Revelation
- VITAL STATISTICS:
PURPOSE:
To reveal the full identity of Christ and to give warning and hope to believers
AUTHOR:
The apostle John
TO WHOM WRITTEN:
The seven churches in Asia, and all believers everywhere
DATE WRITTEN:
About A.D. 95, from Patmos
SETTING
Most scholars believe that the seven churches of Asia to whom John writes were experiencing the persecution that took place under Emperor Domitian (A.D. 90-95). It seems that the Roman authorities had exiled John to the island of Patmos (off the coast of Asia). John, who had been an eyewitness of the incarnate Christ, had a vision of the glorified Christ. God also revealed to him what would take place in the future -- judgment and the ultimate triumph of God over evil.
KEY VERSE
`Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near' (1:3).
KEY PEOPLE
John, Jesus
KEY PLACES
Patmos, the seven churches, the new Jerusalem
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Revelation is written in `apocalyptic' form -- a type of Jewish literature that uses symbolic imagery to communicate hope (in the ultimate triumph of God) to those in the midst of persecution. The events are ordered according to literary, rather than strictly chronological, patterns.
WITH TINY wrinkles and cries, he entered the world and, wrapped in strips of cloth, took his first nap on a bed of straw. Subject to time and to parents, he grew to manhood in Roman-occupied Palestine, his gentle hands becoming strong and calloused in Joseph's woodworking shop. As a man, he walked through the countryside and city, touching individuals, preaching to crowds, and training 12 men to carry on his work. At every step he was hounded by those seeking to rid the world of his influence. Finally, falsely accused and tried, he was condemned to a disgraceful execution by foreign hands. And he died -- spat upon, cursed, pierced by nails, and hung heavenward for all to deride. Jesus, the God-man, gave his life completely so that all might live.
At God's appointed time, the risen and ascended Lord Jesus will burst onto the world scene. Then everyone will know that Jesus is Lord of the universe! Those who love him will rejoice, greeting their Savior with hearts overflowing into songs of praise. But his enemies will be filled with fear. Allied with Satan, the enemies of Christ will marshal their legions against Christ and his armies. But who can withstand God's wrath? Christ will win the battle and reign victorious forever! Jesus, the humble suffering Servant, is also the powerful, conquering King and Judge.
Revelation is a book of hope. John, the beloved apostle and eyewitness of Jesus, proclaimed that the victorious Lord would surely return to vindicate the righteous and judge the wicked. But Revelation is also a book of warning. Things were not as they should have been in the churches, so Christ called the members to commit themselves to live in righteousness.
Although Jesus gave this revelation of himself to John nearly 2,000 years ago, it still stands as a comfort and challenge to God's people today. We can take heart as we understand John's vision of hope -- Christ will return to rescue his people and settle accounts with all who defy him.
John begins this book by explaining how he received this revelation from God (1:1-20). He then records specific messages from Jesus to the seven churches in Asia (2:1-3:22). Suddenly the scene shifts as a mosaic of dramatic and majestic images bursts into view before John's eyes. This series of visions portrays the future rise of evil, culminating in the antichrist (4:1-18:24). Then follows John's recounting of the triumph of the King of kings, the wedding of the Lamb, the final judgment, and the coming of the new Jerusalem (19:1-22:5). Revelation concludes with the promise of Christ's soon return (22:6-21), and John breathes a prayer that has been echoed by Christians through the centuries, `Amen. Come, Lord Jesus' (22:20).
As you read the book of Revelation, marvel with John at the wondrous panorama of God's revealed plan. Listen as Christ warns the churches, and root out any sin that blocks your relationship with him. Be full of hope, knowing that God is in control, Christ's victory is assured, and all who trust him will be saved.
THE BLUEPRINT
A. LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES (1:1-3:22)
The vision John received opens with instructions for him to write to seven churches. He both commends them for their strengths and warns them about their flaws. Each letter was directed to a church then in existence, but also speaks to conditions in the church throughout history. Both in the church and in our individual lives, we must constantly fight against the temptation to become loveless, immoral, lenient, compromising, lifeless, or casual about our faith. The letters make it clear how our Lord feels about these qualities.
