stood.

Ministers and people declared that the prophecies of Daniel and the
Revelation were incomprehensible mysteries. But Christ directed His
disciples to the words of the prophet Daniel concerning events to take
place in their time, and said, "Whoso readeth, let him _understand_."(570)
And the assertion that the Revelation is a mystery, not to be understood,
is contradicted by the very title of the book: "The Revelation of Jesus
Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which
must shortly come to pass.... _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."(571)

Says the prophet: "Blessed is he that readeth"--there are those who will
not read; the blessing is not for them. "And they that hear"--there are
some, also, who refuse to hear anything concerning the prophecies; the
blessing is not for this class. "And keep those things which are written
therein"--many refuse to heed the warnings and instructions contained in
the Revelation; none of these can claim the blessing promised. All who
ridicule the subjects of the prophecy, and mock at the symbols here
solemnly given, all who refuse to reform their lives, and prepare for the
coming of the Son of man, will be unblessed.

In view of the testimony of Inspiration, how dare men teach that the
Revelation is a mystery, beyond the reach of human understanding? It is a
mystery revealed, a book opened. The study of the Revelation directs the
mind to the prophecies of Daniel, and both present most important
instruction, given of God to men, concerning events to take place at the
close of this world's history.

To John were opened scenes of deep and thrilling interest in the
experience of the church. He saw the position, dangers, conflicts, and
final deliverance of the people of God. He records the closing messages
which are to ripen the harvest of the earth, either as sheaves for the
heavenly garner or as fagots for the fires of destruction. Subjects of
vast importance were revealed to him, especially for the last church, that
those who should turn from error to truth might be instructed concerning
the perils and conflicts before them. None need be in darkness in regard
to what is coming upon the earth.

Why, then, this wide-spread ignorance concerning an important part of Holy
Writ? Why this general reluctance to investigate its teachings? It i