Unveiling Revelation
Time for a new venture my friends.
Several times over the past few years have readers expressed an interest in unlocking more of the secrets of the Apocalypse, or the Book of Revelation. When we first started the Keys we spent several months on the most mysterious of all scripture which was Chapter Thirteen of the book dealing with the Beast and the antichrist. This continues to this day to be among my most quoted writings delivering interpretations found nowhere else, except as they have been placed in circulation since that time.
Now we will go through the rest of the vision of John and again instead of taking orthodox interpretation we shall search for the real meaning behind the symbols. This may take a while to complete, but when done we should have plenty of material for a book or two and hopefully, we can shed light where before there were only shades of gray.
The first three chapters are not part of the Great vision, but are messages to the seven churches at that time. Even these are more interesting than meets the eye, but for the sake of brevity we shall skip over them at this time, except for the first three verses of the first chapter which applies to the book as a whole and reads:
“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: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 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.” Rev 1:1-3
There are several interesting statements here that are ignored by many commentators.
(1) The book is a “Revelation of Jesus Christ.”
“Revelation” here comes from the Greek APOKALUPSIS. Does this Greek word look a little familiar? It should for it is the word from which “Apocalypse” is derived. The book is sometimes called the Book of Revelation and sometimes The Apocalypse, but in reality the name is the same. “Apocalypse” is the Greek rendition and “Revelation” the English of the same word.
Let us examine the word a little more carefully. APOKALUPSIS is translated in a variety of ways including, “revelation, be revealed, to lighten, manifestation, coming and appearing.” It is derived from the Greek APOKALUPTO which means “to take off the cover.” This is perhaps the reason the Concordant version translates the word as “unveiling.” In fact, their translation does not name the book Revelation or the Apocalypse, but “The Unveiling of Jesus Christ.” Unveiling has a deeper meaning than the word revelation. A revelation of Jesus Christ could occur by having a short vision and seeing his image. But an unveiling is a different story. A short vision could not do this. To unveil Jesus Christ would imply the revealing of his mystery, layer after layer until there is a full understanding of the light received.
I therefore, submit that the purpose of the book is much more than a mere revelation that there is such a being as the Christ, but that there is an unfolding of a mystery like the unfolding of a flower by the power of the light of the Sun.
Keep this thought in mind as we proceed.
(2) John was shown things “which must shortly come to pass.”
This seems to be an odd statement indeed when almost 2000 years has passed since it was written and most believe that the events have still not come to pass. Where is the great comet striking the earth? Where is the antichrist and where are the waters that are turned to blood etc? 2000 years is not a short time by any human standard, yet the scripture says these things would shortly come to pass.
Now note the end of verse three:
“the time is at hand.”
Not only is the time short, but the time is at hand. Is it possible that all predictions within the book have already happened, or perhaps they repeat themselves on a cyclic nature? This is a good question to keep in mind as we examine the text.
(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.” Verse 3
Thus is a very interesting statement. Why?
Because most people who read the book do not feel blessed. Many feel almost cursed with fear instead because of all the calamities predicted there. How can you feel blessed when you feel that a good portion of the earth may be destroyed and many loved ones will suffer great calamities?
Or is it possible the book is misunderstood, that the real purpose is to unveil Jesus Christ and such an unveiling will bring a blessing and not a curse?
Keep this thought in mind as we move forward.
Now let us go to the first part of the vision:
“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. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” Rev 4:1-2
The first thing you might want to do is to get an overview of chapter four and read the whole thing.
For purposes of interpretation forget the literal vision and whether or not John saw images with a real existence. Instead remember this one important point. All form, real or imagined, represents a real inner truth that can enlighten the understanding.
Questions:
(1) What is the door which was open in heaven?
(2) Why did the first voice sound like a trumpet? What is the meaning of the sound of a trumpet?
(3) What is the throne set in heaven?
For Video classes based on the completed book go to this link:
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” Dr. Seuss (1904 – 1991)
March 7, 2005
Copyright by J J Dewey
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