Apocalypse Now?*

       "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy (aleph-tav/Alpha and Omega) way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." (Josh. 1:8).

     The Word of God, as we see above, is to be the basis of our daily life - in meditation, observing and doing. However, scripture is not one dimensional. It is not set in cement, but it can have several applications. Many have tried to apply the Book of Revelation into set portions of "past, present, and future", but if we look closely, we will see that the Lord is clear as to the timing of events. Revelation is not a difficult Book to understand, and it is not one dimensional, but a living Book. Many have a preconceived idea as to the meaning of the word "apocalypse", but the meaning from a secular English dictionary may surprise you. Here are some of the definitions for "apocalypse":

1. Revelation
2. Jewish/Christian writings revealing the ultimate divine purpose
3. Cataclysmic revelation in which good triumphs over evil

     The Meaning in Greek of the word "apocalypse" includes:

1. laying bare
2. disclosure, instruction, in the truth of previously unknown things
3. events previously withdrawn from view, but now made visible to all
4. manifestation

     In Revelation Chapter 1, the purpose of this revelation, which is from Jesus Christ to John, is "to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass..." (v. 1). This is speaking about the future, not things that happened in the past or present. However, He also spoke of past events, such as His death and atonement for our sins (v. 5-6), and He is speaking in the present to John as John records all that is told to him. Jesus spoke of His return as a future event: "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. " (v. 7, also see Zech. 12:10). Jesus told John: "Write the things which thou hast seen (past), and the things which are (present), and the things which shall be hereafter (future). (v. 18, see also Rev. 4:1). Again, we read of past, present, and future in these words to John. In verse 10, John wrote: "I was in the spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great (loud) voice, as of a trumpet." Many interpret "the Lord's day" as meaning that this occurred on a Sunday. However, what if what John was experiencing in the Spirit had nothing to do with the day of the week, but rather about John's experiencing prophetically The Day of The Lord? This would explain much of what John saw in later chapters of Revelation.

     Jesus' message is to be sent to the seven churches of Asia, which also represent the conditions found in the Church today. John described Christ's relationship with the Churches: "...being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle." (v. 12-13). The churches are described as seven golden candlesticks, or menorahs in Hebrew, with Christ in the midst. We are in the Feast of Hanukkah now, which commemorates the miracle of the oil, which kept the golden lampstand in the temple lit for eight days. The churches of Christ, represented as these golden candlesticks in Revelation, and called by Christ "the light of the world", should be observing the Feast of Lights and Dedication as Christ was the Light of the world and observed it.

     As Jesus delivered His messages to the seven churches through John in Rev. Ch. 2, He spoke of the future rewards awaiting the repentant and obedient churches who heard what the Spirit was saying and overcame, as well as the future consequences that would fall upon the churches that would not repent. To the church of Ephesus: "...will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God." (Rev. 2:7). To Smyrna, if they overcame by hearing the Spirit, Jesus promised they: "...shall not be hurt of the second death." (v. 11). To the church of Pergamos, those who heard the Spirit and overcame: "...will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that received it." (v. 17). To the church of Thyratira, a punishment would await those who had joined with a woman who was a false prophetess, whom Christ called "Jezebel", who refused to repent. They, with her, would be thrown into the great tribulation unless they repented (v. 20-22). The great tribulation will occur right before the return of Christ. It is the wrath of God, and the people of God are not ordained to experience His wrath. Here, His people are commanded to repent before the great tribulation, or suffer through it.  However, for those at Thyratira who have not been a part of these Satanic doctrines, if they hold fast "until I come", and overcome, "to him will I give power over nations." (v. 24-26). The rewards mentioned are ordained at the return of Christ, or after His return. All of these things are future events. However, we must keep in mind the instruction in Rev. 1:3: "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." 

     John also identified his present time as being a time of tribulation because of the word of God given to him to preach, and for his testimony of Jesus Christ (v. 9).  John was an eyewitness not only to the empty tomb of Christ, but he was convinced by the empty burial cloth seen there with which the body of Jesus had been covered (Jn. 20:3-8). This is the same burial cloth that we now call the Shroud of Turin. John did not characterize his present time as the great tribulation, however, which had not yet come. Stop believing in a pre-tribulation rapture! We are seeing tribulation happening right now as Antisemitism rises, as a vicious terrorist attack occurred against Israel on Oct. 7th, and as people of faith are persecuted. The prophet Zechariah in delivering the Word of the LORD wrote: "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all people...they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day, will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it." (Zech. 1:1-3). The United Nations now is condemning Israel and calling for the area to be called "Palestine" with Jerusalem as its capital. This is against all that God promised in His Word. Beware of touching the covenant land of Israel because by this same prophet, Zechariah, the LORD promises to defend Judah and Jerusalem Himself (see Zech. 12:7-9). Not only will the LORD defend His land, but at that time, He will cause the eyes of His people to see, by the Spirit of grace and supplications, their Messiah who died for them: "...and they shall look upon me  whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn...In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness." (Zech. 12:10 and 13:1). That fountain that cleanses sin is the blood of the Lamb.

     

     Revelation 19 tells us that the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.  The parables of Jesus tell us that when the Bridegroom (referring to Himself) comes, it will be those who are ready, and wearing their proper wedding garments, who will be the ones allowed in. The Bride weaves her wedding garments by living the Word and Kingdom of God: not just as talk but as being in the fulness of the stature of Christ. The Book of Revelation is meant to be the unveiling of the plan of God, urging us to be overcomers: overcoming those things that are part of our humanity, and not part of the Kingdom of God. Read the Book of Revelation and see what it is saying to you today.

     *Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson, Jr.'s 12/10/23 message to the church. If you would like to hear the complete message, you can find it on Dr. Stevenson's Facebook page. To contact or support this ministry, you can write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705.