THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Promised Blessings

Revelation is the only book in the Bible that motivates its readers by promising a blessing to those who read and obey it—and a curse to those who tamper with it: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll" (22:18–19, NIV).

That is a sobering thought. It should be considered by all those who do not believe in the inerrancy of the Bible or the accuracy of prophecy. Personally, I like positive motivation better, and Revelation has that. There are seven blessings in the book:

1. "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near" (1:3).

2. "Then I heard a voice from heaven say, 'Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them' " (14:13).

3. "Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed" (16:15).

4. "Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God' " (19:9).

5. "Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years" (20:6).

6. "Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll" (22:7).

7. "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city" (22:14).

The Majesty of Jesus

Nothing reveals the majesty of this book as does John's reaction to the personal revelation of Jesus. When he saw Him, he fell at His feet in a dead faint. I don't know if anyone ever fainted while bowing to the King and Queen of England, or some other monarch—it's possible. John was so overcome he simply fainted.

Jesus must have smiled as He looked at His beloved disciple. He tenderly put His hand on him and told him not to be afraid.

The Jesus of Revelation is not the humble carpenter or the teacher with worn sandals. He is "His Majesty King Jesus"! He doesn't say that He will be King, but that He is the ruler of the kings, the King of kings.

He is King of heaven—(Daniel 4:37).
He is King of the Jews—(Matthew 2:2).
He is King of Israel—(John 1:49).
He is King eternal—(1 Timothy 1:17).
He is King of glory—(Psalm 24:7).
He is King of the nations—(Revelation 15:3).
He is King of kings—(Revelation 19:16).

If I didn't know that He was in charge, I would be frightened. As the bizarre murder stories, the accelerating global contamination, the collapsing of personal and moral values blare at us each day, I remind myself of the King.

Today we are concerned about who's in charge of the nations of the world. We believe if the right person is elected, or the wrong one ousted, the world will be better. Granted, these are worthwhile bandages for a wounded globe, but not the cure. The second chapter of Daniel tells us that human governments will topple.

Bernard Eiler said, " 'the kings of the earth' are where the action is, theirs is the clout that makes things happen; theirs are the actions determining the course of history.... Contrary to their own inflated opinion, that crew does not hold the reins of history. John's very first notice of the kings of the earth is to proclaim that they have a ruler; they are being ruled."¹

Some may think God is powerless and evil rulers guide the destiny of this planet. Things are not what they seem! Jesus is Lord.

Christ's Return

Revelation presents the King who is coming again, at a time when "every eye will see Him" (1:7). The word most often used to describe the second coming of Christ is parousia. This is the Greek term for a coming event which immediately changes the situation.

I'm sure schoolchildren today never throw erasers or spitballs when the teacher leaves the room, but they did when I was in school. When the teacher left the room, a wild eraser fight would erupt. The chalky missiles would spread dust all over the room until she returned. Her entrance would be a parousia. Little hands holding erasers would stop in mid–air and every student would be an instant model of pious behavior.

Christ's return will change the situation on earth. He will "return in the clouds," a familiar description of His appearing. When Moses was given the law on Mount Sinai, a thick cloud surrounded the mountain. When the tabernacle was set up in the wilderness, a cloud covered the tent of the congregation. At the transfiguration of Jesus, He and the disciples were overshadowed by a bright cloud. When He ascended to heaven a cloud received Him, and Daniel predicted that the Messiah would come with the "clouds of heaven."²

On days when the cumulus clouds form in blue skies, I like to imagine that Jesus will appear and all over the earth unbelieving persons will stare with amazement and shock to see Him descend to earth.

The aim of Revelation is not only to present to us the coming King, but also to tell us the purpose of His kingdom. In America we hear the politicians tell us every four years why we should elect them and what their programs will be if they win office. Revelation is the account of Jesus' campaign for the rulership of the earth. We are clearly told of His relationship to the church, His appointment by the Father to the throne, His crusade against the satanic forces of evil, and His final victory. There is no need to count votes, for He knows the results.

This article is taken from David Jeremiah's book, Escape the Coming Night.

¹Bernard Eiler, The Most Revealing Book of the Bible—Making Sense out of Revelation (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1974), 48.

²See Matthew 24:30; Exodus 19:9; 30:34; Matthew 17:5; Acts 1:9; Daniel 7:13.