I have been blessed in my own in-depth study of the book
of Revelation the last couple of months.
While there is still so much in this wonderful book that I don’t
understand, I feel like I understand the book a lot more now. We are having a Bible study on Revelation at
our church, and I also want to share some of what I learned with those who read
my blog.
While parts of Revelation are very clearly about the past
(the specific events in the letters to the seven churches) or about the future
(the last few chapters of Revelation about the final judgment and the New
Heavens and the New Earth), most of the middle section is less clear. Therefore, one of the many issues which arise
when attempting to interpret Revelation is whether the visions are referring to
events in or around the time of John’s life (which would of course be in the
past for us), or events throughout the church age (which would of course
include 2016), or events which will take place immediately before the return of
Christ and the end of this world as we know it (in the future). Good Bible
believing Christians disagree on this basic question of timing.
So, what is my own understanding? Is it past, present, or
future? Sometimes, the answer is “yes”!
To see what I mean, consider 1 John 2:18 (written by the
same author who wrote Revelation):
John tells us that “the antichrist” is coming at some
point in the future. But John also tells us that many antichrists have already
come in his day. I think that John is saying, “Yes, in the future there will be
one terrible Antichrist who will appear”, but right now (and all throughout
history until Jesus comes back) there are already many “little antichrists”.
In a similar way I believe it is possible, in fact very
likely, that many of the visions seen in Revelation have multiple fulfillments,
some in the past which took place during the lives of the Christians who
initially received John’s letter, other fulfillments all throughout history (including
today!), and some final, probably much “bigger” fulfillments which will come at
the very end of this age (which could be anytime).
All this will make more sense (I hope!) if we consider
two concrete examples. The first example
is, to be honest, a bit “scary” if taken by itself. So please don’t stop reading after the first
example.
First Example of
Multiple Fulfillments: The Devil, The
Beast, and The False Prophet
In Revelation, John sees the enemies of God (and of God’s
people) in the symbolic form of terrible beasts. These enemies include: The Devil, The Beast,
and The False Prophet.
The Devil: The Devil is seen in John’s vision as a dragon
(see Revelation 12:9). It is obvious from scripture that the devil is opposing
God’s people all throughout history (see 1 Peter 5:8). Thus, it is right to understand verses like
Revelation 12:17 as containing truth which is directly applicable to us, today,
even if it also points to specific events in the future. The Devil hates us and is fighting against
us.
The Beast: “The
beast” in Revelation seems to be an image of an evil ruling power on
earth. Human government was designed by
God to punish evil and reward good (see Romans 13:4 and 1 Peter 2:14). When the power of government, which includes
using force, is twisted and used to punish those doing good and promote evil,
then government power becomes like a dangerous, ferocious beast. This may take the form of an evil worldwide
government power in the future (imagine if the Nazis had won, or if Communism
had succeeded in taking over the world, or if ISIS or similar groups gained
worldwide dominion). But as I’ll share
in a moment, this was already taking place on a smaller scale in John’s day,
and is taking place around the world today.
The False Prophet:
God’s true prophets reveal His truth to us. Tragically, throughout history there have also
been many false prophets who claimed to be speaking for God, but were actually
spreading lies. In Revelation we see
that the “The False Prophet” (also referred to as a second beast) joins forces
with and supports “the beast”. I do expect some type of “ultimate” fulfillment
of this in the future. Yet, I also see
clearly how false religion was allied with the evil use of government power
both in John’s day and in our day.
When Jesus revealed the contents of Revelation to John,
He included seven letters to seven real, local, historic churches located in
Asia (modern day Turkey). One of these
letters was sent to the church in the city of Smyrna. This church was already facing a form of these
evil “beasts”, as we can see in Revelation 2:9-10:
The “synagogue of Satan” likely refers to Jews who had
not only rejected Christ, but were actively opposing Christianity. The mention of “slander” by these Jews may
mean that they were making false accusations against the Christians to
government authorities. These government
authorities persecuted some of the Christians in Smyrna by placing them in
prison, persecuting them, and executing some of them. The Devil was behind all this. The Church in
Smyrna was facing an evil alliance of false religion, wrong use of government
power, and the Devil.
Today, many Christians are facing this same evil alliance. A recent newsarticle in Newsweek magazine reports on how the Russian government is
cracking down on evangelicals.
Tragically, not only is the power of government being used against these
churches, but some parts of the Russian Orthodox Church are in favor of this
crackdown. Again, we see an evil
alliance of false religion (not all Russian Orthodox, but those who oppose
other Christians) and abusive government.
Do you doubt that the Devil is also involved?
Could this happen in America? Of course.
There have already been cases of Christian business people facing
economic persecution at the hand of our government because these Christians
would not compromise their Bible-based beliefs.
If our society continues on its current trajectory, there may soon be
cases of Christians being put in jail for standing on God’s truth. And don’t be surprised if some of those
serving as witnesses against us are not atheists, but false “Christians” who
oppose what they will call “evil fundamentalists”.
The point is that while the book of Revelation is about
the future, it is also about today!
Second Example of
Multiple Fulfillments: Sealed and
Protected by God
In Revelation 7:3 God commands that a seal be placed on
the foreheads of His servants. Later, we see that those who have been sealed by
God are protected from the plague of demonic locust-like creature (Revelation
9:4).
There are MANY opinions among Bible believing Christians
about exactly what the locusts are. If
you’re hoping that I am going to clear up that question, I’m sorry to
disappoint you. But I see a very
important and fundamental principle which applies directly to our lives and
which does not depend on correct, precise identification of the locusts. Here is that principle:
In the midst of a
dark world filled with terrible enemies, God seals and protects His people.
The same word used for “sealed” in Revelation 7:3, is
also used in Ephesians:
ESV Ephesians 1:13
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation, and believed in him, were sealed
with the promised Holy Spirit,
So all of God’s children are “sealed”. And we are also all protected.
Jesus said,
NIV Luke 10:19 I
have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all
the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
But what kind of protection is this? Jesus promises “nothing
will harm you”, but He also tells us that we will be hated, slandered,
persecuted, betrayed, thrown into prisons, and killed! The answer is that the type of protection
which God gives us is the VERY BEST type of protection.
Paul wrote,
NIV 2 Timothy 4:18
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his
heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The protection of God does not mean there will be no
painful, evil attacks. God’s protection does mean that despite these attacks, God will bring us
safely to His Heavenly Kingdom. Peter
explains the same truth in these words:
1 Peter 1: 3 Praise be to the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a
living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 and into an inheritance that can
never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the
coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In
all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to
suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
Jesus does not promise the Christians in Smyrna (or
Christians today) that we will not suffer from the cruel attacks of the beast,
the false prophet, and the Devil. But He
promises those in Smyrna (and us, today!) something much better:
Revelation 2: 10 Do not be afraid of what you
are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to
test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to
the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown.
11 Whoever has ears, let them hear
what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be
hurt at all by the second death.
Can we be sure that
this promise made to those in Smyrna applies to us? We sure can:
Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .
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