What the Book of Revela.on is All About

Transcription

1 What the Book of Revela.on is All About

2 Tes$monies to Ministers, (1890): There is need of a much closer study of the word of God; especially should Daniel and the Revela.on have alen.on as never before in the history of our work. We may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the papacy; but we should call alen.on to what the prophets and apostles have

3 wrilen under the inspira.on of the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit has so shaped malers, both in the giving of the prophecy and in the events portrayed, as to teach that the human agent is to be kept out of sight, hid in Christ, and that the Lord God of heaven and His law are to be exalted....

4 When the books of Daniel and Revela.on are beler understood, believers will have an en.rely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart.

5 One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revela.on that the connec.on between God and His people is close and decided.

6 Rev. 1:1 The Revela.on of Jesus Christ

7 Rev. 1:1 The Revela.on of Jesus Christ Greek ἀποκάλυψις ( apocalypse ) is made of ἀπο ( from, off ) + κάλυψις ( covering )

8 Rev. 1:1 The Revela.on of Jesus Christ Greek ἀποκάλυψις ( apocalypse ) is made of ἀπο ( from, off ) + κάλυψις ( covering ) APOCALYPSE thus means uncovering, unveiling, or revealing

9 The Revela.on of Jesus Christ : Subjec.ve geni.ve from Jesus Christ Objec.ve geni.ve about Jesus Christ

10 The Revela.on of Jesus Christ gives the.tle of the book.

11 The Revela.on of Jesus Christ provides the.tle of the book. The nega.ve meaning of the word Apocalypse today

12 The Revela.on of Jesus Christ provides the.tle of the book. The nega.ve meaning of the word Apocalypse today Where did such a nega.ve meaning of the word come from?

13 The Prologue thus specifies: The two dominant themes of the book of Revela4on

14 1 st dominant theme of Revela4on: Jesus Christ He is the Alpha and Omega of the book

15 1 st dominant theme of Revela4on: Jesus Christ He is the Alpha and Omega of the book The book of Revela.on is purposed to be the gospel of Jesus Christ

16 The book of Revela.on begins where the Four Gospels end. JESUS ON EARTH The gospels

17 The book of Revela.on begins where the Four Gospels end. CHRIST IN HEAVEN JESUS ON EARTH Revela.on The gospels Revela.on

18 Two promises that Jesus leq before his ascension to the heaven: a. I will be with you always un.l the very end of the ages MaL 28:20

19 Two promises that Jesus leq before his ascension to the heavenly places: a. I will be with you always un.l the very end of the ages MaL 28:20 b. I will come again John 14:3

20 Two New Testament books that describe Jesus fulfilling these promises: - Hebrews Jesus as our Priest (and King); cf. 8:1

21 Two New Testament books that describe Jesus fulfilling these promises: - Hebrews Jesus as our Priest (and King); cf. 8:1 - Revela.on Jesus as our King (and Priest)

22 Advance new principles, and crowd in the clear- cut truth.... But be not too ready to take a controversial autude. There will be.mes when we must stand s.ll and see the salva.on of God. Let Daniel speak, let the Revela.on speak, and tell what is truth. But whatever phase of the subject is presented, upliq Jesus as the center of all hope, the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright and morning Star (TM, 118).

23 2 nd dominant theme of Revela4on: The things which must soon take place

24 2 nd dominant theme of Revela4on: The things which must soon take place The primary purpose of the prophecies of Revela.on is not to inform us about the future but to draw us closer to Christ.

25 The purpose of the prophecies of Revela.on (illustra.on)

26 Christ in his wisdom knew that the full impact of his promise to be with his people during the final events would not be very effec.ve without unpacking them in the prophe.c word. Their graphic portrayal has the goal to impress upon us a seriousness of the final crisis and our dependency on God. Their taking place to God s people will be a reminder of Christ s promise to be with them to sustain them during those difficult.mes.

27 The primary purpose of the prophecies of Revela.on is not to inform us about the future and the final events but rather about the presence of Jesus Christ with his people during the future and the final events.

