Before we dig into Revelations and the “end time” prophecies
let me suggest a playlist on YouTube from TheFuelProject channel about
Revelations. It by far has been the clearest explanation I have found and explains
many of confusing images John used. The first thing we need to understand is we
have always been in time of tribulation and it is increasing. In the USA we see
it only as oppression against our faith whereas the rest of the world is
exterminating people of faith. Today the most persecuted peoples of the world
are Christians, bet you didn’t know that!
Verse 1:8 makes it clear the position of The Eternal:
Lord God: 8 I
am the Alpha and the Omega, [the very beginning and the very end,] the One
who is, the One who was, and the One who is coming: the All Powerful.
God makes it clear who is in control, who is the One. We
need to take this to heart and understand the signs are happening today and one
needs to open reading Matthew 24 and the “Olivet Discourse” to understand what
must happen before Jesus returns. One can take this over history and say see,
nothing has changed for history, but things are going to get worse and we need
to understand God is in control and this is something that will purify our
faith.
Verse 2:7 makes it clear that faith through tribulation is
key:
“Let the person who is able to
hear, listen to and follow what the Spirit proclaims to all
the churches. I will allow the one who conquers through faithfulness
even unto death to eat from the tree of life found in God’s lush
paradise.”
Nowhere in the Bible does God claim being of faith will be easy
without trials. Look throughout this book and we never see everything easy.
Each story in the Bible has trials before God uses the people for His purpose.
It’s not that God wants us to suffer but rather suffering helps strengthen our
faith in God.
The next few chapters are focused on warnings to the
churches and we see the most common ways people and the church drifts from
faith. From wealth, to pressure, to lust we see each church suffering in one
way or another. Often we see all this throughout our personal lives, we are not
immune and need to remain diligent. Verse 2:25 is simple and clear stating “Just
keep on task, and keep the faith until I return.”
Verse 3:16 is something we all need to focus on:
So because
you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
When you think about this how many of us fall into that
trap. We are “Christians” but we only live our faith on Sundays between the
hours of 11 and 1. Outside people could not tell our faith other than maybe a “fish
sticker” on our bumper. We need to be “hot” for Jesus and live the way He would
desire. Sure it’s not going to be easy, but it will bring the best reward as
His approval. Remember the only apostle of Jesus that was not killed for their
faith was John who wrote this. They did try to kill him and when he would not
die they exiled him to the island of Patmos.
Verse 4:10 is one of those “numbers” verses:
the
twenty-four elders fell prostrate before the One seated on the throne,
worshiped the One who lives throughout all the ages, cast their golden wreaths
before the throne, and chanted to Him.
The image John must have is amazing and he is stretching the
language available to him to explain what he sees. Here is talking about the 24
elders and we can easily see the significance with this number when you
consider the old and new covenants. Each had 12 “patriarchs” who are now represented
in the “throne room” with Jesus and God. We see numbers thrown about
Revelations and it becomes difficult to follow, but honestly don’t try to over
complicate these or read too much into it. I feel as obscure as many are they
will become clear as the time approaches.
Please note in studying Revelations you should bounce
back to other end time prophecies throughout the Bible to more clearly
understand what is being said here. It’s difficult and painful but worth the
effort for clarity in the long run.