Salvation Summaries

OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK

Revelation, the last book of the Bible, is a prophecy given by Jesus to the apostle John about God’s wrath and judgment in the “end times.”  This small book reads more like a modern day thriller than a factual account of what happens to humanity and the earth.  In it we see graphic images of devastation, violence, and war. Angels are given authority to kill people and destroy parts of the earth. Large locusts torture people until they want to die, but can’t. 100 pound hailstones crash to the earth; oceans and rivers turn into blood. Death is everywhere. In Revelation, Satan becomes visibly active on this earth to deceive people, and many choose to worship Him rather than God. At the end of the book though, good wins out over evil, earth and heaven are replaced with a new heaven and earth, and God comes down to dwell with His people. Satan and those who reject God receive their just punishment, and live eternally in torment.

When I read this book, there were five things that caught my attention:

• Jesus Christ’s power, authority and worthiness – in movies and books, Jesus is portrayed as a relatively young Caucasian man with long brown hair and a beard.  Unfortunately, too many people think of Him only in this way. In Revelation, Jesus looks differently, and even though John knew Jesus while on earth, he became frightened of how Jesus looked and sounded (what Jesus actually looks like is not clear to us though, for much symbolism is used). Revelation reveals information about Jesus that helps us better understand His power, authority and worthiness. In it we see that Jesus rules over God’s creation and all kings of this earth (which include presidents, prime ministers, etc.). Millions of angels sing to Him; living creatures and elders in heaven bow down to worship Him.  When Jesus returns to this earth the second time, everyone will see Him and mourn. Everyone – whether religious or not – will be required to submit to Him, for He is Lord over everything and He holds the keys of death (e.g., your fate) in His hands.

• Jesus’ letters to seven churches – Jesus writes a letter to seven churches, and in the introduction of each letter He describes himself or reveals something about who He is. One thing that stood out to me is that Jesus searches the hearts and minds of all people (2:23). What does this mean? It means that He knows your thoughts, your desires and your actions. He knows everything about you – the good, the bad and ugly. While you can hide your sinful thoughts and intentions from others, you can’t from Him.

• God’s wrath on mankind – many non-Christians in the media, government and liberal churches portray God as simply a God of love. In their view, sin doesn’t exist, or if it does, it is not deserving of punishment, for a loving God would not do this.  However, this is not the God of the Bible, especially the God in Revelation.  In Revelation, we clearly see God’s wrath on sinful people who reject His authority over them and who seek to live their sinful way of life in rebellion of Him. In this book, our God of love instructs angels to kill millions of people on the earth. Yes, God is loving, but He is just too, and because of His justice, sinful people who reject Him must be punished.

• Satan’s presence – although Satan, the prince of this world, has been active on this earth for thousands of years in deceiving people to not believe in God (and to believe in other religions, evolution, etc.), he becomes more active in the end times and makes his presence clearly visible. He has a certain degree of success too, as many people will curse God and worship the people that Satan puts in power.

• Climax – this books ends with Satan being defeated (he is bound for 1000 years first), everyone (whether living or dead) is judged according to the Book of Life, and those whose name is not in this book are thrown into the lake of fire. Believers in Jesus, on the other hand, get to experience a new heaven and new earth where God dwells with them forever.

SALVATION-RELATED VERSES

Unlike most books in the New Testament, Revelation does not contain specific verses on how a person becomes a Christian, or saved, though it does include a reference to certain lifestyles and conduct that prevent people from going to heaven. However, Revelation includes several issues that relate to salvation, and I will address them in my next two posts. They are:

• The book of Revelation mentions several lifestyles and behaviors that prevent people from going to heaven?  What are they?

• I’ve not heard about the “Book of Life.”  What is it and why should I care?