Sunday, February 23, 2014

REVELATION: THE FORGOTTEN BOOK

This article is about a little understood and hardly read book of the Bible.  It is a wake up call to everyone--believers and especially non-believers!

"Take notice! I will tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep (in death), but we shall all be changed (transformed). In a moment, a twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead in Christ will be raised unperishable and, we shall be changed (transformed.)" 1 Cor. 15:51-52.

A trumpet will blow and I imagine trillions of angels surrounding the sky. Jesus Christ appears in a cloud. He is wearing a white gown so dazzling it hurts the eyes. Only believers will be able to see Him. The moment arrives; Jesus calls His church to heaven. With God's bride out of the way, He can deal with the Jew, and evil personified will enter the scene during a period called the "Tribulation," which leads to the final conflict.


.Does this sound far-fetched to you? Do you say I have no interest in fairy tales and I want no part of this ridiculous talk? When I read it, my heart fills with excitement and joy.

Let me remind you that some generation will usher in the King and from what I have studied, I believe this generation will have the privilege. We cannot know the day or the hour but we can read the signs; wars and rumors of wars, disease and famine, lawlessness, overpopulation, an increase in speed and knowledge (advancements in science and technology), a return of interest in the occult, hard drug use (used as an escape) and plagues such as AIDS and the Ebola Virus. There has also been a few documented cases of the bubonic plague and a flesh-eating virus. 


We are in the generation of nuclear weapons and biological warfare. No other generation has seen these dangerous advancements. Small Middle Eastern countries now have these capabilities. One push of a button and planet earth becomes a burned-out  shell. It takes only one crazed human to start it all.


This is what is happening today with an attack on the family and young people. Many watched  frightening events at Columbine High School. The hate these two young individuals felt about fellow  students and the choices they made, one can only wonder if such horror and cruelty can come from the minds of our young without help. Crazed people are wounding and killing their fellow man. Are we in the "End Times" or are we burying our heads in the sand ignoring the final book of the Bible? Is Revelation fact or fiction, only symbolism or can we take it literally? Is it God's plan to usher in a New Age or ridiculous hype?


Most clergy do not teach or preach from Revelation. Satan has done his job; He has convinced many that Revelation is not understandable and that it is basically symbolism. The Lord desires this book to be understood because it is time. I believe Revelation is as dramatic as a movie thriller, yet the most exciting book in the Bible we ignore as if it doesn't exist. It's exciting because it tells of our glorious future. In his commentary on Revelation, Oral Roberts, the Evangelist (now deceased) said, "It is the number one book of the Bible because it tells us where we come from, where we are today, where we are going and how we are going to get there."  


According to Bible prophecy teacher, Hilton Sutton (now deceased) explained it this way:

"The book of Revelation is the greatest book in the Bible because it contains God's grand conclusion. The utter defeat of Satan's best plan is beautifully described within this glorious book.
It is the only book that promises blessings on those who read it." Rev. 1:3. "As you study, you will understand this statement; and it is absolutely important that you do."

While Jesus was on the earth the disciples asked him what would be the signs of the end of the age? If you read Matthew 24, you will find Jesus explaining to His disciples what the world would be like before the end. And what I stated earlier there will be false Christs (Rev. Moon, David Koresh, and Jim Jones) these men led people to ruin while claiming to be the answer. Now we have such things as the Emerging Church,  Chrislam (merging Christianity with Islam) and the New Age Movement. However, the world has yet to see the greatest charismatic false Christ in all of history who will lead planet earth on the road to final destruction. God sent the perfect leader (the Messiah) but the world rejected Him. Jesus said that sinful man would receive a false king. He lamented over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39). I believe Jesus anguished over Israel's rejection, but, He will return as He promised, as Ruler King.


Revelation means disclosure or unveiling of future events leading to His Second Coming. This article is not an overall study of Revelation but, rather, my earnest plea for all of us to seek the Savior while time remains. The clock is ticking... 


Because of all of this, what should we be doing until His return?


Attend church (Heb. 10:25); observe the Lord's supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26); be patient (James 5:8); love believers and all men (I Thess. 3:12-13); live a separated life (I John 3:1-3); refrain from judging (1 Cor. 4:5); preach the word (II Timothy 4:2); comfort the bereaved (I Thess. 4:18); win souls (Jude 21-23); and be concerned with heaven (Col. 3-1-4).


The Lord calls us to study the word (2 Tim: 2-15) so that we may know the truth. If we don't, Satan can dupe us into believing anything, because it seems believable. Religions abound with all kinds of beliefs. What is right? Search for yourself; ask God to show you the way.

The last book of the Bible is the events before the return of Jesus but, to me, Revelation is about a God whose love knows no bounds. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us so we may live forever. Jesus Christ is the light and the hope of the world. The premise is simple yet people still reject it. 


We can speculate about Revelation, have discussions with fellow Christians and unbelievers or we can ignore it altogether. My reason for writing about Revelation and prophecy is to provoke thought not only on the fate of the earth's future but, also, on how we live our life today, thereby insuring our future. It is far more important to think about our everlasting destiny than the few years we may spend on the earth.


Imagine this as you think about your future. All of your life you have doubted that you need Jesus to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. You  doubt he is the Son of God and you have fallen for the talk of some religions and cults. You are buying into the idea there are many ways to heaven. Although the Bible states the only way to to heaven is through his Son, you believe God is merciful and no one will go to hell. You are not even sure hell exists. 


Throughout history there has been an Evil One misleading us and trying to take us down the wrong path. You don't want to find yourself in a dark hole that you can't climb out of - ever! Think on these things before you make a decision you will regret.


If this article has tempted you to read this great book, I hope you will buy a good commentary and read and study it for yourself. Other books containing prophecy are: Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel and Zechariah.

Revelation can be frightening, exciting and thought provoking, but nothing to fear, if we know Jesus. The revelation is good news--come Lord come!






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