BENEFICIAL IN PROPHETIC ANTICIPATION

The third verse of Revelation 1 ends with the phrase “the time is near,” and Revelation 22:10 repeats this expression. Many have interpreted this phrase to mean that the fulfillment of prophecy was imminent. This has resulted in hasty predictions about the timing of the Rapture of the Church, the Tribulation, the Millennium, and the second coming of Christ.

However, the expression “the time is near” does not necessarily mean that an event must occur imminently. It indicates proximity from the perspective of prophetic revelation, which operates according to its own timeline. Saying that an event is near means that this event is the next major event to occur in the prophetic calendar. Here’s why these events were near when John wrote them: they were the next major event on the calendar. And they are even closer today. Prophecy is how God gives us a proper warning so that we can prepare our hearts and minds and thus be ready for what awaits us.

A Practical Book

More than a century ago, William E. Blackstone wrote a little book called Jesus is Coming. This work had a significant impact on the Christian world and sparked much of today’s interest in the study of prophecy. In his book, William Blackstone dedicates an entire chapter to the practical benefits of studying prophecy, which he describes as a true encouragement to live a holy life. He writes:

“No other doctrine of the Word of God presents us with a better reason to crucify the flesh, to set ourselves apart for God, to work out our salvation, and is as much our hope, our joy, and our crown of rejoicing as this one.”

This author goes on to provide a list of forty biblical benefits for those who study prophecy. I don’t have the space here to mention the entire list, but I would like to share three benefits we can derive from our study of prophecy, particularly from the book of Revelation.

THE STUDY OF PROPHECY MOTIVATES US TO LEAD A PRODUCTIVE LIFE

Some people believe that being keenly aware that Jesus is coming back will turn us into lazy souls who just stand there, staring at the sky in some sort of useless trance. But in reality, it’s quite the opposite. In the greatest sermon ever preached on the return of the Lord (the discourse given on the Mount of Olives, found in Matthew 24 and 25), Jesus listed the “signs of the end times” and described the events associated with His return. Then He told a series of stories illustrating the importance of being productive and prepared. “It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns,” He declared (Matthew 24:46).

Denis Lyle, a Baptist pastor from Belfast, Northern Ireland, tells us the story of a tourist visiting a magnificent estate in Switzerland, located in a charming spot by a lake. The house was surrounded by well-kept gardens connected by orderly paths. Not a weed in sight.

“How long have you been the caretaker of this place?” the tourist asked the gardener. “Twenty years,” he replied. “And during all those years, has the owner of the house been here often?” The gardener smiled. “He has only been here four times.” The visitor exclaimed, “Imagine all those years you’ve kept the house and garden in such perfect condition. You tend to it as if the owner were coming tomorrow.” “Oh no,” the gardener replied, “I tend to it as if he were coming today.”

Jesus is coming back—He could come back at any moment, He is coming soon, perhaps even today. Here are some of His last words in the Bible: “Yes, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20). The more we are aware of the imminence of His return, the more we will be motivated to work for Him in these last days.

THE STUDY OF PROPHECY MOTIVATES US TO LEAD A POSITIVE LIFE

The book of Revelation promotes a positive mindset. When we study it, we begin to realize that everything happening in our current world is moving in a certain direction. In the book of Revelation, more than in any other book, we see the sovereign hand of God reigning over the affairs of this world. We see that He controls everything, even though so much on this earth seems out of control.

John tells us that Jesus Christ is “the ruler of the kings of the earth” (Revelation 1:5). This is not a reference to Christ’s future reign. This phrase refers to His present reign. Jesus will not only be the King in the future; He is already the King of all the kings of the earth. Vernard Eller strongly reminds us:

“We are at the heart of John’s message… which is to say: things are not what they seem! According to everything that… most of us can see, it clearly appears that “the kings of the earth” are where the action takes place: they are the ones who hold the power to decide what should happen: they are the ones who act and determine the course of history…”

But no, things are not what they seem! Contrary to their own vain opinion, these people do not hold the reins of history. John’s very first remark about the kings of the earth serves only to proclaim that they themselves have a sovereign, and that there is someone who reigns over them. This sovereign… has already won the decisive victory and established His authority…

God’s power is clothed in apparent powerlessness; the devil’s power is an apparent power masking his real powerlessness. Things are not what they seem! Jesus is Lord—not only for us… who accept His lordship, but He is Lord of absolutely everyone, even the kings of the earth.

When the situation worsens in our world, Jesus said that we should not hang our heads in sadness, nor let confusion shake us. We should lift our heads, full of hope, because our redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28). Paul mentioned Christ’s sudden return for His people in his letter to the Thessalonians, writing: “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Our world is in a state of depression, and the consumption of antidepressant medication is more frantic than ever. According to a recent study, sales of antidepressants have soared in recent decades. Today, one in ten Americans takes antidepressants. And among women aged forty to sixty, it concerns one in four.

Reading these statistics, I thought of Proverbs 12:25: “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up” (Bible in Contemporary French). I believe there are times when medication is perfectly appropriate, but often, times of meditation are a better treatment. When we read the book of Revelation, we read, among the very first words of this book: “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…” (Revelation 1:7). When we visualize the return of the Lord, we comfort our souls with a “kind word.”

THE STUDY OF PROPHECY MOTIVATES US TO LEAD A PURE LIFE

Here is one last benefit we derive from studying Revelation: it promotes purity in our lives. Many years ago, Dr. J. Massee, a well-known militant churchman, wanted to attend a show even though he knew perfectly well he shouldn’t go. After a few minutes, he abruptly got up and left. His friends followed him, asking what was wrong. Dr. Massee explained that Jesus could return at any moment. “And I don’t want Him to find me here!” he told them.

The Bible declares: “…but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he (the Lord) is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

The study of Revelation is not just for “prophecy fans” or “second coming specialists.” This book is for every Christian who loves the Lord and longs to see Him appear. It is an understandable and fascinating book, and it will change our lives. It is a practical book that offers us tangible benefits, and those who study it become happier, holier, and healthier people.

An Intentional Book

Revelation 1:7-8 presents the dual intention of the entire book, namely to announce the return of Christ and proclaim His ultimate reign on earth.

THE RETURN OF THE KING

“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.” REVELATION 1:7

Most of the time, the Bible refers to the return of Christ using the Greek word “parousia.” It is the Greek word that denotes a “coming” or an “arrival,” but it has come to take on a more technical sense and refer to the advent of Christ. The Greek word contains specific connotations that are useful to us: a parousia is to make an entrance in such a way that the existing situation changes the moment one enters.

Imagine a teacher who must momentarily leave his classroom. Upon his departure, the students become noisy and turbulent, and they start throwing paper balls. But as soon as the teacher returns to his class, everything changes. Upon his arrival (parousia), the students quiet down, and order is restored. This gives us a glimpse of what will happen when the King returns. Everything will change—the devil will be silenced, order will be restored, and justice will reign.

Revelation 1:7 is part of a long series of biblical truths. Daniel prophesied that the Messiah would come with the clouds:

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven…” (Daniel 7:13).

In his discourse on the end times…

This text is an excerpt from the book “Agents of the Apocalypse” written by David JEREMIAH.

We invite you to read the next article “THE MARTYRS.“