How does Revelation 1:19 connect with other prophetic writings in the Bible? Revelation 1:19—Prophetic Table of Contents “Therefore write the things you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that will take place after this.” Three Tenses Woven Through Scripture • The things you have seen – John’s vision of the risen Christ (Revelation 1). • The things that are – the present condition of the seven churches (Revelation 2–3). • The things that will take place after this – the future events of chapters 4–22. This three-part rhythm of past, present, and future mirrors the pattern God uses throughout His prophetic word. Daniel: Vision, Present Kingdoms, Future Glory • Daniel 7:1 – a record of what Daniel “saw” in vision (past). • Daniel 2:37-40 – interpretation of “the things that are” in Daniel’s day (present kingdoms). • Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14 – “a kingdom that will never be destroyed” (future). • Daniel 10:14 – “I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days.” John’s commission echoes Daniel’s: both men are instructed to write, both are shown successive ages, and both end with Messiah’s everlasting reign. Ezekiel: Past Glory, Present Judgment, Future Restoration • Ezekiel 1:1 – Ezekiel “saw visions of God.” • Ezekiel 8–11 – the current apostasy of Jerusalem (“the things that are”). • Ezekiel 40–48 – the millennial temple and restored worship (“will take place after this”). Like John, Ezekiel moves from an initial vision to present warnings and on to end-time promises. Isaiah and Habakkuk: Writing the Vision • Isaiah 46:9-10 – “I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come.” • Habakkuk 2:2-3 – “Write down this vision… for it awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end.” Both prophets are told to record God’s revelation because what He foretells is certain and literal. Jesus’ Olivet Discourse: Same Framework • Matthew 24:4-14 – present age of wars and gospel witness (“things that are”). • Matthew 24:15-31 – events “after the tribulation” (“will take place after this”). • Matthew 24:32-35 – recalling the fig-tree lesson, Jesus cites what the disciples have already seen (“things you have seen”). The Lord Himself employed the same timeline when speaking of His return. “After These Things” — A Prophetic Signal • Revelation 4:1 – “After these things I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven.” • Genesis 49:1 LXX – Jacob tells his sons “what will happen to you in the last days.” The phrase marks a deliberate shift to end-time prophecy, tying Revelation to earlier Scripture. Why the Connections Matter • Scripture’s unity: Revelation completes themes introduced in Genesis, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and the Gospels. • Certainty of fulfillment: every past prophecy literally fulfilled assures us the future ones will be also. • Encouragement for the church: we live in “the things that are,” but “the things that will take place after this” are fixed on God’s calendar. Revelation 1:19 therefore stands not in isolation but as the Spirit-inspired link binding all prophetic revelation into one cohesive, trustworthy whole. |
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