December 28, 2017

Insights on Today's Reading

The Book of Revelation is described right away in the opening words.  It is the "Revelation of Jesus Christ."  Revelation has it's own outline given in verse 19, "Write the things which you have seen, the things which are, and the things which will take place after this."  Chapter 1 is "the things which you have seen."  Chapters 2,3 are "the things which are."  And, Chapters 4-22 are "the things which will take place after this." 

Revelation 1 - This opening chapter gives many great truths but two stand out right away.  The first is what is stated in the opening words, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ."  This book is meant to reveal the Lord.  The vision John sees in verses 10-22 give a vivid appearance of our Savior.  Second is verse 3 which gives a clear blessing to those who will take time "to read" and "to keep" what is written in this book.  In other words, "You want a blessing?"  Then read this Book of Revelation and apply it to your life. 

Revelation 2 - Chapters 2,3 give a description of the history of the Christian Church in seven letters.  The first letter to Ephesus speaks of the Church at the end of the apostolic age.  The second letter to Smyrna ties the Church under persecution.  The third letter to Pergamos gives the Church settled in the world.  And the fourth letter presents the Church in idolatry.

Revelation 3 - The fifth letter to Sardis pictures the Church as dead yet having a believing remnant.  The sixth letter to Philadelphia shows the Church in revival.  The seventh letter to Laodicea speaks of the Church in apostasy.  I believe we are living in the Laodicean age of the Church with a remnant of "Philadelphian Revival" churches still in existence.

Revelation 4 - The call to John to "Come up here," verse 1, speaks of John going to heaven, perhaps in a vision, and seeing the "future" unfold before his eyes.  He sees the saints gathered before the throne of God, verse 4, where the elders dressed in white represent these believers.  This implies the Rapture having happened before the Tribulation Period will happen on earth. 

Revelation 5 - A scroll with seven seals, verse 1, is a scroll of judgment to be pronounced on the earth.  In this scroll are also the seven trumpet judgments and the seven bowl judgments that will be spoken of later.  The Lion of the tribe of Judah, also seen as "a Lamb as though it had been slain..." is Jesus Christ and He will begin to open the scroll.