By Steven J. Hogan
~ A Saturday Morning Post #97 ~
I cannot think of a more relevant book to read at this time in history than the book of Revelation. It takes us from the end-times, which we are now living in, to the end of this age, to the rapture of the church, to the Day of the Lord, to the salvation of the Jews, to Christ’s takeover of the world, to the millennial kingdom, and finally, to the eternal kingdom. It’s about the Christians, the Jews, the unbelievers, Satan, the Antichrist, but most importantly it’s about Jesus Christ, for it is The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1 gives us an awesome and powerful description of the main character, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Priest and King. Revelation 2-3 records Jesus’ letters to seven churches, vital instructions for those churches, and for all churches since that time, including those now existing in these end-times. Then there’s Revelation 4, the heavenly chapter, for it speaks about our Creator God and His glorious holiness, that which is foundational and central to this entire end-times book, to all God is, and to all He will do.
Revelation 5 is about our Savior God, Jesus Christ, and His epic victory over sin and death, His key to taking back the world from that most-evil devil. On to Revelation 6, where we see Christ breaking six seals, the first four resulting in a series of end-time conditions, fake religion, wars, famine and death (Matthew 24:4-8). It won’t be long now before the fifth seal is broken, resulting in the great persecution of Christians. That time of suffering, and yes, serving the Lord, will suddenly be stopped by the sixth seal, the signs in the heavens, dramatically marking the end of this church age. What then?
Revelation 7 speaks about the sealing of 144,000 Jews, a sign to us that God’s plans for them are being fulfilled. This chapter is also about Christians, their rapture from the earth, their appearance before God, along with a multitude of other believers, and they are all crying out, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” This is followed by 30 minutes of pure silence in heaven, for the holy Day of the Lord is about to begin. Revelation 8-9 vividly describes this “Day,” these trumpet judgments, God’s devastating wrath being poured out upon a wicked and deserving world.
Revelation 10-11 tells us much more about God’s plans for the Jews. There’s talk about the temple, two wonder-working witnesses, and the sounding of the seventh trumpet, at which time the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of Christ. This is one of the most critical and climactic moments in all of history, for Jesus Christ, as Lord and King, takes back control of this world from Satan, and mercifully saves a remnant of Jews.
What about Satan and the Antichrist, our worst enemies? Revelation 12-13 is a two-chapter interlude, where we see that diabolical Satan trying to stop Christ, the Antichrist being worshiped by the world, Jews and Christians being persecuted, and unbelievers taking the mark of the beast. This spiritual warfare may seem to be “scary stuff,” but what you must see is that Satan gets beat, for he is the loser, and Christ is the King of the world, the Winner, the reigning Champion. Revelation 14 gives many more details, telling us about these 144,000 Jews, Babylon the great, global evangelism, the rapture, and the punishing wrath of God.
Revelation 15-16 focuses on the second phase of the Day of the Lord, God’s judgment of His evil enemies, specifically that of the Antichrist’s kingdoms. Seven bowls of wrath are rapidly poured out upon the earth, lasting for 30 merciless days. Finally, there’s the great battle of Armageddon, at which time, Jesus Christ crushes the wicked kingdoms of the world. Revelation 17-18, another two-chapter interlude, tells us more about the Antichrist’s 10-nation devilish empire. It also talks about Babylon the Great, which is Satan’s counterfeit religious system and seductive economic system, his deceptive means of controlling the world. But God’s righteous wrath cleanses the world from all such contaminants, so that Christ, with a clean slate, can establish His kingdom on earth.
Revelation 19 describes this huge victory celebration in heaven, for Satan is defeated, and the Antichrist is cast into the lake of fire. Most importantly, there’s the magnificent and beautiful marriage supper of the Lamb. Just imagine being gloriously perfect, inside and out, and being with Jesus Christ, your wonderful Husband, and with all the other believers! Revelation 20 tells us about Christ’s 1000-year kingdom, as well as the most sobering scene of all, when all sinners are judged and cast into the lake of fire, where they will remain forever. Finally, we come to Revelation 21-22 and the new heavens and new earth, our beautiful, brand new home, and the eternal kingdom of God.
I have mentioned many important details about the future, but I hope you see the big picture, that Revelation is a bridge that takes us from the end-times of this church age to the kingdom ages. Revelation may be the end of the book, but it’s surely not the end of the story, but is what God gives us so we can know what takes place between this age and the next age. Might God give you the grace to understand it, and to share it with your family, friends and fellow church members. “Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:7
P.S. Here is a post, Matthew 24 – A Road Map of the End Times, and an article, An Introduction to the Book of Revelation, that go along with this post, and which I am convinced will be most helpful in understanding what God has in store for you and this world.