"And when I saw Him," John writes, "I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not." Verse 17. John was strengthened to live in the presence of his glorified Lord. Then before his wondering vision were 583 opened the glories of heaven. He was permitted to see the throne of God and, looking beyond the conflicts of earth, to behold the white-robed throng of the redeemed. He heard the music of the heavenly angels and the triumphant songs of those who had overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. In the revelation given to him there was unfolded scene after scene of thrilling interest in the experience of the people of God, and the history of the church foretold to the very close of time. In figures and symbols, subjects of vast importance were presented to John, which he was to record, that the people of God living in his age and in future ages might have an intelligent understanding of the perils and conflicts before them.

"Og da jeg så ham," skriver Johannes, "faldt jeg som død ned for hans fødder. Og han lagde sin højre hånd på mig og sagde: "Frygt ikke!" Åb. 1,17. Da Johannes havde fået kraft til at leve i sin herliggjorte Herres nærhed, så åbnede Himmelens herlighed sig for hans undrende blik. Han fik lov at se Guds trone og bag al jordens strid fik han lov at se de frelstes hvidklædte skare. Han hørte de himmelske engles musik og sejrssangen fra dem, der havde sejret ved Lammets blod og deres vidnesbyrds ord. I den åbenbaring, der blev givet ham, oprulledes begivenhed efter begivenhed af uendelig stor betydning for Guds folk og menighedens historie blev forudsagt helt til tidernes ende. Ved billeder og symboler blev der vist Johannes begivenheder af vældig betydning, som han skulle berette, for at Guds folk både i hans tid og i fremtiden kunne få en klog forståelse af de farer og kampe, der ventede dem.