When the church had so sadly failed, as we see by the later Epistles of 2 Tim. 2 Timothy, 2 Peter, Jude, and 3 John; and thus, when the perplexities of the last day had set in, how exceedingly blessed to have "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass." We fully admit that great mistakes have been made in attempting to explain this book. And perhaps one mistake above all others has been the source of all other mistakes; that is, the omission to carefully notice the division the Lord Himself makes as to the contents of this blessed book in the 19th verse of the first chapter. He said to John, "Write the things which thou hast seen." That was evidently what he had then seen up to that moment in chapter 1. 1-18. Then," and the things which are." The things that are, as we shall see, occupy chapters ii., iii. The things that then marked the condition of the seven assemblies in Asia. And these, seen prophetically, describe the whole history of the professing church to the end in seven successive epochs, or states. Then "and the things which shall be hereafter," or after these; that is, the things that shall take place after the close of the entire history of the church on earth.
Thus there is first, the introduction; then Christ as seen in the midst of the churches.
Secondly, The whole history of Christendom so long as it is recognized.
Thirdly, What will take place after the close of this period in which the church is gathered.
Now is it not most gracious of our God, to give His servants the very revelation of all this, in relation to His Son?
We would not then assume, or seek to explain, but rather in lowliness of mind, seek to understand all, in His presence, who has thus been pleased to reveal them. It is evident, however, that if we try to apply the things that should take place after the gospel period, as though they belonged to the period in which we live, we cannot possibly understand them. The Lord guide us in our meditations by the Holy Spirit.
If we then just read the book, we find in chapter 1., the Lord, not as Savior here, but as Judge, clothed in judicial robes, walking in the midst of the churches. And, as we have seen, how He divided the subjects of the revelation.
In Chapters ii., iii. the successive but complete history of the church downward to the end.
In Chapters iv., v. what will take place in heaven after the church is no longer on earth.
In Chapter iv. The creation-claims, and glory of the Lord.
In Chapter v. the redemption-claims, and glory of the Lamb.
In Chapter vi. what will take place on earth after the church is gone and is seen in heaven. The Lamb begins the judgments by which He will take possession of the inheritance. The clouds grow dark, the storm gathers. But!
Chapter vii. is a parenthesis in which God reveals His gracious, and hitherto unknown, purposes of grace, even in the midst of most fearful judgment.
Chapters viii., ix. The seven trumpet blasts of judgment; first on the circumstances, and then on the persons of men.
Chapter x. Time to be no longer prolonged, the period of dates, or of the end begins. (Dan. 9-12)
Chapter xi. Three years and a half of Jewish history rim on to the end; the sounding of the last angel. This closes the direct line of prophecy.
Chapter xii. Reveals the sources and character of this world, and its opposition to the Christ of God, and His people Israel.
Chapter xiii. The Roman empire appears on earth again: its terrible persecuting character.
Chapter xiv. A general outline, or synopsis, of the seven great events.
Chapters xv., xvi. Preparation; and the pouring out of the wrath of God upon the earth.
Chapter xvii. The full-blown character of apostate Christendom, now become Babylon. The resurrection of the Roman empire explained. Its -connection with, and the destruction of, the great harlot.
Chapter xviii. The detail of the destruction of Babylon.
Chapter xix. The great harlot being destroyed, the marriage of the Lamb takes place. Then the coming of the Lord, and His saints with Him. The supper of the great God; and the destruction »of the Roman empire.
Chapter xx. Next the judgment of Satan. The millennial reign. Then afterward the judgment
Chapter xxi. The eternal state to verse 8. Then further details as to the bride—the Lambs wife—during millennial days, to chapter xxii. 6. Ending with closing remarks. Such is an outline of the subjects of this wondrous book.
And all this direct revelation God was pleased to give unto Jesus Christ, to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass. We must not overlook the persons thus pointed out, “his servants." They are the persons to whom these things are intended to be shown and understood. However deeply the outward church
Now John " bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw."
Let us then approach with holy reverence, and read this book as the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Wondrous privilege to have the future thus opened to us. " Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is near."
Verse 4. "John to the seven churches," &c. John the servant has the responsibility to communicate the Lord's mind to the assemblies. But the Lord is the self-existent and eternal One; and though the subject of the book is governmental judgment, yet it is blessed to see grace and peace first " unto you." The number seven is frequently used as a symbol of completeness in this book. And how truly, how infinitely complete, the Spirit before the throne; and that throne the throne of judgment. Yet grace and peace still to the assemblies from Him. " And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth." Now what a revelation of the Person of Christ is this. Do we know Him in each of these characters? The last days of failure had begun: man had wholly failed in every position in which God had tried him. But the faithful witness is revealed as the object of faith, and as the risen One, having the pre-eminence very death. But now a new title is revealed. " And the Prince of the kings of the earth." The world has rejected Him in this character. God now reveals Him to us as the coming Prince of the kings of the earth.
Verses 5,6. What a test these verses present to the various gospels and states of men! It is not unto me, and my efforts after holiness in self; no: " Unto him that loved [or loveth] us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." Oh, beware of those false teachers who would tell you that no one can know that he is saved, or that his sins are washed away. Is there a breath of uncertainty in these precious words? Is it unto Him who I hope will wash away my sins? Are these words yours? Do they express the very state of your doubting heart? If so, you are utterly wrong. We beg of you, let the question of your sins be settled, before you attempt to understand the judgments of this book.
But there are two things: not only has He washed us from our sins in His blood; and if washed whiter than snow, without blame in His sight; but he has also made us what He is Himself. Is He the Melchisedec Priest—the Royal Priest? He has made us just what He is. " And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father." Oh, what glory. He has made us like, and suited to Himself. " To him be glory and dominion, forever and ever." Amen.
Verse 7. This glorious One, thus revealed to us, is surely coming from heaven: and mark the condition of the world when He comes. Will He find the world converted, and glad to see Him come? " Behold, 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."
Is it not amazing that Satan can deceive men with the thought that they will all be converted before Christ comes: the " Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. May our hearts be bowed in worship, as the glories of the Lord are thus revealed to His servants. How encouraging in the midst of last-day failure.
Verse 9. Now what can we say to John's salutation, Is it true of us? He says: " I, John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ." He does not say, I am your apostle, or bishop, or anything of the kind; but " your brother." But do we know anything of companionship in tribulation? There is no question that this will be the case in proportion to faithfulness to the rejected Christ. He "was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." Whether he was banished there, as is said, or not, that is not the point. Whether a prisoner there, or a laborer there, he was there for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Now, wherever we are, and in whatever condition of life we are in, can we say we are in our Patmos, where we live, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ? If it has not been so, may our GOD grant from this day it may be so.
scenes that await the redeemed of the Lord.