THE BO0K OF REVELATION
A Prophetic Word To The Church

              A STUDY MANUAL

 It is my intention to set forth this study on Revelation for a classroom setting or for a personal private study.  It is not intended to be read as a normal book would be.  Of course it can be read that way, but for the best results this manual is something that will take time with personal study. It is certainly not exhaustive, but your study can expand on what is presented here. My humble desire is that it will enrich you as it did me and that the Lord may truly receive his worship.

                               John L. Parault

May 2002

        INTRODUCTION

The book of Revelation or Apocalypse as it is called in the Greek, is the last book of the Bible and perhaps the least read.  It had its origin in times of crises when the church was going through much suffering and reveals when Jesus comes again, it will also be a time of great crises. 

This is not the normal study on Revelation; it takes the approach of preparing the church to receive the message of the book for counsel, instruction, and comfort and the revaluation of her worship of God. Therefore this is a book of preparation as she faces a hostile world and issues she needs to set in order within her ranks. This is the value of the book of Revelation. Of course its value exceeds that because there is more to the message.  Much of the value of the book is lost in not seeing the purpose for which God gave it. Some thoughts later concerning this shall make that clear. Preparation gives us a spiritual platform to live the life of Christ in difficult days. The church is to be that lamp stand as a corporate body to give light in a dark and hostile place. There is neither negotiation nor compromise with true light, for the light of God will not compromise.  While surrounded with darkness she must not permit darkness in her ranks, she must not negotiate with the world and sin, she must dispel it and true light in the church always does. The life of Christ lived is the light of men. This life that is light is the revelation of the nature of God. It always exposes and dispels darkness. This is what the Holy Spirit said concerning the Word made flesh, the only begotten of the Father, that his life was the light of men John 1:4. So the church is to be a light in her fire (difficult days).

To read the book of Revelation is to realize that it is unlike any other book in the New Testament.  In the words of R.H. Boll,  "Of all the books of the Bible none other is so solemnly introduced to us; none so specially urged upon our attention; and we must add, none so generally disregarded, so shunned, and so neglected. Yet no other book opens with a gracious promise of blessing on him that readeth, on those who hear and keep the things written therein.  And to no other book is attached such a warning lest anyone should take from or add to its message.  It is a message therefore of the very highest importance, though by men often lightly esteemed and treated as though it were superfluous, and could be dispensed with without material loss.  In God's estimate, at least, this book is of supreme value.  In it we behold the end and consummation of all God's work and plan, the climax and outcome of all His dispensations and dealings with men; and in it every prophecy and promises, every purpose and covenant finds its ultimate goal and fulfillment.  In Genesis we have the beginning of all, in Revelation we have the end and goal of all."

¨ Before we proceed to the heart of this study I want to share some important things that will help set the stage for it.

WHY IS REVELATION IN SYMBOLIC FORM

It is a great and beautiful book beyond description. It is beautiful in form, in symbolical and allegorical language and in meaning and purpose. It is also awesome where the language is literal. We must understand that the symbols in this book present truth concerning heavenly and spiritual realities concerning heaven and earth in the form of likeness or imagery drawn from earthly objects. The symbolic speaks of that which is real, for behind the symbol is the substance. But always the central message is clear.

Symbolic descriptions are not to be taken as literal descriptions, nor is the symbolism capable of being pictured realistically.  It must be understood as J. Sidlow Baxter writes concerning the visions of Jesus in Revelation one.  "Here, certainly, is symbolism.  Dignity, power, position and character of Christ is all garbed in symbol. … Much is symbolic, not all is so.  It was in all reality the Lord himself, whom John saw, not just a symbolic representation of Him.  Again and again all through the book of Revelation we find symbolism grouped around central, literal truth and realities." 

With this in mind let us consider that John never intended to write Revelation while in exile on Patmos in the Aegean Sea. The servants of the Lord never intended to write any book of the Bible from merely a human desire. The prophetic is spontaneous flowing out of the realm of the Spirit. It came to John unexpected in verbal and visual form. In Rev.1: 1 it says, that Jesus sent and signified this book by his angel to John. This is saying according to the Greek word semaino translated signified which means a sign (show by sign), signify, and indicate, that the message is being given under signs and symbols and that in a wonderful and powerful way. The noun semeion is translated as sign Rev.15: 1, wonder 12:1,3 and miracle 19:20. John used this word in the gospel of John for miracles.

