“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things” (Revelation 1:3).

In placing before the followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this exposition of the Apocalypse, the Publishers desire to acquaint the reader with some of the facts that have moved them to issue this publication. First of all, it is their settled conviction that there is a rich blessing upon head and heart for all who humbly and reverently engage in the study of Revelation—that the visions given to St. John, which are declared to be a Divine prophecy, represent no small amount of Divine forethought and provision on behalf of the faithful children of God, for their support and comfort in the Narrow Way. And who that has undertaken to run the Christian race and to walk in the footsteps of the humble and lowly Nazarene has not most keenly felt the need of his “Lo, I am with you” and its fulfillment! Following the lamp of prophecy, the faithful all along the corridors of the age have realized “the day star arising in their hearts,” and have been given full assurance that He who hath called them from darkness to light, from sin to holiness, will ultimately lead them out of this dark and troubled night time—far from the “city of destruction” into the Kingdom of His dear Son.

The original expositions, the substance of which constitutes the matter contained in this volume, were prepared and presented one by one to the Editorial Committee of the religious journal, THE HERALD OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM, at their request; the one who presented the expositions being a member of the Committee. The expositions appeared semi-monthly during the years 1919, 1920, 1921, and 1922. There was no thought at the time on the part of any of the Committee members of attempting an exposition of the Revelation visions as a whole. Certain circumstances, which it is believed were providential, together with earnest inquiries coming from various Bible students, seemed to the Committee and to the Publishers to call for articles explanatory of certain portions of the Revelation. As a result of the keen interest that the articles created, and because of further suggestions and earnest inquiries that were received, the purpose of attempting a full exposition was gradually developed.

It should be further stated that the decision to publish these expositions in book form was arrived at only when it became apparent through the many requests coming in from all over the world that there was a very manifest desire for their publication. Indeed, it was not until these many requests were accompanied with substantial contributions and promises of assistance that the final decision was made.

It may be appropriately added that two other items that have influenced in the publication of the expositions in book form are:

(1) That what are generally considered the most able and reasonable expositions of the Apocalypse are now out of print, and consequently difficult to obtain. These are found mostly in the libraries of private individuals, many of whom have no interest in prophetic writings, and indeed some of whom have none in religious matters.

(2) These expositions written, some of them nearly a century ago, while very valuable on account of their explanations and applications of the fulfillment of the prophetic visions up to the beginning of the Nineteenth Century, and to a considerable extent in their forecasting fulfillments subsequently, they could not be supposed to contain the additional light that is now due on some of the closing visions, inasmuch as there have been remarkable events since, which, like those of past centuries, are the subject matter of several of the visions.

After many of the Revelation expositors of the Nineteenth Century had finished their labors in behalf of the Lord’s people, a most remarkable manifestation of the Lord’s providence on behalf of his people was in evidence, demonstrating as others in the history of the Church had, the interest and care that Christ has for his tried and tempted followers. This exhibition of the Lord’s providence was represented in the issuing of several most unusual and luminous expositions of the Bible. Two of these, The Divine Plan of the Ages, and The Atonement Between God and Man, contain the most remarkable and convincing unfoldings of the Scriptures concerning the Divine plans and purposes for the human family that have ever been given to the Church by uninspired man. It was very apparent to many students of the Bible that the writer of these books, particularly in the two above mentioned, had obtained the key that unlocked many of the treasures connected with God’s great Plan of Salvation for the human family. That key was concerning the nature, philosophy, and far-reaching effects of the great ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ as they relate to both the Church and the world.

These clear views concerning the great Redeemer’s sacrifice caused many utterances of Christ, as well as many of those of the Apostles and Prophets, hitherto misunderstood or wrongly interpreted, to be made plain. These related to the great doctrines of Election and Free Grace. A true knowledge of these doctrines had also the effect of disclosing more fully the visions of the Apocalypse, particularly those that relate to the events connected with the closing scenes of this Gospel Age, as well as those that relate to the coming age. Those who have carefully and prayerfully read these works will, we are sure, be very thankful to our Lord and Savior for having made use of this devoted man of God to perform this much needed work of assisting his people in these times and the more trying ones to come. Though this servant of the Lord did not live to write an exposition of the Apocalypse as he had expected, brief comments are found here and there in his writings, which relate more especially to some of the closing visions—those that have reference to the closing scenes of the age. These brief comments are sufficient to show that he was a believer in the Historical school of interpretation—the school that applies the visions of the Apocalypse to the Christian Church from the beginning of its history to its end.

