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place in their time, and said: “Whoso readeth, let him understand.”
Matthew 24:15
. And the assertion that the Revelation is a mystery, not
to be understood, is contradicted by the very title of the book: “The
Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto
His servants things which must shortly come to pass.... 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.”
Revelation 1:1-3
.
Says the prophet: “Blessed is he that readeth”—there are those
who will not read; the blessing is not for them. “And they that hear”—
there are some, also, who refuse to hear anything concerning the
prophecies; the blessing is not for this class. “And keep those things
which are written therein”—many refuse to heed the warnings and
instructions contained in the Revelation; none of these can claim the
blessing promised. All who ridicule the subjects of the prophecy and
mock at the symbols here solemnly given, all who refuse to reform
their lives and to prepare for the coming of the Son of man, will be
unblessed.
In view of the testimony of Inspiration, how dare men teach that
the Revelation is a mystery beyond the reach of human understanding?
It is a mystery revealed, a book opened. The study of the Revelation
directs the mind to the prophecies of Daniel, and both present most
important instruction, given of God to men, concerning events to take
place at the close of this world’s history.
To John were opened scenes of deep and thrilling interest in the
experience of the church. He saw the position, dangers, conflicts,
and final deliverance of the people of God. He records the closing
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messages which are to ripen the harvest of the earth, either as sheaves
for the heavenly garner or as fagots for the fires of destruction. Subjects
of vast importance were revealed to him, especially for the last church,
that those who should turn from error to truth might be instructed
concerning the perils and conflicts before them. None need be in
darkness in regard to what is coming upon the earth.
Why, then, this widespread ignorance concerning an important part
of Holy Writ? Why this general reluctance to investigate its teachings?
It is the result of a studied effort of the prince of darkness to conceal
from men that which reveals his deceptions. For this reason, Christ
the Revelator, foreseeing the warfare that would be waged against the