1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Featured A New Look At Revelation

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by tyndale1946, May 25, 2015.

  1. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2004
    Messages:
    22,678
    Likes Received:
    64
    Contrasts in the Book of Revelation.

    Light and joy contrasted with darkness and despair is a continuing theme in the Book of Revelation.

    • The book opens with the promise of the return [The Second Coming] of Jesus Christ in power and glory followed by John’s vision of the Saviour in His glory. As each letter to the seven churches is read [Chapters 2 & 3] we see the promise of glory for those who persevere in the faith contrasted with chastening of those true believers who have fallen into sin and the judgment promised those who are unregenerate.

    • After the message to the churches we are shown [Chapters 4 & 5], as clearly as human language can express, the glory of the Godhead. In this picture we see revealed and emphasized, more vividly than elsewhere in Scripture, the Triune Nature of God. We also are given a glimpse of the joy unspeakable and full of glory that is in store for those whom the Father has chosen in Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world [Ephesians 1:4]. The picture reminds us, however, of the infinite price paid for the redemption of the elect To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved [Ephesians 1:6, KJV]. We see the price of that redemption, the Beloved, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, ... a Lamb as it had been slain [Revelation 5:6, KJV].

    • Also in Chapter 5 we are introduced to a book or scroll sealed with seven seals held by the hand of God the Father. The Apostle weeps because no man is found able to open the Book but is comforted that the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof [Revelation 5:5, KJV]. Yet when John turns to look upon the Lion of Judah he sees instead a Lamb as it had been slain.

    • As the Lamb opens each seal in turn [Chapter 6] we are shown, symbolically, events that portray the unfolding of the conflict between good and evil. This conflict persisted before the first advent of Jesus Christ. The Book of Revelation reveals in apocalyptic language the conflict that will persist until His return in power and great glory to sit on His White Throne of Judgment [Revelation 20:11-15]. The opening of the first seal pictures the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ as it conquers sin and death. Yet as the three following seals are opened we are shown in vivid contrast that sin and death will persist until the prayers of the Saints under the altar [the fifth seal] are answered and the redeemed who have suffered for the Gospel’s sake are vindicated. And vindicated they are for as the sixth seal is opened we are shown a picture of the last day, the day of judgment, when the unregenerate cry out to the mountains and rocks Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb [Revelation 6:16, KJV].

    • With the opening of the seals we have seen the suffering that the conflict between good and evil brings, suffering that the Saints must also endure. When the sixth seal is opened we see a picture of the last day and the question: who shall be able to stand? Before the seventh seal is opened God provides an answer. First we are comforted by a picture of the sealing of the Saints on earth, those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, a seal that is the guarantee of their eternal security. Then we are given a glimpse of what awaits these Saints. We see a great multitude, which no man could number. This multitude, in striking contrast to those in the closing passage of Chapter 6, are in the very presence of God, standing before His throne. They constitute those of the Church, the redeemed of both the Old and New Testaments, who have departed this life and are ever present with the Lord, awaiting the redemption, the resurrection, of their bodies. They are able to stand because they are clothed in white robes, symbolic of the righteousness which is theirs through Jesus Christ. They are before the throne and the Lamb, crying: Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

    • When the seventh seal is opened; all heaven, which has been ringing with praise of God, falls silent about the space half an hour. The silence is absolute, something the mankind has never experienced. This silence is a prelude to what is next revealed to John. An angel casts a censor of fire to the earth and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake [Revelation 8:5, KJV]; then seven angels prepare to sound seven trumpets.

    • As each angel sounds his trumpet in turn God brings forth judgment upon the earth. The terror that is unleashed following the sound of each trumpet stands in stark contrast to the joy of the white robed multitude that worships before the throne. The severity of the first four judgments that fall upon mankind apparently cannot compare to what is yet to come. An angel is sent to announces the woe, woe, woe that is to follow the sounding of the remaining trumpets, woe from which the Saints of God are to be spared. Though spared, the Saints of God see a symbolic picture of the woe that befalls the unregenerate following the sounding of the fifth and sixth trumpets [Chapter 9] and their stubborn refusal to repent.

    • After the sixth angel had sounded his trumpet of judgment we see a damning indictment of the unbelievers:

    Revelation 9:20,21, KJV
    20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
    21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.


    The unbelievers repented not of their sins even under the redemptive judgment of God. It is the lot of these men that they will come under the wrath of God as manifested through outpouring of the seven vials. It is these of which the final Chapter of Revelation states:

    Revelation 22:15, KJV
    15 For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.


    • Before the sound of the seventh and last trumpet we are comforted by a picture [Chapter 10] of the mighty angel who lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, ......, that there should be time no longer but when the voice of the seventh angel ... shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished [Revelation 10:6, 7, KJV]. The comfort to the Saints that the time is short is accompanied by a reminder, by the experience of the two witnesses [Revelation 11:7-10], that the redeemed, though spared the wrath of God, are not spared the wrath of unregenerate mankind. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever [Revelation 11:15, KJV].

