The Revelation Revealed
There is much interest today in prophecy (21st century) because we have reached a millennial milestone along that old pathway we all travel known as human history.
The book of Revelation is being previewed with an increasing ferocity and intensity, spurred along by the ever quickening pace of events surrounding God's chosen nation, Israel; and also by a distinct spiritual tone of anxiousness deep within the souls of many Christians all around the world, who can sense climactic ramifications from current everyday news events.
Included within all this intensified interest in Bible prophecy, there is, as there has always been amongst enthusiasts of the field of Eschatology, an element of of misinformation. The study of prophetical events is a subject, that by its very nature invites skepticism to its credibility when abused by eccentric, over zealous prognosticators. Also there is always an element of a scoffing mindset which usually belittles the study of serious prophecy at all.
Eschatology; is the field of study which pertains to the science of historical and theological study of last events. It has probably seen more abuse than any of the varied fields of study among Bible purveyors.
This unfortunate situation is of course the product of the great deceiver himself. Satan probably knows detailed prophecy better than any human being alive. The devil has had centuries of experience in utilizing prophecy as a playground to distort the simple intent of Bible prophets to expose the truth to humanity in advance of fulfilled history and judgement.
Biblical Prophecy is a self-authenticating science. It is precise, it is error free, it is God given. It comes to us from an informer that is beyond our concepts of time and dimension. He is Alpha and Omega!
He personally pierced the planes of dimension and infused himself into our humanity 2000 years ago. He is constantly available, and never very far away, even though our perceived distance into his Heavens is so vast that it has yet to be fathomed.
He was here in the beginning, and knows the end! He utilized the prophets to transmit his knowledge about mankind’s past, present, and future from points in his transcendent perspective.
John 1:1 informs; In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
This Word that was God became manifest into a human body at a fixed, or arranged point in earth's linear timeframe. We know him as Jesus! He inserted himself from outside the created cosmos, for in the book of Colossians 3:16-17, it says that everything was created by him, and that he existed before all things, and He maintains its total continued existence.
Revelation means; a manifestation of Divine Truth or the dramatic disclosure of something not previously known or realized.
Whereas the Old Testament bears a record forward toward the first advent of Jesus, and the history line of the national vehicle (Israel) that he chose to enable his manifestation; the New Testament delineates the providence of his second advent.
Just imagine; a visit of a supernatural being from beyond space and time. This is a subject which most people commonly think is possible from outer space visits from extraterrestrial civilizations. But when this subject is connected to an appearance by the Son of God, people think it is absurd!
Again, the devil has prepared the playground well for his tactical delusionary purposes!
Most skeptics will say that this business about the return of Jesus is old, old stuff, and that there isn't any reason to preoccupy oneself with any notions of his return. This attitude was spelled out as foolish by Peter 2000 years ago, and is exponentially even more foolish by today's generations.
II Peter 3:3-4 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the "Last Days" scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?
Knowing what first, you may ask:
Well in the previous verse, it indicates that we are to be mindful of the information that was transmitted to the holy prophets of old, lest we become ignorant of prophecies pertaining to imminent events; even like generations in the past. Those past generations chose to be ignorant of prophetical implications. Why would anyone choose to be ignorant? Again, the devil makes prophecy seem like fanciful fable in order to obstruct the truth about his demise.
It should be pointed out that Satan has his very own prophecy field, and his own prophets. Any false prophetical interpretation only serves Satan's designs. Beyond that, he has for centuries utilized the arts of soothsaying, astrology, channeling, clairvoyance, and a host of other realms of the supernatural world as a means to divert people from the practical prophetic words of truth contained only in the Bible. Prophecy from any other source is of the demonic nature.
Prophecy is the Divinely inspired transmittance of messages from a source beyond human capacity.
Soothsaying is the art or practice of foretelling an event by receiving signals from beyond the 5 human senses.