It seems apparent that had these earlier writers on the Apocalypse lived to enjoy this increased light now shining on the various features of the Divine Plan of salvation, they would have revised and supplemented their remarkable expositions in harmony with this added knowledge now enjoyed by many believers in this generation. The principle that is held and adhered to by the Publishers of the exposition now placed in your hands is that the writers of one generation advanced in their knowledge of the meaning and application of the Apocalyptic visions over the preceding one. This advance in knowledge was made, not by rejecting altogether previous interpretations, but rather by following the principle of prophetic interpretation given by Christ himself, contained in the words, “And now I have told you before it come to pass, that when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” This principle is, as will be seen in these words, that of history unveiling prophecy, or as expressed in another statement of Scripture, that “The path of the just [ones] is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”

In our intercourse with the Lord’s people, we have observed with regret the impression of some that the study of the Revelation is not practical, indeed, not necessary. We are sorry that such sentiment exists, and can only regard it as a grave reflection on the wisdom of our Heavenly Father in providing the Apocalypse for His Church. The very fact that a special blessing is pronounced by Him upon those who read and hear the words of this prophecy ought, it would seem, to be sufficient of itself to emphasize that it is of more than ordinary importance. The book of Revelation completes the Divine canon of inspiration, and to as great an extent as any other book of the Bible, if not greater, constitutes a portion of the “all Scripture” necessary for the man of God to be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Those who have given heed to the persuasive exhortation in the Divine preface of the book—“Blessed is he that readeth,” etc., can testify with full assurance and with grateful hearts, that a perusal and study of its much diversified contents cannot do otherwise than produce Christ-likeness, which is true holiness.

It has seemed with becoming propriety that considerable space should be devoted to the introduction of this work; this has been done in order that a substantial foundation might be laid for the expositions that follow. A general review of the Revelation is made, the nature and purpose of the Apocalypse is considered, together with the various schools of interpretation that have been in existence throughout the age. The importance and necessity for giving the most careful study first of all to the introduction to this work cannot be too urgently impressed upon the mind of the reader, as it will greatly assist in grasping the exposition of the visions of the Revelation as a whole.

It seems well to explain that the writer of the expositions has for years been quite familiar with the three different schools of interpretation of the Apocalypse—the Historical, the Preterist, and the Futurist—having made a thorough study, not only of the visions themselves, but also of the circumstances and causes which originated, led up to, and developed these three schools. The writer’s conviction is that the Historical school is the correct one; and this is the result of a careful, prayerful study of and meditation on the evidences claimed for these varying interpretations, covering a period of about forty years.

The Publishers desire it to be understood that no claim is made that this exposition contains all that may be said on the Apocalypse, or that all of its interpretations are absolutely correct, nor that it is a final exposition; nor does the writer claim originality of interpretation except in a very few of the visions. Thus the reader will observe as he pursues the study of this work that the writings and interpretations of the leading authors and expositors of the entire age have been given the most careful examination and study, and not infrequently their deductions and conclusions are endorsed and incorporated in this exposition; particularly those who have written during the past century. A list of the various historians, commentators, authors, and expositors whose writings have been consulted and from which quotations have been made, is found in the Appendix. However, though perfection is not claimed for this work, nor that it is the last word on the subject of the Revelation, yet it is the writer’s conviction that whatever alterations or additions may be needed on account of the present rapidly changing scenes in connection with the fulfillment of the closing visions of the Apocalypse, will be in full harmony with the “old path” of Apocalyptic interpretation.

The quotations from Scripture herein given are not always from the authorized English version; rather it has been our endeavor to give the reader the benefit of such translations as would most clearly convey the sense from the standpoint of the oldest Greek manuscripts.

The writer desires to acknowledge gratefully the assistance received in the preparation as well as in the revising of the expositions, from suggestions and criticisms of those with whom he is closely associated in the service of the Lord, as also from letters that have come from various quarters of the world. If the reader receives a tithe of the help and blessing that the writer himself has received, he will be more than repaid for the toil and sacrifice of time spent in its preparation.

During the preparation of these expositions, many times has the prayer ascended for Divine aid and guidance, and the enlightening influence of His holy Spirit; many times have we turned aside from our labors, and alone with God sought special assistance. Indeed, He alone knows how this has been the earnest and incessant prayer of our heart. And now these pages are sent forth with the prayer of thanksgiving, and with the petition that He to whom we have desired to render this humble service, will accept it and grant the Divine blessing on both head and heart of the reader. With reverence and worship, and with devout aspirations in our hearts, let us come to the study of this last message of our Lord to his Church—the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

R. E. Streeter
Pastoral Bible Institute
1928