as well as to sinners , to prepare for the day of God . The silent testimony of their daily life was a constant rebuke to formal and unconsecrated church members . These did not wish to be disturbed in their pursuit of pleasure , their devotion to money-making , and their ambition for worldly honour . Hence the enmity and opposition excited against the advent faith and those who proclaimed it .
As the arguments from the prophetic periods were found to be impregnable , opposers endeavoured to discourage investigation of the subject by teaching that the prophecies were sealed . Thus Protestants followed in the steps of Romanists . While the papal church withholds the Bible ( See Appendix ) from the people , Protestant churches claimed that an important part of the Sacred Word--and that the part which brings to view truths specially applicable to our time--could not be understood . Ministers and people declared that the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation were incomprehensible mysteries . But Christ directed His disciples to the words of the prophet Daniel concerning events to take place in their time , and said : " Whoso readeth , let him understand ." Matthew 24:15 . And the assertion that the Revelation is a mystery , not to be understood , is contradicted by the very title of the book : " The Revelation of Jesus Christ , which God gave unto Him , to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass . . . . 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 ." Revelation 1:1-3 .
Says the prophet : " Blessed is he that readeth " --there are those who will not read ; the blessing is not for them . " And they that hear " --there are some , also , who refuse to hear anything concerning the prophecies ; the blessing is not for this class . " And keep those things which are written therein " - - many refuse to heed the warnings and instructions contained in the Revelation ; none of these can claim the blessing promised . All who ridicule the subjects of the prophecy and mock at the symbols here solemnly given , all who refuse to reform their lives and to prepare for the coming of the Son of man , will be unblessed .
In view of the testimony of Inspiration , how dare men teach that the Revelation is a mystery beyond the reach of human understanding ? It is a mystery revealed , a book opened . The study of the Revelation directs the mind to the prophecies of Daniel , and both present most important instruction , given of God to men , concerning events to take place at the close of this world ' s history . To John were opened scenes of deep and thrilling interest in the experience of the church . He saw the position , dangers , conflicts , and final deliverance of the people of God . He records the closing messages which are to ripen the harvest of the earth , either as sheaves for the heavenly garner or as fagots for the fires of destruction . Subjects of vast importance were revealed to him , especially for the last church , that those who should turn from error to truth might be instructed concerning the perils and conflicts before them . None need be in darkness in regard to what is coming upon the earth .
213