(All Scripture quotations are from the NIV)

“‘…I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.

I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name… Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world…

The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.

…I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, …and I will also write on them my new name.’” (Revelation 3:8 – 12)

These highly special and uniquely intimate promises for Christians in the Philadelphia church age, capture the essence of the deep work of grace in the last days, the “making of the bride,” the feast of Tabernacles.

The heart of the Gospel, union with Christ, comes in the journey and adventure Jesus pioneered for you and me, Tabernacles.

It’s the long wilderness journey of being fathered, cleansed, and healed – the journey for those who allow the Lord to take them deep in him.

It’s the journey prefigured “in part” by the ancients – Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Elijah, etc., Christ pioneered and completed, for himself, and for you and me.

Jesus established a better covenant, one where grace, “Christ,” makes a personal commitment to you and me to transform our lowly natures into his glorious image.

For those alive in the last days, this opportunity culminates in the Philadelphia church age. 

Important

We’re living in the age of fullness, the culmination of the Gospel,^a prefigured by the ancients,  foretold symbolically in the Old Covenant feast of Tabernacles, pioneered and perfected by Christ.

An unprecedented season, an opportunity of fullness, to the global body of Christ.

^a The final deep work of grace through faith: healing and restoring men and women into the likeness of Christ, “made” joint heirs, a journey and a process.

Greetings

Hello again, I’m glad you’re here.

In many ways this post is more of an outline than a “writing” on the book of Revelation.

It grew out of a study.

I’m going to cover a lot of things in Revelation, some may be new to you.

There’s a couple of areas significant to us in the 21st century I plan to cover extensively in future posts.

I encourage you to dive into his Word – let him speak to you by his Spirit the things he wants to accomplish in you in this hour of church history (Acts 17:11).

As many know, Revelation draws content from a number of Bible writings, showing the fulfillment of prophecies of old.

It reaches back to Daniel, Ezekiel, and even earlier accounts, and beliefs from across the Bible.

What comes to mind for many regarding Revelation are questions like, “When will it happen?”

And, “Is there really an out – translation (rapture), and if so, when does it occur – pre, mid, or post Tribulation?”

I will cover these questions in the future.

But suffice it to say, we’re in Revelation now, predominantly the Philadelphia and Laodicean church ages, the primary focus of the work of grace today being Philadelphia.

Other church ages overlap, Thyatira and Sardis, but Philadelphia is the heart of God’s work today in his sons and daughters.

And the deep work of grace, Tabernacles, in the age of Philadelphia, is described and pictured throughout the New Testament, notably in Romans, Philippians, Hebrews, and the pearl of great price.

And it is pictured in the “child” in the womb, the son (men and women) that is birthed of Revelation 12.

Yes, Revelation 12, the early verses, is a picture of where we are today in world and church history.

(For those who were perceptive at the time of Christ, they would have known they were in chapter two and seven of Daniel.)

To have a working understanding of the book of Revelation, how it fits together, why it was given, what do the major symbols represent, and, a basic understanding of patterns and timing, we must reach back across the Bible and establish some of the “basics” supporting Revelation.

But before we do, it may be best to look at some of the reasons why Revelation is in the Bible.

*** SECTION I ***

THE HEART OF REVELATION

The age of Philadelphia, the final opportunity for the deep promises of God to come to pass in the Gospel era, is the “brightest” season for those held in Christ’s arms, and the darkest for those held captive by the God of this world.

The coming press upon Christians in the last days will be unbearable without the protection and intervention of the Lord.

Scripture warns of a coming apostasy in the last days.

And Laodicea symbolizes in part men and women moving away from Christ toward apostasy, many on the verge, knowingly, or unknowingly, of changing their citizenship.

Grace, peace, and contentment work together for those held deeply in Christ’s arms, but are at odds with one another when the eyes of the heart are focused on the cares and kingdom of this life.

I know, I’ve been there, and it’s taken a long journey, and continues, for the Lord to turn me around and bring me back on the path he planned all along – a place of rest, being cleansed, healed, and restored, to the design the Father laid down at the beginning.

