When Are We Now? The first of three studies of The Revelation of Jesus Christ by Paige Ramsey
“Behold! He Comes with Clouds” – Lesson 2: The Salutation
There are four general companies of thought on the book of The Revelation:
1. The Idealist View – Idealists believe that the book of The Revelation describes in symbolic language the battle throughout the ages between God and Satan and good against evil. They idealize that everything in the book of Revelation is just an allegory – tales that symbolize spiritual events that only occur within the heart of a man or woman.[i] [The symbols] are only abstract symbols of good and evil. They may be attached to any time or place, but like the characters of Pilgrim’s Progress, represent qualities or trends. In interpretation, the apocalypse may thus mean anything or nothing according to the whim of the interpreter.[ii]
2. The Preterist View – The Latin word preter means past. Therefore, the Preterists believe this prophecy has already been fulfilled. They believe it happened when Titus invaded Jerusalem in 70 A.D. They et this from Matt. 16:27-28 – For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to His works. Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. What they fail to realize is that there are no chapter divisions in the original text. Matt. 17:1 – And
after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him. – Peter, James and John saw the miniature kingdom of Christ displayed upon the mount of transfiguration! [iii] Later, the apostle John also saw all the events leading up to the second coming, the establishment of the kingdom of Christ, Satan’s demise, he Great White Throne Judgment, the new heavens and new earth, and more, all which he wrote down, and we are now studying.
3. The Historicist View – Historicists believe The Revelation is a symbolic presentation of church history beginning in the first century AD through the end of the age.
“The prophecies of Revelation are fulfilled in various historic events such
as the fall of the Roman Empire, the Protestant Reformation, and the
French Revolution. … This view rose to popularity during the Protestant
Reformation because of its identification of the pope and the papacy with
the beasts of Revelation 13. However, since the beginning of the twentieth
century, it has declined in popularity and influence.”[iv]
4. The Futurist View Futurists believe in the literal fulfillment of the events described in chapters 4-22 and that it is still unfulfilled. Futurists take a literal
approach to interpreting the book of The Revelation. That does not mean that futurists discount any symbolism or figurative language.
The literalist (so called) is not one who denies that figurative language, that
symbols, are used in prophecy, nor does he deny that great spiritual truths
are set forth therein; his position is, simply, that the prophecies are to be
normally interpreted (i.e., according to the received laws of language) as any
other utterances are interpreted – that which is manifestly figurative being so
regarded.[v]
At this time, to which view do you feel you most comfortably relate?
_______________________________________________________________________
I would be considered a futurist. That is how I understand the book of The Revelation. That is how we will be looking at this book in this study.
Why am I a futurist?
1. Because the graves are still full.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
– But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, so you don’t sorrow, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring those also who sleep in Jesus with Him. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede those who are asleep. 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: Then we who 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. Wherefore comfort one another
with these words.
If the prophecy in this book has already happened, why are the graves still full? Where is our hope?
1 Corinthians 15:12-22
– Now if Christ is preached that he rose from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen: And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised Christ: whom He did not raise, if it is true that the dead rise not. For if the dead don’t rise, then Christ is not raised: And if Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in
Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
2. I am also a futurist because the devil has not been bound.
1 Peter 5:8
– Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.
Satan is still walking about. His demons are still making havoc in this world. Until there is no evidence of Satan’s craftiness, deception, and wickedness, the prophecies of The Revelation have not been fulfilled.
3. Also, Christ has not yet set up His kingdom on earth
Christ's Kingdom is a kingdom of peace, where the lion will lay with the lamb, and a child will be able to play with the snakes. He will rule with a rod of iron, enforcing love and harmony. Our world sounds more like this:
2 Timothy 3:1-7
– But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, irreconcilable, false accusers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying its power: from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households, and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away with various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
and this:
2 Timothy 4:3-4
– For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn away their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
I am a futurist because if this is the Kingdom of Christ, then how can we have hope for a better future?
