In this exposition we shall mainly refer to the book of Daniel and also to the book of Revelation. Until recently, even renown international Bible teachers were not able to comprehend the contents of those prophetic books. They encountered always new problems while trying to understand, because they were not able to decipher the symbolic language used there. Everything that was shown and written by direct inspiration can only be understood and revealed from above. Here, the spirit of man cannot go into research in a philosophic way, but in the contrary, the Spirit of God must illuminate and reveal that which is hidden (I Cor. 2: 10–13). Because the time for this last prophetic part of the Scriptures had not yet come, even the greatest men only were able to present their knowledge to the best of their ability.

Bible prophecy cannot be interpreted; it must be watched and recognised as it is being fulfilled. The eschatological, that means the end time happenings, were foretold by divine foreknowledge and predestination. God knew both, the history of mankind and also the plan of salvation, and therefore, He had things written ahead of time by His chosen men. What apologists, that means Bible expositors, have tried to say about prophetic subjects, has little to do with the direct answers from God’s Word, as we shall see. If somebody thinks to know something, he must understand that every knowledge has to be in agreement with and embedded into the whole Scripture and coincide with it. Whatever is being said about a theme, is only then right when the last questions which pertain to it are satisfactorily answered.

Not because we have read the Bible more profoundly or thoroughly, but because the time has now arrived for the mysteries of the Word to be totally revealed, the Lord has opened the understanding for the prophetic part of the Scriptures. Without any doubt we are now living in the last part of the time of grace. With this we don’t mean to create a panic situation or speak about a doomsday, but we do wish to cause an awakening to see the state we live in and take the matter seriously. Now the emphasis must be put onto the prophetic Word which was left far behind the evangelistic and the teaching part during the past.

The prophet Daniel was told, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (chapter 12: 4).

The sealing of the contents of the book was not to be for ever, but only until the time of the end. About the “end time” or the “last days” it is written in the Old and the New Testament repeatedly. Daniel 8: 17–19 says, “Understand, O son of man; for at the time of the end shall be the vision … Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation; for at the time appointed the end shall be.”

What was hid and sealed up to the recent time, is now plainly revealed through the opening of the seven seals and can be understood. Certainly all who read this exposition prayerfully, will thereafter understand the book of Daniel and the Revelation better.

The prophet Daniel saw visions in which certain developments were shown and announced in symbols. But he was not to explain them; in the contrary, the angel Gabriel was sent to him to make known the precise meaning of the pictures that he was shown. Daniel testifies of him, “And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications, the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved. Therefore, understand the matter, and consider the vision” (9: 22–23).

As at that time, so we need the clarification today and the right understanding of things. But we must also pray so that God can answer and give us the clarity. The key for these things is in the admonition, “Therefore, understand the matter, and consider the vision.” Whosoever leaves the Word aside will go into error, even if he thinks to have received a revelation. God is for ever bound to His Word. He does all things according to His Word. In chapter 11: 2 we read, “And now will I show thee the truth.” We don’t need more, but we wish to know eagerly what this book of Truth contains.

John also experienced the visitation of an angel when he was on the isle of Patmos. This we can read in the first verse of the first chapter of the Book of Revelation. He testifies, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant, John.” After he saw all the visions and those things which happened, he says in chapter 22: 8–9, “And I, John, saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not; for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren, the prophets, and of them who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”We can thank and worship God alone, even if He sends an angel or a messenger. He has heavenly and earthly messengers at His command. He can speak and work through them as He likes (Heb. 1: 7).

For a special commission connected to the Plan of Salvation, one needs a direct prophetic and apostolic calling. If somebody only has an imaginary idea of being called, then he will bind people and his followers to his own teachings. But if somebody is sent by God, he will speak God’s Word and bring people into connection with God. Such men of God were preparing the way of the Lord and also preparing the way for God’s people to walk on. They had to remove every spiritual hindrance first (Is. 62: 10). Only in such a way people really can come to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

This thought reminds us of the prophecy found in Mal. 3: 1, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me.” It was fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist, who was sent to prepare the way of the Lord (Mat.. 11: 10).

In Rev. 22: 6 we read, “These words are faithful and true; and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.” Finally the Lord Himself speaks, “I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches” (verse 16).

Everytime when special events connected to the Plan of Salvation were to happen, God had sent an angel or a prophet. He said, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants, the prophets” (Amos 3: 7). For instance, the birth of John the Baptist was announced by an angel (Luke 1: 13). On the fields near Bethlehem, the shepherds heard the heavenly hosts singing and the announcement, which was made by an angel about the birth of the Redeemer, “Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2). In our time also the opening of the seven seals was announced and has happened in a supernatural way.

