Hold On, He’s Coming

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John:  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”  Revelation 1:1-2

The Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John while he was banished to the Isle of Patmos in the Aegean Sea for preaching God’s word concerning the testimony of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who came into the world to save sinners from God’s wrath.  It is believed that John wrote this book in about 95 or 96 AD, some 65 or so years after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension back to God, His Father, in heaven.  John would have been most likely in his 90’s at that time.

Why was John the one selected to write the Book of Revelation?  We can only speculate, but we know that many of the other apostles had been martyred for their faith.  James, John’s brother, was killed by Herod (Acts 12:2), and tradition has it that Peter was crucified for his faith.  John had a special relationship with Jesus.  He referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20).  Jesus loved all of His disciples, even Judas, the one who betrayed Him, but John, James, and Peter were His “right-hand” men in whom Jesus placed His confidence.  Jesus was so confident in John’s integrity and abilities that He placed the care of His mother into the hands of John as Jesus hung on the cross (John 19:26-27).  Jesus knows us better than anyone, and He chooses whom He will to fulfill His plans.

In studying Revelation, most people, believers and unbelievers alike, tend to analyze the type and symbols in an effort to pinpoint events, dates, and identities that will manifest during the end times.  They sometimes attempt to fit Bible prophecy into current events.  This leads to just about as many different interpretations as there are different personalities and beliefs.  Many have tried to set dates and then look like kooks when their predicted dates pass and Jesus has not yet returned.  Jesus was very clear when He stated that no one knows the date.  Only God the Father knows (Matthew 24:36).

Believers can’t help but be curious about the end times particularly as we witness all the turmoil in the word, the hatred of Israel by much of the world, and the general falling away from God’s world as we see greater persecution against Christians and Jews.  However, the Book of Daniel informs us that the mystery of the end times will not be revealed until the end times (Daniel 12:4).  The people who will be living at that time will have the ability, if they come to faith in Christ during the tribulation, to understand what is happening and to prepared against the onslaught of the antichrist.  According to the pre-tribulation theory of the rapture, before the antichrist is revealed, Jesus will gather believers out of this world keeping them from the wrath that will come during the tribulation (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).  However, not all Christians believe in the pre-tribulation rapture.  The tide has begun to turn toward a different view that believers will have to endure part of the seven year period of tribulation.  This is based on the fact that Christians are being persecuted for their faith now.  Remember a few years ago, ISIS beheaded Christians because they would not turn to Islam.  We Christians have not had to face severe persecution as have others across the globe, at least not yet.

Rather than concentrate our focus on timetables and/or the identity of the antichrist or his nationality as we study Revelation, let’s focus more on Jesus’ love, power, and justice as He is revealed in the pages of these 22 chapters.  Jesus’ return may or may not be immediate, but it is imminent, that is, He could come at any time, but there are several more prophecies that must be fulfilled before “His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem…”(Zechariah 14:4).  Just as very few folks were looking for His birth 2,000 years ago, very few are looking for His return.  “Every eye shall see Him…” (Revelation 1:7), and every single person will know who He is.  His second coming will not be to bring salvation, but judgment.  For now, though, He is giving us the opportunity to know Him as Lord and Savior and thus avoid judgment.  Whether He comes tomorrow or 1,000 years from now, the main thing is to be prepared for eternity.