Far and Wide

Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun morning newspaper has the highest daily circulation in the world: 8 million copies. Moreover, it’s estimated that each copy is read by an average of 2.5 readers, resulting in a total readership of approximately 20 million.

A far bigger message needs to be circulated throughout the world in these last days. An angel told John, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book.” This is the opposite of what the angel told Daniel (Daniel 12:4). But in John’s day, “the time is at hand.” When the angel said, “Do not seal the words,” it was saying, “Circulate this book as far and wide as possible!”

Though we now live at the time of the end, the last days began during John’s lifetime. Prophecies from Daniel were opening up to God’s diligent students. The countdown to Christ’s return took on a new intensity as the New Testament church was launched to prepare people for the end of our world. How much more seriously, then, should we take this command today?

Satan does not want these prophecies circulated or studied. One of his deceptions is that all these prophecies took place in the past, during the time of John. This method of interpretation is called “preterism” and teaches that Revelation’s prophecies have no real significance to us today.

Another deception in studying Revelation is the teaching that all prophecies after chapter 4 will be fulfilled after God’s people are taken to heaven. Called “futurism,” it suggests that it is useless for the saved to read about the beast, seals, and trumpets since these will come after “the rapture” and apply only to those who are still here during the so-called “tribulation.”

But the angel said, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.” Revelation has been unfolding ever since it was given, and we are rapidly approaching its closing pages.

Lord, thank you for revealing Your plans to John, that we might be prepared for Your coming!

For Further Study: Isaiah 29:10–14; Daniel 8:26; Revelation 1:3

Key Bible Texts

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 22:10 KJV)