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Prophecy in Revelation

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Is everything in Revelation prophecy, or do some chapters also refer to the past or present? How can I tell?


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Hi Peter, 

Most of the chapters in Revelation are still future. Everything beyond the third chapter of Revelation has not yet been fulfilled. It all lies in the future.
The only two chapters in Revelation (chapters 2 and 3) in which we find the word ‘church’ contain the prophecies concerning the church here on earth. This sequence of church history revealed by God is nearing its conclusion, and the events foretold from chapter 4 to the end of the book have yet to be fulfilled.

In chapter 1:19, we read: "Write therefore what thou hast seen, and the things that are, and the things that are about to be after these." This verse gives us the structure of Revelation: 

  1. "Write therefore what thou hast seen," --> Chapter 1 (the glories of the Lord Jesus as judge)
  2. "and the things that are," --> Chapters 2 + 3 (the seven letters to the seven churches/assemblies)
  3. "and the things that are about to be after these." --> chapter 4 - 22 (the main part of Revelation beginning with the judgements)

Once one understands that the correct key to understanding is the threefold division provided by chapter 1:19, one will have no trouble recognizing the following: 
Chapters 2 and 3 (the letters to the seven named churches) have not only a historical but also a prophetic significance. They depict seven successive phases of church history.
The description begins with the first decline in Ephesus and ends with the complete moral collapse in Laodicea.
Chapters 4 through 19 presuppose that the true believers will be raptured before the hour of trial that is to come upon mankind (which is at the same time the great tribulation upon Israel, cf. Rev 3:10; Jer 20:7; Matt 24:21), and will not live through this time. This is called the “pretribulationist” interpretation of Revelation.
Chapters 19 through 22 describe an actual millennial kingdom that, in accordance with Old Testament prophecies, will be established on this earth. Christ will reign there in righteousness, power, and glory. 
Hope that helps! 

 


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