Month: October 2013

Revelation 22
We’ve come to the end. The Revelation is complete. We’ve seen Jesus Christ in all of his glory, power and honor. It is this vision of Jesus Christ that blesses those who hear and take to heart the message of this letter.
The Garden
John saw a river with the water of life flowing from the throne of God. A tree of life stood on each side. These two trees produced twelve crops of fruit signifying the constant provision of God. This is the Garden of Eden refashioned and remade, but now attached to the New Jerusalem.
The curse that held all of creation captive has been broken. The inhabitants of this garden are fully restored and freely fellowship with God. The Lord shines on them, and they will reign with Him forever.
Come
The only thing that waits is the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus promises that He is coming soon. Both the Spirit and the Bride say “Come.” He is our hope and our assurance. There is nothing for us to fear. We belong to the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We have washed our robes. We will share in all that Christ has prepared for us in the New Jerusalem.
There is a second invitation. It is to those who are thirsty. Jesus bids them to come to Him and drink freely from the water of life. John issued the same invitation in his Gospel account; “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37-38).
Jesus’ life is available to all who will receive Him.
A Final Warning
No one is to add to what is written in this letter, or take away from it. There is no other message than Jesus. He alone saves.
The Last Word
May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people!

Revelation 21
God’s wrath has been poured out fully. Judgment upon the lost world and the forces of darkness is done. God’s creation is ready to be set free from death and decay. This is John’s focus in this chapter.
Everything New
John saw a new heaven and a new earth. The old had disappeared just as God had said. John also saw the New Jerusalem coming down from God. He described the city as a beautiful bride dressed for her husband.
Then John heard a shout, “Look, God’s home is now among His people.” This is the goal of the Gospel story. As Peter wrote, “Christ died for sins once and for all…to bring you to God” (1Peter 3:18). We live with Him, and He lives with us. This is the time God wipes away every tear. There will be no more death, pain, sorrow or crying. “These things are gone forever” (Revelation 21:4).
Who will inherit these blessings? Jesus answered, “All who are victorious.” The children of God will live in the New Jerusalem and will drink “freely from the springs of the water of life.”
The Bride
An angel showed John the holy city, the bride of Christ. It was descending out of heaven from God. The description takes the breath away.  It is magnificent in every way. John was seeing the reality that all the shadows in the Old Testament were pointing to (Hebrews 10:1).
What sets this city apart is the presence of God and of the Lamb. They illuminate the city in such a way that there is no day or night. We will all walk in this marvelous light. Nothing evil will ever be allowed to enter, only those whose names are in the Lamb’s book of life.
Revelation for You
How does this vision of the New Jerusalem address your need for peace and security?
John mentions twice that this city comes down from God. What does this tell you about God’s great love for you and His ultimate desire for you?

Revelation 20
This chapter introduces many of the prophecy buzz words – the Millennial Reign, the Great White Throne Judgment, the second death and the lake of fire. John uses all of these to magnify the Gospel story.
The Millennial Reign
Is this a literal thousand year period that will happen? Or is it merely a metaphor? “Who can tell?” was the answer Adam Clarke gave in his commentary on this chapter.
Here is what we know from the chapter.

• An angel binds Satan during this period and keeps him in a bottomless pit.
• Souls beheaded for their faith come back to life and reign with Christ.
• When this period ends, Satan is set free to gather a mighty army for battle.
• Fire consumes the enemies of God and Satan is thrown into the fiery lake to be tormented day and night.

John shows us the power and authority of Jesus Christ — our God does reign over all. John brings the Gospel story to its conclusion – the dead in Christ are raised to life to rule and reign with Him. John puts an exclamation point on Christ’s defeat of Satan.
The Great White Throne
John expands on the imagery in Daniel 7:9-10 to show God’s final judgment of man. In this scene, the dead stand before the throne of God. God opens the books, including the book of life.
He judges the people according to what they have done. Here is what they did. They rejected Jesus Christ and rebelled against the one true God. Their punishment is death. God throws them, along with death and Hades, into the lake of fire where they experience eternal separation from God.
Revelation for You
Even at the end, Satan still wants to battle the Lord. What does this tell you about the nature of deception?
In light of this final judgment of the lost, how important is it to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Revelation 19
After the fall of Babylon, a vast crowd in heaven shout, “praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God…”
He had avenged the blood of His children. He had fulfilled His promise.
The twenty-four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshipped the Lord.
The Wedding Feast of the Lamb
With God’s wrath fully poured out, the time for the wedding feast of the Lamb has come. His bride has been prepared for Him. She has been given pure, white linen to wear, which represents the righteous deeds of God’s people.
These deeds are righteous because they are initiated by Jesus Christ, empowered by His Spirit, and carried out by faith.
All who are invited to this feast are blessed indeed. John fell down to worship the angel that instructed him to write down this blessing. “Don’t worship me'” the angel said. “I’m a servant of God, just like you and your brothers who testify about their faith in Jesus.
He is the One we worship.
The Rider on the White Horse
John sees this One riding a white horse, the One who is faithful and true. This One is the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. There is none like Him.
From His mouth came a sharp sword. With this sword, Jesus threw the beast and his false prophet into the fiery lake of sulfur and killed all of the beast’s army. With only a word, the battle was won.
Revelation for You
Many think of the battle between good and evil as one that is being waged between parties of equal might. Does this chapter help you see that Satan is no match for Jesus Christ?
Does this truth make your heart cry out in praise to Jesus Christ, your Lord and King?

