When you think of the book of Revelation, what comes to mind? Fire? Destruction? 666? Whether you have read the book many times or your experience is limited to a youth group showing of Left Behind, the terrifying scenes don’t always spur excitement for the future. And yet, the book that concludes the story of the Bible—and the story of the world as we know it—is a story of hope.
Here are four reasons to get excited about Revelation:
1. Justice Unleashed
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why does a good God allow bad things to happen?” Back in the book of Genesis, God provided humans with free will. But free will not under the control of the Holy Spirit leads to sin, and sin leads to destruction and death. Mankind has been dealing with the ramifications of its sin ever since Adam and Eve first fell to temptation. But Revelation tells us that there will come a day when enough will be enough.
The world will suffer seven years of intense tribulation. Jesus will defeat enemy nations in the Battle of Armageddon. And ultimately, Satan will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, and the unrighteous will be subject to the Great White Throne Judgment.
God will bring justice for all the bad things, and we will never question His judgment again.
2. A Rescue Mission
This leads to another question: “How could a good God send people to hell?” The truth is, God doesn’t send people to hell. He wants no one to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). People choose hell for themselves when they refuse to accept the free gift of salvation. God—because of His great love for us—sent His Son on a rescue mission to provide a way for us to escape punishment. Christ’s death on the cross paid the price that we were meant to pay. Revelation tells us that the Great White Throne Judgment will be a display of Christ’s justice, and unbelievers will be judged according to their works, and ultimately sentenced to the Lake of Fire for their sins. Believers, on the other hand, will be rewarded at a separate Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Cor. 3:12-15)
3. The End of Pain
After the Great White Throne Judgment, God will create a new heaven and a new earth, and the reign of sin will be over. For anyone who believes in Jesus as Savior, pain has an end date: “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Revelation assures us that, for the believer, the troubles and tribulations of today will disappear on the other side of eternity.
4. Eternity in the Presence of God
The center of this new earth will be the new Jerusalem, and there will be “no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.” (Revelation 21:23). Believers in Jesus will experience the total satisfaction and joy of eternity in the fullness of God’s presence. Revelation gives us a vivid glimpse into the beauty that awaits all who would believe.
Mankind has committed horrendous evils, but justice is coming. But because of His great love for us, God sent His Son on a rescue mission so that as many as would come to Him would not be separated from Him, but rather spend eternity in the glory of His presence.
Revelation is the story of how God will make all things right and all things new. Revelation is a story of hope for all who believe.
