“He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be His God and he will be My son” (Rev 21:7).
Revelation is full of symbolism and eternal hope
Secret seals, loud trumpets and locusts that look like horses ready for battle. A woman is clothed with the sun, moon and a crown of twelve stars. There are red, white, green and black horses. Angels and a dragon have a battle. The number of the beast is 666. There are seven bowls full of God’s wrath. A scarlet beast has seven heads and ten horns. There are flashes of lightning, peals of thunder and earthquakes. 144,000 people are sealed securely. There is smoke, fire, drought, plagues and blood. Hailstorms drop 100 lb hail from heaven. The sun is darkened and the moon becomes like blood. A beast comes out of the sea with seven heads and ten horns. An army has 200 million men. They gather at a place called Armageddon.
These are some scary and dramatic figures in the final book of the Bible. It is a book called the Apocalypse, or Revelation, and it was given to the apostle John in a vision regarding events yet to take place. Revelation is likely the most disturbing prophetic book in all the books of the Bible. It is presented like a puzzle waiting to be unraveled or, rather, explode. But like the Old Testament prophets, the doom-and-gloom visions are accompanied by glorious and wonderful visions of hope.
The book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ uses many symbols that can be explained by using the Bible. The book itself interprets incense as prayers of saints, lamps as ecclesias, ten horns as ten kings and waters as peoples. One of the main prophecies that encourage hope is the message that Jesus is coming soon (Rev 22:7, 12, 20). What is so hopeful about that? When he returns, believers have the hope of being raised from the dead and life eternal (1 Thess 4:13-18, 1 Cor 15:20-26, 50-57). Jesus will be leading the final battles against all that is wrong with the world (Rev 19:11-20: 3; Zech 14:1- 9, 16). This will be one step in starting a new world order and a new, perfected earth (Rev 21:1-4, 22-27; 22:1-6: Isa 2:2-4). Jesus will become king and lead the healing of the earth — religiously, politically, environmentally, and personally.
Hope for churches
Jesus sent an authoritative message of hope to seven special churches in Asia. He used Revelation to rebuke, direct and encourage these churches, which were dealing with various challenges. These messages were intended for all churches, as all followers of Messiah will encounter similar issues. Those who overcome spiritual obstacles and adversity will also inherit the same amazing rewards below.
Judgment day
One of the main themes in Revelation is the good-vs-evil battle between righteous followers of Jesus and those who persecute the church. This is presented in a variety of ways and, ultimately, leads to the judgment battle of evil nations, known as Armageddon (Rev 16:16). This same judgment is personalized throughout Scripture in what is known as the “day of judgment” (2 Pet 2:9; 3:7; 1 John 4:17). Those whom God chooses will be resurrected and “stand before the judgment seat of Christ” to receive their reward or punishment (Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10). Jesus referred to the “day of judgment” many times, often in parables. The parable of sheep and goats in Matthew 25 is one clear example where some people receive a reward and some condemnation. In that parable, Jesus commends people who treat others with kindness, while he rebukes any who do not treat people the way they would like to be treated. Another parable in Matt 13:47-50 is about a net that is full of both good and bad fish. When they are being examined, the good ones are used and the bad ones are discarded. The message is clear that at judgment day, Jesus will select those whom he chooses and reject those who are unworthy. In addition, the reward of the faithful happens when Jesus returns and not earlier:
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory” (1 Pet 5:4).
“The Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom” (2 Tim 4:1).
Those who are ‘dead in Christ’ are described in the Bible as being asleep and awaiting resurrection and judgment (1 Cor 15:20; 1 Thess 4:13; Dan 12:2). No one is able to inherit the promises of God until all receive their reward at the same time (Heb 11:39-40; John 5:25-29). No one dies and goes to heaven, but the reward of faithful Christians will be on earth when Christ returns (John 3:13; Matt 5:5; 6:10; 16:27; Rev 5:10; 22:12).
All go to the same place at death, which is the grave (Sheol). This is consistent throughout Scripture, and fits with how disciples fall asleep in Christ at death. Extensive examples prove this Bible teaching including: 1 Sam 28:19; Psa 104:29; 146:4; Ecc 12:7.
It is consistent with the character of our loving Heavenly Father that He will not cause those who are condemned at judgment day to be tortured forever. The Bible hope is eternal life, while punishment is eternal death. Those who are found unworthy by Jesus at his judgment will be punished and put to death again (Rev 20:11-12; 2 Thess 1:8-9; Rev 21:8).
No more tears
Revelation 21 is one of the most hopeful and inspiring chapters in the entire Bible. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Rev 21:1-2). This vision echoes Isaiah and reinforces Jesus’ prayer, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt 6:10). The reward of the faithful will be eternal life on earth, but it will not be like our violent, polluted and corrupt planet we know today. The entire earth will be cleansed and “full of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab 2:14).
Then those who are judged worthy will be given immortality like the angels and all our sins will be erased. All of the world’s spiritual darkness will be cleansed by God’s light (1 Pet 2:9). All sorrow and sighing will cease. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev 21:4). This verse repeats for emphasis that what God has promised He will fulfill (Rev 7:17; Isa 25:8; 65:19). Imagine a world without pain or sadness.
What a wonderful day that will be! What amazing sights and surprises we look forward to in God’s Kingdom! The topography of the land will be changed, and perfected. The city of peace, Jerusalem, will be glorified and the glory of God will illuminate the land.
The final chapter
Revelation 22 is the conclusion to the entire inspired word of God. While Genesis began with the creation of everything we know, Revelation ends with the new creation of everything we don’t know. Genesis introduces mankind to the garden in Eden, and Revelation ends with a return to a glorified Eden. Genesis describes a river that flows out of Eden (Gen 2:10), and Revelation describes a river of the water of life, which flows from the throne of God. Genesis describes the tree of life and Revelation reintroduces a future tree of life (Rev 22:2) with fruit for food and leaves for healing of the nations. “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life” (Rev 22:14).
In the final chapter, Jesus reminds his followers that he is coming back to reign on earth. He repeats this three times in the final chapter to confirm his testimony: “I am coming quickly” (Rev 22:7, 12, 20). He is not slow about his promise, but is patient towards all people, while he waits for repentance and obedience (2 Pet 3:9). Jesus promises a great reward to those who follow him until the end. May you be blessed to follow Jesus and to “keep the words of the prophecy written in this scroll” (Rev 22:7). May you drink of the water of life. May you eat of the tree of life. May you enter those glorious future gates of New Jerusalem. May you be ready and willing, anxiously waiting for Jesus to return as king of all the earth. May you be blessed to call out to him: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:21).
“The Book of Revelation is about the gospel. The gospel is its central theme. Above all it is speaking of the coming kingdom of God through the victory of Christ at Calvary.” Graeme Goldsworthy
“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Rev 5:10).
The Bible says:
- Revelation reinforces that Jesus will return to set up his kingdom. Rev 1:7; Rev 21:1-4; Rev 22:20.
- There will be a day of judgment for those who are resurrected. Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10; 2 Tim 4:1.
The New Jerusalem will return to be like a glorified garden in Eden. Rev 21:1; Rev 22:2, 14.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One