Today, we will wrap up our study on End Times and the book of Revelation. When you study prophecy, remember, it is all about Jesus! The book of Revelation is both symbolic and literal. There are also a lot of numbers in the book that have symbolic meaning. For some fun facts, here is a quick overview:
| Number | Example(s) | What it Tells Us/The Gospel in Numbers |
| 1 | There is one God. His name is Yahweh/Jehovah. | There is one true and living God. |
| 2 | The number of witnesses. Two testaments. Jesus is the second person of the Godhead and is the faithful witness (Rev 1:5). | Jesus is the faithful and true witness. |
| 3 | The divine number of God. He was, is, and is to come. Holy, Holy, Holy. He made us body, soul, spirit. | God has revealed himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. |
| 4 | The earth number. Four seasons. Four corners of the earth. There are also four living creatures. | This is my Father’s world. The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. |
| 5 & 10 | Speaks of completeness. Ten plagues. Antichrist has ten horns and ten crowns (Rev 13). Persecution lasts 10 days (Rev 2:10). | Whatever God starts he will complete. |
| 6 | The number of man. Man was created on the 6thday. Mark of the Beast is 666 (Rev 13:18). | We are sinners and fall short of His glory. |
| 7 | The number of perfection. Seven days in a week. Marched around Jericho seven times. Seven parables of the Kingdom in Matt. 13. The Tribulation is seven years. Seven is the key number in Revelation – seven churches, seals, trumpets, and bowls. | God requires perfection. Jesus lived the perfect life we cannot live and was the sacrifice without spot. |
| 8 | New beginnings. Jewish boys were circumcised on the 8th day. Eight people saved in the Ark. | We can have a brand-new life in Jesus. |
| 12 | The number of tribes and disciples. Rev. 4 talks about 24 elders representing God’s people, all the redeemed from Old and New Testament. | Everyone who puts their trust in Jesus will walk through one of twelve gates. Heaven will be their home. |
We left off last week with Revelation 19-20 and the second coming. We also looked at the first three letters to the churches. We are living in the church age now, so these letters are especially practical for us. The church is a bride preparing for our King. Here is what we see next:
The Millennial Kingdom – Revelation 20:1-6
There will be peace in the Middle East when the Prince of Peace returns. He will rule on David’s Throne (Ez 37:24-28, Lu 1:32). The 12 apostles will rule with Him (Matt 19:28). Animals that normally attack one another will live in harmony. Children will play with wild animals (Isa 2:1-4, 11:1-10). It will be the opposite of the Great Tribulation. Christ will rule instead of the Anti-Christ. It will be a foretaste of heaven. Will you be there? Is Jesus the King of your life? Then, “When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison” (Rev 20:7) and, “The devil who deceived them [will be] thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Rev. 20:10).
The Great White Throne Judgment – Revelation 20:7-14
God will put an end to the rebellion of Satan and man once and for all. Verses 12 and 15 talk about the books that will be opened. Everyone who puts their trust in Jesus is written in the book of life. Everything you have ever done was paid for by Jesus on the cross. Everyone who does not trust Jesus will be judged out of the books (notice the plural). The good news is heaven is forever! The bad news is hell is forever. A trillion years into eternity will not reduce one second of the time you have left. Everyone will die and face judgment (Heb 9:27). Reincarnation is a lie. Purgatory is unbiblical. There is no second chance after death. Christians will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. Unbelievers will stand before the Great White Throne Judgment. You will stand before God. Are you ready? Jesus said, “Rejoice not that the demons are subject to you, but that your name is written in heaven!” (Lk 10:20).
The New Jerusalem – Revelation 21-22
When we looked at End Times according to Peter, we learned the earth will be destroyed or purged by fire. God will replace the old heavens and earth with the new heavens and earth and reveal the New Jerusalem, the City of God. It will be a holy city and happy city with streets of gold and gates of pearl. Heaven is not a boring place where we float on clouds and play harps. It will be a new earth. Jesus is going to put it all back to its original state in Genesis. God, who created the heavens and the earth, is going to recreate them and restore them to His original purpose. No more hurricanes, nor’easters, tornadoes, or earthquakes. No more hatred, prejudice, or racism. No more sin, sickness, sorrow, or death. We will enjoy God’s creation without sin!
Jesus said, “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book,” and “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work” (Rev 22:7, 12). So what are we to do to get ready? Let’s look at the last four churches in chapters 2-3. The church at Thyatira was being deceived (2:20). Today it seems people want to have their own truth. But Satan is a liar. We can’t change the Bible to fit our lifestyle. The church at Sardis had a reputation for being alive but they were dead (3:1). Activity is not always a sign of life. Are you religious or do you have a relationship with God? The church at Philadelphia is the only church with all commendation. They kept God’s word (3:8). We must love the word, read the word, and believe the word. That is the best way to prepare. Finally, the church at Laodicea was lukewarm (3:15-16). We can’t be complacent.
God wants to have a relationship with you. It does not matter where you have been or what you have done. God wants you to open the door of your heart. Here is the invitation: “Both the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come! Let anyone who hears, say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).
