The Key of the Apocalypse (Revelation)

1. After the Fall

1.1. The Restoration: a new Heaven and Earth

After the definite fall of the Beast, God will inaugurate a new era in the world. John sees “a New Heaven and a new Earth” (Revelation 21,1), and says that: “The One sitting on the Throne spoke: ‘Look, I am making the whole of creation new’” (Revelation 21,5). This New Universe had already been prophesied by St Peter: “What we are waiting for, relying on His promises, is the New Heavens and the New Earth, where uprightness will be at home” (2 Peter 3,13). (See text: “The Universal Restoration”).

Such is the story of the Revelation recounted simply and methodically. It was not revealed to John in a clear and consistent manner, God wanting to keep the content secret (Revelation 5,1 & 10,4) until the moment of the Beast’s appearance, on the eve of Christ’s Return. He sends, then, his messenger to explain all: “Do not keep the prophecies of this Book a secret, because the time (of Jesus’ Return) is close” (Revelation 22,10). This secrecy was desired by God “to put the people of the world to the test” before Jesus’ Return (Revelation 3,10-11).

It is in this way the Christ actually probes the hearts: “It is I who search hears and loins”, says Jesus (Revelation 2,23). The chosen are those who side with Justice in fighting with courage and determination against the Beast, even at the cost of their own lives. They establish – by their resistance to the Antichrist – the Kingdom of God and of His Christ on earth:

“Salvation and power and empire for ever have been won by our God, and all authority for his Christ, now that the accuser (the Beast), who accused our brothers (the two witnesses) has been brought down. They have triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word to which they bore witness, because even in the face of death they did not cling to life” (Revelation 12,10-11).

The Revelation relates the story of the return of Israel, the Beast, the Antichrist, and its final definitive condemnation. Its fall will manifest the power and the glory of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, who’s Kingdom will remain forever.

1.2. The Kingdom of God on earth

The seventh trumpet resonates: it announces the Kingdom of God and of Jesus on earth after the fall of the Antichrist:

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and voices could be heard shouting in Heaven calling, 'The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11,15)

The Divine Light, extinguished by the Dragon and the Beast, will shine again in the hearts thirsty for Love and Truth. They will live with God in them and become the Temple of God:

“To those who prove victorious I will give the hidden manna and a white stone* - a stone with a new name written on it, known only to the man who receives it” (Revelation 2,17)

*Certain Bibles use the translation “white pebble” instead of “white stone”. “Pebble” is translated from the Greek word “psyfon”, the language with which the Revelation was written. Now in Greek, this word means “pebble” or “stone”. It is the word “stone” that should be translated (as correctly translated in the Bible TOB, Traduction Œcuménique de la Bible), because the word “pebble” cannot be used to build a construction.

The word “stone” has a resonance that is prophetic and evangelic, which the word “pebble” does not evoke. In telling Peter: “You are Peter and, on this rock, I will build my community” (Matthew 16,18), Jesus consecrated this word. He reuses it in the Revelation so to build His immaterial Church of the End of Times. This is not a material building, but represents the Apostles of the Apocalypse, building stones of the Spiritual Temple that is formed of them and all those who believe in the Apocalyptic message revealed by Jesus to His messenger. Indeed, these are considered “living stones” of the Spiritual Temple, non-material, of the Heavenly Jerusalem, of which Jesus is the “corner stone” (read 1 Peter 2,4-5: “So that you, too, may be living stones…”, 1 Corinthians 3,16 / 6,13-20 / 2 Corinthians 6,16 / Ephesians 2,10).

In the Revelation, Jesus also qualifies the victorious believer a “pillar in the Sanctuary of My God” (Revelation 3,12). The Apocalypse confirms this new world order:

“Then I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth, the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea (death of the soul)… I will give water from the well of Life free to anybody who is thirsty… I will be his God and he will be my son… I could not see any Temple in the City since the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were themselves the Temple… There will be no night there…” (Revelation 21).

“Let all who are thirsty come: all who want it may have the Water of Life, and have it free” (Revelation 22,17)

Father, may your Kingdom come, Your Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen!

“O yes, come Lord Jesus! Amen!”

“… Let anyone who can hear, listen what the Spirit is saying to the Churches” (Revelation 2,7)

Pierre (1978 / Revised 2005)