The Apocalypse was given as a unique prophecy — written to and concerned with the Christian community. In the tradition of the Hebrew prophets, the Revelation would give support and guidance to the people of God. It is structured so that every generation of believers would gain hope and encouragement from it, but it would be of special benefit to those living in the last days. Believers are now able to look back over most of the period covered by the prophecy and see how it has described events leading up to the coming of the Kingdom of God.
During the first hundred years after Christ, the gospel was preached throughout the western world and the Gentile church was established. The stage was set for the long span of time to the Savior’s return. The rise and fall of political and ecclesiastical powers, the calling out of the true bride from the nations, the punishment of the harlot system and the tribulation of the faithful, and then, the final deliverance of the saints — these are among the topics covered in the visions revealed to John.
Letters to the ecclesias
It is very important to remember that the Revelation is addressed to the ecclesias. Its message would be to them, believers in Christ; its application would be to events in which they would be involved. The Apocalypse would be a history written in advance (the definition of prophecy) concerning the ecclesia and the world in which it would be fashioned for the kingdom. Because this is true, we reject both the preterits interpretation (all events prophesied to occur before the return of Christ were fulfilled before A.D. 70) and the futurist approach of interpreting the Revelation. Futurists believe that all events in the Revelation are to be fulfilled during a brief period of time yet future. Bro. F. Bilton, in Apocalypse and Gospels, uses the term presentist to describe the continuous historical method of interpretation. “The visions cover all the interval between the giving of Revelation and the return of Christ to establish the Kingdom of God.” We agree that this mode of interpretation best conforms to scriptural precedent.
This orientation is stressed as each of the seven ecclesias is addressed in chapters two and three. We are reminded that Jesus walks “in the midst of the light-stands,” that he is concerned with the spiritual welfare of his household, then and now. Included is a message to each individual member: “If any man will hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with him.” Each of the seven messages contains both warning and promise; the promises are to those who overcome the trials they endure.
Sad to say, the threat to remove the lightstands unless these churches would repent (turn back) was actually carried out; the spirit of God was withdrawn and apostasy set in. Dr. John Thomas stated that declension from the apostolic faith set in by the time of the fifth seal, since the Living Creatures are only present during the first four seals, “which means that the power of these heaven-sent letters had been lost within a couple of centuries” (Apocalypse and Gospels, p.13, ref. Eureka, Vol. II, p.210).
“Things which shall be hereafter”
The Revelation was given by Christ to reveal in symbol those “things which shall be hereafter.” It foretold the passing of paganism, the trials of God’s people throughout the centuries, the rise of the apostasy and finally, the gathering of all nations to “the battle of the great day of God Almighty.” The one hope for those who hold fast and who faithfully endure is the return of their absent Lord. God will send Jesus “whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, since the world began” (Acts 3:21).
Structure of the Apocalypse
Seven is the number of fulfillment, and the Revelation is a book of sevens. Seven series of visions are presented, each with an introductory scene in which we have glimpses of the glory finally to be revealed. As each succeeding order of events unfolds we are impressively reminded to keep the glorious end in view.
After the seven letters to the ecclesias, the seven seals are loosed to reveal their visions. These represent periods in history that would affect the saints in various ways — events that would also lead on to the millennial reign of peace.
The seventh seal contains seven trumpets which detail the development of the apostasy and God’s punishments of it. And within the seventh trumpet are revealed the seven vials. As these vials are poured out, they disclose the judgments of God on corrupters of His Truth.
“Thou art righteous, 0 Lord, Which art, and wast and shalt be, because Thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy” (Rev. 16).
In all these vials, there is clearly seen the element of judgment. Under the fourth vial, for instance, “men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, Which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give Him glory” (v. 9). The climax of these judgments comes under the sixth vial when men will be gathered “to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (v. 14). And finally, there are the last days of reckoning under the seventh vial, as the seven hunders are heard. Then “great Babylon” comes “in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath” (v. 19).