4. Another reason I am a futurist: Death has not been defeated.
1 Corinthians 15:26
– The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
We attended three funerals this week. Death is very much still a part of this world. Death is called our enemy, and rightly so… we don’t like death. I do not understand the view that some hold that says the curse is now lifted from the earth. They think this because Galatians_3:13 says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:” but that is clearly speaking about the curse of the law – not the curse of the earth – not all curses. God cursed this earth when man fell into sin. The curse caused thorns and thistles to grow (Genesis 3:18). I still have stickers in my yard! I fight them every year, but they continue to come up! The curse of the earth also includes death.
Genesis 3:19b
- …till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.
Death is still our enemy – he is not defeated.
5. And, the judgments have not come.
2 Corinthians 5:10
– For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to what he has done, whether it be good or bad.
This is the judgment for God’s people. Not for sins. The judgment for the sins of those who believe took place on Calvary. Jesus paid the price for sin, and there is no more judgment for sin for those who believe. This is the judgment for works. What did you do for Christ? What were you busy about on this earth? Those works that stand the test will be made pure. Those works that do not stand the test will be burned up – annihilated – they will no longer exist. You can read more about it in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15. That judgment has not taken place.
Revelation 20:11a, 12-13
– Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it… And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
The Great White Throne Judgment is the judgment for the dead – those who were born spiritually dead and whose spirit was never quickened (brought to life). They will be judged by their works also, to see if their works measure up to the Law written in the books. This judgment has not taken place, because people are still dying.
6. We live on the same earth John lived on and look into the same heaven that John saw during his lifetime. We still have the same old Jerusalem that was destroyed in 70 AD and has been in turmoil ever since.
Revelation 21:1-2
– And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
The new heaven is not here, the new earth is not here, and the new Jerusalem has not come down out of heaven. Our hope is for a better earth than this cursed earth, and a better life in the New Jerusalem. I am looking forward to this future event!
Among futurists, the greatest controversy concerns the Millennium or the Millennial Reign of Christ. The word “millennium” or “millennial” is not found in the English translations of the Bible – neither is the word “trinity” or “rapture.” We use these words to describe an event or an idea that is found in God’s Word. The word millennial is a Latin word consisting of two parts, like our compound words. The first part, mil = thousand. The second part, ennial = years. Thus, millennial = a thousand years. Now, you may wish to say the “Thousand Year Reign of Christ” if you have trouble using a word that is not found in the Bible, but when you speak to others, keep in mind that when they say “The Millennium,” they are speaking about the same thing. The Bible was originally written in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek. No English words were in the original text, and neither were there any Latin words. However, the book of Genesis tells us that God is the author of all the languages, so I do not believe God is getting hung up on which terms we use. A quick glance in Revelation 20 will reveal that the Thousand Year (Millennial) Reign is definitely described in God’s Word.
Rev. 20:2 – Satan, and bound him a thousand years… 20:3 – till the thousand years should be fulfilled… 20:4 – lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years… 20:5 – lived not again until the thousand years were finished… 20:6 – shall reign with Him a thousand years… 20:7 – when the thousand years are expired…
Some say the thousand years are literally a thousand years on this earth, some say the thousand years is a figurative term and cannot be taken literally. Among those with a literal view, some say Christ will come before the thousand years, some say after. Some say the church will be taken out of the world and will come back with the Lord, some say the church will remain on the earth until the Lord returns.
There are three basic views that futurists have concerning the Second Coming:
1. The Premillennial View – pre = before. Premillennialists believe the 2nd Coming of Christ occurs before the thousand year kingdom is established. This is the view I hold and will be presenting mostly. Premillennialists believe logic suggests that a kingdom cannot be established without a king. When the King comes, He will establish His kingdom. After the Second Coming occurs, Christ will set up His reign.