He’s doing it for me, line upon line, here a little, and there a little, and he can do it for you.

It’s a long journey, we only have so much time.

Let’s let him accomplish as much as he can in the remaining allotted time.

Unlike the kingdom of this world, God is no respecter of persons.

It’s not too late to press into the promises of Philadelphia.

It’s not too late to open wide the door of your heart to Jesus. You will not be disappointed!

Jesus is standing with open arms, hoping, desiring, to enter the picture of your story and change the ending for the better.

Is the journey long, yes. Are there at times discomforts, yes. Are there challenges, yes.

Cleansing and healing wounds and sins will, at times, bring discomfort.

But, oh, the kindness and gentleness of God far outweigh any challenges and discomfort that come our way.

****

Some Christians will miss the treasures of grace in “Philadelphia” and find themselves ill-prepared to face a system and culture sold to fulfilling the cravings of this life.

Storm clouds are gathering once again for a paradigm shift in the affairs of men and women over the rulership of this earth.

We are presently engaged in a long and final battle for the souls of men and women, before the hand of God begins to close this era and open a new.

The “transition” to the Millennium, which Philadelphia (the feast of Tabernacles), begins to initiate, from the “age of the Gospel,” will increasingly become more and more distressing for those outside of Christ.

And for those in Christ, either draw them deeper in God, or, draw them deeper away from the Lord into the heart of Laodicea.

Yes, Philadelphia, indirectly, begins the transition to the Millennium; the final deep work of grace to heal and restore sons and daughters, positioning them to advance the kingdom of God in others in the closing season of the Church.

For those moving into deep intimacy and union with Christ, being made new in heart and mind, “fathered,” ruling and reigning with Christ in the heavens will be their great reward in the Tribulation (living creatures), and, in the Millennium.

Those who do not desire deep intimacy with Christ, Tabernacles, torn between choosing Christ or the World, will find themselves thrust into the heat of the Tribulation.

But Christ will not abandon them.

He rejects our rejections of him, fighting on our behalf until we either come to him or are determined to choose otherwise.

Though missing the opportunity for intimacy as his bride, he will walk them through the fires of the Tribulation, “making” their “robes” white.

They will face the severest of tests and trials, hunted and chased by an enemy driven from its hiding place.

An enemy exposed like never before, joined by many who are “willingly” his companion in destroying others, and ultimately themselves.

The Lord has labored for two millenniums to provide abundant resources in the last days to cleanse and heal his sons and daughters for union with him.

That they, by the grace of God, might escape, just in the nick of time, the terrible and unspeakable things coming to pass in the closing days of the Gospel.

Let’s shake sleep, be vigilant, wise virgins, or, better yet, the criers, and seek the Lord to be readied by him, cleansed and healed, taken into the deep waters of his Spirit, the deep mysteries of God with him.

Jesus is looking for those who will rule and reign with him, who will know and be known of him.

It’s not too late.

My Prayer

Like the body’s senses of touch, seeing, and taste are cultivated for good food and good drink, I pray the eyes and ears of your heart, and the mind of your spirit, “sense” the goodness of God’s Word.

And that my posts might play a part in cultivating intimacy and hunger for God in your life, inspiring you forward for the deep truths and treasures of Christ.

Heart of Revelation

The heart “cornerstone” of Revelation is Christ, his pioneering work – described and testified in the great body of writings from Romans to Hebrews (and elsewhere) –

“Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:8 – 9)

We see the results of Christ’s pioneering journey in the spectacular description of him in Revelation 1:12 – 16.

The “testimony” of Jesus Christ referred by John in Revelation 1:9 predominately refers to Christ’s personal journey, “being made perfect,” the New Testament in his blood, before he began his ministry.

We’ve been ingrained with teaching about the ministry of Christ, but it’s the work of grace by the Father in Christ, “being made perfect,” that made him who he came to be – King, Lord, High Priest, Prophet, and Savior.

Christ is the firstfruit, firstborn, pioneer and forerunner of our faith, the faith he pioneered and completed. I’ve written much on this in the past.