28 The primary purpose of the prophecies of Revela.on is not to inform us about the final events but rather about the presence of Jesus Christ with his people during the final events. Revela.on is not just about the future but about the God who holds the future.

29 The prophecies of the book of Revela.on are to tell us about what will happened at the.me of the end. Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets.

30 The fulfillment of the end-.me prophecies is not to be a subject of specula.ons and sensa.onalism, but rather for strengthening our faith into the prophe.c word.

31 Ellen White: We want not to move the people's passions to get up a s.r, where feelings are moved and principle does not control. I feel that we need to be guarded on every side, because Satan is at work to do his ulermost to insinuate his arts and devices that shall be a power to do harm. Anything that will make a s.r, create an excitement on a wrong basis, is to be dreaded, for the reac.on will surely come. (LeLer 34, 1887).

32 John 14:29 And now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it comes to pass, you may believe. John 16:4 But these things I have spoken to you, that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them.

33 However, not everything is revealed to us with regard to the things to happen at the.me of the ends.

34 However, not everything is revealed to us with regard to the things to happen at the.me of the ends. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.

35 All things with reference to the future that are profitable for salva.on and entry into the kingdom are revealed to God s people through the prophe.c word. Everything else goes beyond God s inten.on; humans are unable to penetrate the secrets that God has reserved for himself.

36 Revela.on obviously does not tell us two things with regard to the things to happen at the.me of the ends.

37 Revela.on obviously does not tell us two things with regard to the things to happen at the.me of the ends: 1. Revela.on does tell us when the final events will take place.

38 The lesson from Acts 1:3-8:

39 The lesson from Acts 1:3-8: The disciples wanted to know when the things will take place (cf. MaL 24:1-14): Acts 1:6 And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, Lord, is it at this.me You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?

40 The disciples wanted to know when the things will take place. Jesus told them: Acts 1:7-8 - "It is not for you to know.mes or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

41 Much.me spent in making detailed.me tables and detailed prophe.c charts should beler be used in analyzing the maps of the world the place or the street where we live for the purpose of reaching others for Christ and the Kingdom.

42 Ellen White - We are nearing the great day of God. The signs are fulfilling. And yet we have no message to tell us of the day and hour of Christ's appearing. The Lord has wisely concealed this from us that we may always be in a state of expectancy and prepara.on for the second appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds of heaven. (LeLer 28, 1897)

43 God has not revealed to us the.me when this message will close, or when proba.on will have an end. Those things that are revealed we shall accept for ourselves and for our children; but let us not seek to know that which has been kept secret in the councils of the Almighty. It is our duty to watch and work and wait, to labor every moment for the souls of men that are ready to perish. We are to keep walking

44 con.nually in the footsteps of Jesus, working in His lines, dispensing His giqs as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Satan will be ready to give to anyone who is not learning every day of Jesus, a special message of his own crea.ng, in order to make of no effect the wonderful truth for this.me. (Selected Messages, 1:191).

45 We are not to live upon.me excitement. We are not to be engrossed with specula.ons in regard to the.mes and the seasons which God has not revealed. Jesus has told His disciples to "watch," but not for a definite.me. His followers are to be in the posi.on of those who are listening for the orders of their Captain; they are to watch, wait, pray, and work, as they approach the.me for the coming of the

46 Lord; but no one will be able to predict just when that.me will come; for "of that day and hour knoweth no man." You will not be able to say that He will come in one, two, or five years, neither are you to put off His coming by sta.ng that it may not be for ten or twenty years. (Selected Messages, 1:189).