2. The Postmillennial View post = after. Postmillennialists believe the 2nd Coming occurs after the thousand year kingdom is established and it is brought in by the preaching of the gospel. They contend that because of the gospel being preached, things are getting better and better and soon it will become so good that Christ will be able to come to reign. Postmillennialists generally believe that most all the people who are not saved will be saved during the thousand year reign of Christ. They do not like the idea of many people going to hell. This, they acclaim, is contrary to the purpose of the gospel.
However, in observation, things are not getting better and better – things continually get worse.
1 Corinthians 15:24-25
– Then comes the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet.
Ever since God cursed this earth, it continually decays. Death is eminent, and the bodies all turn back into the dust from which God made it. If you collect antiques, you know that things deteriorate over time, and a conscious effort must be made to keep preserving them so they will last.
But, more than that… on the spiritual level – things are not getting better either. Sin is running more rampant today than ever before. My sister told me yesterday that she heard on the news a shocking statistic: over 75% of our children have seen hard-core porn before they are twelve years of age! This is due to the use of cell phones – and if you, as a parent, have been wise enough to not allow your child to have a cell phone that receives pictures… guess what – they have friends who gladly share what comes over their cell phones. In our conversation, my sister also relayed a custody case concerning a friend who fought for custody of her four year old twin boys, who were allowed to view significant amounts of pornography with their dad. She won the case and the dad was given only supervised visitation rights – his (the dad’s) mother was declared a supervisor. The judge said that was all that could be done, because it is the findings that pornography is now in 90% of our American homes! This is in the nation that was flooded with so many persecuted Christians who fled from Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries – the country that declared “In God we trust” – the “one nation under God.” This nation has been a beacon light for Christianity throughout the world since its beginning – yet, our spiritual scale shows we are declining rapidly in our own walk with the Lord.
I lean toward premillennialism because if is up to us to preach the gospel well enough to usher in the kingdom of Christ, I am not comforted by the prospect that it will ever come about. I believe the Bible clearly teaches that things will get worse and worse until Christ comes to make things right. This does not cause me to give up on spreading the gospel – in fact, it makes me even more anxious to make sure I am fulfilling all that I can to propagate the gospel because there are still lost sheep who must hear the Word so that they can believe and be saved.
3. The Amillennial View – a = no. Amillennialists believe in no actual thousand year reign of Christ on this earth. They say the kingdom of Christ is within the heart of the individual, and that it is going on right now in the hearts of the Believers.
Which view are you most familiar with? ________________________________________
Revelation 1:4-8 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be to you, and peace, from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, He comes with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also who pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
This is the salutation or greeting of the book of The Revelation.
"John to the seven churches which are in Asia.”
This book is designed to be sent to God’s people. The natural man is not able to understand this book. It is spiritually discerned. One of the jobs of the Holy Spirit, Who comes to live in the heart of the Believer, is to instruct us in the truth. In his gospel, John deals with this intently:
John_14:17
– Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him: but you know Him; for he dwells with you, and will be in you.
John_15:26
– But when the Comforter comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
John_16:13
– However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak of Himself [on His own authority]; but whatever he hears, He will speak: and He will tell you things to come.
It is only through the Holy Spirit that we understand the truths of God. The natural (unsaved) man does not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in him to instruct him. Until he believes, through the wooing of the Holy Spirit[vi], he cannot comprehend these truths. He may be intelligent and understand all the words and the original languages, he may have memorized much Scripture, but until his spirit is made alive through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit, the understanding of God’s truth will escape him.
John_6:63 – It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
1 Corinthians_2:10 – But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
1 Corinthians_2:14 – But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Are you a spiritually reborn child of God? ______________________________________
Asia in Biblical times is what we now know as Asia Minor or Turkey. The question that screams to be answered is: WHY THESE SEVEN CHURCHES? Did the Revelation have no meaning to the Church of Rome, Athens, or Corinth? Did the Lord have nothing to say to any other church? If it was just a territorial inclusion because the letters could not easily be delivered elsewhere, that would certainly belittle God’s ability, and there were three other churches in existence in Asia Minor. I’m certain the students of God’s Word down through the centuries pondered this question.
