MPV Commentary

Source and Object of This Revelation: Blessing on the Reader and Keeper of It, as the Time Is Near: Inscription to the Seven Churches: Apostolic Greeting: Keynote, "Behold He Cometh" (Compare at the close, Re 22:20, "Surely I come quickly"): Introductory Vision of the Son of Man in Glory, amidst the Seven Candlesticks, with Seven Stars in His Right Hand.

The book of Revelation is an unveiling or apocalypse of God's plan that had been hidden. It is a manifesto of Christ's kingdom and a traveling manual for the Church during Gentile Christian times. This book does not provide a detailed history of the future but rather represents key epochs and powers involved in developing God's kingdom in relation to the world.

The "Church-historical" view of Revelation contradicts the principle that Scripture interprets itself. Instead, Revelation is meant to teach us how to understand our times, not the other way around. Although it's natural for a reflex influence to be exerted here and understood by those who are prudent, the book is structured in parallel groups rather than chronological succession.

There is an organic historical development of God's kingdom throughout this book. In Revelation, all previous prophecy reaches its consummation. Daniel foretold Christ's coming and the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, as well as the last Antichrist. However, John's Revelation fills in the intermediate period, describing the millennium and final state beyond Antichrist.

Daniel viewed history from a godly statesman's perspective, relating to the four world kingdoms. In contrast, John, as an apostle, views history from the Christian Church aspect. The term "Apocalypse" is not applied to any Old Testament book, but Daniel comes closest in its content. What Daniel was told to seal and shut up until the end of time, John is now directed to reveal, since the time is at hand (Re 1:3).

Jesus Christ is the author of this Apocalypse, not John the writer. Christ taught many things before His departure, but those that were unsuitable for announcement at that time He brought together into the Apocalypse [Bengel]. Compare His promise in John 15:15, "All things that I have heard of My Father, I have made known unto you," and John 16:13, "The Spirit of truth will show you things to come." The Gospels and Acts are the books of His first advent, respectively, in the flesh and in the Spirit; the Epistles are