Philip Wagner

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There are a lot of questions that come up when we are trying to understand the book of Revelation.

…like–“What the heck does that mean?”
…or – “What’s with the dragon, the beast, swords, fire, vials, the lamb and worship?
…or “Will I need to know this for the ‘final’?

Revelation is an example of ‘apocalyptic literature’, the only such book in the NewTestament. Apocalyptic implies “revealing secret information.”

My suggestion to you is– ‘don’t focus on what you don’t understand, but focus on what you DO understand.’ 

There are books or writings on the Internet, by Christian leaders, that you can find that will help you see how people some interpret it. However, I don’t think everyone who ‘says they know what it all means, actually know’ what it all means

You and I will keep learning or seeing new insights in the book of Revelation as we continue to read.

While we don’t understand everything because “Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.”
1 Cor 13.12 NLT

Some things we all CAN understand from the book of Revelation

1.  God Wins – we Win
As the old saying goes, “I’ve read the back of the book, and we win!”

God’s gives us a preview of how this world ends and the new and improved world we’ll enjoy forever.
The curse of sin will be gone, we’ll live in perfect fellowship with the Lord Himself and we will ‘reign for ever and ever”  (Rev 22:5)

Kind of puts things in perspective – doesn’t it.

And – God will ‘wipe away all tears for the eyes of His people. (Rev. 21.4) This probably means we will be forever healed of the hurts and pains of this life.

2.  We are blessed if we read Revelation and keep the words
Blessed is he that reads and keeps the words in the prophecy (Rev 1:3)

3. Jesus is worthy of our praise and honor
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing.  (Rev. 5:12)

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
(Rev 4:11 NIV)

Jesus Christ said- “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”  (Rev 22:13)

4.  There is going to be some serious horseback riding in Heaven!!
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.  (Rev 19:11, 14)

(I thought this was fairly important.  I’ve always believed it is God’s will for Christians to ride horses!)

5.  Jesus always wants to be with us.
Behold I stand at the door and knock – if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in. (Rev 3:20)

We will live in perfect fellowship with the Lord Himself, and we will reign for ever and ever”  (Rev. 22:5)

…Wait, does Jesus have a tattoo?  You be the judge of that one.

Jesus On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  Rev 19.11-16 NIV

Some things to keep in mind about The Second Coming of Jesus –

1.  Jesus IS coming back again.
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.    John 14:2&3 NIV

2.  No one knows when He is returning
Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
 ⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  Acts 1:6-7

3. We know what we are to do while until He returns.
The end of all things is near. Therefore …

            A- be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
            B- ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a
            multitude of sins
            C- ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
            D - ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,  as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 
 1 Peter 4:7-10 NIV

I will post another blog on Revelation next week.