However, it comes to light at the end of these last days that the things prevalent in these seven churches correlate most astonishingly with the things that were prevalent in the church as a whole in the various stages of church history. This could not have been understood during the first stages of the last days, or in the middle stages when the Dark Ages kept learning at a minimum. But now, at the end of the last days, we can look back through Church history and follow the progress of the Church and see the correlation. I believe these seven churches represent the Church Age in its completion. If this is true, chapters 2 & 3 of The Revelation will parallel the Church Age from its beginning to its end.
Biblical Numerology: numbers are significant in God’s Word. Seven is very significant.
1 = God (One God) One denotes absolute singleness.[vii] 1x1=1 God is sufficient in Himself. He needs nothing. He is sovereign in Himself. He does as He pleases – He doesn’t answer to anyone – He s God. He is One.
2 = Witness (2 witnesses establish truth – Mat. 18:16-20; Jesus sent out the disciples by two’s – Mark 6:7; John the Baptist sent two to ask Jesus
– Luke 7:19; 2 disciples went to see John the Baptist – Mat. 11:2; Jesus appeared to two disciples at a time – Mark 16:12); if 2 agree on earth, it shall be done – Mat. 18:19; where 2 are gathered, Jesus is there – Mat. 18:20)
3 = Deity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit – the Trinity or the Triune Godhead – 1 John 5:7; man made in the image of God – Body, Soul, Spirit – a Triune being – 1 Thess. 5:23)
4 = Material World (The creation of all things that you see around you. 4 seasons – spring, summer, fall, winter; 4 directions – north, south, east, west; 4 elements – earth, fire, air, water; 4 beasts around the Throne of God; 4 earthly kingdoms in Daniel 7:2; 4 types of soil in Matthew 13)
5 = Grace (5 Levitical offerings, Benjamin’s portion was 5 times larger – Gen. 43:34; Jesus took 5 loaves of barley to feed 5,000 – Mat. 14:17, David chose 5 smooth stones; man has 5 fingers on each hand, 5 toes on each foot, and 5 senses) “The number five is the symbol of God’s grace. Grace should never be confused with merit, because merit is only for the worthy. But unlike merit, grace is for everyone without any prejudice and preconception.”[viii]
6 = Man (created on the 6th day; 6 = 7-1 – man falls short of spiritual perfection; 6 cities of refuge where a condemned man could retreat; the antichrist’s number is 666 – the number of man multiplied.)
7 = Spiritual Perfection or Completion (On the 7th day, God rested–creation complete; 7 days in a week; God’s Word–pure like silver purified 7 times in fire; forgive others 70x7; 7 demons went out from Mary Magdalene, symbolizing complete deliverance; slaves are freed the 7th year; 7 Gifts of the Spirit in Rom. 12; 7 golden candlesticks; 7 stars in Jesus’ hand; 7 Spirits before the Throne; 7 churches in Revelation could represent the completed Church Age.)
8 = Resurrection, Regeneration, or New Beginning. The 8th day was the first day of the new week; 8 people began the human race again after the flood; circumcision performed on the 8th day; The Feast of the Tabernacles lasts 8 days and celebrates a new beginning; the number for Jesus’ name in the Greek, numerically is 888; there are exactly 888 Greek words in the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ.)
9 = Finality (9 generations from Adam to Noah – the finality of the Old World; 9 generations from Noah to Abram; Abram was 99 when God changed his name – finalizing his previous life; 9 months is the finality of the gestation period; Jesus died at the 9th hour)
10 = Law and Government (10 Commandments; 10 tribes in the northern kingdom; 10 judges sat with Boaz; we pay the tithe (1/10th) to the Lord)
12 = Divine Government (12 tribes of Israel; 12 Apostles; New Jerusalem has 12 gates, 12 pearls, 12 angels, 12 foundations of precious gems, each wall is 12,000 furlongs)
30 = Mourning (Aaron's death mourned for 30 days; Moses' death mourned for 30 days) Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord for 30 pieces of silver and later mourned his action.
