Revelation Part 18
Eternity Online: John Edmiston (Editor)
Eternity-Inspiration for Saturday 1st November 1997
Revelation Part 18
(Revelation 1:19-20 NKJV) "Write the things which you have seen, and
the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
{20} "The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand,
and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the
seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven
churches.
The message of the book of Revelation seems to consist of three
broad headings:
a) The things which you have seen.
b) The things which are.
c) The things which will take place after this.
The things which you have seen. This refers to the vision of Christ
in chapter 1 which is now drawing to a close. It reveals Him as the
powerful resurrected one and forever demolishes the image of Jesus as
a prophet or a teacher of morals. He is the Heavenly Saviour and the
Coming King.
The things which are. This refers to at least chapters 2 & 3 of the
book of Revelation where the risen Christ of chapter 1 addresses the
current problems of the seven main churches of Asia Minor. While
these words have always been applicable to God's people down the ages
they were in the first sense "the things which are" at the time
of the writing of Revelation. I would also include chapters 4&5 where
the current state of the heavenly realms is recorded for us. This
ongoing adoration tells us that "the things which are" includes much
that is unseen and glorious.
The things which will take place after this. This is the bulk of the
book of Revelation and much was plainly future to John and even is
future to us. In a few vivid photographic images we leap from the
first century to the end of the world. These images of the future
are the pivotal moments for the church revealed in prophecy. They
reveal an intense conflict between good and evil that ebbs and flows
for centuries (at least a thousand years see Rev 20:1-3) and which
culminates in the return of Jesus and the renewal of this world and
eventually an entirely new created order.
May I suggest a simple spiritual exercise for your quiet time? Based
on this verse draw up a sheet of paper into three columns "that which
I have seen", that which is now" , "that which is to come" and write
what you have seen God do for you, where you are now in respect for
Him and what God promises you with respect to your future. As you
revise what you have seen God do for you you will probably become
awestruck and grateful , as you review where you are now your mind
will probably fill with worries and problems but when you take the
long term view and see what God has prepared for you at the end of
the day - i.e infinite happiness, then you will rejoice and your
present problems will seem much less in the light of God's past
faithfulness and sure hope for the future. I think you will find that
at the end of it all you will be filled with joy and hope in a great
God who you can see at work in your life.
Prayer:
You are the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last and the one who
takes care of every moment we must live through. grant us bold and
confident and courageous hearts that live powerfully for You. Amen.
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John Edmiston ([email protected])
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