Post by Ben on Jun 21, 2014 19:42:02 GMT
What a wonderful book we have begun to read today. The Apocalypse ("the revealing"), or book of Revelation, is Christ's message to his servants (us!), by which we can be sure that his return is imminent.
One thing that we notice from verse 1 is that the Apocalypse was not given for every man.
"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:" (Apoc. 1:1).
The revelations and prophecies contained in this book are for God's servants - those who know and understand the plan and purpose of God, defined as the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. We can only come to a full understanding of the Apocalypse if we understand Yahweh's plan for the establishment of his kingdom and the plan of redemption set forth in the name of Jesus Christ. Without this foundation, we cannot understand the meaning of John's words.
John also records that this message was "signified." To signify something is to show it by signs. The use of signs and symbols is what makes the Apocalypse subject to false interpretation. Unfortunately, those who do not accept Yahweh's plan can take these same signs and turn them into something which they are not. Many interpretations of Revelation exist today which are completely opposed to God's plan.
As servants of Christ, we can take this book and use its signs and symbols to see Yahweh's plan unfolding before us. And what a wonderful plan it is, for it details Yahweh's hand in man's affairs in the past, at present, and in the very near future.
One thing that we notice from verse 1 is that the Apocalypse was not given for every man.
"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:" (Apoc. 1:1).
The revelations and prophecies contained in this book are for God's servants - those who know and understand the plan and purpose of God, defined as the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. We can only come to a full understanding of the Apocalypse if we understand Yahweh's plan for the establishment of his kingdom and the plan of redemption set forth in the name of Jesus Christ. Without this foundation, we cannot understand the meaning of John's words.
John also records that this message was "signified." To signify something is to show it by signs. The use of signs and symbols is what makes the Apocalypse subject to false interpretation. Unfortunately, those who do not accept Yahweh's plan can take these same signs and turn them into something which they are not. Many interpretations of Revelation exist today which are completely opposed to God's plan.
As servants of Christ, we can take this book and use its signs and symbols to see Yahweh's plan unfolding before us. And what a wonderful plan it is, for it details Yahweh's hand in man's affairs in the past, at present, and in the very near future.