‘Most Christians don’t realize it actually reveals who God is to us’
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(Photo by Rowan Freeman on Unsplash)
(FAITHWIRE) — Prophecy expert and author Jeff Kinley believes the book of Revelation is unique and important as it’s the “last book of the Bible” and the final word God gave “His church.”
Kinley, whose latest book, “God’s Grand Finale: Wrath, Grace, and Glory in Earth’s Last Days,” explores this topic, believes the end times themes in Revelation are “very critical” and offer insight into God’s nature — something some believers might not realize.
“It does tell us about the end of time, the whole Tribulation period, heaven … the Second Coming, the Antichrist, many different things,” he said. “But, interestingly enough, most Christians don’t realize that the book of Revelation actually reveals who God is to us.”
Jeff Kinley may be right on some of his assertions on Revelation is meant to be read and the meaning is revealed and not hidden (as with the meaning of Daniel’s vision was hidden from him at the time), however his protestant view of the end-times, tribulation and rapture is still way off base. I find nowhere in Revelation about a what I believe he calls “the rapture.” The notion of a pre tribulation rapture is quite recent in history. the Bible clearly shows that God’d people live thru the end-time and tribulation and not raptured to heaven,. We have many articles on the subject. Revelation is hard to understand for most people in that many read it with preconceived “churchianity” ideas of what they think they are going to find. I don’t have time to go over my views here, but the book is meant for those to read “in the end times.” In some sense, we have been in the “end times,” since the days of the apostles! They believed they were living in the end days. The Tribulation itself, and the return of Christ is described by Jesus:
Luke 21:7 So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign will there be when these things are about to take place?”
8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ [d]Therefore do not [e]go after them. 9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”
10 Then He said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will [f]answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or [g]resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
Paul adds: “the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2nd Tim 4:3-4). Sadly many Christians fall into the misled and do not find the sound teachings found in the Bible.
Bob Barney