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Contrasts in the Book of Revelation.
Light and joy contrasted with darkness and despair is a continuing theme in the Book of Revelation.
• The book opens with the promise of the return [The Second Coming] of Jesus Christ in power and glory followed by John’s vision of the Saviour in His glory. As each letter to the seven churches is read [Chapters 2 & 3] we see the promise of glory for those who persevere in the faith contrasted with chastening of those true believers who have fallen into sin and the judgment promised those who are unregenerate.
• After the message to the churches we are shown [Chapters 4 & 5], as clearly as human language can express, the glory of the Godhead. In this picture we see revealed and emphasized, more vividly than elsewhere in Scripture, the Triune Nature of God. We also are given a glimpse of the joy unspeakable and full of glory that is in store for those whom the Father has chosen in Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world [Ephesians 1:4]. The picture reminds us, however, of the infinite price paid for the redemption of the elect To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved [Ephesians 1:6, KJV]. We see the price of that redemption, the Beloved, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, ... a Lamb as it had been slain [Revelation 5:6, KJV].
• Also in Chapter 5 we are introduced to a book or scroll sealed with seven seals held by the hand of God the Father. The Apostle weeps because no man is found able to open the Book but is comforted that the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof [Revelation 5:5, KJV]. Yet when John turns to look upon the Lion of Judah he sees instead a Lamb as it had been slain.
• As the Lamb opens each seal in turn [Chapter 6] we are shown, symbolically, events that portray the unfolding of the conflict between good and evil. This conflict persisted before the first advent of Jesus Christ. The Book of Revelation reveals in apocalyptic language the conflict that will persist until His return in power and great glory to sit on His White Throne of Judgment [Revelation 20:11-15]. The opening of the first seal pictures the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ as it conquers sin and death. Yet as the three following seals are opened we are shown in vivid contrast that sin and death will persist until the prayers of the Saints under the altar [the fifth seal] are answered and the redeemed who have suffered for the Gospel’s sake are vindicated. And vindicated they are for as the sixth seal is opened we are shown a picture of the last day, the day of judgment, when the unregenerate cry out to the mountains and rocks Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb [Revelation 6:16, KJV].
• With the opening of the seals we have seen the suffering that the conflict between good and evil brings, suffering that the Saints must also endure. When the sixth seal is opened we see a picture of the last day and the question: who shall be able to stand? Before the seventh seal is opened God provides an answer. First we are comforted by a picture of the sealing of the Saints on earth, those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, a seal that is the guarantee of their eternal security. Then we are given a glimpse of what awaits these Saints. We see a great multitude, which no man could number. This multitude, in striking contrast to those in the closing passage of Chapter 6, are in the very presence of God, standing before His throne. They constitute those of the Church, the redeemed of both the Old and New Testaments, who have departed this life and are ever present with the Lord, awaiting the redemption, the resurrection, of their bodies. They are able to stand because they are clothed in white robes, symbolic of the righteousness which is theirs through Jesus Christ. They are before the throne and the Lamb, crying: Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
• When the seventh seal is opened; all heaven, which has been ringing with praise of God, falls silent about the space half an hour. The silence is absolute, something the mankind has never experienced. This silence is a prelude to what is next revealed to John. An angel casts a censor of fire to the earth and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake [Revelation 8:5, KJV]; then seven angels prepare to sound seven trumpets.
• As each angel sounds his trumpet in turn God brings forth judgment upon the earth. The terror that is unleashed following the sound of each trumpet stands in stark contrast to the joy of the white robed multitude that worships before the throne. The severity of the first four judgments that fall upon mankind apparently cannot compare to what is yet to come. An angel is sent to announces the woe, woe, woe that is to follow the sounding of the remaining trumpets, woe from which the Saints of God are to be spared. Though spared, the Saints of God see a symbolic picture of the woe that befalls the unregenerate following the sounding of the fifth and sixth trumpets [Chapter 9] and their stubborn refusal to repent.
