The Things Which Shall Be Hereafter: Revelation 4-22

Revelation 4‑22  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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(Chapters 4-22)
This third section of the book of Revelation deals with events that will be “hereafter.” We may well ask, “Hereafter what?” The answer is, “Hereafter the history of the Church on earth is concluded.” This is confirmed by the fact that the often repeated expression, “What the Spirit says unto the churches,” in chapters 2 and 3, is no longer mentioned from this point forward in the book. This is because the Church is seen as having ended its history on earth and has been called away to heaven.
The Rapture is Not Mentioned Directly in the Prophetic Part of the Book
Chapters 4-5 assume the Rapture (the Lord’s coming for His saints – John 14:2-32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3); 1 Thess. 4:15-1815For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15‑18)) has occurred, for in these chapters the saints are seen in heaven. Strictly speaking, the Rapture is not directly mentioned in the prophetic part of the book, because the aim of prophecy is not to unfold the truth of the Church, but to set forth the judgments that prepare the way for the setting up of the kingdom of Christ. When dealing with the Church in the seven addresses, the Lord speaks of the Rapture (chaps. 2:25; 3:11), and perhaps it can be seen in a veiled way in John being called up to heaven in chapter 4:1. And again, in chapter 22, after the prophecies of the book have been given, the Lord speaks of His coming in a general way three times, but does not distinguish it from His Appearing. (This is done to give it a bearing on both believers and unbelievers.) On the other hand, the Appearing of Christ (the Lord’s coming with His saints – 1 Thess. 3:13; 4:1413To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14); 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:87And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:7‑10)
8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:8); Titus 2:1313Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13); 1 John 2:28; 3:228And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28)
2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2); Jude 14-1514And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 14‑15)) is mentioned many times in the book (chaps. 1:7; 3:3; 10:1; 11:15; 14:14-16; 16:15-21; 18:21-24; 19:11-21).
In chapters 4 to 22 we move on to those things that are strictly prophetic. These chapters have to do with Christ’s rightful claims to the “inheritance,” which is every created thing in heaven and on earth (chaps. 4-5), the many judgments that will fall on the earth (chaps. 6-19), and finally, His reign over all the works of His hands (chaps. 20-22).