"Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this Book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still..."

Do you agree that we’re in such a time, and if so, what does this mean? There is something about “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still,” that disturbs me, can you explain what this passage means, and whether it's speaking to us now?

This passage from Revelation 22:10-12 does appear perplexing, and when we look into its meaning we open up some large matters that have been debated since the church was first formed. Issues of God's sovereignty and election, free-will and other related matters come forth. I think we can best understand this passage by comparing it to other Scriptures.

"Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, 'You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes Lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear."

And He said, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, in order that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand."

At that time Yahshua said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight."

And He was saying to them, "To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God; but those who are outside get everything in parables, in order that while seeing, they may see and not perceive; and while hearing, they may hear and not understand lest they return and be forgiven."

It is evident from Yahshua's many words on this topic that He never intended for all people to receive His words. If He had spoken all that He had to say in plain speech then many more would have turned to Him to follow Him. Yet, by God's own sovereign election He has chosen to have mercy on certain ones, and as these ones were in the midst of a multitude hearing the parables of Christ, the Spirit would quicken them and give them ears to hear and understanding of the message. Others who were created as vessels of wrath did not discern the parables.

If Christ had spoken everything plainly then the mind and reason of man might have led many to confess Him, yet by speaking in parables it was the Spirit that was the key, for only those whom the Spirit opened their ears were able to perceive and receive the witness of Christ's words. Romans chapter 9 is a real key to understanding this matter. Consider Christ's words spoken during His high priestly prayer.

"I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have come to know that everything You have given Me is from You; for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me. I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours..."

Christ never intended all men to receive Him during this age. Some were created as vessels of wrath and they have been given over to a spirit of stupor. Their ears have been closed so that they cannot hear, and their eyes are blinded so that they cannot see. This darkness has been placed upon them according to God's sovereign will. The church speaks about the work of God to call sinners to repentance and to open blind eyes, but God also works to close the minds and hearts of some sinners. How He makes this determination is a matter that only He knows, and it is very difficult for man to receive the understanding that God works in both of these ways. He has mercy on some, bringing them to salvation, and He hardens some. He opens blind eyes, and He blinds other eyes.

At that time Yahshua said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants."

Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed."

All of these Scriptures and many more speak of the work of God to harden men in their sin and darkened understanding. If there is any common denominator that I can see that links those together whom God has hardened, it is that they have rejected what light they already were given, so the Father has chosen that they should not receive any more.

Now consider that everything John wrote in the book of Revelation was also written in similitudes and parables. Only the person whom the Spirit opens their mind will understand what is written. To all others it is as a bunch of nonsense, and to most saints it is nonsense and much nonsense has been written about what these words mean. We must then remember that this book is not John's revelation, but it is the revelation of Yahshua the Messiah. Even as He spoke in parables to the people, He has continued with these parables in Revelation. The reason for the disguised stories in Revelation is the same as in the gospels. It is to allow only those whom the Father has chosen to see and understand, while keeping the wicked in darkness.

You asked if I thought we were in such a day. I believe that such a day has existed for a long time. This day existed during John's time, as well as Christ's. It also existed in the day of the prophets. And, yes, it exists in our day as well. Some have been given over to depravity, wickedness and darkness, and others are children of mercy and grace. The choosing is the Father's, and blessed are those who have had their eyes opened.