WRITE IN A BOOK
Revelation 1:9 ¶ I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Both Isaiah and Daniel had been told to write in a book, or table, but to seal it up, for what they wrote was not for that present time. Isaiah 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. 30:8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
Daniel 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Habakkuk also was told to write. And his vision was also for a future time. Habakkuk 2:1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
But John was instructed not to seal his writing for the time is at hand. Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
We should therefore, be very thankful to have such a writing as is readily available in our “Bibles!” For it is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” which contains with it a blessing upon those who read it and keep its sayings. Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Yet no book is more ignored, or misinterpreted when it is read! Some preachers even call it “a sealed book,” when the Holy Spirit specifically said that it is not! And such seals which were on it, as upon all royal decrees which contained the wax imprints of the king’s signage ring, were easily opened by the Lamb of God! Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come .
For it is a book written to the Lord’s churches. It is not a book to foretell the world’s future, but only as it is seen to set forth the administration of the last and final kingdom reign of the King of kings. Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Consider Daniel’s view of this from his prophesy: Daniel 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, (earthly nations) they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. 13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. 18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
And here is the actual account of this occurring: Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
And we have the Apostle John’s instruction to us of exactly why this writing, exclusively addressed to Christ’s churches, was written to them. They were written to them for their belief in Jesus of Nazareth as being the Eternal Son of God! And in that faith would be their personal salvation. John 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Not everything that could have been written was written. For although it is historically accurate, it is not a history lesson addressed to the world! John 21:24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. 25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
And just as the Lord’s preaching was done in order to reveal the meaning exclusively to the elect, but hide it from the world, so these writings follow the same course. Matthew 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:
One of the disciples asked just how, since the preaching was done in the public, would the world be kept from it’s understanding, while the church comprehended his meaning? Here is his answer: John 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.
The key is the Holy Spirit entering into hearts with the love of God, while he enters into the ears with the effectual gospel! Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
For just as the bible is written for anyone to read, we are to preach the gospel to “every creature,” and let those who have been granted spiritual ears hear the effectual call. The Holy Spirit is in charge of it all. Again we return to that third verse of The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. And we need to emphasize three words therein. For it takes the achievement of all three to receive the spiritual meaning of this writing! Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. And none of these can be accomplished apart from the workings of the Holy Spirit. For none can properly “read, hear and keep” these words apart from the Spirit’s inner workings!
And there are some most interesting statements in the Apostle John’s first epistle concerning his matter. 1 John 2:20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
He states to us that his writing is also to spiritually confirm and not just to mentally inform. For he clearly states that he does not write because we do not know, but because we do know. We do not yet have this information in our heads, but as soon as we hear it we know in our hearts that it is the truth! John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
The Apostle Paul, knowing this to be true, determined to go far out into the world where this had never been heard and preach the truth as it is in Jesus, to see this marvelous working of the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 10:14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men’s labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand. Romans 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named…
And this is the amazing report that Peter gave to the Jerusalem Jews concerning even the Gentiles believing this gospel as he preached it unto them! Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
And just what was John instructed to write? Revelation 1:19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; So in chapter one he wrote the things which he had seen. Then in chapters two and three he wrote the things which are. That is the things which were at that day. And then in chapters four through twenty-two he wrote of the things which would be revealed in the future administration of the gospel kingdom. And to begin in this he had to be raised up in attitude, not in altitude. Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Pastor Gene Breed
April 14, 2022