Revelation

TEXT:

‘This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John’ – Revelation 1:1 NLT

THOUGHT:

The Book of Revelation, which I have just read again, is fascinating yet mysterious. Unlike the majority of the Bible, it is futuristic rather than historical. This makes it harder to understand.

The events recorded are like a drama set on earth with three main characters – Jesus, Satan and people. The earth becomes barely recognisable as God’s judgment is poured out. How different from when it was first created and God saw it was very good.

Today’s Teaching concentrates on important aspects of those main characters.

JESUS

• He is alive – ‘I am He who lives and was dead and behold I am alive forevermore’ 1:18

The Apostle John was present at Jesus’ crucifixion and death and also when Jesus proved by infallible proofs that He had risen from the dead. Now seventy years later, he is still writing about the One who is alive. Jesus conquered death and gives eternal life to anyone who repents of their sin and believes in Him. It was the truth “Jesus is alive today” that attracted me to Christianity.

• He knows what is going on in the life of every church and individual Christian – ‘To the angel of the church at Ephesus write, “I know your works”’ – 2:1-2.

Seven churches were written to, each with a different message. Jesus is the head of His church and knows the state of it. What would He write about your church or even your life? God showed Ezekiel the abominable practices the Children of Israel were committing in the temple and saying, ‘The Lord does not see us’ – Ezekiel 8:12. The opposite is true, ‘I am He who searches the minds and hearts’ – 2:23. Jesus’ purpose in sending this message: ‘As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent’ – 3:19. Do not ignore or cover up the things that are wrong but bring them into the light, repent and receive forgiveness.

• His first coming was to be a Saviour but He will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Born in a stable, He lived a life of meekness and humility. Divinity set aside to be clothed with humanity. He had to become like us to save us. He will return to this earth in power and majesty. ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and glory and blessing’ – 5:12. Then every knee will bow and every tongue cry out that Jesus is Lord!

SATAN

• He tries every way to stop a person believing in Jesus – ‘Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants’ – 2 Timothy 2:25-26 NLT

He is anti-Christ and is the inspiration for anything that denies the existence of and need for Jesus. He promotes evolution instead of creation. If he cannot stop someone becoming a Christian, he will bombard them with thoughts that they have lost their faith. One minute he will say, “You have not sinned, you do not need a Saviour”, the next minute, “You have sinned too greatly for God to be able to forgive you!” Jesus said about Satan, “He is a liar and the father of lies” – John 8:44.

• Everything he schemes against God is doomed to failure – ‘Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels’ – 12:7-9 NLT

Any apparent successes are short-lived for Revelation clearly shows the end of Satan as a threat to humanity. He cannot succeed against Almighty God. Just as Jesus overcame him while on earth, so the same takes place in heaven. The good news is that Satan will not deceive and accuse for ever. He has an end!

• God has created an eternal prison for Satan – ‘Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulphur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever’ – 20:10 NLT

It has been created for Satan and his fallen angels but they will also be joined by those who refuse to believe in Jesus. It is what the Bible calls the “Second death” – 20:14. Jesus died for you to prevent your sins taking you to this awful place. It is not too late to repent and avoid ending up in there.

PEOPLE

This third group is being pulled in opposing directions. God is not willing for anyone to perish eternally but Satan, because he cannot get at God, seeks to destroy people who have been created in the image of God. What will you believe – the truth or a lie? Who will you trust – the One who is the way, the truth and the life or the one who is a liar? The Bible urges you to, ‘Choose today who you will serve’ – Joshua 24:15. Two reactions will take place when God’s judgement is poured out on the earth. Some will repent and turn to Him but others will continue to curse God.

Perhaps this teaching has been a revelation to you to learn of these things. You may have been pulled in both directions. How much better to trust in Jesus, the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life – John 14:6.

Finally, I started this teaching about the earth as the end-time stage, and the battering it takes. Thank God that is not the end of the story. God will create a new heaven and earth, filled with righteousness and without any more devil, death, sorrow, crying and pain – 21:1-4.

Now that is worth living for!