Revelation one’s picture of Christ captures the best man can put into words of the magnificence of the glorified Christ “in all his glory,” freed from the limitations that restricted his transfiguration on the Mount with Peter, James, and John.

Note:

On the Mount, they saw the glorious transfiguration of Christ, but, only as a “peak” into the heavens.

They were not prepared, nor was the Father willing, to show the fully glorified Christ to them so early in their own personal journey.

We can only handle so much of the glory of the Lord at a time, it’s a journey and a process.

They were not in the place to be ushered into the heavens and truly see the magnificent glory of Christ in all his splendor.

Calvary did nothing to change the nature of Christ, who he was, who he had become, his authority or offices.

Though he bore the marks of our sin on the holiness of his body, it did not change the nature of Christ – he gave no place to our sin in the confines of his heart.

By forgiving, he destroyed the devils attempt to corrupt his final act of obedience, and though his body was marred, his soul and spirit remained perfected.

His final act of obedience released him from the ministry to Israel to the Gentiles.

Their day would come (Peter, James, and John) but it would not be that day on the Mount.

John, now nearing the end of his days, having traveled much of the journey of Christ, was honored by the Lord to see the glories which he would soon receive, according to the work of grace accomplished in him.

****

It is important to understand Christ’s nature was not changed by his ministry, nor by his death at Calvary, for, who he came to be, had already been accomplished fully and completely before his presentation to John at the river Jordan.

It was the Son of God who was tested by the devil; the testing did not change his nature, but “testified” to the enemy who he was, and his “right” to enter the enemy’s kingdom and set his captives free. 

After that, all of the other events of his life flowed out of who he was, the New Testament walking in flesh and blood.

Revelation cannot be entered except through Christ – we must go through Jesus to enter into the promises and benefits of revelation!

And the deeper the wilderness journey with Christ, the deeper the intimacy with the King of Kings.

It’s something we cannot do on our own, it is a journey initiated and lead by him.

Us

The longer you walk with Christ “the longer he has you in his care,” the more “fathered” you become, healed and restored, the more you’ll understand his intense desire to heal our sinful nature without shame or condemnation.

Shame and condemnation are foreign to Christ.

And that’s what he desires to make foreign to you and me, and to those he wants us to invite on the journey and see healed.

The heart of Revelation offered to his sons and daughters is the fullness and stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:13), however those terms are held by him, wrapped and coated in his grace and mercy.

Phrases like coming to the “fullness,” “stature,” “image,” “likeness,” “knowledge,” and “maturity,” of Christ have meaning only viewed through the eyes of Christ, through the “grace” to what those terms mean to him.

Don’t count yourself out of the race because you’ve been taught or believe the calling of “Christ” is too high.

It is a work of grace, the work of Christ in us, not something we can apprehend in ourselves.

That’s what makes Christianity so wonderful!

The abundance of grace to change our lowly natures into his glorious likeness!

And Philadelphia, unlike past church ages, opens all the stops for that to be accomplished in his sons and daughters, because, Jesus has provisioned the resources for this particular work in this special and unique season of church history.  

Judgments

The judgments in Revelation may be likened to the “bursting of the dams” that have been building since ancient days.

Some burst from the rage and power of sin, agreements with darkness empowered by spiritual wickedness in high places.

Some burst from angelic ministration, and some, by wickedness fighting wickedness.

I think many have a view of the judgments as strictly coming from the Lord.

But there is a strong element of judgments arising from the continuing release of Godly boundaries and protection, permitting what’s already there to have the fullness of what “it” has cultivated and built in the hearts and minds of those under its captivity.

Bad fruit coming to the fullness of fruition.

Whatever the “direct” source of the judgments, sadly, and tragically, it progressively reveals deep wickedness in those opposed to Christ.

And, in contrast, the heart of Revelation reveals the deep work of grace in the saints to be changed into the glorious likeness of the Lord, receiving new names.

The core of Revelation is the pioneering work of Christ, the adventure and journey of being “made perfect,” so vividly captured by John in the glorious description of Christ in the opening chapter of Revelation.

