PROPHECY: Apocalyptic

The Age of Revelation

WARFARE | JUDGMENT | VICTORY

Apocalyptic is one of the most misunderstood words in the Biblical vocabulary. Most defining it as a word to describe events, beliefs, or writings related to the end of the world or a major disaster. In reality, it is to uncover, disclose or reveal. In fact, before Latin, the Book of Revelation was literally called the Book of Apocalyptic.

The Book of Apocalyptic was penned by Jesus’s beloved John. Of all the disciples, he was the only disciple to stay at Jesus’ side until His burial. The others coward to their fears and hid like dogs. John was also the one to whom Jesus gave authority to protect & care for His mother, required by the eldest son upon his death according to Hebrew Law. This made it appropriate for God to entrust John with the most significant writings of the Bible. Few know this book is the only book “written” (dictated) by Jesus Himself through an ordained angel to John - making the Book of Apocalyptic the only book written by Jesus.

PRISON TO THE PEN

John was imprisoned on the island of Patmos because he refused to stop preaching the message of Jesus Christ being the Son of God. His banishment to the island was the perfect setting for Jesus to disclose His final words before He returns for His Second Coming.

When Jesus appeared before John, it was not how John remembered Him. This time, He appeared to John in all of His glory: white head and hair, eyes of fire, feet of bronze, a voice “like a roar of many waters, and His face was like the sun shining in full strength.” (Rev. 1:14-16) John’s response was noteworthy: “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead.” John’s apocalyptic experience was about to begin.

After the greetings were over, John was instructed to carefully write down every word spoken to him. Up to this point in history, all prophecies were written ABOUT the coming of Jesus 7 and the projected end times. Now - Jesus is the ONE who will deliver the final prophecies with His own mouth - making use of God’s original method of communication, imagery. The apocalyptic imagery John was about to see with his eyes would shake his soul to the core. The fantastic symbols that would be unfolded to John must have been utterly overwhelming. Remaining faithful, par his norm, he wrote every jot and tittle revealed.

THE SEVEN CHURCHES

The Book of Apocalyptic was intended for the Seven Churches of Asia, which were the representatives of the Seven categorical types of churches until Jesus returns in His Second Coming. The names of these churches are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Historically, these were all names of pagan cities. Symbolizing God’s redemptive value in birthing Truth through paganistic cultures established by God’s greatest enemy - Satan.

These churches were of such significance to our Lord an angel was assigned on Heaven’s side to each church. A candlestand was placed at the altar of God to represent the significance of each fellowship. In fact, everything significant about the number SEVEN throughout history AND the future is directly connected to these Seven Churches. This, my reader, is the most historical apocalyptic notation of God’s primary identifier - the Number Seven. From these Seven Churches, God will start and finish all prophetic proclamations of warfare, judgment, and ultimately His victory.

WARNINGS AND BLESSINGS

Oddly, out of the Seven Churches, only two of them were faithful; the other five were fudging on their witness due to worldly compromise. Does this sound familiar in looking at the church world today? Yes. Because what was spoken to John back then was not only for the first-generation church but mostly for our present-day church leading up to the Rapture. One should not read the Book of Revelation/Apocalyptic as a history book, but rather as a future book of the End Times. If you read it as a history book, you will default to “interpretation.” If it is read for what it is (future book), it will be respected as a warning to inherit the ultimate blessing. By the way, the two faithful churches that endured to the end are the Church of Persecution (Smyrna) and the Church of Love (Philadelphia). By Jesus’s own words & standards, persecution and love are the only two descriptors of identifying believers who will endure to the end of the apocalyptic times.

THE SEVEN APOCALYPTIC POINTS

Not one human will gain an understanding of the apocalyptic writings if they do not have “ears to hear.” Not one. The meaning of this is earth-shattering, literally. To have “ears to hear,” one must possess the Holy Spirit’s ears to hear within their mortal body - being indwelt by the Life of Jesus Christ by way OF His Spirit. Without this immovable requirement, individuals will read the Book of Apocalyptic as a history book without inspiration. With the indwelling Spirit of Christ granting eternal understanding of the words of this book comes a blessing - all those who read this book shall be blessed. While the Holy Spirit grants understanding, Seven major themes are revealed in Jesus’s writings through John.

