In October 2002, the adult class here at Knollwood, with me as the teacher, began a study of the book of Revelation. Lord willing, this study will conclude in the middle of February. As our class book, we are using "Victory in Jesus" by Robert Harkrider. This is my second time teaching Revelation and using brother Harkrider's book. I've also been reading his Truth Series commentary. I've read brother Hailey's work on the book. A good friend of mine in California, Bob Dodson, has written an extensive outline of the book of Revelation, done over many years. I'm also reading that. But I hasten to add that these men and their works are not the authorities for the book's meaning-that can be found only by studying the Revelation. I've read these men's works to aid my study of the New Testament's only book of prophecy.

I've said all this to assure you that I'm not an authority on Revelation; nor do I claim to be. But during the next few months, we will be using the Messenger's front page to provide our readers some "food for thought" as we consider this wonderful book, which so many of God's children are afraid to study. Why? True, it is written in signs and symbols, but many of the Old Testament books of prophecy are written in a similar manner.

First and foremost, to gain a better understanding of Revelation, we must understand its theme and purpose. The book itself tells us: "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." {Revelation 1:3}

Keep this verse in mind as you study. How can anyone believe the book of Revelation cannot be understood when God said He would bless those who READ, HEAR, and KEEP the things written in it? All of this implies that it can be understood, and that God intended for men to understand it, believe it, and keep it!

Another important verse is: "I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." {Revelation 1:9} Notice that John said he was IN THE KINGDOM. What kingdom? "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin." {Colossians 1:13,14} It is the kingdom Jesus promised to build and to which He gave Peter the keys (Matthew 16:16-19). In Acts 2 and 10, Peter used those keys.

This is important because it destroys a fundamental Premillennial concept-"the kingdom is yet to come." Much of the misunderstanding about Revelation can be traced to the failure to acknowledge that the kingdom is already here-not yet to come! If they are wrong about that-they are also mistaken in the conclusions they draw on Revelation to support that false theory. More next month!