I think one possible reason why much of Daniel and Revelation are relegated to the past is because they would be quite disruptive if applied to the present.

For example, the idea of character perfection is clearly taught in passages like Daniel 8:13-14 and Revelation 14:12, but this idea is not fashionable today, and would cause large-scale upheaval in the church and the world if it was vigorously proclaimed.

There are all sorts of SOP statements about character perfection, for example this one:

The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people.  {DA 671.3}

LET US START WITH REVELATION 1:1.

*Revelation 1:1, "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:"

1. First of all, the Revelation is all about Jesus. It is the revealing of the character of God to the world at the darkest point in earths history. The context of this verse is John being bound in prison on the isle of Patmos. The last of the 12 original disciples living. The church is suffering from false doctrines, false prophets, divisions, and under heavy persecution from the Jewish leadership & The Roman Government (Emperor Domitian). To John, the church has appeared as about to fall (sound familiar?). He is now discouraged. However, mans extremity is Gods opportunity. It will be no different with the church in these last days.

In this case, John represents the church.

The final Revelation will be given to the church when it has seemed to fall. (You think WO is a big issue? We havent seen anything yet!). God's faithful people within the church will be burdened down as John was on the isle of Patmos. But praise God, Jesus always shows up right on time!

John wrote Revelation under the most forbidding, hopeless, discouraging circumstances. But Christ came to give John a message of hope and assurance of salvation for him and his people! 

John was told to send the message to the 7 churches. The messages contained in this book are especially for the church! John was instructed to send this very important message to the 7 churches of Asia Minor in his day. The reason is clear: the church must first receive a clear revelation of Jesus before it can present the message to the world. Also, because this great & final light will be given to the church first, judgment will also begin with the church first (1 Peter 4:17). Which is why the first part of the vision of Revelation is addressed to the church (Revelation 1-3). 

We must understand that the final, full & complete revelation of Jesus Christ comes to the church when she is under distress from all sides, as seen in the (TYPE) case with John. This is still future. 

2. Secondly, this first verse of Revelation tells us that God is a God of order. Order is the rule of God's government. Notice God gives the revelation to Jesus, Jesus gives it to His angels, the angels give it to God's servants, the servants give it to the church (and the church will finally give it to the world). Here, God is giving us a picture of His KINGDOM. God's government is His Kingdom. When Jesus was here on earth, He told us that we ought to know "the time of our visitation" (Lk. 19:44). The Jewish nation failed to understand that the Kingdom of God was in their midst in the person of Jesus Christ. They rejected the kingdom of grace that Christ had come to establish. In these last days, God is soon to establish His Kingdom of Glory through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the hearts & lives of those who have fully accepted & submitted to the kingdom of grace already established at the first coming of Christ. Jesus always seeks to establish His kingdom BEFORE probation closes to give all a chance to enter therin. Jesus' ministry began 7 years before the Close of Probation for the Jewish Nation. He wanted to use His Jewish Church to finish the work of God in the earth, to fulfill the covenant that "all nations" would be blessed through Israel. But we know the rest of the story. However, God's covenant will finally be fulfilled through Spirtual Israel at the Revelation of Jesus Christ. God comes to establish His Kingdom of Glory before PROBATION CLOSES in the end of time. This is why the Revelation comes to the church FIRST. 

The reason why God establishes the Kingdom of Glory at the end of time before probation closes is that ALL may hear & SEE the righteousness of Christ which is to finish the work. We are told, 

"The message of Christ's righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God, which closes the work of the third angel." {6T 19}

"The last message of mercy to be given to the world is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them." {COL 415, 416}

...This is the result & work of the Kingdom of Glory being established in the heart & lives of God's people at THE END OF TIME. God steps in to FINISH THE WORK. As we are told from God's Word, 

*Romans 9:28, "For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth."

...As we discussed earlier, their is a TIME for everything. The church will not finish the work until it is TIME to finish the work according to God's timetable. The saints will not be perfected to reflect God's character until it is TIME to reflect God's character. However, this does not neglect the work of grace in our hearts & lives to grow up into Christ under ALL the light we have NOW. We are to be PREPARED for the Kingdom of Glory. We should be gaining victory over known sins in our lives NOW and asking the Lord to continue revealing anything that is not like Him to be removed from us. If we stick to God's plan and allow Him to have His way in our lives, we will blossom and be ready for the final harvest at the right TIME.  The seed planted will bloom in its time (Eccl. 3:1). 

God's Kingdom of Glory is set up in the earth TO FINISH THE WORK. As we read in Romans 9:28. it is God who finishes the work. And He will fulfill His promise. This is why we are told, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of Hosts" (Zech. 4:6). The church has been trying to finish the work on her own terms, through preaching, programs, seminars, classes, ministries, etc. But God will have the last word. Furthermore we are told in the SOP "the work the church has failed to do in times of peace and prosperity, we will have to do under the most discouraging, hopeless circumstances". This brings us back to John's situation on the isle of Patmos. It is only when the church is helpless & hopeless...and recognizes her need, then the Lord will show up. It is not by our might or power, but God's Spirit will empower us to finish the work, on God's timetable & terms...not ours. 

The Revelation of Jesus Christ brings the Kingdom of God's Glory. The Kingdom of God's Glory brings the fullness of God's Spirit to FINISH THE WORK---to take the gospel into ALL THE WORLD. Another term for the fullness of God's Spirit is the Outpouring of God's Spirit or the Latter Rain which will finally completely fulfill Joel 2:28-32 where God's Spirit is poured out and visions & prophesying takes place. This is why the message is given to God's servants first. Because, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) The Lord will not bring on the FINAL JUDGMENT, END TIME EVENTS, HIS WRATH, & THE END OF THE WORLD before He tells His servants the prophets (His saints that have accepted the Spirit of Prophecy from Samuel to Elijah, To Daniel, To John The Baptist, To John The Revelator To EGW, etc.) True to God's word, He tells His servants first. The servants are to take this final revelation to the church at large. 

Now that the work is beginning to be finished in the earth, Jesus' prophetic words are being fulfilled.

*Matthew 24:14, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

...Notice it is "the gospel of the kingdom" that is to be preached in all the world for a witness, and then the end comes. This verse is consistent to the REAL meaning of the book of revelation. God establishes His kingdom of Glory in the earth and His people begin to proclaim it. We have been preaching the kingdom of grace for so long, and rightfully so (as long as its not cheap grace) because up to this point God's grace is given to accomplish a certain work in the believers life. But at the FINAL REVELATION, God will require the message of the Kingdom of Glory to be preached. This announcement of the Kingdom will reveal the final issues & events of TIME.

*Matthew 4:16-17, "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

*Mark 1:14-15, "Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

...Notice, Jesus preached the "gospel of the kingdom of God" which was "the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel". Again, notice that He preached "THE TIME". Over & over in Jesus' ministry He taught the prophecies and put a new freshness & brilliancy on the same prophecies the people had read over & over again, yet they did not understand. Jesus came to bring FULL LIGHT to the prophecies. SO IT WILL BE AT THE END OF TIME. We will understand Daniel & Revelation like never before. We will preach "THE TIME" like never before because we will understand the FINAL FULFILLMENT of the book of Revelation as it will be finally meant to be understood. No longer will it be historical with dates & history books. It will be a full blown PROPHECY and a living reality. John says "the time is at hand". Jesus says, "the kingdom of God is at hand". The point is the Kingdom of God will bring the end of time. The gospel message we will be preaching is "the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

3. The Kingdom of God's Glory will bring the end of the world. 

The Bible says, 

*Mark 13:39, "...the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels."

