World events are so disturbing, many are asking, “Could the Second Coming of Christ be close at hand?” A few who call themselves ministers are predicting the actual year and day of “the end”—in direct violation of the statements of Christ Himself! (Matthew 24:36, 25:13; Mark 13:32)
The book of Revelation is often hard to understand. And many details won’t become clear until these events begin to unfold, but God is not trying to conceal; He’s is trying to reveal.
Dr. Rogers explained in his introduction to Revelation that there is a key to help you unlock and understand this book. It’s hanging on the front door, in the first chapter, verse 19, within the Lord’s commission to John to write this book:
“Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” Rev. 1:19
Our Lord’s statement to John shows that the book of Revelation is divided into 3 sections. Let’s look at each of them:
“Things you have seen.”
What had John seen? A vision of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Write it,” and John wrote it. We could call this “past things.” This division is small—only chapter one.
“Things which are.”
“The things which are” refers to “the Church Age,” from Pentecost to the present. This division is also relatively small (only two chapters) and contains messages to seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. While they were literal churches in Asia Minor back then, they also represent churches through the ages since. Right now we’re living in “the things which are.” We could call this “present things.”
“Things which shall be hereafter.”
“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven. And the first voice I heard…said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.” (Revelation 4:1)
Only God knows the future. The devil doesn’t. Nor do today’s soothsayers, prophets, and prognosticators. Understanding these 3 divisions is our golden key to Revelation, and with it on our hands we will be better equipped to understand.
An in-depth study of Revelation reveals seven major events to come:
#1—THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH/DEPARTURE OF THE SAINTS. Notice that from Revelation 4:1 on, the word “church” drops out. Why? Because the church is going to be raptured. We who know Christ are not here on earth; we’re in Heaven, experiencing the judgment seat of Christ and the marriage of the Lamb. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) When will the rapture take place? At any moment. No sign or prophecy must yet be fulfilled before Jesus can come for His church.
#2—THE RISE OF THE BEAST/THE DEVIL’S DECEPTIONS. When the church is taken out, the man of sin, the antichrist, will be revealed (Revelation 13:1-3).
#3—THE GREAT TRIBULATION/DEVASTATION OF THE EARTH. For seven years the antichrist will hold sway, deceiving the nations, and God will pour out His wrath (Revelation 16-19).
#4—ARMAGEDDON/DEFEAT OF THE BEAST AND HIS ARMIES. (Revelation 19:17-21)
#5— THE MILLENNIAL REIGN/PEACE AND DOMINION OF JESUS. The lamb and lion will lie down together and Jesus will reign. (Revelation 20:1-6)
#6— THE FINAL JUDGMENT/DOOM OF THE LOST. “And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it….” (Revelation 20:11-15)
#7— THE FINAL STATE/DESTINY OF MANKIND. “And He said unto me, it is done.” (Revelation 21:1-22:17)
Where Will You Be?
The most important question for you today is: “Where will you be?”
When God created you, He made you in His image, a living soul. Endless, timeless, dateless, measureless, your soul will be in existence somewhere. God is making new heavens and a new earth. When these things are going on, where will your soul be? You have a life to live, a death to die, a judgment to face, and an eternity to endure, either in heaven or in hell.
The wisest thing you could ever do would be to give your heart to Jesus Christ. The last words in the Bible are an invitation: “And whosoever is athirst, let him come and take of the water of life freely.” And its last prayer is, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.”
