The Future | 01. The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Thousands of years ago, among the rocks on an island off the coast of Turkey, sat a man called John. He was writing; writing down one of the most profound narratives ever given to mankind by God. He was writing the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

The information contained within this book was given personally by God. The Bible states, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him..." Even though the book was titled after Jesus, it came from God Himself. "Surely the Lord will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret to His servant the prophets." Amos 3:7. "To show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass." 

The book of Revelation is a book of events that God foretells will take place from the time of John, right down to the end and recreation of this world. It is God's personal letter through Jesus Christ to seven churches which were in Asia during the time of John. These oracles were not just given for their learning but for all those that these events will affect, and that includes you and me.

Why is it important for God to do this? Let's imagine you're driving a car on a highway in the middle of the night. To see what is ahead of you, light is needed and the car's headlight provides just that. You'll be able to see the condition of the road ahead of you; road signs, twists and turns, obstacles, landmarks, etc. Through light, you get your bearing in your journey, where you are and where you're going. Without the car's headlights, forget about travelling in a car at night, you'll surely get into a crash because you won't be able to see what is ahead of you.

Prophecy is God's headlight for His people. Without it, Christianity travels blind. They can't uncover deception and the dark works of the devil which had permeated the very churches of today. The world and the churches alike are descending into darkness and we must have the tools to detect what is wrong. Gross darkness is among the people because we are blind. 

The light of the body is in the eye (Matthew 6:22) and if the eye is blind, the whole body is in darkness. It was by no accident that prophets of old were called "seers". They testify of things which God foresaw will take place. John bore record of God's word to him on that island and of everything he was shown. The Bible calls it: the Testimony of Jesus. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). 

"We also have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well when you take heed, as unto a light that shinest in a dark place until the day dawn and the daystar arise in your hearts. Knowing this first that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1:19-21). 

God in His mercy has given us this powerful gift to give us a fighting chance against the forces of darkness. Let us not waste it by neglecting to read and study the prophecies of the Bible, especially the book of Revelation. It contains information about events that directly impact us.

During the last days, the dragon has a special target. It is a group of people who "...keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Revelation 12:17) Why? Because prophecy is a light that uncovers and brings to light his deceptions. It is a light that tells us the time, events, and the relevant preparations we must do to meet them.

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. (Revelation 1:3). "And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do..." (1 Chronicles 12:32) 

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." (Romans 13:11-12)