Series: The Book of Revelation
Sun am 14 March 2010 – Kobus Swart
Rev. 1:3; Rev. 19:10; Rev. 21:7-8; Eph. 5:27-32; Heb. 2:10-12; Rev. 1:9-15; Rev. 12:1-6; (Matt. 1:18-23); Gen. 3:15; Rom. 16:20; Rev. 11:15; Rev. 12:7-11;Col. 2:14; John 16:8-11; Rom. 8:1
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. (Rev. 1:3) This book of Revelation takes us beyond the Church age; it talks about a government of priests after the order of Melchizedek that will rule and reign with Christ. It is not a book full of predictions as people thought in the past. It’s a prophecy, and unlike our normal understanding of prophecy, it is an unfolding revelation of Jesus Christ. “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev.19:10) The book of Revelation is bringing to us a full understanding of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega. It brings together the first and the last to convey the corporate picture to us.
As we read the book we see that it is the unveiling of the Son in the sons. This book contains promises to the overcomers. “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”(Rev. 21:7-8).
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. (Heb. 2:10) The Gospel for 2000 years has concentrated only on the theme of redemption – delivered “from” and neglecting the fact that we were also delivered “unto”. We need to see the fullness of the Son coming forth in the sons; the completeness of the Alpha and Omega.
A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; (Rev. 12:1) A woman is a familiar biblical image for the Church, the people of God. In its primary fulfillment this woman represents old covenant Israel. The symbol in Rev 12 is a glorious vision of the Church in Her purity as the wife of God. She is in the image of Her Husband. And she gave birth to the Manchild, who was Jesus. The same Greek expression is used of the virgin Mary in Math.1:18-23, carrying in her womb the Messiah who is destined to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. This image goes back all the way to the Garden of Eden. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shallbruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” (Gen. 3:15). But there is a further fulfillment in this “sign” John saw in the heavens.
The deeper significance of this story is found in the Woman being the Church ready to give birth to the Manchild – the overcomers’ company. Then we will find the final execution of the victory Jesus wrought on the Cross. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. (Rom. 16:20). Then John also heard the 7th trumpet: …and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15) This sign clearly follows what happened in chapter 12; it does not precede it. John continues: Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night”.
We remember the words of Jesus Himself: “…the ruler of this world has been judged”. (John 16:8-11). Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:1) We must learn to be totally immune to the accuser of the brethren, he is defeated and judged. The certificate of debt has been cancelled. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father waiting for this to happen, for us to walk in the finished work. The root of the delay in the Parousia is found right here. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. (Rom. 8:22). Passivity must be replaced by active obedience in the Word of God. It is in the corporate that we will see the victory.
FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church (Eph. 5:31-32). Jesus is not going to enter the honeymoon chamber alone; He will take a Bride with Him, a Bride without spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:27). John also saw a picture of the Corporate Man: And in the middle of the lamp stands I saw one resembling a man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. (Rev. 1:13 See Moffats translation).
In the final analyses, God Himself wants to fill all things!