7 Beautiful Lessons Revelation Has about the End Times

The book of Revelation vividly underscores the importance of worship, presenting it as a central theme in the heavenly realm and a critical aspect of our life. 

In Revelation 4, John’s vision of heaven reveals the throne room of God, surrounded by twenty-four elders and four living creatures. These beings continually worship God, proclaiming, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). Their ceaseless worship highlights God’s eternal holiness and sovereignty.

Revelation 5 further emphasizes worship when the Lamb, Jesus, takes the scroll. The four living creatures and twenty-four elders fall before the Lamb, singing a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). This scene portrays Jesus’ redemptive work as the foundation for worship, acknowledging His sacrifice and worthiness.

Another powerful example occurs in Revelation 7, where a great multitude from every nation stands before the throne and the Lamb, crying out, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:10). This collective worship underscores the universal nature of God’s salvation and the unity of believers in our praise.

When we praise God, individually or corporately, we enter a heavenly activity already happening, answering the prayer for it to be “on earth as it is in heaven.”

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/James Coleman

There’s no Christianity without Christ. The book of Revelation centralizes Jesus, particularly as the Lamb, highlighting his victory through sacrifice and underscoring his pivotal role in God’s redemptive plan.

In Revelation 5, when no one in heaven or on earth is found worthy to open the scroll, John weeps. But then, one of the elders says, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals” (Revelation 5:5). However, John looks and sees the “Lamb, looking as if it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). This imagery combines the power of the Lion and the sacrifice of the Lamb, emphasizing that Jesus’ victory comes through His sacrificial death.

Further emphasizing this, Revelation 7:9-10 presents a vast multitude from every nation worshiping the Lamb, signifying that Jesus’ sacrifice brings salvation to people from all over the world. In Revelation 12:11, the victory of believers over Satan is attributed to “the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Jesus’ blood triumphs over evil and saves us.  

The culmination of Jesus’ centrality as the Lamb is seen in Revelation 21:22-23, where the New Jerusalem has no temple because God and the Lamb are the temple, and they give light to everything. Here, the Lamb is central to the eternal city. We must remember to keep Christ at the center of our lives, since that is our eternal reality.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Filip_Krstic

When Christians are martyred for their faith it seems like a waste, yet Revelation honors and values martyrs by portraying them as integral to God’s redemptive narrative and ultimate victory. 

In Revelation 6:9-11, the opening of the fifth seal reveals the souls of martyrs under the altar. They cry out for justice, saying, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” They are honored with white robes and told to rest a little longer until the full number of their fellow servants and brothers and sisters are martyred. 

Revelation 7:13-17 presents a multitude in white robes who have “come out of the great tribulation.” These individuals have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” They are before the throne of God, serving him day and night in his temple. This passage depicts them as purified and eternally rewarded for their faithfulness. In Revelation 12:11, martyrs are celebrated for overcoming the devil by their testimony and Jesus’ blood. 

Finally, in Revelation 20:4, John sees thrones on which those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for the word of God reign with Christ for a thousand years, affirming their exalted status in God’s kingdom. 

Those who have died for their faith, while grievous and sad, find great reward and honor, as they model Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Dragana991

Revelation prophesies future events, yet Jesus also writes to the local churches of that time, revealing how these visions and messages concern all Christians in their context. 

Jesus addresses seven churches through Revelation chapters 2-3: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. With each church, Jesus commends them about some aspect of their lives, whether their faithfulness in persecution, hard work, loyalty and more. For many, Jesus also highlights a serious issue within their local congregation. These issues range from leaving their first love (Christ), tolerating false teaching, and lukewarm faith. In each case, Christ calls them to repent. When they do, they receive a promise or reward for turning back to him. 

Two churches receive no correction: Smyrna and Philadelphia. Only one of the seven gets no encouragement, only rebuke: Laodicea. 

Since this is God’s Word, we can take from it lessons for us today, whether the importance of staying true to our first love or guarding against the temptation of false teaching and material wealth. Also, while many of these churches had problems – even serious ones – Jesus didn’t outright condemn them. He warned them and called them to repentance for their own good. God does the same to us today as his children and for local churches, compassionately continuing to deal with us in love and truth. 

Finally, Jesus spoke these messages in context of end times prophecy. We should listen to God’s heart in this context. One day, he will set everything right and reward those who live faithful lives.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/HUIZENG HU

Revelation emphasizes God’s sovereignty, vividly illustrating that He is in control and will ultimately set everything right. This theme permeates the entire narrative, offering assurance of God's supreme authority and the fulfillment of His divine plan.

In Revelation 1:8, God declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” This asserts God’s eternal existence and control over all history, affirming His sovereignty from the beginning to the end of time. The book presents several images of God’s throne, from worship to His initiation of His apocalyptic plan. Only Jesus can open the scroll, breaking the seals to enact the unfolding of history. Even through disturbing and violent events, God remains in complete control, moving all toward redemption. 

This sovereignty culminates to the final judgment (Revelation 20:11-12), where John sees a great white throne and Him who sits on it. The dead are judged according to their deeds, emphasizing God’s ultimate authority in bringing justice. Finally, Revelation 21:1-4 depicts the new heaven and new earth, where God dwells with His people, wiping away every tear and eradicating death, mourning, and pain. This fulfillment of God’s promise reveals His sovereign power to renew and restore all creation, setting everything right.

Throughout Revelation, God's sovereignty reassures us of His ultimate control and the certainty that He will rectify all wrongs, fulfilling His divine purpose and bringing about a perfect, just, and eternal order.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/momnoi

As He fulfilled His promise coming to earth the first time two thousand years ago, Christ will come again. Revelation vividly depicts Jesus Christ’s personal return to redeem all creation, emphasizing His role as the triumphant and sovereign King who will restore and renew the world.

In Revelation 1:7, the prophecy declares, “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him.” Jesus will return personally and visibly, a global moment of recognition. Revelation 19:11-16 provides a dramatic portrayal of Jesus’ return. John sees heaven open and a rider on a white horse, who is called Faithful and True. This rider, Jesus, wages war in righteousness. “His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns... He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.” Accompanied by the armies of heaven, Jesus defeats the beast and the kings of the earth, establishing His reign.

In Revelation 22:12, Jesus affirms his imminent return: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” This declaration reassures us of His decisive return to establish justice and renew creation. Christ will not redeem from afar but will personally come again to bring to fruition God’s ultimate plan of restoration and eternal fellowship with His people.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Philip Steury

As we’ve already mentioned, we have a firm and amazing hope. Revelation paints a breathtaking picture of the beauty and wonder of the new heaven and the new earth, offering a glimpse into the glorious future that awaits believers.

John sees a vision of the new heaven and the new earth in Revelation 21. He describes the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, adorned as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. This imagery evokes a sense of purity, splendor, and anticipation for the union between God and His people.

The description of the new Jerusalem highlights its magnificence. John sees the city coming down out of heaven from God, shining with the glory of God. Its brilliance is like that of a precious jewel, clear as crystal. Revelation 21:3-4 reveals the profound significance of the new heaven and the new earth. John hears a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” This encapsulates our ultimate hope and joy, anticipating eternal fellowship with God in a realm free from suffering and sorrow.

Keep Christ Central

Among frightening visions and epic events portrayed in the book of Revelation, our loving Father and his Son seek to give us comfort, hope, and reassurance. The visions portray future history – even eternal history. Yet because God loves us, these prophecies bring us important lessons even within our modern context.

No matter where we exist in history, we must keep Christ central, worship Him, listen for His correction, trust in His sovereignty, and have every expectation for His return to redeem all things and live with us forever. 

Peace. 

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Dilok Klaisataporn