Out of his journey, his perfection, everything else flowed, three plus years of ministry, and ultimately, his death on Calvary.

And out of that core revealing, flows the deep work of grace to sons and daughters, many being healed and restored.

And out of that healing and restoration will come the bride in the last days, Christ’s agent of ministry in the end – times, ushering many into deep intimacy with the Lord.

And the ministry of the bride, and her out – translation just in the nick of time will usher mankind into the final and irreversible phase of transition out of one era and into another.

Though much of Revelation is devoted to the period we commonly call the Tribulation, the heart of revelation is whose image men and women become – an image bearer that brings everlasting life, or, an image bearer that brings everlasting separation and darkness.

One of the forces moving history a few minutes before midnight “the Tribulation,” is the revealing of the antichrist system by the revelation of Christ in his bride in the end – time outpouring of revival.

****

To summarize, the design of Revelation is to draw us deeply into Christ, to partake of Christ, to embrace what he embraced and pioneered – intimacy and union with the Father.

A deep, intimate, vibrant relationship of being known and knowing.

That the revelation of Christ – the work of grace by faith to heal and restore wounds and brokenness, putting to death the hostility of our flesh, made alive in spirit – would be accomplished in God’s sons and daughters as in the Son.

That we would become, not just legal joint heirs, but experiential joint heirs with Christ, made into his image, ruling and reigning with the one who purchased us with his own blood.

*** SECTION II ***

WHY REVELATION?

Here are some reasons that come to mind, not in any particular order:

1. Revelation reveals the character of sin, the rage to consume all in its path.

The fallen nature is all about staying hidden, veiled, masked, all the while holding its victim in its tentacles, intensifying the fallen nature’s grip and expanding its territory as it spirals victims downward from generation to generation.

Hiding behind beliefs like “… there is nothing new under the sun.,” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

But the truth is, for those dealing with their sinful nature, there is something new under the sun in the kingdom of darkness, because it gets worse in scope and intensity as it moves forward from generation to generation, and you may find yourself in the generation having to deal with the “increase” of its power.

Sin grows just like anything else, and, if left unhealed, grows in intensity as it expands its way through family lines. (Romans 5:20, Exodus 20:5-6, Exodus 34:7, Numbers 14:18)

And by referring to the third and fourth generations, it means as far as you can see, literally and figuratively, in perpetuity until it is either healed or the family line comes to an end.

Certain outward signs of sin may skip generations, or it may manifest a different way, nonetheless, it is not within man’s humanity to be truly healed and restored of sin outside of the cross of Christ in the New Testament, or the intervention of God in the Old.

And the “fullness of time,” like in the days of Noah, Moses/Joshua, Christ, and the end – times, are days when sin is no longer allowed to run its course, family lines coming to an end by the intervention of the Lord, while the wise are taken into the safety of Christ. (Genesis 15:16, Galatians 4:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, Revelation 3:7-13)

Else, sin would be so deeply entrenched there would be no hope of turning some to Christ.

Revelation brings a dramatic end to the growing avalanche of sin in the last days, not to be encountered again until the end of the Millennium.

And it brings an end to it in increasing measures, under-girded with grace, in hopes of repentance and forgiveness.

(And by the way, there is something new under the sun in the kingdom of light – increasing intimacy, connection, and union with Christ!

The church ages not only show an increasing downward spiral of sin beginning with the first church age and ending with the fourth, Thyatira, but more importantly, for us living in the 21^st century, an increase of revelation and the work of grace in the fifth and sixth church ages.)

Revelation refutes the belief of those who may deny the existence of God and his intervention in the affairs of men and women, “‘…Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.’” (2 Peter 3:4).

Revelation shows there is a divine plan at work to make the “saved” into the likeness of Christ, and a plan by the enemy to make the “unsaved” into the likeness darkness, him.

2. Revelation creates hunger and thirst – appetites, and desires and passions, for more of Jesus.

It ignites the fire of discovery – deep desires to know the Lord, his affairs and plans for the ages.

