Having in these brief studies covered the text of the Revelation, we are now prepared to take a last comprehensive view of the book as a whole. In no book is it easier to be sidetracked by matters of detail. In the study of this book it is especially important to hold to the main road, and to let side issues and questions be, until we have a clear vision of the main thought and purpose. In our studies thus far there has been much omission of details, the discussion of which would have lengthened and encumbered our study to the confusion of the reader. We have sacrificed detail to lucidity. Let us now once more look back upon the book. Let us trace its main course and mark the side streams and interruptions.

      The simplest outline, plainly marked and dependable, is that which the Lord Himself gave in verse 19 of chapter one.

      First: "The things which you (John) have seen."

      Second: "The things which are."

      Third: "The things which will take place after these things."

      I. "The things which you have seen." could be none other than that vision of the Son of Man in Revelation 1, which John had just seen.

      II. "The things which are." These are the church conditions then present (and still present) portrayed in Revelation 2 and 3.

      III. "The things which will take place after these things" begins definitely at chapter 4:1; "After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things."

      Did those things that "must take place after these things" begin to take place immediately after John's vision, and have they been taking place all along and ever since? Those who so hold are of the school of the historical interpretation.

      Or do those things that "must take place after these things" belong to the future, to the time immediately preceding or connected with the Lord's return? Those who believe so hold the futurist interpretation.

      The historical interpreters claim that chapters 4 to 22 is a prophetic sketch of the history of the church, from John's day till the coming of the Lord.

      The futurist holds that Revelation 4 to 22 is a picture of the last times--the time of Christ's coming and the events just before, during and following it. The futurist interpretation does not necessarily and entirely exclude the historical, for there is always a present application, and there are in all prophecy many "springing and germinant fulfillments," so that history may indeed present many resemblances and counterparts of yet future, predicted events. Yet, in the main, it is safe to say that if the "historical interpretation" is right, the "futurist" is wrong; and vice versa.

      Against the historical interpretation there are a number of grave objections; chiefly, that after 1900 years no conclusive evidence of fulfillment can be shown. For though it may be granted that a resemblance here and there to some event of the past can be traced in the prophecy, the reputed "fulfillments" are in no case really conclusive and convincing, and are, for the most part, very dubious and fanciful. History has been pretty well ransacked, and we fear that sometimes the facts, sometimes the prophecy, have been trimmed to fit. Moreover, it makes the prophecy of this book practically worthless. "Of what use," asks the simple reader, "is a book to me which depicts in symbols too mysterious for a common man to comprehend, various and sundry events and happenings of the past, the mere tracing of which requires the ability of an able historian, and which, after they are traced out, are of only doubtful worth and validity?" If such be the character of prophecy what wonder if people turn from it in despair? Perhaps the present prejudice against the Revelation is in great part due to this commonly received historical "interpretation," its arbitrary devices (as, for example, the "year-day theory," according to which a day is supposed to stand for a year) and its far-fetched and fanciful "fulfillments" which no man can verify.

      The "futurist" interpretation, though not free from difficulty, has this in its favor, that it requires no trimming, or manipulation of the word of God. The futurist is not obliged to discover or to manufacture [52] resemblances between the prophecy and the course of past history. He can afford to let the text stand in its own fair meaning, regardless of whether it fits anything or not. To him the book speaks for itself, and that suffices. In the absence of convincing and manifest fulfillment in the past, this seems decisive in favor of the futurist interpretation.¹

      Accordingly, we see that the Key-text (1:7), "BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS," announces the great theme of the book. The vision of the Son of man in chapter 1 is introductory to this; and the messages to the seven churches, comprising about a tenth of the book, are all references to that sublime event.

      When at the beginning of the future section (4:1) we see the Lord Jesus take the seven-sealed book, it is the first step of His returning. Meanwhile, His judgments fall upon the world; and in 19:11 He comes in Person, accompanied by the saints, who had previously been caught up to Him, to overthrow the hosts of wickedness arrayed against Him: the Beast, the False Prophet, and the kings of the earth with their armies.

      The rapid survey shows that the book of Revelation is very orderly in its construction. System and method mark its composition throughout. After the Introductory Vision (chapter 1) and the Messages to the Seven Churches (chapters 2, 3) the third and chief part of the book, the "Things to Come," comprises three main parts again:

1. A Vision of Heaven (chapters 4, 5).
2. The Judgments: (the Seals; the Trumpets; the Bowls--chapters 6 to 16).
3. The Issue and Consummation (chapters 19 to 22).

      The "Vision of Heaven" of chapters 4 and 5 requires no further subdivision. But the three judgment series are as follows:

1. The Seven Seals (chapters 6 to 8:1), comprising all the judgments.
2. The Seven Trumpets (chapters 8:2 to 11:19).
3. The Seven Bowls of Wrath (chapters 15:1 to 16:21).

