The Book of Revelation is not just a symbolic prophecy, but a specific guide to how we navigate the end of this age and prepare for the redemption of creation.
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What is Apocalypse?
What comes to mind when you think of the word apocalypse? Do you think of chaos, anarcy, nuclear war, and global catastrophe? Of a land filled with rogue loners wandering a barren landscape facing brutal gangs of evil barbarians? Do you picture the images of Mad Max, the Book of Eli, or The Walking Dead?
If so, you have missed the point and purpose of the apocalypse. The meaning of apocalypse in the Greek text is revelation, disclosure, uncovering what is concealed. In terms of the apocalypse, it means uncovering God’s plan for the world and its people. It is the revelation of how He will redeem a fallen world and the people who come to know Him.
In the apocalypse, God will “finish the wrongdoing, make an end of sin, make atonement for guilt, bring in everlasting righteousness, seal up vision and prophecy, and anoint the Most Holy Place.” – Daniel 9:24
In the Apocalypse, as explained in the Book of Revelation, God will call believers to Him, allow those who rejected Him to repent, and punish those who embrace evil. In this time, He will defeat Satan, who deceived the world, and He will bring in a new era when Jesus Christ rules the earth.
The apocalypse describes the end of this fallen age and the beginning of a new, redeemed age. And the Book of Revelation is our guide to navigate through it.
Understanding the Book of Revelation
When most people think about the Book of Revelation, or Apocalypse, images of seven-headed beasts, dragons, and the mark of 666 come to mind. But at its core, the Book of Revelation is a guide for believers to navigate the end of this age and have hope for a new one.
Though symbols are used, the book is not symbolic, but a practical instruction guide for us to know what is coming and how we should prepare. The Apostle John tells us in the very first paragraph to heed the things that are written in the book. (Revelation 1:3) Clearly, we are meant to understand and follow it.
This amazing book of the Bible reveals many things, but I will focus this post on four overall themes:
- Instructing us how to prepare.
- Providing signs that will tell us the time is here.
- Explaining Satan’s strategy.
- Revealing God’s plan for redemption.
Instructing Us How to Prepare
Revelation chapters 2-3 contain letters to seven churches based in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). What is amazing is that Jesus uses these seven churches to reveal timeless themes in the church that still apply today. These letters reveal what areas we may falter and what we need to do to remain right with God. They tell us the consequences of unrighteousness and the rewards of remaining in His way, but they also reveal more about Jesus’ Godly nature.
Though written to these specific churches, the letters address the issues at the end of the age. In fact, many of the events described from beginning to end of Revelation are first referenced in these letters. When you read these, you will find references to Jesus’ return, the rapture, the Great Tribulation, and God’s final redemption.
If we follow these instructions, God promises us a glorious future.
One thing I find revealing about God’s nature is that even after He has raptured the believers, God continues to call to the people. He places two prophets on the earth to continue to testify (Revelation 11). Yes, even at the height of the Beast’s reign, God will reach out to those who are ready to hear His message. This is in stark contrast to the time after the destruction of the first temple when Psalmist Asaph cried out, “We do not see our signs; There is no longer any prophet, …“
Not only does God tell us how to prepare, He warns us when the time is coming.
Signs that Will Tell Us the Time is Here
When a group of Jesus’s disciples asked Him for the signs that the end of the age was coming, he described them (see Matthew 24:6-9). These signs are identical in type and order to the first five seals in Revelation 6. The signs manifested before the middle-eastern legions of the Roman Empire destroyed Jerusalem. And they are manifesting again as Jesus opens the seals. (see the post Has Jesus Opened the Seals? for details)
These six seals are often confused as judgment upon the earth, but they are actually signs of judgment, not God’s wrath. God’s wrath does not start until the events of the sixth seal unfold (see Revelation 6:17). These signs should be apparent to us and we should not dismiss them.
