--- The Revelations! ---
"Yes, two revelations."
Written: Aug, 2022
We live today as witness to the Revelation of Jesus Christ. What a wonder! What does that mean?
The central theme of the Bible is Jesus Christ; and the conclusion of that theme is the glorification of God's name by our salvation (deliverance) during and by that Revelation (of God's son). (Luke 17:26‑30) Revelation is not just a book, but history recorded in advance; revealing God's solution to all righteous humankind's problems. To better understand, please consider a brief history of the Bible, and therefore, the history of Christ.
We see from this brief depiction of Bible events over time, God's word makes two promises and then records the arrival or fulfillment of those promises. The first promise was given soon after Adam and Eve sinned some 6000 years ago. God promised our first parents (along with the rest of us) in Gen 3:15, He would raise up a seed of the woman who would crush Satan's head(thus destroying what God's enemy had done - 1 John 3:8b). Then, about 2000 years later, God's second promise was recorded in Gen 22:15‑18. God there pledged his earlier promised "seed of the woman" would come through Abraham, expanding the first promise by saying all nations of the earth would be blessed by that "seed of Abraham." The seed of the woman, then, would also be the seed of Abraham. Another 2000 years and that promised seed was born as Jesus Christ. Jesus is the son of God, (John 1:33‑34; Mark 3:11) the descendant of Abraham, (Mat 1:1) and, "the seed of the woman" (or "the son of man"). (Mat 16:13 of 13‑17) Jesus was quickly murdered by God's enemy, but not before he preached God's message through all the earth. Three days after his murder, God's son was resurrected to heaven awaiting the time for his return to the earth to accomplish complete what God promised he would do. His first appearance reset the world's calendars a little over 2000 years ago, and gave faithful men hope through the words of the son of God. (1 John 4:7‑19) His second appearance (his return) is to destroy God's enemies and reestablish God's will (his Kingdom) on earth. (Mat 6:9‑10; Isa 11:1‑12) That return is referred to in the Bible as the Revelation of Christ. It is the revealing of Christ's return, this time to complete God's work toward the earth, Jesus being God's powerful anointed King over all creation. (1 Cor 15:12‑28)
In the Book of Revelation, the Bible speaks graphically about that return of Jesus: Rev‑5:11‑6:2 CEV: As I looked, I heard the voices of a lot of angels around the throne (of God) and the voices of the living creatures and of the elders. There were millions and millions of them, (12) and they were saying in a loud voice, "The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise." (13) Then I heard all beings in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea offer praise. Together, all of them were saying, "Praise, honor, glory, and strength forever and ever to the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!" (14) The four living creatures said "Amen," while the elders knelt down and worshiped.
Revelation 6:1-2 CEV At the same time that I saw the Lamb open the first of the seven seals, I heard one of the four living creatures shout with a voice like thunder. It said, "Come out!" (2) Then I saw a white horse. Its rider carried a bow and was given a crown. He had already won some victories, and he went out to win more (to complete his conquest).
Jesus is probably not riding a literal white horse. God's visions often convey to human minds what the heavenly creatures see happening. The comfort of seeing a Messiah riding a white horse is just the closest humans can come to understanding this spiritual reality. And, the result is the same! The Bible covers over 6000 years of history and prophecy. (Bible prophecy is just history written in advance; since God did know what He would cause to become. - God's name literally means "He causes to become.") That relatively large time covered (from a human perspective) often means there is not a lot of detail given. That is the case with this Revelation prophecy. One thing we might note is God tells us the Christ went forth to conquer and to "complete his conquest" or to "conquer yet some more;" depending on which translation we read. What length of time might "completing his conquest" take, and when. It seems at least 100 years and more. Since the late 1800's, students of Bible prophecy (from several denominations) have used Daniel's prophecies about "the appointed times of the nations," (Luke 21:24 of 22‑28) or the "seven times," (Dan 2:36‑45) to place the seating of Christ on his throne as God's powerful King at about 1914 CE. (Dan 4:1‑28) Shortly after Jesus's resurrection (3 days after his death), he was seated in heaven (but not as King) until his Father made his enemies his footstool. (1 Cor 15:12-28; See also Psa 110:1 below.) While Jesus has been in heaven these roughly 2000 years, his followers in the earth have kept his words alive and have continued to spread them. When Christ was enthroned as king in heaven a little after 1900, he then awakened and enlightened and invigorated his faithful followers on earth. He helped them uncover and spread the seed of truth saved in Christ's words (recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). God's newly enthroned King thus completed bringing mankind out of the Dark Ages; making available (or even possible) what you are right now reading. Spreading this truth and awakening mankind is being done by Christ. That is the Revelation of Christ's Kingdom. During this last 100 plus years, as King on his throne in heaven, Christ has been subduing in the midst of his enemies. It is happening has happened just as King David prophesied it would: Psalms 110:1-7 CEV (A psalm by David.) 'The LORD (God Almighty) said to my Lord (Jesus Christ), "Sit at my right side, until I make your enemies into a footstool for you." (2) The LORD will let your power reach out from Zion (possibly Christ's heavenly throne), and you will rule over your enemies. (3) Your glorious power will be seen on the day you begin to rule. You will wear the sacred robes (likely truth) and shine like the morning sun in all of your strength. (4) The LORD has made a promise that will never be broken: "You will be a priest forever, just like Melchizedek." (5) My Lord is at your right side, and when he gets angry he will crush the other kings. (6) He will judge the nations and crack their skulls, leaving piles of dead bodies all over the earth. (7) He will drink from any stream that he chooses, while winning victory after victory.'
