Introduction Part 3
God wants us to understand the Book of Revelation. The name of the book suggests this. The purpose of Scripture supports this.
Also, the Book of Revelation itself tells us that this is the case. In Revelation 22:10, we read, "And he said to me, 'Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.' " (King James Version)
The idea of sealing up a prophecy is not that the words of the prophecy itself would be kept hidden, but that the meaning of the prophecy would be hidden. This verse teaches us that the meaning of the prophecy of Revelation is open for us to study and understand. Of course, we will not fully understand it until the events occur. But we can understand the basic ideas and teachings and have a general idea of what the future holds.
In contrast to this, Daniel was told to seal up his prophecy. "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." (Daniel 12:4, King James Version)
Daniel's prophecies were sealed. There meaning was hidden to those of his time. He did not hid the words themselves. They were freely distributed among the Hebrew people. Only the people of Daniel's time could not understand them. However, I believe that we are now in the "time of the end." The prophecies of Daniel are no longer sealed. As we study Revelation, we will relate many of the events predicted in Revelation to prophecies in the book of Daniel.
We should not consider the Book of Revelation a mystery or a difficult book to understand. There are some parts that are difficult, but the majority of Revelation is not.
I knew a man who had taught Sunday School for many years. I asked him once about the meaning of a passage in Revelation. He replied, "We do not understand Revelation. So we do not study it." That is sad. The Book of Revelation is exciting and motivating. It is a shame to ignore what it has to teach us.
Also, the Book of Revelation itself tells us that this is the case. In Revelation 22:10, we read, "And he said to me, 'Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.' " (King James Version)
The idea of sealing up a prophecy is not that the words of the prophecy itself would be kept hidden, but that the meaning of the prophecy would be hidden. This verse teaches us that the meaning of the prophecy of Revelation is open for us to study and understand. Of course, we will not fully understand it until the events occur. But we can understand the basic ideas and teachings and have a general idea of what the future holds.
In contrast to this, Daniel was told to seal up his prophecy. "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." (Daniel 12:4, King James Version)
Daniel's prophecies were sealed. There meaning was hidden to those of his time. He did not hid the words themselves. They were freely distributed among the Hebrew people. Only the people of Daniel's time could not understand them. However, I believe that we are now in the "time of the end." The prophecies of Daniel are no longer sealed. As we study Revelation, we will relate many of the events predicted in Revelation to prophecies in the book of Daniel.
We should not consider the Book of Revelation a mystery or a difficult book to understand. There are some parts that are difficult, but the majority of Revelation is not.
I knew a man who had taught Sunday School for many years. I asked him once about the meaning of a passage in Revelation. He replied, "We do not understand Revelation. So we do not study it." That is sad. The Book of Revelation is exciting and motivating. It is a shame to ignore what it has to teach us.
posted by David Frank Wilson | 11:18 AM
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