• After the sixth angel had sounded his trumpet of judgment we see a damning indictment of the unbelievers:
Revelation 9:20,21, KJV
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
The unbelievers repented not of their sins even under the redemptive judgment of God. It is the lot of these men that they will come under the wrath of God as manifested through outpouring of the seven vials. It is these of which the final Chapter of Revelation states:
Revelation 22:15, KJV
15 For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
• Before the sound of the seventh and last trumpet we are comforted by a picture [Chapter 10] of the mighty angel who lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, ......, that there should be time no longer but when the voice of the seventh angel ... shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished [Revelation 10:6, 7, KJV]. The comfort to the Saints that the time is short is accompanied by a reminder, by the experience of the two witnesses [Revelation 11:7-10], that the redeemed, though spared the wrath of God, are not spared the wrath of unregenerate mankind. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever [Revelation 11:15, KJV].
• Perhaps the most startling contrast presented in the Book of Revelation is that between the Church, the Bride of Jesus Christ, and Babylon, the Mother of Harlots, the apostate church, and the bride of the antichrist. In the Book of Revelation we see the ultimate and final triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church over Satan and all who reject the grace of God. Of particular note is the providential care of Jesus Christ over His Church as described in Chapters 2 & 3 and in Chapter 12. In contrast we are shown the destruction of Babylon, the apostate church, in graphic detail in Chapters 17 & 18.
• Finally, the message of the Book of Revelation is that the Church, the elect of God; those who are accepted in the beloved and regenerated by the Holy Spirit will emerge vindicated and victorious. In contrast, those who reject the gracious offer of salvation, those who choose to dwell in darkness rather than light, those who crave the pleasures of sin for a season rather than the righteousness of God throughout eternity, will be cast into the lake of fire along with Satan
Some of pre-trib persuasion see the Book of Revelation as a book of doom and gloom. But take off the blinders of dispensationalism and this final revelation in the Word of God becomes a book of comfort and joy, understanding that it is the ultimate assurance that GOD reigns and that the Victory is HIS and through Jesus Christ the Victory becomes ours!
Light and joy contrasted with darkness and despair is a continuing theme in the Book of Revelation.
• The book opens with the promise of the return [The Second Coming] of Jesus Christ in power and glory followed by John’s vision of the Saviour in His glory. As each letter to the seven churches is read [Chapters 2 & 3] we see the promise of glory for those who persevere in the faith contrasted with chastening of those true believers who have fallen into sin and the judgment promised those who are unregenerate.
• After the message to the churches we are shown [Chapters 4 & 5], as clearly as human language can express, the glory of the Godhead. In this picture we see revealed and emphasized, more vividly than elsewhere in Scripture, the Triune Nature of God. We also are given a glimpse of the joy unspeakable and full of glory that is in store for those whom the Father has chosen in Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world [Ephesians 1:4]. The picture reminds us, however, of the infinite price paid for the redemption of the elect To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved [Ephesians 1:6, KJV]. We see the price of that redemption, the Beloved, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, ... a Lamb as it had been slain [Revelation 5:6, KJV].
• Also in Chapter 5 we are introduced to a book or scroll sealed with seven seals held by the hand of God the Father. The Apostle weeps because no man is found able to open the Book but is comforted that the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof [Revelation 5:5, KJV]. Yet when John turns to look upon the Lion of Judah he sees instead a Lamb as it had been slain.
• As the Lamb opens each seal in turn [Chapter 6] we are shown, symbolically, events that portray the unfolding of the conflict between good and evil. This conflict persisted before the first advent of Jesus Christ. The Book of Revelation reveals in apocalyptic language the conflict that will persist until His return in power and great glory to sit on His White Throne of Judgment [Revelation 20:11-15]. The opening of the first seal pictures the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ as it conquers sin and death. Yet as the three following seals are opened we are shown in vivid contrast that sin and death will persist until the prayers of the Saints under the altar [the fifth seal] are answered and the redeemed who have suffered for the Gospel’s sake are vindicated. And vindicated they are for as the sixth seal is opened we are shown a picture of the last day, the day of judgment, when the unregenerate cry out to the mountains and rocks Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb [Revelation 6:16, KJV].
