In The Midst Of The Lampstands Series

January 13, 2024

Everyone is curious about the future. Economists, meteorologists, farmers, etc. use information from the past to forecast what will happen in the future so that the best choices can be made in the present.

Christians are also very curious about the future, especially about events surrounding the time of the end.

What is going to happen?

How will I know when it’s happening?

How can I be prepared?

It’s important that we understand last day events, so that we are protected from the deceptions that are currently circulating and those that are to come, but if you have ever been to a Revelation Seminar, you’ll know that, generally speaking, the focus is on Beasts and Dragons, 666, the 144,000 and the 7 Last Plagues. Generally, I would say this approach is not particularly helpful and can create more confusion than clarity, more fear than faith.

Instead of thinking of Revelation in those terms, think of it in terms of Heavens perspective on history, Jesus’ sovereign control and ultimate triumph over evil.

Christian hope lies within the promise that evil will not succeed.

• Genesis 3:15 - I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.

Even in the darkest hours of earth’s history, when evil appears to be winning on every side, God’s people believe that he will win.

As the song says, “We have this hope that burns within our heart, hope in the coming of the Lord.” (SDA Hymnal 214)

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John’s letter begins by telling us what Revelation is all about:

• Revelation 1:1-3 - The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his slaves the things which must take place in a short time, and communicated it by sending it through his angel to his slave John, who testified about the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who hear the words of the prophecy and observe the things written in it, because the time is near!

The word, “Revelation,” in Greek (apokalupsis) means to uncover, to unveil, to reveal, to disclose the truth.

Revelation, at its core, is about the revealing of Jesus – Jesus is the main subject. The letter begins with him and ends with him (1:1; 22:13).

Old Testament prophets – Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, as well as Peter, Paul and Jesus, himself, in the New Testament, provided glimpses of the future, but Revelation offers a unique portrayal of Jesus and salvation history found nowhere else in the Bible. Its primary purpose is to assure us of Jesus’ presence and action on behalf of his people throughout history and earth’s final events.

• John 14:29 - I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.

After telling his readers what his letter was about, John greeted them formally:

• Revelation 1:4-8 - John, to the seven churches in Asia: grace to you and peace…..

“Grace and Peace” was the common greeting in John’s world – Paul, Peter and John used this greeting all the time (Rom 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal 1:3; Eph 1:2; Phil 1:2; Col 1:2; 1 and 2 Thes; 1 and 2 Tim; Titus 1:4; Philemon 1:2; 1 and 2 Peter 1:2; 2 John 1:3).

Grace refers to God’s gift of unmerited favor. It is the undeserved love and acceptance of God toward us.

Peace indicates the wholeness of body, mind and spirit that result from a restored relationship with God. This kind of peace is something only Jesus can give us (John 14:27).

While this is a typical greeting, John does not give it on behalf of himself, but on behalf of the 3 persons of the Godhead:

….. from the one who is and the one who was and the one who is coming, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To the one who loves us and released us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father—to him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even everyone who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Yes, amen. 8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, the one who is and the one who was and the one who is coming, the All-Powerful.