There have been many studies and many interpretations of this letter written by the hand of John witnessing both what he was told and that which he saw; some studies are similar, too many are differing and confusing among Christians. The average righteous man believes they cannot possibly understand this writing. I believe it is not only possible, but very probable with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a little provoking by a loving servant.
I do not desire to cause more confusion but to cause the Christian to be provoked to study these things which I believe. With good guidance, I believe everyone can have this book interpreted into its proper meaning to an understanding in which they can comprehend, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, which is within each righteous member of the body of Christ. This gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is given graciously by God upon baptism for the remission of their sins, (Acts 2:38) shall guide the righteous unto all truth. (John 16:13)
With a fervent prayer life with God, Jesus says, “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Mt. 7:7; Luke 11:9) He then says, “He that asketh, receiveth; he that seeketh, findeth; he that knocketh, it shall be opened unto him.” (Mt. 7:8; Luke 11:10) Prayerfully, all can comprehend this letter in its context, Spirit context, practiced within the literal physical nature of mankind. Within the literal physical nature in which we survive, a spiritual nature simultaneously coincides.
It is with Christian faith and understanding that I believe everyone can comprehend the Spirit Nature which influences the righteous in this physical realm in which we live. It is with this revelation of the guidance by the Holy Spirit that will show Christ’s servants the things which are to come before the end of time to bring comfort unto their souls simultaneously with peace in the physical nature.
Hello to each and every one who desires to understand the Revelation of Jesus Christ of those things which must come to pass before the Judgment Day of Almighty God, the creator of all things physical we witness, including all the universe. My name is Phillip Smith, a fellow servant of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I wish to host this series of lessons on the Book of Revelations witnessed and recorded for all saints by the Apostle John in and near AD 96 on the isle of Patmos. I pray this little guidance which I offer, is enough to provoke you to fervently research the scriptures and understand more perfectly these things witnessed by John. I believe every Christian can comprehend this prophecy. So, let’s get started.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a university trained Theologian. I do not believe one must have a college degree to understand the prophecy of Jesus Christ through the Apostle John. Furthermore, I beg you to not take my word as concrete and the perfect absolute truth. Truth comes only from God. [But,] let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Hebrews 10:24) My duty is to provoke unto love and good works. The comprehension of this book is not accomplished unprovoked.
Let us notice a teaching from our Lord Jesus Christ to his disciples while he was on earth. He taught the disciples using parables. Matthew 13:10. 10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? The answer Jesus gave was Matthew 13:11-16. 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
In this we see, even today, some hear but do not comprehend; they are not given the mystery of spiritual nature because they would not understand it. But, to those who have the ability to study and attempt to understand, it shall be given unto them in abundance, unless their heart has waxed gross–refuse to hear–and have closed their eyes unto the truth to be converted. If you are desiring to learn this spiritual mystery, you will see and you will hear the message from the Lord Jesus Christ.
As we enter into this study, let us take notice of four (4) common methods of interpretation. These are four principal schools of thought dealing with the letter.
Believers who think the material written has already been fulfilled–called The Preterist
Believers who think the letter contains forecasts of universal history–called The Futurist
Believers who think the material is a symbolic portrayal of church history from the first century to the end of the age–called The historicist
Believers who think there are three types of passages in the Apocalypse stressing the letter is too spiritual and of its principles one cannot comprehend the more mysterious visions. This group of believers are called –The Eclectic. They admit some of the passages consist of:
Those very clear in their spiritual teachings
Those more mysterious, yet containing an element of instructive truth
Those who believe the letter is so veiled that it is futile from our present knowledge to positively interpret the message.
In the stressing of the letter to spiritual principles one cannot comprehend the more mysterious visions.
I believe any Christian who diligently seeks the truth can find spiritual value in understanding the many visions of John, of which he witnessed and wrote. I believe with the aid of the Holy Spirit, anyone can interpret most of the message and comprehend it well enough to find comfort in the Lord’s righteousness.
Many admit there are many symbols and much symbolic literature written within the passages. Many do not wish to attempt to comprehend and openly refuse to try due to its literary nature. If one studies the entire Holy scriptures, within the pages of the Bible one shall find references to the many symbols. Just like learning Trigonometry, we must remember the formulas and symbols. When we have identifiers presented, we need to have a ready recollection of these identifiers and carry the theme to the end. It seems to be only then that we can begin to comprehend this spiritual literary form.
