THE CHARACTER OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

The Character of the Book of Revelation

+ It is revelation, the Substance and the First word of the book

             1:1 "The Revelation of Jesus Christ"
             1:1 "Which God gave"
             1:9-10 - "For the word of God, and for the testimony"
                   "And heard . . . a great voice."
             22:10 - "Seal not the sayings of this book."

+ It is prediction. Viewpoint.

             1:1 - "Things which must shortly come to pass."
             1:19 - "Things which shall be hereafter."
        Cf. also 4:1 "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter."
             10:11 - "Thou must prophesy"
            cf. also 19:10; 22:6, 7, 10, 18, 19.

+ It is demonstration. Manner

             1:1 - "To show unto his servants";
           i.e. to display or make a public demonstration.
           Eight times the word is used: 4:1; 17:1; 21:9, 10;
                     22:1, 6, 8.

+ It is signification. The Means. Signs point.

             1:1 - "Signified it by his angel," by means of signs such
                 as stars, candlesticks, furniture of the temple.
             12:1 - "Great wonder" - the woman
             12:3 - "Wonder" - dragon
             15:1 - "Saw another sign"

+ It gives application. The Purpose.

             1:3 - "Blessed are they that read, hear, and keep."
             22:16-21. "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:" "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."