BACK TO THE FUTURE PART 4
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
Revelation 4 (NKJV)
1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”
2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
3 And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads.
5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,
10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”
Most of the book of Revelation after this point is prophetic. John who wrote the book of revelation gave us a glimpse of what the future looks like and for believers the best is yet to come. The first time He came into this world He came in the veil of flesh. However the second time He is coming, He is coming as the risen, reigning, resurrected, exalted, glorified Lord. Here is how John described Him in Revelation.
• Faithful witness
• First begotten of the dead
• Prince of the kings of the earth
• Our sacrifice who loved us and washed us in His own blood
• The Alpha and Omega, which is the first and last letter of the Greek Alphabet. Jesus is basically saying that He is everything you need as well as your A to Z guide.
• The Almighty
• The one in the middle of the seven candlesticks. Through His death, burial and resurrection the Church got established and we are to proclaim Him to a lost and dying world and we must never lose sight of that.
• He was described as a Priest, King and Judge
• In His right hand he holds the seven stars. It is a joy to know that Jesus holds us as preachers in His hand
• In His mouth He has a two edged sword.
• He is the One Who was, and is and is to come.
John saw Jesus and someday we will see Him as well. John fell at His feet as though he had died. Jesus said, “17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. Revelation 1:17-19 (NKJV). I can assure you on the authority of God’s Word that Jesus was telling John that THE BEST IS YET TO COME for all that believe in Jesus Christ.
Revelation Chapter 4 gives us four specific truths that the best is yet to come: When we rise at the rapture, when we recognise our redeemer, when we rejoice with those who have been redeemed and when we receive our rewards.
1. Rising at the Rapture. (Rev 4:1)
John is about to describe what must take place after these things. What things is John referring to? It means directly after the Church age, after the believers have been raptured so we cannot describe fully what this event is going to be like except that it is going to be glorious. In the Old Testament times trumpets were used to gather the assembly, announce a time of war or special days. When the trumpets sound again, God is going to call the bride, His Church, home. Stop looking for signs because all the signs mentioned in the Bible are taking place, but rather start listening for sounds.
2. Recognizing our redeemer. (Rev 4:2,3)
John identifies everything he had seen in the first chapter from past experiences and it is of important significance that a throne was set in heaven. This is the eternal throne of God and not the judgement seat of Christ, neither is this the Great White Throne. The throne is the centre of the scene of heaven and it symbolises the reign, power and authority of God over all (Psa 103:19)
3. Rejoicing with the redeemed (Rev 4:4,10,11)
John sees 24 elders with golden crowns. When the last person comes to salvation, that will be the end of the Church Age. It could happen today, tomorrow, this year, next month or maybe before the end of this year and the chorus singing around the throne of God tells us that the best is yet to come.
4. Receiving our rewards (Rev 4:10)
In the garden of Eden God made a coat of skins to clothe Adam and Eve after they had fallen in sin and in order to get a coat of skin an animal had to die and shed its blood, so an innocent animal died for the guilty. Jesus shed His blood in order that we might have a beautifully white, righteous robe which is a picture of our righteousness before God. Only our works will be judged, because our sins were taken care of when Jesus died on the cross and for us as believers THE BEST IS YET TO COME.
There is coming a day when we will rejoice before the throne of God. What we believe about the future should have a direct impact on how we live in the present. Jesus is coming, His coming is imminent and He can come at any moment. Luke 21:28 (NKJV)
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Are we ready to meet Him? If you have given your heart to Jesus, then the best is yet to come! If you have not given your heart to Jesus Christ, make that decision today.