47 Again and again have I been warned in regard to.me seung. There will never again be a message for the people of God that will be based on.me. We are not to know the definite.me either for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or for the coming of Christ. (Selected Messages, 2:113)

48 Many who have called themselves Adven.sts have been.me selers. Time aqer.me has been set for Christ to come, but repeated failures have been the result. The definite.me of our Lord's coming is declared to be beyond the ken of mortals.... Because the.mes repeatedly set have passed, the world is in more decided state of unbelief that before in regard to the near advent of Christ. They look upon the

49 failures of the.me selers with disgust; and because men have been so deceived, they turn from the truth substan.ated by the word of God, that the end of all things is at hand.... Those who so presumptuously preach a definite.me, in so doing gra.fy the adversary of souls; for they are advancing infidelity rather than Chris.anity. (Test. for the Church, 4:307)

50 The more frequent a definite.me is set for the second advent, and the more widely it is taught, the beler it suits the purpose of Satan. (The Great Controversy, 451)

51 Mat. 24:36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. MaL. 24:42-44 "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what.me of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would

52 not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. MaL. 24:50 The master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know.

53 MaL. 25:13 Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. Luke 12:40 You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect. Rev. 16:15 Behold, I am coming like a thief.

54 1 Thess. 5:2-4 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, Peace and safety! then destruc.on will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief....

55 MaL. 24:36-44 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days which were before the flood they were ea.ng and drinking, they were marrying and giving in marriage, un.l the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand un.l the flood came and took

56 them all away; so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there shall be two men in the field; one will be taken, and one will be leq. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be leq. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

57 2 Peter 3:3-7 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following aqer their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all con.nues just as it was from the beginning of crea.on. For when they maintain this, it escapes their no.ce that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water

58 and by water, through which the world at that.me was destroyed, being flooded with water. But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruc.on of ungodly men.

59 Acts 1:7 It is not for you to know 4mes or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest parts of the earth.

60 MaShew 24 When will these things take place?

61 MaShew 24 When will these things take place? The answer: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone MaL 24:36 (cf. 24:42-44, 50; 25:13).

62 MaShew 24 When will these things take place? The answer: But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone MaL. 24:36 (cf. 24:42-44, 50; 25:13). This is what we are to know: MaL. 25

63 Revela.on seemingly does not tell us two things with regard to the things to happen at the.me of the ends: 2. Revela.on does tell us exactly how the final events will take place.

64 We are not now able to describe with accuracy the scenes to be enacted in our world in the future, but this we do know, that this is a.me when we must watch unto prayer, for the great day of the Lord is at hand. (Selected Messages, 2:35; 1901)

65 The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to this maler is yet understood nor will it be understood un.l the unrolling of the scroll. (Test. for the Church, 6:17; 1900)

66 Christ says that there will be those in the church who will present fables and supposi.ons, when God has given grand, eleva.ng, ennobling truths which should ever be kept in the treasure house of the mind. When men pick up this theory and that theory, when they are curious to know something it is not necessary for them to know, God is not leading them. It is not His plan that His people shall present something

67 which they have to suppose, which is not taught in the Word. It is not His will that they shall get into controversy over ques.ons which will not help them spiritually, such as, Who is to compose the hundred and forty- four thousand? This those who are the elect of God will in a short.me know without ques.on. (Selected Messages, 1:174; 1901)

68 Many will look away from present du.es, present comfort and blessings, and be borrowing trouble in regard to the future crisis. This will be making a.me of trouble beforehand, and we will receive no grace for any such an.cipated troubles. (Selected Messages, 3: ; 1884)

69 There is a.me of trouble coming to the people of God, but we are not to keep that constantly before the people and rein them up to have a.me of trouble beforehand. There is to be a shaking among God's people, but this is not the present truth to carry to the churches. (Selected Messages, 1:180; 1890)

70 The fulfillment of the end-.me prophecies is not to be a subject of specula.ons and sensa.onalism, but rather for strengthening our faith into the prophe.c word.

71 Advance new principles, and crowd in the clear- cut truth.... But be not too ready to take a controversial autude. There will be.mes when we must stand s.ll and see the salva.on of God. Let Daniel speak, let the Revela.on speak, and tell what is truth. But whatever phase of the subject is presented, upliq Jesus as the center of all hope, the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright and morning Star (TM, 118).

72 Tes$monies to Ministers, 114 (1890): One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revela.on that the connec.on between God and His people is close and decided.