The Content of the Book of Revelation
The function of communicating the content. "Who bare record" or who testified. John now takes what he has received by vision and voice and passes it on. This is his testimony.
The substance of communication, which is the content.
The message which was received from God. "The word of God." This is what is referred to above as what God gave, that is, the revelation. This may be either the written or spoken word. But it is what the Father authorized Christ to declare.
The message which was communicated. "The testimony of Jesus." It has been asserted that Christ testified, that is, he conveyed the word of God to the angel and through the angel to John. Christ is the faithful and true witness (Rev. 1:5).
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood."
The confirmation of the message so communicated. "And all things that he saw" A.V., "even of all things that he saw" or Greek, "whatsover he saw." This refers to what John saw. Thus John is qualified to testify, for he saw all these things. No better testimony can be found than that of an eyewitness.
The Value of the book of Revelation.Value may be determined by its destination, timeliness, and purpose
(cf. Deut. 5:1) as Moses addressed the children of Israel. "And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them."
The people to whom this book is addressed is made up of three classes. Destination.
1. The readers: the pastors who read the book before congregations. There were few books and therefore it made it necessary to read.
2. The hearers: the people who make up the congregations and hear the public reading of the book. This also includes heeding.
3. The keepers: both pastors and people who perform the things written therein. The word "keep" does not refer to mere mechanical performance, but to a principle pervading the personal life.
The propriety or timeliness of this book of Revelation. "For the time is at hand," or "For the suitable season is at hand." Importance.
Nearness is indicated by the words, "at hand." Greek - is near.
Imminency is indicated because the exact nearness is not specified. In fact, that time is not conveyed even to Christ (Acts 1:6-7, cf. Mark 13:32). Time of end is here (Dan. 12:4, 9).
6 "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" 7 "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." 32 "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." 4 "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." 9 "And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end."
Opportunity: the word for time means season that is suitable, or time charged with opportunity, i.e., for judgment (Rev. 10:9). If there is delay it is salvation (2 Peter 3:9, 15).
The confirmation of the message so communicated. "And all things that he saw" A.V., "even of all things that he saw" or Greek, "whatsover he saw." This refers to what John saw. Thus John is qualified to testify, for he saw all these things. No better testimony can be found than that of an eyewitness.
The Value of the book of Revelation.Value may be determined by its destination, timeliness, and purpose
(cf. Deut. 5:1) as Moses addressed the children of Israel. "And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them."
The people to whom this book is addressed is made up of three classes. Destination.
1. The readers: the pastors who read the book before congregations. There were few books and therefore it made it necessary to read.
2. The hearers: the people who make up the congregations and hear the public reading of the book. This also includes heeding.
3. The keepers: both pastors and people who perform the things written therein. The word "keep" does not refer to mere mechanical performance, but to a principle pervading the personal life.
The propriety or timeliness of this book of Revelation. "For the time is at hand," or "For the suitable season is at hand." Importance.
Nearness is indicated by the words, "at hand." Greek - is near.
Imminency is indicated because the exact nearness is not specified. In fact, that time is not conveyed even to Christ (Acts 1:6-7, cf. Mark 13:32). Time of end is here (Dan. 12:4, 9).
6 "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" 7 "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." 32 "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." 4 "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." 9 "And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end."
Opportunity: the word for time means season that is suitable, or time charged with opportunity, i.e., for judgment (Rev. 10:9). If there is delay it is salvation (2 Peter 3:9, 15).
9 "And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey." 9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 15 "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you."
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