Jack Van Impe - Revelation Revealed

REVELATION REVEALED
A Verse-by-Verse Study

BY DR. JACK VAN IMPE

1982 by Jack Van Impe Ministries.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

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Printed in the United States.
Revised edition, 1992
Second printing, 1993
Third printing, 1994
Fourth printing, 1994
Fifth printing, 1994
Sixth printing, 1995
Seventh printing, 1996
Eighth printing, 1996

All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

For a complete list of recordings, books, and other resource materials by Dr. Jack Van Impe, write for our latest catalog:

JACK VAN IMPE MINISTRIES
P. O. Box 7004 Troy, Michigan 48997
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ISBN 978-0-8499-3964-8

Printed in the United States of America

08 09 10 11 12 QW 20 19 18 17 16

DEDICATED TO

DR. DAVID D. ALLEN,

who, upon my conversion to Christianity, opened my mind, eyes, and heart to prophetical truth as a professor at Detroit Bible College (now William Tyndale College),... and to

GREG HARRELL,

whose expertise as a writer was tremendously helpful
in editing this work, and to

REBECCA (SHELTON) KILGUS,

my niece, whose untiring efforts in preparing the final manuscript are deeply appreciated.

Dr. Jack Van Impe

CONTENTS

THE BOOK OF REVELATION is the culmination of Bible prophecythe point at which all the prophecies of the ages converge and find their ultimate fulfillment. Revelation discloses the future of the Jew, Gentile, and the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Within its pages are specific details concerning the Saviours return, the establishment of His Millennial kingdom, and finally, the eternal state of both the saved and the lost.

The word revelation comes from the Greek apokalupsis, meaning an uncovering or unveiling. For this reason, the Book of Revelation is also known as the Apocalypse. In either case, the definition reflects the fact that God has made known to mankind those eternal, supernatural truths and realities which man, on his own, could never realize or discover.

The Book of Revelation is the final work of the New Testament and the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which details world history from the time of John (the Early Church Age) to eternity. It constitutes Gods last special revelation to mankind this side of heaven. Simply stated, Bible prophecy and Revelation are history written in advance. They form Gods description of future facts and events. Such prophecy is completely trustworthy because God is omniscient.

He knows all things, whether they be actual or merely possible, and He knows them perfectly from all eternity. Acts 15:18 states: Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world. Thus, the Almighty is able to fully and accurately describe the future in advance of its actual occurrence.

Current international events reflect exactly the conditions and happenings predicted throughout the Bible for the last days of this age. Yet, comparatively little prophetic teaching and preaching are currently taking place. This is probably due to the fact that this field of endeavor involves a great amount of research and study (see 2 Timothy 2:15).Millions more prefer not to have prophecy explained to them because they would rather live by the worlds standards and dictates. As individuals who are seeking satisfaction and rewards in this life, they are obviously not anxiously anticipating Christs return.

As we walk through the Book of Revelation together, remember that this special message has been given to reveal Gods truth, not conceal it, and to clarify Gods eternal purpose, not mystify it. I have not attempted to present an elaborate outline or engage in the use of heavy theological terminology. My goal is simplicity through a verse-by-verse analysis. I trust that, as a result, each reader will gain a clear understanding of the blessed truths the Book of Revelation contains.

This work was prepared to alert millions to the fact that Jesus is coming soonperhaps today!

Verse: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave untohim, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly cometo pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servantJohn:

We begin our study by immediately recognizing that the noun is revelation, singular, not revelations, plural.This term comes from the Greek word apokalupsis and means an unveiling or uncovering. It is often used in the epistles as a manifestation (Romans 8:19), a coming (1 Corinthians 1:7), a revealing (2 hessalonians 1:7), and an appearing (1 Peter 1:7).The Book of Revelation, then, concerns the unveiling or appearing of our precious Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not the unfolding of the story of St. John the Divine, or even of prophetical truth, but rather the message of the appearing of Christ. This appearing takes place at the Rapture(chapter 4, verse 1), as well as at the hour of His return to earth when every eye shall see Him (chapter 1, verse 7).

Secondly, we see that this revelation was given to Jesus Christ, as is everything, for Jesus said, All things are delivered unto me of my Father (Matthew 11:27). They are presented unto Him to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. The term shortly in the original means rapidity of action once there is a beginning.This certainly pictures the present hour when signs pointing to His return are beginning to appear with alarming frequency.These truths,then,are sent and signified by Christs angel unto John, the writer of the book, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Notice that the first four letters of the word signified spell SIGN.Why?The Book of Revelation is a study of signs. There is the sign of the Holy Spirit presented as seven spirits (v. 4) and the sign of the seven golden candlesticks and the seven stars (v. 20). Thus,through signs, we come to an understanding ofthis gloriously revealed portion of Scripture.

Verse: [John] bare record of the word of God, and of thetestimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

This statement is self-explanatory.

Verse: Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the wordsof this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein:for the time is at hand.

Verse 3 proves that the apocalypse is not some deep, mysterious, confusing book. God would not be an omniscient, all-knowing God if He promised a special blessing to those who read, hear, and keep what they read and hear, if they were unable to comprehend the truth. No, the Book of Revelation is understandable and fills the heart with joy once one sees its glorious message concerning the Saviour.