What Was, Is and Is to Come

“Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” (Revelation 1:19, 20)

My Musings – John is given an outline of the book, in broad strokes, when he is instructed to write about:

• The Past – “What you have seen,” generally considered to be what he saw in Revelation 1.

• The Present – “What is now,” the present state of things in the churches when John was writing as represented in Revelation 2 and 3.

• The Future – “What will take place later,” the things revealed concerning the future history of man as recorded in Revelation 4 through 22.

Fleshed out a bit, the outline might look something like this.

---

My Advice – We are constantly reminded when facing current situations that challenge and test us to remember the lessons of the past lest we doom ourselves to repeat them in the future. Wouldn’t it be better if we knew in advance what was coming so we could prepare? Only when we are given that knowledge in the Scriptures. But in most cases God gives us His moral code on how to live our lives and His assurance that He will never leave or forsake.

Revelation is one of those books that tell us in advance what to expect. But not when it will happen. We may not be that generation. But like the owner of the house who does not know when the thief will break in to steal, we must be prepared for that possibility.

Sources:

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 2, p. 554). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.