Spring 1973
The Book of Revelation

Bob Manzano

The worship had just ended and the people were beginning to pick up their Bibles. As I was introduced, I announced that we were going to be studying the “Book of Revelation.” I had ministered in this popular northeastern city before and there was a good turnout for the meetings. While the group was thumbing through the Scriptures to get to the last of the books, I heard one of the leaders give a mild groan. Several people looked down and I could read from their faces the thoughts that they had come to be spiritually fed and instead were now going to be given a lecture on a book no one really understands.

I was not puzzled by the response as I, at one time, had the same opinion of the “Apocalypse.” Why, even the name sounded frightening. After all, this is the book with all the beasts, dragons, horns, etc. This is the book that has us hiding in caves, the elements melting, and the stars falling form heaven. Then, as I studied theology, I found out that there is much controversy concerning this book. There are four major schools of thought all claiming to be right. As I looked into them further, I realized that each one had many scriptures to corroborate their claims.

Yet in the first chapter, we read in the third verse that there is a special blessing for those who hear, read and keep the words of this prophecy. How can you keep something you can’t understand? Why was the prophecy given in the first place? A church under the oppression and tribulation of Rome could care little about a prophecy that would be fulfilled two thousand years later. Could it be that along with the obvious implications concerning the end of time, there could be a key to Christian victory? Perhaps this key is the source of the special blessing. I believe that the key is a change of perspective. The ability to view things from a different point of view may not change the facts, but this ability can certainly give us a better way of dealing with the facts at hand. In other words, knowing that God is using tribulation for our betterment won’t change the tribulation, but it surely affects our attitude towards it. This is the change of perspective.

As I continue to enlarge my theme, the faces changed from indifferent resignation to interest. The leader sat back and became much involved in the amplification of this approach to this difficult and controversial book of the Bible.

As we read the first chapter, we notice, among many other things, that God has John in Patmos. Since John was the last living disciple that walked with Jesus on earth, his ministry was probably in great demand throughout the entire church. Presumably, this intense schedule was not very conducive to the spiritual receptivity necessary to receive this prophecy from Christ. So the Lord allows that John, at the height of his ministry, be banished to an island called Patmos, a barren, rocky place. Isn’t the Lord real good? I can just see John complaining to the Lord, telling the Lord how much he is needed. But God waited until John recognized that this was the day of the Lord; that God had established this day. Then, he was caught up into the Spirit. John then gets a picture of Jesus Christ. Yet, this is not the Christ that we throw our arms around and kiss, but this is the glorified Christ. As he views the high and exalted one, John falls as one dead. This is the normal reaction. For it is as we behold Him that we truly recognize our utter unworthiness. How important it is for us when in a barren place to behold the Christ. It is this picture of the glorified Christ standing in the middle of the golden candlesticks which is going to prepare John for the next two chapters where God reveals His perfect church. Remember that Christ is not pictured above, below, or near the candlesticks, which represent the churches, but He is right in the middle. Christ is totally identified with the church. Even the great needs we see in the next chapters do not divorce Him from the church which is His body.

The book of Revelation is a microcosm of the Christian life. God allows us to have spiritual highs, and from these particular highs, we can be faced with realities. Isaiah would never have been able to stand such a critical view of himself, as found in Isaiah chapter six, without first the anesthetizing high of seeing the Lord gloriously exalted. Now that John has been caught up into the Spirit and has seen a revelation of the glorified Christ, he is ready to be faced with the realities of the churches found in the second and third chapters.

In chapters two and three, John is given a view of God’s church. Beginning at the port city of Ephesus and going in a rough circle, John receives letters to send to the leaders of seven of the churches found in the province of Asia, in what is now southwestern Turkey. It is interesting that the ancient postal route followed the rough circle from Ephesus through Smyrna and ending at Laodicea. The city of Colossae is only a few miles from Laodicea and is the recipient of one of Paul’s epistles; this city church is not included. Therefore, the reason seven churches were picked was because seven will give the picture of completion and perfection. The letters sent to these churches will have meaning to the church for all time in all areas.

The picture given of Christ’s church is not very attractive. Out of the seven, only two have remained faithful; these are the two least prominent. Not only are there five churches with great needs, but the last one mentioned has our Lord standing outside trying to get into His own church. Much could be said about each church, yet the general picture is quite clear. Christ wants John to see the realities of the church—but from the proper perspective. Imagine how John, being the last of the disciples, must have felt after that kind of revelation of the church. Was all the suffering and tribulation worthwhile? Was the church, not even seventy years after our Lord’s death and resurrection, going to end in failure?

We can now see why the fourth chapter is so necessary. For we shall never be overcomers if we are not faced with the gruesome realities of what we must overcome. However, if left looking at these too long, we can too easily become overcome and thereby lose our effectiveness. Thanks be to God for chapter four.

In chapter four, John is again in a place where he needs to look up to heaven. Yet, all he sees is a big wide door. I have seen that door so often. It seems that there is no answer to your prayers; heaven is sealed by a door. Now the door begins to open and John is able to hear a heavenly voice. The voice tells him to “Come up hither.” John has already been in the Spirit; but, having been faced with the needs in the church; it is understandable why he needs the exhortation to come back up. The later part of 4:1 should read: “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after these things.” Consequently, the things which shall be revealed are not only given to show John what was going to happen in the future, but, having been faced with the realities of chapters two and three, he will need what is to be revealed in order for him to have the proper perspective. The picture that John is then given in the spirit is that of a throne—but the throne is not empty. The God of the universe sits on His throne and He rules everything. Yes, even over our lives and problems. How important it is for us to catch the same picture. Could the next step be more perfect? Is there anything more important than seeing Him high and lifted up in charge of all of the circumstances?

The attitude of heaven is not of worry, but of worship. The twenty-four elders, men who have already overcome and are ruling with Christ, praise God for His supremacy over His creation. And the four beasts, living creatures is more literal, as heavenly beings are just caught up with His holiness. Aren’t they conscious of the problems on earth? Yes, they are the ones who are being used to convey the realities to John; but you cannot worry when you are in His presence, all one can do is worship.

As we look at the church today; all of us can find many problems and needs. In many parts of the world, the church is suffering persecution and tribulation. Faced with these realities, one could become discouraged and be overcome rather than overcoming. God wants us to be conscious of these realities yet deal with them from the proper perspective—one of assurance for Christ is in control, and because He overcame, we shall overcome. It is this very attitude of peace and serenity which is pictured in chapter four. The throne, which is so awesome that it is pictured as being surrounded by lightnings, thunderings and voices, still has before it a sea of glass. In other word, the reason for the placidity of the sea which seems as glass is because God is ruling from His awesome throne and He is in control.

As God presents to John a picture of the book sealed with seven seals, and Christ opens the seals, the poignant realities of God’s judgment will become more apparent. Then, the importance of chapter four will also be apparent. So also as times become more difficult on earth, the church will need to know with greater certainty the truths revealed in this last of the books of the Bible.

“God help us to face all of our problems in our lives, in the church, and in the world with this heavenly perspective depicted in the Revelation.” Amen!