2 Cor 11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians was very concerned with how easily their thinking could be corrupted by Satan�s craftiness leading them away from the simplicity that is in Christ. Satan is still very much at work continually trying to sway man�s thinking by steering them away from the truth of God�s word. He accomplishes this by factionalizing - men viewing Scripture in different ways. This is most evident when it comes to the Revelation. Revelation means an unveiling or revealing of something that has been previously hidden. To put is simply, it is God revealing the fulfillment of His plan and purpose which had begun in Genesis. BY COMPARISON God�s word is one absolutely perfect, unbroken, unbreakable circle. Comparing Genesis to Revelation makes it very plain in that it shows the types in Genesis and the completion of truth in the Revelation. Take a look GENESIS REVELATION a) book of beginnings book of the consummation b) creation of heaven & earth new Heaven & new earth c) earthly paradise/tree of life Paradise of God/Tree of Life d) First man and his wife Second Man and His Bride e) First typical sacrificial lamb Lamb once slain f) beginning of sin w/serpent in garden Old Serpent cast in Lake of Fire g) 1st murderer, rebel, drunkard All such, refusing God's grace, are banished h) Rise of Babel - Babylon Fall or doom of Babylon i) Man�s first city City of God j) Sorrow, death, pain and tears because of sin No sin, tears, death, sorrow,pain What God had begun, He is going to bring to a conclusion. He began with the types in Genesis, and He fulfills with the actual in Revelation. BASIC TRUTH: CHRIST�S IMMINENT RETURN Christ is coming back, that is a certainty. But no one knows exactly when. If Jesus taught anything when He was on earth it was about His return and that we were to watch for it (Matt.24:36; Matt.25:13; Mk.13:32-37 to mention a few). The main thought that stands out is to be watchful, be ready, be eagerly looking for His return. Jesus did not say, "Watch, for the Antichrist." or "Watch, for the tribulation events." Jesus Christ must come before them and we are to WATCH FOR HIS COMING. And His coming is not predicated on any prophesied event. He could have come at any time following His ascension - before any historical event had ever occurred. Paul expected Christ to return in his lifetime. One foundational truth concerning Christ�s return is that, a) no man can know when b) everyone is to be watching and waiting. THERE ARE NO "SIGNS" TO PREDICT HIS SECOND COMING Acts 1:7 "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons..." That is simple enough. But man is forever seeking to show his knowledge by making predictions. This has been happening for centuries and by doing so they falsely interpret Scripture to contradict the plain teaching that "it is not for you to know." One thing we can be sure of, He is coming back and His return, according to Scripture, is in two phases; first for His Bride in the clouds like a thief in the night, Secondly in all His glory with His saint visible to the whole world to establish His kingdom. When all our time is spent trying to predict the second coming by looking at events and people we are truly missing the blessings that come through anticipating and preparation of the return of the Bridegroom for His bride. BLESSING OF THE REVELATION 1) Special Blessing: the word "blessed" is the Greek word "makurios" which has the meaning, "to possess the favor of God." Those who read, hear, keep the words of this prophecy are those who will possess the favor of God. We can have courage in affliction and persecution. We can know God will triumph in the future and we will know about Christ�s return in glory. 2) Second Coming: is that "Blessed Hope" spoken by Paul in Titus 2:13. God intended for this book to be read, taught, preached and understood. Man complicates it and avoids it by such sayings as, it is not important to us, it is hard to understand, it is all speculation, and, most has already been fulfilled. These men speak out of ignorance and indifference to the Second Coming of Christ and do great harm and sin against God and His people. God promised a special blessing attached to this book and because of that He closes the book with a warning to any who would add or take from what is written. God's word is very plain if we let it speak for itself and not read into it was really isn't there. It is important that we study it, expecting to understand. Pray for the Spirit�s guidance and believe what God said. Take God�s word at face value and we avoid much confusion. To understand God�s word does not require a vivid imagination; just simple, humble, child-like faith willing to believe what God said. Scripture interprets Scripture, not man�s carnal ability to put forth his limited knowledge of God�s mind. The Revelation is a blessed book which reveals the King of kings in all His glory with His saints. You still have time if you are not one of His saints. Trust Him today and reap the blessings of His precious promises. Back|Home