It does just what he wants it to – ignite our hearts for him and not the world.

The picture of Jesus in chapter 1 draws us into who he is, who he became, and begs the question – what is the meaning of his glorious presentation and how did it come about?

It raises the bar from common misunderstandings regarding salvation, from a one – time event, to a life time journey and adventure in Christ.

It reminds us of the omniscience and sovereignty of God in the affairs of mankind, awakening our need for Jesus, and him alone, to walk us through the adventure and journey of our Christian pilgrimage.

And in particular, the great weight Christ puts on our pilgrimage and our desire for him – increasing consequences of turning away as light and darkness unfold deeper and deeper in the end – times.

3. Revelation proclaims, through Philadelphia, a deep rest from brokenness, and the constant festering of assaults of the “spirits of this age” from unhealed wounds.

For those in Philadelphia, Tabernacles, there’s an open door for intimacy and union with Christ unlike anything in the past.

Today, while the world races farther and farther from God and the knowledge of Christ, his sons and daughters are being prepared for deeper and deeper intimacy with the Lord.

And one day their journeys will cross paths.

Some on the path of destruction will find life in Christ from those who have been taken into the deep places of Christ by the Spirit of God.

Those who find life, or I should say life finds them, will be renewed and begin their own healing and restoration journey, learning to overcome the assaults of the enemy, turning the tide on those who sought to destroy them.

The Lord is bringing many into a deep rest.

Some now and some to come.

A deep place of grace, rest from striving, one of the fruits prepared for those who receive the Lord’s care and healing.

4. Revelation is designed to instill sobriety, reflection, thoughtfulness, reverence, and “searching” of the things of God.

It’s a final communication our earthly lives are short – a moment in eternity.

That God has much bigger plans, not only the adventures of eternity, but the adventures of whatever church age we find ourselves.

And, in selected seasons, an opportunity to rule and reign with Christ.

For those who live in the New Testament era, the God of ancient Israel seems all but long lost and forgotten.

A footnote in history.

God has been replaced by evolution and humanism in almost all avenues of society, including some in Christendom.

The fear and knowledge of God is almost absent today, in and out of Christendom.

Revelation is timeless, it reaches back to Genesis rushing the pageantry of history before our eyes.

It brushes aside humanism and evolution, and the unending debates about creation, and ushers the reality of the kingdom of God front and center for all to see and read.

It leaves no stone unturned over the mysteries to be unfolded in the future and the outcome for all.

It gives a a spectacular ending to a story building for six millenniums or more.

It reveals the spontaneous and unprecedented nature of God in relationship with his creation.

Providing ample proof of his sovereignty, dominion, and masterly plan, all the while tenderly, gently, and patiently wooing men and women to the gospel of Christ over two millenniums.

5. Revelation proclaims the simplicity of the gospel will be revealed in heart and power once again before the gospel age comes to an end.

During the end – times arguments about what is and is not of God within the Christendom will hit a fever pitch, just like in past moves of God.

But in the end, the internal judging of one another will be shown fruitless and wanting.

No one will be arguing about theology, traditions, creeds, cults, New Age, denominational statements of faith, and all the rest, in the heat just before and during the Tribulation.

The fires of persecution will cleanse many of the “agreements” they’ve made about this or that theology, throwing away anything and everything that stands in the way of Christ.

In the heat of persecution, it will be all about Jesus, not about what you believe. 

Love, grace, mercy, repentance and forgiveness will be the call of the day.

Revival surfaces the secret and hidden agreements we’ve become one with, bringing them to the surface for either cleansing and healing, or further rupture.

And severe persecution will either lead to further rupture or the cry for Jesus, forsaking all in the pursuit of Christ.

One way or the other, the days leading up and into the Tribulation will brush aside all the debates about this or that theology and bring matters to a close.

We must be careful not to put too much weight on our efforts to right wrongs, defend ourselves, defend what we “think” is the faith, and not enough on the power of God to set things right and protect those who seek him.

Jesus is more than able to set matters right, in his timing, always with the intention of leading someone more toward him, and not away.

