Have the Revelation Events Started?

Have the Revelation Events Started?       There are over 2,000 prophecies contained in the scriptures, and over 500 are left to be fulfilled within the timeline of the Book of Revelation. We are told in Rev 1:1 that God will Bless us if we read, hear, and take to heart what is written within the book. There must be a crucial reason why God tells us to read and understand what he has told us! All the Events, once started, will happen in Rapid Succession:       A careful analysis of the original Greek wording at the beginning of Revelation tells us that all the events within the book will come to pass very quickly once they have started. This means that all the remaining 500+ prophecies contained throughout all the scriptures will be fulfilled quickly.       Reading most English translations, most of us are familiar with the phrase “must shortly come to pass” (Rev 1:1) and also “for the time is at hand” (Rev 1:3). These phrases would seem to imply “in English” that all the events about to be revealed would transpire shortly after they were penned.  Since all scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit and since over 1,900 years have passed since the writing, we can be assured that the Holy Spirit could not mean our “English” meaning of “closeness in time” so let’s go back to the original Greek text to determine intended meaning.       1.  What does “must shortly come to pass” (Rev 1:1) mean? The Greek word used for “shortly” (en tachei) is used in three passages where this exact phrase is used to describe events that will not occur for a long way off (Luke 18:8; Rom 16:20; Rev 22:6) and does not mean that they will happen in the immediate future.       If we look at the Old Testament for similar phrases (as all scripture is inspired by the same Holy Spirit) we see that Isaiah writes around 700BC about the future destruction of Babylon which occurred after 539BC (Isa 13:22); and also he  talks about how the Assyrian invasion of Israel “will come with speed swiftly” (Isa 5:26) which we know that event didn’t happen for several hundred years; however, when it started, it proceeded very rapidly. The primary meaning for en tachei would then be about an event that will transpire “in quick succession” or “swiftly” or “rapidly”.  As a side note, even within our English language, we see lexicons that use the root word en tachei, which have the same meaning. For example, the word tachycardia (tachy = rapid secession; and kardia = the heart) means that a heart is beating “rapidly”.       2.  What does “for the time is at hand” (Rev 1:3) mean? The Greek phrase kairos engys used in this passage refers to “the right time”, “the right moment”, “the appointed time”, or “the opportune time”.  Gal 4:4 also uses that phrase stating, “But when the fullness of the time (kairos) has come, God sent forth His son”  Jesus was sent at the right time when it was ordained that he should come and not before.  The events of Revelation likewise will occur at their appointed time.       These verses together (Rev 1:1-3) therefore tell us that there is an appointed time when these events are to start, and when they do, they will occur in rapid succession.  We see this same language again repeated at the end of Revelation (Rev 22:6-7), which refers to the entire book of Revelation and has the same meaning. When do these events start?       We know that the events that Revelation talks about, once started, will happen in Rapid succession. God has provided us what events will occur, and their sequence and even says He will Bless us if we read, hear, and take them to heart. I, for one, wish this blessing so studying with all diligence.       We know that the first event is the opening of the 1st seal, where it is generally understood that this represents the spirit of the antichrist who conquers without firing a single shot.  When Jesus was asked about the sequence of the end-time events, He described this same sequence of the opening of the seals but gave us more information about the opening of the 1st seal and said for us to make sure that no one deceives us (Matt 24:4). In the last few years, we see Christians leaving following Christ in droves. Based on polls of those that say they are Christians, conservatively over 85% of them admit that they do not follow Christ and instead do what they desire at all times. Doesn’t it sound like they are being deceived and Christians are being conquered (not following Christ)?       1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 gives us the most important key to know when the final sequence of events will start. We are told, “Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the LORD will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety“, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”        This COVID pandemic has caused world-wide havoc. It has disrupted the manufacturing and distribution chains. It was cast a large percentage of the world’s population into financial difficulty. It seems logical to assume that this event, happening on a world-wide scale, would assist in triggering the opening of seal 2 (war), seal 3 (famine), and seal 4 (disease).  John tells us directly that 25% of the world’s population will die from these three events: that’s almost 2 billion people!        The most important part of that passage is the phrase “Peace and safety“.  Have you heard that phrase battered about in the last year since COVID started?  The United Nations, through their World Health Organization agency, has been saying the phrase “Peace and security” repeatedly and intensely over the last year!  This is technically the identical phrase that we are being warned about in 1 Thes 5:1-3.       Shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (on April 18, 2020), H.E. Antonio Guterres, the UN General Secretary, gave a world-wide address where he stated that we would “rebuild a fairer world as united global citizens and united nations”.  Using the phrase “peace and security”, they do not hesitate to tell us that their true intent is to “rebuild the world”.  We are warned in the scriptures that when we hear this phrase then “sudden destruction will come“.  Have the sequences of Revelation started? How do we receive His blessings and follow Him?        The New Testament provides God’s plan of salvation and how we should live our lives to serve him, and if we do, we will become his adopted children and live in Heaven with him eternally. Over the centuries, definitions of individual words have been slowly changing, and the original meanings of each of the 5,624 Koine Greek root words used in the New Testament have come to light.        The Pure Word is an unparalleled New Testament translation from the Original Greek, incorporating the original meanings as written at the time of Christ and the Apostles. It is an invaluable resource to be used alongside your favorite version of the Bible or used independently.        The Pure Word not only supports the King James Version but provides you with a much richer depth of meaning as written at the time of Christ. The depth of understanding it gives is a must for every Christian in your life! You will get MORE out of the Gospels, be MORE LIFTED up, and see MORE CLEARLY the original intent that will unite Christians from different denominations that debate over various translations. EXPERIENCE the gospel as they did in the first century, during the time of Christ, the Apostles, and the birth of the Church!        We are further commanded by God to “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15). Studying is not optional for Christians but required of God, and what better way to follow His command than to dive into His Pure Word as understood by the early Church. Watch the official video now and see exactly how The Pure Word is an invaluable resource that should be used by every Christian, pastor, and Bible study group. WATCH VIDEO