Revelation 18
Babylon is destroyed. This is the second half of a two-part story.
Babylon
In the first 8 verses of this chapter Babylon is declared to be fallen. Death, mourning and famine are not far behind.
Notice that one big reason for Babylon’s successes is that so many people have gained power and riches from her. Remember how Paul put it in 1 Timothy 6:10 – “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” This is how the world system has worked throughout history. The promise of power and wealth is more than enough temptation for most people to sell their souls.
It is no wonder that the angel is so insistent. “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive her plagues…” (Verse 4, NASB) Now is the time to choose God. Now is the time to become his people. Don’t wait. Don’t play with fire. If you do, you will lose.
Notice how rapidly it all comes apart in Verse 8. Regardless of how you think about time prophecies in the Bible, one day is a very short period. Why is this possible? Because “mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”
Three Laments
Verses 9-20 are a fascinating commentary from the three groups most closely aligned with this world system – kings, merchants and ship captains. I interpret these as political power, economic power and those who profit from both. All three lament the speed of her collapse, which in their view takes but one hour. All three understand the finality of her collapse.
Verses 21-24 bring the focus back to the One True God. The issue is not Babylon’s overwhelming evil, although the angel’s message recounts it yet again. The issue is that the blood of the prophets, saints and all who have been killed on the earth is found in her. Babylon, Satan’s best attempt at a counterfeit of God’s love and grace, turns out to be an empty shell of murder and suffering – just like Satan himself.
Revelation for You
Do you understand that everything the world has to offer is a poor imitation of the reality found in Jesus?
How can Jesus’ reality be yours?

Revelation 17
Babylon is described, judged and doomed. This is the first half of a two-part story.
Babylon
Finally, we get to dealing, once and for all, with the world system. It’s not pretty.

• A great harlot who sits on many waters (peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues).
• The world’s rulers commit adultery with her, made drunk on the wine of her immorality.
• Full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.
• Expensively adorned, but holding a cup full of abominations.
• She is the mother of harlots and of the abominations of the earth.
• She is drunk with the blood of the saints.
• She was, is not, is about to come up out of the Abyss and will go to destruction.
• Historically, the 7 heads (mountains) have been identified with Rome, but the horns (kings yet to come) confirm that this system goes way beyond Rome.
• Relatively speaking, these kings receive authority for a very short time.
• These other rulers hate the harlot, but they give their kingdoms to her, until God’s words are fulfilled.

All in all, this world system is utterly evil. There is nothing in it for anyone, yet nearly everyone bows in worship. We’ll see why this is in Chapter 18.
The Lamb
The contrast is painted with a single sentence. “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Revelation 17:14) Simply put, the Lamb wins!
Revelation for You
Where is the hope in this description? Read the second half of Verse 8. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will be able to discern the truth and reject the seduction.
Reread the description of the Lamb in Verse 14. How can you make his victory yours?

Revelation 16
The seven bowls of God’s wrath are poured out by the seven angels. Many will say, “It’s not fair.” God’s judgments are true and just.

• The first bowl is poured out on those who have the mark of the beast and worship his statue. These are the enemies of God, those who live in rebellion toward Him. Their skin breaks out with malignant sores.
• The second bowl turns the sea blood red and kills everything in it.
• The third bowl turns the rivers and streams to blood.
• The forth bowl causes the sun to scorch everyone with its fire.
• The fifth bowl plunges the kingdom of the beast into darkness causing the subjects to grind their teeth in anguish.

In spite of these horrible judgments, the people did not repent and turn to God.
Armageddon – the Sixth Bowl
When the angel poured out the sixth bowl filled with God’s wrath, the Euphrates River dried. These opened the way for armies from the east to march westward without hindrance. Demonic spirits were sent out to gather all the rulers to a place called Armageddon to battle against the Lord.
Jesus warns that He will come unexpectedly, but blessed are those who watch for Him. If you are a believer, His coming will not take you by surprise. As Paul wrote, “…you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day will surprise you like a thief in the night. You are all sons of light and sons of the day” (1 Thessalonians 5:4, 5).
It is Finished!
When the seventh bowl was poured out, a mighty voice from heaven shouted, “It is finished,” the exact words Jesus cried out from the cross. God’s wrath had come to an end. The impending battle at Armageddon never took place. With a word the rebellion was squashed. Thunder crashed, lightning flashed and the earth shook. Babylon drank the cup of God’s wrath. Islands disappeared. Mountains were leveled. Hail fell from the sky. Yet the people still cursed God.
Revelation for You
Do you know that you are a child of light and no longer in darkness?
How did you picture the battle of Armageddon? Can anyone ever battle the Lord?

