To whom is the book of Revelation written for
1. For the seven churches (Turkey)
---- general persons and slaves (Christians), but not for non-Christians.
2. For Christian who are about
to suffer for the Lord (Rev. 14:12). The book of Revelation is a historic book:
from the beginning of the universe to the end of the universe and humankind.
The book of Revelation is
also a book of love: Heavenly Father seeks brides for His son and they engage.
Finally Christ marries the brides in the book of Revelation (The marriage
supper of the Lamb).
The purpose of the book of Revelation
1. It is not for us to become a
“prophet” to guess the schedule of God. God reveals the future to us to help us
get prepared to live into a life of Jesus and to prevent us from deception. (Even
though there are storms, we still have hopes.)
2. It helps saints stand firm
to the end and overcome. (Rev. 14:12)
3. It helps Christians have
their names remained on the book of life, in order to make them arrive at the New
Jerusalem and the new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 3:5). The final goal is: not
only to disclose the future things but also to get Christians (saints) prepared
to face the future.
Two eternal destinies of Christians
1. Overcome and reign with Christ
in the new world (The first resurrection)
2. Lose the Christian inheritance
in Heaven, and suffer the eternal penalty.
Support sayings:
1. Of the warnings from Jesus, there
are only two which are not for born-again Christians, but for Pharisees. They
are completely for the people of God, because Jesus doesn’t talk about the hell
with non-Christians (For they don’t believe, they of course will be in the hell).
Jesus usually talks about the hell with those who have forsaken everything to
follow Him: that is, those who do not overcome will be thrown into the darkness
(hell), where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Rev. 3:5 and the
last chapter)
2. Paul: “lest that by any
means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Paul said
those words when his life was quite mature. What he worried about was not that
he accepts Jesus or not, instead, is victorious or not.
3. When Jesus comes back, He
will not look for those who just declare to believe Him, instead, He will look
for those who keep faith in God.
Let’s think which one will be our destiny?
Requirements on the brides:
---
Be called;
---
Be choosen:
---
Be faithful;
---
Have the righteousness of saints.
(Rev. 17:14, 19:7-8-9) “and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers……For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
(Rev. 17:14, 19:7-8-9) “and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers……For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
(Fine
linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
Then
the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the
wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
”