What a time of worship that was to John on Patmos. It will produce worship now to those who read Revelation in the Spirit. What he saw and heard he wrote as the astonishing series of voices and visions came to him while he was in the theatre of heaven.  "And I John saw these things, and heard them."  Rev. 22:8. He was told to write what he saw. Rev.1: 19. Therefore, it is not the revelation of John; he was just the writer and the messenger.  This book then is truly from the Lamb's mouth.   We must read it that way and respond to it that way.

The following reasons seems to be why it was given in the symbolic.

· One of the reasons for it to be written in symbols is because it was given to John that way. Literal language could not have expressed what he saw. It was God's choice to give it in that manner.

· God has also chosen the symbolic to camouflage but not to seal.  I shall explain this shortly. It is given for His children to understand. So it is veiled for some, but not for others. Only His Spirit can give the symbolic meaning to us.

· There is another reason why you do not write literally. It is because it is always dangerous to write in literal language in the days of persecution from a hostile government. You do not want a hostile government to know you are writing about them.  So the message is like a spiritual code and the Lord desires his church to know the code by understanding the symbolic words and we can progressively.  Note in 1Pet. 5:13 Peter was not speaking in literal language when he said, … "The church that is at Babylon."  First Peter was written to encourage believers to endure the intense persecution that was prevalent and to prepare them for those difficult days. So he wrote this part of the verse in code so the persecutors would not understand.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS WRITING

The purpose of this writing even though I shared some aspects about symbolic language is not to concentrate upon the interpretation of all the symbols, figures and representations as found in the visions of Revelation.  However we shall look into a few instances of the symbolic in order to get a broader scope of one aspect of the central message. We can be so occupied with the symbols and the specified sequence of events prophesied that we miss the main message. These are important and reveal many truths.  But our objective is to set before you precisely what occasioned this book to come from the heart of God, and to know the central message. One does not have to know the meaning of every symbolic word to know the central message the Lord desires to present to us. For instance, one aspect of the message is judgment, but the details are given in symbolic form, which would tell us what the judgments consist of. I am not saying we should not seek to know the symbolic meanings.  I would very much desire to move into that, but that is not the objective as I have said.   We must seek to know the meaning of the symbolic to understand certain aspects or details of the book, but the central message is clear if we do not for the moment understand the symbolic.

As we approach the book of Revelation know that many have labored in their quest to understand and to fit everything into some systematic arrangement in their study of eschatology (study of the end time). Yet in their quest the real reason why the book was given is past by.  They have studied the contents but missed the message. I ask does the church really know its central message in the midst of all this? When I say "The message" I understand that the whole book of Revelation is the message but within that message there is a focus, a central message that we need to know and it is plain to understand.  Many theologians and preachers in all seasons of time have hindered and restrained the understanding of Revelation for they have made the book stand out as difficult in their handling of it and many have been repelled from the study of the book.  Reuss in 1884, said, “Apart from the many preconceptions, the book of Revelation would be the most simple, most transparent book that John ever penned."

Now in the entire search to understand this book blessed be the man who sees that speculation is not interpretation, and that impulse is not inspiration.  Neither is human reason revelation.  One thing that is clear in this book is that it wasn't written to theologians, but to ordinary believers to know the message. 

Neither is it my purpose to concentrate upon and present the various views or interpretations given to the book of Revelation. However I will only briefly mention some things that affect the understanding of the central message of Revelation. We desire not to read into the book, but rather let it speak to us. We cannot avoid interpretation, we are not to do so, but let it be given of the Lord for it is not a private thing. One cannot avoid a view, but it must be the Lord's.  Let me say here, that I don't think any one view of Revelation in and of itself comprises the view of the Lord.                         

The desire and purpose of my heart as I have said is to see the church ready for what she shall face and to walk in obedience to the message of this book. Much teaching has long been established that is presented as truth and the roots are deep. Only the wisdom and anointing of the Lord can release any of us from wrong understandings. True doctrine originated out of Father's love, may we posses it in love. Even if some of our doctrines about the present and the end-time are not correct, if love is in our hearts we must act according to love. Love does not demand correctness of doctrine to love, but it does demand a righteous response toward those who differ.