40 = Testing or Trials (It rained 40 days and 40 nights; Moses was 40 days and nights on Mt. Sinai; Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness; Jesus 40 days of temptation)
50 = Liberty and Celebration (Pentecost: 50 days after the Passover – also known as the Feast of Harvest & Feast of Weeks – celebration of thanksgiving; Year of Jubilee: every 50th Year – all debts are cleared, all land goes back to original owners, all slaves are set free) The year of Jesus’ death, burial, & resurrection was the Year of Jubilee!!
Biblical numerology (the study of numbers in the Bible) is an interesting study and a help in Biblical symbolism, but one should never read more into it than symbolism. Some have spent years trying to uncover hidden messages and meanings in the Bible by using numbers. God did not hide things in His Word. He gave His Word so that we could understand and see the light! The only thing missing from someone uncovering its wonderful messages is the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is the teacher and abides in the heart of the believer. If you feel you are not receiving what you need from God’s Word, pray – ask the Lord to reveal to you and, if you are truly saved (a believer), the Holy Spirit will teach you its truths.
In verse four, John greets the churches with grace and peace – what a great salutation! If there is anything we need in our church, we need grace and peace foremost! Notice also that though John begins by saying, “John, to the seven churches…” he quickly asserts that he is bringing grace and peace not from himself, but from three others:
From the Father (which is, which was, which is to come) – God is: He is today. He is here for our problems, He is here for our joys, He is here to comfort, He is here to bestow blessings! And… God was: there has never been a time that God has not been. He was there in creation, He was there in the flood, He was there during the plagues, He was there to guide, to instruct, to bring mankind a savior! And… God is to come: there will never be a time when God is not. He will be there when the world is in tribulation, He will be there when the judgments come, He will be there when the great whore is condemned, He will be there in the thousand year reign, He will be there in the new heaven and new earth, He will be throughout eternity!
From the Spirit (the seven Spirits which are before His throne) – Isaiah 11:2 names seven aspects of the Holy Spirit: “the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord” – this is the completion of the Spirit – the fullness of the Spirit.
From the Son (…the faithful witness – In John 17:14 Jesus says to the Father, “I have given them Thy Word…” Jesus was faithful to the Father to witness to the men on earth.) (…the first begotten of the dead – 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 gives us an insight into this title:
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Jesus was not the first person to rise from the dead, but every other person who was raised from the dead was still under the control of death, and died again. Jesus was the first to conquer death and its hold. Jesus rose from the dead and released all his people who died before him, and all those who believe on Him at his coming. He had to be the first to enter heaven to offer the sacrifice in the real “holy of holies” – God’s abode. (…the prince of the kings of the world – Jesus is the one in charge. Even though Satan is called the “god of this world,” he can only do what the Lord Jesus Christ allows him to do. The president of the United States, the queen of England, the pope, and every other leader on this earth cannot do anything that God Almighty allows and ordains him/her to do.)
We’re facing devastation in our country today. Turn on the television and you will soon hear of another terrorist attack, a kidnapping, or a vicious murder. We no longer feel safe in our country, in our schools, in our neighborhoods, or in our homes. But, praise the Lord! God has given us grace and peace! We can feel safe as a child of God! “Our confidence is not in our president or our senate or our congress. Our confidence is in One much mightier, One much more dependable!”[ix]
The Giver of The Revelation is the Divine Godhead, the Trinity. God is in complete control – aren’t you glad of that?? Some people aren’t. Some people do not want God to be in control. They want to have control of their own. We humans like that. It is part of the depraved nature we inherited from our earthly father, Adam, who received it from Satan in the Garden of Eden. Jesus looked at those who wanted to control everything in His day and said, “You are of your father, the devil!” But try as we might, thank the Lord, we cannot control what happens in this period of “time” we live in! God is in control. He does as He pleases. He doesn’t negotiate – He dictates. And I am thankful He does, because that’s the only way we are assured that He is working out everything for our good.
