Chapter 31- The End of Time

Revelation 1-5; 19-22

Introduction to the Reading: 

What is it like to cross the finish line of an Ironman? It's like completing that final big project before graduating school. It's like winning an award. It's like... you know it is really hard to say what it is like. I even said to my wife the Friday before the race, “I’m having a hard time getting my head around what it will be like to finish.” While you can even see the video of what it is like, the only way to know how it feels is to do it yourself. It is surreal. That is about the best way to put it.

The Lord could have given us live streaming video of what is going on in heaven right now, but I have to admit that even if I could see exactly what is going on, I still couldn't get my head around it. If he gave me all the details about heaven that I could ever ask for without being there myself, I still wouldn't know what it feels like to be there.

The Lord realized exactly that when he gave John the revelation on the island of Patmos. Instead of giving him details he gave John an impression. I think of the book of Revelation like an impressionist painting. If you aren't art fans, here is a link to one of the greatest impressionist painters: Monet. While a picture, especially in today’s HD world, would give us a much better idea of the details, Monet’s purpose was to give us an impression of what the scene felt like.

Today as you read Revelation, don’t get bogged down in the details. I’m sure Pastor Ben will help explain the pictures that are used in the book of Revelation during the next few weeks in his sermon series. I myself thought about having a few breaks while reading this week to explain things like how the 24 elders represent the Church (all believers throughout eternity). I could try to explain what the different stones might possibly represent. However, I don’t want you to look at this picture of heaven and get caught up staring at the brush strokes. For today I want you to keep moving and see the bigger picture. I want you to take a step back and see what impression you get as to what heaven will feel like.

When You're Done Reading - Thoughts to Ponder:

The message of Revelation, as I discussed earlier in this post, isn't about giving us the specifications as to how big heaven will be, or specifically what we will be doing for the rest of eternity, or anything else like that. The message of Revelation is quite simple: Christ reigns, and we too will reign with him.

I have to admit, until reading the chapter this week, I never understood why the letters to the churches were included in this book. They seemed out of place. While it seems like John’s revelation is talking about things that are to come, these letters are written about the Church here on earth.

I don’t know how I missed it, but finally reading the chapter this week it clicked. First of all, the majority of the events described in Revelation are things that are going on right now! Right now Christ is reigning in heaven. Right now we are experiencing the signs of the end of time here on earth. Right now the Gospel is going out to all the corners of the earth. While some of the events described are talking about what will happen at judgment day, most of the things described are what are occurring now.

In addition, the book of Revelation isn't written for people who have crossed the finish line (to go back to my original illustration). The book of Revelation is written for those of us who are still running the race. During the race, there were plenty of times I started to zone out. When I started to daydream, I also started to slow down. I would get distracted. I was getting warn out. My body didn't feel like going any further. It was times like these that I had to remind myself that there was a finish line out there. I came not just to run the race, but to finish.

John’s revelation is given to the Church militant (that is, the Church on earth still fighting for the faith.) While it reminds us of the Church triumphant, its purpose is to keep us focused on the finish line. As I was reminded plenty of times yesterday by fans cheering me on, “Just keep one foot in front of the other. You are almost there.”

It has been great reading The Story with you, but the race is not over. It took me just over 12 hours to finish the race yesterday. That is nothing compared to the 50, 70, or even beyond 90 years that many of us will fight in the Church militant here on earth. The Lord says to us, “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, but you have forsaken the love you had at first. Repent and do the things you did at first…Remember what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent!...To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Prayer/Hymn:

My favorite hymn…

By William W. How

For all the saints who from their labors rest,

All who their faith before the world confessed,

Your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!

You were their rock, their fortress and their might;

You, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight

And in the darkness drear their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, may your soldiers, faithful, true, and bold

Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old

And win with them the victor’s crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine!

We feebly struggle; they in glory shine,

Yet all are one within your grand design. Alleluia! Alleluia!

And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,

Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

And hearts are brave again and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;

Soon, soon, to faithful warriors comes their rest.

Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!

But then there breaks a yet more glorious day;

The saints triumphant rise in bright array;

The King of glory passes on his way. Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds to ocean’s farthest coast

Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! Alleluia!