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The Apocalypse and After

The Apocalypse for us Christians is perhaps the most misunderstood event in the Bible. Most of us have been subjected to the "Left Behind" series and have read the plagues, death toll, catastrophes, and destruction that will rain down on the earth, making it look like Mad Max or the Book of Eli. The truth is this is the painting for the Wicked. If you read when angel causes the sun to scorch the earth, it is aimed at the wicked, "The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire.They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him." (Revelation 16:8-9). Our eyes as Emmanuel's Bride is not to be on the terrible events, such as rise of Antichrist and his persecution (Revelation 13:1-7) but rather the Return of Christ. The Apocalypse is a Greek word for "Unveiling," which to scholars may seem obvious, the unveiling of what shall transpire in the Last Days. Actually, its a wedding term. When the bride approaches the Bridegroom, she wears a veil over her face until she reaches Him and then it is removed for ceremony. This is exactly what is suppose to transpire for us Christians.

When Jesus Returns (Revelation 1:7, Revelation 19:11-16) He will pour out the Cup of Wrath on the wicked and judge the nations. However, we Christians will not experience any of this tempest, but instead are promised to be with our loving God (1 John 4:18) in a New Earth, New Heaven, and New City of Gold and precious Gems (Revelation 21:1-53). The Father of the Trinity gives us a dowry in our marriage to His Son Jesus, the New Jerusalem of Gold and every Precious Gem!  There we shall be with our Lord in perpetual ecstasy, euphoria, and joy. It will not be strumming harps, it will be jousting matches by Medieval Knights celebrating the King of Kings, it will be feast after feast celebrating Christ's Life and Deeds, it will be drinking wine and exploring all our talents without any hindrances. Architects will have a new world to build on (even planets), directors and actors/actresses will have plays and movies to make without delay. Everyone will be able to use their gifts, talents, and abilities to the fullness, and all of Eternity will be the joy of being with Jesus and doing what we've always wanted in this life but could not due to circumstances, fear, and limited means, for money will be gone, and God's unlimited power of Creating (John 1:3) will be among us.

It is upon these images that we as Christians should place our hearts, our new home, the Return of Jesus. Not see Jesus in this angry light. In the Middle Ages they painted all these scenes of Last Judgement, and in those masterpieces the Messiah had a cold, indifferent, and oftentimes judgmental demeanor. In those paintings Jesus often had a sword coming out of one side of mouth, and a olive branch out the other side of mouth. While not completely wrong, it made people fear Jesus' Return rather than delight in it. This is tricky part about preparing for Christ's Return, on one hand we are to be full of joy and see the scene above (see picture) on the other we do need to be careful that we are spiritual ready, "Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who stays awake and who keeps his clothes [that is, stays spiritually ready for the Lord’s return], so that he will not be naked—spiritually unprepared—and men will not see his shame," (Revelation 16:15) which I believe is connected to coming out Babylonian system of the Church, "Then I heard another voice calling from heaven, "Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her." (Revelation 18:4). [See my post Jesus Cleanses The Temple to find out more about this]. On one hand we are to be alert, to not become lukewarm (Revelation) and bound in Babylonian Captivity of Constantine the Great that to this day shrouds the Protestant denominations just as it does the High Churches of Catholicism, Anglicanism and Eastern Orthodoxy. On the other hand, we are not to become like Medievalists who saw Jesus' Return as terror and judgement alone. There is a balance, and we must walk in that balance of excited anticipation of the Wedding Supper with Jesus (Revelation 19:6-9) and takings stock of ourselves to make sure we are not polluted with Babylon the Harlot. Do you see the imagery? If you remain in Babylon the Harlot, you are sleeping with a harlot spiritually and even sexually in some cases, because Babylon Harlot is a false love, Constantine's Church of money, lust for power, vanity, and pride of life, "For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world/For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." (1 John 2:16 NIV and NLT), oppose to Jesus Christ the Bridegroom who is full of true love, His Church is built on the Rock (John 3:16), loving others, virtue, and power in the Spirit of God.

It is abundantly clear that the Apocalypse is suppose to be awesome not awful moment, when the Alpha and Omega will come to collect His Bride (all Christians) after tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31 NKJV). We should be looking forward to Christ's return with anticipation as the Apostle did, "And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8). Certainly, we must take stock, and ask the Spirit of God to help us prepare ourselves, like any Bride who gets ready for the Wedding Day or rather the Reception Party, for we are wedded to Christ when we believe (John 3:16, John 6:40, Romans 10:9-10), and when Jesus died on Cross he sealed the New Covenant with us and rose from dead. Now we await the Wedding Supper, the Reception when you dance, drink, be merry, and have some cake in the New Jerusalem. Amen.

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