Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. Revelation 1:19
When we speak of the last book in our Bible, we refer to it as Revelation, or even as John’s Revelation. But its title is actually as it declares in the very first verse: the Revelation of Jesus Christ. And in our text today, we have the outline of the book. One of the best ways of describing this outline that I have read is by J. Vernon McGee. Of the term ‘the things which thou hast seen’, McGee says this is the Person of Jesus Christ-Christ in glory, chapter 1. Of the term ‘the things which are’, McGee says this is the Possession of Jesus Christ-the church in the world is His, chapters 2-3. And, of the term ‘the things which shall be hereafter’, he calls the Program of Jesus Christ-as seen in Heaven, chapters 4-22. Let us look at these three divisions.
John had known the Lord Jesus w3ell, travelled with Him for three years, had witnessed His arrest, trials, crucifixion, and death, and had verified His resurrection. He had also seen the Lord Jesus ascend into the sky. But now, John receives a view of the Lord Jesus in an entirely new light. He recognizes Him, calling Him in verse 13 like unto the Son of Man. But he sees Him as He appears in Heaven, in power and dominion, such an awesome sight that John fell at His feet as dead. This great sight will one day be ours. But we should read John’s description in this chapter, to remind ourselves that the humble Nazarene who we read about in the Gospels is in Heaven, where He administers, among other things, the affairs of His people and His Assemblies. This sight should sober and humble us before Him.
The things which are, the possession of Jesus Christ. That’s us! As John was writing the Revelation, the Lord Jesus was walking in the midst of the seven lampstands. These lampstands represent the testimonies of individual Assemblies, including the one of which you form a part. He is with us during our gatherings, delights to receive the appreciation of His children, and grants leadership and wisdom to the overseers. From John’s time until now, He is deeply involved in the Assemblies that are precious to Him.
The things which shall be hereafter is called the program of Jesus Christ for a reason. In a time that is yet before us, great events will reshape our world as The Lord Jesus allows mankind to fill up the cup of iniquity, and then pours out judgment against that iniquity. Beyond chapter 3 of this book, there is no mention of the Assemblies that are so prominent in the second and third chapters. This period of wrath and wickedness will occur without the Christians, as we are caught away to be forever with the Lord. But the Lord Jesus will see all of His enemies defeated, and all of His righteous claims vindicated during this period. We do well to try to understand this great program that we will not have to experience.
All of time and all of eternity are about Jesus Christ, whether the world acknowledges that fact of not. In our own little space of that period called ‘the things which are’, let us acknowledge His lordship. –Jim MacIntosh