When you open your Bible to the very last book, Revelation, you will begin to notice dozens of illustrative passages that, if you’re like me, you can only vaguely comprehend.
Yet, with each beautiful picture, described in fascinating detail, you can’t help but stop for a moment and try to imagine what John must have seen. Even though the Lord’s revelations far surpass my finite perceptions, I’m still filled with hope as I read through these glorious passages.
Here are 10 beautiful pictures from Revelation to fill you with hope:
Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:7-8)
Before God spoke the heavens and earth into existence, He lived for all eternity. He always was, always is, and always will be. The limits of our narrow timeline, on this earth, cannot compare with the magnitude of His eternal presence!
He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. No matter what we go through in this life, the Lord goes before us. He is with us. And, He will remain forever and ever.
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“His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters.” (Revelation 1:14-15)
John’s vision of Jesus captivated every one of his senses. Not only did his eyes behold the sight of the Savior, with a head of white hair and eyes like flames of fire, John’s ears heard His voice as the sound of many waters.
I can only liken it to the rush of a mighty waterfall, cascading down with an almost deafening sound. Yet, the pure and holy voice of the Lord was surely far more riveting! His words of absolute truth and authority, mixed with perfect love, are words that we will one day get to hear with our own ears.
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“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
Our faith, though it is weak, is worth holding on to. As we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to be our strength, and eagerly await the day of Jesus’ return, we look forward to the moment when He will give us the crown of life. Let’s continue in the faith until our very last breath!
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“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”(Revelation 2:17)
Tucked away, in one of my dresser drawers, is a white stone with a word of encouragement written on it. It was a token given to each person who attended a women’s retreat many years ago. The stone is a small reminder of what is yet to come.
I can only imagine the joy that will fill our hearts as Jesus Himself hands us a stone of white with a new name written on it—a name known only to us. And with our new names, we will praise and glorify the precious name of Jesus forever and ever.
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These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” (Revelation 3:7-8)
Many of us have experienced open doors of opportunity in this life, as part of God’s direction and provision. Some of us have also experienced closed doors, which haven’t always been easy to accept.
Thankfully, the moment we receive Jesus as our personal Savior, He opens wide the door, inviting us to spend eternity with Him. Even in our little strength, we need only call on His name. For our Savior holds the key of David—the key that unlocks the door. And what He has opened, no one can shut.
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“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come intohim and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:20-21)
I can still picture the classic print my grandparents had hanging in their living room. It was a picture of Jesus knocking on a wooden door. I used to gaze at that picture all the time as a child.
Behold, the Savior stands at the door and knocks. Not only does He knock on the unbeliever’s heart, He knocks on the hearts of His beloved. Let’s be quick to hear His voice, and even quicker to open the door wide to invite Him in. He longs to commune with us each and every day.
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Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald. (Revelation 4:2-3)
There is great comfort in knowing that God is on the throne—that He will rule in righteousness forever and ever. The vivid picture described in this passage, portrays Him surrounded by a rainbow shining like an emerald.
Our creative Godis the God of every beautiful hue of color that exists. And I don’t doubt, that in heaven, we will see brilliant colors we’ve never seen before.
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Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. (Revelation 4:6)
I’ve seen many luminous bodies of water in my lifetime, but never has there been one as clear as crystal. The sea of glass mentioned in Revelation chapter 4, is also mentioned in Revelation 15, as a sea of glass glowing with fire.
This crystal sea is the heavenly sea by which the saints will stand—those who have been victorious over the beast and have stood the test of their faith. It is a beautiful picture of hope for believers everywhere!
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“Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5)
If you’ve seen the Chronicles of Narnia movies, you probably remember the main character, Aslan, as the great lion who leads his people to victory. Some have even compared Aslan to Jesus—the Lion of Judah.
While there may be some likenesses to the Savior, none can compare with the true Lion of Judah, the Root of David, and the only One who can open the scroll.
This song is a beautiful reminder of Revelation 5:5.
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Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!”(Revelation 5:11-12)
If you’ve ever gathered with a large assembly of worshipers, you know what it’s like to hear the voices of hundreds of people singing to the Lord of all creation. It can be a beautifully powerful experience indeed.
However, our earthly assemblies, no matter how wonderful, cannot compare to the great assembly of angels and saints in heaven. Thousands upon thousands will be gathered to worship the Lamb. For worthy is His name! Worthy is He to receive honor, glory, and blessing!
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