Bible Gem 2191 – A Glimpse at the Simplicity of Revelation

I highlighted two Gems ago some of the complexities of Revelation. Now I wish to give you a glimpse of how simple Revelation is. In Gem 2187 we looked at the possibility of multiple Johns, in Gem 2188 I focused on the complication of the Greek of Revelation, while in Gem 2189 I looked at the issue of John the fisherman writing such a complicated letter. I received comments on the quotes I used in Gem 2189 related to making things simple and complicated. Yes, it is ironic that I should highlight such things and yet deal with the complications. That is because those matters of complexity float to the surface given the nature of Revelation.

I for one am busting to getting into the text of Revelation but find myself “sidetracked” in this preliminary stage to deal with the complexity. However, over the last days it seems God has drawn my attention to the simplicity of Revelation. Allow me to demonstrate what I have seen in the midst of the complexity that has surrounded me in the last two weeks when my internet connection has failed and given me some challenges. But enough of that! Sit back and observe how simple the Revelation really is.

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. . . This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. . . from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things. . .

Revelation 1:1-5

I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, “Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the [seven] cities. . . When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man.

Revelation 1:9-13

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. “Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.

Revelation 1:17-19

I confess that I have edited the above passages simply to show you what I have seen. I have NOT taken out unimportant things but I have edited the text to keep something in focus. I was struck by the fact that John had a vision of Jesus and was told specifically to write down what he saw. He then recorded what was said in conjunction with what he saw. That is the simplicity of what he has told us. I have been reading Revelation over and over in the two months before beginning these Gems. When you do that, the repetitive phrases leap out at you.

John was told by the voice to “Write down what you have seen.” There are other moments when he was told “Write this . . .” (Revelation 19:9); “Write this down . . .” (Revelation 14:13, 21:5). There were also moments when John was told “Don’t write this down” (Revelation 10:4). How simple! How clear it was made to John as the author of this book or letter as to what he was to do.

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches.

Revelation 22:16

Now allow me to point out to you how John communicates this message to us. There are 42 times when John records “I saw”: [1:12, 17; 4:1,2; 5:1,2,6; 6:2,9; 7:1,2,9; 8:2; 9:1,17; 10:1,5; 12:1,3; 13:1,3,11; 14:1,6,14; 15;1,2; 16:13; 17:3; 18:1; 19:11,17,19; 20:1,4,9,11,12; 21:1,2,22; 22:8.]

There are other occurrences when John’s eyes were drawn to things with other words like:

“Look” [11:14, 16:15], “I looked and saw” [15:5], “I looked up” [5:2], “I looked up and saw” [6:5, 6:8], “I looked again” [5:11], “I looked” [8:13], “I watched” [6:1, 6:12], “He showed me” [21:10], “the angel showed me” [22:1], “I will show you” [4:1, 17:1, 21:9], “the woman you saw” [17:18], “I stared in amazement” [17:6].

When John’s attention was drawn to things by the angel(s) or by the voice speaking he tells us clearly what he heard with the words “I heard” 24 times: [1:10; 4:1; 5:11, 13; 6:1,3,5,7; 7:4; 8:13; 9:13,16; 10:4; 12:10; 14:2,13; 16:1,5,7; 18:4; 19:1,6; 21:3 and 22:8]. Add to those further statements like “I was told” [10:11], “the angel said to me” [17:15].

There you have a pretty comprehensive summary of all that John saw and heard, just as he was told to do. Over and above it all we have the imprimatur (an authoritative statement) of Jesus himself – “Everything you have heard and seen is trustworthy and true.” [Revelation 22:6]

Once again, I have to say, how simple! John has been told to share what he has seen and heard with the servants of God. That is exactly what he was done.

Not only that, but notice that we also have a series of “Come”, “Come with me” and “Come up here”. I will give you the thrill of finding those for yourself. I have to leave some little personal touches for you to find. This really is a remarkable simple letter, prophecy and revelation. John carried out his assignment to the letter of what he was told. He completed his task by telling us all that he saw and heard.

Not only that, John was told at times, “Write this down . . .” and at other times, “Don’t write this bit, keep this bit secret.”

Ian

Put yourself in John’s shoes (assuming he wore some). It was made clear to him to write down what he saw and heard. At times he was told, write this down; it’s important. No don’t tell them that, they can’t handle that.

Ian

Don’t tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and let them surprise you with the results.

General George S Patton

Many people live in a myth and grow violently angry if anyone dares to tell them the truth about themselves.

Robert Anton Wilson