We have all received mail that was placed in our mailbox by mistake. The way we discovered this error was by looking at the name of the person to whom it was addressed. There is certainly nothing wrong with receiving such mail, but it is definitely not proper to open it and read it. Most all of the Bible is addressed to the children of GOD and is specifically intended for them. What folly is wrought in the earth by those who expect to grasp the word of GOD by their free will.
One of the gravest of errors that men make is in assuming that the Bible and its message is intended for all of mankind and that men can read it and comprehend it in the power of their carnal understanding. The LORD JESUS clearly declared that such is not the case. In fact HE even gave thanks that the truth was hidden from the multitudes. “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” (Mat 11:25)
The book of The Revelation is specifcally addressed to the LORD JESUS, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him” ((Rev 1:1). The purpose for which HE was given this Revelation was to inform HIS servants. “to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass”. The messenger by which HE has delivered this Revelation is spelled out in the same verse, “andhe sent and signified it by his angel (i.e. messenger) unto his servant John:” How foolish it is when men, then, take this book and dissect it according to their prophetic schemes and concoct all manner of wild interpretations designed to tickle the carnal fancies of their hearers.
Specifically, I believe that this introduction to this book, which is recorded by John, is to remind us that JESUS CHRIST is the REVELATION of GOD to men. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” (John 1:18) This is exactly in keeping with HIS own words to HIS disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Any interpretation of this book which does not center itself in JESUS CHRIST and the unfolding of HIS purpose to redeem HIS bride, is an aberration of the intent of this book and is akin to opening and reading someone else’s mail. The secrets which are hidden in its pages are for those who have an ear to hear “what the SPIRIT saith to the churches.” ”God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”(Heb 1:1-3)
The phrase “ears to hear” appears in the New Testament eight times, and each time it is spoken by the LORD JESUS. The purpose of HIS declaration is to differentiate between those who have spiritual life and those who do not. For each time, HE accompanied this phrase with, “let him hear” (or understand). Unless a man is given a hearing ear, he will pay no heed to those things spoken by the LORD, but will disregard it. This is confirmed by that which the LORD spoke concerning HIS sheep, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:27-28)
The phrase “let him hear” is actually one word in the Greek and literally means, “understand”. In fact the word “hear” just before the phrase is the same Greek word. In ancient times it was a custom to announce, before a decree was read; “hear ye, hear ye”, which was done to draw attention to the importance of that which was to be proclaimed. Thus the LORD is saying “he that hath ears to hear, hear”. For only those who “hear” shall “hear” (i.e.; understand). “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.” (Rom 11:7)
In Matthew 11:15 the LORD has reference to the forerunner, John the Immerser. The significance of John’s ministry, was not baptism nor locusts and wild honey, but rather that he pointed men to the LAMB which taketh away the sin of the world. “He that hath ears to hear let him hear.”
In Matthew 13:9 the LORD draws attention to the fruitfulness of that SEED which fell upon the good ground and sprang up unto everlasting life. “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” (Mat 13:9-11)
In Matthew 13:43 the LORD is speaking of the tares which were sown among the wheat. The significance is not that the tares were sown by the enemy (though they were) but rather the preciousness of the wheat, which would not in any wise be sacrificed, regardless of the abundance of the tares. “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west.” (Isa 43:1-5) “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mat 13:43)
In Mark 7:16, the LORD is bringing attention to the fact that true righteousness is not defined by that which men do, outwardly, but rather is seen by that which has been imputed to them. “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (Rom 2:28-29) “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mar 7:15-16)
In Luke 14:35 the LORD would demonstrate the degree to which HE would indwell those who are truly HIS sheep. “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (i.e.; demonstrates that he is not) Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 14:33-35)
“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” (Rev 22:16)
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