As documented in Matthew 16:3 and Luke 12:56, Jesus criticizes the priests and people for not discerning and analyzing the signs of the times. Most of Israel missed the signs of Jesus’ first coming, which caused many to be blind to His identity as the Messiah. This blindness led to the destruction of Jerusalem. Surely, many are ignoring the signs today and will similarly not be prepared when He returns. Jesus explains this in great detail from Matthew 24:32 through 25:46.
If we are not prepared for His return, He will leave us behind when He gathers His believers.
After revealing the signs, God reveals the enemy’s strategy against us.
Explaining Satan’s Strategy
At the end of this age, there will be a time of great deception. This deception will be so believable, that even believers may be led astray.
Revelation 13:13-14 tells us that the Beast’s false prophet will perform great signs to deceive the world. This echoes Jesus’ warning that these false signs and wonders are intended even to deceive the elect. Paul further explains that at this time, God will send a deluding influence upon those who reject the truth, such that they will believe what is false so that they are judged.
By explaining Satan’s strategy ahead of time, God gives those seeking the truth the chance to escape the deception.
God had made the traits of the Beast clear to us so we will recognize it when it comes. The Books of Daniel and Revelation provide insightful details about the Beast. We learn the area of the Beast’s origin, how arises, its composition, and the characteristics of its leader, the Antichrist. With this information, we should be able to recognize the Beast when it enters the world stage. (See the post, The Identity of the Beast of Revelation for details)
Signs of its rise are occurring now, so we must be watchful and notify others of these signs.
But far more important than Satan’s strategy is God’s plan for redemption, for which the whole of creation is groaning.
Revealing God’s Plan for Redemption
Shortly after the creation of man and woman, mankind fell. In accepting the deception of the serpent, not only was death introduced into the world, but God cursed the earth. This historical event is documented near the beginning of the first book of the Bible. And in the last book, Revelation, we learn how creation will be redeemed, and death is destroyed.
In Revelation, we see Jesus appear in all His glory. The redemption of the world that started on the cross is finished with Jesus’ victory over evil. The redemption picture starts with Jesus appearing as a slain lamb and ends with Him returning as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. When all is complete, Jesus will hand a redeemed kingdom to the Father.
God uncovers this process to us in the book of Revelation.
The Process of Redemption
First, the old must be removed.
God will pour His wrath upon the earth in a series of disasters that will affect the entire globe. Those who are covered by the blood of Jesus will be raptured, escaping God’s wrath. For these believers, Jesus took the penalty of God’s wrath.
The rest must suffer His wrath for themselves. However, even for those left behind may be redeemed. They will pay with their lives for denying the Beast, but in return, they will receive eternal life. (Revelation 13:15, 18:24, 20:4).
This period of wrath is the period people and media focus on when they describe the apocalypse. But at the end of this wrath will come the longest period of peace in the earth’s history.
At the end of wrath, Jesus takes dominion of the earth and destroys the Beast, the False Prophet, and their armies. An angel will capture Satan and imprison him for 1,000 years, while Jesus rules the earth from David’s throne. God will give the resurrected and raptured believers glorified bodies, and they will rule with Christ during this millennium of peace.
After this rule of peace, God’s 7,000-year plan for man on earth will end. (see post, God’s 7,000 Year Timeline – Could Jesus Return this Decade? for details.) Satan will be freed and gather the nations one last time against King Jesus. Jesus destroys Satan’s army by fire, but this time, Jesus deals with Satan permanently. Satan is thrown into the lake of fire, where he will be tormented forever.
At this point, the end of the existing world will come. God will burn the current heaven and earth and create a new heaven and earth. We will live in and among God in a new, redeemed creation and evil will be no more.
Navigating the Apocalypse
So when you read the book of Revelation, consider it a guide. The book is a roadmap and instruction manual to the end of this age. Understanding its contents is critical to recognizing the season of its initiation and how to prepare yourself and those you know for its unveiling.
Take John’s advice, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)