Apocalyptic Literature in the Bible

GOLDEN TEXT: “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”—Revelation 11:15

APOCALYPTIC means revealing, and surely there are many wonderful things revealed in the Book of Revelation. Our Golden Text is itself a most reassuring revelation of truth concerning the purpose of God to re-establish divine authority over his earthly creation. The passage does not mean that the selfish governments of this present evil world are taken over by Christ and reformed. The thought is, rather, that the sovereignty of earth which through the centuries was exercised by humanly constituted governments is taken over by Christ. So far as the kingdoms themselves are concerned, they are destroyed.—Psalm 2:8,9

This taking over of the rulership of earth by Christ is said to occur when “the seventh angel sounded.” It is this angel that sounds the “trump of God” which introduces the seventh thousand-year period in the plan of God, referred to by many students of the Bible as the Millennium. It is during the early part of this period that manmade rulership is overthrown and Christ’s authority manifests itself in the affairs of men. In connection with this change it is said that “the nations were angry.” This undoubtedly explains the madness of, the world during our, generation, for already the nations are beginning to be dashed to pieces like a potter’s vessel.

REVELATION 21:1-7—In this wonderful passage we are presented with a word picture of the kingdom of Christ established on the earth and functioning for the blessing of the people. We are given a combination of symbols, for no one of them would convey the full thought by itself. The kingdom will be the “new heavens and new earth,” in fulfillment of Isaiah 65:17; it will be the “new Jerusalem,” in fulfillment of Isaiah 65:18; and it will be the “tabernacle of God with men,” because it will be through this kingdom that God will deal with and bless mankind.

And how wonderful will be the results of that new kingdom! “There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain,” we are assured. No wonder the Revelator wrote that “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes”! Surely this means that all things will be made new.

Promises like these go so far beyond anything that could be accomplished by human ability that they would mean little to us but for the assurance that the Almighty God is their Author, and that his power stands pledged to fulfill them. Yes, we are thankful that “he that sat upon the throne said, … Write: for these words are true and faithful.” What God has promised he is abundantly able to fulfill.

REVELATION 22:1-5, 17—In this passage we have still another illustration of the kingdom of Christ and of the blessings which will flow out from it to the people of earth—that of the river of life flowing from underneath the throne of God and of the Lamb. In this picture is illustrated the fact that God’s promised blessing of “all the families of the earth” is made available through the sacrifice of the slain Lamb, and will flow out to the people through the agencies of the divine kingdom.

Associated with the river symbolism there is also the “tree of life,” with its abundant and continuous supply of fruit and with its leaves, which are for the healing of the nations. When Adam transgressed God’s law he was driven out from the Garden of Eden and the flaming sword prevented his returning and partaking of the tree of life, but in this apocalyptic vision we are assured that the life-giving properties of the tree of life will become available for the people. The “tree of life,” of course, is merely a symbol of the provisions of life through Christ.

“And there shall be no more curse.” This curse has been upon the human race from the time of Adam’s sin, and has extended even to the earth. But, thank God, it will be removed. Sorrow and sighing will flee away. “There shall be no more death.”

“And there shall be no night there.” At the present time darkness covers the earth and gross darkness the people, and weeping has continued throughout the nighttime of God’s disfavor. But how wonderful the promise that “joy cometh in the morning.”—Psalm 30:5

Verse seventeen is one which has been greatly misunderstood—“The Spirit and the bride say, Come. … And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” This text is often treated as though it applies during the present time, but it is well to remember that there is no “bride” to say, “Come,” until after the marriage of the Lamb. (Rev. 19:7) This does not occur until the full end of the Gospel age. Now the invitation is to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, suffering and dying with him. It will be during the millennial age, following the uniting of the church with Christ in glory, that all mankind will be given the opportunity to partake “of the water of life freely.”

QUESTIONS:

At what time does Christ take over the rulership of earth?

Of what are the new heavens and new earth a symbol?

Is the river of life now flowing?

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