Verse 6
The angel who had been revealing the new creation to John, one of the angels who had the seven bowls (Revelation 21:9), continued to speak to him. [Note: Swete, p. 302; Beckwith, p. 772; Robertson, 6:481; Beasley-Murray, p. 334.] He assured John that the things prophesied to happen soon (Revelation 4:1 to Revelation 22:5), which John had just seen, were faithful and true (cf. Revelation 22:6; Daniel 8:26). [Note: Alford, 4:746; Swete, p. 302; Lee, 4:837; Beckwith, p. 772; Robertson, 6:481.]
"No book in the Bible has a more pointed attestation, a stronger safeguarding against tampering, or a more urgent recommendation for study and observance than does the Apocalypse, especially in its Epilogue." [Note: Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 495.]
The angel proceeded to explain why these words are faithful and true. It was the Lord, the God who inspired the prophets, who had revealed what John had received. The spirits of the prophets are their own human spirits (cf. Revelation 19:10). God had sent His angel to reveal these things to His bond-servant John, who was one of the prophets. Specifically, He had revealed things that must happen soon. The purpose of this verse is to stress the authenticity of this revelation and to encourage anticipation of its fulfillment.
This statement reinforces a futuristic interpretation of Revelation. The book deals with events yet future. It also indicates that God intended the reader to understand this book. It is a revelation, not an incomprehensible mystery, even though much of the revelation is symbolic and difficult to understand.
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