making the scriptures plain

The full mystery of God has been kept a secret from the foundation of the world. But the Holy Spirit will reveal aspects of this mystery to all who wish to know the truth in faithful study and obedience of the scriptures.

Revelation is unique in that it is the only book of the Bible that relates to the time after Jesus left the earth to the time He returns to put an end to sin and reward His faithful people with eternal life. May we receive insight as we study this book - His special message for those living through this final period of earth's history.

Studying the word ‘revelation’ and its derivatives as they appear in the Bible, the Scriptures tell us that God gives revelations to warn His people what will happen before Jesus comes. He also gives revelations about iniquity and its consequences. Paul advised the church that a revelation from God will be helpful, constructive and edifying. We need to treat with respect both the revelation and the one through whom it comes, allowing them to share it and paying special attention to their message.

But how does God convey His revelations? Communication from God to man is always from the Father to Jesus the Son, from Jesus to His angel, from His angel to His prophet.

GOD -> JESUS -> HIS ANGEL -> A PROPHET

For example, God communicated the Revelation vision to His people by giving it to Jesus, who sent His angel to show it to John.

The role of the prophets is crucial. We learn from the Book of Amos that the Lord never does anything without first revealing his plans to His servants the prophets. We are told about every significant coming event before it happens, whether it is good or bad.

If it pleases God He will use even the very young. God revealed His plans to Samuel when he was a child, making it clear that it is faithfulness and obedience, not age, that are the qualifications for a prophet.

God spoke to King David through Nathan the prophet, revealing that He would set up the 'House of David' as an everlasting dynasty of kings. In fact this House was to be especially blessed as Jesus, the Messiah and King of Kings, was to be part of the lineage.

Concerning those that turn from the Lord and His ways, there will come a time when the heavens will expose the guilt of the wicked. The Lord revealed to Isaiah that He could not forgive the sin of pride manifested by the merchants of Tyre and the people of Jerusalem at the time when Elam and Kir attacked them. But He is also merciful, later promising Jeremiah that He will heal Jerusalem’s wounds and show it prosperity and true peace.

Isaiah brings messages of hope concerning the coming Messiah. He promises that the glory of the Lord would be revealed by the one who was coming before Him to prepare the way, and that the Lord’s righteousness was soon to be revealed.

In the Book of Daniel we are given amazing panoramic views of earthly kingdoms to come and warnings of war and great hardship, as Daniel interpreted the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, and received visions in the time of Cyrus, king of Persia.

We know through the Gospels that Jesus, during His ministry here on earth,  spoke at length about justice and mercy. He reassured those who were suffering under harsh regimes that in the end everything that is covered, including all the seemingly unnoticed unpunished injustices, would be exposed to everyone. The deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.

Despite these warnings, right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed, people will be going about their business as though the world will continue as it is for ever. He warned that those who refuse to turn from their sins are storing up terrible punishment for themselves. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgement will be revealed.

In his letters, Paul writes about his calling to discipleship. He was given visions and revelations from the Lord. And it is because of this that Paul is able to give us such deep insight into the Gospel and its power to save.

Though kept secret from the beginning of time, this Gospel was now revealed, showing how God makes both Jew and Gentile right in His sight through faith. But God will show his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. So Paul encouraged his co-workers to build up the church expertly, on the foundation of Jesus Christ that he had laid. For on the judgement day, fire would reveal what kind of work each builder has done.

Unlike the twelve disciples, Paul was not with Jesus during His earthly ministry. He received the Gospel message by direct revelation from Jesus, for the purpose of proclaiming the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Paul did not believe in the once-saved-always-saved idea, recognising that he was not yet made perfect. He wanted the spiritually mature to agree on these issues. He believed God would reveal this truth to those who were of a different opinion.
 
Paul saw the law as protecting people until they could be made right with God through faith. And he recognised the importance of spiritual discernment, constantly asking God to give spiritual wisdom and insight so that Christians might grow in their knowledge of God. Like Jesus, he comforted all who are suffering and under persecution with the reassurance that God will provide rest for them when the Lord Jesus is revealed in glory from heaven.

But this day of the Lord would not come until after the great rebellion against God and the revealing of the destroyer. Although this lawless destroyer was already at work secretly, it would remain secret until the right time, when the One who is holding it back steps out of the way. But the Lord Jesus will kill this man of lawlessness with the breath of His mouth. He will destroy him by the splendour of His coming!