How does it make you feel to know God is in control of everything that happens?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
"Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.”
Jesus loves us! We don’t have to wonder about that because He proved it! He gave up His life – shed His own blood so that we could have life. He washed us with that blood to cleanse us from our sin and from our guilt. We didn’t deserve it. He now sits at the right hand of the Father and makes intercession for our sins when Satan accuses us. He made us kings and priests – as a child of God, you are a priest! You can go directly to the throne of God to speak to Him and to bring requests on behalf of those who do not know Him! He bestows blessings upon us every day. We don’t deserve these things. Why does He do them? Because He loves us! He just loves us. The more you realize this, the more you can truly give Him all the glory, all the power, and all the honor forever!
“Behold, He comes with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they who pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.”
Some views contend this verse is not speaking of the Rapture, but of the Second Coming – the Revelation. Most of those who believe in the rapture believe the church will not have to go through the great tribulation. They believe that before that time, the Lord will come secretly and take His church – His bride – out of the world. Since this verse describes "every eye shall see Him..." it cannot be speaking about a secret event but a very public event.
Those who believe in a “pre-wrath rapture” (a view that is very plausible, logical, and has much validity in God's Word) see this verse as a confirmation that the Lord will come in the clouds to gather His Bride and all will see Him as the full wrath of God is poured out upon the earth. This is only one of the reasons they contend that the rapture is not secret, but public and that Christians will go through the first part of the tribulation.
At the Second Coming, Christ will ride a white horse, His army will also ride white horses, and a sword will go out of His mouth to destroy. Those holding to a "pre-tribulation rapture" claim the event spoken of here is the Second Coming – where every eye shall see Him.
Alpha and Omega – the beginning and the ending – God is it all! From A to Z – anything that can be named or expressed using the letters in between, God is in control of it all.
God is the Almighty! He is:
Omniscient – All-knowing. Nothing is hidden from the Almighty God. He knows everything that has happened, everything happening at any moment, and everything that is to come. He knows the intent behind any human act, the purpose, the immediate outcomes, and the slightest consequences that will occur down the various lines of events because of it. God knows.
Omnipresent – All-present. God is present everywhere at any time and at all times. He encompasses all of His creation. There is no place to escape Him. He is present. Psalm 139:7-13 is a great passage to reflect on the omnipresence of God Almighty.
Omnipotent – All-powerful. God can do anything and everything. Nothing is impossible for our God. No situation is too big or too dreadful and no detail is too small for Him to take in hand.
Always keep these attributes of the Almighty God in mind when entertaining a doctrine or religious thought. When God is almighty, other doctrines fall into place properly. Anything that binds or limits God is error. Praise the Almighty God who is and was and is to come! We look for the day when He comes with clouds and sets up His Kingdom where He will reign forever and ever!
In the next lesson, we’ll be studying Revelation 1:8-18 and take a look at the glorified Christ revealed. To prepare, read this portion of Scripture and make any notes or questions to bring to class.
[i] Zukeran, Patrick, http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.5110361/.
[ii] Tenney, Merrill, Interpreting Revelation, ©Grand Rapids: William Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1957, p.146.
[iii] Cozart, Dr. Dan W., http://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.asp?SID=31411173790.
[iv] Zukeran, Patrick, http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.5110361/.
[v] Lange, J. P., Commentary of the Holy Scriptures: Revelation, ©1872, New York: Scribner's,98, quoted in Charles Ryrie, Dispensationalism (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2007), 91, and in Patrick Zukeran’s site, http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.5110361/.
[vi] John_6:44 – No man can come to Me, except the Father who sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
[vii] Fairchild, Mary, Bible Numerology, http://christianity.about.com/od/biblefactsandlists/qt/Bible-Numerology.htm
[viii] http://www.astrovera.com/bible-religion/172-bible-number-5.html
[ix] Cozart, Dr. Dan W., http://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.asp?SID=31411173790