• With the opening of the seals we have seen the suffering that the conflict between good and evil brings, suffering that the Saints must also endure. When the sixth seal is opened we see a picture of the last day and the question: who shall be able to stand? Before the seventh seal is opened God provides an answer. First we are comforted by a picture of the sealing of the Saints on earth, those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, a seal that is the guarantee of their eternal security. Then we are given a glimpse of what awaits these Saints. We see a great multitude, which no man could number. This multitude, in striking contrast to those in the closing passage of Chapter 6, are in the very presence of God, standing before His throne. They constitute those of the Church, the redeemed of both the Old and New Testaments, who have departed this life and are ever present with the Lord, awaiting the redemption, the resurrection, of their bodies. They are able to stand because they are clothed in white robes, symbolic of the righteousness which is theirs through Jesus Christ. They are before the throne and the Lamb, crying: Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
• When the seventh seal is opened; all heaven, which has been ringing with praise of God, falls silent about the space half an hour. The silence is absolute, something the mankind has never experienced. This silence is a prelude to what is next revealed to John. An angel casts a censor of fire to the earth and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake [Revelation 8:5, KJV]; then seven angels prepare to sound seven trumpets.
• As each angel sounds his trumpet in turn God brings forth judgment upon the earth. The terror that is unleashed following the sound of each trumpet stands in stark contrast to the joy of the white robed multitude that worships before the throne. The severity of the first four judgments that fall upon mankind apparently cannot compare to what is yet to come. An angel is sent to announces the woe, woe, woe that is to follow the sounding of the remaining trumpets, woe from which the Saints of God are to be spared. Though spared, the Saints of God see a symbolic picture of the woe that befalls the unregenerate following the sounding of the fifth and sixth trumpets [Chapter 9] and their stubborn refusal to repent.
• After the sixth angel had sounded his trumpet of judgment we see a damning indictment of the unbelievers:
Revelation 9:20,21, KJV
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
The unbelievers repented not of their sins even under the redemptive judgment of God. It is the lot of these men that they will come under the wrath of God as manifested through outpouring of the seven vials. It is these of which the final Chapter of Revelation states:
Revelation 22:15, KJV
15 For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
• Before the sound of the seventh and last trumpet we are comforted by a picture [Chapter 10] of the mighty angel who lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, ......, that there should be time no longer but when the voice of the seventh angel ... shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished [Revelation 10:6, 7, KJV]. The comfort to the Saints that the time is short is accompanied by a reminder, by the experience of the two witnesses [Revelation 11:7-10], that the redeemed, though spared the wrath of God, are not spared the wrath of unregenerate mankind. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever [Revelation 11:15, KJV].
• Perhaps the most startling contrast presented in the Book of Revelation is that between the Church, the Bride of Jesus Christ, and Babylon, the Mother of Harlots, the apostate church, and the bride of the antichrist. In the Book of Revelation we see the ultimate and final triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church over Satan and all who reject the grace of God. Of particular note is the providential care of Jesus Christ over His Church as described in Chapters 2 & 3 and in Chapter 12. In contrast we are shown the destruction of Babylon, the apostate church, in graphic detail in Chapters 17 & 18.
• Finally, the message of the Book of Revelation is that the Church, the elect of God; those who are accepted in the beloved and regenerated by the Holy Spirit will emerge vindicated and victorious. In contrast, those who reject the gracious offer of salvation, those who choose to dwell in darkness rather than light, those who crave the pleasures of sin for a season rather than the righteousness of God throughout eternity, will be cast into the lake of fire along with Satan
Some of pre-trib persuasion see the Book of Revelation as a book of doom and gloom. But take off the blinders of dispensationalism and this final revelation in the Word of God becomes a book of comfort and joy, understanding that it is the ultimate assurance that GOD reigns and that the Victory is HIS and through Jesus Christ the Victory becomes ours!
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