Revelation
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Its truths are addressed to those living in the last days of this earth’s
history, as well as to those living in the days of John. Some of the
scenes depicted in this prophecy are in the past, some are now taking
place; some bring to view the close of the great conflict between the
powers of darkness and the Prince of heaven, and some reveal the
triumphs and joys of the redeemed in the earth made new.
Let none think, because they cannot explain the meaning of every
symbol in the Revelation, that it is useless for them to search this book
in an effort to know the meaning of the truth it contains. The One who
revealed these mysteries to John will give to the diligent searcher for
truth a foretaste of heavenly things. Those whose hearts are open to
the reception of truth will be enabled to understand its teachings, and
will be granted the blessing promised to those who “hear the words of
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this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.”
In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is
the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other
a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that
portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel
commanded, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the
book, even to the time of the end.”
Daniel 12:4
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It was Christ who bade the apostle record that which was to be
opened before him. “What thou seest, write in a book,” He com-
manded, “and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto
Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and
unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.” “I am He that
liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.... Write the
things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things
which shall be hereafter; the mystery of the seven stars which thou
sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven
stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks
which thou sawest are the seven churches.”
Revelation 1:11, 18-20
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The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the church in
different periods of the Christian Era. The number 7 indicates com-
pleteness, and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the
end of time, while the symbols used reveal the condition of the church
at different periods in the history of the world.
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Christ is spoken of as walking in the midst of the golden candle-
sticks. Thus is symbolized His relation to the churches. He is in