Part 10 of 12 of the theme 'Lessons from Revelation ' by Gijs van den Brink
Revelation teaches that the world in its present form will come to an end. That the present world will always continue to develop in an upward trend in all its gradualness is a myth. It is the pervasive Western belief of progress. This belief in progress has replaced faith in God who has revealed his plan for the earth to us in the Bible.
The book of Revelation shows us that the world is falling into an ever-increasing crisis. With more death and pollution and destruction. The seven seals in Rev. 6 implement God's plan He has for the time between ascension and return. This is followed by the seven trumpets in Rev. 8, which take place toward the end of that period. With the seven trumpets, there is still a possibility of repentance. When it appears that the trumpets do not work the hoped-for result, the scales follow, in which God's wrath is completed (Rev. 16). The seals open the judgments, the trumpets announce. The bowls are the pans in which judgment itself lies and from which it is immediately poured out.
At the trumpets, there is still opportunity for repentance and judgment is not yet fulfilled. Mercy is even stronger there. But at the scales, there is nothing to stop judgment. The crisis on earth is growing and the judgments are becoming grimmer. At the scales in chapter 16, the plagues follow one another in rapid succession, sparing no one. The crisis on earth reaches a climax.
But at the height of the crisis on earth, Jesus Christ returns (Rev. 19:11vv) and after a fierce final battle between Christ and the beast (antichrist), which is won by the Lord Jesus, peace then comes to earth under His rule.
With an intermediate kingdom on earth of a thousand years followed by a new heaven and earth, the New Testament book of Revelation gives the most powerful testimony that the earth does not perish but is transformed and preserved (Rev. 20-22).
Also see: Part 9 of 12 of the theme 'Lessons from Revelation ': Conversion of Israel
Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine
This is part 10 of 12 concise blog on the topic of "Lessons from Revelation" from Study Bible Magazine, Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!
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