THE REVELATION

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:" Rev. 1:1.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ is not the revelation of Him in terms and conditions of redemption and deliverance from our sins. That was done through His virgin birth, revelation to Israel and through the Gospel to "whosoever will."

Titus 2:11; Acts 4;12; 1 Tim.2:4-6. declares the terms of salvation through God's grace. Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God, as our Advocate with the Father, as our Lord, was fully revealed to mankind in His redemptive work and passion and resurrection at Calvary. Note John 1:1-14; Rom.1:4; Col.1:14.

As a matter of choice and will, people CAN refuse and deny Jesus as the Savior and Christ. Rev.1:1 ISN'T mainly for such revelation, for that has been accomplished for nearly twenty centuries.

Rather, Rev.1;1 IS for the revelation of Jesus Christ to the world as the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Righteous Judge, as the wrathful Lamb of God Who comes to judge, slay the wicked and deliver this planet from the bondage of corruption; to fulfill Scripture, and to reign ON the earth forever. Psa.2:6.

These things are taught in the Scriptures, but the unbelieving world doesn't consent to Jesus as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world, as our Savior, and as He Who reigns within the hearts of believers. The unbelievers ignore and deny God's grace in salvation and follow their own ungodliness. To them, Jesus is not yet manifested as Scripture shows that He WILL be. E.g., 2 Tim.4:1;Rev.6:15-16; Mt. 24:30; Zech.14:1-21. All of these things and more, is encompassed in the Revela- tion of Jesus Christ that God gave unto Him to show to His servants.

The Book of Revelation shows what will happen when Dan.2:34-45 occurs. Revela- tion shows the conditions and the results of that process and the judgments of God that will occur, per 2 Thes.1:7-8; 2:7-12 and other Scriptures.

Therefore, the Book of the Revelation declares and reveals Jesus Christ as the Almighty God, the Great God and the Righteous Judge and King over all the earth. It reveals Him in full due process and fact, in these roles. It concludes with His Personal appearance in Rev. 19:11-21. It reveals His millennial reign ON the earth, and the final banishment of satan and all the wicked. It reveals the eternal Kingdom of Christ, which shall not pass away. It reveals His Kingdom and reign and the increase of His government, forever. THIS is the Revelation of Jesus Christ that is not yet revealed to the world.

Now, people wickedly take His Name in vain, they curse Him, deny Him and reject Him. But Phil.2:10 & Rom. 14:11! This is the Revela- tion of Jesus Christ that God gave Him to show to His servants. We know Him in and through His first revelation to mankind as the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, John 1:29.

The Book of Revelation shows believers the end and ful- fillment of all things as God has promised. Though the wicked seem to triumph now, it will NOT always be so. Therefore, the Book of Revelation is a comfort and assurance to believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It reveals the wrath and terror of Christ upon the wicked. Rev.6:15-17. Jesus and God WANTS these things testified in the Churches. Rev.22:16.

Thus, the Book of Revelation shows the final fulfillment and conclusion of the Mystery of God, Rev.10:7. It reveals the Mystery of Israel and their recon- ciliation to God through Jesus Christ as their Messiah. It reveals the Elect of Israel. Zech.12: 10-14:21; Rev. 7:1-8; 12: 1-17.

While the Revelation IS a comfort and assurance to Church Age believers, Chapters 4-19 are NOT about God's dealings with them. 1 Thes.1:9-10; 5:9. It does not require that the Church go through the Great Tribula tion, though believers who come to Christ after the Rapture will endure some parts of it. Note Heb.9:28 & 13:20-21.

In this first News letter of the New Year, I want to urge that you beware of deception. It is the most potent threat to believers at this time. Note, please, Gal.6:7-8; 2 Cor.7:1; 2 Pet. 2:14-22; Heb.12:14. and 1 Pet. 1:15-16.

In the Words of the Lord Jesus: "Watch ye, therefore, and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things and to stand before the Son of Man (Lu.21:36). Ought we not to regard His Word? Why pray that "ye may escape" if we MUST endure the Great Tribulation?

I love you.