Why I Read The Book Of Revelation
The Written Word includes the Book of Revelation. John is a preacher writing to ordinary Christians. When we read Revelation through eyes of devotion to Christ Jesus, we strengthen our obedience and deepen our faith.
"When you read Revelation, don't ask, 'How does this help me figure out the calendar?' Rather, ask, 'How does this help me follow Christ?'" Matt Proctor
To love people, you must see really them, see the horror - but see them as God sees them. John is saying: "I saw humanity in all of its ragged horror. I saw the ocean of wounded, rebellious sons and daughters of Adam. I saw them enslaved by drugs and alcohol, riddled with AIDS, aborting babies out of fear and sin, their marriages in turmoil. Nation rises against nation. Earthquakes, famine, floods, disasters."
God allows upheaval and ferment and change in this sea of humanity. Yet there is a Kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:25-29). Keep this in mind. God is gathering a People out of this sea of peoples, multitudes, nations, tongues. John sees a Lamb standing on Mount Zion. Out of this same sea rises His church! The Bride of Jesus - His church - safe and secure under His Wings, outfitted with the armor of God, swords, helmets. We see them bloody but unbowed, wounded yet not defeated. In submission to God by His Holy Spirit this sea of humanity becomes the church - the Community of Jesus! Victory already belongs to the Lamb and His church! BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH!
"It is only when I see evil as clearly as I should that I pray as fervently as I should. That is why I need the Book of Revelation." Matt Proctor
"It's not the big deceptions, but all the little lies we buy that eventually bring us down. That's why we must call sin of every size by its true name." Matt Proctor
"But cowards who turn away from Me, and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the [sexually] immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars - their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." Rev. 21:8 [The Book Version]
The world will reject, but God will reward. "Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail." Rev 11:19. "God's temple in heaven was opened. In the vision, this symbolic picture shows the beauty of God's love to His children. The temple is wide open so all can see the ark holding the covenant. The ark symbolizes the real and perfect union [fellowship of 1 John 1:7] given real meaning - God and His People. Flashes of lightning. The same ark holding the covenant is symbolic of God's wrath to those who have rejected Him. The lightning, sounds, thunder, earthquake, and hail symbolize God's mighty power brought in wrath against the ungodly (compare Jude 15).
Rev. 14. The voice John hears sings the new song. It sounded like: the roar of a waterfall; a loud peal of thunder; harpists playing. It is a new song that omits the trivial and the trite. It sings of a NEW EXPERIENCE - the New Experience of those who have been "bought for God" (Rev. 5:9 "For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,"). Only those who have been set free by the imputed righteousness of Christ (Romans 4:6-8; 8.4,9) can understand the meaning of this. They have chosen to follow Christ and have kept themselves pure from sin (James 1:27). Therefore only those who have been REDEEMED from earth can learn this new song! [Avoid taking verse 4a literally (virgins)! Read what Paul says in 1Tim. 4:l-5] From the rest of mankind. They were bought for God out of the rest of the people. The first fruits are for God, and Satan takes all the other. The Harvest of the Earth is pictured in the last part of this chapter.
Compare John 16:33. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
