The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

much these exhortations were needed, history now informs us in no uncertain tones. Only
the few have given heed to these encouraging messages and salutary admonitions. Many
leaders of the Lord's people have by their example and teaching discouraged, instead of
encouraged, the reading or hearing of this book read. Others have ridiculed those who
have sought to heed these exhortations of their Divine Lord. It is said that James Robinson,
who wrote on the Revelation in 1730, gave expression to the words:
"Some are not ashamed directly to flout at, and spit contempt upon those that meddle with
the exposition of this prophecy; which is an indirect battering of a great part of God's
Word. Thus Dr. South, in one of his sermons, affirms that none but a madman will meddle
with the Revelation; or, if he has wits at the beginning, before he has done, they will be
cracked. And Davies, a Welsh bombastic barrister, has the impudence to insult a learned
and reverend prelate, yet alive, because he consumed two full years and more on this
prophecy."
But as another has said, "We can afford to let men sneer when we have the sure
benediction of God": "Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this
prophecy."
To keep the words of the prophecy of this book would necessitate at least a partial
understanding of the prophetic utterances contained in the book. Those who have in the
past heeded the Master's exhortations and admonitions along these lines have been
enabled to realize the importance of so doing by the assistance they have received in their
service for the Master, and in keeping themselves free from the false systems referred to in
the visions of the book. As history has gradually unveiled the meaning of the symbolic
visions, not a few of God's people throughout the Age now closing have been encouraged,
cheered, and comforted in their hours of isolation and their days of trial,
misrepresentation, and persecution, by understanding its visions, and thus being built up
in the most holy faith. If this has been true in the past, how much more is it true today,
when nearly all of the visions have met their fulfillment. By understanding these, such are
enabled to forecast with measurable correctness the fulfillment of the few that yet remain,
and thus come to a knowledge of the nearness of the Kingdom--the realization of the
Church's hope, Israel's restoration to favor, and the divinely predicted restitution of all
things. The time is now come for the Lord's people to understand all these wonderful
visions and this is one of the many evidences that we are living in the days of the Second
Presence of the Son of Man.
St. John worships the revealing angel
St. John next informs us that when he had heard and seen these things, be was so
overcome, so overawed, that he fell prostrate before the angel who had revealed them to
him. The emotions of St. John at this moment are variously interpreted by expositors. One
has thus expressed himself concerning this:
"So wonderful were the revelations, and so wonderful was the knowledge and
understanding of the angel which communicated these things, that St. John was filled with