The Purpose of Revelation

[james1523]

The Book of Revelation, is a book that reveals certain things, but about what?

Revelation was written by the apostle John who was in exile on the island of Patmos, because of persecution by the Romans. It was during his time living in a cave, that he wrote the book of Revelation.
We need to realize that the book of Revelation was written by a man in exile - the only last remaining disciple, and a man suffering tribulation. It was during this time that John not only saw a revelation of end times events, but a revelation of Jesus Christ Himself. The book of Revelation is not written to fulfill our thirst for knowledge and curiosity, but to encourage us and strengthen us during our own trials and tribulations. It shows that even though Christians will be persecuted and martyred, in the end God's enemies will be destroyed and the Christians will be victorious. Key messages are: do not be afraid of suffering (Rev 2:10), Jesus is coming quickly and He is coming with rewards (Rev 22:12).

Today the far majority of believers see the Book of Revelation as only a prediction of the future, end times events.

But the purpose of Revelation is not just to answer our curiosity about what happens in the future.

The Book is primarily a revelation of the person Jesus Christ as it says in the first verse:

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

We can have all the knowledge about what happens in the future. But if it does not involve something of Christ, we have missed the true meaning. Everything written in Revelation is related to Christ in some way. All of the types and symbols, from the tree of life, to the river of life that heals, and the New Jerusalem, all points to Christ. For example, the tree of life is Christ as our life, the river of life is Christ as our healer, and the New Jerusalem is Christ's Bride.

Actually, the whole Bible is about Christ, from Genesis to Revelation. As John 1:1 says, He is the Word of God. Christ is above all things, and "Christ is everything":

"Christ is all in all." Colossians 3:11
2 Cor 2:2 "For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. "

Today in Christianity there is much concern about the mark of the beast, the anti-Christ. But there is always two sides to any story. On the one hand there will be a lot of activity in the world situation and the devil's schemes. Unfortunately most so-called "Bible prophecy" focuses on these things. On the other hand as Christians we need to not lose sight of what God is doing in the Church. Yes there are things which must come to pass so that God's plan can be accomplished. But we should look forward to the things that God is doing and will accomplish through these events. Particularly, we should look forward to the 1000 year reign of Christ, and dwelling in the New Jerusalem, which was the goal and motivation of the apostles (Col 3:1, Heb 11:10).

 

[NoHype]

The Greek word for "Revelation" in the 1st verse means 'to uncover, disclose, a laying bear'. It is not only a Book revealing the events for the end of this world. It is a Revelation link to the whole Plan of God from Genesis all the way through to the new heavens and a new earth. It reveals several things first written about in the Old Testament Books also concerning this present world going back to Genesis. It is the end cover of God's Word as Genesis is the opening cover, and there are direct associations between the two Books so that if either were omitted neither Book would make sense.

So with Revelation, our Heavenly Father and His Son are declaring not only events to occur for the end and thereafter, but also the plan of His enemies that began in Genesis; this so we would not be deceived in the end, for that is one of the strongest points in Christ's Revelation.

So yes indeed we are... to be very aware of what the devil is up to for the end of this present world and not be deceived by it, staying focused on Christ and in His Word. There is actually not enough... proper focus on the coming Antichrist in the Churches today, for most of them still do not even know who the coming Antichrist is, and thus many of them are still subject to deception in the end, not having properly understood what our Lord's Book of Revelation is all about in relation to answering several questions going all the way back to Genesis.

Moreover, if Christ's Revelation is treated solely as a Book of symbolism with no actual foundation involving the earth, then likewise the Book of Genesis would have to be all symbology (which we know is not true), for the two Books are inter-joined together as to their subjects.

 

[Eric E Stahl]

[h=2]Revelation 1[/h] 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

 

[rag4aCrown]

Praise God; I find it humorous to hear that "when the antichrist comes"; it is stated in the bible that "the antichrist is already come." Amen. Yes, antichrist is here, has been here, for quite some time. Amen.

Do we all understand that antichrist simply means; anyone that denies that Jesus is the Son of God; denies the Father, and denies the power of God is the antichrist? One can not deny Jesus without denying the Father; for the Father created Jesus. One can not deny the Power without denying Jesus and the Father. These 3 are 1. By denying one of them; we deny all three. Amen.

I am going to poke at you; We believe God is the creator of ALL things. Nothing was created without Him. Amen. All here will agree to this. Amen.
Now, all here will agree; God created our body (the flesh) out of the dirt of the earth. Amen. The Word tells us this in Genesis. Amen.
Then why can you not believe that God is able to heal your sicknesses and ailments without a worldly doctor, or hospital, or ER. By using the physicians of this world; do you not recognize you are denying the power of God? By denying the power of God, you deny the Son and the Father. Now, who is the antichrist?

Praise God, He is able, all by Himself, to heal you, to doctor you, to be your primary physician, your caregiver,. Amen.

Abt. 3 weeks ago, I was bit by a copperhead. Nasty snake. I did not go to ER, get a shot, my leg didn't swell or turn black. My Jesus took care of me. Amen. Why, because I believe in Him and His power. Amen. If He wants to keep me here, speaking His Word, testifying of His works, He knows He has to take care of me, for I am not going to this world's doctors, and taking their drugs. I want to go home. Amen. I just as soon lay right there and die. This world has not been so good to me that I want to save my life to continue to be in it. Amen. To live is Christ; to die is gain. Amen.

All praise, honor, and glory be to God. Amen.