Babylon the Great
Revelation 16:19 and chapters 17-18 speak of Babylon and its eventual judgment. Babylon is represented by a harlot astride a scarlet-colored beast. She is seen to be drunk with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. We are told that the woman is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth (Rev. 17:18). Furthermore, the saints are called to come out of this city (Rev. 18:4), a command that indicates fellowship and communion with Babylon is forbidden. A strong clue is given so that there would be no doubt as to the identity of this city. “The seven heads (of the beast) are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth” (Rev. 17:9) and the city of Rome sits on seven mountains. In the days of John, pagan Rome was in power– during the fourth century Rome converted to Christianity.
Early believers understood this identification and they expected Babylon/ Rome to fall immediately before the return of Christ and the establishment of the millennium (Rev. 14:1,4,8;18:1-2,10; 19:1,6,9). Today Babylon is perpetuated in the Roman religious system headed by the Pontiff, a title appropriated from the ancient Roman high priest of the Pontifical College, Pontifex Maximus.
The Apocalypse reveals that spiritual Babylon will refuse to accept the Lord’s Christ when he returns. It will fight against him and will be destroyed. Properly identifying Babylon of the Apocalypse is critical to understanding the prophecy.
The crucible
Those holding fast to sound teaching through the centuries after the Revelation was given, would have great tribulation. They would pass through a crucible of persecution as they endeavored to live the truth. Certainly one purpose of the Revelation was to strengthen the hands of such believers. They would find solace in the repeated visions of the final exaltation of the saints.
“Thou has redeemed us to God by thy blood…and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:9-10).
Today’s ecumenism
We live in an ecumenical age where debate of church teachings is out of style. This has held true for some time. The Bible expositor, Farrar, in his Early Days of Christianity (p.430) denies that the Apocalypse is “a synopsis of anticipated church history.” He did not wish to “express the spirit of denunciation against the errors of a church which, whatever may be its faults, is still a Sister Church.” This attitude led Dr. Farrar to adopt the preterist view of the Revelation –it is easier to censure those who are long dead!
This spirit of ecumenism is sometimes expressed within our own community, and we believe it is misguided. That is not to say we should appear negative and critical in our approach to others; such an attitude is not helpful at all. But it is important for us to recognize the serious nature of apostasy and our own position in relation to it. In doctrine and in practice, we must “come out and be separate.”
Repeating old mistakes
We have found that the early apostasy developed certain characteristic attitudes toward the Revelation. Men began to question its value and meaning, even its authenticity. When they could not dismiss it, they developed fanciful and allegorical meanings for its content.
In effect, they wrote it out of the New Testament. We would make a great mistake if we followed their example. That is why concern is expressed when there are signs that we are losing touch with the Revelation and its message.
The Apocalypse today
“Pope urges European unity at historic continental synod.” This headlines an article released by the Los Angeles Times News Service on Nov. 28, 1991. Written by correspondent William Montalbano from Vatican City, the article begins: “Marking the fall of communism with an unprecedented assembly of bishops from both sides of long-divided Europe, Pope John Paul II urged Europeans to lay aside historic differences and seek unity in a re-Christianized continent…The 71-year-old Polish pontiff summoned history’s first pan-European synod to expound his long-standing dream of a continent united on Christian principles… European Jewish leaders expressed reservations.” We believe this news item is a significant point of interest in the ongoing fulfillment of the prophecy of the Apocalypse. Without question, a correct understanding of the Revelation will assist us in reading the signs of our times.
Themes from the Revelation
In the course of several articles, it will be our purpose to underscore the themes of the Apocalypse; it will not be our intention to provide an exposition of the book as we have several useful works in our literature on this subject. We hope to strengthen our understanding of this New Testament prophecy as we view themes and events from early Christian history. These will be correlated to the warnings and prophecies of the Revelation, God willing.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One