Revelation
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The Ongoing Revelation of Jesus Christ!
Many believe Revelation is for the end time! Think again! It has been unfolding for 2000 years!
By Nab B. September, 2022
The Book of Revelation reveals the mystery of Jesus Christ. Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not about the beast, the false prophet, the Dragon, Babylon, etc. It’s about Jesus revealing Himself to His elect. Though this is obvious, It's easy to miss it and drown in a sea of literal interpretations, rather than the spiritual meaning intended by Christ. For more in-depth verse-by-verse studies of Revelation, refer to the section: Revelation by verse©
Revelation's Events are Ongoing
For a long time, my wife and I have noted that most interpretations of the Revelation book are future only. The problem for us was, that this left all earlier believers out of Christ's Revelation, which is meant to be for all.
Our dilemma was this:
How could it be possible that only one group of believers, near the very end, will face all these events on earth while the majority of believers in times past did not?
Those nagging thoughts made us uncomfortable for years! Then, it began to be revealed to us that Christ's Revelation applies to all believers since the cross to this day. This is because Christ's death and resurrection are central to Revelation and all of mankind's history. Although this is obvious, it can easily be missed!
Reasons for Christ's Continual Revelation
Rev 1:1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.” Saying 'shortly' or very near cannot mean 2000 years later! Rather, it means the unveiling of his revelation will begin immediately and continue to be experienced by all believers.
John was told in Rev 1:11 “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches.” This proves that Christ’s messages applied to ALL the churches in his day and beyond. (Seven symbolizes all believers that will ever exist).
Jesus is seen “among the lampstands [the seven churches]”. He has been walking among them since His resurrection to this day. It proves Christ’s Revelation is experienced by all believers as long as his Body of believers exists.
Rev 1:19 “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.” This indicates an ongoing revelation. Every believer, anywhere, at any time will see the revealing of Jesus Christ in their spiritual walk. These "things" may take different forms, yet experienced by all. For example, deception (the falling away) entered the churches in the first century and continues till today.
Jesus' continual judgment of the churches includes: inspecting, rebuking, disciplining, encouraging and purifying them. This applies to all the body of Christ, those that existed, are existing, and will exist.
The passages below show Jesus' personal and continual involvement in His churches from the first century till now (all face the same problem albeit in different forms):
“Or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” (2:5)
“Repent or else...I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.” (2:16)
“Behold, I will cast her upon a bed of sickness and I will kill her children with pestilence.” (2:22-23)
“If therefore you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come upon you.” (3:3)
“I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan . . . I will make them to come and bow down at your feet and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of my perseverance, I will also keep you from the hour of testing…which is about to come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly.” (3:9-11)
“Because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich and white garments, that you may clothe yourself. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.” (3:16-20)
Wrapping it Up!
So, let's dispel the idea that Christ's Revelation either happened in times past (Preterism) or will happen in the future! This is silly nonsense! If you are spiritually awake, you will know that it is being revealed to all believers, at all times, and everywhere.
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass." (Rev 1:1)