Let me introduce you to one of the greatest treasures God has given us in the Bible—the Book of Revelation.
You would naturally suppose that the last book in the Bible would be the easiest to understand. Even the title assures us that God wants us to understand it—"The Revelation of Jesus Christ." If God had intended the book to be hard to understand, would He not have given it a different title, such as "The Hiding," or 'The Obscuring of Jesus Christ"? It is a mistake to suppose that it is hard to understand, or without meaning. God will not mislead us!
One Sunday afternoon I was trying to read the Book of Revelation when our pastor called to visit us. "I can't understand this book," I pleaded. "Can you explain it to me?
"He put his hand on my head and smiled as he answered, "Do not try to read that book. It is sealed, and nobody can understand it! You should try to read something else.
"But his answer did not satisfy me, for I had already read as far as the third verse, which says: "Blessed is he who reads, and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it." I had learned for myself already that the book was not sealed. I determined that I would seek this promised "blessing."
I discovered that God has indeed revealed the Saviour in this book. He never fails to honor that promise of "blessing" to anyone who will prayerfully and diligently study this last book in the Bible.
Like a hot, tired traveller longing to plunge into the clear, cool waters of a river, you are now invited to plunge into the study of this intensely interesting Book written by the apostle John. You will be refreshed and delighted with the understanding you will gain. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)
"Here is wisdom," says the Book of Revelation (chapter 13, verse 18). What a precious gift! Millions of people are crying out for some sure word from God. What is coming on the earth? What can we do to prepare for the future? To understand is worth everything. Such wisdom is worth more than any material security.
You will soon discover that the Bible explains itself. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is of God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Corinthians 2:12, 13).
Don't be surprised if there are passages in Revelation that no one as yet fully understands. Even great musicians find new wonders in a Beethoven symphony. The Revelation is not merely a work of spiritual genius. It is divinely inspired, and thus will forever challenge our best understanding. But the Holy Spirit will make the reading of Revelation among the richest and happiest experiences of your life.
The Bible text that we use is the New King James Version. It is an excellent translation, and many scholars now believe that the original from which it is translated is the most accurate of Greek texts. But it also takes full advantage of modern textual knowledge.
This book is not intended to be like a supermarket where you may look up every little detail of information about Revelation. It is not intended so much to satisfy your appetite as to make you hungry, to activate in your soul a love affair with the Revelation of Jesus Christ that will never be satisfied until you meet Him face to face.
The Author