The book of Revelation is not a scary story; it is a book of Hope and Victory.  It is called the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and within His message to John is where you will find the open message to His Churches and His people. 

 

Although most of Revelation is highly symbolic, the real message is not hidden.  The truths that center on the Holiness, Power and Sovereignty of God, and His victory over sin and evil, as well as what we need to do to share in that victory, do not need any decoding to be understood.

 

Revelation begins with Jesus Himself telling John, “Write therefore what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.”  What follows are the seven letters to the churches of that time, although, the message is very valid for today’s churches also.  They were letters to confront the believers who had slipped both morally and spiritually, as well as encouragement for the good that they were doing.  This corrective, tough-love is essential to spiritual health.

 

In each of the letters, following what Jesus had against them, He followed each accusation with the plea to repent, and turn back from their evil ways.  That is indeed a message of Hope, that our Redeemer is correcting us with one breadth and pleading with us to repent in His next breadth. 

 

Revelation also is known as the prophetic, end-times book; so naturally, there are many who try to figure out where we are and how close we are getting to that end time.  But we have made it safely past May 21st and I am sure we will make it well past the Mayan’s Dec., 12th also.    I feel that the end-times is not the issue here.  Everyone’s end-times is different, your end time is when you die!  Mine is when I die!  The real issue is our relationship with Jesus Christ.   While we are still breathing and living on this earth, we can start and grow our relationship with Jesus Christ.  If we die without a relationship with Jesus, it is too late.   You can’t accept Jesus after you die. 

 

All of God’s wrath and punishment in the book of Revelation is for the purpose of eliminating sin and evil.  He has righteous anger against sin and sinners who won’t repent of their sins and accept God’s salvation.  That is what and who it is poured out on.  If you are a follower of Christ, you won’t be harmed by His wrath.   And, you will be able to walk on streets of Gold when you get to Heaven.