03.16. Conclusion
Conclusion
We have now come to the close of our studies of the Prophetic History of Christendom as seen in the seven Churches of Asia and the messages to them from the Lord recorded for us in Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22. The condensed prophetic outline of Church history contained in these two chapters is marvellous and invaluable. As another has well said, "To have Heaven’s light thrown on the state of things during the whole of this Church period of nigh two thousand years is a mercy almost second to none. What lessons are here gathered up! How needful the warnings in a day of moral relaxation! How strengthening the promises in seasons of weakness!" (Walter Scott). The message to Laodicea brings us to the close of the second division of the book of Revelation, "The things that are." This takes us to the end of the Church period. The third division is described as "the things which shall be hereafter," or "after these" (Revelation 1:19, N.Tn). This third section of the book begins with Revelation 4:1, which begins with the words, "After this." After the Church dispensation is over and the Lord has come for His true bride, all the redeemed, as is symbolized by the call to John to "Come up hither" into the open door in heaven (Revelation 4:1), the judgments from the throne of God will fall upon this earth, as chapters 6 through 19 set forth. These are "the things which shall be after these," after the close of the age of grace, the Church epoch.
We do not read of the Church on earth after Revelation 3:1-22. The redeemed saints are seen in heaven in Revelation 4:1-11 and Revelation 5:1-14, and the marriage of the Lamb to His bride, the Church, takes place in heaven in Revelation 19:1-21 (Revelation 19:7-9). A woman is seen on earth in Revelation 17:1-18, which represents a great religious system. She is called " Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth." This is the final issue of Christendom when the Lord has taken every child of God out of it unto the Father’s house on high. It will end up in this awful corruption of Babylon the great, which becomes "the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" (Revelation 18:2), The judgment of God upon it is given us in Revelation 17:16-18; Revelation 18:1-24 . May reader and writer be found in the good of the word to Philadelphia : "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" (Revelation 3:11).
-R. K. C.