Genesis and Revelation – Bookends For All Biblical Ideas
During our recent morning devotions, my wife and I have read the book of Revelation, enjoyed it immensely, but because it contains many things mysterious and esoteric, we have decided to read it again. This second time, we will to read it in conjunction with the comments of Drs. Morris and MacArthur that are included in their respective study Bibles. Most of my personal Bible study over the past 30 or so years has been mainly occupied with, or about, the book of Genesis (and the topics introduced in Genesis). And while it is sad to admit this, I just haven’t spent much time with the apocalypse. But because Revelation 1:3 tells that it is blessed to read and to hear to words of this prophecy, we are going to look at it afresh.
I have often said that Genesis and Revelation form natural bookends for all Biblical ideas— historical, theological and eschatological. But it just dawned on me in a rather special way—one of those “aha” moments referred to in Psa. 1:1 (and please understand I know that Jesus declared Himself to be the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending), but it became overwhelming obvious to me that these declarations are more than mere references to His deity—because He is, indeed, the Great Creator and the Ultimate Consummator of all things in the earth, above the earth and under the earth, for time and eternity (2 Peter 3:3-13).
We are witnessing unprecedented, as I have said many times, a formidable decline in every department affecting the United States of America—family, church and country. Whether or not this decline has Kingdom changing ramifications, I am not going to say (I believe it does), but it certainly bodes poorly for the future of this country, and may very well be a signal for something more spectacular. Nevertheless, my recent reading of the Revelation, served me notice concerning some very encouraging statements of truth. It is these that I want to share with you.
In the first place, the word “revelation” means an uncovering or unveiling. God is revealing to the churches in Asia Minor, and to all of us who participate in the “blessing” of chapter 1:3 that Jesus is sovereignly in charge of the world, no one else (19:6), that He is Almighty (1:8), omnipotent, no one mightier, that right and truth will triumph (12:11), He alone is the way, the truth and the life, and that sin and iniquity will be eternally judged (18:1-21).
Moreover, Jesus is assuring believers that when He returns to the Earth, it will not be in the form of a defenseless lamb, but in the form of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. We got a small glimpse of this indomitable nature of His deity in John 2:13-17. His second return will also incorporate a reward that He alone can prepare and has the right to give to those who have been called, chosen and faithful (17:14). He will renovate the universe—make it like Eden, and He will cast the devil, the false prophet and the beast into the bottomless pit forever and ever. I don’t know about you, but I am getting homesick for that great Beulah land. Amen, even so come Lord Jesus.
Thank you so very much for your faithful prayer support, and your financial gifts; CTF has been working to proclaim the truth about the great God, and our Savior for 27 years. Your kindness has been such a blessing.
