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new phases of doctrine； more pleasing to many minds； but not in harmony with
the fundamental principles of the gospel。 In their self…confidence and
spiritual blindness they failed to discern that these sophistries would
cause many to question the experiences of the past； and would thus lead to
confusion and unbelief。
As these false doctrines were urged； differences sprang up； and the eyes of
many were turned from beholding Jesus as the Author and Finisher of their
faith。 The discussion of unimportant points of doctrine； and the
contemplation of pleasing fables of man's invention； occupied time that
should have been spent in proclaiming the gospel。 The masses that might have
been convicted and converted by a faithful presentation of the truth were
left unwarned。 Piety was rapidly waning； and Satan seemed about to gain the
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ascendancy over those who claimed to be followers of Christ。
It was at this critical time in the history of the church that John was
sentenced to banishment。 Never had his voice been needed by the church as
now。 Nearly all his former associates in the ministry had suffered
martyrdom。 The remnant of believers was facing fierce opposition。 To all
outward appearance the day was not far distant when the enemies of the
church of Christ would triumph。
But the Lord's hand was moving unseen in the darkness。 In the providence of
God； John was placed where Christ could give him a wonderful revelation of
Himself and of divine truth for the enlightenment of the churches。
In exiling John； the enemies of truth had hoped to silence forever the voice
of God's faithful witness； but on Patmos the disciple received a message；
the influence of which was to continue to strengthen the church till the end
of time。 Though not released from the responsibility of their wrong act；
those who banished John became instruments in the hands of God to carry out
Heaven's purpose； and the very effort to extinguish the light placed the
truth in bold relief。
It was on the Sabbath that the Lord of glory appeared to the exiled apostle。
The Sabbath was as sacredly observed by John on Patmos as when he was
preaching to the people in the towns and cities of Judea。 He claimed as his
own the precious promises that had been given regarding that day。 〃I was in
the Spirit on the Lord's day；〃 John writes； 〃and heard behind me a great
voice； as of a trumpet； saying；
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I am Alpha and Omega； the first and the last。 。 。 。 And I turned to see the
voice that spake with me。 And being turned； I saw seven golden candlesticks；
and in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of man。〃
Revelation 1：10…13。
Richly favored was this beloved disciple。 He had seen his Master in
Gethsemane； His face marked with the blood drops of agony； His 〃visage 。 。 。
marred more than any man； and His form more than the sons of men。〃 Isaiah
52：14。 He had seen Him in the hands of the Roman soldiers； clothed with an
old purple robe and crowned with thorns。 He had seen Him hanging on the
cross of Calvary； the object of cruel mockery and abuse。 Now John is once
more permitted to behold his Lord。 But how changed is His appearance！ He is
no longer a Man of Sorrows； despised and humiliated by men。 He is clothed in
a garment of heavenly brightness。 〃His head and His hairs〃 are 〃white like
wool； as white as snow； and His eyes 。 。 。 as a flame of fire； and His feet
like unto fine brass； as if they burned in a furnace。〃 Revelation 1：14； 15；
17。 His voice is like the music of many waters。 His countenance shines as
the sun。 In His hand are seven stars； and out of His mouth issues a sharp
two…edged sword； an emblem of the power of His word。 Patmos is made
resplendent with the glory of the risen Lord。
〃And when I saw Him；〃 John writes； 〃I fell at His feet as dead。 And He laid
His right hand upon me； saying unto me； Fear not。〃 Verse 17。
John was strengthened to live in the presence of his glorified Lord。 Then
before his wondering vision were
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opened the glories of heaven。 He was permitted to see the throne of God and；
looking beyond the conflicts of earth； to behold the white…robed throng of
the redeemed。 He heard the music of the heavenly angels and the triumphant
songs of those who had overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of
their testimony。 In the revelation given to him there was unfolded scene
after scene of thrilling interest in the experience of the people of God；
and the history of the church foretold to the very close of time。 In figures
and symbols； subjects of vast importance were presented to John； which he
was to record； that the people of God living in his age and in future ages
might have an intelligent understanding of the perils and conflicts before
them。
This revelation was given for the guidance and comfort of the church
throughout the Christian dispensation。 Yet religious teachers have declared
that it is a sealed book and its secrets cannot be explained。 Therefore many
have turned from the prophetic record； refusing to devote time and study to
its mysteries。 But God does not wish His people to regard the book thus。 It
is 〃the revelation of Jesus Christ； which God gave unto Him； to show unto
His servants things which must shortly come to pass。〃 〃Blessed is he that
readeth；〃 the Lord declares； 〃and they that hear the words of this prophecy；
and keep those things which are written therein： for the time is at hand。〃
Verses 1； 3。 〃I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the
prophecy of this book； If any man shall add unto these
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things； God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book：
and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy；
God shall take away his part out of the book of life； and out of the Holy
City； and from the things which are written in this book。 He which
testifieth these things saith； Surely I come quickly。〃 Revelation 22：18…20。
In the Revelation are portrayed the deep things of God。 The very name given
to its inspired pages； 〃the Revelation；〃 contradicts the statement that this
is a sealed book。 A revelation is something revealed。 The Lord Himself
revealed to His servant the mysteries contained in this book； and He designs
that they shall be open to the study of all。 Its truths are addressed to
those living in the last days of this earth's history； as well as to those
living in the days of John。 Some of the scenes depicted in this prophecy are
in the past； some are now taking place； some bring to view the close of the
great conflict between the powers of darkness and the Prince of heaven； and
some reveal the triumphs and joys of the redeemed in the earth made new。
Let none think； because they cannot explain the meaning of every symbol in
the Revelation； that it is useless for them to search this book in an effort
to know the meaning of the truth it contains。 The One who revealed these
mysteries to John will give to the diligent searcher for truth a foretaste
of heavenly things。 Those whose hearts are open to