Last Things Still Future

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

If you’ve read the book of Revelation and have not been emotionally affected by it, you probably haven’t paid attention to the details. I’m not saying that our emotions should guide us, but clearly, there should be some emotional reaction – some sense of loss – considering the fact that millions upon millions of people – both the lost and believers – will perish during the upcoming savage period known as the Tribulation/Great Tribulation.

I’ve just finished my yearlong Bible reading plan for 2018 and will start all over again tomorrow, January 1st with Genesis 1. The last reading of this particular Bible reading plan is the book of Revelation and once again, as I read through it, I was shocked to see not only how many people will die during this upcoming time of God’s judgment on the earth, but also to be reminded of just how hard people’s hearts are in spite of God’s wrath that He pours out on humanity.

The first five chapters of Revelation are introductory and set the tone for the rest of the book and what unfolds there. In chapter 1, we learn that the aged apostle John has been banished to the Island of Crete as punishment by Rome. There, he is privy to the Spirit’s teachings not only about his own time, but what was ultimately to happen and unfold on the earth long after John departed this life. Following John’s greeting (vv 4-8), he immediately tells of his vision of Jesus (vv 9-20) in preparation for what he is told to write to the seven churches in Asia Minor.

Chapters 2 and 3 present letters to those seven churches, citing any problems they had as well as any praise from our Lord for them. It’s a sobering set of letters and ones in which we would do well to read and then ask ourselves if we see ourselves in any of those letters. This self-reflection is a good thing because we tend to often excuse ourselves because we are “only human.” God does not excuse our failures, though He certainly forgives if we come to Him humbly, in repentance. Allow the letters to the churches speak to us as well in our day.

Chapter 4 switches scenes and John is called into the heavenly throne room where he begins to see things from heaven’s vantage point, something that is very difficult for the average Christian to do because we are so self-centered most of the time. However, we have an obligation to see things from God’s perspective as this becomes a greater influence on our lives as we delve more deeply into His Word on a regular basis. There is no substitute for the Bible. None, yet it is so easy to fall prey to things that we think are just as holy, just as wise, and just as truthful. In reality, there are no substitutions for His Word. Christians who do not daily avail themselves of the rich truth of His Word are like houses built on sand. There is no anchor except “feelz” and this, my friends, is not how Christians are to discern truth. It is the way the world discerns truth and we see that in society to a growing and alarming degree. This is also – I believe – why as things truly heat up during the coming Tribulation, the only “truth” will be what is decided upon by society through the use of “feelz” or emotional virtue, aka political correctness. That will be “truth” and it will always be a moving target.

From heaven, John sees things differently as they unfold on the earth and in reality, it’s a terrifying sight. I’m not sure how John beheld all the horrors he wrote about and managed to remain standing. Of course, there were times in the book of Revelation where he was overcome and had to be strengthened.

Chapter 5 recounts the victory of the Lamb, who was found worthy to receive and open the scroll. The seven-sealed scroll contains the contents of judgments poured out by God upon the earth, which make up the bulk of the coming Tribulation. Because the Lamb (Jesus) was slain and rose again (without any sin whatsoever), He was found “worthy” to open the scroll and essentially direct the judgments and affairs of the upcoming Tribulation/Great Tribulation. In other words, these judgments occur under the authority of the Lamb and are directed from the throne room of Heaven. These are not “man’s wrath against man” or “Satan’s wrath against man.” It is clear from a careful reading that all direction is provided by those within the throne room of Heaven even when it is clear God is using fallen angels to accomplish His will, something He does even now.

Immediately following chapter 5, chapter 6 begins in earnest the actual Tribulation period. One by one, the first six seals are opened and we see the immediate results of those seals of judgment as they pour out on the earth, from the first with the rider on a white horse (Antichrist), who comes with a bow but no arrows and conquers through political intrigue, to the sixth seal after which a tremendous earthquake occurs throughout the earth and other signs. The results of this earthquake are devastating to the earth. Verses 16 and 17 inform us that the people of the earth including the rulers apparently understand that this is due to the wrath of the Lamb. Yet instead of repenting, they try to hide in caves and behind rocks.