In this exposition we shall mainly refer to the book of Daniel and also to the book of Revelation. Until recently, even renown international Bible teachers were not able to comprehend the contents of those prophetic books. They encountered always new problems while trying to understand, because they were not able to decipher the symbolic language used there. Everything that was shown and written by direct inspiration can only be understood and revealed from above. Here, the spirit of man cannot go into research in a philosophic way, but in the contrary, the Spirit of God must illuminate and reveal that which is hidden (I Cor. 2: 10–13). Because the time for this last prophetic part of the Scriptures had not yet come, even the greatest men only were able to present their knowledge to the best of their ability.

Bible prophecy cannot be interpreted; it must be watched and recognised as it is being fulfilled. The eschatological, that means the end time happenings, were foretold by divine foreknowledge and predestination. God knew both, the history of mankind and also the plan of salvation, and therefore, He had things written ahead of time by His chosen men. What apologists, that means Bible expositors, have tried to say about prophetic subjects, has little to do with the direct answers from God’s Word, as we shall see. If somebody thinks to know something, he must understand that every knowledge has to be in agreement with and embedded into the whole Scripture and coincide with it. Whatever is being said about a theme, is only then right when the last questions which pertain to it are satisfactorily answered.

Not because we have read the Bible more profoundly or thoroughly, but because the time has now arrived for the mysteries of the Word to be totally revealed, the Lord has opened the understanding for the prophetic part of the Scriptures. Without any doubt we are now living in the last part of the time of grace. With this we don’t mean to create a panic situation or speak about a doomsday, but we do wish to cause an awakening to see the state we live in and take the matter seriously. Now the emphasis must be put onto the prophetic Word which was left far behind the evangelistic and the teaching part during the past.

The prophet Daniel was told, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” (chapter 12: 4).

The sealing of the contents of the book was not to be for ever, but only until the time of the end. About the “end time” or the “last days” it is written in the Old and the New Testament repeatedly. Daniel 8: 17–19 says, “Understand, O son of man; for at the time of the end shall be the vision … Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation; for at the time appointed the end shall be.”

What was hid and sealed up to the recent time, is now plainly revealed through the opening of the seven seals and can be understood. Certainly all who read this exposition prayerfully, will thereafter understand the book of Daniel and the Revelation better.

The prophet Daniel saw visions in which certain developments were shown and announced in symbols. But he was not to explain them; in the contrary, the angel Gabriel was sent to him to make known the precise meaning of the pictures that he was shown. Daniel testifies of him, “And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications, the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved. Therefore, understand the matter, and consider the vision” (9: 22–23).

As at that time, so we need the clarification today and the right understanding of things. But we must also pray so that God can answer and give us the clarity. The key for these things is in the admonition, “Therefore, understand the matter, and consider the vision.” Whosoever leaves the Word aside will go into error, even if he thinks to have received a revelation. God is for ever bound to His Word. He does all things according to His Word. In chapter 11: 2 we read, “And now will I show thee the truth.” We don’t need more, but we wish to know eagerly what this book of Truth contains.

John also experienced the visitation of an angel when he was on the isle of Patmos. This we can read in the first verse of the first chapter of the Book of Revelation. He testifies, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant, John.” After he saw all the visions and those things which happened, he says in chapter 22: 8–9, “And I, John, saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not; for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren, the prophets, and of them who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”We can thank and worship God alone, even if He sends an angel or a messenger. He has heavenly and earthly messengers at His command. He can speak and work through them as He likes (Heb. 1: 7).

For a special commission connected to the Plan of Salvation, one needs a direct prophetic and apostolic calling. If somebody only has an imaginary idea of being called, then he will bind people and his followers to his own teachings. But if somebody is sent by God, he will speak God’s Word and bring people into connection with God. Such men of God were preparing the way of the Lord and also preparing the way for God’s people to walk on. They had to remove every spiritual hindrance first (Is. 62: 10). Only in such a way people really can come to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

This thought reminds us of the prophecy found in Mal. 3: 1, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me.” It was fulfilled in the ministry of John the Baptist, who was sent to prepare the way of the Lord (Mat.. 11: 10).

In Rev. 22: 6 we read, “These words are faithful and true; and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.” Finally the Lord Himself speaks, “I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches” (verse 16).

Everytime when special events connected to the Plan of Salvation were to happen, God had sent an angel or a prophet. He said, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants, the prophets” (Amos 3: 7). For instance, the birth of John the Baptist was announced by an angel (Luke 1: 13). On the fields near Bethlehem, the shepherds heard the heavenly hosts singing and the announcement, which was made by an angel about the birth of the Redeemer, “Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2). In our time also the opening of the seven seals was announced and has happened in a supernatural way.