Revelation— Part two
7.26.23
Write the things that you have seen, and the things that are, and the things which shall be hereafter. (Revelation 1:19)
Today we take a second look at ‘The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.’ The outline is found in the above verse.
Following a prologue (1:1-8), the Apostle writes about ‘the things he has seen’ (1:9-20), the things that occurred at the outset of the writing of the book.
He then is shown ‘the things that are’ [chapters 2, 3]. This section deals with the actual churches that existed in Asia Minor at the time of writing.
Finally, John is shown ‘the things that shall be. [4-22]. This, of course, encompasses the majority of the Book.
In particular, this last section presents things in somewhat chronological order. The Tribulation Period is described in chapters 4-18, the Second Coming of Christ in chapter 19, His reign and the final judgment are found in 20, and the Eternal State is described in 21, 22. Ending with an epilogue.
Much of what is introduced in Genesis is fulfilled or completed in Revelation: sin, death, the Tree of Life, the first Adam/Christ-the Second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45) etc. The number seven is very prominent in the book. There are at least 15 groups of seven things.
The difficult thing about this Book is how to interpret it. There have been various schools of thought as to how to approach this magnificent book which forms the last pages of God’s written revelation. We are speaking particularly of chapters 4-22.
The first approach takes the prophecies to have been fulfilled in the early history of the church. Thus, it is not prophetic, and nothing needs to be fulfilled.
The second approach is ‘historical.’ It looks at the prophecies as a panorama of time from John’s day until the end of time. Thus, some has been fulfilled, some is being fulfilled, and some is yet to come.
The third way to look at the book is ‘idealistic.’ One is not to interpret it literally. It is see it as a symbolic unfolding of the great principles of the constant conflict of good and evil. It does not refer to actual events in space and time.
The fourth view, and the one this writer takes, is futuristic. Chapters 4-22 are yet to be fulfilled.
This is the only book in the Bible that contains a special promise to obedient readers (1:3). It also pronounces a curse upon those who tamper with its content (22:18, 19). One must not add to what Revelation completes, nor take away from the totality of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. There are no other ‘scriptures’ other than the Bible.
Since the book is indeed the revelation of Jesus Christ, it demonstrates: His glory, wisdom and power [1], His authority over the churches [2, 3], and His power and right to judge the world [4-20].
His titles and names are many, including: the Faithful Witness, the Alpha and Omega, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Bright and Morning Star, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Most of all, He is ‘the Lamb that was slain’ for the sins of the whole world. He died for you!