B. MESSAGE FOR THE CHURCH (4:1-22:21)
1. Worshiping God in heaven
2. Opening the seven seals
3. Sounding the seven trumpets
4. Observing the great conflict
5. Pouring out the seven plagues
6. Seizing the final victory
7. Making everything new
This revelation is both a warning to Christians who have grown apathetic and an encouragement to those who are faithfully enduring the struggles in this world. It reassures us that good will triumph over evil, gives us hope as we face difficult times, and gives guidance when we are wavering in our faith. Christ's message to the church is a message of hope for all believers in every generation.
MEGATHEMES
THEME:
God's Sovereignty
EXPLANATION: God is sovereign. He is greater than any power in the universe. God is not to be compared with any leader, government, or religion. He controls history for the purpose of uniting true believers in loving fellowship with him.
IMPORTANCE: Though Satan's power may temporarily increase, we are not to be led astray. God is all-powerful. He is in control. He will bring his true family safely into eternal life. Because he cares for us, we can trust him with our very lives.
Christ's Return
Christ came to earth as a `Lamb,' the symbol of his perfect sacrifice for our sin. He will return as the triumphant `Lion,' the rightful ruler and conqueror. He will defeat Satan, settle accounts with all those who reject him, and bring his faithful people into eternity.
Assurance of Christ's return gives suffering Christians the strength to endure. We can look forward to his return as King and Judge. Since no one knows the time when he will appear, we must be ready at all times by keeping our faith strong.
God's Faithful People
John wrote to encourage the church to resist the demands to worship the Roman emperor. He warns all God's faithful people to be devoted only to Christ. Revelation identifies who the faithful people are and what they should be doing until Christ returns.
You can take your place in the ranks of God's faithful people by believing in Christ. Victory is sure for those who resist temptation and make loyalty to Christ their top priority.
Judgment
One day God's anger toward sin will be fully and completely unleashed. Satan will be defeated with all of his agents. False religion will be destroyed. God will reward the faithful with eternal life, but all who refuse to believe in him will face eternal punishment.
Evil and injustice will not prevail forever. God's final judgment will put an end to these. We need to be certain of our commitment to Jesus if we want to escape this great final judgment. No one who rejects Christ will escape God's punishment.
Hope
One day God will create a new heaven and a new earth. All believers will live with him forever in perfect peace and security. Those who have already died will be raised to life. These promises for the future bring us hope.
Our great hope is that what Christ promises will come true. When we have confidence in our final destination, we can follow Christ with unwavering dedication no matter what we must face. We can be encouraged by hoping in Christ's return.
Theological Setting
What provides hope for a Christian in the midst of trouble and suffering? John the Apostle was a prisoner of the government on the island of Patmos (1:9). He sought to strengthen the resolve of embattled Christians in the churches in Asia, who suffered persecution from Domitian, the Roman emperor, because they refused to worship him. Their refusal thwarted Domitian's goal of being worshiped so the Roman Empire would have a spiritual basis of unity. For Christians, only Jesus deserved the title Lord, while the emperor wanted recognition as lord. Christians said God controlled history, while the emperor claimed to hold the world's fate in his hands. The church was quickly settling into a second- and third-generation existence with most of the apostles and eyewitnesses of Christ having died. Initial enthusiasm and fervor tended to fade. Expectation of Christ's return did not burn so brightly. Faith in God as more powerful than Rome was called in question. False teachers and false doctrines tempted the church to compromise its moral integrity and to serve both Rome and God.
The churches in Asia Minor to whom John wrote faced several temptations in face of false teaching and government persecution:
(1) The faint-hearted were tempted to forsake Christ and His church to avoid suffering;
(2) They could continue meeting with the church but also bow down to the emperor's image;
(3) They had allowed false teachings and claims of secret knowledge into their midst, compromising the true gospel message; and
(4) They had allowed their fervor for Christ in some areas to become lukewarm. Christ's revelation called them to commit themselves wholeheartedly to Christ and to serve His church with evangelistic fervor even though they might be sentenced to death. Four ways to interpret Revelation are described under "Contemporary Teaching'', which perhaps should be read before studying the outline. The outline reflects the view called "historical premillennialism.''
