The End Times as God Reveals Them. Pt. 6 Themes in the book of Revelation

The book of Revelation occupies a special place in the Bible. It is the last book of inspired scripture and it stands as a bookend to the first book of the Bible, Genesis.

There are some striking parallels between Genesis and Revelation. 

• Genesis is the book of beginnings and Revelation is the book of endings.

• Genesis tells how the world was created and Revelation tells how it will pass away.

• Genesis tells of Satan's first rebellion and Revelation tells of Satan's last rebellion.

• Genesis tells how the sun, moon and stars are for the governing of earth's seasons and times and Revelation tells how the sun, moon and stars will be used for earth's judgment.

• Genesis tells how the sun governs the day and Revelation tells how there will be no need for the sun.

• Genesis tells how darkness is called night and Revelation tells how there will be no night there. 

• Genesis tells how the waters were called seas and Revelation tells how there will be no more sea.

• Genesis tells how sin entered the world and Revelation tells how sin exits the world.

• Genesis tells how the curse was pronounced and Revelation tells how the curse is removed.

• Genesis tells how death came to be and Revelation tells how there will be no more death.

• Genesis tells about the beginning of sorrows and sufferings and Revelation tells how there will be no more suffering or tears.

• Genesis tells about building apostate Babylon and Revelation tells about the destruction of apostate Babylon.

• Genesis tells about Satan's final doom and Revelation tells about Satan's final doom being executed.

• Genesis tells about the marriage of the first Adam and Revelation tells about the marriage of the last Adam. 

I believe that these parallels are worth thinking about to help us see how these two books fit together in the whole of what God is doing. Each of these points could be developed into a lesson.

Again, I refer you to our previous study of Revelation, chapters 1-3, posted from September 25 to October 6 2019. Reviewing those lessons will help us understand how this book begins before we study the prophetic materials.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the singular focus of Revelation. 

Rev 1:1-2  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2) Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 

The Divine name "Jesus Christ" is found 7 times in Revelation. This is of great interest because the number 7 represents divine perfection and completeness. 

For example, John recorded 7 "I Am' statements of Jesus Christ in his gospel. He recorded 7 miracles of Christ, 7 witnesses to Christ's deity, 7 questions asked by Pilate and 7 discourses of Christ.

In the book of Revelation John describes 3 series of 7 judgments, and he recorded 7 "Beatitudes of Jesus (Revelation 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7 & 22:14). John also tells us about 7 spirits and 7 candlesticks. 

The name Jesus means "Jehovah saves" and the title "Christ" means Messiah, God's anointed one. Jesus' name connects Him with the Old Testament "Jehovah" because He is Jehovah in the flesh.  

Revelation 5:12-14  Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13) And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14) And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. 

The name "Jesus" is found by itself 7 times and and the title "Christ" is found 4 other times by itself. Jesus as the "Lamb" of God is found 29 times in Revelation. Jesus Christ is God's perfect Lamb who took away the sins of the world. Thus, God the Father is perfectly justified to bring His wrath upon all who reject His Son and that is His righteous grounds for bringing about the end of the world as we know it. 

The name "God" is found 99 times in this book! 

Philippians 2:5-11  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11)  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father

The Greek word "theos" is translated "God" almost without exception. This name can refer to the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit but in this book is predominantly referring to the Father.

In Philippians 2:5-11 tells us about the humility of Jesus Christ coming to earth and being obedient to die on the cross. Then it tells of God the Father honoring and glorifying His Son, Jesus Christ. This is normally how the name "God" is used in Revelation. 

When Paul writes that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father, that is exactly what we will read about in revelation. It is a time of shouting praises, hallelujahs and glory to God in the highest. 

The name "Lord" is found 23 times in this book.

Revelation 1:8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. 

"Lord" is a title of Jesus Christ that connects Him to the name "LORD" in the Old Testament where the name is found 7,242 times. When "LORD" is in caps it is the name Jehovah. In this text "LORD" refers to God as the sovereign king and rightful owner of all things in heaven and earth.

In addition, the name "Almighty" is used 8 times in Revelation and 48 times in the Old testament making another connection between God in the Old and New Testaments. This name means one who rules over all. 

Worship, Glory and Holiness in Heaven.

Revelation 4:8-11  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9) And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, 10) The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 

We see what is going on in heaven in the book of Revelation. Worship is going on (15 times); the glory of God is on display (17 times) and the Holiness of God is exalted (16 times). Jesus said that the Father in heaven seeks those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth. This text is what it looks like right now if we were there in His presence. The righteousness and purity of Holy God are declared by all who surround the throne. He is called Faithful and True because He did what He promised to do. 

Therefore, we too must give our hearts to understanding these great truths that we might worship Him in spirit and in truth. 

Bob