From the early 1900's until now, Christ has been ruling in the midst of his enemies. His words spreading through the earth like a sword (Rev 19:13 of 11‑16; Rev 1:16 of 13‑19) exposing and destroying his Father's enemies ( false all religion), but at first doing so "in their midst." Subduing in their midst means those enemies still remain. They have been tolerated to remain so as to complete their own judgment of themselves, (John 3:18‑19 of 16‑21) and to expose before the eyes of all what is real and true. (2 Kings 6:15-17; Isa 45:22-25) While all righteous persons are being marked for life by their faith in Christ. (John 11:25‑27; John 6:40 of 28‑40) The sword of Christ's mouth at first exposes the wicked, thus taking away their power to deceive. Up to this point in time, it has taken eyes of faith to see this truth and the fulfillment of these prophecies. No faith is required once a thing is known and seen. (Rom 8:24) Soon now, will come Armageddon. That's when Christ reveals himself to openly destroy God's enemies, thus bringing an end (cutting short the days) of the tribulation. (Mark 13:19‑20) No faith required... (Rom 14:10‑12) That will likely mean all judgment has been rendered and grace through faith is no longer being extended: There will remain only the destruction of the wicked, and, of course, the preservation of those with "true" faith in Christ. (Mat 7:21‑23) Jesus said it will be similar to the days of Noah and Lot. (Luke 17:26‑30) So, we might think of the Revelation as happening in two parts: The first Revelation is to, and/or for, the righteous; for those who see and believe through eyes of faith (faith in the teachings of Christ). (2 Kings 6:15-17) That Revelation is hidden from the wicked, (2 Cor 4:3‑6) even while it is collecting in the earth all who are righteous (all who are being marked for protection by their faith in Christ's teachings). (Luke 3:15‑17) The second Revelation (or the second part of it) is the destruction of all those having refused the mark for life, which is refusing to put faith in Christ. Everyone alive will see that! (Rev 16:13‑16; Rom 14:11‑12) King David foresaw and prophesied about it. (Psa 110:1‑111:10) You can understand it too! While the return of Christ isn't happening with striking observableness (is not seen by many or even most of this world), it is happening all the same. The kingdom is among us in the words of Christ. (Luke 17:20‑21; John 6:63) Have faith in Christ so you can see what is real. (2 Kings 6:15‑17) Read: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Know Jesus Christ to be your hope. (John 3:16‑21) And, know Jesus to be the one and only hope God provided. (Acts 4:12) God is good! (Mark 10:17‑18) Believing that, we must have faith similar to what Christ displayed when he gave himself over to a horrible death in hope of better gifts at the hand of his Father. (John 10:17‑18; Heb 12:2 of 1‑3) [Not that we will all have to die, (John 14:12) but our faith must be more important than even our very life. (Mat 16:24‑25)] Just as in the days of Noah and Lot, it is the time of our deliverance; in our day, by our faith in Christ. (Luke 17:26‑30; Mat‑8:13; Psa 37:29 of 27‑34; Isa 11:1‑12;Job 33:13‑30) We must take in God's spirit contained in the words of his son. (John 6:63; John 3:34 of 31‑36) Make yourself part of the Israel of God; (Gal 3:26-29) read your Gospels over and over to a familiarity with Jesus! (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) My wonderful hope is to life everlasting. (Job 33:13-30) If I misunderstand the Bible's revealed timetable, and must die, I pray I die with my hope fresh in mind. That's why I spend many of my waking hours reading the Bible. Here in my hope, God is good and all is well... Praise my Father ! Praise my Father The Good! (Mark 10:17-18)
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We see from this brief depiction of Bible events over time, God's word makes two promises and then records the arrival or fulfillment of those promises. The first promise was given soon after Adam and Eve sinned some 6000 years ago. God promised our first parents (along with the rest of us) in Gen 3:15, He would raise up a seed of the woman who would crush Satan's head (thus destroying what God's enemy had done - 1 John 3:8b). Then, about 2000 years later, God's second promise was recorded in Gen 22:15‑18. God there pledged his earlier promised "seed of the woman" would come through Abraham, expanding the first promise by saying all nations of the earth would be blessed by that "seed of Abraham." The seed of the woman, then, would also be the seed of Abraham. Another 2000 years and that promised seed was born as Jesus Christ. Jesus is the son of God, (John 1:33‑34; Mark 3:11) the descendant of Abraham, (Mat 1:1) and, "the seed of the woman" (or "the son of man"). (Mat 16:13 of 13‑17) Jesus was quickly murdered by God's enemy, but not before he preached God's message through all the earth. Three days after his murder, God's son was resurrected to heaven awaiting the time for his return to the earth to