What
picture is brought to your mind when you hear the word
"apocalypse"? Is it one
of "destruction or catastrophe of
biblical proportions", which is one dictionary definition. Or perhaps the "final destruction of all things",
which is another relatively modern definition.
The Greek word
"apocalypse" carries the meaning that something hidden from view is
now made visible to all. It is used to
refer to a manifestation of truth, instruction in something not known
before. The last book in the Bible
actually begins: "The apocalypse of
Jesus Christ...." which in English
is: "The revelation of Jesus
Christ...." While it does deal with
the final destruction of all sin, which should be a wonderful thought to all
who love righteousness, there is a greater purpose to this book.
In Acts 1:9 we are told that while
Jesus stood on the Mount of Olives talking with His disciples for the last time: "while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of
their sight." The "Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4), the Holy Spirit, came 10 days later and
empowered the followers of Jesus to do great things for Him and in His
name. Now the apostle John was the last
of the original 12. The church Jesus had
established had been spreading all over the world. But the question would be a normal one; "what is Jesus doing now?" He was taken "out of their sight",
so it was time for another "revelation of Jesus Christ".
We can be sure Satan had been
suggesting that Jesus had forgotten about them, that He no longer cared for
what was happening on earth to His followers.
Satan is always around to try to bring despair and discouragement.
But our Heavenly Father is always mindful of
His children. He who sent His Son to
this earth "in the fullness of the time", (Galatians 4:4) now reveals to us what is going on in
heaven. The book begins by telling us
this revelation of Jesus is from God, for we read that it is what: "God gave unto him, to show unto his
servants things which must shortly come to pass." (Revelation 1:1)
As we study this book we are going
to find that all of heaven is involved in what is going on here on earth. Not just interested, but involved. In all the centuries that will pass (now have
passed), we can see that God, Jesus, and all heaven are watching over His
people. Nothing takes God by
surprise. As we see this our faith will
strengthen. Our love for Jesus will
grow. "And so much the more as we
see the day approaching". (Hebrews 10:25) The day when Jesus will
return and deliver all who love Him and look for His
appearing. (2Timothy 4:8)
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