REVELATION IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
Most of the struggles of
attempting to interpret the book of revelation stems from a failure to
understand that the Book of Revelation is a book of Prophecy.
And that prophecy has a chronological
order. This is the key to unlocking the Book of Revelation.
First to what was, that is,
the experience of John seeing Jesus in his glory.
What is now, the messages to
the seven churches which refer to the present age, as the seven churches represent
churches in this present age.
And then what will take place
later, referring to that which is future.
Confusion in the
interpretation of Revelation stems almost entirely from the failure to observe
this divine outline.
The opening of chapter four,
with the phrase “after this” is referring to the churches, makes it clear that
from chapter four on the book of Revelation is dealing with future events.
After chapter four, it
describes the unfolding of the future with the Revelation of Christ Jesus at
the second coming, as its main theme.
One of the important
conclusions in Prophecy is the concept that the church that’s saves of the
present age will be in heaven.
While the great events of the
seven year tribulation and the end time takes place.
Revelation 4:1-2 King James Version (KJV)
4 After this I
looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I
heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither,
and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
2 And immediately
I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on
the throne.
Actually John was on the Isle
of Patmos when the revelation was given to him.
John stated at once, or immediately,
I was in the Spirit.
I really don’t know whether
John was physically caught up to heaven or whether simply in His vision that he
was caught up to heaven.
In either case he saw the
scene as he would if he had been present in heaven.
What John is seeing is a
setting for events in heaven, which will take place in heaven and earth and in
the period of time after the rapture.
The word church in chapters
two and three does not re-occur until revelation 22: 16.
Revelation 22:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 I 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.
Revelation 19:7King James Version (KJV)
7 Let us be glad
and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and
his wife hath made herself ready.
Here it is talking about the
church being the bride.
After chapter four it is
highly doubtful that the church could actually be here. It would put the church
in the center of the activities of the seven years of tribulation.
The events of the end times
follow the rapture of the church.
After the rapture of the
church, there will be a time period which may be called a period of
preparation.
Then will emerge a ten nation
group forming a political unit in the
A leader will emerge who will
gain control first of three nations, then all ten.
Daniel 9:27King James Version (KJV)
27 And he shall
confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he
shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading
of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and
that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
This event starts the seven
year countdown towards the second coming of Christ Jesus.
The first half of the seven
years will be a time of peace for Israel
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