Written by Aidan Thomas

Brethren Of Christ Articles - How to read the Bible

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Introduction to the Apocalypse and its secrets
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 Introduction to the secrets of the Apocalypse  

The word Revelation is a translation of the Greek word apocalypsus, which has the idea of uncovering.  And in its Biblical usage relates to an uncovering of the Truth.

Furthermore this last book in the Bible is a particular revelation of God’s work in the period from Christ’s message to the time of his return and beyond. 

Revelation 1:1-3

In verse 1 we learn that the revealing of things that were to be speedily accomplished, was given by God to Jesus Christ, for the benefit of his servants.

In  other words it was not written for everyone’s benefit, but for those who have heeded the gospel and in becoming related to Jesus Christ were his followers and servants.

He in turn communicated them to the Apostle John through his angel.

And this was done by the use of sign and symbol, i.e. signified.

This revelation which God gave to Jesus Christ was not known by him beforehand.  For Mark writes concerning this future “of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”  13:32

Having received this knowledge Jesus communicated it unto the ecclesias by his angel.  Rev 22:16.

The things revealed to Jesus began to be fulfilled speedily.  And John was told to “write the things which thou has seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.”  Rev 1:19. 

Not only is this revelation the last message from Christ and therefore something which we should treasure as much as the last letter received from someone who is no longer with us, but there is a great blessing to those who read, and follow its teachings.

“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.”  Rev 1: 3. 

The use of signs and symbols used throughout this book is not dissimilar from their use in other parts of the Bible. 

In the prophecy of Daniel particularly we have symbolic language used to identify nations and powers.  In the image that the king Nebuchadnezzar saw of the kingdom of men in its various phases, world powers are represented by metallic elements.  And in the vision of the kingdom of men that Daniel saw these powers are represented by various beasts, some of which we find in this last book in the Bible. 

The symbols that John saw were not literal but representative of something else.

And in this opening chapter we have an explanation given of some of those so used.  For example in 20 we are told that “the seven stars are the angels of the seven ecclesias and the seven lightstands which thou sawest are the seven ecclesias.” 

Now how are we to understand the periods covered by this revelation ? 

Some claim that they relate in the main to the period around AD 70 when the Roman powers wrought destruction upon the land and people of Israel.

This line of interpretation is known as “the Preterist” view of the Apocalypse.

The implication of this interpretation is that Christ’s servants were left with little or no foretelling of events during the past 1900 years. 

Furthermore this view can be dismissed if it can be shown, as I believe it can, that the Apocalypse was not given to John until around AD 96.  i.e. after AD 70. 

The evidence is that John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, where he received this revelation, (Rev 1:9) by the Emperor Domitian towards the end of his reign, which lasted from AD 80 to AD 96. 

Others claim more than 90% of the Apocalyptic events will occur at or around Christ’s second coming.  This line of interpretation is known as “the Futurist” view of the Apocalypse. 

Like the Preterist view this would mean that those events which concern the servants of Christ,  from the time of his ascension till his return would be unrevealed to them. 

The correct line of interpretation, which harmonises with historical facts and which accords with God’s declared will is what is called “the continuous historic.”

This relates the signs and symbols to various historic events over the past 1900 years, up to the present time and beyond.

And this understanding of the Apocalyptic events ensures that God’s promise to the prophet Amos is fulfilled, for he writes “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” 3:7. 

And one of the benefits of the Apocalyptic events was that the servants of Christ could see where they were, and are, in the Divine timetable. 

Having established the basis for understanding of the Apocalypse, we can begin to look at what it has to say concerning those events which it foretold.