¤  Eighthly, it is generally agreed within our ranks that it was in +/- A.D. 95 that the aging John received his visions on the isle of Patmos. It was then, we are told, that he “glanced down the stream of time” (ST 05-05-87) on what was shown him of the temple. In order to believe that the first seal (6:2) spans “the first century of the Christian dispensation,” we would have to accept that John looked up the stream of time in order to see this scene. Once again our traditional interpretation of 6:2 just does not fit. And once again, all the evidence suggests that 2:1 to 6:2 represents a step-by-step progression through history?

2-8-1: There are many instances in the book of Revelation when John was taken back in order to go forward; Rev. 12 for example.

Granted, but here we are being directed specifically to what John was shown of the temple, and there is no question that what he saw took place long after the first century of the Christian dispensation.

 "And the temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament. [clearly 1844] {ST, May 5, 1887 par. 1}

"In holy vision John saw a door opened in Heaven. [Clearly, what John was shown was a temple scene that took place during or after 1844]. It is the arm of Almighty Power that has opened this door, and no man can shut it. Through this open door is revealed the temple of God, in the Most Holy Place of which is the ark, and in this ark is the law of ten commandments, written with the finger of God on tables of stone. {ST, May 5, 1887 par. 2}

"Glancing down the stream of time [to some time after AD95], the prophet sees a people whose attention is directed to the temple of God. The light that shines from the open door arrests their attention, and they begin to see that it contains the law of ten commandments. The angel of Revelation 14 is represented as flying in the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." This angel presents a message that is to be proclaimed to the world just before Christ comes in the clouds of heaven to take his elect to himself. Just prior to this time, then, the attention of the people is to be called to the down-trodden law of God, which is contained in the ark of the testament." {ST, May 5, 1887 par. 3}

We have already shown that chapters 4 and 5 speak of the sanctuary. Then we are told that what John saw was a sanctuary wherein the door into the Most Holy is open. Thus chapters 4 and 5 must take place during or after 1844 and, because chapters 4 and 5 introduce us to 6:2, the apocalyptic horsemen must find fulfillment at some time during or after 1844.

Further Proof: "This message Christ came in person to the Isle of Patmos to present to John. He told him to write down what he saw and heard during his vision, that the churches might know what was to come upon the earth." {MM 37.4}

Around AD95, therefore, Jesus showed John "what was to come upon the earth" - in other words, Jesus showed John the future. As such, it is most difficult to believe that Jesus showed John a white horse that had its fulfillment in the then past?

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