Theological Outline
Revelation: A Call to a Blessed Hope for Persecuted Believers As Jesus Reveals the Victorious Future.
I. Introduction: Jesus' Revelation Was Given Through John by Jesus Christ Himself. (1:1-20)
A. The revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1-3)
1. Was given by God to John for Christ's servants to show the
future. (1:1-2)
2. Was given to be studied, understood, and obeyed. (1:3)
B. The Trinitarian God addressed the Seven Churches of Asia.
(1:4-7)
1. Grace comes from the eternal Trinitarian God. (1:4-5)
2. Christ has made believers to be priests in His kingdom. (1:6)
3. Christ's second coming will be known worldwide. (1:7)
C. Only the Lord God is eternal and almighty. (1:8)
D. Revelation was written at Christ's command by a faithful
sharer in persecution. (1:9-11)
E. Jesus, who holds the keys to the future, is magnificent in
power and splendor. (1:12-20)
II. Jesus Knows His Churches and Commands, Encourages, and Judges Them. (2:1-3:22)
A. A good, persevering, faithful, doctrinally-strong church may lose its ardor. (2:1-7)
B. A suffering church should remember that faithful believers will receive a crown of life. (2:8-11)
C. A faithful church may slip into an easy tolerance of false teachings. (2:12-17)
D. A church must join its faithful service with the rejection of false teachers and of claims to secret knowledge, and must hold a steadfast hope to share in Christ's eternal rule. (2:18-29)
E. Christ knows a church's true works and the faithfulness and unfaithfulness of members. (3:1-6)
F. A church that faithfully perseveres can anticipate honor and reward. (3:7-13)
G. A lukewarm church must repent or face Christ's judgment. (3:14-22)
III. The Sovereign God Sits Enthroned. (4:1-11)
A. God controls and can reveal the future. (4:1)
B. The indescribable God sits on His heavenly throne, surrounded by thrones of the earthly founders of the Old Israel and the New Israel. (4:2-5)
C. God is transcendent, all powerful, all wise, eternal, and absolute sovereign over all. (4:6-9)
D. God is Creator and Sustainer of the universe and so is
immensely worthy of praise. (4:10-11)
IV. The Redeeming Divine Christ Is Worthy of Praise. (5:1-14)
Jesus Christ is the key to understanding the meaning of
history. (5:1-5)
- The divine Christ came to redeem mankind and create a
kingdom of believer priests. (5:6-10)
C. Christ is praised by all the hordes in heaven for His redemption. (5:11-14)
V. Disasters Will Continue, and God Will Come in Judgment. (6:1-7:17)
A. Earthly conquerors, war, famine, and death continue through history. (6:1-8)
B. Faithful martyrs of all ages cry out for vindication and are consoled by the faithful God. (6:9-11)
C. At the end time, God will shake the heavens and earth in judgment. (6:12-17)
D. God will protect His people from the judgment. (7:1-12)
E. The redeemed will spend a praise-filled eternity in heaven with God and the Lamb. (7:13-17)
VI. God Will Send Judgment and Woes to the Earth in a Period of Great Tribulation. (8:1-9:21) (Amillennialists interpret the events chapters 8-18 as continuing throughout history rather than at the end time. Dispensationalists believe the church will be taken from the earth before they occur; historical premillennialists believe the church will remain on earth during the tribulation.)
