I’ve been apprehensive all my Christian life to dig into the biblical book of Revelation. Mostly because it’s never made sense to me and seems daunting to try to interpret all the symbolism and then apply it to my life.
Many people suggest we’re in end times. I don’t know if that’s true. I do know the Puritans being persecuted for their faith by the “Church” of England felt they were in the end times and expressed such sentiments in early American literature.
What are end times and how long will they last? I don’t know if anyone knows that but God. But I think we can all agree that, if we are in end times, politics or any politician, are not going to get us through. To the contrary, I’ve seen politics dividing believers over the last few years. Social media doesn’t help either.
I had a friend encourage me to dig into the book saying that in no means should we be discouraged as believers, but we should be encouraged in knowing who holds the keys to life and death and all of this sordid stuff we see happening around us.
I’m glad my friend encouraged me to get back in the Revelation saddle so to speak.
As I read through the first chapters, there is hope revealed through John’s words. Hope that I couldn’t help blogging about.
John first tells us that we are blessed to read and hear and act on the words shared in this book. And we are I’m finding.
Revelation reveals the wondrous panorama of God's plan. But there is a warning to root out sin and anything that separates us from a relationship with him, along with a warning to those who have continually rejected him as their Creator.
In verse 4-5 of chapter 1, we learned that Jesus rules over the king’s of the earth but also loves us personally, and he released us from the bonds of sin by the shedding of his blood on the cross.
In verse 6, we learn that he made us as believers to be a kingdom and priests to God, administering God’s love to others.
In verse 7, we learn that Jesus will come down from the clouds. Every eye will see him, and people will mourn likely because they’ll realize they put their hope in something else and not the one and true living God.
In verse 8, we learn that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega meaning he was there at the beginning and created us and he will be here in the end.
I knew all these things before but what is said in the next few verses stood out to me.
In verse 12, we see Jesus standing among the seven golden lamp stands. My study notes tell me they symbolize the churches. Jesus is standing among them and protecting them. This gives me hope.
We learn the nature of Christ at this time and what he’ll be like when he returns. Verse 15 gives a visual description which can be interpreted that Jesus is wise, divine and will judge the people and their hearts. He is a high priest that will ask forgiveness on our behalf, if we have believed and repented of our sins, to God.
But the description of Jesus in verse 15 really struck me. There was no translation for this description in my study notes so bear with me. John says his feet are burnished bronze that glow in a fire. I believe this is saying Jesus’ feet, the foundation of any person standing, are stronger than iron and will resist the fire that is burning around him.
We know in end times there will be trials and 2 Peter 3:10 tells us that “the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works done on it will be exposed.”
We learn Revelation 1:15 also that Jesus’ voice at that time will be like the sound of many waters. He will give believers peace and calm through it all, and he has the power to put out any flames around us.
In verse 16, we see that he holds the seven stars in his right hand. Jesus has control over the Universe. From his mouth though comes a two-edged sword. His words are powerful and will bring judgment for those who put their hope in anything less than him.
Reiterated in verse 17 is that he is the first and last. Politics and politician won’t be hanging around to help us in the end. But Christ will.
Verse 18 tells us he holds the keys to death and Hades.
So if you think that a political party or a politician will help save you from anything (I’ve been guilty), think again. We know who holds the keys to death and Hades and who to put our hope in as is clearly explained in the ancient and prophetic words of the Bible.
We have nothing to fear but only hope of an eternal life with God and our loved ones who believe in a place much more glorious than even the Maldives.
I’ll leave you with a past blog post excerpt of a vision. It was a vision that I believe God gave me of my mother after she passed away and before I learned that she had passed away.
“There really is something beyond this life. Don't be deceived by the enemy saying there is nothing and attempting to draw you away from the Lord. There is much more than what we have here today.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt.
I know this because I have faith in the Bible and what it says is true, and the Holy Spirit tells me so. But also because the night my mom passed away, before I knew she was gone, God gave me a dream of her. A dream like I never had before. She was running, even skipping, and swinging both her arms and there was green all around and sunlight and she was happy in a field of flowers, of daisies–her favorite. She was happy like I hadn't seen her happy in several years, especially since she had a stoke which left her unable to use her left side. I woke up that Sunday morning feeling happy because of the dream but wondering why I had it.
Before we left for church that morning, it was around 9:00 and I got a call from Dorothy, her neighbor in the apartment, saying she had found my mom and she had passed away. According to the coroner, she had died around 4:00 am. God gave me the dream after she had passed into His presence ... showing me exactly where she was and that she was okay–and with God more importantly. She was more than okay.”