Would you be willing to receive what I am about to share? I did not say believe; for a man cannot truly believe before he has received in order to test it. It is received in order to see if what he has heard or read should be accepted as the Lord's. Acts 17:11-12. God is not teaching us according to what we know, but according to what He knows. It is true what we know is dangerous and a hindrance if it is wrong. I am willing to submit what I think I know is correct to the Lord and learn if I am wrong or right. He alone is the authority on Revelation, in truth His entire word.

 Now to look at some mindsets, which some have adopted concerning Revelation. Are we willing to test and adjust any understanding as the Holy Spirit leads in order to see the book as the Lord does? We all must be that open.

· The first mindset is that it is too difficult to deal with because the book is mysterious. No doubt this has intimidated many and they have gone to other books of the Bible for study. The symbolic does not give up it's meaning apart from the Holy Spirit and God never gave the symbolic for our intellect to unravel. We can plainly see that there is no need to claim difficultly, as if we could unlock the revelation therein ourselves.

· Secondly, there are some who say that the church is not called to suffer. So many have shut their minds to any consideration to the truth that the godly shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12. The Church has suffered, she is suffering and she shall and all of it is tribulation. I see a suffering church in Revelation and a loving God speaking to her what is essential for her to overcome.

 · Thirdly that the book doesn't apply to the church after chapter four verse one because she is no longer on the earth, she has been raptured; or any other view in this grain of understanding.

This presents a way of thinking that the church can separate herself from the rest of the message in all its counsel, warnings, wisdom and exhortations; indeed all the words for the present and future. So with this state of mind, there is no instruction for the church in this hour of affliction, she does not need it because she is in heaven. So some, not all, look at chapter four and onward as a matter of curiosity concerning the future. The entire book then only affords one to see the scenario on the earth in advance with regard to others, but for what purpose? I repeat, God gives revelation (insight and understanding) on the bases of purpose and need. He is not giving information apart from the church facing the reality of the information given. Therefore, revelation about the present or future that doesn't meet a need is of no value. If we as a church will not be here there is no reality for us to face, we just have information. God does not meet the longings of curiosity nor waste words to please anyone's curiosity. Neither should any believer study this prophecy merely to satisfy curiosity.

As I said my intent is not to discuss any view here, but rather to present what I see is the proper exposition of Rev. 4:1. If one will use this verse to present the church's removal from the earth, that one must know that he is saying that the rest of the book doesn't apply to the church. That radically changes the Lord's message and declares that it does not really need to be taught for spiritual purposes. The exposition of this verse according to clear language is that the words were addressed to the messenger John, not the church. John was told to "come up hither"; a call to a spiritual dimension to receive the prophecy of this book in the spirit for the church.  See Rev. 1:10; 21: 9-10. I declare that I have no authority according to the revelation of Jesus in this book to say that the church will not experience the message of this book. 

I want to bring forth now a statement from the early church concerning this subject. I have briefly brought to the forefront some mindsets. I will quote one of the early church fathers concerning their understanding.  Irenaeus in 130-200 AD who was bishop (overseer) of Lyons (now in modern day France) said, “There will be great tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither will be.  For this is the last contest of the righteous in which they are crowned with incorruption - when they overcome”.  So taught other early church leaders which I will not list here. This was the dominant teaching of the church in that day. 

It is not my intent brethren to set a stage for a doctrinal battle and separation or to criticize. We have had enough of that, but rather to hear the heart of the Lord Jesus in the book of Revelation concerning the central message. All I am saying is, this entire book is for the church not just three chapters of it. That is so important if we are going to hear all that is on the Lord's heart for His church.

The Lord is not writing to another group that is outside the church after chapter four verse one. Whatever work the Jew will do he will do it as part of the church. The scripture says that the Jew and Gentile make up the church as one new man. Eph.2: 11-22.  Do you realize that the early church in the beginning was Jewish? Soon after the Gentile was added.

So I ask what part of Revelation is for the body of Christ, part or all?  I have come to see all of it is for the church, because she needs it, for she is here and will be here. If all of it is for her, then she must know the message in this book. What you believe controls you; you don't control what you believe once you have believed it. Only the Lord can break any wrong control by wrong belief.  

¨This writing shall end in a manner, which I am fairly sure that you do not now expect, but it will surely challenge you to new heights.

¨I will bring you back at times throughout this study to some previous statements, exhortations, and doctrinal thoughts.  As I have said in other writings this is not mere redundancy, it is a teaching aid.  Bringing it back to your mind at times will help secure by the Spirit the lessons therein.

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