And he said unto me, seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand Revelation 22:10
The book of Revelation is taken up mostly with future events, those things that will occur in this world after the end of our current dispensation of grace, after the rapture of the saints. Most Bible scholars agree that the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation in AD 96. Tremendous changes have occurred in world history, and in the history of Christianity, since John penned these words. Christians entered into and passed through a lengthy period of deep tribulation that served only to fan the flames of evangelism and spread the Gospel to the far corners of the known world. The rise of the Romish church came along, stifling the Gospel and imposing an idolatrous religious system, followed by the great reformation and then the rediscovery of the New Testament Assembly principles, and on into the present day period of Laodicean apathy. Even by reading his prophecy concerning the seven Assemblies in Asia, John could not have grasped the magnitude of the vast changes and great events that would occur, nor the length of the many centuries that must come and go. And yet, we read his words in our text that the time is at hand. If those words were true in AD 96, how much more accurate must they be today?
Gospel preachers often refer to the Rapture as they urge upon sinners the need to seek salvation today. The rapture is also frequently referred to in ministry messages, although not nearly as often as it used to be. The imminent return of the Lord Jesus is clearly taught in the Scriptures, including the truth that no condition or event needs to be fulfilled or occur before the rapture. In all of the future events recorded in the Revelation, the only period that is not given an exact timing is the current age between Pentecost and the rapture. That God has made this period to be some two thousand years long, and possibly longer, is a wonderful demonstration of His grace. Had this period ended sooner, we would have been left outside. As we view the events in the world today in terms of morality, political, and economic, we must surely conclude like our text that the time is at hand.
When will the rapture occur and usher in the tremendous events of which Revelation foretells? We don’t know, in fact any guess we make will almost certainly be wrong. Not knowing should help to keep us in anticipation and in activity, watching for our Lord’s return. Our expectation should keep our hearts filled with hope and encouragement, especially when we encounter tough times and the enemy’s wiles.
The time is at hand: these words are filled with promise and comfort that we can appreciate today. -Jim MacIntosh