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It is written:
Revelation 1:1-The 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,
Throughout the Old Testament, there is a curious pattern often displayed in the Books of prophecy: events described in one vision are described in a parallel vision under different symbols.
As an example, consider that in Isaiah 24, the Prophet describes the Second Coming. He describes the end of the world (notice the same language used that was used to describe the cruse in Genesis 3 and the Global Flood):
Isaiah 24:6-Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, And those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, And few men are left.
Isaiah 24:18-And it shall be That he who flees from the noise of the fear Shall fall into the pit, And he who comes up from the midst of the pit Shall be caught in the snare; For the windows from on high are open, And the foundations of the earth are shaken.
Notice now the language of the Earth being destroyed and shaken:
Isaiah 24:19-20-The earth is violently broken, The earth is split open, The earth is shaken exceedingly. 20 The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, And shall totter like a hut; Its transgression shall be heavy upon it, And it will fall, and not rise again.
Now observe the language of the Judgement of both Satan and all demonic beings and humanity:
Isaiah 24:21-22-It shall come to pass in that day That the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, And on the earth the kings of the earth. 22 They will be gathered together, As prisoners are gathered in the pit, And will be shut up in the prison; After many days they will be punished.
Later in Isaiah, we read the same events described in a parallel vision under different symbols, with new truths being added:
Isaiah 26:19-21-Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead. 20 Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. 21 For behold, the LORD comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain.
The Prophet describes the devastation of the world, and adds in the resurrection of the dead, along with the promise of judgment.
In the next verse, we are told:
Isaiah 27:1-In that day the LORD with His severe sword, great and strong, Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent; And He will slay the reptile that is in the sea.
John references this passage in describing the destruction of Satan (Revelation 20:2), and so we see an example of parallelism in the Old Testament.
We find the same thing when studying various Old Testament Books like Daniel and Zechariah.
John-in the Book of Revelation-follows this pattern as he writes this amazing Volume for God’s people.
Within Revelation, there are seven visions-each beginning with the First Coming of Jesus. This then follows through the Christian Age, culminating in the Second Coming. Notice the following visions and patterns in Revelation:
First Vision (Revelation 1:1-3:32);
Initial Triumph Of Christ At First Coming (Revelation 1:5-7; 2:1-2, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14);
Rise In Demonic Activity During Church Age (Revelation 2:2, 6, 9, 10, 13-15, 20; 3:3-4, 9, 17);
Security Of God’s People In Hades (Revelation 1:20; 2:7, 10-11, 17, 26-29; 3:5, 12, 20-21);
Second Coming Of Christ (Revelation 2:7, 10, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21);
Second Vision (Revelation 4:1-7:17);;
Initial Triumph Of Christ At Fist Coming (Revelation 4:2-3; 5:5-7, 9-10);
Rise In Demonic Activity During Church Age (Revelation 6:1-8, 12-17);
Security Of God’s People In Hades (Revelation 4:4; 5:9-10; 6:9-11; 7:4-9, 13-17);
Second Coming (Revelation 7:13-17)
Third Vision (Revelation 8:1-11:19);
Initial Triumph Of Christ At First Coming (Revelation 8:1-6);
Rise In Demonic Activity During Church Age (Revelation 9:1-12; 11:1-10);
Security Of God’s People In Hades (Revelation 8:1-4; 11:16-18);
Second Coming (Revelation 11:11-19);
Fourth Vision (Revelation 12:1-14:20);
Initial Triumph Of Christ At First Coming (Revelation 12:1-5);
Rise In Demonic Activity During Church Age (Revelation 12:13-17; 13:13-14);
Safety Of God’s People In Hades (Revelation 14:1-15, 13);
Second Coming (Revelation 14:14-20)
Fifth Vision (Revelation 15:1-16:21)
Initial Triumph Of Christ At Fist Coming (Revelation 15:3-5);
Rise In Demonic Activity During Church Age (Revelation 16:13-14);
Security Of God’s People In Hades (Revelation 15:1-4);
Second Coming (Revelation 16:17-21);
Sixth Vision (Revelation 17:1-19:21);
Initial Triumph Of Christ At First Coming (Revelation 17:14);
Rise In Demonic Activity During Church Age (Revelation 17:6; 18:2);
Security Of God’s People In Hades (Revelation 19:9-16);
Second Coming (Revelation 19:11-21);
Seventh Vision (Revelation 20:1-22:21)
Initial Triumph Of Christ At Fist Coming (Revelation 20:1-3);
Rise In Demonic Activity During Church Age (Revelation 20:4-9);
Security Of God’s People In Hades (Revelation 21:1-22:21);
Second Coming (Revelation 20:11-22:21)
As you can see, the same patterns repeat throughout the entire Book of Revelation. Notice a few things with me.
First, the Bible here shows us that the Millennium (the 1, 000 year reign of Christ on Earth) is happening now, during the Christian Age. The same pattern is found throughout the rest of the visions of Revelation. Furthermore, the fact that the preceding vision ends with the Second Coming shows us that (following the same pattern through the Book), the next section begins with the Triumph of Christ At His Fist Coming. Therefore, the Millennium is not something to happen at the end of the world; rather, it is happening right now.
Second, we are reminded about the fact that during the church age demonic activity will increase. In every vision of Revelation, the same truth is demonstrated under different symbols. Those who claim that Satan is completely shut away are (incorrectly) borrowing from the imagery of Revelation 20:1-4, and yet that same imagery goes on to remind us that he becomes more powerful during the church age. This is why we must remember that we fight not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
Third, notice the fact that our loved ones who have died in the Lord are safe right now. They are free from the devil’s touch, and from the demon’s hold. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Finally, the Christian hope is tied in directly with the promised Second Coming of Christ Jesus. One Day our Lord will return (John 5:28-29; Matthew 28:19-20; John 14:1-3). What a blessed day twill be for those who are ready!
If you aren’t ready, today is the Day of salvation!
Acts 2:38-Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
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