Could you explain the book of Revelation in 200 words or less?

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Question: Could you explain the book of Revelation in 200 words or less?

PK

ATP: An interesting challenge, but I'll give it a try.

The book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, is a book of prophecy about what will happen at the end of the age. It describes in some detail the events that will occur just prior to a final judgment from God on humanity and on Satan, the final judgement and what is in store for the world afer the final judgement.

Hows that? 64 words! Just kidding. I suspect you knew that much already, so let me go further, and way past the 200 word limit.

The book of Revelation is John's recording of a vision he was given by the Lord. That vision was given to the world and to the church through John, both as a warning of what is to come and as a word of peace about what is to come.

In chapter 1 verses 3 and 4 John says:

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. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come...."

The message of the book for believers is to be one of grace and peace in knowing the outcome of history. God wins and even though terrible judgments will fall on the world because of its sin, those who have put their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, will one day spend a joyful and peaceful eternity with God. The words of Revelation are not written to scare believers, but rather to be our assurance when troubles do come at the end of the age, that in the final chapter all is made well and we are secure.

But for unbelievers listen to Revelation 20:

Verse 12 And I saw the dead, the great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books according to their deeds.

Verse 15 And if anyone's name was not found in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Obviously having one's name in the Book of Life will be a good idea when the judgement comes! Several passages in the Bible refer to the Book of Life, making it clear that the book contains the names of believers in Christ. (Phil. 4:3; Rev.3:5; Rev. 13:8; Rev. 17:8)

It is also possible that at one time everyone's name was written in the Book of Life. Christ died for the sins of the entire world and the Bible tells us that whosoever will may come to the Lord and be forgiven. Yet many, actually most, refuse that offer.

Evidence that every name may have been in the Book of Life at the beginning is seen in the request of Moses in Exodus 32:32 where he offers to have his name blotted out of the book of God if it would save his people Israel. So it would appear that his name was already in the book. In Psalm 69 David, speaking prophetically of those who reject the Messiah, said: Let them be blotted out of the book of the living...

Again, the appearance is that all names are in the book, covered by the salvation provided by the Messiah. But when the Messiah's offer of forgiveness is rejected, the names are blotted out.

In the end, then, there are names that will be blotted out of the Book of Life. We know that God in his mercy and love intended for all to be "saved" from their sins. Is it the case that so true is this fact, that all names were once in the Book of Life? It would appear that way.

But when people refuse God's offer, he has no choice. Being the just God that he is and the righteous God that he is, he requires that sin's penalty be paid. His preference is that it be paid by Christ's death and resurrection. But those who refuse God's "payment plan" must pay for their own sins. Thus there is a judgement to come, and those who have not received God's offer will have their names blotted from the Book of Life.

This may sound strange to those who don't "get it", but the Book of Revelation is an extraordinary act of loving communication to the world. It is God telling the world what is going to happen if they do not repent of sin.

The disasters that will befall the world which are recorded in the early portion of the book, are clearly God in his mercy allowing time for people to turn to him before it is too late. They are the effect of thunder on the horizon, warning us to take cover before the storm comes.

What is stunning to read in chapter 9 of Revelation, verses 20 and 21, is most will not head his warning, even when half the world's population has been wiped out, as God a step at a time brings his judgments rather than dropping judgment in one fell swoop:

Rev. 9:20-21 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues did not repent of the work of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and of wood, which cannot either see or hear or walk; nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their immorality or their thefts.

In a nutshell, that is the story of the book of Revelation: In the beginning a word that the book is for grace and peace to believers. In the middle, a pivot point where the world still refuses to repent. In the end, judgement for those who have refused to repent, and joy for those who have repented and put their faith in Christ.

There's much more of course, but I'm waaay over my 200 word limit. If there are more specific questions about the book of Revelation or the end of the age, I would be glad to address them. Drop me a line.