The Revelation of John

Scripture: Revelation 22 v 18 - 19:  "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Many people believe that these words apply to the whole Bible, and in a way they do, but they are a specific emphasis to the Book of Revelation, as revealed to John the Apostle on the Isle of Patmos when he was 90 years old. 

The Holy Spirit placed a discipline with consequences on this particular book because the nature of the revelations would be difficult for people 1900 years ago to grasp, indeed even today some visions are hard to interpret. No matter what we think, we cannot change a word of it or risk dire punishment. 

So John saw the ascended Christ with His hair as white as wool and eyes like flames of fire. He received from His mouth the letters written to the Seven churches of Asia Minor, urging them to overcome evil and receive rewards, or suffer the consequences.  

John was caught up into Heaven to see the Throne of God in the midst of a sea of glass, and the One who sat on the Throne surrounded by a rainbow. Around the throne were 24 elders seated on their thrones with golden crowns on their heads. Before the throne were 7 lamps of fire burning which are the Seven Spirits of God. 

Rev 5 v 6: ".....and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb a it had been slain, having 7 horns and 7 eyes, which are the Seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth."

The Lamb was the only One found worthy to open the seals. The 7th seal when opened caused a mighty earthquake - the sun became black; the moon became like blood; the stars of heaven fell; the heaven departed and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.  After this 144,000 ie 12000 out of each of the 12 tribes of Israel were sealed in their foreheads. They have a song that no one else can sing to bring the message of salvation to the Jews. 

Then comes the condemnation of Rome, named as Babylon, the Great Whore, because of all the evil it has done to keep people from the truth. The Spanish Inquisition made 68 million martyrs, whose blood cries out for revenge.  Chapter 17 - 18. Verse 9: "And here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth." When Rome falls with great burning and destruction a great lament will sound from many nations. 

Chapter 21 v 9ff: "....Come hither I will show thee the Bride, the Lamb's wife. ....And had a great wall and high, and had twelve gates....and names written thereon which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel." The Bride is Israel. The church is not the Bride because it is the Body of Jesus, who is the Bridegroom. 

When this truth sinks in so much becomes apparent especially why the world is judged on its attitude to Israel. Those who love Israel show that they are the true body of Christ. Jesus in their hearts can only manifest love for His precious Bride.  

In the end of the Revelation, long after the church has been Raptured to be joined to Jesus the Head, to complete the Bridegroom, the Spirit and the Bride say, Come Lord Jesus! These are the words He has waited thousands of years to hear. His Bride recognises Him again. She is in her right mind. Everything Satan did to tear them apart has failed. 

"There is joy unspeakable and full of glory and the half has never yet been told."

Prayer: Heavenly Father, the divide between the righteous and the sinners grows wider every day and You are busy separating the sheep from the goats. Goats are too proud to even believe they could be wrong. Father we pray that You would humble their proud hearts so they may become true sheep before its too late. Father You resist the proud but give grace to the humble. Help us to always remember this. In Jesus' name. Amen.