...Since the Kingdom of God's Glory brings the end of the world, that means that it also brings THE HARVEST, which is also the end of the world. Which means the Revelation of Jesus Christ will bring on the end of the world and will Harvest the earth. This has NOT YET HAPPENED, which still points to the future. Revelation CHAPTER 1 is still future in a final sense. This is why God told John that the message is also given to the angels (Rev. 1:1). They are "ministering spirits" (Heb. 1:14) which help to finish the work BUT they are also the REAPERS (Mk. 13:39) which separate the Wheat from the Tares in the church first, then in the world. This is why the Revelation of Jesus goes to the church first. This is why angels are mentioned over & over again in the book of Revelation as they have a large role in the final scenes of this earth's history. But ALSO angels represent God's people who cooperate with them. The original word for angel is "messenger". The message of truth is a HARVEST message, which means it is a "SEPARATING MESSAGE" that is given to the church and the world by God's messengers. This means that the message to the churches in Revelation 2 & 3 is a "SEPARATING MESSAGE" that will separate the wheat from the tares in God's church so that God will have a pure church that He can use to finish the work in the world. Another term for "separating the wheat & tares" is the "shaking of God's church". We will look at it in more depth when we reach Revelation CHAPTERS 2 & 3, but for now the point is clear. The Revelation of Jesus Christ brings on the KINGDOM OF GOD'S GLORY, THE HARVEST (which separates the wheat from the tares), THE FINAL SHAKING, & THE END OF THE WORLD (which is the Harvest).

Oh let us watch & pray for the revelation of Jesus Christ! Let us know the time of our visitation. Let us be prepared to stand in God's Kingdom of Glory to be co-laborers with Him as He will finish the work! 

Let us join in with Peter as he exclaimed, 

"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;" 1 Peter 1:13

*Revelation 1:3, "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."

...As we have already discussed, the Revelation of Jesus will bring on the end of the world. It will bring revival & reformation to God's church, it will shake out the sinners in Zion, it will establish God's Kingdom of Glory in the earth, and it will finish the gospel work in the earth. Satan knows this, and he is doing his utmost to prevent it, by distracting the church with side issues, causing God's church to argue and bicker, to grow worldly and cold, and to take their eyes off of Jesus. Satan has already cast his spell upon the world and the fallen churches, and now he seeks to darken the minds of God's end time people so that they will not be ready for THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. 

This is why the Bible says, 

"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;" 1 Peter 1:13

We have already established the fact that this verse tells us that the Revelation of Jesus Christ will be brought to us at the END OF TIME. This is the most important time in earth's history. All of the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles looked forward to this time and longed to be apart of God's grand final movement! The great controversy hangs in the balance with the issues at stake at the END OF TIME. The great controversy cannot close until Christ enables His church to FINISH IT. This is why the final Revelation of Jesus Christ must take place.

Remember, The Revelation of Jesus Christ brings on the KINGDOM OF GOD'S GLORY, THE FINAL JUDGMENT, THE HARVEST (which separates the wheat from the tares), THE END OF THE WORLD (which is the Harvest) & THE FINAL SHAKING. And God's Word tells us that The Harvest, The Shaking, and The Final Judgment BEGINS WITH GOD'S CHURCH! Now you can see why Satan is attacking the church on all sides! He knows his time is very short! He knows that the Revelation of Jesus will lighten the whole earth with the glory of God. This is why he works to keep the world in utter darkness. The revelation of Jesus Christ will come RIGHT ON TIME.

This is why we are told, 

"The world needs today what it needed nineteen hundred [2000] years agoa revelation of Christ." {MH 143}

...The Bible & SOP tell us over & over again that the 2nd Coming of Jesus will be similar to the 1st Coming of Jesus. We can draw many parallels on this point, but the fist point of the matter is that Christ came at the darkest point in earth's history up until that time. The world was in darkness and the Jewish church was in darkness. But praise God Christ came to bring light & life! It will be no different at the end of time, the darkest period of earths history brought to a climax! As dark as it will get, God's glorious light will shine even brighter. This will be THE FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. 

The REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST will come right on time as Christ came the 1st time to this earth right on time.

The Bible says, 

*Galatians 4:4, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son..."

...And further on this point we are told, 

"The Saviour's coming was foretold in Eden. When Adam and Eve first heard the promise, they looked for its speedy fulfillment. They joyfully welcomed their first-born son, hoping that he might be the Deliverer. But the fulfillment of the promise tarried. Those who first received it died without the sight. From the days of Enoch the promise was repeated through patriarchs and prophets, keeping alive the hope of His appearing, and yet He came not. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the time of His advent, but not all rightly interpreted the message. Century after century passed away; the voices of the prophets ceased. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel, and many were ready to exclaim, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth. Ezekiel 12:22. But like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path, God's purposes know no haste and no delay. Through the symbols of the great darkness and the smoking furnace, God had revealed to Abraham the bondage of Israel in Egypt, and had declared that the time of their sojourning should be four hundred years. Afterward, He said, shall they come out with great substance. Genesis 15:14. Against that word, all the power of Pharaoh's proud empire battled in vain. On the self-same day appointed in the divine promise, it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:41. So in heaven's council the hour for the coming of Christ had been determined. When the great clock of time pointed to that hour, Jesus was born in Bethlehem." {DA 31-32}

...THIS SAME POINT ON CHRIST'S 1ST COMING IS APPLICABLE TODAY REGARDING HIS 2ND COMING!

We are told to "KNOW THE TIME OF OUR VISITATION" (Lk. 19:44). The time of our visitation is the time when Christ comes to His church to be received by her. This is what Israel missed. Their Saviour was right in their midst, yet they knew it not! And when Christ told them He was the messiah and Son of God they REJECTED Him. Little did they know, they rejected THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. This is why they were rejected as God's people and probation closed on them. 

*John 1:11, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not."

...This mistake cannot be done by us in these last hours of earth's history. It will be as fatal for us as it was for the Jews in their day. 

We love to talk about the time when Christ comes physically through the clouds in the sky (and rightfully so because this is the blessed hope), but we fail to realize that if we are not ready for THE FINAL SHAKING, THE FINAL CRISIS, THE MARK OF THE BEAST/SUNDAY LAW TEST, THE HARVEST, THE FINAL JUDGMENT, & THE CLOSE OF PROBATION, then we will NOT be ready when Christ comes in the clouds literally & physically. It is the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST that brings on the Close of Probation. We must be ready for when Christ comes to His church SPIRITUALLY. We are to know the time of our visitation. This is why in vision, the first thing John sees is the 7 Golden Candlesticks and sees Christ there in the midst. (Rev. 1:12-20) Here is a picture of Christ visiting His church. (More on this later). 

The Bible says, 

*John 14:16-18, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

...Here, a powerful promise is made by Christ to his disciples. Jesus is telling them that He must leave. But He will send them the Comforter who is the Holy Spirit. But the point to catch is that in Christ's going away speech, He tells them "I WILL COME TO YOU" (Jn. 14:18). Jesus is here saying that He will come to them and be with them through the Holy Spirit. This is important for us to understand in these last days. We have already discovered that The Revelation of Jesus Christ establishes God's Kingdom of Glory in the earth. God's Kingdom of Glory brings on the fullness of God's Spirit. This is why in Revelation 18, the announcement is made that the whole earth is lightened with glory. (Rev. 18:1). This message of God's glory we are told is the power of the Holy Spirit in Latter Rain power. The SOP says, The great outpouring of the Spirit of God lightens the whole earth with His [God's] glory. (CS 253). 

