Chapter 1

An Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Revelation, Wow, what a book! What pictures it brings to mind! Pictures of strange beasts, of angels! of the New Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven! Is it confusing to you? It's confusing to most people. In fact, I'm not sure there is anyone who really totally understands every aspect of the book. Nor can we truly understand each detail until with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight we can look back and say, "yes, these events unequivocally fulfilled these prophecies." Yet I can say that as I have looked at the Book, studied it over the past number of years, I believe the Lord has given me insights that have brought this book to life! These insights have removed to a large degree the veil of confusion of what is to come to pass. And I am eager to share what I have found with you.

There are many, many students that are studying Revelation especially as we are drawing closer to the end of time. As time has passed on, there never has been a closer moment to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the events foretold in this prophetic book. God declares in Isaiah 49:19, "I have not spoken in secret, I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right" and in Isaiah 46:10 "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please."

And so as people attempt to study the future, Revelation becomes one of the main sources of study.

Many different approaches have been taken to the book of Revelation. I receive formal training as an engineer, not a theologian, and therefore, I take a more literal point of view than many others do. From that perspective, I must take a more logical objective point of view, rather than a nebulous one. Looking first at all the Scriptural evidence, analyzing it and using my tool which is a computer. Looking at the context of the times in which we live and attempting to do the most thorough job of research that I can possibly can in assembling this material.

I want to give God all the glory for the insights that He has provided as it is for His honor and glory that this book is written.

The Lord has given me a message, and I feel compelled to share that message. I pray that those reading this book will also share that message, that the time for its fulfillment is soon, sooner than many realize. And the message that God cares for us, that He is giving the world one last chance to be transformed into His holy character before the world is to end. There is still time to repent before the events foretold by God are to come to pass, but that opportunity for repentance will soon draw to a close.

Some people may be wondering, "Why did you name this book, Revelation for the Wise? That term may be uncomfortable to many. But I pray that you will accept it. The Wise that I'm talking about is the Wise that are referred to in Daniel, chapters 11 and 12, as well as in Proverbs. Let's look at those texts together.

     "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time. (Dan. 11:33-35)

     Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Dan. 12:2, 3)

     He replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand. (Dan. 12:9, 10)

And finally,

     The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. (Prov. 11:30)

Note how the wise refers to those who teach others and lead them to righteousness, who lead them to salvation. Jesus Christ revealed the beautiful unselfish nature of God when he gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins.

John 3:16 and 17 says,

     "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

This book is written for those who are willing to teach others, who will lead them to God, to righteousness, who wish to shine like the stars in the sky.

I pray that as you prayerfully study what is contained in here that you will feel moved to share with others in a much deeper sense than you have before. That your prayer will be that you may be a servant of God, that you may lead many to righteousness.

Before we move on to a study of Revelation, it is good to understand some of the background of the controversy between God and His arch-rival Satan.

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