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Whatsoever our conception of this testimony may be, one thing is clear; it is that to
which the faithful remnant cling, it is the "word of My patience" spoken of by the Lord to
the overcomer, and it is the theme and essence of the spirit of prophecy which fills the
book. This consideration leads us to one of the most important points in the
interpretation of the book of the Revelation. It is not addressed to the world at large, but
it is addressed principally to those who are exhorted to "overcome." For their
encouragement the seven letters to the assemblies are addressed, for their strength the
whole course of events is foreshadowed. Against them the whole force of the dragon, the
false christ, and the false prophet is directed. They are the ones who are sealed and kept.
They are the ones who seal their testimony with their blood, they are the ones who have
their blessed part in the first resurrection, they are the ones who have found access to the
new Jerusalem. These are therefore addressed in the last verse of the introduction (1: 3).
The blessing promised is echoed in chapter 22: There in verses 18 and 19 threatening
takes the place of blessing, which includes the adding of the plagues written in the book,
and the taking away of their part out of the tree of life, the holy city, and the things
written in the book, followed by the words, "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely
I come quickly," just as verse 3 of chapter 1: ends with the words, "for the time is at
hand."
The rationalistic professor who adds or takes away from the words of this prophecy,
though he will be dealt with in the judgment unless forgiven here, is not visited by the
plagues which are described in this book. Once again the passage becomes luminous in
the light of the fact that it is addressed to a yet future remnant exhorted to overcome in
the yet future day of the Lord. To such primarily the blessing is addressed in chapter 1: 3.
To such the promises and threatenings to the seven churches are addressed. We append
the structural outline of this introduction in order that these studies may be as helpful as
possible.
The Introduction (Rev. 1: 1-4).
A1 | a | The revelation of Jesus Christ. Twofold definition.
b | Which God gave to Him.
B1 | c | The "things shewn.
d | Which shortly come to pass (en tachei).
C1 | e | Signified by the angel.
f | Testified by John.
A2 | a | The Word of God (logos).
Twofold definition.
b | The testimony of Jesus.
B2 | c | The "things" seen.
C2 | e | The reader (like the angel).
f | The hearers (like John).
A3 | a | The words (logos).
Twofold definition.
b | The prophecy.
B3 | c | The "things" kept.
d | The time at hand (engus).
C3 | e | John (like the reader and the angel).
f | The seven churches (like the hearers and John).