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Non-controversial parts of Revelation

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1pet2_9

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This has happened more than once for me; probably for many of you, too: I will be talking with someone at church, I bring up Revelation, and suddenly the light bulb turns off. Like I'm going to start talking about grasshoppers being helicopters, horns, years being weeks of years, et. al.. But let's face it: Revelation is in the Bible, and the Bible is God's Word. There it is. So if we're going to ignore it, then why is it even there? I think the answer is pretty clear: you can't ignore it. Let's start with the first non-controversial part of Revelation:

1) Revelation 22:18 I, John, solemnly warn everyone who hears the prophetic words of this book: if any add anything to them, God will add to their punishment the plagues described in this book. 19 And if any take anything away from the prophetic words of this book, God will take away from them their share of the fruit of the tree of life and of the Holy City, which are described in this book.

There may be a little debate over whether "this book" refers to the book of Revelation, to the entire Bible, or it's a double-meaning and means both. But regardless, it means we cannot ignore Revelation. There is a Word of God to be heard here; and if you're like me, you thirst for it.

I wanted to compile here a little list of messages from God's Word which we need not be afraid to introduce in our face-to-face discussions; including with the people who prefer to shy away from the zillions of kooky(perceived) theories about the End of the World. Maybe in so doing, we can acquire a better understanding of Revelation is, overall. i.e. if we better understand the easy parts, that helps us better understand the hard parts.


My list so far:

2) Revelation 22:7 “Listen!” says Jesus. “I am coming soon! Happy are those who obey the prophetic words in this book!”

Jesus himself said this multiple times in the Gospels, so very few contest that. We should be prepared for Jesus to come back at any moment.

3) Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!” Everyone who hears this must also say, “Come!” Come, whoever is thirsty; accept the water of life as a gift, whoever wants it.

A note of encouragement. Everybody likes those.

4) Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

This is recited in worship services very regularly.

5) Revelation 5:8 As he did so, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people.

This one has a way of turning the light bulb off in people, but it shouldn't. It says God views the prayers of God's people as sweet bowls of incense. Do not be afraid to pray: God covets your prayers. Nothing kooky about that.

6) Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and there was an enormous crowd—no one could count all the people! They were from every race, tribe, nation, and language, and they stood in front of the throne and of the Lamb, dressed in white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

Important verse! Continuing on to verse 10...


7) Revelation 7:10 They called out in a loud voice: “Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb!” 11 All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. Then they threw themselves face downward in front of the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Praise, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to our God forever and ever! Amen!”

This was made into a worship song.

8) Revelation 2:4 But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first.

You lost your first love. An old worship song made about that:
 
I like remembering that it was the Revelation of Jesus as delivered to the Sent-out one, John, also called The Beloved. The whole thing was what God revealed to His only begotten Who shared with his beloved disciple. The one who reclined his head upon the shoulder of Jesus. The Love guy. God gave it to Jesus to show his servants. The message passed through John to us after angelic signification. Rev 1:1 sēmainō is to signify or give a sign, to make known. I think it was given to make known. You're participating in that mission, yes? Looks like it :nod.

I love that Jesus chose John, called the Beloved for this. :chin Yes. I do like that. It gives me a hint. A secret, revealed. I get to share in this. So what if Jesus and His Father had a special way of communicating. Paul had something like it too. He is very well learned and knows the law. But the vision was delivered to John. The love guy. And I love it when John speaks in his epistles too especially when he addresses his readers as, "Little children," and goes on to explain so carefully. (see 1John chapter 2 and thereabouts.) He was the author of so many great things. When I speak to babe in Christ and they ask, "Where should I start reading the Bible," I'm quick to point to the Good news found in the gospel of John. It's digested for us there. There's depth too. Meat is found in Revelation. Good chewy stuff. Not swallow in one bite truth. The kind one can ponder for a lifetime. God declares the end from the beginning so we can look at the beginning to glean secrets too.

That's the kind of explanation I want. The pure, sincere milk of the world. That's the reason that we ruminate on the Word of truth. It's because we love him and because He loves us. That's why I invite you to speak more, even here, even now. It's okay and there are others who can correct us. I'll pause my writing here to go back and read your OP again.

In love we ask, Grace and Mercy be with you, 1pet2_9 . Love your name too, by the way. You are His possession. His Love-slave (Agapé-slave). As you already know.
 
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My best friend has confided his thought to me about music ministry. They have it easier, he said. The instrument is pure. We can be lifted to the heavens, transported, so to speak. When the preacher or prophet speaks? Even the teachers must hear the admonishment and use care because of the confusion that was mixed in at the Tower of Babel.


Have you heard the song of Moses? I also love Jewish style. This one combines references to the Revelation of Jesus with that a Jewish flavor. The song of Moses and the Lamb of God (Rev 15?):


I like the Petra version too.

here's the James scripture nicely formatted for listening and reading:

 
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Revelation was given to John in visions as prophecies that had their beginnings in the Old Testament, being fulfilled in the New Testament and yet much to be fulfilled in future events before the great and terrible day of the Lords return.

Revelations is given to all nations and tongues that live throughout the whole world as in Jew and Gentile. Israel is mainly mentioned, but not all of Israel is Gods chosen people. Those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb are joined as a branch with Israel as God is the root of that branch and those who are sealed by His Holy Spirit are His own who find favor in Him, Romans 11:11-31. This is why our attention needs to be on those things that are happening in Israel especially Jerusalem as being Gods Holy City.

Wars and rumor of wars, nation against nation and kingdoms against kingdoms, famines, pestilences and earthquakes are all results of mans sin as they continue to fall from Gods grace as they become lovers of self, 2 Timothy 3:2-4. The fulfillment of prophecy is in that of Jesus life, death and resurrection that we can reconcile ourselves back to God through His grace before the return of Jesus. Our covenant promise from God is that we will have eternal life with Him, John 10:27, 28, through grace that we can reconcile ourselves back to the Father and live our lives according to His will.

What you are about to read and have revealed to you in these revelations are those things that are yet future compared with that of the past. It has always been kingdom against kingdom and nation against nation. There are only two kingdoms as one is Gods kingdom that is taught in all truths through Gods Holy Spirit and the other a ruling kingdom of Satan who uses a Jezebel spirit that speaks a deceptive word to deceive the nations, Revelation 2:20.

Revelations is full of symbolism that is literal where it needs to be and Spiritual where it needs to define that of the literal. These revelations are given as a warning to those who have yet to accept Jesus as Messiah. Gods chastisements are to draw those back to him in repentance before that door of salvation is closed forever when Jesus returns and Gods true Church is gathered up to be with the Father forever.

The focus in Revelations would seem to center around Israel only and the nations that come against her for this is how John would recognize it to be since all other nations were not yet developed in his time. Revelations is about all of us, Jew and Gentile, past, present and future that by faith keep Gods commandments. We are Gods witnesses that testify of His mercy and grace as we take His word out into the world to those who have ears to hear.

The Disciples who sat with Jesus on the Mt. of Olives in Matthew 24:3 asked Him three questions, when shall these things be, what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? These three questions are now revealed to us as the Spirit of God has revealed them to John who told him to write these visions down and give them to the Church for instruction and understanding.
 
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