Thoughts On Revelation (16)
In the fourth chapter of Revelation we are told that John hears a voice from heaven saying, “…Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” That invitation to John sets a few things solidly in place. First is the fact that he is about to be given a special heavenly revelation. He is going to be shown things, and these things MUST take place. The timing of what he is soon to have revealed to him is yet future. The rest of the book will unfold events from that moment until Christ’s Second Coming, and the creation of new heavens and a new earth.
These future events which John recorded in his writings have been the source of much speculation, interpretation, debate and outright division among God’s people. Others reading it have often become mystified, terrified, and so it was simply cast aside. Surely this was not the intent of the Lord Jesus Christ. He instructed John to greet the churches to whom the Revelation was first addressed with this salutation; “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come…” (Rev. 1:4) When you reach that climactic last chapter of the Revelation, you find it echoing the same thought. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Rev. 22:21)
It is wise to read and study Revelation with an open mind, and a willingness to understand as much as you can. None of us has a full understanding of God’s Word, and so we should not expect such when studying Revelation. May we find grace and peace in knowing God is in full control. He is completely able to handle all the events transpiring on planet Earth. That includes the yet future ones detailed in Revelation. Let us find assurance in what St. Paul wrote; “…Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I am also known.” (I Cor. 13:12)