The book aims to interpret the complex prophecies found in the Book of Revelation, focusing on the historical context and spiritual significance of these visions from the time they were revealed until the end of time. It discusses key events, such as the rise of Christianity, the spread of Islam, and the ongoing struggles of the faithful until the final judgment. The opening of the work establishes the authority of the text by emphasizing the richness of prophetic truth in Revelation and its relevance to contemporary readers. Smith outlines the significance of each symbol used in the prophetic language, arguing that the Bible employs a law of analogy in its symbolism, which can and should be interpreted consistently. He introduces the context of the visions granted to John on the Isle of Patmos, summarizing the major themes and issues addressed in the subsequent chapters, with a promise that the insights gleaned will enhance the understanding of God's revelations to humanity.
This book of the Revelation is frequently styled the Apocalypse, derived from the word by which it is designated in Greek. Jesus Christ having received it from God, its author, designed it for the future benefit of his church, and communicated it to his servants by the hand of the beloved apostle John. Its character is described by its title "Revelation," which signifies something revealed or made known; and its object was to "show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass." This object of God's in delivering the Revelation to his church should be a sufficient refutation of the popular theory that this book is unintelligible, and its varied symbols wrapped in such deep mystery that their meaning can not be evolved; for it is not consonant with the supreme power and wisdom of the God-head to suppose that, in making a revelation to man, he would make the fatal mistake of clothing his language with a mystery that defies the intellect of mortals to unveil. It is said of the things herein revealed that they "must shortly come to pass," by which is meant not that they were all to be completely fulfilled within a short time, but that the series of special events predicted were soon to begin. Thus, we speak of a century or eternity as near at hand, by which we mean that the events of the period spoken of are about to commence, although the end of the series may be very far off.
