Dr. David Jeremiah - When Christ Appears: An Inspirational Experience Through Revelation

When
CHRIST
Appears

Copyright 2017 by Dr. David Jeremiah

Cover Design: Jeff Jansen Aesthetic Soup

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The book of Revelation promises a special blessing for those who take the time to peer into the future with the apostle John. As you read through its pages, you will see that God wins. Christ triumphs. Righteousness prevails. Satan loses. Sorrow, sickness, and death disappear. A new heaven and earth emerge from the ashes of the old. And God Himself wipes away the tears from every eye. This book fills me with hope, and I hope it does the same for you!

Revelation teaches us that regardless of what happens in this lifeno matter how depressing the world news appears or how difficult life becomeslife in Christ has a joyful ending. When the heartache of this present world weighs heavily on us, we have only to look up and look ahead at the radiant end of one story and the joyous beginning of a new story that will never end. Its an eternal story with one central message: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain (5:12).

The revelation John received reminds the Church of every age that Jesus Christ is Lord of all; that He will be the ultimate victor over the devil and his representatives; and that He will usher His people into the glorious heavenly city where there will be no more death or despair, nor more pain or suffering. Regardless of the tests and trials that will come upon the earth, this book shows us the final outcome: all things lead to the perfect rule and reign of Christ. This should encourage you to follow Christ no matter the cost and to exchange the worlds offerings for Christs eternal kingdom.

Not everything in the Bible is meant to be crystal clear. For example, many of the wise sayings of Proverbs, as well as the parables of Jesus, demand a search for their meaning. Apocalyptic visions are the same. Reading the book of Revelation requires having ears to hear (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22)ears that are ready to listen and eager to discover new insights in the details of every sign and symbol.

The central theme of the book of Revelation is worship. It contains glorious scenes of all of heaven worshiping God and the Lamb because they alone are worthy. The central plotline of Revelation is spiritual warfareSatan, his demons, and his earthly representatives war against the authority of God and His Son. And the central hope of the bookthe return of the victorious Kingis the ultimate message that God wins the spiritual war.

I invite you to read through Revelation with me. We will explore each verse, gleaning the truthful lessons John left behind after receiving this vision. If you are confident, like I am, that our Lord Jesus Christ will return one day, then we must be prepared for what is to come. Revelation is not fictionit is an outline of our future. Fear of the future can be debilitating, but rest-assured, Jesus spoke of the future often, and He did so without fear. He faced the future with peace, and so can we as we read His inspired Word.

REVELATION 1:13

The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

(Revelation 1:13)

Many people think of the book of Revelation as an enigma, a mystery, a puzzle to solveor a puzzle that cant be solved! But the word revelation is a translation of the Greek word apokalupsis, which means to reveal, to disclose, to uncover.

The purpose of Revelation is not to conceal but to reveal. The message in the book of Revelation seeks to more fully reveal Jesus Christ to us, to show us who He truly is, in all His glory. The book of Revelation is written both about Jesus and by Jesus. It tells us that He is coming again, how He is coming, and what condition the world will be in when He comes. It unveils the Lord Jesus Christ as the sovereign King, ruler over all the earth.

It also describes the unfolding of history and the end of the world as we know it. There have always been stories, prophecies, rumors, and questions about the end. Revelation gives us answers.

In verse 1, John says this book will reveal the events that must soon take place. This phrase describes an event that will occur suddenly, but not necessarily in the near future. In other words, the events of Revelation may not occur today or tomorrowbut once they do begin to unfold, they will progress in rapid succession.

Its interesting to note that Revelation is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing to those who read it.

In fact, there are seven distinct blessings in the book:

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near (1:3).

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on (14:13).

Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed (alert and spiritually prepared), so as not to go naked (spiritually unprepared) and be shamefully exposed (16:15, parenthetical added).

Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb (19:9)!

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years (20:6).

Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll (22:7).

Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city (22:14).

You can be blessed just by reading Revelation, but the greatest blessing comes when you obey it. The road to true success is found in submitting ourselves to the Word of God and its life-transforming power (Luke 11:28).