THE APOCALYPSE

THE APOCALYPSE

I should define the Apocalypse to be a symbolical revelation of the hidden mystery of the Deity originally declared to the prophets. It was declared to them as an enigma which they could not unravel. The Apocalypse is preeminently the solution of that enigma, especially in regard to the "times and seasons," which, since its communication to John, are no longer reserved by the Father in his own power.

By his revelation to John he has put them in the power of his servants, for whose benefit they were specially revealed. These servants have believed the glad tidings, and obeyed the law of the faith, which exhibits to their minds the kingdom and glory of the Deity.

How long to the appearing of that kingdom? This is a question in which they are greatly interested, for their redemption from this evil world is dependent upon its judicial manifestation. To this inquiry a testimony from the Apocalypse responds that

"in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall sound, even the MYSTERY of the Deity shall be finished, as he hath declared the glad tidings to his servants the prophets" (Apoc. 10:7).

This seventh and last trumpet will not cease to sound until the things I have summarized from the prophets shall all be accomplished. They are the glad tidings, or, as Paul expresses it, "the gospel of God, which he promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures." Study the prophets, then, for the Apocalypse reveals the mystery they contain, and is therefore enrooted deeply in all the ramifications of their testimony.