In plain language, The final Revelation of Jesus Christ BEGINS the final  outpouring of God's Spirit. And as we have seen, it begins with the church. If God's Spirit is come, then Christ has "COME TO YOU". (Jn. 14:18). God's Spirit falls upon the church first. Jesus comes to the church in "visitation". For the church to reject the Latter Rain is to reject the Final Revelation of Jesus Christ. The fact of the matter is, to reject the Holy Spirit is to reject Christ. To reject the final outpouring of God's Spirit which is the Latter Rain is to reject the final Revelation of Jesus Christ.

This brings us to our verse for study--the 3rd verse of chapter 1 of Revelation.

*Revelation 1:3, "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."

...There is a blessing for those who read, hear, and keep the words of this prophecy. To read and study Revelation is not enough. To be blessed, we must keep and follow its counsel and teachings. We cant just be hearers of Gods Word but we also have to be doers of Gods Word.
The student of this book will be blessed ultimately with "Showers of Blessings" which is the Latter Rain, the final outpouring of God's Spirit in its fullness.

This brings us to the main point. "THE TIME IS AT HAND". 

As we have seen so far, just in the first three verses of Revelation, the context is clear. The time is at hand for God's Kingdom of Glory to be established in the earth and for the outpouring of God's Spirit to fall. This CANNOT be in the past. This is still future (right around the corner).

THE FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST BEGINS WITH THE FINAL OUTPOURING OF GODS SPIRIT AS IT BEGINS TO FALL ON THE CHURCH.

...Please don't miss this point. John 14:16-18 tells us Jesus comes SPIRITUALLY when the Comforter comes. That applied to the "Early Rain" at Pentecost for the disciples. But how much more does it apply to God's people at the end of time at the "Latter Rain". Yes, much more so. 

"The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the former rain, and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant." {8T 21}

*Revelation 1:3, "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."

...The time is at hand for God's Spirit to fall. In the fullness of time, God will pour out His spirit and lighten the whole earth with His glory. We are to prepare for this time and look forward by faith to this-Christ's glorious day. This is the great need of the "languishing church" and "impenitent congregation" of today in God's church.

"There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church and an impenitent congregation. If Satan had his way, there would never be another awakening, great or small, to the end of time. But we are not ignorant of his devices. It is possible to resist his power. When the way is prepared for the Spirit of God, the blessing will come. Satan can no more hinder a shower of blessing from descending upon God's people than he can close the windows of heaven that rain cannot come upon the earth. Wicked men and devils cannot hinder the work of God, or shut out His presence from the assemblies of His people, if they will, with subdued, contrite hearts, confess and put away their sins, and in faith claim His promises. Every temptation, every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully resisted, not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 4:6)." {1SM 124}

THE TIME IS AT HAND

*Zechariah 10:1, "Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field."

...All that is left to begin the wheels rolling on the prophecy of the Revelation is for the fires of persecution to be rekindled. As we have already seen, the backdrop & context of John receiving the revelation is PERSECUTION. It will be no different for us if we are to receive the revelation as John did. We can see that persecution is right around the corner (ex. Eric Walsh, etc.). Religious liberty is soon to die out in this country. Then the last nation of light will fall into complete darkness in a world full of darkness. This will begin the setting & backdrop for the final Revelation of Jesus to occur. And as we see the signs of the shaking increasing in our church (WO, LGBT, APOSTASY, etc.) it lets us know that the FINAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

Persecution will drive the faithful in God's church to their knees to truly earnestly pray for the Latter Rain which will fulfill the conditions of Zechariah 10:1. God's promise is that He "shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain". 

THE FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST BEGINS WITH THE FINAL OUTPOURING OF GODS SPIRIT AS IT BEGINS TO FALL ON THE CHURCH.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

*Revelation 1:5, "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"

The message of truth that comes as a result of the FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST is from Jesus Himself. We discovered in verse 2, as Christ is revealed, it causes His people to "bare record of the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ". No doubt, the Revelation of Jesus Christ reveals THE PLAN OF SALVATION. 

Jesus said it this way in His conversation with Nathanael, 

*John 1:49-51, "Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man."

...Don't miss the point. As Jesus is being REVEALED to Nathanael as the Son of God & King of Israel, Jesus responds to Nathanael by stating "ye shall see heaven open, and the angels ascending and descending upon the Son of man". Jesus is pointing Nathanael back to Jacob's dream known as "Jacob's Ladder". You remember in the dream, heaven was opened up and angels were ascending & descending upon the ladder. Here in John, we are told that the ladder is "the Son of man". Jesus is the ladder. He is our only way to heaven. Which means climbing the ladder is the only way to be saved. In other words, Jesus is the only way we can be saved. Acts 4:12. Jesus is the way to the Father and He has a plan to save us. His plan to save us is called the PLAN OF SALVATION.

In fact, we are told, 

"The Lord compassionately revealed just what Jacob neededa Saviour. He had sinned, but his heart was filled with gratitude as he saw revealed a way by which he could be restored to the favor of God. Wearied with his journey, the wanderer lay down upon the ground, with a stone for his pillow. As he slept he beheld a ladder, bright and shining, whose base rested upon the earth, while the top reached to heaven. Upon this ladder angels were ascending and descending; above it was the Lord of glory, and from the heavens His voice was heard: I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac.
...The Lord knew the evil influences that would surround Jacob, and the perils to which he would be exposed. In mercy He opened up the future before the repentant fugitive, that he might understand the divine purpose with reference to himself, and be prepared to resist the temptations that would surely come to him when alone amid idolaters and scheming men. There would be ever before him the high standard at which he must aim; and the knowledge that through him the purpose of God was reaching its accomplishment, would constantly prompt him to faithfulness. IN THE VISION THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION WAS PRESENTED TO JACOB..." {PP 183-184}

...Did you catch that? We have seen it from God's Word and the Spirit of Prophecy amplifies it. The Lord revealed Himself to Jacob and impressed him that he need Him-a Saviour! And in revealing Himself to Jacob, He revealed the plan of redemption which is the PLAN OF SALVATION.

This tells us that the FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST IS THE FINAL OFFER OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION!

And because Final & Full light is shining (see study on Rev. 1:4), all the issues of the plan of salvation are being made perfectly clear to the church first, and then the world!

God had REVEALED to Nathanael that He was the Son of God and Nathanael accepted that fact and proclaimed it just as God later did the same for Peter!

*Matthew 16:13-19, "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

...As in the case with Nathanael, Peter proclaims Christ to be the Son of the living God. Christ responds, "flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is heaven".

It is the Father who reveals the Son. The Father initiated the Plan of Salvation in heavens council and it is the Father who initiated THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST (Rev. 1:1) Because Jesus is REVEALED to Peter as the Son of God, then Christ was able to reveal the plan of salvation to Peter concerning the church.

In all three cases; Jacob, Nathanael, and Peter, Christ was REVEALED to them as the Son of God and the PLAN OF SALVATION was revealed to them as well, and this is because the PLAN OF SALVATION rests in Christ and is all about Jesus! (Just as the book of Revelation is all about Jesus).

It will be no different with us. The REVELATION OF JESUS is given to God's last day church and the world to see the wonderful character of Jesus and who God really is, and to see & understand His blessed plan of salvation in its fullest & final form. In other words, THE REVELATION OF JESUS IS THE PLAN OF SALVATION!

This is brings us to our text of study.

