THE STORY OF THE SEER OF PATMOS. By Stephen N. Haskell. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand." Rev. 1:3. REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON, D.C., 1908. Enter according to Act of Congress in the year 1905, by Stephen N. Haskell. In the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D.C., All Rights Reserved. AUTHORS PREFACE. -- PROPHECY is often considered dark and mysterious. The Lord describes how prophecy given in vision, will be looked upon by many people. "And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: and the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned." The book of Revelation was never sealed; for the angel said to John, "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand." p. 3,. God has given the book of Revelation a title different from any other book in the Bible, signifying that it is open to all. It is the "revelation of Jesus Christ." He has pronounced a blessing upon every one who reads it, or even hears it read. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." It is adapted to every mind, and is full of choice illustrations and symbols, which will not only interest, but instruct the reader. It is a complete book in itself; for John was told “What thou seest, write in a book." He then said that he bear record of the Word of God, and "of all things that he saw." p. 3, . The prophecies of Revelation cover the period of the time from the first advent of Christ to the earth made new. The history of the Christian church is repeated four times in different figures, illustrating almost every phase of experience the church will pass through. Portions of the history are repeated several times. The book of Revelation opens the portals of the city of God, and presents to the readers, Eden restored, with its tree of life bearing twelve manner of fruit. p. 3, . The study of prophecy, by many, is considered uninteresting, and much that is written upon this subject is given in an argumentative style, which is unattractive 1 to many minds. The "Story of the Seer of Patmos: is a treatise on the book of Revelation, given in a narrative style, interesting alike to old and young. p. 3, 4,. The "Story of the Seer of Patmos" is sent forth on its mission of love with earnest prayer to God that it may point all who read to the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. May the Bible student find treasure, the skeptics find ground for faith, and the thoughtless become aquatinted with the thoughts of God by reading this book. p. 4, . May the Lord bless it in its mission; and in love of the great Master, may it prove a blessing to thousands of souls who are struggling with the conflicts and ills of this life, and guide them to the pearly portals of the New Jerusalem. p. 4, . CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION,........................... pg. 5. CHAPTER 1.--THE SEER OF PATMOS,.................. pg. 11. JOHN THE BELOVED, (POEM)......................... pg. 25. CHAPTER 2.--THE AUTHOR OF THE REVELATION,........ pg. 28. CHAPTER 3.--THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES,......... pg. 39. CHAPTER 4.-THE MESSAGE TO THE CHURCHES,(CONTINUED)pg. 70. CHAPTER 5.--A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN,................. pg. 92. CHAPTER 6.--WHO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE BOOK?...... pg. 101. CHAPTER 7.--HISTORY IN THE SEALS,................ pg. 109. CHAPTER 8.--THE SEALING WORK,.................... pg. 127 CHAPTER 9.--THE TRUMPETS,........................ pg. 142. CHAPTER 10.--THE BEGINNING OF WOES,.............. pg. 161. CHAPTER 11.--THE VOICE OF A MIGHTY ANGEL,........ pg. 180. CHAPTER 12.--THE THIRD WOE,...................... pg. 191. CHAPTER 13.--THE GREAT CONTROVERSY,.............. pg. 209. CHAPTER 14.--THE BEAST FROM THE SEA AND THE BEAST FROM THE EARTH, ........................................... pg. 224. CHAPTER 15.--THE THREE ANGEL'S MESSAGES,......... pg. 226. CHAPTER 16.--PREPARATION FOR THE PLAGUES,........ pg. 266. CHAPTER 17.--THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES,............. pg. 273. CHAPTER 18.--BABYLON, THE GREAT MYSTERY,......... pg. 289. CHAPTER 19.--BE YE SEPARATE,..................... pg. 300. 2 CHAPTER 20.--THE TWO SUPPERS,.................... pg. 314. CHAPTER 21.--THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED,......... pg. 324. CHAPTER 22.--THE GLORIES OF THE NEW JERUSALEM,... pg. 338. CHAPTER 23.