Why should we study prophecy anyway? Most of the events in the book of Revelation will happen after Christians have left the earth, won't they? Here are a few scriptures that give us some good reasons to study all of the Bible.
All scripture is inspired by God ... 2 Timothy 3:16
the word of the prophets ... a light shining in a dark place ... 2 Peter 1:12-21
Blessed is the one who reads ... and blessed are those who hear ... Revelation 1:3
Now all these things ... were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11
Do not tremble and do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one. Isaiah 44:6-8
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:10
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35
The Revelation of Jesus Christ was gift from God for the purpose of showing His servants what must "shortly" take place. The revelation was given in the form of a vision experienced by John. As John watches the vision unfold the focus of his narrative switches back and forth from heaven to earth. The following outline gives a brief overview of those scenes.
Scenes in Revelation
1. In heaven: Blessing from God (1:1-8)
2. On earth: John imprisoned (1:9)
3. In heaven: The glory of Christ (1:10-20)
4. On earth: Letters to the churches (2:1-3:22)
5. In heaven: The Lamb and the throne (4:1-5:14)
6. On earth: The seals broken (6:1-17)
7. In heaven: The 144,000; silence (7:1-8:6)
8. On earth: The trumpet judgements (8:7-9:21)
9. In heaven: The little book (10:1-11)
10. On earth: The two witnesses (11:1-13)
11. In heaven: Worship (11:14-19)
12. On earth: Israel persecuted by the beasts (12:1-13:8)
13. In heaven: The 144,000 in glory; angelic activity (14:1-15:8)
14. On earth: The seven vials; the two Babylons (16:1-18:24)
15. In heaven: The marriage of the Lamb; its consequences (19:1-16)
16. On earth: Final judgements (19:17-20:10)
17. In heaven: The last judgement; the celestial city (20:11-22:21)
(Phillips, John; Exploring Revelation; Moody Press; 1974, 1987)
1. In heaven: Blessing from God (1:1-8)
2. On earth: John imprisoned (1:9)
3. In heaven: The glory of Christ (1:10-20)
4. On earth: Letters to the churches (2:1-3:22)
5. In heaven: The Lamb and the throne (4:1-5:14)
6. On earth: The seals broken (6:1-17)
7. In heaven: The 144,000; silence (7:1-8:6)
8. On earth: The trumpet judgements (8:7-9:21)
9. In heaven: The little book (10:1-11)
10. On earth: The two witnesses (11:1-13)
11. In heaven: Worship (11:14-19)
12. On earth: Israel persecuted by the beasts (12:1-13:8)
13. In heaven: The 144,000 in glory; angelic activity (14:1-15:8)
14. On earth: The seven vials; the two Babylons (16:1-18:24)
15. In heaven: The marriage of the Lamb; its consequences (19:1-16)
16. On earth: Final judgements (19:17-20:10)
17. In heaven: The last judgement; the celestial city (20:11-22:21)
(Phillips, John; Exploring Revelation; Moody Press; 1974, 1987)
Revelation is a message directly from Christ to us (His servants), and He makes sure from the beginning to encourage us. We are blessed, He is present at all times and in all things, He loves us, He will return in triumph.
Jesus indicates from the very beginning that the things written in this book will happen quickly. Though it may not seem quick to our way of thinking, we must remember that God views time much differently than we do, and keep in mind that these events are imminent. They could happen at any moment, needing only a word from God to set them all in motion. If you find yourself thinking that they are not happening quickly enough take a look at 2 Peter 3:9 (God is not slow in keeping His promise ... ), Habakkuk 2:3 (... it will certainly come and will not delay), and Matthew 24:35 (... my words will never pass away).
