“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father,
to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Rev. 1:5–6, NKJV) 

How does the book of Revelation contribute to our perspective on the kingdom of God? We can answer this question by considering the way our vision works. My wife recently had cataract surgery. She was given several lens replacement options. She chose to have a distance lens put in one eye and a close lens in the other. That would leave it up to her brain to figure things out so that she could focus near and far. 

That’s how Revelation works to give us perspective in relation to the kingdom of God. On the one hand, we see the kingdom of God present in power. Through rich symbolism and biblical imagery and prophetic word, we are shown Jesus Christ who lives and reigns on high. He is the lion of the tribe of Judah. He is the root of David. And He has conquered and has begun to reign. He is the Lamb who was slain but who now lives in resurrection life and power for His church. 

The kingdom of God has been commenced. It is this reality that defines our lives, directs our steps, and encourages our hearts for life in this fallen world that is in opposition to God and His Christ. As God’s people we are called to overcome, to stand against the forces of a fallen world and to strive for the advancement of the kingdom of God. We fight not for victory but in victory, overcoming by the blood of the Lamb. 

But there is another perspective Revelation gives us. The kingdom of God that has been commenced will one day be consummated. The old order of things will be done away with and the new creation ushered in in fullness. The scourge of sin that defiled and impaired life in this present age will be gone, completely, finally, forever. 

Those who belong to Christ, His bride the church, will be blessed in the full enjoyment of God into all eternity. This distance lens comforts us and assures us. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4). 

The structure of Revelation makes prominent these two dimensions. By chiasm it leads us to the center of book (Rev. 12-13) where we find our demonic enemy and his schemes exposed. By overlapping visions it leads us inexorably forward to the destruction of that enemy and his kingdom. 

Through these two lenses, near and far, we see Jesus reigning now for His church and returning in glory. Both aspects give us kingdom perspective through new eyes of faith.

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This course will involve self-paced study under the direction of a mentor. Each lesson will feature a video interview related to a book I have written and will include a study guide. Links to books and supporting materials will be provided. 

The course is free. Watch for an announcement about the availability of Thy Kingdom Come later this summer. 

The featured book for this session of Kingdom Vision is Re: velation – Seeing Jesus, Seeing Self, Standing Firm (Stanley D. Gale, Reformation Heritage Books, 2021). Click here for an article on “The Relevance of Revelation.”