*Revelation 1:5, "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"

...John introduces the message of the Revelation to the churches as from Jesus the faithful witness. In the life of Christ, He always sought to WITNESS about His Father. And in turn, the Father witnessed of His Son. Then the Holy Spirit was sent to witness about Jesus. They all SELFLESSLY witness of one another in perfect harmony showing their unity of LOVE. Truly, God is LOVE. (1 Jn. 4:8) All three seek to REVEAL one another. Because Jesus accepted the role of being the sacrifice on mans behalf back in heavens council, He is the one that is both lifted up and revealed by the Father & The Holy Spirit. This is the REVELATION OF JESUS. This is why the disciple of love is given the Revelation of Jesus Christ, because it is all about SELF-SACRIFICING LOVE.

In the life of Christ, the one hour He always kept in mind was the "HOUR OF GLORIFICATION". 

*John 17:1, "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:"

...Earlier in Christ's ministry He would often state that "His hour has not yet come". But as He drew near to the cross and the time of his crucifixion, the hour of glorification had now come. The context of John 17 is the UNIFICATION of Christ's church and their sanctification by the Word of truth. The time had come for the FINISHING OF THE WORK OF CHRIST & THE GLORIFICATION OF CHRIST.

*John 17:3-5, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."

...Here Jesus tells us that eternal life comes by KNOWING who God is, and Jesus Christ as the Son of God. This is why the Revelation of Jesus Christ is SO VERY IMPORTANT, especially in these last days. Notice also that the time of glorification is at the time of the cross. The work of the cross was to begin revealing to mankind and the unfallen universe the GLORY OF GOD. 

"His name shall be called Immanuel, ... God with us. The light of the knowledge of the glory of God is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. From the days of eternity the Lord Jesus Christ was one with the Father; He was the image of God, the image of His greatness and majesty, the outshining of His glory. It was to manifest this glory that He came to our world. To this sin-darkened earth He came to reveal the light of God's love,to be God with us. Therefore it was prophesied of Him, His name shall be called Immanuel. By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was the Word of God,God's thought made audible. In His prayer for His disciples He says, I have declared unto them Thy name,merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them. But not alone for His earthborn children was this revelation given. Our little world is the lesson book of the universe. God's wonderful purpose of grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is the theme into which angels desire to look, and it will be their study throughout endless ages. Both the redeemed and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song. IT WILL BE SEEN THAT THE GLORY SHINING IN THE FACE OF JESUS IS THE GLORY OF SELF-SACRIFICING LOVE. In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven; that the love which seeketh not her own has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto." 
{DA 19-20}

...That is a powerful quote. So much is said in that paragraph from the beautiful book that REVEALS Jesus, The Desire of Ages. But the main point is that the GLORY OF GOD is the LIGHT OF GOD'S LOVE---GOD'S SELF-SACRIFICING LOVE.

This is important because, 

"The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love." {COL 415}

...As we have already discovered, The Revelation of Jesus Christ is the last message to be given to the world. The Revelation of Jesus Christ establishes the Kingdom of God's Glory in the earth. And we have now discovered that God's Glory is His Self-Sacrificing Love. This is why we are told,  "the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love." 

This is why the first part of the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST reveals Christ as "the first begotten of the dead...him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," (Rev. 1:5).

The foundation of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is His SELF-SACRIFICING LOVE. This love was revealed in all its excellence & beauty at THE CROSS OF CHRIST. John is here seeing Jesus high & lifted up on the cross where He "washed us from our sins in his own blood". It is at the cross where we first see THE LIGHT, ultimately the LIGHT OF GOD'S LOVE.

*John 3:14-17, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

...As Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness where all must look to live, Jesus was lifted up on the cross. God so LOVED the world that He GAVE...true love is revealed in SELF-SACRIFICIAL giving. Jesus agreed to the plan in heavens council and became the "lamb slain from the foundation of the world" and he stuck to the plan and took on human flesh to become a man to die on Calvary's cruel cross REVEALING His SELF-SACRIFICING LOVE. 

*Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

This is why the cross is presented in the beginning of the Revelation of Jesus (Rev. 1:5). God's love revealed on the cross is meant to draw us to Him. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, all must look to live. So Christ was lifted up that we may look and live, and "by beholding, we would become changed" to reflect His glory--His Holy & Righteous Character and His great love. Christ is seeking a "love relationship with us. The cross and His love is meant to draw us to Him and His precious bleeding side.

*John 12:32, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

This is also the goal of the Revelation of Jesus Christ---to draw all men to Christ. But it all begins at the cross.

*Revelation 1:5, "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"

...We have already discussed the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST being THE PLAN OF SALVATION. It is fitting that the cross is presented right away in the Revelation because according to the Plan of Salvation as revealed in the Old Testament Tabernacle (The Sanctuary & Its Services), THE PLAN OF SALVATION BEGINS AT THE CROSS! 

"We read in the cross of Christ that God is love, and that he will impart to us his excellences if we desire him to do so, in order that we may impart blessings to those around us. The chief end of life is to glorify God." {Youth Instructor September 6, 1894, par. 4}

...When one TRULY accepts the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary, they will begin to glorify God in their life. The beginning of the plan of salvation is the cross where JUSTIFICATION takes place. The end of the plan of salvation is the judgment in the Most Holy Place where GLORIFICATION takes place. [More on this later]. 

This is why the cross is lifted up in the Revelation of Jesus.

"These are our themesChrist crucified for our sins, Christ risen from the dead, Christ our intercessor before God; and closely connected with these is the office work of the Holy Spirit, the representative of Christ, sent forth with divine power and gifts for men. His pre-existence, His coming the second time in glory and power, His personal dignity, His holy law uplifted, are the themes that have been dwelt upon with simplicity and powerBear with a certain voice an affirmative message. Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary, higher and still higher. THERE IS POWER IN THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST...."{Evangelism 187}

...Notice, we are told that "closely connected" with the cross is the "office work of the Holy Spirit". We have already discovered that the final Revelation of Jesus brings the Final Outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Now we know why. Because the Revelation also reveals the cross and the cross connects us to the office work of the Holy Spirit. Also, connected to the cross is "Christ our intercessor before God" and "His coming the second time in glory and power" which is the final revelation of Jesus Christ. Again, all the dots are being connected as God's final light is being given to the church & world in the closing scenes of the earth's history.

The Spirit of Prophecy says, 

"The intercession of Christ in mans behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. BY HIS DEATH HE BEGAN THAT WORK WHICH AFTER HIS RESURRECTION HE ASCENDED TO COMPLETE IN HEAVEN. We must by faith enter within the veil, whither the forerunner is for us entered. Hebrews 6:20. There the light from the cross of Calvary is reflected. There we may gain a clearer insight into the mysteries of redemption. The salvation of man is accomplished at an infinite expense to heaven; the sacrifice made is equal to the broadest demands of the broken law of God. Jesus has opened the way to the Fathers throne, and through His mediation the sincere desire of all who come to Him in faith may be presented before God."  {GC 489}

...This is a powerful quote worth reading over and over again until you get the point. We have stated already that according to the Sanctuary, the cross begins the work that is completed in the Most Holy Place during the final judgment. Here we are told that in the Most Holy Place, "the light from the cross of Calvary is reflected". This means that the cross is MAGNIFIED in the Most Holy Place. It is in the Most Holy Place that "we gain a clearer insight into the mysteries of redemption"...which is THE PLAN OF SALVATION.

