Telling Verses from REVELATION:   “And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.” Rev 22:6 

 

 

PART 2: When CHRIST RETURNS

 

      Jesus is coming again!! Hallelujah!!!

 

First, the inhabitants of earth are forewarned of God’s judgment:

 

Rev 14:6-7  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

 

Next, people are commanded not to worship the beast and his image and to receive his mark in their forehead or hand.  They stand at the threshold of life eternal.

 

Rev 14:12-13   Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

 

Here, Jesus appears on a cloud:

 

Rev 14:14-16  And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

 

       This is the first harvest of the earth, noted in this passage and performed by Jesus. The nature of this harvest, or reaping, is unclear. 1

 

       But the next reaping is clearly a harvest of judgment against God’s enemies as this harvest is cast into the great winepress of God and blood comes out of it.

 

Rev 14:17-19   And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth…

 

      In the next chapter we see those who refused the beast (had victory over the beast’s demands) offering praise to God in heaven.  It is significant to know that believers existed at the time of the beast’s rule with a new world government and economy.  They were able to remain true to Christ.

 

Rev 15:2   And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

 

 But even more important is the message of their song:

 

Rev 15:3-4  And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

 

Jesus announces his return here:

 

Rev 16:15   Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

 

And His return is described in a very dramatic and exciting way:

 

Rev 19:11   And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

 

Despite His intimidating appearance and title, the enemy attacks Him:

 

Rev 19:19   And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

 

And the rulers of earth are defeated by Jesus, the returning Messiah:

 

Rev 19:20-21   And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

 

Satan is captured and imprisoned and Christ’s millennial reign follows his victory. Surely, Jesus is present (has come) to establish His kingdom on earth. Just imagine, there will be a thousand years of peace and harmony.

 

Then there is a second war and the final defeat of Satan.  God returns to judge the living and the dead and obviously, Jesus comes again. 2

 

Then a new earth is created, described as the “holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Rev 21:2

Jesus is now present for the beautiful union described in Scripture as a wedding ceremony. What will His relationship with the redeemed be like?

 

Rev 21:3,5,7  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

 

In conclusion, this is His admonition to us in light of His promises to return:

 

Rev 1:3   Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

 

Rev 22:16-17   I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches…

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

 

 

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Rev 22:7 

 

NEXT: MARTYRS and OVERCOMERS - CLICK HERE

 

 

FOOTNOTES:

1   (Could it be the rapture of the Church? Although the Book of Revelation relates a detailed and chronicled list of events, there is no obvious reference to a rapture as taught in many churches today.)

2 (Perhaps this is the coming of the Lord referenced in 1 Th 4:14-17. The Thessalonians passage notes the resurrection of the dead in Christ, similar to the resurrection referenced in Rev 20:12-15 at the time of the judgment.)