      This is the main trunk line, as it were, that runs through this book. But a number of parenthetical portions come in, which are supplementary or explanatory in their nature. These parenthetical portions are:

1. Between the 6th and 7th seal: a vision of two redeemed companies (chapter 7).
2. Between the 6th and 7th trumpet: a two-fold vision: the Angel with the little Book, and the Two Witnesses (chapters 10:1 to 11:13).
3. Between the Trumpets and the Bowls: the Great Parenthetic Visions of the Dragon, Woman, Child, Beast, Second Beast, and the series of brief visions in chapters 14 and 15:1-4 (chapters 12:1 to 15:4).
4. Between the 6th and 7th Bowl, a short parenthetic vision (chapter 16:13-16).
5. A Retrospect upon the Bowl-judgments: the Doom of Babylon, and Marriage of the Lamb (chapters 17 to 19:10).

      Finally, in the "Issue and Consummation," we find the following items:

1. The Appearing of the King (19:11-16).
2. The Battle of the Great Day (19:17-21).
3. The Thousand Years' Reign (20:1-6).
4. The New Order (21:1 to 22:5).

      The book concludes with an Epilog (22:10-21).

      "A book is valuable chiefly for its power to inspire," said a wise man of the world in regard to human writings. Apply that standard to the Book of Revelation. Is it a very inspiring book? To what does it inspire the Christian reader? [53]

      You have found some difficulties in the book. Now read it through once for what you can readily understand in it. Which portion is the larger--that which you can easily understand, or that which you cannot? You can get the lesson of a scripture even when you cannot understand it in its details and strict interpretation. See if you can get any lessons from the portions which in detail you can not understand. What is the sum and lesson of the whole book in your judgment?

      As suggested at the close of the first chapter, see what the Revelation teaches on the following great themes:

1. God.
2. The Person of Christ.
3. The Holy Spirit.
4. The Blood of Christ.
5. Redeemed Man.
6. Lost Man.
7. Angels.
8. Satan.
9. Judgment.
10. Destiny.
11. Israel.
12. Nations.
13. The Church.
14. Christ's Return from Heaven.

Mark:

1. the scene in heaven;
2. the things that are seen on the earth.

      And note carefully how all that transpires on earth emanates from heaven; but, in turn, all that is decreed and transacted in heaven is caused by something that takes place on the earth. And note the constant interaction between the things seen and the things unseen, throughout the whole drama.

      Last, but not least, the value of the book lies in its revelation of principles and tendencies which are present and active in the world today, showing us their final outcome and issue. As Paul declares that "the secret power of lawlessness is already at work," biding its time until it shall come to its full flower and head--so the mystery of the kingdom is also working, awaiting its hour of maturity and manifestation. None of the great issues set out in this book are arbitrary and unrelated to the times and circumstances that went before them. Back of every great event and crisis you will find a process and development leading up to it; and back of every development some sort of beginning. If a joyful harvest is reaped, be sure there must have been a previous sowing in tears, and toiling in sorrow and conflict. If a judgment falls be sure the cause of it was planted and nursed in sin. The causes of the great events portrayed in the Revelation are working here and now.

      We do not recognize a plant readily in its early stage, nor can we discern the nature and full meaning of a principle till we have seen its ultimate issue and fruition. We can judge the significance of Christ's humble ministry and cross better when we see the tremendous worldwide effect. We understand the importance of the Christian's battle and victory much better when we see the result "to him who overcomes." The Dragon is with us, but under his manifold guise we do not perceive his fiendishness, his terrible power, his awful downward course to ruin, until it is unveiled in this Apocalypse. The Beast is here in spirit and principle, ever working and striving to emerge from under the surface of human affairs--a potency that must (and sooner or later will) express itself in some fit man and organization. The inward leaven of lust, and greed of gold and power; the forces of worldliness and idolatry, of unbelief and rebellion against God, of pride and selfishness--these all tend to embody themselves in men, find expression in events, and are destined to head up in a person and supreme issue at last. And the true meaning of sin is seen at last in the lake of fire, as salvation will at last be manifested in the New Jerusalem. [54]

      Thus in the Revelation we have the picture of the end and outcome of things, that we may be able to judge things that now are and the principles and leadings to which we commit ourselves.

