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The Divine Method of Prophetic Revelation Revelation 1 —Scripture Daniel and Revelation commentary by Uriah Smith, chapter 1, page 339
In Revelation 1 we are first introduced to the Author —Jesus Christ; and the writer —John. In the first sentence we find the explanation and need for the book —THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST— “to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.” Sounding as a trumpet Jesus summons His church as the Alpha and Omega; the Beginning and the Ending; the First and the Last; the One which was, and is, and is to come; the Ever Existent Creator. He shows them their failings and short-sightedness, pleading that His people prepare to give a witness as a lamp in the darkness, the last witness to a dying world. Their witness is His witness —the “testimony of Jesus Christ.” Later in chapter 19:10 an angel explains that the “testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy.” Those living in the last days of earth’s history and who seek the guiding of the Holy Spirit to understand the prophecies of this book, will be guided to the safe borders of Heaven. The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a book of prophecy, and promise is sure, “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.” The Revelation was written hundreds of years ago for the vindication of God, the uplifting of Jesus, and the salvation of believers through the centuries of their historical fulfillment. But these prophecies apply with more force to the last generation, for they live in “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time.” (Dan 12:1). The testimony of Jesus is not given to tell us that things are going to be peaceful in these last days. Jesus voice is as the sound of rushing waters, swift to do their work of cleansing. His words will cut as a sharp double-edged sword through the deceptions of the false prophets in these last days! The book of Revelation is not a sealed book! It is a book of warning and it is from Jesus Himself! It is our salvation to know “The Revelation of Jesus Christ!” Further Study —Revelation 1 |