In addition, we must consider the original language in which the letter was written. The Greek language predominantly uses one word to have one specific meaning, unlike the English language having many meanings to one word. I will attempt to show you how to use a Strong’s Lexicon interpreting the original word and its meaning and understand its proper thought. I do not claim to know Greek nor speak it. However, we can read the English language and find reputable men who are reliable to show the interpretation and meaning as it was written in its original language.
In attempting to follow the original meanings of the language, we can understand it more fully. And, using the parable concept, and, the identifiers, we, as literal physical members in a literal physical world, know that we can follow the thoughts and spiritual teachings to understand the letter of the Revelation of Jesus Christ given unto Apostle John.
With this preface, let us begin with the time available at this setting.
Rev. 1:1. 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
As the letter is introduced, we identify the true author of this prophecy, Jesus Christ. It is a message Jesus received from God the Father to show the servants of Jesus. i.e. John and all believers, ‘things which must shortly come to pass’.
Immediately within this verse we come to a necessity to comprehend what it means to ‘shortly’ come to pass. Immediately we recognize we are nearly 2000 years past the revelation of this book and in reading more of the book, we realize many of the things spoken have not happened as of yet.
This instigates a knowledge of just what does Jesus mean by ‘shortly’.
We must realize God does not live on a timetable as we do in the literal physical world.
To God, Jehovah, who lives eternally, time means nothing
2 Peter 3:8. 8 But, 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.
Time means nothing to God.
We get caught up in these trivial matters which have a different relevance to the subject matter at hand.
Therefore, what is interpreted as ‘shortly’ from the original language?
Strong’s Lexicon–shortly–the Greek term number G1722 means
In, by or with
It is in association with an additional term G5034 which translates
Shortly, quickly or speedily
Thus it means–a small consideration of time as in relation to a large consideration of time
Let us put this into perspective
How long is eternity?
We consider it to be a very long period of time
Therefore, shortly to God can be like a drop of rain in a 100 gallon barrel.
How long does it take to fill the barrel at one drop every so often?
Again, we consider a small amount of something no more than can be counted on one or at the most two hands and a large amount more than we can count on both hands multiple times over.
If the things mentioned within this book have not come to pass as of now, and eternity is a very large amount of time, 1000 years, 5000 years, even 10000 years can be interpreted to God as ‘shortly’.
This doesn’t appear probable to indicate this prophecy has already occurred. (within the past 2000 years)
We also notice this message was sent by Jesus through an angel unto John. (vs. 1)
Let us consider Angels! What are their purposes? Hebrew 1:13-14. 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Angels are ministering spirits sent forth to minister to saints–heirs of salvation. Each has a given duty to perform; thus, depicting a multitude–legions of Angels each performing their given duties.
As we continue to study this book, we will see the directives to certain angels to carry out. In verse 1, an angel had a duty to take and signify these visions of which John was to receive. In other words, they delivered and verified from whom they came. With the use of two or more witnesses, all things shall be verified. In this case, God told Jesus, Jesus told and witnessed unto the angel. The angel witnessed and told it to John making it justified and true.
Revelation 1:2. …sent and signified {sic} by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Apostle John writes the testimony of Jesus Christ, all things he heard and saw. The letter we hold is God breathed and recorded for mankind by John.
Remember, this letter is of a Spirit Nature, not a literal physical nature of which we are accustomed. Therefore, it requires a change of form of study, transforming our minds into recognizing spiritual matters–the mystery of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Rev. 1:3. 3 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 at hand.
Blessed are they who desire to know and believe, keeping with the things written therein. Any party reading diligently, studying fervently this letter, shall be more blessed than one who refuses. The things written about are ‘at hand’. These events will happen in ‘This’ Last Days, ‘The’ Last Dispensation.
Being as we live now in the ‘last days’, also called the Great Tribulation, and, there is no other new way to find salvation except by way of the blood of Jesus Christ, to God, the things written in this prophecy ARE at hand.
Thank you for coming along in this study. The next lessons are forthcoming.