Lucifer, who has existed from the inception of the Creative process, and has 1/3 of all the created angelic beings at his disposal, is capable of channeling signals into our minds that seem to be futuristic. After all he knows where Heaven is. He has been there!
In this era however, God has no need of prophets; He has already spoken his final word about prophecy. Satan, on the other hand spews out his garbled leaks of enticing poison incessantly.
God utilized Divinely inspired righteous Godly men to convey his message of prophecy, as he did with all his word to mankind; but God does not simply keep sending messages that has already been transmitted.
II Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Again; knowing what first:
Verse 19 indicates that we have a "sure" word of prophecy. Ah; oh how I love that statement! We have a "sure prophecy transmittance" from God!
Please note, this sure prophetic transmittance came to us in "Old Times" by prophets of God. In today’s time the transmittance of the sure word of prophecy has been completed.
God has no need of prophets today. I am often amused when I hear someone today purporting to be a last days prophet of God. Either they are sadly mistaken about what a prophet is, or God is confused.
This is a key point to remember as one ponders the study of the Book of The Revelation.
Listen carefully to the opening statement from the book of Hebrews:
God, who at sundry (different) times and in diverse manners (various) spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
This is how he transmitted his word and his prophecy to us in "time past". The time past was of course prior to the writing of the The Revelation. How does he transmit his word to us today?
Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these "Last Days" spoken unto us by his "SON": Jesus himself confirms that the last days has begun in the opening lines of the book of the Revelation. This is a fundamental point in understanding the revealed prophecies contained within John's revealing writings within the book of "The Revelation". Jesus was the Revelator and the Last prophet. John was merely the author.
Notice that I used the words, "The Revelation", and not the plural word "Revelations". A quick turn in your Bible to the last book will exhibit that the correct phrasing is singular. It is a revelation, not a broken series of revelations.
The Revelation was penned by John in about the year 95AD; some 63 years after Jesus had died and been absent from the world scene. John was a close associate of Jesus, and close in age also. While all of Jesus' other disciples had met an early and horrible death, John lived to be a very old man. It is as if he were supernaturally preserved unto a ripe old age for the express purpose of recording The
Emperor Domitian of Rome had John exiled to the rocky crag of an island called Patmos for fear of an uproar about John's preaching about Jesus. Rome had attempted to exterminate John by numerous hideous means, but everytime, John miraculously survived. At one point John was dipped into a boiling pit of tar, but he again survived and commenced preaching yet again about Jesus. This stubborness of John led Rome to banish John to the remote barren quarries of the 60 square mile island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea, some 50 miles off the southwest coast of Turkey. It was hoped that John, if not actually killed, would at least be out of visibility in the empire, and never again be heard by society. He would therefore be silenced by mere isolation.
Little did Rome figure that this would fit perfectly into God's scheme for exposing the world to his last installment of Prophecy contained within "The Revelation".
In essence then, Jesus, "The Word" which was with God in the beginning, and was likewise the creator of all things, was foreordained before the foundation of this world to become manifest in a fleshly body like that of the first Adam.
Hebrews 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
It was this mysterious foreordained revelation about the second Adam which ignited a prideful jealousy in Lucifer!
Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the Revelation of the Mystery, which was kept a secret since the world began,
But now is made "manifest", and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
It may be correctly asserted that God had to send His Word into the created human species to enact a foreordained plan to express his Love!
Listen to I Peter 1:19-20:
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who was verily foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was "manifest", in these last times for you:
How do you top the action of loving someone before you even make them, or know ever them; and then even to express that love by pre-arranging an epic demonstration of your love?
The Revelation of last events could not be revealed until the foreordained expression of Love had been completed! It was completed of course at Calvary! Only then could the Revelation be revealed.
Let me state this emphatically: The book written by John could not have been revealed by God prior to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Until that act of Love had been accomplished, and become an actual fact of earth's linear history, the Revelation begun in the Old Testament could not be finished.
If Jesus had succumbed to the temptation to come down off the cross, we not only would not have any means of salvation, but also the sealed book with all the prophetical material containing previously hidden mysteries from the foundation of the world and concerning all post first century prophecy would have remained forever sealed, and also become null and invalid.
