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Studies in the Book of the Revelation.
The Introduction.
pp. 73-78
The introduction to the apocalypse occupies not the first chapter, as some have been
led to think, but the first three verses and part of the fourth of the first chapter. These
verses contain much that is of service to us in the understanding of the rest of the book,
inasmuch as they give such important items as the theme, agents, means, recipients, and
time during and by which the things herein revealed shall come to pass.
The theme of the book is introduced into the first sentence. It is The revelation of
Jesus Christ. The word translated "revelation" is apokalupsis, and means "an unveiling."
The usage of this word in other scriptures lends great weight to the teaching that we have
in this title, which is pre-eminently the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ in Person.
"The manifestation of the sons of God" (Rom. 8: 19).
"Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Cor. 1: 7).
"When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven" (II Thess. 1: 7).
"Might be found unto praise and honour and glory at (the) revelation of Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 1: 7).
"At the revelation of Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 1: 13).
"When His glory shall be revealed" (I Pet. 4: 13).
These passages are sufficient to show that before the book of the Revelation was
written, Scripture had already fixed the meaning of the word apocalypse as having direct
reference to the visible appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that this constituted the
hope of God's believing people during the time covered by the Acts, and even afterward,
as expressed by Peter's epistle. As we proceed we shall find that all which is written
prior to Rev. 19: 11 is introductory to the great theme of the book. There in Rev. 19: is
at length described THE apocalypse, in view of which all the rest of the book is written.
In the book of the Revelation, however, that which is yet future history is brought before
the apostle in vision, consequently the next clause tells us how this revelation was shown
to John before its actual fulfilment in fact. "God gave it unto Him to shew unto His
servants." The word "shew" is of importance. It is often used in connection with
shewing by means of signs. Its first occurrence in the N.T. is not only indicative of this
meaning, but opens up to the mind many lines of thought in relation to the special aspect
of Matthew and the Revelation considered together:--
"Again the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all
the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them" (Matt. 4: 8).
That which the Lord Jesus refused to take at the hand of the prince of this world, He
will receive in the appointed time from the hand of the Father, for a day is coming when
the words shall echo through the spaces of heaven and earth:--
"The kingdoms of this world (same as Matt. 4: 8) are become the kingdoms of our
Lord, and of His Christ" (Rev. 11: 15).
The use of the word "shew" in the Revelation itself will give us its meaning more
clearly than any other explanation.