How does Revelation relate to other Bible passages on the end times?

The Prophets of the Old Testament spoke out of the context of God's dealings with Israel and Judah. Much of what they said echoed back to the Great Flood or to Israel's deliverance from Egypt, and much was in the time-frame and context of the Babylonian captivity.

Their message was directly applicable to those difficult days but also carried with it a sense of fulfilment yet to come. Today we can see the types and shadows of Israel's experience more clearly, especially when we seek insights concerning the days ahead.

Jesus Fulfils the Prophets

The key to understanding how the Prophets spoke in veiled terms about the end times is revealed in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, when Jesus spoke of the signs of his return. He brought clarity to what the Prophets proclaimed accurately but which had hitherto been understood only in vague visionary terms.

The Book of Revelation came later. Hence, it is wise to study the end time prophecies of the Old Testament first, so that the Book of Revelation is read in context. Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 act as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments.

Jesus brought clarity to what the Prophets had proclaimed about the end times.

The Book of Revelation: Why?

The early disciples did not have the Book of Revelation for at least 35 years after Jesus' death and resurrection. They had enough from the Tanakh (Old Testament) and what Jesus had told them prior to his death to prepare for his coming. Yet John was given substantially greater insights whilst on the Island of Patmos, which he passed on to Jesus' later disciples. There must be a reason.

One reason, surely, was the persecution of Jesus' disciples under the Roman Empire, and the scattering of Israel around 70 AD. Further comfort was needed: the same sort of comfort afforded by Paul to the Thessalonians (1 Thess 4-5; 2 Thess 2). Another reason is because of the difficult times that lie ahead as the end times draw near. These times are likened to Israel in Babylon and the world under Rome - also the time of Noah.

When we read the Book of Revelation, therefore, we must read it as further insights on what had already been revealed to God's people by the earlier Prophets and by Jesus. Taking Matthew 24 as our reference, let's see how it all fits together.

Revelation provides further insights on what had already been revealed through the Prophets and through Jesus.

First: An Overview

John's revelation on the Island of Patmos was as powerful as the heavenly visions given to Isaiah (Isa 6), Ezekiel (Ezek 1) and Daniel (Dan 7-12). At times through angelic presence, at times through direct communication from the risen Lord Jesus, at times through vision (whether symbolic or literal), John was given what Jesus wants his disciples to know.

Revelation 1 is the beginning of Jesus' communication from Heaven to earth, demanding a profound encounter with John, and then proceeding in the down-to-earth description of various Church congregations (with which John would have been familiar), with warnings and commendations.

Seven congregations are addressed directly (Rev 2-3). Jesus showed that his presence was among his people in their congregations and that nothing was hidden from him - whether things worthy of commendation or things deserving criticism.

Surely we, in later days, were intended to know that these things are also true of our own congregations. The Book of Revelation puts our down-to-earth church experience in the context of what John was shown of the heavenly realms. Jesus has shown us these things because we too will need these reassurances and pieces of advice.

The early disciples heard these truths in terms of the persecutions of Rome. We hear them in the context of a coming world empire likened to Babylon. Chiefly, then, we read Revelation in the context of the Old Testament Prophets and the teaching of Jesus.

Revelation puts our down-to-earth church experience in the context of the heavenly realms.

The World to Come

As we develop a picture of the world to come, although we will not have the full understanding until the time comes, God cultivates within us a joyous expectation of final victory. The end chapters of Revelation are rich with symbolism, the meaning of which is not always obvious, but when read as God intends, they still convey to the heart a sense of truth and expectation.

Some things, as Paul said, are like looking through a glass dimly (1 Cor 13:12). We see the general form and have an idea of the vague outline, but our understanding will only be clarified as these things unfold – as our experience of eternity is made real.

From Chapter 4 onwards our attention is drawn to heavenly perspectives – the awesomeness of the heavenly throne-room and the activities and perspectives that are going on there, particularly in relation to our earthly experience. In the midst of life on earth, how easily we forget how close the Lord is in the unseen heavenlies!

We need a vision of this heavenly reality in order to put the coming pressures of our earthly experience into their true context. We are not alone. The coming events on earth will be totally within the purposes and Sovereign control of God, despite the powers of evil holding sway for a short time.

We need a vision of the heavenly reality to comfort and reassure us through the coming trials.

Heaven and Earth in Our Day

Jesus, in Matthew 24 (and parallel passages in Mark and Luke), described the way we would experience this on earth. Now, through Revelation, we see it from the heavenly perspective. That is what the Book of Revelation adds to what we already learn from the rest of the Bible.

The descriptions of the Seven Congregations and the Throne Room in Heaven give us this contrast, and shows us the seriousness of the experiences we will go through on earth. They are neither random, nor in the hands and purposes of man, but under the authority and sovereignty of God.

The Seals symbolise God's release of the prophesied final events of earth's history. The possibility for their release is because Jesus has now given himself as a sacrifice for sin so that the entire world can, for the time allocated by God, hear the Gospel (Rev 5) prior to the final judgment.

To illustrate how this fits with the rest of end times Scripture, let us see how the events described in Revelation are very similar – even the same as those Jesus described from an earthly perspective in Matthew 24.

A comparison of Revelation 6-8 with Matthew 24 (not definitive).
Comparing the Two Lists and Their Purpose

It is no coincidence that these two lists are so compatible - Jesus' description of the signs of his coming is repeated in Revelation from a heavenly perspective, which shows us that all is in the awesome hand of God. We will need this assurance as the times move forward and events intensify. It will give us sufficient insight to comfort us through those days.

Revelation 10-19 puts these same events in the context of our world largely taken over by the powers of satan until such a time that God brings an end to it. satan is only working under God's permissive will.

A world power will come to the fore with the power of satan behind it, also within God's permissive will, with the end he has in view then finally coming to pass. The signs of Jesus' coming are put into the context of evil taking hold of the world, an evil from which Jesus' disciples must withdraw whilst watching and prayerfully waiting patiently for him.

Much of the heavenly revelation in these chapters is symbolic and dramatic to show us that there is much happening in the unseen heavens, behind and beyond our earthly experience.

Revelation reassures and comforts us that the events to come are all in the awesome hand of God.

The Return of Jesus – The Certain Climax of it All

In the end there will be the dramatic return of Jesus with authority to judge all people, when his victory over death will be made real to all that have faith in him and when his Lordship will be revealed to all (Rom 14:11; Isa 45:23).

Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 are clear down-to-earth descriptions of those times. The Book of Revelation introduces us to the fact that there is an awesome heavenly perspective behind the scenes of what will be experienced on this earth. Our response to this awesome picture is to hold in faith for the final outcome, rather than to work out a detailed formula ahead of time predicting all that will take place.

Next time: The Parable of the wise and foolish virgins