God reveals Himself in many ways, but mainly He chose to reveal himself through his Word.  The Bible has many prophecies which reveal God’s plan for creation.  The book of Revelation is a book of prophecy and foretells God’s glorious plan.

The Significance of Prophecy

2 Peter 1:19-21 tell us about prophecy.  Prophecy is important because we need to be aware and prepared so we can stand firm and not be afraid of what is coming.  In John 13:19 and John 14:29 John said God reveals future events to us before it happens, so when it does happen we will believe.

Biblical prophecy connects us to the character of God Himself because it shows us He loves and cares for us.  He wants us to be with Him in heaven forever.  It reveals God’s sovereignty.  It brings us comfort and hope and it takes away our fears and builds our faith.

Prophecy Declares God’s Plan

The future alarms many people because they are not sure of God and just who He is or even if He is real.  Some are completely ignorant about the future or don’t even want to know about it.  Others are simply intrigued while some are obsessed with it.  They go to fortune tellers, crystals, read palms, read books, and even use astrology.  The only future we need to know is what the Bible tells us.  The Bible gives us many prophesies. We’re told in Revelation 1:3 that there is a special blessing to the person who reads, hears, and takes to heart what is written. 

There are many Scriptures that talk about prophecy ----

Isaiah 45:21 – “Declare what is to be, present it – let them take counsel together.  Who foretold this long ago…”

Amos 3:7 –“Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets”.

2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

Hebrews 11:32-40 – “God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

2 Peter 1:10-12 – “So I will always remind you of these things…”

These Scriptures give us confidence because God wants us to know His plans.  He wants us to be  prepared for the future.  He wants us to live happily and confident.  It strengthens our faith and proves the integrity of Scripture.  It protects us and prepares us for the last days.

These Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in the New Testament ----

Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-27 – They told us of the virgin who would give birth to a Son and He would be called Immanuel.

Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6 – They told us He would be born in Bethlehem.

Isaiah 53:3-6; Matthew 27:22-26 – They told us that Jesus would be despised and rejected by men and would die on the cross for our sins and transgressions, which would bring us peace.

In Matthew 7:15-20 we learn to watch out for false prophets and teachings because they come in sheep’s clothing.  We can tell them by their fruit; in other words their actions speak much louder than their words.

It is very important to know the Bible records fulfilled prophecy.  Fulfilled prophecies show the reliability of the Bible.  The Bible is the most unique book ever written and is accurately foretells specific events.  It strengthens our belief that God’s Word is accurate and should be trusted. It’s evidence of God’s existence.  It points God’s people to Jesus, the Messiah.

Deuteronomy 18:15-19; 34:10; John 5:46; and Acts 3:18-23 tell us that the prophet Moses pointed toward Jesus who is the greater Prophet.  He told the people that God would raise up a prophet like him.  He also pointed to Jesus by holding up a bronze serpent on a pole and anyone who looked at the serpent would be healed.  This is a foreshadowing of Jesus who was lifted up on the cross so that anyone who looks to Him in faith may be saved.

These passages give us confidence in the promises ----

Matthew 16:27 – Jesus is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels and then will reward each believer according to what he has done.

Luke 24:44-47 – Everything written about Jesus must be fulfilled.

John 14:3 – Jesus is preparing a place for all believers and will come back to take them where He is.

Principle:  Fulfilled prophecies show the reliability of the Bible.

Now that we have been introduced to the importance of prophecy, next time we will begin with the study of Revelation 1.  Have a blessed day -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Revelation Introduction 2024

 

Well, it’s here!  We will start our Revelation study next week.  Get ready for the life changing book of the Bible.  It is possibly the most difficult book in the Bible to understand.  So many people just ignore it, but it has so much to say to us.  It not only tells us we’ll be blessed when we read it, but it reveals what will happen in the future and we all want to know the future.  We may not understand everything in the book, but we don’t have to.  God will reveal what He wants us to know in His time.  Get ready for a great study and remember to trust God to reveal many things to you.

Revelation is a book of prophecy.  God wants to bless us through prophecy and anchor us with a firm foundation.  “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” – Revelation 1:3.  This is considered to be the key verse.  Revelation is when God shows His truth to us.  God shows us what we must do and say.  He shows Himself through Jesus Christ.  The book is all about Jesus.  It tells us about the future climax of world history with God’s final judgment.  He will judge those who don’t believe in Him.  For those who do believe it is a book of joy.

Prophecy is from God.  God speaks through prophets.  True prophecy is not manipulated by man.  Bible prophecy is always fulfilled, because God is sovereign and controls history.  We can know when a prophecy is true when it doesn’t contradict scripture, when it keeps God in the center, and when it’s confirmed by events in history.

The purpose of Revelation is to reveal the full identity of Christ and to give warnings, hope and encouragement to believers.  It shows God’s servants the things that will take place in the future.  It is for all of us, because we are all His servants.  It shows all the events leading up to the “Day of the Lord” referenced many times throughout the Bible.  John is the author as Jesus speaks through him.  He says these things will take place soon.  It may be today, tomorrow or next week.  In God’s timing “…with the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day” - 2 Peter 3:8.  Whenever this happens, we can see He is giving us a warning to be watchful, expectant and be ready for what is to come.

The outline of Revelation is found in Revelation 1:19 -“Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall take place after these things.”  The events in Revelation were prophesied in the book of Daniel.  These prophesies have been and are being fulfilled and others will be fulfilled.  This vision of John will unfold in its chapters.

God promises His blessings on us 7 times in Revelation.  This is the only book that promises a blessing to those who read and hear its message.  The blessing is for everyone.  You however must do what it says.  It tells you what to expect and what to do when the wonderful as well as terrible times come.  During the last 7 years Satan will reign over the earth.  This is called the Great Tribulation.  We need to know all the things that will happen and how to handle all the events.

Jesus through John writes to 7 churches.  These churches represent all the churches of God, now and throughout history.  He also writes to the angels of the 7 churches.  They are responsible for getting the message to the churches, just as we are responsible to get the message of Jesus to others.

Revelation tells of the “second coming” of Jesus.  “Look, he is coming with the clouds and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.  So shall it be!  Amen.” – Revelation 1:7.  In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 there is more about His return.  This is hope for all believers!  We will see throughout Revelation more and more details of His coming.

He gives warnings to the churches and the consequences what will come to those who continue in disobedience and unbelief.  Then Jesus will open 7 seals and judgments for mankind and earth.  Then there will be Jesus’ second coming and His 1,000 year reign called the Millennium with Satan being bound.  Afterwards Satan will be released for a short time after which he and his followers will be destroyed in the Lake of Fire.  Then we will see the Great White Throne judgment, which is the final judgment and then there will be a new heaven, a new earth, and a New Jerusalem.  God is then finished with His work.

Revelation is divided into 3 sections:

 Rev. 1 - the things John had seen in his vision of Christ. 

Rev. 2-3 - the things which are, what is now – the situations of the 7 churches. 

Rev. 4-22 -the things that are to take place after these things – in heaven and on earth.

“Behold, I am coming soon!  Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” – Revelation 22:7. 

As you begin to study God’s Word, remember the truth is being revealed.  Do your part.  Study and allow God to do His part so He can guide you to His truth.  Always begin with prayer.

Now get ready to be amazed and enlightened by what you are going to read and learn.  Join me next week when we will start the study Revelation.  Hope to see you here.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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