--THE NEW EARTH,...................... pg. 349. CHAPTER 24.--THE SANCTUARY AND ITS SERVICE,...... pg. 363. QUESTIONS FOR STUDY,...Not Available. INDEX OF MARGINAL REFERENCES. THESE WILL BE FOUND AT THE END OF EACH CHAPTER. THEY WILL BE LISTED UNDER THE PAGE NUMBER THAT THEY ARE FOUND IN THE BOOK. [IF A PAGE IS NOT LISTED IT IS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO REFERENCES ON THAT PAGE, OR SOMETIMES A PAGE WILL RUN FOR TWO OR THREE PAGES WITHOUT A BREAK, IN THAT CASE THEY ARE LISTED FOR THE PAGE FOUND ON IN THE BOOK, BUT THAT PAGE WILL NOT BE FOUND IN THIS DATABASE AS WE HAVE CARRIED THE PARAGRAPH TO THE END OF IT AND BECAUSE OF THAT SOME PAGES WILL NOT BE FOUND ALTHOUGH THE MATERIAL IS THERE BUT THE NUMBERING OF THE PAGE IS CHANGED TO REFLECT THIS SITUATION WHERE THE PARAGRAPH EXTENDS FOR MORE THAN ONE PAGE.] p. 5, . FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. (NOT AVAILABLE.) p. 6, 1, INTRODUCTION. p. 7, . One of the distinguishing features of the age of the world in which we live is the prevalence of light and knowledge. It is but a fulfillment of the divine words: "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." Dan. 12:4. p. 7, During the preceding century, more than in all the centuries of the past, a flood of light has been shed upon the prophetic page. The seal which metaphorically hid the true meaning of the book of Daniel has been removed by the fulfillment of nearly all its predictions, so that the records of history demonstrate its true meaning. Prophecy is history in advance. History is prophecy fulfilled. When both agree we have the genuine meaning. Therefore we know we are in the "time of the end," and very near its close. p. 7, . The book of Revelation is introduced by the following words: "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." Rev. 1:1. p. 7, . As the book of Daniel reaches to the "time of the end,” and the book of Revelation contains "things which must shortly come to pass," before the end, the two books must be "companion volumes," closely related to each other. The book of 3 Daniel, in point of time, precedes the book of Revelation upwards of six centuries. In short, the latter is largely an inspired commentary on the former, and as such, becomes a valuable aid to its correct understanding. Every earnest, intelligent student of prophecy will study these two books together. Each is mutually helpful to the understanding of the other. p. 7, . There is an opinion extant, quite prevalent among those skeptically inclined, and a class of professed Christians who ignore the whole subject of prophecy, that the book of Revelation is mystical, foggy and cannot be understood. If so, the Spirit of God has misnamed it. God says it is a “Revelation of Jesus Christ." A revelation is not something concealed. It is something made known. In other words, this blessed book makes known to us the things God wishes us to know. He reveals to us the nature of the events to occur all through the Christian dispensation, and especially those connected with Christ's return to this earth at His second coming. p. 7, . The "Revelation" is a book of symbols. The representation of mighty kingdoms by the symbols of beasts, as given in Daniel and Revelation, is common among the nations of the earth. We speak of the British lion, the Russian bear, the American eagle; and every intelligent person understands what is meant, because nations themselves have chosen these creatures to represent them on their flags and standards. Inspiration chooses symbols to represent various nations, and the Scriptures themselves plainly define their meaning. p. 8, . There are no books in the Bible of greater interest to the earnest student than the visions of Daniel and John. This volume, "The Story of the Seer of Patmos," is a companion volume to "The Story of Daniel the Prophet," by the same author. We doubt not that this volume will equal or exceed the former in popularity. p. 8, . The author is a devoted minister of the gospel of long experience; a deep and most earnest student of the holy Scriptures, and especially conversant with the subject of prophecy. He has given many years of careful study to the subjects contained in this volume. It is written for all classes of readers. The most intelligent professional man can find herein blessed food for thought, and precious instruction in the Bible truths for this remarkable age.