Prophecy
REVELATION: THE FORGOTTEN BOOK
The Left Behind series of fiction books is creating quite a stir in the Christian community. They are about a little understood and hardly read book of the Bible. They are meant to be a wake up call to everyone -- believers and especially non-believers!
“Take notice! I will tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep (in death), but we shall all be changed (transformed). In a moment, a twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead in Christ will be raised unperishable and we shall be changed (transformed).” 1 Cor. 15: 51-52
A trumpet will blow and I imagine trillions of angels surrounding the sky. Jesus Christ appears in a cloud. (He ascended to heaven in a cloud and He will return the same way.) He is wearing a white gown that is so dazzling it hurts the eyes. Only believers will be able to see Him. The moment arrives; Jesus calls His church to heaven. With God’s people out of the way, evil personified will enter the scene during a period called the “Tribulation,” which leads to the final conflict.
Does this sound far-fetched to you? Do you say I have no interest and I want no part of this ridiculous talk? When I read it, my heart is filled with excitement and joy.
Let me remind you that some generation will usher in the King and from what I have studied, I believe this generation will have the privilege. We cannot know the day or the hour but we can read the signs: wars and rumors of wars, disease and famine, lawlessness, over population, an increase in speed and knowledge, (advancements in science and technology), a return of interest in the occult, hard drug usage (used as an escape) and plagues such as AIDS and the Ebola Virus.
We are in the generation of nuclear weapons and biological warfare. No other generation has seen these dangerous advancements. Small Middle Eastern countries now have these capabilities. One push of a button and planet earth becomes a burned-out shell. It only takes one crazed human being to start it all.
This is what is happening today along with an attack on our young people. A frightening sight was watching the events at Columbine High School. The hate these two young individuals felt about fellow students and the choices they made, one can only wonder if such horror and cruelty can come from the minds of our young without help? Are we in the “End Times” or are we burying our heads in the sand completely ignoring the final book of the Bible? Is Revelation fact or fiction, only symbolism or is it to be taken literally? Is it God’s plan to usher in a New Age or ridiculous hype?
Most clergy do not teach or preach from Revelation. I believe Revelation is as dramatic as a movie thriller, yet the most exciting book in the Bible is ignored as if it doesn’t exist. In his commentary on Revelation, Oral Roberts, the Evangelist says, “it is the number one book of the Bible because it tells us where we come from, where we are today, where we are going and how we are going to get there. It is the only book that promises a blessing upon those who both read and hear it.”
While Jesus was on earth the disciples asked him what would be the signs of the end of the age? If you read Matthew 24, you will find Jesus explaining to His disciples what the world would be like before the end. Along with what I stated earlier there will be false Christs (Rev. Moon, David Koresh, and Jim Jones) these men led people to ruin while claiming to be the answer. However, the world has yet to see the greatest charismatic false Christ in all of history who will lead planet earth on the road to final destruction. God sent the perfect leader but the world rejected Him. Jesus said that sinful man would receive a false king. He lamented over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39). I believe Jesus felt great anguish over Israel’s rejection but He will return as He promised, as Ruler King.
Revelation means disclosure or unveiling of future events leading to His Second Coming. This article is not an in-depth study of Revelation but rather my earnest plea for all of us to seek the Savior -- while there is still time. The clock is ticking...
In light of all this, what should we be doing until His return?
Attend church (Heb. 10:25); observe the Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 11:26); be patient (James 5:8); love believers and all men (1 Thess. 3:12-13) live a separated life (1 John 3: 2,3); refrain from judging (1 Cor. 4:5); preach the word (II Timothy 4: 1,2); comfort the bereaved (1 Thess. 4: 16,18); win souls (Jude 21-23); and be concerned with Heaven (Col. 3:1-4).
I have only touched on what Revelation is telling us. I hope you will obtain a good commentary and read and study it yourself. Other books worth studying are Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel and Zechariah. If we don’t study the Word of God, Satan can dupe us into believing anything because it seems plausible. Religions abound with all kinds of beliefs. What is right? Search for yourself; ask God to show you the way.
The last book of the Bible is the events before the return of Jesus but to me the revelation is there is a God whose love knows no bounds. He sent his Son, Jesus, to die for us so that we may live forever. Jesus Christ is the light and the hope of the world.” The premise is simple yet people reject it.
My passion is to help people learn the truth. Loving one another is part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I can’t help someone by preaching at them and trying to cram it down their throats. What I heard recently is the answer. Show love to people who are hurting and defiant. Take care of their immediate needs (bind their wounds, get them a place to stay, give them food, whatever it takes) and then you can talk of the gospel and Jesus Christ.
Showing love is much more important than talking about it. Christians are doing exactly that in India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Russia, Romania, South America, and Africa. Soon some will be going into Iran and Jordan. The doors are opening in these countries. The most important news is China. Man isn’t opening the doors; God is making this possible. Millions are coming to Christ because dedicated Christians are doing God’s work, showing love and helping people while sharing the “Good News.”
This spreading of the gospel is unprecedented in history, which leads me to believe the end is nearer than ever before. In Matthew 24:14 we read “and this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all of the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Imagine this scenario: All of your life you have doubted that you need Jesus to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. You doubt that he is the Son of God and you have fallen for the talk of some religions and cults. You have bought into the idea that there are many ways to God. Although the Bible states the only way to God is through his Son, you are convinced that God is merciful and no one will go to hell. You are not even sure there is a hell. New Age doctrine states we can find god within ourselves - that we are all gods. So you live your life the way you want, not thinking about your eternal destiny.
Finally the day comes when your number is called and you die. Your spirit leaves your body and there are some very nasty looking spirits dragging you downward – not upward.
You realize that you were wrong not to consider your destiny, the Bible and making the wise choice. You can’t try again – it is all over! There is no mercy after death. Can you be sure that this is not a correct scenario?
Throughout history there has been an Evil One misleading us and trying to take us down the wrong path. You don’t want to find yourself in a dark hole that you can’t climb out of – ever!
We can speculate about Revelation, have discussions with fellow Christians and unbelievers or we can ignore it altogether. My reason for writing about it is to provoke thought not only on the fate of the earth’s future but also on how we live our life today,
thereby insuring our eternal future. It is far more important to think about our eternal destiny than the few years we may spend on the earth.
Revelation can be frightening, exciting and thought provoking, but nothing to fear
if we know Jesus. The revelation is good news --come Lord come!
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I laughed, even though, I know it's serious and not funny. I tend to write spiritual warfare fiction, showing what the angels and demons are doing and thinking, as well as the humans.