Peter’s first letter is a message of encouragement and hope for us as we go through this life of ups and downs waiting for Jesus to appear in glory. Through your faith, he says, God is protecting you by his power until you receive your salvation, to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

Incredibly the prophets of old did not fully understand the messages of salvation they were given, though they faithfully passed them on to God’s people. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when He told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and His great glory afterward. It was revealed to them that their messages were not for themselves, but for us!

We should look forward with joy to the gracious salvation that will come to us when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. Any trials we may go through because we are Christians are a blessing because they enable us to be partners with Christ in his suffering. We will have the wonderful joy of seeing and sharing in His glory when it is revealed to the entire world.

We come lastly to the first verse of the Book of Revelation. This book, we are told, is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. The Book of Revelation is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

In this study, we have looked at passages of Scripture that contain reference to ‘revelation’ and ‘revealing’. In light of these passages, we can see that God unfolds the truth to us in His own good time, when it is best for us, when we are ready to receive it.

We see that the mystery of God is none other than the Lord’s part in the great controversy – the battle between good and evil – and the glorious way He conquers sin, death and evil for eternity.

This mystery of God was disclosed in part to the prophets of old when the Holy Spirit spoke to them about the coming Messiah and His sacrifice for mankind. They wondered what it could all mean, but faithfully reported it anyway.

In the next period of revelation, Jesus initially prepared His apostles to establish His church before making His supreme Sacrifice on the cross. The Holy Spirit then quickened those same apostles at Pentecost, and proceeded to unfold more truth to them, for the benefit of His people for all time. Paul and Peter in particular highlight the work of the Spirit in revealing the true meaning and relevance of the Gospel. They also touch on the future appearing of Jesus, the day of the Lord, and how we should be while we wait for His coming.

The beginning of the Book of Revelation heralds the start of the last scriptural period of revelation - the time when Jesus appeared in vision to John on the island of Patmos. This vision covers the era stretching from the formation of the Christian church to the very end of the world. It is given in great and glorious detail. It is a creative work of art that often uses symbolic language and imagery, and we need spiritual discernment to understand it. But the reason for this revelation is not obscure. It is clearly to equip and prepare God’s people, especially those who will be alive just prior to Hisglorious appearing in the clouds.

This is the back drop to the Prophetic Verses compilation that follows. Based on the book of Revelation, it is a deep exploration of the Bible using the Bible itself as the map. Just as much as it gives us insight into this Revelation, may it help to equip us and prepare us to meet our Lord when He comes. This is the prayer of the compilers.

God reveals secrets to His servants

Deut.29.29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

God's revelation to Samuel

1Sam.3.4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
1Sam.3.5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

1Sam.3.6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

The LORD had called the child

1Sam.3.7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
1Sam.3.8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
1Sam.3.21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

I will build thee an house

2Sam.7.27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee

Revelations of the Unrighteous

Job.20.27 The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.

A talebearer

Pro.11.13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Pro.20.19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

God's wrath reveals iniquity

Isa.22.14 And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Isa.23.1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

The glory of the LORD

Isa.40.5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Isa.56.1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.

I will cure them

Jer.11.20 But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

Jer.33.6 Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

God's secrets revealed to Daniel

Dan.2.19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Dan.2.22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
Dan.2.28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
Dan.2.29 As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.

Dan.2.30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
Dan.2.47 The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

What shall befall thy people in the latter days

Dan.10.1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
Dan.10.11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

Dan.10.12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
Dan.10.14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.

The righteousness of God revealed in us

Amos.3.7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

There is nothing covered

Matt.10.26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

Simeon and Mary

Luke.2.26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Luke.2.35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Luke.12.2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
Luke.17.30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

A partaker of the glory

Rom.1.17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom.1.18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom.2.5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Rom.8.18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Rom.16.25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

The spirit of wisdom and revelation is given to us

1Cor.2.10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Cor.3.13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

1Cor.14.6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

1Cor.14.26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1Cor.14.30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

Those to whom revelations are made, not to be exalted

2Cor.12.1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

2Cor.12.7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Jesus revealed to Paul

Gal.1.12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal.1.16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

Gal.2.2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Gal.3.23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

God's truth revealed in Man

Eph.1.17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph.3.3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph.3.5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

God shall reveal even this unto you

Phil.3.15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

When Jesus shall be revealed

2Thes.1.7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Thes.2.3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2Thes.2.6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Thes.2.8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

To be revealed in the last time

1Pet.1.5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pet.1.12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
1Pet.1.13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pet.4.13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
1Pet.5.1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Rev.1.1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: