(Chapters 4-22)
This third section of the book of Revelation deals with events that will be “hereafter.” We may well ask, “Hereafter what?” The answer is, “Hereafter the history of the Church on earth is concluded.” This is confirmed by the fact that the often repeated expression, “What the Spirit says unto the churches,” in chapters 2 and 3, is no longer mentioned from this point forward in the book. This is because the Church is seen as having ended its history on earth and has been called away to heaven.
The Rapture is Not Mentioned Directly in the Prophetic Part of the Book
Chapters 4-5 assume the Rapture (the Lord’s coming for His saints – John 14:2-3; 1 Thess. 4:15-18) has occurred, for in these chapters the saints are seen in heaven. Strictly speaking, the Rapture is not directly mentioned in the prophetic part of the book, because the aim of prophecy is not to unfold the truth of the Church, but to set forth the judgments that prepare the way for the setting up of the kingdom of Christ. When dealing with the Church in the seven addresses, the Lord speaks of the Rapture (chaps. 2:25; 3:11), and perhaps it can be seen in a veiled way in John being called up to heaven in chapter 4:1. And again, in chapter 22, after the prophecies of the book have been given, the Lord speaks of His coming in a general way three times, but does not distinguish it from His Appearing. (This is done to give it a bearing on both believers and unbelievers.) On the other hand, the Appearing of Christ (the Lord’s coming with His saints – 1 Thess. 3:13; 4:14; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Titus 2:13; 1 John 2:28; 3:2; Jude 14-15) is mentioned many times in the book (chaps. 1:7; 3:3; 10:1; 11:15; 14:14-16; 16:15-21; 18:21-24; 19:11-21).
In chapters 4 to 22 we move on to those things that are strictly prophetic. These chapters have to do with Christ’s rightful claims to the “inheritance,” which is every created thing in heaven and on earth (chaps. 4-5), the many judgments that will fall on the earth (chaps. 6-19), and finally, His reign over all the works of His hands (chaps. 20-22).