Jesus was completely victorious!
Before I go much farther in this article, I think it is a good idea at this point to define the word that has been used several times so far for the revealing of the mystery of God.
Manifest: means to show or demonstrate something plainly and publicly, an unveiling. Manifestation: means to demonstrate the existence, or the reality, or presence of something. The means by which something is revealed. (for example) John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of Grace and Truth.
Manifestant: refers to the active participant in such a public demonstration of revelation.
Jesus became an open and public revelation of the hidden wisdom of God, a mystery foreordained before the foundation of the world (I Cor. 2:7), and has so made known unto us the mystery of his will, which is his good pleasure and purpose (Ephes. 1:9) and so today has by the method of revelation made known unto us the mystery of all things which in prior ages was not known (Ephes. 3:3-5)
It is on that basis that we today can review what John recorded for our benefit in The Revelation. I am so thankful that I have the distinct and precious opportunity to have access to "The Revelation".
This is a honor and privilidge that the Old Testament prophet Daniel did not have. Daniel grieved over his incapacity to see The Revelation!
Lets go to the Revelation!
Revelation 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:
This is a powerful and expository verse. It carries within it valuable information and explanations.
Let me start by quoting that often used phrase we all hear from many quarters today paraphrasing that very familiar verse contained in Matthew 24:36, and also in Mark 13:32;
"Nobody knows the day or the hour when Jesus is coming back, because Jesus said himself that even he don't know when he is returning, only God knows."
Now, obviously, when Jesus says anything, careful attention should be paid to it; and indeed the clear statement of Jesus in these verses seems to indicate precisely that Jesus does not know the day of his return. But I shall proceed to prove to you that he indeed does know!
First of all though, let me point out that this idea that Jesus doesn't know is used by its proponets to suggest that prophecy in general is a hopeless effort, because if Jesus don't know when he is coming, then how should anyone else be expected to know anything about it.
I have sat and heard many teachers and preachers teach that since Jesus himself doesn't know when he is coming, then we shouldn't concern ourselves with the subject of his second coming. That teaching irks me to the very pit of my soul. I know it is common teaching, but I recognize it as subtle twist of New Testament doctrine that was hatched in Hell! The Devil wants the subject of the second coming of Jesus to be silenced.
Remember please, that the Devil knows prophecy as well as anyone, but it is his agenda to prevaricate true Bible prophecy whenever possible; and a top priority target for him is "The Revelation"!
Okay, with that as a background; lets put on our thinking caps and start digging.
Jesus response in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 to the questions about his return were enunciated by him while he was "manifest" in a flesh and blood body; with all the constraints of earthbound creatures. His statement was true, because at that point in linear history in which he responded, which came in the approximate year 32AD, just prior to his ascension back into heaven. Jesus did not lie, he really did not know when he was asked by his disciples about his second coming. His Father only knew, as was foreordained knowledge before Jesus ever became the "manifestation" of The Revelation of God.
Now, lets travel back in earth's linear time some 700 years back to the days of Zechariah. Old Testament prophet Zecahriah prophesied concerning, "the time of the end", when the Lord would come back to the earth and descend down to the Mount of Olives, when all the vast armies of the world shall be gathered against Jerusalem, an era known as the "Day of the Lord".
Now note carefully in verse seven of chapter 14:
Zechariah 14:7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord;
The indication here is that either the Lord knew this about this epic day in Zechariah's day, 700 years before Jesus became the manifestation of God; or else it would become made known to him after he had completed the revealing manifestation of himself in flesh.
Now, lets travel back forward to Jesus lifetime. How can it be that Jesus forgot something that Zechariah clearly shows would be specifically known by the Lord?
Good question, isn't it; and rightly asked too. Can this be a contradiction in the Bible? Well, not if the Bible is the inerrant inspired Word of God!
Then, there must be an explanation, surely.