I think you get the point now. It has been stated over & over again in this study based on God's Word and the SOP. The message is clear.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ brings on the KINGDOM OF GOD'S GLORY, THE HARVEST (which separates the wheat from the tares), THE END OF THE WORLD (which is the Harvest) & THE FINAL SHAKING. However, The Harvest & The Shaking BEGINS WITH GOD'S CHURCH! The Harvest & The Shaking are both caused by THE WORD OF GOD. Jesus is the Word made flesh and is God Himself, and God is love. We see that love portrayed clearly in the cross of Christ which is why the cross is presented in the beginning of the revelation and is the issue in the judgment. 
(DA 58). 

God's desire is that His love will draw us to Him and will change us to reflect His glory. Only LOVE AWAKENS LOVE.

"The earth was dark through misunderstanding of God. To bring the world back to God, Satans deceptive power must be broken. God could not do this by force. He wants only the service of love, and love cannot be won by force or authority. ONLY LOVE AWAKENS LOVE. To know God is to love Him. WE MUST SEE HIS CHARACTER IN CONTRAST TO SATANS. Only one Being could do this work. Only He who knew the height and depth of Gods love could make it known. The plan for our redemption was not formulated after the fall of Adam. It was a revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages. Romans 16:25, NRSV. It was an unfolding of the principles that have been the foundation of Gods throne from eternity. God foresaw sins existence and made provision to meet the terrible emergency. He pledged to give His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16." {HH 8}

And this is why we need a revelation of Jesus in these last days.

"The world needs today what it needed nineteen hundred [2000] years ago---a revelation of Christ." {MH 143}

...The cross vindicated God's character to the unfallen worlds and the angels; thus heaven was eternally secured. But the final battleground is on this earth. As Satan pulls out his final masterpiece of deception, God pulls out His greatest weapon of light---THE FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

*Revelation 12:10-12, "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."

...The final showdown will occur on this earth. The powers of darkness verses the power of light. The issue is on THE CHARACTER OF GOD which is HIS-SELF-SACRIFICING LOVE. Satan charges God to be a selfish tyrant & dictator who only wants to force worship upon all for Himself. But the cross stands as a powerful witness that God is indeed LOVE. This is why the cross is the foundation of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. We must accept the FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST & the full terms of the PLAN OF SALVATION.

"But the plan of redemption had a yet broader and deeper purpose than the salvation of man. It was not for this alone that Christ came to the earth; it was not merely that the inhabitants of this little world might regard the law of God as it should be regarded; BUT IT WAS TO VINDICATE THE CHARACTER OF GOD BEFORE THE UNIVERSE. To this result of His great sacrificeits influence upon the intelligences of other worlds, as well as upon manthe Saviour looked forward when just before His crucifixion He said: Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all unto Me. John 12:31, 32. The act of Christ in dying for the salvation of man would not only make heaven accessible to men, but before all the universe it would justify God and His Son in their dealing with the rebellion of Satan. It would establish the perpetuity of the law of God and would reveal the nature and the results of sin."  
{PP 69}

...Which is exactly why the cross must be seen in its real & true light at the end of time.

*Revelation 1:5, "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,"

*John 17:3, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

"When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us." {DA 668}

...This is God's desire in sending us the FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. This will finally vindicate the character of God before the universe in the person of His saints and will finish the work and end the great controversy.

OH THAT WE MAY KNOW HIM!!!

We need to study Revelation more and more.

I wish that as a people we would get together in prayer and study these things deeply like our spiritual forefathers did 170 years ago.  We have lost much as a people by just resting on the laurels of of their study back then.

I'm coming in a bit late here but there is one part that I have a question about...

the 7 lampstands...

Rev 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 

Rev 1:13  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 

Notice that Jesus is walking in the midst of the 7 candlesticks... if this were the holy place in heaven he would have to be pretty small...

Notice also that this is 7 candlesticks and not 10 as in the sanctuary of the OT or 2 candlesticks as in Rev.

Notice also that there is no other reference to anything else in the Holy Place like the shew bread or the table or the alter, etc.

My point is that if we say this is the Holy Place we are reading into the scriptures.  It seems that what John saw was Jesus and He was to give a message about the 7 churches that is also significant information until the end of time or when Jesus returns.  That is, unless you have a quote from SOP originals that says otherwise.

thank you for this study... I look forward to it...

BACK TO OUR STUDY OF REVELATION.

*Revelation 1:6, "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

We left off stating that God's desire in sending us the FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST is to finally vindicate the character of God before the universe in the person of His saints and will finish the work and end the great controversy. 

It is fitting that after the truth about the cross is presented and finally understood by the church first, then the world, the next thing we see is that God will have made us "kings and priests" for His glory. 

"We read in the cross of Christ that God is love, and that he will impart to us his excellences if we desire him to do so, in order that we may impart blessings to those around us. The chief end of life is to glorify God." {Youth Instructor September 6, 1894, par. 4}

...The message & truth of the cross is meant to change us and transform us that we may give God the glory. We have understood thus far that the FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST brings on God's Kingdom of Glory.

*Revelation 11:15, "...The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."

As we enter by faith into this spiritual kingdom of glory, God makes us "kings and priests". Once we have been fully drawn to Christ by His love and great sacrifice for us, we will be a converted people and be ready and fully equipped to be used by Him to take this final gospel to the entire world. This is why the FINAL REVELATION begins with the message of the cross.

*Revelation 1:5-6, "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

...In the end, those that receive, understand, and communicate the book of Revelation are called of God and made as kings and priests. 

A king for God is a spiritual leader. A priest for God is a spiritual minister. They are given spiritual leadership & authority and spiritual anointing & ministry by God to proclaim Revelations truths and to stand in the day of the Lord. 

Gods High Calling for the church is that His people may be priests & kings.

 It will be a privilege and a great responsibility---a HIGH CALLING.

"Higher than the highest human thought can reach is Gods ideal for His children. Godliness---godlikeness---is the goal to be reached. Before the student there is opened a path of continual progress. He has an object to achieve, a standard to attain, that includes everything good, and pure, and noble.    {ED 18}

...Here we are told that Godliness, which is God-Likeness, is the goal to be reached by God's people. God is calling His people to be just like Him! The Revelation of Jesus Christ is given to show us what Jesus is really like! Christ is both PRIEST & KING!

*Hebrews 4:14, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."

*Revelation 19:16, "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords."

Jesus is both PRIEST & KING. That's why Hebrews says He comes "after the order of Melchisidek". 

Jesus was, 

"Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec." Hebrews 5:10

Melchizedek was a king of righteousness, the king of Salem and a priest of God, who met Abram in the valley of Shaveh, which is the kings valley, bought out bread and wine, blessed him, and received tithes from him. You can read the story in Genesis 14:18-20. Speaking of Christ, God says, "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." (Ps. 110:5).

The point is that Abraham, who represents the faithful as the "father of faith", comes to Melchizedek and paid him tithes. Once God's people become the "priests & kings" that we are called to be, the faithful "not of this fold" will come to us to give themselves fully to the Lord. The final harvest will not join God's last day movement until God has a faithful people who are His "priests & kings". 

Matter of fact, we are told...

"The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?" {6T 371}

The Lord has thousands upon thousands waiting to hear the final message of truth. But more than hearing it, they must SEE it. The world is waiting to see a REVELATION OF JESUS in the person of His saints. This is why we are called to a high standard of being representatives, "priests & kings" for God. This is why Christ died for us. This is why Revelation 1:5 comes before Revelation 1:6. We must see and understand the cross before we can become who God wants us to be. On the cross, God revealed His perfect love for us, and "the love of Christ constrains us" (2 Cor. 5:14) to be all that Christ wants us to be.

