de Dios presenta Cristo ante nosotros como el Hijo de Dios que nos ama y que se dio a Sí mismo por nosotros (Gálatas 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)). El juicio es la “extraña obra” del Señor en la que el hombre Le ha obligado a actuar (Isaías 28:2121For the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. (Isaiah 28:21)). Uno tiene que tornarse de su ocupación habitual con Cristo para verle en Su carácter judicial.
La visión de Jesucristo como Juez
Capítulo 1:12-20.— En este libro de muchas visiones, es apropiado que la primera visión sea de Cristo en Su carácter judicial. Es significativo que Él actúe como juez con respecto a las siete iglesias antes de que juzgue al mundo; es necesario que “el juicio comience de la casa de Dios”, con aquellos que son los más responsables (1 Pedro 4:1717For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)).
Cristo es visto con Su ropa de juicio y “ceñido por los pechos con una cinta de oro”. Esto hace referencia al hecho de que Sus afectos son restringidos ya que actúa en calidad judicial. Se mencionan siete rasgos del Juez:
• “Sus ojos como llama de fuego”: El carácter penetrante de Su discernimiento. Nada se escapa de Su vista.
• “Sus pies semejantes al latón fino”: Su firmeza en rectitud de juicio. Él no corromperá la santidad.
• “Su voz como ruido de muchas aguas”: Sus muchas facetas al dirigirse gubernamentalmente a las personas.
• “Tenía en Su diestra siete estrellas”: Su autoridad recae en personas responsables de la Iglesia.
• “Su boca” tenía en ella “una espada aguda de dos filos”: Su habilidad para ejecutar juicio frente a todo mal.
• “Su rostro era como el sol”: Él es la autoridad suprema en el universo. Por lo tanto, no puede haber apelación alguna a ninguna persona superior a Él.
El Juez habla
Versículos 17-20.— Viendo al Señor en calidad de un juez majestuoso, Juan cae “á Sus pies”. Es desde esta postura que él aprende acerca de la condición de la Iglesia —su fracaso en el testimonio público—, como se puede ver en los capítulos 2–3. Esta es la posición apropiada para que aprendamos sobre la condición de la Iglesia: postrados ante el Señor. El testimonio cristiano está en ruinas, y todos hemos contribuido a su estado lamentable, y no podemos señalar con el dedo a nadie en la historia o en la actualidad sin señalarnos a nosotros mismos. Por lo tanto, hemos de ver el fracaso de la Iglesia en cuanto a su testimonio en un espíritu de juicio propio.
Para disipar el miedo e inquietud de Juan, el Señor puso Su “diestra” sobre Juan y le habló, diciendo: “No temas”. Es consuelo divino y fortaleza para la tarea que Juan estaba a punto de recibir; es decir, el “escribir” el mensaje profético a las siete iglesias (compárese Mateo 17:6-76And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. (Matthew 17:6‑7)).
El Señor dijo: “Yo soy ... el que vivo, y he sido muerto; y he aquí que vivo por siglos de siglos, Amén. Y tengo las llaves del infierno [Hades] y de la muerte”. En esto, el Señor mostró a Juan que Él tenía el derecho de actuar como Juez de toda la tierra (Génesis 18:2525That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? (Genesis 18:25)). El Señor ha entrado en la muerte y al Hades y ha conquistado a ambos. Él ahora tiene “las llaves” de estas dos condiciones. La “muerte” es lo que reclama el cuerpo; el “Hades” (traducción J. N. Darby) es lo que reclama el alma y el espíritu. Habiendo pagado el precio por el pecado al ir a la muerte, Él tiene el derecho y el poder de ejercer juicio contra los pecadores, y por tanto consignar a quien Él quiera a la muerte y al Hades. Él también tiene el poder de levantarles de la muerte y consignarles a una eternidad de perdición, como se ve al final del libro.
Se le dice a Juan que “escriba” en cuanto a los temas proféticos que él va a contemplar en tres grandes secciones (versículo 19).
• “Las cosas que has visto”: capítulo 1.
• “Las que son”: capítulos 2–3.
• “Las que han de ser después de éstas”: capítulos 4–22.
Esto demuestra que estas profecías fueron dadas a Juan en una forma ordenada y él las ha escrito por el Espíritu de una manera ordenada. Algunas personas ven el libro de Apocalipsis como una enredadera de información, que solo un estudiante profundo de profecías podría desenredar y explicar. Sin embargo, el libro solo parece confuso; en realidad está escrito de forma muy ordenada. Si entendemos la manera en que el Espíritu de Dios presenta la profecía a lo largo de la Escritura y también reconocemos que hay paréntesis en ciertas partes de este libro, la confusión se desvanece. Uno también necesita un entendimiento básico del significado de los símbolos usados en la profecía. Ya que el libro de Apocalipsis ha sido colocado al final de nuestras Biblias, el Espíritu de Dios supone que estamos familiarizados con estos símbolos, habiendo visto como se utilizan en otras partes de la Escritura. El objetivo de este bosquejo de Apocalipsis en el que estamos a punto de embarcarnos es proveer al lector de un entendimiento básico de estas cosas.
Versículo 20.— El Señor le explica a Juan el significado oculto de “las siete estrellas” que tenía en Su diestra y de “los siete candeleros de oro”. Las “estrellas” son los “ángeles” de las siete iglesias. Esto hace referencia a la doble responsabilidad que los líderes tienen en las asambleas. Como “estrellas” deben usar los principios de la Palabra de Dios para proveer a los santos luz en asuntos concernientes a la asamblea local. Esto significa que deben estar bien fundados en la verdad (Tito 1:99Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 1:9)). Como “ángeles” deben ser mensajeros de Dios, tomando el liderazgo en la asamblea y verificando que tales principios sean llevados a cabo en el temor de Dios (Eclesiastés 5:66Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? (Ecclesiastes 5:6); Malaquías 2:7,7For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 2:7) nota al pie de página de la traducción de J. N. Darby). Es significativo que Dios hace al ángel de cada iglesia responsable de la condición en que la iglesia se encontraba en esa localidad (capítulos 2–3). Él es visto andando en medio de las siete iglesias, evaluando su condición y aconsejando a aquellos que están en la posición de responsabilidad sobre lo que pueden hacer para ayudar a la condición particular en la que aquella iglesia local se encontraba (capítulo 2:1).
“Los siete candeleros de oro” son las siete iglesias. Representan en figura el hecho de que la asamblea local es un testigo responsable en la comunidad en la que se sitúa.