Reflecting on Revelation (9 of 9)

In chapters twenty-one and twenty-two, we see the approach of the New Heaven and the New Earth. The old had passed away. The Holy city, which will be the New Jerusalem, will be the bride and the wife of the Lamb. And, she will shine with the glory of God in all of His brilliance.

A loud voice was lifted from the throne announcing that God would now dwell amongst His people and they would dwell with Him. There would be no cost to drink from the spring of life. All those who are victorious and have overcome will inherit this gift. He will make all things new.

And, the city would be surrounded by twelve gates of pearl on which had the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each gate will host one of twelve angels. The foundations of the city will consist of twelve layers of the most precious stones and each were the names of the twelve apostles who were sent to seek out His bride and to build up His dwelling place.

This city will be a perfect square. It is interpreted to be 1,400 miles in length and width. There will be no temple building because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb will be the temple. There will be no tears, death, or pain. Nothing impure will ever enter for only those who were written in the Lambs Book of Life will be able to enter and live amongst one another.

Eden will be restored. The water from the river of life will flow from the throne and down the middle of the great street. There will be a tree of life which will bear 12 crops of fruit. Fruit will grow each month. Its leaves will heal the nations. We will see His face and His name will be written on our foreheads. He will be our light. We will serve Him and we will reign with Him forever.

In light of all these things, we must be ready. For He says, “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words written on this scroll.” This is the sixth of the seven blessings.

He is coming soon and His rewards will be with Him. Salvation comes only as a gift. It cannot be earned. It must be accepted as a gift. But there will be rewards in Heaven. And, He will give to each according to what we have done. With that we read the seventh blessing. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates of the city.”

Once more He extends His invitation for the adventure into eternal life. “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come and take the free gift of the water of life.

Finally, this is a warning- to any who takes away or changes any words of this prophecy from Revelation for they will not take part in the tree of life or the holy city.

With John, let us too, cry; “Amen and Come Lord Jesus!”

Reflecting on Revelation (8 of 9)

In chapter twenty, a thousand year reign is ushered into history. During this time, Satan will be bound in the great abyss. Thrones will be established and those who will be given authority to judge will take their seat. The martyred will be resurrected first. The fifth of the seven blessings states, “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death will have no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for one thousand years.”

When the one thousand year reign is over, Satan will be released for a short time for one final battle. He will be allowed to gather, the last of those who will reject Christ. And, once they march and surround the city that God loves, fire will come down and devour them. Satan, the great deceiver, will be cast into the lake of burning sulfur along with the beast and the false prophet. There, they will reside forever.

Finally, a great white throne and He, who was seated on it, appeared. At that moment earth and sky fled for there was not enough room. Books were opened, along with the Book of Life. All of the dead were judged according to their deeds that had been recorded in the books. Any whose name did not appear in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Only those who had surrendered to the sacrifice of the Lamb of God would find their names in the Book of Life.

Reflecting on Revelation (7 of 9)

In chapter nineteen, we get a snapshot of His coronation, the wedding celebration, His second advent, and the infamous battle of Armageddon. In His coronation we see that our God Reigns, now that the evil, selfish empires of man have been brought to their end. He takes His proper place. His kingdom comes to take eternal residence on Earth and in the Heavens. The multitude shouts, the elders and the four living creatures cry out. Even a voice on the throne announces the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Next, the wedding celebration of all time is announced. Our Groom arrives and Reveals Himself by removing the veil between us. Until now we have seen Him as a light reflection in a mirror then we shall see Him face to face in all of His glory. And we, His bride will be ready, wearing fine, bright, clean linen, representing the righteous acts of the saints. In unity, we (the saints throughout the ages) will stand together before the King and will live triumphantly with Him forever. And, the fourth of the seven blessings states, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”

Upon His second advent, the curtains of Heaven will rise and our King will step upon the stage. Our King will Return to this earth. This time, He will be the rider on the white horse and He will be Faithful and True. His peace will reside forever. John saw that, “His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.” And the armies of Heaven will follow Him.

And as the beast, kings, and armies of the earth gather at the infamous battle of Armageddon, our Warrior King Removes all evil from the planet. In one final blow, the double-edged sword extends from His mouth and all who will come to fight will be struck down. Here, the birds of the air gather for the great supper of God. The beast and the false prophet will be captured and tossed into the lake of sulfur or hell (The place reserved for those who have rejected Him.) The war will be over before it even begins.

Reflecting on Revelation (6 of 9)

Revelation has everything from the grandest to the smallest of details. Just, like the other letters that God has put in His book; He reveals who He is. We must be willing to dive and dig, not just peak into His Word. And as we reflect on who God is, we will see Him as Creator, Protector, Provider, Lover of our Souls, Life Giver, Gift Giver, and Restorer.

Throughout the Bible, (The Book of all Books) we see Him revealing Himself in these ways over and over. And, now throughout this last letter of His Book we continue to see all of these names prove to be true. He is giving us the opportunity to see that He truly is who He says He is.

But we have a part to play, we must listen and follow these messages given to us in this letter and if we do- much blessings will be given. Otherwise for those who reject Him and never surrender-they will experience the wrath that God will pour out on sin, and they will come to ruin as He restores Righteousness and brings an end to Selfishness and Evil. Consequences will come and those consequences will last forever.

We must guard ourselves from not getting caught-up in the temptations of this world. The world will try to convince us that following God is not exciting but the more we discover who He truly is; we will see that He is the author of all good things.

Here in the last four chapters of Revelation, we can celebrate. Not only the end of sin, our bondage to sin, and God’s wrath on sin but we can also celebrate the beginning of life as it was always meant to be.

Reflecting on Revelation (5 of 9)

In chapters fifteen and sixteen, the third and last round of judgments began. “The Seven Bowls.”

Six of the seven bowls were poured. As each bowl was poured, God poured out His anger of sin on the men who continue to reject Him. Great torment came upon the earth.

It included grueling sores on the skin, blood filling the seas, rivers and springs, searing heat from the sun, darkness pervading the kingdom of the beast, and the river of the great Euphrates dried preparing the way for the march of the eastern kingdoms.

The third of the seven blessings was given to John, “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed are those who are prepared.” As the seventh bowl was poured, a loud voice from the throne declared, “It is done!” And, at that moment the most horrific of all earthquakes devastated the great city of Babylon and she was given the cup of His wrath.

In chapters seventeen and eighteen, John saw the woman and the beast, and then the Fall of Babylon. The woman represented the empires of man and Babylon was one of mans first great empires. She was described as a prostitute because rather than protecting herself for her true love she constantly gave her heart over recklessly. At this point in history, she (the empires of men) will fall prey to this final beast (who will come as the anti-christ,) and her destruction will come. This beast, who will come promising peace, will reveal his evil, selfish agenda throughout the tribulation. For Satan, the dragon, is behind the ploy. And, at this time John sees how the beast will reject the woman. He will want nothing to do with her.

How wonderful that God continues to warn and draw the souls of men to Him. Here in chapter eighteen, He sends warning for men to reject her and to flee from her so that they will not share in her demise. Those who do not reject the empires of men and the beast will find in due time that they, too, will have sold their souls to the devil, the great deceiver, Satan.