"Christ gave His life to make it possible for man to be restored to the image of God. It is the power of His grace that draws men together in obedience to the truth. God desires us to reach the standard of perfection made possible for us by the gift of Christ. He calls upon us to make our choice on the right side, to connect with heavenly agencies, to adopt principles that will restore in us the divine image." {AG 103}

...Here we are told that "Christ gave His life to make it possible for man to be restored to the image of God". As we saw in our study of Revelation 1:5, God's love is revealed at the cross and draws us to Him. "It is the power of His grace that draws men together in obedience to the truth". Obedience to the truth leads us to full surrender to the will of God, where God can have His perfect way in our lives. "God desires us to reach the standard of perfection made possible for us by the gift of Christ". That is indeed a HIGH CALLING! But it is possible in Jesus Christ, only as we "make our choice on the right side, to connect with heavenly agencies, to adopt principles that will restore in us the divine image"---THE FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST!

"As the truth is brought into practical life, the standard is to be elevated higher and higher, to meet the requirements of the Bible. This will necessitate opposition to the fashions, customs, practices, and maxims of the world. Worldly influences, like the waves of the sea, beat against the followers of Christ to sweep them away from the true principles of the meekness and grace of Christ; but they are to stand as firm as a rock to principle. It will require moral courage to do this, and those whose souls are not riveted to the eternal Rock, will be swept away by the worldly current. We can stand firm only as our life is hid with Christ in God. Moral independence will be wholly in place when opposing the world. By conforming entirely to the will of God, we shall be placed upon vantage ground, and shall see the necessity of decided separation from the customs and practices of the world. We are not to elevate our standard just a little above the worlds standard; but we are to make the line of demarcation decidedly apparent. 

There are many in the church who at heart belong to the world, but God calls upon those who claim to believe the advanced truth, to rise above the present attitude of the popular churches of today. Where is the self-denial, where is the cross-bearing that Christ has said should characterize His followers? The reason we have had so little influence upon unbelieving relatives and associates is that we have manifested little decided difference in our practices from those of the world. Parents need to awake, and purify their souls by practicing the truth in their home life. When we reach the standard that the Lord would have us reach, worldlings will regard Seventh-day Adventists as odd, singular, strait-laced extremists. We are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are under solemn, sacred covenant to God to bring up our children, not for the world, not to put their hands into the hands of the world, but to love and fear God, and to keep His commandments."              {FCE 288-289}

This is simply to say, once God has a fully converted people, then He can finish the work and close the great controversy.

*Revelation 1:6, "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

Here, the Revelation quotes Peter and Moses. 

*1 Peter 2:9-10, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."

...And Peter quoted Moses, 

*Exodus 19:1-6, "In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.

3 And Moses went up unto God, and the Lord called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel."

*Deuteronomy 14:2, "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."

*Deuteronomy 26:18-19, "And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;

And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken."

... God had called ancient Israel to be His representatives in the earth, to point the world to the Saviour and to demonstrate the love of God and the law of God to the nations around them.  Through them "all nations" were to be blessed. But Israel proved to be an unfaithful and disobedient people.

In the FINAL REVELATION, God will have an obedient and faithful people. They will be His people and He shall be their God. This is covenant language. They will have accepted ALL the terms of the covenant and will enter into a covenant relationship with God based on love.

...Notice, it was after God called His people out of Egypt that He set them apart o be His chosen nation & representatives in the earth. God called Israel out of Egypts bondage so that they could fully SERVE God. God took them into the wilderness so that they could LEARN how to follow Him and obey Him. Even though they were out of Egypt, Egypt was not out of them. God's people must learn to obey.
Only "if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people" (Ex. 19:5). This promise is "conditional" and has NOT YET been fulfilled.

The fact in Rev. 1:6 is that once the FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST is revealed and accepted, God will have a faithful and obedient people, a kingdom of "priests & kings", a "peculiar people",  a "holy nation", a "chosen generation" who will "shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"...only as they walk in the FINAL LIGHT of the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

The FINAL REVELATION will bring on the end of the world because God will produce a people that will be His representatives in the earth. They will be "Priests & Kings". God will have a "sanctified" people. The word sanctified means, "set apart for a holy use" God will have a covenant people that will sacrifice their ALL for the Lord and the gospels' sake. (Ps. 50:5). God will be able to FULLY use them to finish His work in the earth. The Everlasting Gospel will go into ALL the world and God's character will be vindicated. The Great Controversy will be ended.

DJ, your writing on the Kings and Priests is powerful.  It is very interesting to remember that God did not give the covenant to his children until he had taken them OUT of Egypt, into the wilderness.  No doubt a similar thing will happen at the end time. 

You wrote in an earlier post [In the OT Sanctuary service, Jesus is represented as THE LAMB on the altar in the OUTTER COURTYARD, Jesus is represented as the PRIEST in the HOLY PLACE where the lampstand, table of shewbread, and altar of incense were, and Jesus is represented as the HIGH PRIEST in the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant is.]

I think we need to remember that the same High Priest who slaughtered the lamb in the courtyard, is the one who went into the Holy Place, and then went into the Most Holy Place.  Hebrews 9, in talking about the [Holy Place], seems to be concerned with making sure people reading it understand that it is talking about the Heavenly Sanctuary, rather than the specific apartments of the Sanctuary.  No doubt you are aware that there is no English Bible translation (that I*m aware of) that translates Hebrews 9 exactly according to how we SDAs believe.  Of course I believe our SDA interpretation of Hebrews 9 is correct, I*m just saying that the words themselves don*t seem to be concerned with the physical apartments of the Sanctuary in heaven, but that we understand clearly that it is talking about the Heavenly Sanctuary. 

Surely there are many more things we need to learn about that Sanctuary, and I thank you for your bringing us to study this more.

Webmaster, you are correct. Hebrews was all about encouraging God's people not to lose hope. The temple in Jerusalem would soon be destroyed. The Temple was the anchor and foundation of Israel's economy and religious experience. God was telling them through the book of Hebrews that the TEMPLE services would continue on. Except, they would be in a SPIRITUAL manner in HEAVENS SANCTUARY. Christ would administer His own blood from His sacrifice. Christ would become our HIGH PRIEST, no longer needing an earthly priesthood and earthly temple. But the Heavenly Sanctuary still follows the PATTERN of the OT sanctuary service on earth BECAUSE the OT sanctuary service on earth was set after the example & pattern of the Heavenly Sanctuary above.

So we need to understand the EXPERIENCE of the COURTYARD, HOLY PLACE, & MOST HOLY PLACE.

Jesus has to follow the plan of salvation laid out in the sanctuary service. Jesus became the lamb slain at the cross to fulfill the courtyard. Jesus became our mediator to fulfill His role as Priest in the Holy Place, and Jesus is our High Priest & Judge of the earth to fulfill His role as HIGH PRIEST in the Most Holy Place.

The book of Revelation also follows the same sequence of the OT sanctuary service. Jesus shows up to John on the isle of patmos and John sees Christ as the one who died for Him---this is the courtyard experience.

Jesus takes John into the Holy Place where the candlesticks are.

Jesus shows John the "Ark of His testament" in the Most Holy Place, (Rev. 11:19).

This is why we are told, 

"The correct understanding of the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary is the foundation of our faith."
Letter 208, 1906. {EV 221}

*Psalms 77:13, "Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?"

*Revelation 1:7, "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."

...Every eye will see Him, and they also which pierced Him. This is a quotation taken from Zechariah 12:10. 

*Zechariah 12:10, "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."

