Various; Rev. 1:1 Pondering Prophecy
Intro: As finite beings, we think of things as happening in either past, present or the future. However, since God is infinite and not bound by time like mankind is, everything to Him is the Present. So, for Him to know what will happen in our future is as sure as if it is happening right now. God doesn't have to guess or be afraid He might be wrong about something that will happen in the future.
It is estimated that about 1/5 of the Bible is prophetic.
As you know most of the book of Revelation is prophetic. Before actually delving into Revelation, I thought it might behoove us to stop and ponder some general things about prophecy
first.
Proposition: Christians need to stop and ponder prophecy in the Bible.
I. We should ponder the Pitfalls of Prophecy.
For those who study Biblical prophecy, there is the danger of becoming engrossed in the amazing details.
Prophecy can become an intellectual challenging and consuming passion for some people. For some people it becomes about the only subject they are interested in. Perhaps in a proud way they like to get into deep philosophical discussions
.to the point they neglect key doctrines.
Prophecy ought to become more than an intellectual exercise. It ought to change you as you understand the person, and purpose of prophecy.
II. We should ponder the Person of Prophecy.
My Bible has Title to the Book of Revelation as The Revelation of St. John the Divine
The Title is unfortunate.
The title is not inspired.
A better title would be The Revelation of Jesus Christ as Rev. 1:1 begins.
Most of prophecy in the Bible centers on the person of Jesus Christ in on way or another.
A. Much of the O.T. prophecy centered on the First Coming of Jesus Christ.
He would be born in Bethlehem, born of virgin, His name will be Immanuel, He will be despised and rejected, a man of sorrow, and He would die a cruel death (Psalm 22).
B. Much of the O.T. and N.T. prophecy centers on the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ.
I dont think it would be a stretch to say that every end-time event has its significance in the fact that Jesus Christ is Coming Again, whether we are talking about the Tribulation or the Millennial Kingdom, spending eternity in Heaven, or whatever.
In fact, the 2nd Coming is mentioned about 318 times in the New Testament alone. There are 210 chapters in the N.T. so that is an average of about 1 ½ times per chapter.
III. We should ponder the Purpose/Point of Prophecy.
I have already hinted at the purpose of prophecy but we see the purpose mentioned in the opening verse of the book of Revelation.
Revelation = is the Greek word apokalupisis which means an uncovering or an unveiling or a disclosure
. It describes something or someone that was formerly hidden but now becomes visible. Thus Revelation, like nearly all Biblical prophecy unveils truths about Jesus Christ. Some of these truths were hinted at in the O.T.
Three main things that are revealed to us in Biblical Prophecy about Jesus:
A. Prophecy unveils to us that Jesus Christ will Come for His Church.
Acts 1:11 The angel told the crowd who watched Jesus ascend up into heaved that he would come again in like manner.
John 14:2-3 In my fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also.
There are not any prophecies, that I am aware of, that need to be fulfilled, prior to the rapture occurring. Therefore, we believe rapture is Imminent.
We dont know when it will occur, but we believe it could occur at anytime.
Rapture might be thought of as the first phase of the Second Coming. The signs the 2nd Coming that are mentioned in Matt. 24 for example are talking about when Christ arrives on the earth bodily seven years after the Rapture. We therefore assume that many of the signs will be on the earth in their insipient forms.
We believe the Rapture is imminent and
We also believe Jesus will come back for His church and snatch them away prior to the beginning of the Tribulation. That makes us Pre-tribulationalists, meaning we do not believe the church will go through any of the Tribulation.
(1Th 1:10) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
B. Prophecy unveils to us that Jesus Christ will Judge this World.
Between phase #1 (the Rapture) and phase #2 of the 2nd Coming is a seven year period of time in which the wicked will be punished and wrath will be poured out on this earth.
(2Th 1:7-9) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Remember in our study of Daniel I told you that according to Rev. 6-19 during the second half of the Tribulation there will be war, famine, 25% of the world will be killed, 1/3 of the seas will be destroyed, 1/3 of the land will be destroyed, 1/3 of fresh water will be destroyed, 1/3 of the sky will be destroyed, demons will be released from the pit, people will have sores over their body, the sun will scorch & kill people, etc
.
His coming to punish the wicked out to give us a sense of urgency in our witnessing.
C. Prophecy unveils to us that Jesus Christ will Rule the World.
Remember in Dan.2 we were told about a stone that will come and smite the image that Nebuchadnezzer dreamed about.
(Dan 2:44) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
(Dan 7:13-14) I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Jesus didnt rule the world when He was hear the first time.
(Rev 11:15) 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 forever and ever.
Prophecy reveals to us that Jesus is coming for His Church.
Prophecy reveals to us that Jesus is going to judge this world.
Prophecy reveals to us that Jesus will rule the earth.
Trans: We will see all three of these reasons for His 2nd Coming in our study of the book of Revelation.
IV. We should ponder the Panorama of Prophecy.
Here are a few highpoints of events on the prophetic calendar.
A. Rapture of Believers from this earth.
Rapture means pluck up or to snatching away/up. Even though the word isnt found in the Bible the concept is taught in 1 Thess. 4:16-17
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
One preacher that I heard liked the Rapture as a powerful magnet that passed over metal shavings (some iron and some of other metal that do not respond to magnets). Obviously the iron shavings would jump up to the magnet while the others remain behind.
B. Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
(Rev 19:7-9) Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
C. Judgment Seat of Christ
(2Co 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
This is not to determine if you will get to go to heaven, but rather a
D. Tribulation
(2Th 2:7) For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
When the church is removed from the earth in the Rapture, then there isnt a restraining influence by the Spirit of God on sin & wickedness any longer.
As a result man will do unspeakably horrible things and the sin will be wide-spread.
God will eventually pour out Seal, Bowl & Vial Judgments
Maybe some of you are thinking you will have fun now, not get saved and then during the Tribulation you will get saved at that time.
No you wont. Those who have had a chance to be saved prior to the Rapture will not be allowed to get saved during the Tribulation
2 Thess. 2:8-12 teaches us this is the case because those who had a chance to believe will blinded to the truth at that time.
E. Great White Throne Judgment
(Rev 20:11-15) And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
F. Millenial Kingdom
millennial means 1000
(Rev 20:2-7) And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. 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, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
G. Eternal Kingdom
After the 1000 year reign of Christ and the final rebellion of Satan is crushed, we will enter in the Eternal Kingdom where there will never ever ever ever be any sin.
V. We should ponder the Profit of Prophecy.
Here are about 10 ways in which we might profit from studying prophecy
A. Studying prophecy will help us to refrain from Judging others.
(1Co 4:5) Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
B. Studying prophecy will help to make communion more meaningful.
(1Co 11:26) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.
C. Studying prophecy will help us to establish a heavenly focus.
(Col 3:1-4) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
D. Studying prophecy will help us to relate to others in love.
(1Th 3:12-13) And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
E. Studying prophecy will help us to do the ministry God has called us to do.
(2Ti 4:1-2) I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
F. Studying prophecy will help us to faithfully attend church.
(Heb 10:24-25) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
G. Studying prophecy will help us to live a more stabilized life.
(Jam 5:8) Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
H. Studying prophecy will help us to live a more pure life.
(1Jo 3:2-3) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
(Tit 2:12-13) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
(1Jo 2:28) And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
I. Studying prophecy will help us to be more committed to reach the lost.
(Jud 1:21-23) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
We will be more willing to give to missions, go as missionaries, and witness to as many as who will listen.
J. Studying prophecy will help us to be comforted and comfort others in times of sorrow.
(1Th 4:13-18) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
