“Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand“
22:8
Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
John again falls down to worship an angel, and again the angel rebukes him for this (19:10).
22:9
Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
You would have thought that John would have learned his lesson the first time.
22:10
And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.
The angel gives a specific command not to “seal the words of the prophecy of this book.” This means that we can understand the book of Revelation. “John, make sure you preach the prophecies of this book.” God wants the book of Revelation to be an open book for all to understand. Revelation is no abstruse, esoteric book that is beyond the ability of people to understand. There is nothing nebulous about it. Believers must live in the light of Jesus’ coming. They cannot do that if Revelation is confusing to them.
Principle:
God wants us to understand the book of Revelation.
Application:
The book of Revelation is not incomprehensible. It is an open book whereby believers can read and find hope for the future.
