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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