Revelation 15
God’s wrath is soon to end. The seven angels are holding the seven last plagues. They will soon be released to pour out God’s wrath in full.
John takes note of another scene, one filled with victory and hope.
A Glass Sea Mixed with Fire
John noted this sea of glass in Revelation 4:6. Here it is mixed with fire. Standing on this sea are those who were victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. So much of what John and the other apostles wrote comes to life in this vision. Here are a few statements from John’s first letter:

• “I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one” (1 John 2:13).
• “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5).

Those standing on this sea were refined by fire. As Peter wrote concerning the fiery trials;
“These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire–may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:7).
Through faith in Jesus Christ, you have overcome the evil one. You stand on this sea, and your faith brings praise, glory and honor to Jesus Christ. You will join the chorus singing the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb.
God’s Temple Opens
John sees the temple open wide. The seven angels with the seven plagues come out of the temple. One of the elders gives to each angel a bowl filled with the wrath of God. This temple is filled with the smoke of God’s glory and power. Just as Moses could not enter the tabernacle when the cloud had settled over it (Exodus 40:34-35), no one could enter the heavenly temple until the angels finished pouring out the seven plagues. We will see those bowls of God’s wrath poured out in the next chapter.
Revelation for You
Do you know that you have overcome the evil one through your faith in Jesus Christ?
Do you believe that you are victorious in Christ?

Revelation 14
This is the third of a three-chapter story that encompasses all of salvation history.
The Characters
Chapter 14 calls a screeching halt to the dragon’s exercise of power and reveals ultimate salvation for God’s people. Some of these characters we’ve seen before; some we have not.

• We see the 144,000 again.
• Three angels give three messages regarding the eternal gospel and those who refuse to worship God.
• One “like a son of man” who harvests the earth of its children of God.
• Another angel who harvests the earth of its followers of the dragon.

As scary as Chapter 13 was, this chapter is even more glorious.
Parts of the Story Rarely Pointed Out

• Verses 1- 5: Whoever the 144,000 are, they are uniquely God’s. What a song that must be!
• Verse 12: The perseverance of the saints is equated with God’s judgment of the followers of the dragon. Remember, God said, “It is mine to avenge” (Romans 12:19), and avenge he does.
• Verse 13: A word of encouragement for those who die in the Lord, whether from natural causes or from violence. They rest from their labors, for their deeds, done by faith in the power and grace of God, follow with them. (For those who might be interested, John Rutter provided a masterful treatment of this verse in his Requiem.)
• Verses 14-20: Once again, we see that Jesus doesn’t waste his time with Satan. Jesus rescues his people. He leaves it to other angels to carry out justice on the rebels.

Revelation for You
This chapter makes crystal clear what it takes to be saved. What is it?
Are you willing to fix your eyes on Jesus, allowing him to work the details, in every one of life’s circumstances?

Revelation 13
This is the second of a three-chapter story that encompasses all of salvation history.
The Characters
Chapter 13 introduces two more characters that are under Satan’s control.

• A beast coming out of the sea: Most often this beast is identified with the Papacy, especially during the Dark Ages.
• A beast coming out of the earth: Not as terrible looking as the first beast, but even more dangerous. This beast is particularly identified with economic persecution.

What makes Chapter 13 so frightful is that Satan is in charge of these two beasts. If you ever doubted that Christians would be killed, this chapter should convince you otherwise. This is NOT God’s wrath, but Satan’s.
Parts of the Story Rarely Pointed Out

• Verses 1- 10: Note the characteristic of this beast – Powerful, authoritative, miraculous, arrogant, blasphemous, in charge of the whole earth, waging war on and overcoming the saints.
• Verse 8: The only way not to worship this beast is to have your name written in the book of life. Note that salvation is no guarantee of earthly comfort or safety.
• Verse 10: The word for perseverance or endurance means to bear up under circumstances. This isn’t about being patient with other people, but resting in Christ regardless of the trials.
• Verses 11-18: Note the characteristics of this beast – Lamblike, but speaking like a dragon, exercising all the authority of the first beast, miraculous, deceiving, etc. Critical to this beast is that it creates an image to the first beast; like it, but not like it. It is murderous and it wages economic war on everyone who is saved.
• Verse 18: The key to understanding this beast is NOT the number (whether 666 or 616), but that this is a man, or a representative of humanity. Whoever he is and whatever he does is fully and completely within the context of human effort and ability as controlled by Satan himself. No one could be more anti-Christ than this person. No one could be more opposite of Jesus than him.

Revelation for You
Does this chapter scare you? Why?
What is the solution to the problem of fear?