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End of the Age / Latter Days
A Glimpse at the Book of Revelation
An account of the raptures which occurred after Jesus ascended in the clouds can be found in the book of Revelation. It seems wise therefore, when discussing latter days and end times, to look at the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:1, 3
1The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
3Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Verse 1 clearly signifies the source and the purpose of this book.
It is not a mystery, God is an excellent communicator and He‘s warning the peoples of the Earth what will happen.
The language and examples used are to give understanding through the ages. Remember this book is entitled ‘Revelation of Jesus Christ’ and not, repeat not,
‘Mysteries of Jesus Christ’. Take special note of Verse 3, ‘Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.’
Whereas there is a blessing at the beginning of Revelation; at the end of Revelation, there is a warning:
Revelation 22:18-19
18For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book:
If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;
19and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book
This last chapter of Revelation also tells us the happy outcome we as Christians look forward to ‐ life with Christ in a new Heaven and a new Earth. Verse 3, ‘and there shall be no more curse.’
Jesus says three times in this chapter ‘He is coming quickly’ (Verses 7, 12, 20)
signifying these things will happen suddenly, or quickly.
Before He comes to rule and reign forever, there is a tribulation the Earth must go through, and it is described in Revelation, the last book of the Bible.
Revelation 6 describes six of the seven seals and their judgments on the Earth.
The seventh seal ushers in the seven trumpet judgments, Revelation 8, 9, 11.
Later in Revelation 16 the angels are commanded to pour out the wrath of God.
Revelation 16:1
1Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.’
The warning is sure, …‘God's Word does not return to Him void, it accomplishes what He sets it out to do…’, Isaiah 55:11.
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