With so much going on in the world, I decided to study the book of Revelation. I've read through it a couple of times when I read through the Bible but frankly I just saw a lot of symbolism that I didn't really understand. This time I decided to follow the Revelation Explained Bible plan on YouVersion. (I highly recommend it.) It's a seven part plan with each part designed to take seven days. I'll admit that it's taking me a little longer because I usually listen to the audio devotionals several times and reread the scripture, sometimes in different translations.
I completely understand why so many people avoid the book of Revelation and don't really want to hear about the tribulation and end times. It reminds us too much of not just the end not of time itself, but the end of our own lives.. Most of us have already heard about what a terrible time the tribulation will be for those who were not raptured. And even though the rapture has not occurred yet, I believe that we are getting a glimpse of the tribulation right now. The tribulation is that seven year period near the end of time that comes right after the rapture. It's a seven year period of great trouble and suffering like the world has never known. About midway through the tribulation, and after the seventh seal had been opened and the seven angels have sounded the seven trumpets, there was mass destruction. One third of the earth, trees, grass, seas, sea creatures, ships, rivers, streams, water, and people were destroyed.
Without getting deep (and deeply in trouble) in theology I believe that this is not the tribulation, but possibly a glimpse what is to come in the tribulation. It's like we are being allowed to see what it will be like for those who have been left behind after the rapture. I believe that humankind is being reminded that we have no real power or control over anything. And that any minuscule amount of power and control that we believe that we have is not ours, but that all power and control rests with God.
The world has become idol worshippers. I'm not talking about golden calves or Asherah poles. We worship power, status, money, and control. We have taken the Creator out of our lives and replaced Him with what we believe that we created. We have not just fallen away from the teachings of Jesus Christ, but we have even abandoned the Golden Rule. "Do unto others has you would have them to do unto you." This is a basic concept found in every major religion in the world and is an expression of human decency and the laws of reaping and sowing which may be found even in the most unsophisticated civilizations.
I believe that the reason that all of this is happening right now is because God is giving us a chance to change our ways. We are being given the chance to treat each other with respect; to seek peace instead of conflict, to bring joy rather than sorrow, and to spread love rather than hate.
But maybe everything that's happening is just a series of very bad coincidences. Maybe it's just a bunch of bad decisions made by a few leaders. Or maybe it's just the luck of the draw or simply bad luck. Maybe it's nothing at all. That may be true, but I believe that times we are living in right now are fulfilling a divine purpose. I believe that the curtain of time has been pulled back, just a little, to show us what will happen if we don't honor and serve God as we honor and serve God's people.
To me being a Christian is really pretty simple; love God, love others, love yourself. It's simple, but it's not always easy. thankfully we don't have to do it alone. With the Holy Sprit as our guide we can love others as we love ourselves. I haven't finished the Bible plan yet and it may take me a while to read, reread, and digest it all. So I'll keep studying and looking at what's happening in the world. It is nothing? Or is it a glimpse of the tribulation?