BY JOSHUA LIN
The end-times: What picture comes to your mind when you hear this phrase? Is it one of disaster or one of hope?
Regardless of what comes to mind, imagination alone cannot reveal anything about what the end times will look like. The book of Revelation speaks to this exact situation, revealing God’s plan for the end of life on this earth and, just as amazingly, what comes next! That said, despite Revelation’s prophetic character, it also speaks to our lives in the present.
The prologue (Rev 1:1-3) to the book of Revelation ends with the following promise:
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (Rev 1:3)
While there is much to explore in this verse, I was struck by the promise of a blessing to those who take to heart the words written. In what way do the words of this prophecy (i.e., the book of Revelation) bless those who read it aloud, hear it, and keep it?
It begins with the words, “The revelation of Jesus Christ...” (Rev 1:1), so right away we see that the subject of Revelation is clear. The natural follow-up for us then is to see what about Jesus is revealed.
When you introduce a friend, you may find it natural to make mention of how they’ve helped you in the past. In introducing my parents, I wouldn’t hesitate a moment to acknowledge them as the ones who raised me. For a close friend, I would perhaps say they are someone who has kept me company through the ups and downs of life.
John introduces Jesus in this fashion, acknowledging what Jesus has done not only for John but also for all those who entrust their lives to him whether in the past, present, or future - this is an open invitation! The profound statements made by John here are easy to gloss over without grasping their meaning, so let’s take a moment to process them.
First, John acknowledges Jesus as one “...who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood…” (Rev 1:5). John reminds us that, as a result of Jesus’ atoning death for all of humanity on the cross, we are no longer slaves to a self-destructive way of life. As affirmed in Paul’s letter to the Romans, “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Romans 6:18). How wonderful is this? To me, the implications here are twofold. In an earthly sense, the kings of pride, selfishness, lust, and the other temptations that we helplessly endear to ourselves for the sake of short-term satisfaction, are all dethroned. These stumbling blocks which fracture families, friendships, and communities can be overcome by finding lasting satisfaction in a relationship with God. It may not be easy, but the promise of freedom from sin here is one that permits a priceless revitalization of our relationship with ourselves and others.
In a supernatural sense, Jesus’ redemptive death also makes way for us to have a restored relationship with God. Believing in Jesus (John 3:16) mends the fractures that sin makes in our relationship with God. Thus, we are given a way to live life as fully as we were meant to when we leave this world, that is, satisfied as part of God’s family.
Second, Jesus is acknowledged as one who has “...made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father…” (Rev 21:5). The thought of living in a kingdom as priests may seem a little odd from a 21st century lens, but consider just a few more verses of context, and it becomes a bit easier to appreciate the beauty of what is being said here.
The second to last chapter of Revelation begins with John seeing “...a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Rev 21:1). This is the kingdom that John is talking about. In this new heaven and earth, “...the dwelling place of God is with man.” (Rev 21:3)
As of right now, the earth in its imperfection cannot be the final dwelling place of God. Nonetheless, when this reality comes to pass, “He [God] will wipe away every tear from their [our] eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Rev 21:4)
What a relief! For those who keep the words of this prophecy, the future is promised to be free of pain, mourning, and even death. Given the abundance of suffering on earth, it’s difficult for me to even imagine how good such a world would be. Nonetheless, when this comes about, life will finally be what it was meant to be from the beginning. We will once again dwell with the God who lovingly created each one of us. Until then, those who hear the words of this prophecy will groan along with all of the created world in eager anticipation of this future.
When Jesus appears to John in Chapter 1 in all his glory, there is a sense of fear, and John “...fell at his [Jesus’] feet as though dead.” (Rev 1:17) However, Jesus’ intention is not to surprise; Jesus is showing who he truly is. Approaching John, Jesus comforts him saying “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Rev 1:17-18).
This is encouraging for all readers. Knowing death itself has been conquered by Jesus opens us up to living life unafraid of death. Developing a relationship with Jesus is how we can most fully enjoy being human while we are still on the earth. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says that while “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Consequently, while God still calls us to love the world as Jesus did while he was alive - let us earnestly look forward to the day when all of earth, humanity, and nature, will be redeemed. At that time, Revelation tells us that all things will be made new by God. But, until then, may we be among those who read aloud, hear, and keep the words of this prophecy!