REVELATION Behold, the days come. Will You Be Ready?

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REVELATION Behold, the days come. Will You Be Ready?

Is the unseen now visible, is the unrealized now taking place? In 1947 the nation of Israel was born.

On December 6th did President Trump fulfill scripture with his words shook the world. For the first time in over 2000 years, Jerusalem was recognized as the capital of Israel.

To my knowledge the word rapture does not occur in the Bible. The term comes from a Latin word meaning “a carrying off, a transport, or a snatching away.” The concept of the “carrying off” or the rapture of the church is clearly taught in Scripture. HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT The book of Revelation is an exciting yet often misunderstood book of the Bible, it was probably Written between 35 and 65 years after Jesus' resurrection. An “early date”, around 64-68 A.D., during the reign of the Roman emperor, Nero • A “late date”, around 95-96 A.D., during the reign of emperor Domitian. This text became a source of hope and encouragement for Christians facing persecution. If there is one verse that summarizes the theme of the book of Revelation, it is this one: “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Re 17:14)

POINTS OF UNITY Although the book of Revelation allows for many interpretations, all Christians seem to agree that:

The message of the book is relevant for Christians today, as it was for Christians in the times of the apostles; The main purpose of the book is to provide hope and encouragement for believers of all times, especially in times of persecution or suffering; which is happening in today’s society The message of the book is clear on at least three points: • Christ is coming back and will judge humanity; • The powers of evil are doomed before Christ; • God promises a wonderful future for all who believe in Christ.

GOD ACTING IN HISTORY Both the Old and New Testaments reveal God as Lord over history. Christians of all eras have believed that Jesus will return a second time, however not all Christians have agreed that Revelation is all about the second coming. Whether the visions in Revelation have been, are being, or have yet to be fulfilled is a matter of debate, but the spirit of the last chapter calling on Jesus to come quickly is something all Christians can agree upon—"Come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20)

Also Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 King James Version (KJV)

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord.

666 Number of the beast recorded in Revelation 13:18. Neither Greek nor Hebrew had a written system of numbers. Instead, each letter of the alphabet indicated a different number. Many scholars have noted that, in Hebrew, the number of Emperor Nero's name is 666. (Nero reigned AD 54-68. He was the first emperor to persecute Christians.) Perhaps the best approach to the number 666 is to remember that six is a symbol of incompleteness; 666 would, therefore, indicate absolute imperfection.

144,000 Group of believers who endure the great tribulation (Revelation 7:14). Some students believe that these persons are literally 144,000 Jews—12,000 from each tribe—who trust in Jesus Christ (see Revelation 7:4-9).1 Others point out that, after the Assyrians conquered Israel (722 BC), ten of the tribes ceased to exist. Furthermore, in the New Testament, "Israel" and "twelve tribes" frequently refer to Christians (Rom. 9:6-8; Gal. 6:16; James 1:1; see also Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30). So, this group could symbolize the church on earth. In this case, the number would symbolize the people of God (12) multiplied by the people of God (12) multiplied by greatness (1,000)—in other words, the full number of God's people who endure to the end.2

antichrist (From Greek, antichristos, in place of Christ) Anyone who denies the apostle's teachings about Jesus Christ (1 John 2:18-22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7). Specifically, the antichrist is a Satanic counterfeit of Jesus Christ, described as "lawless" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-8) and as a "beast" (Revelation 13:1-18; 17:3-17). The antichrist may be a specific person who rises to power during the tribulation. Or, the antichrist may be a symbol of the false teachers and leaders who will arise when the end of the age draws near.

apocalyptic literature (From Greek, apokalypsis, revealing) Jewish genre of writing, structured around visions that figuratively pointed to hidden truths for assuring God's people of the goodness of God's plans during periods of persecution.

Armageddon (From Hebrew, Har-Megiddon, Mount Megiddo) The city of Megiddo was located between the Plain of Jezreel and the western coast of Israel. Deborah, Gideon, Saul, Ahaziah, and Josiah fought decisive battles near Megiddo. So, the valley of Megiddo became the symbol of a point of decisive conflict. Based on the reference to "Armageddon" in Revelation 16:16, some students believe that a literal battle will occur near Megiddo. Others, however, point out that there is no such place as Megiddo; Megiddo lies in a broad plain.3 These students understand the reference to Armageddon as a symbol of the ultimate conflict between good and evil.

Church age The time period from the beginning of the church (about AD 30) until Jesus Christ returns for everyone who has trusted in Him, as promised in John 14.

eschatology (From Greek, eschatos, final) Study of the Bible's teachings about events leading to Christ's second coming.

final judgement The event described in Revelation 20:11-15, when God resurrects all people, judges them, and delivers them to their eternal destinies.

first coming of Christ, The earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ, about 4 BC-AD 30.

mark of the beast Indication of a person's allegiance to antichrist (Rev. 13:16,17). The people of God receive a similar mark, indicating their allegiance to Christ (Revelation 7:3; 9:4; 14:1; 22:4). Some premillennialists believe that the mark of the beast will be an actual mark, required by the the antichrist. Other interpreters of Revelation understand the mark as a reference to a person's deeds ("hand") and beliefs ("forehead"). "Hand" and "forehead" carry this meaning in Exodus 13:9,16. millennium (From Latin, mille, thousand) Christ's reign on earth, described in Revelation 20:4-6. Premillennialists believe that the millennium is a future event and that Christ will return before (pre-) the millennium. Amillennialists treat the millennium as a symbol of Christ's present reign among His people. Postmi 11 enn ial ists believe that Christ will return after (post-) the millennium.

rapture (From Latin, raptus, carry away) Event described in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, when Christ will return for His people. Dispensational premillennialists say the rapture and the second coming of Christ are two events. They place the rapture before the tribulation and the second coming after the tribulation. Historic premillennialists say that the rapture and second coming are one event.

second coming The bodily return of Jesus Christ to earth, to reign as king.

tribulation, great Time-period when severe calamities besiege the world and persons who remain faithful to Christ will suffer intense persecution (see Revelation 7:14). Amillennialists and many postmillennialists treat the tribulation as a symbol of the calamities and persecutions that have occurred throughout church history. Premillennialists place the tribulation at the end of time. Some premillennialists believe the tribulation will last exactly seven years. Other premillennialists view the seven years as a symbol of the completeness of God's dealings with the world.

Resources

1 Hal Lindsey, There's A New World Coming (Santa Ana: Vision, 1973) 112-125; J. Vernon McGee, Revelation Chapters 6-13 in Thru the Bible Commentary (Nashville: Nelson, 1991) 64-69. ^George E. Ladd, A Commentary on the Revelation of John (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972) 117; Herschel Hobbs, "Amillennialism," in Revelation: Three Viewpoints (Nashville: Broadman, 1977) 99. 3Bruce M. Metzger, Breaking the Code (Nashville: Abingdon, 1993) 84; Leon Morris, The Revelation of St. John (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984) 200; Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977) 302. © 2005 RW Research, Inc. Rose Publishing, Inc. www.rose-publishing.com May be reproduced for classroom use only, not for sale.

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