A. Prayer is a vital force in the work of God's kingdom. (8:1-6)
B. God will call the world to repent through four enormous natural disasters. (8:7-12)
C. In the end time, Satan's forces will attack the world, causing great suffering without bringing repentance; God's sealed people will be protected. (8:13-9:21)
VII. God's Message of Redemption and Judgment Will Be Heard. (10:1-11:19)
A. The gospel is to be proclaimed faithfully to rebellious people. (10:1-11)
B. In the end time, two powerful witnesses will proclaim God's message and will be martyred, but their resurrection will result in the conversion of a multitude of people or of Israel. (11:1-14)
C. History will climax in the revelation of God's eternal kingdom. (11:15-19)
VIII. Satan's Desperate War Against Christ and His Church Is Fierce but Will Fail. (12:1-13:18)
A. Christ's incarnation brought Satan's desperate attempt to kill Jesus; having failed, he pursues Christ's church through history and will persecute them even more intensively in the great tribulation. (12:1-17)
B. In the end time an antichrist will arise with Satan's backing and enlist the support of a great many people through deception. (13:1-18)
IX. Salvation and Judgment Are Proclaimed from Heaven. (14:1-20)
A. The faithful redeemed are assured of eternal bliss. (14:1-5)
B. The unredeemed worshipers of the Beast are assured of eternal torment. (14:6-11)
C. Believers are called to perseverance and are promised eternal rest. (14:12-13)
D. Christ will come to claim believers and force vengeance on unbelievers. (14:14-20)
X. The Last Tribulation or Judgment Will Evidence God's Justice. (15:1-16:21)
A. Victory is as sure as the Exodus for God's people. (15:1-4)
B. Judgment represents the covenant law executed by God against human rebels. (15:5-8)
C. Followers of the antichrist face total judgment which witnesses to God's justice. (16:1-7)
D. Judgment calls for repentance, but followers of the antichrist refuse. (16:8-11)
E. Efforts by the antichrist to conquer the earth will be defeated. (16:12-21)
XI. God's Judgment on the Political Power Which Supports the Antichrist Will Be Complete and Just. (17:1-19:5)
A. The evil Babylon power oppresses believers. (17:1-6)
B. The Babylon power includes a complex of many nations and people. (17:7-18)
C. The destruction of the Babylon power will be complete and for just cause. (18:1-24)
D. God's judgment on the Babylon power will bring great rejoicing in heaven. (19:1-5)
XII. Christ Will Come to Consummate History and Create a New Heaven and Earth. (19:6-22:21)
A. He will call His faithful church to a great marriage banquet. (19:6-10)
B. Christ Jesus will return in great victory and power. (19:11-16)
C. The satanic power will gather forces for an assault on the victorious Jesus in the battle of Armageddon (see 16:16), but they will be instantaneously defeated. (19:17-21)
D. Satan will be bound, and Christ will establish His millennial kingdom. (20:1-6)
E. At the end of the millennium, Satan will be defeated and condemned eternally. (20:7-10)
F. At the end of time, all people who ever lived will face judgment. (20:11-15)
G. The old world will pass away, and the new heavens and earth will be established, to which the faithful will be admitted and the unredeemed will be barred. (21:1-14)
H. Eternal heaven will be a place of indescribable bliss. (21:15-22:5)
I. Jesus' revelation which He gave to John is certain and should be taken seriously by everyone; believers should be faithful and unbelievers should respond to His invitation. (22:6-21)
Theological Conclusions
The outline shows the theological richness of Revelation despite its complex symbolism. The book represents crucial doctrinal insights for God's people. These center around the teachings on:
(1) the sovereignty of God;
(2) Jesus as the suffering, atoning, ascended, and returning Messiah;
(3) the Holy Spirit;
(4) the kingdom of Christ and thus of God;
(5) Christian hope;
(6) Heaven;
(7) Hell;
(8) Judgment;
(9) Sin;
(10) Satan;
(11) Humanity;
(12) History;
(13) The Christian life;
(14) Priesthood of believers;
(15) Church;
(16) Biblical inspiration; and
(17) Angels.
- Perseverance is a continued emphasis throughout the book.
The entire book repeatedly witnesses to God's sovereignty over all human history and activities and over all human institutions. Neither Satan nor his representations in human rulers or religious leaders can overcome God's purposes. In fact, God works out His purposes even through their evil (17:17). The sovereignty of God is the foundation for hope and the promise of victory in the midst of persecution and suffering.
Jesus Christ is the book's central figure. He gives the revelation (1:1) and is the only One able to clarify history's meaning by opening the mysterious scroll (5:5). He is worthy to do so because of His redemptive death and resurrection (5:5-14). He is closely identified with God's Spirit (5:6-7) and is Israel's expected Messiah or Christ (5:5). He is divine, worthy to receive the glory due to God (5:12). The theme of Revelation is the ultimate victory of Christ in His second coming (1:7; 19:11-21; 22:7, 12, 17, and 20). He will establish God's kingdom in which He and the Father will rule with the saints (21:1-22:5). He will reign in the millennium (20:4), and He will marry His bride, the church, eternally (19:7-9).
References to the Holy Spirit provide the basis for a doctrine of the Trinity. Individual believers have the Spirit's presence (1:10). The Spirit speaks a word of hope to the churches (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22; 14:13). The Spirit was an agent in revealing Holy Scripture to John (21:10) and is active in calling for Christ's return and for people to come to Christ (22:17).
Christ's kingdom is presented both as His eternal rule and as His present rule over His churches (chs 2-3). The church represents God's people of the New Covenant in historical existence. Locally, individual churches exist (1:4; 2:1-3:22). Christ is the Head of the church and has authority over it (2:1). The local church teaches good doctrine and disciplines false teachers (2:2-23), proclaims and testifies to the gospel in evangelistic missionary outreach (2:13), and supports other churches.
The picture of the kingdom shows how God's saints respond to His rule: with singing, service, and praise (5:9-13; 7:4-17; 14:2-3; 15:2-4; 19:6). Suffering saints on earth can count on the power of their prayers to the heavenly King on His throne (8:3-5). At the end time Christ's kingdom will be consummated in all its glory, and His reign will be absolute (11:15-19). Christ's kingdom is the goal toward which Christian hope is aimed. In Christ's death and resurrection, Satan [already] has been defeated (12:1-17). Those who reject the gospel for the false security of material wealth and physical safety do so at eternal peril (18:1-24). The faithful are the ones whose future is secure (4:4,10).
The glories of heaven are beyond human imagination. God's presence permeates all of heaven (21:22). Absolutely no evil will be there (21:27; 22:3). Believers can be certain of entering heaven, for our names are written in the book of life (3:5). The Lamb marks His own (22:4). The certainty of heaven does not eliminate the need to urge faithfulness, for a call to faithfulness permeates Revelation.
Those not in the book of life face eternal punishment or hell. This is described as the bottomless pit or Abyss (9:2; 11:7; 17:8; 20:3), the home of demons, evil spirits, and the eternally dead. It is where the satanic beast comes from (13:11). It is a place of eternal torment (14:10-11; 19:3,20; 20:10,15; 21:8). Hell is the result of judgment on evil and evil ones, a necessary partner to Christ's victory over evil and revenge for His saints (16:5-7). Christ will defeat the satanic beast and his supporters (17:13-14). Judgment shows that God is just and true to Himself or trustworthy (15:3; 16:4-7). Judgment through historical punishment calls for repentance (16:8-11; 9:20-21). Judgment completed leaves no hope.
Sin appears in many forms in the world: sexual sins (9:21; 21:8; 22:15), worship of false gods (9:20; 13:4; 8,14-16; 14:11; 21:8; 22:15), involvement in the occult (9:20-21; 18:23; 21:8; 22:15), murder (9:21; 21:8; 22:15), theft (9:21), killing believers (17:6; 18:24), slave-trading (18:13), lying (21:27; 22:15), economic sins (18:3,11-19), political sins (17:2,4,7-13), and cowardice (21:8), which probably refers to those who professed the faith but did not endure. Basically, sin for Revelation is trust in the satanic forces of political and false religious leaders rather than trust in the King of kings.
Satan is clearly depicted as the author of sin. He has the key to the Abyss (9:1-2). He attacks God's witnesses (11:7-10). He sought to destroy Christ (12:1-6) but lost the battle (12:7-11). Ever since he has feverishly attacked Christ's disciples (12:12-13:1). He will marshall forces against God (16:13-14; 19:19) but will be defeated (19:20-21). Christ will bind them in the Abyss (20:1-3), but Satan will gain freedom and again attack God but without success (20:7-10).