      Finally, I would suggest to the student some

1. That from Chapter 4:1 future things are in view.
2. That from Chapter 4:1 on, the church is never mentioned again till the epilog. Though the term "church" or "churches," is found nineteen times in the first three chapters, it does not occur again after that till the end of the book, at 22:16. The church drops out of view, and reappears only in chapter 19 as the Bride, the Lamb's wife.
3. That the heavenly scene in chapters 4 and 5 is future from John's time (see 4:1). The Lamb had not yet taken the seven-sealed book out of the right hand of Him that sat upon the Throne when John wrote. Clearly, that act marks a tremendous crisis in the program of God. That step had not yet been taken when John wrote. Can we know that it has been taken at any time since?
4. That the "new song" of 5:9, 10 views the work of purchasing unto God with His own blood men out of every nation as finished. The selection is seen as completed; the full number of the chosen ones seen as constituting the kingdom of priests unto God, and as reigning on the earth. This, then, prophetically foreviews the time when God shall have done visiting "the Gentiles" (the nations) to take out of them a people for His name. (Acts 15:14.) The church is an election, a people called out.
5. That while the Seals present a general view of the whole judgment work, the Trumpets and Bowls follow one another consecutively, in chronological order. The seventh Trumpet releases the seven Bowls. The Trumpets affect only a third of things; but the Bowls have unlimited scope, and clean up what the Trumpets have left undone.
6. That all these judgments are under the perfect control of the "Lamb," they are ordered, and directed by Him. Therefore all is in justice, wisdom, and love.
7. That, in the parenthetical vision of chapter 7, there are two redeemed companies seen: one, a numbered company of Israel, being sealed before the breaking loose of some terrific trouble, that they might be preserved through it; the other, an unnumbered and innumerable company out of all nations, seen as having come victoriously out of some special terrific trouble--namely, the "Great Tribulation."
8. That the "mystery of God" is finished at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, not before. When the seventh trumpet sounds, the announcement is made that the government of the earth has passed out of the hands of the Beast into the hands "of our Lord and of His Christ," who shall henceforth reign for ever and ever (10:5-7; 11:15).
9. That up to that time, though He long had had the power, the Lord had not "taken" and asserted it in actual government. (11:17, 18.)
10. That the woman of chapter 12 is Israel.
11. That the man-child of chapter 12:5 is none other than the Christ--yet not the individual Christ alone, but His body, the church, also, seen as connected with Him; whose is the prerogative to rule the nations with a rod of iron. (2:26, 27.)
12. That Israel's greatest trouble comes when Satan is cast down to earth, and in his great wrath will persecute the "woman," Israel. That is, "And it is the time of Jacob's distress, But he will be saved from it." (Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 12:1.)
13. That the Beast of Revelation 13 is identical with the fourth beast of Daniel 7, the fourth world-power, but in its final manifestation. This beast, like a sinking stream, which disappears and reappears in its course, "was, and is not, and is about to come" (17:8). The "Beast" is not only the kingdom, the world-power, but he is also an individual man, the king and representative head of the last world power. (Daniel 7:17.)
14. That the second "beast" (Revelation 13:11) works only to glorify the first, the great "beast," and to procure divine worship for him. The first beast is readily identified with the "man of sin" of 2 Thessalonians 2.
15. That at "Har-Magedon" (the Mountain of Megiddo) the Beast and the kings of the earth will muster for "the battle of the great Day," and the Lord Jesus Christ descending out of heaven (with His saints) will meet and destroy this hostile force by judgment. (16:13-16; 19:11-21.) This is the [55] accomplishment of that which is announced in 11:15--"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ."
16. That "Mystery Babylon the Great" is the corruption and counterfeit of the true Bride (2 Corinthians 11:2); a harlot and adulteress, who, for the sake of power, prestige, and money entered into union with the world and its kingdoms (compare James 4:4).
17. That the true church, seen as already up in heaven, is there wedded to her Lord. She is to be identified with the company "called, chosen and faithful," that comes forth following Him on white horses (19:14; 17:14).
18. That she--the church--occupies the thrones in 20:4; and that those who were beheaded and refused to worship the Beast and his image, share the same privilege, and are all reckoned in with the "first resurrection" (20:4-6).
19. That Satan's career is down and down (barring the short temporary release at the close of the 1000 years) until he reaches the fiery lake of burning sulphur, from where no one ever returns (12:9; 20:1-3, 10).
20. That the last enemy, death, being destroyed, the Lord Jesus Christ will turn the Kingdom over to the Father, but will, under His suzerainty, continue to reign with His saints for ever and ever (1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Revelation 22:5).
21. That the book of Revelation focuses in two goals, a nearer and a further. The nearer is Christ's taking possession of the earth, to exercise rule and government, as announced in 11:15. ("The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ"). Chapter 19:11 to 20:6 sees this carried into effect. The second goal is the eternal, perfect condition described in chapters 21 and 22.
22. That in the New Heaven, the New Earth, and the New Jerusalem every promise to the redeemed of every age and dispensation finds its final accomplishment and consummation.

[TR4R 52-56]