Then again in Acts chapter one, the disciples come again asking Jesus if the kingdom was at hand. Yet again, Jesus responds in a fashion that would seem clearly to suggest that this subject simply wasn't relevant.
Let me interject this point. On each occasion that his disciples inquired of him about future events, Jesus was still "manifest" in bodily form. As long as Jesus remained flesh, he could not assume omnipresence.
But in verses 10-11 of Acts chapter one, we are shown the grand view of Jesus going UP; back into Heaven, and away from his earthly limitations.
I am so glad he went up. All Christians shall also experience this going up one day.
Jesus informed his disciples that the things about those times and seasons were irrelevant for them, because Jesus knew that they would all die before the season of the last things ever approached. It was not for them to know, just as it had been unavailable for ole Daniel.
But that was about to CHANGE! And it would change forever for every future Christian.
Upon leaving this world in the year 32AD, Jesus took up a new position at the right hand of his Father, where he has ever since been interceding on our behalf.
Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered "One" sacrifice for sins "Forever", sat down on the right hand of God: (Hebrews 8:1; 1:3)
That is where Jesus is now, and where he also was when John was finally granted The Revelation in 95AD, only 63 years after Jesus earthly life.
But, just for a minute, lets go back to Jesus final hours on this earth and listen to a conversation that he had with the disciples about his impending departure.
In John 16 verse 4; Jesus says that “these things I have not told you because I was still with you,” but now I am going away. In verse 7 he indicates that it is "expedient" for us that he go away!
Expedient: means that it is necessary, or appropriate to achieve a desired purpose.
This expedient purpose was to make it possible for the Holy Spirit to function omnipresently within each and every single believer; whereas Jesus, while he was manifest in the flesh could not effect that capability.
So then, Jesus departure was good for us in that the Spirit would indwell us thereafter, but there also is another reason that his leaving benefitted us.
Read carefully John 16:12:
I have "yet" many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now,
Imagine, Jesus has just announced that he is leaving this world, and yet he says he has much more to tell us. I would have had to have asked, "When are you going to tell us all these things"? I mean, how in the world would he be able to tell us anything after his death?
Jesus responds in verse 13, that after he leaves the Holy Spirit shall guide us into all the remaining information that he couldn't divulge at that time to the disciples.
This begs the obvious question, When did Jesus let all these things be made known? The New Testament was information divulged by the Holy Spirit through each of the disciples and apostles, each of which died prematurely. But none of their expositions were revelations from Jesus himself.
And none of these Gospels were the Revelation of Daniel's sealed shut book, a book that God specified directly would be opened up at the "time of the end". (See Daniel 12:4,9)
And he said, Go thy way Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
There was still information to be revealed, or unsealed, and that information could only be divulged by "One Worthy"!
Lets now re-read Revelation 1:1
Revelation 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:
Here, it is plainly stated that "The Revelation" is the revelation of; "Jesus Christ"!
Here then is the rest of all those things that Jesus told his disciples that he could not reveal to them sixty three years earlier. The "many more things" that he had to share were now ready to be shared.
Reading Revelation 1:1 expresses distinctly that the entire book of "The Revelation" had been heretofore cloaked in veiled mystery. There now was no further need for it to be mystifying.
The word "Revelation", in the Greek text utilized is the word "Apocalypse". Apocalypse means simply to "unveil" or to reveal something previously veiled.
Thus, "The Revelation" is the unveiling of Jesus' transcendent perspective of His imminent return!
Now, for those who steadfastly assert that the one and only revealer "Jesus" doesn't know the time of his own return, lets read again Rev. 1:1:
Revelation 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:
The Revelation of Jesus Christ was "given", to him by whom?
Ah, yes; His Father "gave" it to him. What Jesus did not have availed to him back in his manifest earthly lifetime was now granted to him by his Father!
"HALLELUJAH! I am so glad that the Father does not keep secrets from his own Son. Jesus and his Father are of course, one and the same; far be it from them to keep secrets from themselves. That wouldn’t make any sense now would it?