The fourth seal (vv 7-8) shows us the massive amount of death that occurs on the earth and verse 9 (the fifth seal) highlights the fact that many, many believers become martyrs because of their faith during this coming terrifying time on earth. Even though the Church will have been Raptured prior to the start of the coming Tribulation, there will be those who become believers after this and during the Tribulation (largely due to the 144,000 sealed evangelists of Revelation 7), yet these people will not be part of the Church. Millions of these believers will lose their lives during the Tribulation rather than recant their faith in the Lord.

Verse 8 tells us that us that roughly 1/4 of the population will be decimated due to the fourth seal in which Death, Hades and wild beasts will roam the earth killing that many people. It’s not going to be pretty. Imagine if we have 7 billion people on earth now, 1/4 of 7 billion is over 17 million people and during a very short period of time.

Revelation 7 highlights the fact that 144,000 Jews (12,000 from each tribe) are sealed by God and become committed evangelists for Him. Immediately following this (vv 9 – 17), we see a tremendous innumerable multitude of martyrs in white robes. John says the group was so large that no one could count their number (v 9). We’re talking about a tremendously large group of people who gave their lives because of Jesus. These martyrs will have additional rewards for their faithfulness.

Revelation 8 opens with our eye on the Seventh Seal. Out of this seal come the Seven Trumpets, more judgments from God. We see the first four trumpet judgments (vv 6 – 12) and witness even more staggering death of both animals and people. There is tremendous destruction not only on the earth, but in the heavens. God displays His wrath for all the earth to see.

Revelation 9 opens with the Fifth Seal and the horrifying “locusts” are let out onto the earth from the Abyss. Some Bible scholars believe these are human beings as a huge army. Others believe these to be actual locusts. The problem is that these are more likely demonic hordes namely because they rise from the Abyss and have horrifying abilities to torture people without killing them for five months (v 5). Though John likens some of their characteristics as though they are human (hair like women), it is far more probable – if we interpret Scripture in its most plain and ordinary sense – that these are other-worldly creatures who have attributes that reminded John of humans. They also have tails by which they torture human beings. Beyond this they are told not to hurt the trees, grass or vegetation.

Locusts would actually destroy vegetation because that’s what they do. They also would not necessarily and purposefully attack people (but can). It appears that these “locusts” have one job and it is to torture human beings but not kill them.

We have a similar situation when the Sixth Seal is opened. There, an army of “twice ten thousand times ten thousand” or 200 million is set to ride out onto the earth to cause death and destruction. The Scriptures tell us that 1/3 of the population was killed by three plagues from the riders: fire, smoke and sulfur. The earth has already experienced a loss of 1/4 of the total population (over 17 million people) and now 1/3 of the remaining people are killed as well. That’s 182,500,000 minus 1/3 or another 60,225,000 people taken leaving roughly 122,275,000. Pause to reflect on that. The world’s population has dropped from 7 billion to just over 122 million. Of course, this does not take into account the possible millions of believers who disappeared from the earth in the Rapture.

Folks, it is impossible to read through Revelation without being dramatically affected! The amount of death and destruction is literally staggering and it should cause us to consider the reality of why we are here on this earth. From now until the time the Christian dies or is taken in the Rapture, our job is very clear. It is to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew 28.

Part of that involves educating Christians (equipping them) through quality doctrinal teaching, biblical exposition, and personal Bible study. This prepares us to do the job of evangelism.

The coming time of God’s judgment on the earth approaches. From now until the time of our death or Rapture, we are called to witness to the lost of this world. Read and study books like Revelation until you gain a sorrow for those who will be lost.

It’s easy to get caught up in the things of this life, isn’t it? We can build walls around ourselves instead of building bridges that result in salvation to the lost of this world. We’re all guilty of that to a degree.

Endeavor to choose a Bible reading plan that gets you through His Word in a year or less. Start tomorrow. Read it. Study it. Pray over it. Ask God to illuminate you with the truth from His Word that you might live a life that brings Him great glory.

I saw a video yesterday of an old man in France surrounded by Muslims who were busy harassing him for his faith in Christ. The old man did not back down. He preached the Gospel and showed no fear in spite of the many Muslims who wanted to shut him down. May we all be so bold.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective