Lesson 6 of Revelation-- What Matters Most in Revelation?
Lesson 6 of Revelation-- What Matters Most in Revelation?Commentary'sWhat Matters Most in Revelation?
By this point, perhaps you have asked yourself, “Why are there different views of Revelation? Why can’t everyone agree on one perspective? These are good questions, but they aren’t easily answered! The entire issue would be far simpler if all Christians had one particular view. But that’s simply not the case. When it comes to studying these matters, Christians who sincerely trust the truth of Scripture have arrived at very different conclusions. This has been true since at least the second or third century and will probably continue until Christ returns.
Yet the point of the book of Revelation is not to obsess over its details or criticize Christians who hold different views of the end times. Rather, what matters most is what John was inspired to write at the end of Revelation—that regardless of circumstances, “the grace of our lord Jesus Christ” will be with all who trust in Him. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21). In that Spirit, Christians do agree on Revelation’s essential truths and themes—and that Revelation is centered on the person of Jesus Christ.
The Essential Truths: The ancient Apostles’ Creed declares that Jesus “ascended to the right hand of God the Father; from there, He will return to judge the living and the dead.” Later in the same Creed, Christians state their belief in “the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.” The Nicene Creed echoed and expanded this essential confession: “He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom will have no end….. We await the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.” Regardless of their views, Christians throughout the world and throughout time share this common belief: Jesus was crucified, returned to life, ascended to His Father, and will return physically to earth.
Additionally, all Christians seem to agree that the message of Revelation is as relevant for Christians today as it was for Christians in the time of the Apostles. They also agree the main purpose of Revelation is to provide hope and encouragement for believers of all times, especially in times of persecution or suffering. Revelation is clear on at least three points:
1. Christ is coming back and will judge humanity.
2. The powers of evil are doomed before Christ.
3. God promises a wonderful future for all who believe in Christ.
The Essential Themes: “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 1:9).
The book of Revelation is focused on Christ and the Kingdom of God: Most Christians throughout church history have agreed that God the Father established a Kingdom through the life, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The good news of Jesus is, after all, the good news of the Kingdom! “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2), “ From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17), “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” (Matthew 4:23). Another term for the Kingdom of God is “the Kingdom of Heaven.” When parallel passages in the Gospel are compared, it is very clear that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are two different phrases that describe one identical reality (compare Matthew 8:11 with Luke 13:29, or Matthew 11:1 with Luke 7:28).
1. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 8:11)
2. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:29)
3. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:11)
4. or I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. (Luke 7:28)
In revelation, the good news of the Kingdom, announced at Christ’s first coming, blossoms into its fullness at Christ’s second coming.
Tribulation:
The book of Revelation encourages believers by addressing their sufferings. Christians recognize that because God’s Kingdom has not yet fully come to earth, God’s people experience persecution, tribulation, and distress. All creation “groans together” with the children of God. “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (Roman 8:22). One day, when God’s Kingdom is fully established, every form of tribulation will end for those who have taken their stand with Jesus.
Patient Endurance:
The book of Revelation offers hope that leads to patient endurance. Until the Kingdom comes in its fullness. Christians wait and work with patient endurance. Patient endurance is very different from laziness or passive waiting. Patient endurance means working together to express and expand the K9ngdom of Christ in the lives of others while patiently resting in the goodness of God’s providence here and now.
The Essential Person—JesusChrist:
Like the North Star that guides hikers and ships, the book of Revelation guides readers to “the bright morning star. “ Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life free.” (Revelation 22:16). Jesus is the Lamb who was sacrificed to save sinners from death, and the King who claim His throne in victory and righteousness.
The entire Bible testifies about Jesus; “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39), and “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:27), and Revelation is the climax. Genesis, the first book of the Bible, is where the story begins. It describes the beauty and perfection of Good’s creation until Satan, who is disguised as a serpent, tempts Adam and Eve to disobey God. At that point, sin, suffering, and death enter the world. God forbids Adam and Eve fr0m eating fron the Tree of Life, but He also hints that He will send a Redeemer to save humanity from the power of sin and death. “ And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15).
The story ofm this redeemer—Jesus Christ—unfolds in the rest of the Bible. revelation, the final book, shows how God restores what was lost in Gensis., In John’s vision as the risen and glorified Lord, who is worthy of worship from all of creation. Jesus has authority over all things, including sin, death, and Satan. Revelation (20:2-3 )“And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season,” describes how “an angel…seized the dragon, who is the devil. or Satan, and….threw him into abyss.” Christ gives reat and peace to his followers in the New Heavens and New Earth, where the Tree of Life brings healing. It is this hope that Christians have looed forward to for centuries, and they will continue to do so until Christ returns. “He who testifies to these things says, Yes, I am coming soon,” “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20).
Our Lord and Savior:
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