What did Jesus do with "The Revelation"?
As indicated in verse one; he sent and signified it by his angel unto His servant, "John". Hence in historical fact John was providentially protected to live long enough to record what we now know as "The Revelation".
And what did John do then with all this revelation?
He wrote it all down, baring a written record of the Word of God, and the "manifest testimony" of Jesus Christ, so that "we" today could read and be blessed by it.
"We, the servants now have it". Hallelujah again!
What was the purpose of this revelation? The intent of the Revelation was to reveal unto Jesus Christ’s servants all the things which would "shortly" come to pass.
Verse three of the Revelation announced that from that point onward, that the "time of the end" had indeed at long last commenced. The Church has been the final testament to the world of the "manifestation" of Jesus Christ. Jesus himself has provided the Church with a glimpse of his return, his victory, and his reign; and accordingly has opened the sealed book of last events.
Daniel, who had yearned to know the secrets concerning his visions of the world empires that he was granted the opportunity to prophesy about, simply because of his time slot in life during the 6th century before Christ; could not comprehend the long running course of history. It was futile for him to be able to comprehend, but it is not futile for Christians today!
Daniel 12:4 But, thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end;
Daniel had to continue on his way, live out his life in his era, but always contemplating in the back of his mind about the things which he had been shown, but never being able to grasp it.
But once again notice; these things were destined to be opened at "the time of the end"!
Now, lets go forward once again into The Revelation. In chapter 5 of the book of the Revelation, we catch a majestic glimpse of a scene in Heaven. Seated there upon a throne and posessing in his right hand a book; is God almighty!
But Revelation 5:5 ends the sadness and the mystery, for John is informed that there is no need to weep; because the Lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed to open up the book! In verse 8, Jesus walks up to God, his Father, who is seated on the throne and he takes the book from out of his Father's right hand! He opens the book! He, oh and He alone could "REVEAL" the contents.
That is The Revelation! Jesus is the Revelator!
Oh, how I marvel at that old analogy of the Bride yearning for the return of the Bridegroom. Jesus has gone back to his Father, and has prepared a place for his Bride. The Father has already given his seal of approval. Jesus is even now embarking forth from the portals of Heaven to steal away his Bride. He has sent her letters ( 7 churches ) spelling out every thing to expect in the meantime.
Folks; Jesus is not waiting for his Father's signal to come back. He already has his Father's approval! He only tarries while the Bride is being completed!
The Revelation is an unveiling, a disclosure, of the panorama of the glory of Jesus. He was observed in the Gospels as a sacrificial Lamb, the atoning price for fallen mankind. He was meek, lowly, humble, ever patient and loving; he suffered pain, humiliation, and death.
Via The Revelation, we have the gospel of Christ's enthronement in glory, his association with the father upon the throne of universal dominion, his overruling providence among the nations, and of his coming again; in power and great glory!
Let us join with the angels and the elders in song to the only one that is Worthy to open the book and look thereupon, and to convey "The Revelation"!
Jesus is coming back, not as a lamb being led to the slaughter; but as a conquering King; the King of all Kings!
The reason that Satan schemes to dilute the grand and majestic book of The Revelation, is because the open book reveals Satan's ultimate destiny. Lucifer is destined to be cast into the lake of fire where he will endure eternal torment. Satan would like nothing better than to deceive humanity into discounting or ignoring the revealed providence of Jesus worthy right to reign.
Lastly, look at the command of Jesus to John in Revelation 22:10
And he saith unto me, "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book"; for the time is at hand:
The Revelation is open, it is forever "unsealed". No man can shut it. Though Satan tries to change it, and tries to distort it, it is forever settled!
And, it was all foreordained, before the earth began because God so loved; and he so loved that he made his Son "manifest", to expedite his Love.
And he has revealed all things that shall ever be!
by: Darrell G. Young
Focus on Jerusalem Prophecy Ministry
Reprinted from 2000