...We have already studied the fact that the FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST BEGINS AT THE FINAL OUTPOURING OF GOD'S SPIRIT---THE LATTER RAIN. 

When God's Spirit is being poured out in its fullness, everyone will begin to realize their choices for or against Christ and His truth. We have already discovered that the FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS presents the truth about Jesus on the cross (Rev. 1:5). 
[See our study on Rev. 1:5 for more info]

The final message of the cross & the plan of salvation will open everyone's eyes to what Christ really did for them on Calvary and what He is now doing for them in Heaven's Sanctuary as a result of the blood shed on the cross.

This is why Zechariah says that God will "pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications:"--this is apart of the outpouring of God's Spirit. And it begins with the church, the "house of David". And because the pouring out of God's Spirit and the opening of the eyes to the truth about the cross is revealed to the church first, therefore JUDGMENT also begins with the church-"the house of God" (1 Peter 4:17).

The issue for the church is that at this point, if we have not already understood what God has done for us by giving us His Son and giving us so much light, the "bitterness" will be too great. God's plan is that He will have a "called out" people that understand the issues and the plan of salvation so that when His Spirit is poured out, they will be ready to spring into action and tell the world the final 'GOOD NEWS" about ALL that Christ has done. But those in the church who wait to this time, will be found "weighed in the balances and found wanting".

This is why we are told, 

"I saw that many were neglecting the preparation so needful and were looking to the time of refreshing and the latter rain to fit them to stand in the day of the Lord and to live in His sight. Oh, how many I saw in the time of trouble without a shelter! They had neglected the needful preparation; therefore they could not receive the refreshing that all must have to fit them to live in the sight of a holy God. Those who refuse to be hewed by the prophets and fail to purify their souls in obeying the whole truth, and who are willing to believe that their condition is far better than it really is, will come up to the time of the falling of the plagues, and then see that they needed to be hewed and squared for the building. But there will be no time then to do it and no Mediator to plead their cause before the Father. Before this time the awfully solemn declaration has gone forth, He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. I saw that none could share the refreshing unless they obtain the victory over every besetment, over pride, selfishness, love of the world, and over every wrong word and action. We should, therefore, be drawing nearer and nearer to the Lord and be earnestly seeking that preparation necessary to enable us to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Let all remember that God is holy and that none but holy beings can ever dwell in His presence." 
{EW 71}


More On This Later...

The point is, God wants us to see Jesus high & lifted up now since the bright rays of the Light are shining upon our pathway. We should be in "bitterness" now about what our sins have done to Jesus. We should NOW be mourning over our sins "weeping between the porch and the altar" and "sighing and crying for the abominations" in the church and in the land. We should show true heart contrition and sorrow of soul. If we wait to the final day of judgment to be in "bitterness", it will be too late, because we in the church would have had our day of opportunity and advantages. However for the world, those that have never understood this grand truth, God's final light will shine. All will have to make decisions for Christ or against Christ. This will bring the whole world to the judgment seat of Christ!

Remember, we have discovered that the cross is connected to the judgement. The truth about the cross brings on final judgment.

THE CROSS IS A TYPE OF THE JUDGMENT. The cross leads to the judgment. The cross (in the Outter Courtyard of the sanctuary) begins the PLAN OF SALVATION. The judgment (in the Most Holy Place of the sanctuary) ends the PLAN OF SALVATION. 

Because of the atonement being provided at the cross, it will bring on judgment upon this world once all of the issues are made clear by the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

The CROSS & THE FINAL JUDGMENT ARE CLOSELY RELATED...which is why the Revelation opens up with a view of the cross in light of the final judgment. According to the Sanctuary Message, the ATONEMENT begins at the cross, but it ends in the Most Holy Place. This is why the issue in the Final Judgment will be ones acceptance or rejection of the message of the cross and whether they truly picked up their cross and followed Him, the Lamb, "wheresoever He goeth".

We are told, 

"In the day of final judgment, every lost soul will understand the nature of his own rejection of truth. THE CROSS WILL BE PRESENTED, AND ITS REAL BEARING WILL BE SEEN BY EVERY MIND THAT HAS BEEN BLINDED BY TRANSGRESSION. Before the vision of Calvary with its mysterious Victim, sinners will stand condemned. Every lying excuse will be swept away. Human apostasy will appear in its heinous character. Men will see what their choice has been. Every question of truth and error in the long-standing controversy will then have been made plain. In the judgment of the universe, God will stand clear of blame for the existence or continuance of evil. It will be demonstrated that the divine decrees are not accessory to sin. There was no defect in Gods government, no cause for disaffection. When the thoughts of all hearts shall be revealed, both the loyal and the rebellious will unite in declaring, Just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? ... for Thy judgments are made manifest. Revelation 15:3, 4.
 {The Desire of Ages p.58}

...In essence, the cross is a TYPE of judgment. This is why the cross event will be repeated in the last days. Will we all run & flee as the disciples did? Or will we stand and be crucified with Christ as Paul exclaims. This is why the Revelation of Jesus brings to view the cross in the beginning of the vision. The cross points us to the final judgment.

*Revelation 1:7, "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."

Revelation 1:7 clearly implies that those responsible for the death of Christ will "wail because of him". Those responsible both PHYSICALLY & SPIRITUALLY will wail. The only ones who will stand blameless are those that have accepted the truth about the cross and have allowed Christ to remove their sins & guilt from them. These will stand in the final judgment "without fault before the throne of God, being redeemed from among men" (Rev. 14:4).

*Romans 8:1-2, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

...Those that stand in the FINAL JUDGMENT will be those that are walking after the Spirit during the FINAL OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT who now have no condemnation. The rest of the world will stand condemned in "bitterness" (Zech. 12:10) as they see the truth about the cross and their rejection of that truth and they see the nearness of Christ's return and they are sadly NOT READY. 

As we are told in Inspiration, there will be a "special resurrection" of those responsible for Christ's death physically. They will be raised from the dead to witness His coming (Dan. 12:2). During the course of His trial Jesus had warned the Jewish leaders of this dread event. And the same warning is also for us!

*Matthew 26:64, "Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."

...Those that realize they are lost because of their rejection of the cross of Christ & His truth "will wail". In the original, this word means to "cut themselves". They will realize they have been "cut off" and this has been done by "themselves".

God's Word teaches the truth of the judgment being a course of one's own decision. In the judgment we will all "reap what we have sown". 

*Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

*Job 4:8, "Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same."

*Hosea 10:13, "Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men."

*2 Chronicles 6:23, "Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness."

*Ezekiel 33:4, "Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head."

*Psalms 7:8, 11-16, "The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
11God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.

14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.

16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate."

...You get the point, we will receive the reward of our own choices.

The term "wail" literally meaning "cut themselves" is in reference to the ancient custom of gashing or smiting one's own body as a sign of grief. In a figurative sence, as here, the word comes to a focus on the grief rather than the physical act of striking the body. Here it reflects the remorse of the ungodly. The wicked now realize they are everlastingly lost!

*Jeremiah 8:20, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."

