I know I've been commenting a lot on how different some of the time estimates are to my reading - but this one is probably the furthest out yet! Four hours... Really?? I know it is a complex book - I thought at first I had forgotten how long it was - but no, it was still the twenty-two chapters it always had been, and the chapters are about the same length as most books in the New Testament. It took me one hour. One-quarter the time of the estimate. Now, I am relatively familiar with Revelation, having studied it in the past, and I chose not to get bogged down in chapters like I have done in some cases, but it was still a thorough read, and to take 1/4 the time estimated when I usually go over - that boggles my mind!
Anyway, on to more profitable discussion. The last book in the New Testament, by all accounts also the last divinely inspired revelation of God written down for our understanding - especially as it has a warning at the end not to add to or take away from what is written! Written by the Apostle John, exiled to the Isle of Patmos in the late 90's (no, not 1990's - but the 90's just before the end of the first century!), he writes very little of his own words. The intro and the epilogue is his own words, but everything else is written observations of revelation received directly from God, and ordered to write down.
Now the challenge - enjoy reading the book without trying to unpack it? Hmm. Harder done than said here, I think. Certainly I enjoyed reading the book, and being reminded of the future glory that God will finally claim for His own, and the glory he has also bestowed on us believers - but that also comes from a current understanding of the book having unpacked it in the past, and the picture it contains. Now, I cannot forget what I have already learned, nor would I want to - so I can't truly understand now what it would be like reading this for the first time, but I do remember it used to confuse me in the past (still does a lot, but slightly less than before).
I will be commenting on the themes of this wonderful book - hopefully I do not unpack it too much, but I also hope that I might shed a little light on some of the confusing elements, so we can better appreciate it. For those that after reading who want a more detailed overview of the book, I can recommend this link -
A Jet Tour Through Revelation by John MacArthur. It's a sermon about an hour long - so no longer than reading through the book, with a transcript so can read through if you prefer that to listening. Those who want to unpack more can look to other resources, either on the same site or other sites - just be aware there are many ideas about interpreting Revelation, some more Biblically accurate than others, so be careful of your sources.
Now concerning echoes from past reading through the New Testament? In some ways, definitely, a lot of the themes are picked up, and repeated or brought to fulfilment. This is, after all the final event on God's calendar - things do get 'wrapped up' for the final eternal life. I will use another metaphor as well, though - I see Revelation as a rogue wave. A rogue wave is a very rare occurrence, and is formed when waves meet 'in-phase' and cause a mega-wave to be produced, at least twice as high as the height of the normal waves in that area. It comes out of nowhere - no warning - and can be devastating. The normal waves are like the earlier teaching and epistles - warnings and teachings during the period of grace we live in. Then like a rogue wave, the judgement of God is held off no longer,, and rises without warning. It's the same character as the waves before it, but this time it is much bigger - and there is no escape for those who are unprepared, and no way to ignore it. The teachings find their fulfilment - their full character and end are revealed, just like a rogue wave is bigger (and so can be seen better) than the normal waves.
I did like the quote by
Ross Clifford and Philip Johnson. Nice way to sum up the book.
We begin with a look an introduction to Christ. Not Christ, the veiled Deity Who laid aside His glory to walk amongst - don't get me wrong, He WAS that - now we see Christ, the glorified One, the rightful Judge, showing all His glory.
First Christ directs John to write to the churches. These churches were real, historical churches at the time, and seem selected because they show the full spectrum of churches with their different errors and triumphs for Christ. All throughout history, there have been some examples of each of the churches, at some times one type dominates, at other times another, but all are present. We need to each heed the warnings and exhortation to these churches - no matter what type of church we are in! All of us desire to be Pergamos - about which nothing bad was said - or Smyrna, if we are under persecution. It is easy to fall into traps and deceit, through the world around us, false teachers, or forgetting our love for Christ. We also see some churches that are on their last legs - and nothing good is said about them. One of these is Laodicea, which seems an strong description of many churches today in the materialistic society. But whatever the evil that is in the church, Christ calls for repentance, and will answer if we repent and hear His voice - while there is still time.
Moving on from the churches, we go to heaven. It is a privilege having this glimpse into the heavenly realm! The glory of God is so magnificent, so majestic, beyond these simple words on paper, beyond anything we could imagine! Then we see the Lamb of God. Having paid the price for our sin, He alone is worthy to open the scroll and begin the judgement upon the earth He created, He redeemed, and now He will judge.