Revelation shows an understanding of the destructive capabilities of humanity as well as the evil of Satan. Some humans respond to God's grace and are saved, faithfully serving God (6:9-11), while others obstinately refuse to repent (9:20-21; 16:8-11). Clearly, perseverance is a clear indicator of genuine faith (1:9; 22:7). Satan attacks believers constantly (12:17), requiring believers to remain faithful (1:3; 13:10; 14:12; 21:7; 22:14). Faithfulness involves not betraying Christ in worship or morality but remaining dedicated to truth and purity (14:3-5).
The strength to remain faithful rests on a special type of relationship with God through Christ known as the priesthood of all believers. (1:6; 5:10). God revealed His covenant identity to His people on Sinai (Exo 19:6). Revelation affirms this identity for the church. All citizens of God's kingdom, not just political or religious officials, are to mediate God's salvation to the nations, approach God for themselves, and accept responsibility for personal holiness before God.
The Book of Revelation shows us important points in the teaching about the Bible. Revelation is a direct product of Jesus revealing His word to John (Rev 1:1). It was written down immediately (1:10-11). He did not receive permission to write everything he heard (10:2-4). The writing had a definite purpose (1:1) and was expected to be read and obeyed (1:3; 22:9-10). The trustworthiness of the revelation is asserted (22:6). Its authority is recognized immediately, so that nothing should be added or taken away (22:18-19). The inspired book had words of immediate application to specific congregations (2:1-3:22), has continuing meaning, and has an end time meaning.
Angels appear more in Revelation than in most biblical books. Each church has an angel (1:20), but the exact interpretation here is disputed: pastors, guardian angel, or heavenly counterpart of the earthly church. Angels serve as heavenly heralds (5:2), heavenly messengers on earth to protect God's people (7:1-3), messengers delivering human prayers to God (8:3-5), musicians announcing and introducing God's judgment (8:6-9:13; 18:1-2), agents inflicting divine judgment (9:14-15; 14:19; 15:1-16:71), agents of divine revelation (10:1-11; 14:6-9; 21:9-17; 22:6), messengers of communication in heaven (14:14-18), keepers of the heavenly altar (14:18). Angels may have great authority (18:1), even holding the key to hell (20:1) and being able to introduce people to God's secrets (21:9-10). Still, angels are not to receive human worship (22:8-9). They are worshipers of God (5:11; 7:11). Some angels are not faithful to God, for they follow Satan (12:7-9).
Essentially, Revelation is about history; it reveals its meaning and reveals Christ's final victory at its end. Caesar and Rome appeared to control history, rather than God controlling it, but He will be ultimately victorious. God's kingdom will be established. The suffering of God's people will be avenged. The satanic forces will suffer eternally. Jesus is coming.
Contemporary Teaching
Many different contemporary teachings have been drawn from the Book of Revelation because of the different ways used to interpret it. Revelation has the form of a letter from John to the churches (1:4; 22:21). The language of apocalyptic literature of the two centuries before and the two centuries after Christ is used. Such literature is filled with figurative and symbolic language. Often it is placed in the mouth of an ancient biblical hero, so we have books from the period entitled 1 Enoch, The Testament of Moses, 2 Baruch, and the Apocalypse of Abraham. Apocalyptic writings sought to lead people through the ages of history to reveal the work of God in the future and give assurance to tormented saints. Obviously, Revelation stands apart from such literature, plainly naming a contemporary figure, John, as the writer. Still, it uses symbolism and deals with history in ways similar to apocalyptic writings. The biblical student must use careful judgment in comparing Revelation to this literature.
The student must face several major issues:
(1) How does one relate the Old and New Testaments and their interpretation?
(2) How does one determine that which is literal and that which is symbolic?
(3) What events did the writer see as having already occurred, and what events did he intend to describe as future?
(4) Which events still lie in the future?
(5) Do the chapters represent a chronological order of different events, or are symbolic pictures drawn to describe the meaning of the same events in different symbols for different emphases? This last question is particularly important for Revelation. Do the seals (ch 6), trumpets (chs 8-9), and bowls (chs 15-16) reflect a chronological sequence of successive events? Or does each section repeat the same event(s) from different perspectives? Or do the three sections have some overlap of events while each adds additional events? These questions and others have led to major differences in understanding the interpretation of Revelation.
