REVELATION 22
(Continued)
Revelation 22:10-11 Then he instructed me, "Do not seal up the prophetic words you have written, for the time is near.
(11) Let the one who is doing wrong continue to do wrong; the one who is vile, continue to be vile; the one who is good, continue to do good; and the one who is holy, continue in holiness." [NLT]
The angel instructed John not to seal (conceal, close-up, hinder access to) the prophetic words, he had seen, heard, and written. For the time written about was near. [Rev. 22:10] Review post # 119 for the discussion on time in God's view vs the view of mankind.
The time frame of "near" or "soon" is relating to the Church Age; many Biblical scholars consider this time frame to cover from Pentacost to the Rapture of the Church. The Church Age is also said to be positioned between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel. It is that period of time that God is building His Church, from people of every nation, tribe, and tongue.
This period of time has been going on for more than 2000 years. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. [2 Peter 3:8, 9-16; Psalm 90:4 NIV] Many have constructed time lines that are basic to advanced, attempting to conceptualize a time line. The most common time frames include the Age of the Gentiles, Messiah being cut off (69th week of Daniel), the Church Age, The 7 Year Period of Tribulation, The 1000 Year Milennium, and Eternity.
Constructing a so called time frame, is complicated by the various theological view points, calendars used, etc. of those developing the models. Jesus warned those looking for the time of his return to watch and be prepared, as no one knew the day and hour of his return, or the end of the age. [Matthew 24:36, 25:13]
Revelation is the only book of the Bible that promises a blessing to those who read, hear, and keep the words written therein. [see Rev. 1:3, 22:7] It is apparent from these verses of Scripture that God wants this prophetic word unsealed, revealed, seen, heard, understood, and kept. Interpretaton aids are included throughout the book; and God even sent an angel to help John to understand.
God does not force anyone to follow him, worship him, or believe in him. He gives each person total free will in the matter. The angel sent from God told John to let those who were doing wrong, or were vile, to continue as they were doing. Also that those who were good or holy were to continue as they were doing. [Revelation 22:11]
When the Lord adressed the Church of Laodicea, he rebuked them only, because they were neither hot or cold. They were lukewarm, causing the Lord to spue them out (spit them out) of his mouth. [Revelation 3:14-22]
They were/are/will be, a comfortable church, a church that blends with the world, a church of consensus, a politically correct church, a religious church, and a church that denies the power of God. The Lord wants us hot or cold; sinner or saint; christian, jew, muslim, gentile, pagan, atheist, agnostic.
Jesus, during his earthly ministry, was accused by the religious, luke warm leaders, of being "a glutton, a drunkard, and friend of the worst kinds of sinners." Jesus stated, "They that are healthy do not need a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." [Luke 7:34, 5:31-32 NLT, KJV]