Through the next lot of chapters, we see many judgements. Through all of them, we see that the point is God's glory, that God is pouring out His wrath that mankind deserves, in keeping with His Holy and Righteous Character. Interspersed between the judgements are also messages of God saving people still on earth - The 144,000 Jewish evangelists, and we see converts from their witness praising God in Heaven. Another interlude, in chapter 10, recognises the bitter-sweet nature of the judgement - sweet to the mouth because God is finally glorified as He ought, and the wicked are being judged, but sorrow that so many did not repent and are suffering for their rejection of Him. We see two witnesses preaching in great power - God does not leave earth without people preaching His Word! Then, after this respite, the final judgement comes with a fury. Again and again we see reference to the same 42 months/1260days/3.5 years that is referred to here and in later interludes - often these are talking about the same period of time, the latter half of the 7 year period called the 'tribulation' when most of the judgement happens.
In chapter 12, we start to see things from a slightly different perspective. We see a struggle between Israel and Satan, and then leading into the 'beast' rising from the sea. So these chapters show things focused around Satan and the antichrist, and then the prophet that works with them - Satan's evil pseudo-imitation of the Trinity.
After the talk about the beasts, we see the witnesses again, and then the witness of angels preaching God's Word to those on earth. How can people still reject Him? He grants them so much time, so many warnings, so many chances to repent, and yet they still reject Him? Praise God that He saw fit to save me, and turn my stubborn heart to Him before it was too late! This section ends with more judgement, and the wrath of God poured out, as praise is rightfully given to God.
Another interlude, we backtrack to see something else that happened during the reign of the beast - we see a prostitute sitting on top of the beast. The prostitute is a symbol of idolatry, and false religion - working hand in hand with the beast, and fighting with the beast against the Lamb of God. The antichrist then turns against the prostitute, destroying 'her' for his own ends, but also fulfilling the judgement of God on the false religions.
We return to Heaven, seeing again rightful praise of God, and the glorious marriage supper of the Lamb, where the church is presented as Christ's bride - those whom He has redeemed to Himself. Then He descends from Heaven, with the saints (Christians) with Him, bringing His Kingdom down to earth, and destroying all the wicked left upon the earth - a great slaughter!
The millennial (thousand year) reign of Christ is established, and Satan is bound so as not to cause trouble. Finally we will see a good and righteous government system! He grants us (the saints who were in heaven and are come back to earth with Him) the privilege of serving as judges in His Kingdom. The people left behind on the earth are the Christians saved during the judgement period, that have not already been martyred themselves - some did indeed turn and repent, through the many witnesses God sent to preach, and His wondrous grace! After the thousand years, though, there are some (presumably the descendants, since the original survivors would be truly God's) that will be deceived by Satan when he is released, and rebel against God. The judgement is swift, and they all die. Now all evildoers that have ever lived have died, the Great White Throne of Judgement occurs, and all who are not written in the book of life stand before God in judgement, and are sentenced to eternal punishment in the lake of fire. The believers are all glorified by this stage.
Then we have a marvellous description of the New Heaven and New Earth - created by God, for His dwelling alongside and with man. The judgement is done, no unrighteous are here - they are all condemned to spiritual death. Only those multitudes who Christ has redeemed to Himself, who have accepted His redemption, now live with Him forever! The glory of this place is beyond words - enjoy this glimpse of it, but never minimise it or think lightly of it - it is far greater than we can ever understand with our sinful minds!
John concludes the book, and we are told not to hide this revelation, but read it and speak it, and obey it. Never add to it, and never take away from it -- it is the Word of God! He is coming soon... O, Lord Jesus, COME!!!!!!!!!
Lord, we thank You for these insights into the future You have prepared. We glorify You for You alone are worthy - You, Who redeemed us by Your blood, dying for our sake - we praise Your Name! Thank You for the confidence we can have in Your sovereign care, Your timing, and Your judgement. We praise You that the wicked will be destroyed utterly in Your timing, and we praise You for the grace we have until that time. Help us ever to be ready Lord - help us to warn others and teach others Your truth, that they might receive the blessing of salvation and eternal fellowship with You. Lord, we pray for Your will to be done - You know what is best! Bless our lives, as we commit them to Thee, and hold us close we pray. We await You with glad anticipation. In Your name, and trusting in You, we pray. Amen.