1. Postmillennialism says the world will be won to Christ through aggressive evangelism and missions. Christians will grow more Christlike until He will rule the world through His people in this gradually-developed millennial kingdom. Then Christ will return bodily to establish a new heaven and a new earth. This view gave major impetus to the modern mission movement and has recently reappeared in modified interpretations.
2. Amillennialism interprets Revelation symbolically to apply to the constant battle between God and Satan, good and evil, and the church and the world until Christ returns bodily at the end of time. The millennial kingdom (ch 20) applies to the rule of God in believers' hearts throughout history. The tribulation period (7:14; chs 8-9) refers to the troubles God's people pass through because evil people and forces persecute the church. This view accepts that the seals, trumpets, and vials recapitulate the continuing warfare between God and Satan.
3. Premillennialism has developed two distinct forms.
(a) Dispensational premillennialism sees in chapters 2-3 the division of history into seven identifiable church ages, the last age representing the present time, that of apostasy. The church is "raptured'' at the end of chapter 3. Chapters 4-22 represent the end time after the rapture of the church, that is the deliverance of the church from the great tribulation. The seals judgment (ch 6) occurs during the first half of the tribulation period during which time 144,000 Jewish converts will be saved by joining the kingdom (rather than by grace though faith; the dispensation of grace will be over). The trumpets judgment (chs 8-9) also occurs during the tribulation. During the great tribulation, the raptured church will be with Christ receiving assignments of millennial rule after the tribulation. During the millennium the Israelite Temple and sacrificial system will have been reestablished.
(b) Historical premillennialism applies chapters 1-3 to the church of the first century and more generally to later centuries without separating history into different ages, just as other Scripture applies to all ages. Chapters 4-22 deal with events from Christ's crucifixion to His return and into eternity. The rapture (which to them refers to meeting Christ in the air) occurs at the beginning of the millennium at which time Christ returns to earth. The seals judgment (ch 6) depicts general historical trends leading up to the end. The 144,000 refers to the church on the threshold of the tribulation. (Some say to old Israel.) The trumpets judgment (chs 8-9) refers to a tribulation period in which the church is on earth. Jews will be used by God during the tribulation, but they will be saved by grace through faith just as all previous believers.
Both premillennial views believe a literal antichrist will appear, and both believe in a literal battle of Armageddon. Christ will rule in a literal millennial kingdom. The two views differ on the details of the millennial kingdom, the number and nature of the resurrection(s) and judgment(s), and on the meaning of the New Jerusalem.
The fact of Revelation's complexities and even more the widely and intensively held differing modern viewpoints have robbed many Christians of the tremendous truths of the Book of Revelation, truths which every disciple should learn and practice. The certainty that God acts in history and is moving this world with a sure hand to a destiny He long ago planned for it should motivate Christians to faithful living. God's uniquely all-encompassing and all-surpassing knowledge and power, along with His presence with us wherever we may be, should cause us to feel good about yielding life to God's will, letting Him become King of life right now. The marvelous pictures of Jesus as victorious King, atoning Lamb, and eternal Lord and Judge should reinforce evangelism with the absolute conviction that Jesus is the only way to salvation. The catalog of sins, the depiction of human nature, and the role of Satan should alert Christians to the need for a separate life and for evaluating the extent of sin in the business and political worlds in which we live. The theme of judgment should convince believers and nonbelievers that a day of judgment is coming for everyone. This judgment should call each of us to review our personal relationships with God and prepare to meet Him in the judgment.
The constant refrain which connects reward with persistence and judgment with actions should caution believers against teaching a way of salvation which is cheap and easy. It should urge each of us to forsake any person, institution, or practice which might lead us to be unfaithful to or unfruitful for Christ. Revelation should lead us to hold high the message that salvation includes yielding to Christ as Lord and that faithfulness means loyalty to Jesus even in the face of persecution and death. Having learned Revelation's lessons, we should have new courage and new hope to face a world of trouble and suffering in the confidence that faith in Christ leads to rule with Him.
- God’s greatest blessings come from knowing and understanding His word.
