Some voices claim the correct understanding
of Bible prophecy will not be disclosed fully until the “last generation.”
Passages from the books of Daniel and Revelation are cited to validate this.
Apparently, hidden information will only be decoded in history's last few years
before Jesus returns.
This idea is derived from Daniel 12:4.
Daniel was ordered by an angel "to seal the book until the time of the
end.” The assumption is that Daniel’s visions will not be understood fully
until the end. Since Revelation makes extensive use of Daniel, this assumption
likewise is made about its visions.
This interpretation is contrary to the stated
purpose of Revelation (1:1-3) and ignores the New Testament
understanding of the “last days.” Moreover, it overlooks the command to John
NOT “to seal the prophecy of this book” (22:10), a passage using
language from Daniel 12:4.
(Daniel 12:4) - “But
thou, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book to the time of the end.”
(Revelation 22:10) - “And
he said to me, ‘Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time
is at hand’.”
In the book of Revelation’s first verse, it
is identified as a revelation or apokaluypsis, that is, a
“disclosure, an unveiling, an uncovering.” The book unveils things previously
hidden. Its images, language, and audible phenomena are intended to disclose,
not to mystify or conceal.
The book’s purpose is to “show God’s
servants the things that must come to pass shortly” (Revelation 1:1).
The servants addressed are seven churches of Asia. “Shortly” to them
would not have meant two millennia in the future. Those who read and “hear”
the words of the prophecy, and keep it, are declared “blessed.” The
ability to “keep” necessitates the ability to understand. The imminence
of events is reiterated in the opening paragraph, “the season is at hand,”
as well as in the book’s epilogue (Revelation 1:3-4, 1:11, 22:10).
The preceding does not mean all Revelation’s
predictions found their fulfillment in the first century, but it certainly
means the process of fulfillment began at that time.
The book of Revelation itself often
interprets its symbolism. The “seven golden lampstands” among which
Christ walks represent the seven churches. The Two Witnesses are “are two
lampstands.” The book’s visions are intended to reveal and communicate
information, not to conceal it. (Revelation 1:20, 11:4).
Daniel was commanded to seal the book until
the “time of the end.” In the New Testament, the “last days” began with
the Death and Resurrection of Jesus. God gave partial revelation “long ago
to the fathers in the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us in a
Son” (Daniel 12:1-4, Hebrews 1:1-2).
God’s promise to pour out His Spirit on all
flesh was actualized “in the last days.” God sent Jesus in “the
fullness of time to redeem those under the Law.” God’s “mysteries” hidden
in past generations are now revealed in Jesus. Thus, the promised time of
fulfillment, the “last days,” began with the first advent of Jesus (Joel
2:28, Acts 2:17, Romans 11:25, 1 Corinthians 2:1, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Ephesians
1:9; 6:19, Colossians 1:26, 4:7).
There is a sealed book in Revelation, the
scroll sealed with seven seals (Revelation 5:1-4). Only the Lamb
sacrificed to redeem men and women from all nations was found worthy to open
it. This image portrays Christ’s victory on Calvary and his subsequent
elevation to God’s right hand, the basis for which he is authorized to open the
scroll (Acts 2:33, Hebrews 1:3, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2, 1 Peter 3:22, Revelation
3:21, 6:16, 7:9-17, 12:5, 14:3, 22:1-3).
Jesus established his right to open the
scroll in his past Death and Resurrection. The Lamb in this scene immediately
takes the scroll and begins to open it. What follows is the disclosure of the contents
of the seals and the scroll. The scroll is seen fully opened for the first time
in Chapter 10.
Revelation concludes by reiterating themes
from its prologue. The Risen Christ sent his angel to show to his servants the “things
that must come to pass shortly.” He reiterates promises of blessing to them
“who keep the words of the prophecy.” The angel repeats the
pronouncement: “the season is near” (Revelation 22:6-10).
The commandment for Daniel to seal the book
provides the wording for a passage in the book’s epilogue. Daniel was “to
seal up the book until the time of the end.” But John was commanded, “not
to seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, for the season is near.”
The book of Revelation’s visions revealed to the churches of Asia what was to
be hidden from Daniel and others until the time of the end (Daniel 12:1, Revelation
22:6-10).
With the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, the
time of fulfillment has arrived. The unveiling of God’s mysteries is found in
the Death, Resurrection, and the Exaltation of Jesus Christ. The book of
Revelation was sent to seven churches in the late first century to communicate
information about “things that must soon come to pass.” Its purpose was
to reveal information vital to the spiritual well-being of the churches, not to
mystify them or otherwise conceal hidden truth.
Christians do not need to wait until
History’s final years to understand Revelation’s message. God did not intend Revelation
only to be “decoded” by the “last generation.” The correct interpretation of
its imagery was intended to be understood by the seven churches of Asia; its
message was applicable to their real-life situation.
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