Week 51 – Revelation 13-17

13:1 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names.

2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.

Far be it from me to unravel the mysteries of The Revelation. I fished and hunted many years of my life and only once have I seen anything that might have — if only for a moment — rivaled anything like this (but that’s a story for another time).

Since Hal Lindsey and Carole C. Carlson wrote and released “The Late Great Planet Earth” (Zondervan, 1970), End Times fascination has run wild, especially throughout evangelical Christianity. According to a review on Amazon.Com, The New York Times called that book the “no. 1 non-fiction bestseller of the (70s) decade”.

It is interesting, I think, that it is categorized as “non-fiction” when so much of it is based on assumption and speculation concerning world events. Still, when I, as an unbeliever, picked up a copy at the check-out stand of my local market sometime in the mid-70s, I immediately became enamored of end times prophecy myself! And I credit this book with kindling in me an interest in the Bible, an openness to the things of God, and my eventual salvation (but that, too, is a story for another time).

Since 1970, myriad End Time prophecy buffs have plunged into the maelstrom, all attempting to unravel the mysteries of The Revelation — the writings of the apostle John, whose vision it was during his 18 month (some historians say two year) exile on the Greek island of Patmos. Some have even gone so far as to set dates…and have been greatly embarrassed when their calculations proved seriously in error.

Who can untangle the events prophesied in The Revelation? And what is it REALLY about? As to the former question, Bob George has postulated many times that “we will understand it when it happens”. And not before.

As to the latter question, I have come to believe that Richard Peifer is exactly right — the bottom line on The Revelation is not the tumultuous events of the second half of the seven-year Tribulation; it’s not about answering the question, are Christians destined to live through it or die in it? It is The Revelation of JESUS CHRIST! HIS SUPREMACY! HIS VICTORY!

And with that, I commend to you Richard’s excellent series, REVELATION: It’s No Mystery.

May the new year of our Lord 2011 be a blessed year for you all.

Bob Davis

Week 50 – Revelation 8:1-12:17

Revelation. Who among us can understand all the prophesies within? Many try. And many miss the obvious. But what can we find in its words?

I think most would fall into the camp of those who don’t really study Revelation. Surely that’s me. I know it’s there. I’ve read it. I’ve even gone through it in a Bible study or two. But in the end I still ask, “What’s in it for me?” I think Richard Peifer best answered this question when he started teaching from Revelation in Metro. “The Lamb Wins!” That was his summation. What a revelation. And since we belong to the Lamb… we win too.

That’s a truly comforting thought. Especially when we read of the judgement, condemnation and destruction found in John’s letter.

Six of the seven trumpets are sounded in chapters 8 and 9. Fear might overcome us when we read of all that will happen. Certainly if we are not sure of our own salvation that should be the case. However, these events still seem so far in the future as not to be of any direct consequence.

Yet… there’s still something that may be applicable. I’m sure you know or have known people who have had “trumpets” blown in their lives only to ignore them. Devastation surrounds them and like those John wrote of, they ignore or refuse to turn to God. Their pride and stubbornness condemns them.

Maybe that was you. Which trumpet got your attention? Or was it something else? For most of us it was Jesus’ offer of forgiveness. For others it was the God who so loved the world – including you. For me it was truth. The truth. That was the “hook” that caught me. And in biting that “hook” I found The Way and The Life too. Indeed I found the person of Grace – Jesus Christ.

Therefore, be not afraid, but be encouraged as you read about the Lamb.

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

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Week 49, Revelation 3-7

Ah, Revelation, perhaps the greatest source of fear, anxiety and doubt the world has ever known. I once lived there. Today, I see this as the clearest, most concrete, most practical letter ever written. How did I get from “before” to “after”?

Chapters 4 and 5.

Chapter 4 describes God’s throne room in heaven. Whatever else is going on, it is clear that this is the most glorious, holiest place in the entire universe – seen and unseen, physical and spiritual. When confronted with this place and the God who defines it, what else can you do but fall on your face with the 24 elders and cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!”

Chapter 5 is even more stupendous. A little scroll is displayed and the question is asked, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” However, “no one in heaven or on earth or under earth could open the scroll or look inside it.” No wonder John wept.

Then one of the elders says, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

John looks, but doesn’t see a Lion, but rather a Lamb. It is clear from Verse 6 that this being is at the same time the Lamb slain, the Holy Spirit and God Himself – none other than Jesus Christ!

Do you need assurance that you have nothing to worry about in the future? Do you need to know that you are completely forgiven and possess eternal life? Have you ever wondered what it means to be a co-heir with Jesus?

Look at the Lamb! Revelation is about Him. In fact, it is His revelation. Whatever else is going on with regard to judgment, beasts, symbols and people groups, you can know, with absolute certainty, that you are His and, therefore, beyond the reach of anyone who might argue otherwise. Jesus is our assurance! He is our guarantee!

If you grab hold of this your life will never be the same.