• Jesus Christ the Lamb & King of kings: The lamb represents the ultimate sacrifice for human sin. All demonic and evil beings are dismissed from this redemptive blood. A king represents authority. Jesus, the King of kings, notes His preeminent dominance over all past, present, and future authority figures. (Rev. 1:5; 5:5-10; 12:1-11; 17:14; 19:16)

• Spiritual Warfare: The primary theme of Revelation/Apocalyptic is spiritual warfare - Satan and his demons and earthly representatives war against the authority of God and His Son. The entire book is about this war, in which humanity simply becomes pons on this chessboard.

• Correction: Since the book is written to the Seven Churches, it is a corrective group of letters for the violation of complacency, syncretism, heresy, and, let’s not forget, apathy (2:1-3:22; 13:1-18; 17:1-18:24).

• Deliverance: The book was written primarily for the purpose of offering warnings to save the masses from destruction through deliverance through the salvation of the indwelling Life of Jesus. The message is no one will escape these destructions unless they come unto the Father through Jesus alone. (Rev. 19:1-10; 20:1-6)

• Destruction of Satan and Demons: Without question, this is the horrid details of the Seven Bowls of Wrath, which ends all evil caused by Satan onto humanity. Jesus girded for battle, ends all wars with one final war, the battle of Armageddon. Each bowl released sets up for this war. Satan, his demons, and his followers are all cast into the pit of Hell as a consequence of their judgment received. (Rev. 20:7-10)

• Eternal Salvation: It is all about salvation through the possession of the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of God the Father and Jesus Christ. Their title? Indwelt Believers. The hardships spoken of in this book are to “separate the goats from the sheep.” That is the gig. It is the underlying doctrines that are for this purpose. Remember, this book/letter is written to the Seven Churches, not the evil doers of the End Times. Goats are fake Christians - followers. Sheep are real-deal believers who house the Holy Spirit from within. The book of Revelation/Apocalyptic unfolds the tribulations for this separation to occur. Once the separation is done, the Rapture WILL ensue; then, all Hell will break out onto Satan and his domain. (Rev. 21:1-22:6; John 14:1-4)

• Worship of God & King: Believe it or not, this book is about worship. Satan himself knows that. In fact, that is what Satan is all about - worship me or die. The book contains magnificent scenes of all of Heaven worshiping God and the Lamb during these horrific payback episodes. That is why when true indwelt believers read this book, they are blessed. When you are blessed, you worship. (Rev. chapters 4-5)

In future writings, we will learn more about the finite details of this life-changing book. The last and ending story contained within the Book of Revelation/Apocalyptic is a window into the future of humanity, Satan, his demons, Jesus Christ, His Bride, and the invitation to the New Heaven & Earth. What a gracious God to give us a conclusive picture of the Alpha & Omega of the “why” He created humanity & His prophetic word pictures.

It really doesn’t matter what happens in your life or the world - no matter how depressing or oppressive things become around you, that is, IF you have the indwelling Life of Jesus as these apocalyptic events get downloaded onto the present earth. If you DON’T have the Life of Christ in you, you might want to become a “prepper.” Outside of an earthly preparation, you are doomed without having ears to hear. To get a pair of those ears, you must receive Jesus Christ as your Lord, Savior, and indwelling Life.

I don’t believe in “textbook” salvation. Meaning unless the Holy Spirit has prompted you to receive Jesus Christ AS your Savior, fruitless prayers won’t save you. Although, IF the Spirit is leading you unto authentic salvation, consider praying this PRAYER. If you need a warm-up to what this means, watch the video.

Download my brochure, print and handout to interested onlookers. HERE