BE HAPPY READERS OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

"I JOHN . . . came to be in the isle that is called Patmos for speaking about God and bearing witness to Jesus." (Revelation 1:9) Such were the circumstances in which the apostle John wrote the book Apocalypse, or Revelation. It is thought that he was exiled to Patmos during the rule of Roman Emperor Domitian ( 81-96 C.E.), who enforced emperor worship and became a persecutor of Christians. While on Patmos, John received a series of visions that he put down in writing. he related them, not to scare the early Christians, but to strengthen, comfort and encourage them in view of the trials they were undergoing and those that lay ahead. -Acts 28:22; Revelation 1:4; 2:3, 9, 10, 13.

The circumstances in which this Bible book was written are very significant for Christian living today. John was undergoing persecution because he was a witness for Jehovah and His Son, Christ Jesus. He and his fellow Christians were living in a climate of hostility because, while endeavoring to be good citizens, they could not practice emperor worship. (Luke 4:8) In some countries, true Christians today find themselves in a similar situation,m where the State assumes the right to define what is "religiously correct." How comforting, therefore, are the words found in the introduction to the book of Revelation: "Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy,and who observe the things written in it; for the appointed time is near." (Revelation 1:3) Yes, attentive and obedient readers of Revelation can find true happiness and many blessings.

Who is the ultimate Source of the Revelation,and what channel is used to transmit it? The opening verse tells us: "A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place . And he sent forth his angel and presented it in signs through him to his slave John." (Revelation 1:1) To put it simply, the actual Source of the Revelation is Jehovah God, who gave it to Jesus, and by means of an angel, Jesus communicate it to John. A little further scrutiny reveals that Jesus also used the holy spirit to convey messages to the congregations and to give John visions. -Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 4:2; 17:3; 21:10; compare Acts 2:33.

Jehovah still uses his Son, the "head of the congregation," to teach his servants on earth. (Ephesians 5:23; Isaiah 54:13; John 6:45) Jehovah also uses his spirit to instruct his people. (John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:"10) And just as Jesus used "his slave John" to communicate sustaining spiritual food to the first-century congregation, so today he uses the faithful and discreet slave," Made up of his anointed "brothers" on earth, to give his domestics and their companions spiritual "food at the proper time." (Matthew 24:45-47; 24:40 ) Happy are those who recognize the Source of the 'good gifts' we receive in the way of spiritual food and the channel He is using. -James 1:17.

Next time: Christ-Directed Congregations

Watchtower, 1999