    • Perhaps the most startling contrast presented in the Book of Revelation is that between the Church, the Bride of Jesus Christ, and Babylon, the Mother of Harlots, the apostate church, and the bride of the antichrist. In the Book of Revelation we see the ultimate and final triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church over Satan and all who reject the grace of God. Of particular note is the providential care of Jesus Christ over His Church as described in Chapters 2 & 3 and in Chapter 12. In contrast we are shown the destruction of Babylon, the apostate church, in graphic detail in Chapters 17 & 18.

    • Finally, the message of the Book of Revelation is that the Church, the elect of God; those who are accepted in the beloved and regenerated by the Holy Spirit will emerge vindicated and victorious. In contrast, those who reject the gracious offer of salvation, those who choose to dwell in darkness rather than light, those who crave the pleasures of sin for a season rather than the righteousness of God throughout eternity, will be cast into the lake of fire along with Satan

    Some of pre-trib persuasion see the Book of Revelation as a book of doom and gloom. But take off the blinders of dispensationalism and this final revelation in the Word of God becomes a book of comfort and joy, understanding that it is the ultimate assurance that GOD reigns and that the Victory is HIS and through Jesus Christ the Victory becomes ours!
     
    #21 OldRegular, May 29, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: May 29, 2015
  2. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2004
    Messages:
    22,678
    Likes Received:
    64
    Tyndale1946,

    I thought some of the "doom and gloom" people might take exception to the above but I guess not! Perhaps they have come to the conclusion that the GRRReeAAT Seven Year Tribulation is not that Great! Or perhaps they have decided that Jesus Christ was correct when HE said:

    John 15:18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

    John 16:33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
     
  3. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2004
    Messages:
    22,678
    Likes Received:
    64
    Sevenfold Blessings promised in the Book of Revelation

    In Revelation 1:3 we read the first of seven blessings or beatitudes announced in the Book of Revelation [Revelation 1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9 20:6, 22:7, 22:14]: Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein. Those who hear or read the words that the Apostle records and keep those words are declared blessed. True believers are to be not only hearers of the word but doers [James 1:22]. The Book of Revelation is much neglected by a majority of professing Christians. It is indeed a difficult book to understand. However, the primary message that the believer will ultimately be vindicated, that he will ultimately dwell in the new heaven and earth in the presence of the Triune God is abundantly clear. John’s glorious vision of the throne room of God [Chapters 4 and 5] and his vision of the new heaven and earth when God will dwell with men [Chapters 21 and 22] are food for the soul of all believers.

    In Revelation 14:13 we are shown the second of seven blessings promised to those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb: Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. It is not clear what is meant by the phrase ‘from henceforth’. However, the blessed state of those who ‘die in the Lord’, that is, the Saints who die, is taught in both the Old and New Testaments. Revelation 7:13-17 gives a particularly vivid picture of the blessed state of Saints who have died. The Psalmist writes:

    In Revelation 16:15 {Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.} we see the third of seven blessings promised in the book of Revelation to the ‘true believers’. The garments mentioned are provided by God symbolizing the righteousness imputed to those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. These are the robe of the prodigal son [Luke 15:22], the white raiment of those who overcome in the churches at Sardis [Revelation 3:5] and Laodicea [Revelation 3:18], and the white raiment worn by the elders before the throne of God [Revelation 4:4]. These are the garments of salvation, the robes of righteousness spoken of by the prophet Isaiah

    The angel next tells John to write: Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb [Revelation 19:9]. This is the fourth of seven blessings promised in the book of Revelation to those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Who are these who are called or invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb? They are none other than the bride, the Church. There is no one else. When the marriage supper takes place time is no more. There is a new heaven and earth for the first heaven and earth have passed away , the holy city, the New Jerusalem, the Church comes down from God out of heaven, the tabernacle of God is with men and He will dwell with them [Revelation 21:1-3]. All others are without the holy city the dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. [Revelation 22:15, KJV]. Indeed those who are called to the marriage supper are truly blessed.


    What is the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to the redemption of man and what does John mean when he writes: This [is] the first resurrection. Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power. Note that we read here the fifth of seven blessings promised in the book of Revelation to the Saints of God.

    We note [Revelation 22:7] the sixth of seven blessings promised in the book of Revelation to those who have been made accepted in the beloved.

    6 And he said unto me, These sayings [are] faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
    7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed [is] he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.


    And the last of the seven blessings promised to those who overcome and as further indication of the limitless grace of God the final offer of salvation:

    Revelation 22:14, 16-17, KJV
    14 Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
    16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star.
    17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
     
Loading...