No book of the Bible has attracted more unfruitful
speculation than the Book of Revelation. Yet God promised a blessing for the
reading, hearing, and heeding of that book:
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy,
and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
(Revelation 1:3 NASB)
In order to gain that blessing and avoid the rabbit trails
of speculation, we need to understand the main message God wants us to get,
which is the contrast and conflict
between the fallen world system and the kingdom of God. Note how this theme is developed in the
following points:
1
1. The
present world system is hostile to God and His people. Its values and practices
are contrary to all God’s commandments.
2. The
world system gets its directions from Satan (the serpent, the dragon).
3. The
world system has its own form of religion that mimics God’s revealed faith and
practice. An antichrist (the beast), a false prophet (an unholy spirit), and a false “father” (Satan). Note: the second beast superficially looks
like a male lamb, but speaks like a dragon (Satan) (13:11)
4. This
system is supported by deceptive “great signs” (13:13; 16:14; 19:20) Those who
are seeking “signs and wonders” to support their faith will be especially susceptible
to this deception.
5. This
false religion persecutes true believers.
6. The
evil world system is called "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND
OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." (17:5)
7. The
evil world system uses religion to control the people, but once that control is
accomplished, it rejects and destroys all religion but its own. (17:16-18)
8. God’s
people are commanded to “come out” of this evil system. (18:4)
9. God’s
people will be persecuted, even to the point of physical death, but they are
assured of eternal life and a reign with Christ. (5:10; 20:6; 22:5)
10. A
new heaven and a new earth in which there will be no sin, no tears, and no
death await the faithful in Christ. (21-22)
The real danger in reading and studying the Book of
Revelation is that we can get so caught up in trying to fit every detail into our
preconceived prophetic scheme and world events that we miss the real
message! God promises a blessing to
those who get that message and live by it!
Have you bowed in simple trust to Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior? The time is short. God’s final message – the Apocalypse, The Book of
The Revelation of Jesus Christ – holds great hope for those who belong to
Him. But it proclaims eternal judgment
to those who reject God’s Son.
