The book of Revelation presents its readers with the drama of a conflict. It is essential that we grasp this and recognize the Truth's fight for survival against both civil and ecclesiastical systems which, over the centuries, have endeavoured to trample the Truth into the ground (c/p Daniel 8:12).

This conflict is but a continuation of the age-old struggle that was initiated by God in the beginning:

"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Genesis 3:15.

This enmity between the mind of faith, and the mind of unbelief has continued ever since:

"The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Romans 8:7.

When this "seed of the serpent," or mind of flesh, is organized into a political or ecclesiastical system, it is at enmity with the seed of the woman. Jesus said to those who did not believe on him:

"The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." John 7:7.

So the testimony of Jesus Christ in the days of his flesh evoked the hostility of the world. That world crucified (or bruised in the heel) the seed of the woman. Note the reason Jesus gives: "because I testify of it . . . "

The Apocalypse can put the testimony of Jesus Christ into the mouths of his brethren today. It enables the believer to view the contemporary world with enlightened eyes; he perceives the true nature of the systems around him and is moved to testify of them "that the works thereof are evil." This will not be in a general way, but specific. Just as Jesus singled out religious leaders - Scribes and Pharisees - so today his servants will be able to identify the false prophet, the apocalyptic whore and her harlot- daughters; the beast and its worshippers etc.

The world will hate those who testify against it today just as much as it has hated those witnesses of the past. It will, however, tolerate those who leave it in peace. Brother Thomas, in writing of the letter to Laodicea says:

"Being destitute of those qualities of the true believer, they delighted in the things that perish . . . Being rich, they were influential in the state; and being lukewarm, they were not troublesome in bearing witness for the truth against the superstitions of the world. Hence, the world ceased to persecute them, because the world loves its own, and they had become the world's, in ceasing to testify against it." Eureka, Vol. 1, page 409.

Without exception, the "alternative" interpretations of the Apocalypse which are being promoted among Christadelphians today, neutralize our testimony against the contemporary world and reduce it to a generalisation which hurts no one. As we have said earlier, these alternative interpretations make the word of none effect: our witnessing, the world's hostility and the trial of our faith, are all transported into the mists of an ambiguous future. Such a corruption as this, which destroys our testimony "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12) is to be withstood particularly! The alternative interpretations of the book of Revelation constitute a serious and dangerous departure from the Truth. For this reason we appeal most earnestly for a right understanding of the Apocalypse.

We know of no better aid to this end, than the exposition by Brother Thomas. The "Eureka Class" has helped many brethren and sisters in the past (it was a regular feature of the ecclesial programme a generation ago) and doubtless could do so again where there is humility and a willingness to be taught.

In Summary

We have seen that the meaning of the Revelation is important: it is Christ's message to his ecclesias; his testimony. We have explained (in as brief a way as possible) that the traditional Eureka interpretation is both true and reliable, whereas there are serious deficiencies in some of the leading "alternatives". These alternatives neutralize the Christadelphian testimony against wicked systems today by creating doubt and by placing events in the future.

The book of Revelation contains a vision which spans centuries and has been understood all down the ages since it was given. Today, lack of faith in its meaning is robbing the Christadelphian community of it's vigour and zeal; it renders brethren and sisters vulnerable to the deceptive influences of the ecclesiastical world. To regain faith in the meaning of the book of Revelation brethren and sisters must be prepared to study it (for faith will come by hearing the word of God - Romans, 10: 17). Let us then heed the voice of Jesus Christ, and "Remember therefore" how we have "received and heard" and hold fast, and repent - Revelation 3:3.

Paul Billington