This is the Lord's instruction in behalf of him "that hath an ear" for "what the Spirit saith to the churches." Seven times is this admonition given in Chapters Two and Three concerning "the things that are" and at the close of the Revelation it is written concerning the whole, "I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches." (22:16.) The whole of Revelation is, therefore, for the churches and for the individual "that hath an ear" to 'hear it. Jesus hereby shows that He knew some would not have ears to hear this, His last message, and further that there would be opposition to letting others hear; hence, his admonition, "let him hear." Woe unto those who, in so many words say, "Don't let thorn hear," or who use their influence, to keep them from hearing.

      Many saw the miracles of Jesus, and yet saw not. Many heard His parables and yet heard not. "Blessed is he that readeth," says John, concerning this prophecy (1:3), but bear in mind that a mere calling of words is not reading. Understanding is also implied, for blessed are they who "keep the things that are written therein" (1:3), the doing of which necessitates understanding and encouragement toward which is found in the fact that this is a revelation--that is, something God has revealed; again in the fact that John is told not to seal it up; again in the fact that Paul teaches (since Revelation is Scripture) it "is profitable,"--not merely "profitable for something," we don't know what, as some seem to say, but profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, instruction. (II Tim. 3:16.)

      In need of instruction in geometry, I should not go to one who says he doesn't understand geometry or admits he hasn't studied geometry very much, nor to one who discourages my attempting the subject by telling me how he has known students [9] to fail in geometry. Of course, I would go only to one who professes to understand the subject The final test would be in whether or not he can make me understand it. This he cannot do if he doesn't know the subject himself. Again he will fail if I am not teachable.

      The real Teacher of Revelation, as of every other Scripture, is the Holy Spirit. Scripture is interpreted by Scripture and the things, of God are spiritually discerned. As long as a man says he will not see, God says he shall not. Men of God who understand His word can show us things overlooked by us because seeing, we so often see not, and reading, we read not, neither do we understand.

      So, of course, it I hear a man say Revelation can't be understood, I will not be very apt to choose him for my Bible Class teacher when we reach that portion of the Word. A real mathematician, however, doesn't profess to know all there is to know, and the man doesn't live who is able to exhaust any portion of God's holy word, whether it be the twelfth of Revelation or the twelfth of Romans.

      1. Where is the first mention of the 144,000? What was done for them there? Of what race are they? What purpose did their sealing serve them? See Ch.9:4. What is said of them here? What song are they able to catch up? Are other men able to learn it?

      2. What does John see next? What, is the subject-matter of the eternal good tidings?

      3. What announcement is made by the second angel?

      4. What by the third?

      5. What next is John told to write? What is the meaning of henceforth?

      6. What next does John see and what takes place? Do you think "the harvest of the earth" is the wheat or the tares? Do you think the vine of the earth the true vine or the false?

      7. What is pictured in Verse 20? [10]

      1. What does John see in beginning of Ch. 15? Note that in these "seven plagues which are the last"' is the finishing up of the "wrath of God." When the seventh one is reached (16:17) a voice says, "It is done." But it was said (10:7) that the mystery of God would be finished with the seventh trumpet. It seems to us quite clear that just as the seventh seal unfolded called forth the seven trumpets so the seventh trumpet embraces the seven bowls, and the reading matter intervening between 11:15 (where the sounding of the seventh trumpet is mentioned together with what is said and done in heaven at the time) and Ch. 16 we are given such matter as will prepare us to understand the necessity and purpose of the bowl judgments. In other words the seven bowls poured out are the earthward results of the seventh trumpet and the finishing processes by which the kingdom of the world is to become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ as the voices in heaven connect with the seventh trumpet in 11:15. Here is unmistakably where the little stone (Dan. 2:34-35) in its Herculean stroke smites the image on the feet, the last stage of the kingdom of this world, and breaks it in pieces until it is "like the chaff of the summer threshing floors and the wind carrieth them away so that no place was found for them."

      2. What does John next describe? What is the theme of the song?

      3. Note how preparations are being made and what a stir in heaven in getting all in readiness for this great finishing up act in the great drama.

      1. Study the part performed by each character. What does each do and what is affected by his deed?

      2. Make a comparison between the trumpet and the bowl judgments. Notice how the corresponding trumpet affected a part of which the bowl affects the whole.

      3. Note particularly what takes place between the sixth and seventh bowls. Here is the first use of the term "the false prophet." By what term has he been set forth in a previous chapter? Can you identify him by what John says in Ch. 19:20? Compare that verse with 13:14. [11]

      Here we have a key chapter which will unlock much that would otherwise be mysterious.

      1. What "sign" is John first shown in this chapter? Describe the picture.

      2. Contrast this woman with the one in Ch. 12. What is the significance of the name given this woman?

      3. The beast she rides is identified with one of the beasts of Ch. 13. Which one? What is to be the fate of this beast (17:8)? Is this the beast of Ch. 11:7?

      4. Note the marvel of the world at this beast. Why the marvel? See, also, Ch. 13:3. Note again how long he is to continue after the healing of his death stroke.

      5. What do the seven heads symbolize? See Verse 10. Are these seven kings successive or contemporary?

      6. What do the ten horns symbolize? Are they successive or contemporary? See Verse 12.

      7. What do the waters of Verse 1 symbolize? And the woman? What becomes of her? She meets her fate at whose hands?

      More, on this and also on some previous lessons next time.

["Studies in Revelation." Word and Work 8 (July 1915): 9-12.]

      The electronic version of Stanford Chambers' "Studies in Revelation" has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1915.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 9:      it "is profitable,-- [ it "is profitable,"--
            (II Tim. 3:15.) [ (II Tim. 3:16.)
 p. 10:     LESSON XXV. [ LESSON XXIII.
 p. 11:     LESSON XXVI. [ LESSON XXIV.
            as the vocies [ as the voices
            LESSON XXVII. [ LESSON XXV.
 p. 12:     LESSON XXVIII. [ LESSON XXVI.
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 15 February 2002.
Updated 28 June 2003.