Behind the Curtain of RevelationSýnishorn

Day Four - I Saw The Signs and It Opened Up My Eyes

Read revelation 19

If you’ve ever seen a political cartoon then you know how well a picture can communicate an idea. For instance, if you saw a pencil drawing of a dragon’s head, breathing smoke out its nostrils, and inside of it’s sharp teeth was a city-scape of high-rise buildings about to be eaten, and you were simultaneously aware that in the world news China was threatening to take over Taiwan, you would get the message loud and clear! There is a dragon, China, and it is about to make a violent takeover of Taiwan.

The Book of Revelation is filled with these kinds of word pictures, and each one is communicating something important. It is all by God’s design so that we are able to stay faithful as the world moves toward its predetermined finish line. Although many of the symbols and pictures of Revelation are well-known, they are not well understood. Some of the most famous descriptions are found between Revelation chapters 6 to 19: the dragon, the beast, 666, and a white horse with a rider called Faithful and True. And although they are not all perfectly sequential, they are all important. The major flow of these chapters begins with 7 seal judgments, then moves to 7 Trumpet judgments growing more severe, and then completes with 7 bowl judgments, bringing the final wrath of God to completion upon the earth. There can be no question, the signs point to God’s judgement on the earth before the eternal state is established. Along this journey of judgement we encounter many different messages letting us know that God is in charge and the enemy is trying unsuccessfully to fight back. The war is won, but the battle rages on.

In chapter 11 God sends two witnesses to prophecy for 42 months, and gives them great power and protection. But the enemy hates them and tries to destroy them. Revelation 11:7 says, “When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them.” God raises them from the dead, but it is a powerful sign that our enemy will not go down without a fight.

In chapter 12 a woman gives birth to a son who will rule the nations with a rod of iron, and yet the dragon tries unsuccessfully to kill the son at birth. When he is unable, we are told in 12:17 that he wages war, “And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.” The woman is Israel, the son is Jesus, and the dragon is Satan. Again, the enemy fights against those with the testimony of Jesus.

And then, most famously, in chapter 13 we are shown two beasts, one from the sea and one from the earth. The beast from the sea speaks blasphemy against God and wages war against God’s people. And yet the people of the world worship him. The beast from the earth arises and demands that everyone worships the statue of the first beast. If they will not, he puts them to death. And it is this beast who requires everyone to receive a mark, 666, on their right hand or forehead in worship to the first beast. The enemy is fighting to be worshipped instead of God.

Reflection

As you read Revelation 19:11-21 take notice that the clear resounding message of Revelation, and all of reality, is that Christ has already won. Our Lord and Savior is the Victorious One over all creation and only His people will ride with him into eternal glory.

To help your heart internalise this truth, as you read Revelation 19:11-21, write down the titles for our Lord Jesus and memorise them. Let them inform your daily attitude, your worship and your prayers.