QUESTIONS
Before beginning a study of the Book of Revelation there are some questions which should be considered.

First: Are the apocalyptic writings of John only figurative? Or, asked in different terms; did he use metaphors to convey descriptions of future events which will be literally fulfilled? The idea that the Word of God does not really mean what it says is a repeat of the lie Satan used to deceive Eve. In fact, it will be seen that these metaphorical descriptions of human events will be fulfilled with a perfection only God could manage.

Second: Did John compose the Book of Revelation to explain coming events to Early Saints, or to explain events which would occur just before Y'Shua's return? Actually, God composed the Book of Revelation, not John. The Father gave it to the Son, who showed it to John to deliver to His servants. John was just the instrument through which the visions were transcribed, applied to paper and delivered to the Saints. (1:1.)

Third: Do the Chapter and Verse numbers have anything to do with the sequence in which the prophecies of John will be fulfilled? No. God did not give us these numbers, nor were they given by John. These numbers have nothing to do with the contents of the visions, nor with the sequence in which the prophecies will be fulfilled. The numbers were added several hundred years after John wrote, and serve only to itemize the contents for ease of location and study.

There is, in fact, a mistake in numbering Chapter Eight. Verse 1 should be the last verse of Chapter 7, and Verse 2 should be the first verse of Chapter 8. Or perhaps Verse 1 should be alone in its own chapter.

THE EARLY SAINTS UNDERSTOOD
This Little Book of Visions, "The Revelation of John," is the most remarkable Little Book ever penned. John did not write to just the Early Saints, or to the Late Saints: but to both. The Early Saints understood the visions which applied to them, and the Late Saints will understand the prophecies which apply to us. Daniel wrote, "...at the time of the end the wise shall understand." Dan. 12:9-10. And John wrote, "...to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass..." Rev. 1:1. Luke 24:45, Ecc. 2:26.

THE WISE SHALL UNDERSTAND
Every man knows what "to show" means, because his father "showed" him how to hunt and fish. Every woman knows what "to show" means, because her mother "showed" her how to bake a cherry pie. "To show" means to give instruction, and thus "to give understanding."

Because "all these things" have not yet come to pass, and since some must occur in the lifetime of the generation who witnessed Israel's return to Jerusalem, and since we are that generation, then the Lord will give us the understanding of these visions. Mat. 24:34, Dan 12:10, Rev. 1:1.

UNDENIABLE PROMISE
That the Lord will give the understanding of the visions of Daniel and John to Christians who live at the Time of The End is an undeniable promise. "With all your getting, get understanding." Pro. 2:6, 3:13-15, 4:7, Ps. 111:10, Ecc. 2:26. Acts 2:38, 1 Cor. 12:8, James 1:5. Rev. 10:8-10, 11:3. Ask, it is time.

SEE, AND KNOW
There may be no tangible evidence by which we can show that the Early Saints understood the part of the Book of Revelation which concerned them. However, with the eye of The Spirit we can read it and see that parts of the visions describe them or us. They would have recognized themselves and us, just as we can recognize ourselves and them.

THE WINDOW
The Book of Revelation is a window. Through this window they and we can see Earth's past, present and future, as well as see into Heaven. They could see events which would occur in their lifetime, and see us and events which would occur in our lifetime. We can see into the past, see the events which they lived through, and see them in Heaven now. And, perhaps more important, we can see the events which will occur in our lifetime.

THEY UNDERSTOOD THE SALUTATION
The first thing they would have understood is the salutation. Some of the Saints alive when John wrote were those who had seen Y'Shua. Some were children whom He blessed, or were descendants of those He healed. Many had known the Apostles, and witnessed their lives and miracles. Many others had met and heard testimony from the Five Hundred who walked with the Master. Most of these suffered some affliction, or witnessed the affliction suffered by the Apostles or their brothers in The Way. Then there would have been those who knew John personally. All of these would have known what John meant when he said "your brother and companion in tribulation." (1:1-9.)

And soon we too will understand. Are we aware of the trial of living the Christian life in Russia and Asia? Is it easy to follow Christ in Moslem countries? Are there no trials for Catholic or Protestant in South America? We are their brothers in Christ, are we not?

THE SEVEN LETTERS
Next would be the Letters to the Seven Churches. Can we imagine the joy which the Churches felt when they heard John had survived his stay on the Isle of Patmos. Can we feel the excitement they felt when they heard he had received a revelation from the Lord, and it was being copied so they could have a copy?

The first Churches to receive copies would have been the Seven Churches addressed by the Lord. Can you feel the joy, or agony, of the Saints when an Elder read their letter aloud in the general assembly? Chapters 2 and 3.

SOULS UNDER THE ALTER
Then, reading through the rest of the Letter, they would have come to Chapter 6, verse 9. "I saw under the alter the souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held." Then someone with the eye of The Spirit would have cried out, "Look, there is Stephen, and there is James and Martha..." They would recognize every soul who had gone before, the faithful who died for their testimony. After all, we recognize them, don't we?

THEY WERE MARKED
Reading Chapter 7, verse 3, they would realize that as they had been marked in their foreheads, so would the Late Saints. Eze. 9:1-5, Acts 2:38-40. Then in verse 9 they would see every faithful soul they knew, and know we would all, someday, gather before that Throne. And so can we.

They recognized themselves in Chapter 11, verse 1 and us in verses 3-7. Yes, as they witnessed and died for their testimony, so will we. They suffered under the Emperor of Rome, we will suffer under the Emperor of Rome-reborn.

THE REMNANT
Then, seeing the Remnant in 11:13, they would realize the suffering these few remaining Late Saints would have to endure. Prayers, like incense, must have risen to God for these few Faithful who must remain to The End. We can see those who must remain, can't we? Because we cannot know which of us God may allow to see those last days, we should also pray for courage for them.

SEE THE EARLY SAINTS
Then they would come to Chapter 12: current events to them, history to us. Many of them lived from the Birth of Christ past the fall of Jerusalem. Some would see the dispersion with their own eyes. We see them in verses 11 and 17, don't we?

SEE THE LATE SAINTS
They would have recognized the unity of Chapter 13 and Daniel's Seventh Chapter because the Lord gave them the understanding, as He will give it to us. Luke 24:45, Rev. 10:8, 11:3. Because this is clearly a vision of End Time events they would have recognized us in 13:7 and 15.

COMPANIONSHIP
What a wonderful letter this almost inconceivable gift from God is! What reassurance, what joy it gives to those who will consume it. We can say, "They made it, and so can we." And now, looking into our travail on Earth, they are calling out to us, "We made it, and so can you."

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself least ye be wearied and faint in your minds, ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Hebrews Chapter 11, 12:1-4. "Ye have not yet resisted unto blood..."