Gods Agenda For The Revelation

The apostle John witnessed some of the greatest events in history. He and his brother James, known collectively as the Sons of Thunder, were selected by Jesus to be disciples, were taught by Him for three years and saw firsthand many mighty miracles. John saw Jesus die on the cross, then beheld the resurrected Christ and watched His Ascension. John, along with Peter, took a prominent role in founding and guiding the early church. He was eventually exiled for his faith to the Isle of Patmos, where he received prophetic visions and was instructed by “one like a son of man” to write what he saw and heard into the Book of Revelation. This book is declared to be “the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1) and a special blessing is issued to all who read, hear, and keep the things that are written in this book (1:3).

During his exile on the Isle of Patmos, the apostle John was directed to

“Write The Things Which Thou Hast Seen, And The Things Which Are, And The Things Which Shall Be Hereafter” (Revelation 1:19)

to seven specific churches: Ephesus (the backslidden church which had left their “first love”), Smyrna (the faithful-in-tribulation church), Pergamos (the church “holding fast to My name” though surrounded by evil), Thyatira (the church praised for their good works), Sardis (the dying church), Philadelphia (the weak but loyal church), and Laodicea (the lukewarm, self-satisfied church). These were several actual churches, and the letters were given to communicate to them—to admonish and warn, but these messages are also filled with significance and instruction to churches and believers through the years since the Book of Revelation was written.

The Book of Revelation can be divided into three divisions:

1. Revelation 1 (“the things which you have seen”)
2. Revelation 2-3 (“the things which are”)
3. Revelation 4-22 (“the things which shall be hereafter”)

With this lesson, Pastor Benny Hinn introduces the largest section, beginning with Chapter 4, the vision of God’s throne and its surroundings. Discover what happens immediately after the Rapture of the church. The throne in Heaven suddenly occupies John’s attention. Then he describes the brilliant stones, the rainbow about the stone, the 24 elders clothed in white raiment with gold crowns, the seven lamps of fire, the sea glass “like unto crystal” before the throne, and four beasts that were like a lion, calf, with the face of a man, and flying eagle. Chapter 5 outlines the book sealed with seven seals. Chapter 6 outlines the opening of the first six seals: the Conqueror upon the white horse, war, famine, death, martyrs, and catastrophes.

After the sixth seal is opened and the horrible catastrophes take place, John witnesses four angels standing on the four corners of the earth holding back the four winds of the earth. During this break between the sixth and seventh seals, the 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel are protected. A vision of the redeemed, the heavenly host, stand before the throne. In Chapter 8, the seventh seal is opened. Seven angels begin sounding the seven trumpets. Chapter 8 gives us the first four trumpet sounds and what happens after each: hail and fire, a great mountain on fire cast into the sea, a great star falling from heaven to earth, and a third part of the sun, moon, and stars smitten. The fifth and sixth trumpets (are sounded during Chapter 9, along with judgments which fail to produce penitence.

The events foreseen by John continue to move toward a great consummation, as evidenced by the angel’s announcement (10:5-7) that there will be no longer a delay, and that the prophetic events are soon to be fulfilled. The “little book” (10:2), the voices of the seven thunders (10:4), and the command for John to eat the book (10:9) transition into Chapter 11 and the prophecy and martyrdom of the “two witnesses.” These precede Chapter 12 which outlines great wonders in the heavens, a woman clothed with the sun, the great red dragon, the war in heaven between Michael and his angels against the dragon, and the vision of the birth of the man child. Though evil seemingly wins, the veiled visions move toward the sounding of the seventh trumpet, the culmination of the ages, and the triumph of Christ’s kingdom!

The Revelation of Christ continues to foreshadow the agenda of the ages with epochal events including the amassing of satanic powers to destroy God’s plans. Chapter 13 details the beast rising out of the sea, the worship of the dragon, the beast making war with the saints, another beast coming up out of the earth, and the mark of the beast. The severity of this mark, 666, is explained in certain terms:

“And No Man Might Buy Or Sell, Save He That Had The Mark, Or The Name Of The Beast, Or The Number Of His Name” (13:17).

In chapter 14, the followers of the Lamb of God are described and the fall of evil powers (Babylon) are foretold. Chapter 15 describes the seven angels having the seven last plagues, and Chapter 16 portrays the seven vials, leading to the Battle of Armageddon and the fall of evil powers.

God’s agenda of the ages culminates is the final conflict and His victory. Chapters 17 and 18 predict the doom of Babylon and the Lamb’s enemies. Chapter 19 and 20 detail the marriage of the Lamb, the final victory of Christ upon His white horse, and the doom of all evil. The new heaven and new earth are revealed in Chapters 21 and 22, offering the characteristics of the awesome beauty of our eternal paradise with the river of life, the tree of life, breathtaking workmanship, and eternal day. The Revelation of Christ closes with a final invitation to partake of a glorious future with Him, along with the closing admonition:

“Surely I Come Quickly” (22:20).