Channel Of Communication

Revelation 1:1b, 2 continues: "And he [Jesus] sent forth his angel and presented it [Revelation]in signs through him to his slave John, who bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw." Thus, John received the inspired record through an angelic messenger. He wrote it in a scroll, transmitting it to the congregations of his time. Happily for us, God has preserved it for the encouragement of the more than 50, congregations of his united servants on earth today.

God had a channel for communicating Revelation in John's day, and John was the earthly part of the channel. Likewise, God has a channel for giving spiritual nourishment to his 'slaves' today. In his great prophecy concerning the conclusion of the system of things, Jesus identified the earthly part of this channel as "the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time." (Matthew 24:3, 45-47) He uses this John class in unlocking the meaning of the prophecy.

The apostle John writes that Jesus presented Revelation "in signs," or symbols. These are vivid and thrilling to examine. They depict dynamic activity and should, in turn, stir us to zealous efforts in making known to others the prophecy and its meaning. Revelation presents for us a number of electrifying visions, in each of which John participated either actively or as an observer. Those of the John class, some of whom have shared for upwards of 70 years in the fulfillment of these visions, are happy that God's spirit has unlocked the meaning so that they can explain it to others.

These visions in Revelations are not presented in Chronological order. Each has its own time period of fulfillment. Many of the visions echo words of earlier prophecies that provide clues as to their interpretation. For example, Daniel's prophecy described four fearsome beasts, explaining that these portrayed ruling powers on earth. Hence, we are helped to understand that the beasts of Revelation represent political entities, including those now existing.-Daniel 7:1-8,17; Revelation 13;2, 11-13; 17:3.

Next time: Continue with the above subject.