Many people may read the book of Revelation and not really understand everything in it. Therefore, for many it is a mystery. But, it is entitled “Revelation,”  which means something that is revealed—there are no hidden messages that cannot be understood. This is the last book of the Bible. It  is a conclusion of many prophecies and possesses the most solemn messages as final warnings to you and me.

“In the Revelation all the books of the Bible meet and end. Here is the complement of the book of Daniel. One is a prophecy; the other a revelation. The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days. The angel commanded, ‘But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end.’ Daniel 12:4.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 585

It was Christ who bade the apostle record that which was to be opened before him. “What thou seest, write in a book,” He commanded; mostly, the book reveals the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world. “As we near the close of this world’s history, the prophecies relating to the last days especially demand our study.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 133

The Lamb of the Revelation

The word “Lamb” appears 27 times in the book of Revelation. It refers to Christ, who is revealing the prophecy. “Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7. The revelation from God comes in a specific order: From God the Father→ Jesus Christ→ The angel→ John the prophet, the human instrument→ Mankind (you and me). John bore record of the Word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is the Word of God because God is its source; it is the testimony of Jesus Christ because Christ is declaring the message. The words written are Christ’s testimony.  Revelation 22: 16, 20. He could write, “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Revelation 1:9

John, the apostle recognized Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He also recognized Him as Lord and God (John 20:28); the Way, Truth and Life (John 14:6); He is my Light (John 1:4–9); He is my Life (John 1:4–5; 4:13–14; 6:48–58); He is Himself the Resurrection, and the Life (John 11:25); He is the Door (John 10:7); Teacher (John 13:13); as an Advocate and Mediator (1 John 2:1);  He is my Beginning and End (Revelation 21:6); this Jesus is revealed as King of kings, and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16).

In the Gospels, when John the Baptist met Jesus for first time, he declared, “Behold the Lamb of God.” John 1:29. In Revelation we read, “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda.” Revelation 5:5. When it comes to expressing the power or might, “It was the Lion of the tribe of Judah who unsealed the book and gave to John the revelation of what should be in these last days. Daniel stood in his lot to bear his testimony, which was sealed until the time of the end, when the first angel’s message should be proclaimed to our world. These matters are of infinite importance in these last days. . . . The book of Daniel is unsealed in the revelation to John, and it carries us forward to the last scenes of this earth’s history.” –Christ Triumphant, p. 334 (emphasis mine)

Why study the book of Revelation TODAY?

“The perils of the last days are upon us, and in our work we are to warn the people of the danger they are in. Let not the solemn scenes which prophecy has revealed, be left untouched. If our people were half awake, if they realized the nearness of the events portrayed in the Revelation, a reformation would be wrought in our churches, and many more would believe the message.” –Evangelism, p. 195

The book is a Revelation of Jesus Christ (in Greek, Apocalypse =a disclosure, a revelation). It is a revelation by Him, but also a revelation of Him. No other book in the Bible gives a manifestation of Christ as does Revelation.  In the first 71 verses the name of Christ, or some pronoun referring to Him, is used 126 times. In the book we see a panorama of Christ’s glory, presenting His enthronement with the Father since His ascension, His overruling- providence in the affairs of men, and His coming again in triumph. Revelation means something that is revealed. Therefore, it belongs to us. “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29. No seal has ever been placed on the book of Revelation as was the book of Daniel. Revelation 22:10. “The book that was sealed is not the Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel relating to the last days.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 585

There is no better time to study this book than now as we await Christ’s Second Coming.  We need to make a genuine preparation. Are you ready and prepared? Have you put all sin away? Today is the time to prepare. “The return of Christ to our world will not be long delayed. Let this be the keynote of every message. The blessed hope of the second appearing of Christ, with its solemn realities, needs to be often presented to the people. Looking for the soon appearing of our Lord will lead us to regard earthly things as emptiness and nothingness.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 406

“In the past teachers have declared Daniel and the Revelation to be sealed books, and the people have turned from them. The veil whose apparent mystery has kept many from lifting it, God’s own hand has withdrawn from these portions of His word. The very name ‘Revelation’ contradicts the statement that it is a sealed book. ‘Revelation’ means that something of importance is revealed. The truths of this book are addressed to those living in these last days. We are standing with the veil removed in the holy place of sacred things. We are not to stand without. We are to enter, not with careless, irreverent thoughts, not with impetuous footsteps, but with reverence and godly fear. We are nearing the time when the prophecies of the book of Revelation are to be fulfilled.” –Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 113

Book of blessing and solemn warning

The book of Revelation opens and closes with a blessing (Revelation 1:3; 22:14). The blessing comes to the doers.. “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  Revelation 1:3; 22:14. The book reveals a company who receive this blessing (Revelation 14:12).

“When a real love for the Bible is awakened, and the student begins to realize how vast is the field and how precious its treasure, he will desire to seize upon every opportunity for acquainting himself with God’s word. Its study will be restricted to no special time or place. And this continuous study is one of the best means of cultivating a love for the Scriptures. Let the student keep his Bible always with him. As you have opportunity, read a text and meditate upon it. While walking the streets, waiting at a railway station, waiting to meet an engagement, improve the opportunity to gain some precious thought from the treasure house of truth.” –Education, p. 191

The same book has solemn warnings, counsels for overcoming, and promised rewards. We are warned not to worship the beast, his image or receiving his mark; not adding or reducing the books of the Bible; and promises are given to those who shall overcome. We are solemnly warned about the fall of Babylon, the three angel’s messages and the other angel, etc.

“Let every soul be on the alert. The adversary is on your track. Be vigilant, watching diligently lest some carefully concealed and masterly snare shall take you unawares. Let the careless and indifferent beware lest the day of the Lord come upon them as a thief in the night. Many will wander from the path of humility, and, casting aside the yoke of Christ, will walk in strange paths. Blinded and bewildered, they will leave the narrow path that leads to the city of God.

“A man cannot be a happy Christian unless he is a watchful Christian. He who overcomes must watch; for, with worldly entanglements, error, and superstition, Satan strives to win Christ’s followers from Him.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 99–100

“‘To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.’ We can overcome. Yes; fully, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation, and sit down at last with Him.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 144

He that lived and was sacrificed as lamb, will soon come as the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” It is my prayer that each you readers follow the leading of the Lord and take time to understand the great prophecies and promises, in the book of Revelation,  heeding its solemn messages. I encourage all to overcome every sin before your names are called in the judgement, so you will be ready when He appears in the clouds of heaven. Amen.

 Victor Shumbusho, D R Congo