As we have previously stated, 

 The Kingdom of God's Glory brings the end of the world, which means that it also brings THE HARVEST, which is also the end of the world 9Mk. 13:39). Which means the Revelation of Jesus Christ will bring on the end of the world and will Harvest the earth. This has NOT YET HAPPENED, which still points to the future. Revelation CHAPTER 1 is still future in a final sense. This is why God told John that the message is also given to the angels (Rev. 1:1). They are "ministering spirits" (Heb. 1:14) which help to finish the work BUT they are also the REAPERS (Mk. 13:39) which separate the Wheat from the Tares in the church first, then in the world. This is why the Revelation of Jesus goes to the church first. This is why angels are mentioned over & over again in the book of Revelation as they have a large role in the final scenes of this earth's history. But ALSO angels represent God's people who cooperate with them. The original word for angel is "messenger". The message of truth is a HARVEST message, which means it is a "SEPARATING MESSAGE" that is given to the church and the world by God's messengers. Those that reject God's final message of mercy, are rejecting the last offer of salvation. They finally see when it is too late, that they REJECTED the Son of God---the FINAL REVLATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

May we not be amongst those who cry out,

 "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." Jer. 8:20.

Yes NB, it actually applies to both the 2nd Coming & 3rd Coming, though our focus right now is on the 2nd Advent. 

Thanks

*Revelation 1:8, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

...JESUS IS PROPHECY. He is from "everlasting to everlasting", He is omniscient-ALL KNOWING, He is eternal. He is eternity in the past, He is the present, and He is eternity in the future. He is the Lord of prophecy.

*Mark 1:14-15, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

"The burden of Christs preaching was, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel. Thus the gospel message, as given by the Saviour Himself, was based on the prophecies." {The Desire of Ages p.233}

As this was true for the KINGDOM OF GRACE Christ established the first time He came, so it will be true for the KINGDOM OF GLORY that Christ establishes right before He comes the 2nd time. The "gospel of the kingdom" will be based on the prophecies, based on Christ Himself---THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

*2 Peter 1:19, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:"

When the FINAL REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST is revealed to the world, the world will be covered in darkness. However, the "more sure word of prophecy" will be as "a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts". Jesus is the DAY STAR, the bright and morning star! Rev. 22:16

*Revelation 1:8, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." 

The Lord, "which is, and which was, and which is to come".

...This phrase points out that the Revelation of Jesus Christ has been revealed in THREE (3) tenses. Jesus divides Himself into three points of time. Don't miss the point.

3 is a very important number in the Bible. 

Three is common in designating significant lengths of time, such as three days, three weeks, three months or three years.
(Gen. 40:12f., 18; Ex. 2:2; 10:22; 2 S. 24:13; Isa. 20:3; Jonah 1:17; Mt. 15:32; Lk. 2:46; 3:7; Acts 9:9; 2 Cor. 12:8)

The number 3 is used 467 times in the Bible. It pictures completeness, though to a lesser degree than 7.

The number 3 suggests the idea of completenessbeginning, middle, end. Which is what we have just seen in Rev. 1:8.

The point is, there were three important "revelations" of Jesus as it relates to the plan of salvation.

1. Jesus revealed Himself to Adam & Eve as their Saviour after they sinned. THE BEGINNING (WHICH WAS)

2. Jesus revealed Himself to the world as the Saviour of mankind by dying on the cross. THE MIDDLE (WHICH IS)

3. Jesus reveals Himself to the world the last time as Judge & King of the Universe. THE END (WHICH IS TO COME)

This is important because as we have discovered, the REVELATION is based on the SANCTUARY.

We have already discussed that the OT Sanctuary service is the Old Testament REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST because it revealed the plan of salvation and everything in it and about it pointed to Christ.

The New Testament Revelation of Jesus Christ is the last book of the Bible and you will NOT be able to FULLY understand it if you do not understand the sanctuary and its services.

The Sanctuary is divided into 3 compartments or PHASES.

1. The Outter Courtyard

2. The Holy Place

3. The Most Holy Place

There are 3 phases to the plan of salvation that correlate with the sanctuary.

1. Justification (The Outter Courtyard)

2. Sanctification (The Holy Place)

3. Glorification (The Most Holy Place)

...All of this also means that there are 3 main BATTLES or CONFLICTS between Christ & Satan. This is because if there are 3 "revelations" of Jesus and the plan of salvation, then the "enemy of all righteousness" is on the prowl seeking to stop or hinder it.

This is why the very first prophecy is also divided into THREE tenses.

*Genesis 3:15, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

Without exhausting this verse, the Bible student knows that there are 3 applications to this prophecy.

1. "Enmity between thee (the serpent) and the woman". The BATTLE in Eden. In the immediate context, the prophecy applies to Eve and the serpent.

2."Enmity between thy seed and her seed". The BATTLE at the cross. This applied to Christ vs. Satan

3. "Enmity between thy seed and her seed". The final BATTLE at the end of time. This applies to "the children of this world" vs. "the remnant of her seed" in a FINAL sense.

Ever sense the first prophecy was given, the GREAT CONTROVERSY has been raging. God will fulfill His promise of putting ENMITY in our hearts against SIN & SATAN. This is finally fulfilled in the book of Revelation with God's last day church!

The whole plan of salvation has been working from Genesis 3:15 to fulfill this purpose!

"The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God. From the first intimation of hope in the sentence pronounced in Eden to that last glorious promise of the Revelation, They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads (Revelation 22:4), the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible is the unfolding of this wondrous theme,man's uplifting,the power of God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57. He who grasps this thought has before him an infinite field for study. He has the key that will unlock to him the whole treasure house of God's word." {ED 125}

In the end, Christ wins even though it has appeared that Satan has been winning. This is why Christ announces HIMSELF as Alpha & Omega.

He is "A" to "Z". He is the beginning and ending. This expression indicates completeness and comprehensiveness. And He is the ALMIGHTY.

*Revelation 1:8, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."

...In the original Greek word, Christ is declaring Himself the "ruler of all". This title will be seen frequently through the rest of the book of Revelation. This title stresses the omnipotence of God as the one with all power in His hands is now about to exercise His full authority in the earth and end the battle for good, once and for all. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

*Revelation 11:15, "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."

Truth IV wrote:

---

DJ wrote:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a prophecy of the character of Christ being revealed to the world

---

No. It is not. What in the book of Revelation indicates any special concern to reveal the character of Christ? Revelation 1:1 says "The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place" (NIV). 

---

There are a variety of ways of verifying what DJ said here.

For example, the first angel's message (Revelation 14:6-7) points us back to our Creator, and we are to reveal Him to the world by our witness.

If we go back a few verses, we find the 144,000 following Christ wherever He goes (Revelation 14:4), and it's possible to show that these people serve as special witnesses to reveal Christ to the world.  This idea is ratified by what Revelation 14:12 says, about how the saints are enabled to fully keep the law, by virtue of their intimate union with Christ, appropriating His life and victory and faith.  Revelation 15:2-4 portrays these people after they have gotten the victory, and they are giving all the glory to the Lord.

It's also interesting to bring in some corollary passages from the Old Testament.  For example, the SOP says that Elijah was a type of the 144,000 (PK 227.2), and there are various Bible passages that portray him as a forerunner of Christ (Malachi 4:5-6).

We find a similar thing in Zechariah 3, and 3:8 talks explicitly about "men wondered at" and "my servant the BRANCH".  5T 476.1 says that this is a reference to the 144,000, and we know of course who "the BRANCH" is.

There is a lot of SOP material on this subject, and one of my favorites is this one:

The time of test is just upon us, for the loud cry of the third angel has already begun in the revelation of the righteousness of Christ, the sin-pardoning Redeemer. This is the beginning of the light of the angel whose glory shall fill the whole earth. For it is the work of every one to whom the message of warning has come, to lift up Jesus, to present Him to the world as revealed in types, as shadowed in symbols, as manifested in the revelations of the prophets, as unveiled in the lessons given to His disciples and in the wonderful miracles wrought for the sons of men. Search the Scriptures; for they are they that testify of Him.  {1SM 362.4}