6. Symbolism and the dynamic nature of the gospel come alive in Revelation.

The Bible is full of symbolism, and the farther we are in the calendar of God the clearer the meaning of many of the symbols, particularly those used throughout Scripture.

For example, the sun, moon, and stars appear on the fourth day of creation.

Often, we see them in Scripture symbolizing one thing or another.

One of the key truths they represent: Christ/New Testament (sun), Old Testament (moon), and the testimony of the saints (stars).

Just as the moon has no light of itself, the Old Testament has no light of itself, except the Son of God shine his light on the Old Covenant.

And just as the stars shine in the nighttime sky serving as navigation for those on a journey, so to, do the testimonies of the Old Covenant saints serve as navigation and inspiration in the nighttime of our journeys.

And interestingly, the sun, moon, and stars appear a number of times in Revelation.

And just as they appeared on the fourth day of creation, and, at the end of the fourth period of time from Adam to Christ, separating the Old from the New, establishing the “Son light” of the New Testament, their lights are said to dim just as the gospel age comes to a close in the middle of the Tribulation.

Revelation brings to life many of the symbols used in the Old Testament, giving meaning and purpose for why they were given in the first place, fulfilling their original design.

The nature of Revelation, at all levels, Christian and non-Christian, is the dynamic – progressive revealing of grace, and the “spirited” progressive revealing of sin.

Grace culminating in the bride, the age of Philadelphia, fulfilling the feast of Tabernacles.

Sin culminating in the Dragon, the seven headed beast, antichrist world system, and a world sold to sin.

Yes, Christianity is not static, but a dynamic living organism growing and maturing until Christ is satisfied with the maturity of his bride, revealing her to the world one last time in one last great outreach to the lost.

7. Revelation shows Christianity as a living, vibrant community of sons and daughters, setbacks and failures in all, growing into the maturity of Christ over six successive church ages.

It shows the amazing freedom the Lord provides his own while drawing them closer.

Jesus is a gentleman. He does not force his way on anyone, including his sons and daughters.

If our own wounds and brokenness do not lead us to a deeper relationship with the Lord, he will do whatever is necessary short of violating our “choice” to choose him.

He knows how to “exert” his will and not violate ours.

There are two major groups of Christians in the end times: those in the bride, and those outside the bride.

Revelation shows the distinction between the two hoping to draw as many as possible into the deeper things of God, away from the cares of this life and the contentment of building a kingdom here while trying to build a kingdom in heaven.

The heart of Revelation is to draw us into intimacy and fellowship with the Lord, like a husband and wife, a oneness of heart and mind, unlike any other relationship, intimately connected, body, soul, and spirit.

An intimacy that comes alive just by the presence of the other, where just a look, a smile, or the movement of the body tells the other what the other feels or thinks.

A relationship where the heart of one is known by the other.

A oneness so intimate and deep their natures become one.

Because they’ve traveled the same road, faced the same challenges, fought the same enemies, and loved like no other.

And in relationship to Christ, not only is our nature changed, but our name, to signify the new nature made into the image of Christ.

And to those blessed to be born in the age of Philadelphia, and I’m talking about today, you and me, the Lord promises new names in three prominent areas of our lives.

There are things the Lord is after in all of us who bear his name, and in the closing season of the Church, he will either accomplish it during the Philadelphia church age, or, if that fails, he will attempt to accomplish it during the time of the “seals.”

*** SECTION III ***

WHY REVELATION? (CONTINUED)

8. Revelations dramatic story and ending.

For us born in the latter days, Revelation ushers us into a story in full swing with a dramatic ending.

It’s story and ending are so dramatic it draws men and women to study, search, discover, and seek God for answers – cultivating and creating appetites for the Lord to feed and nurture.

It helps provide the Lord with an open door to hearts otherwise closed to the deep things of God, especially as “the day” approaches.

It ushers us away from the natural – the natural way of seeing and hearing – and into the spiritual, teaching how to have eyes to see and ears to hear in the midst of other voices clamoring and vying for our affections.

Revelation has a way of “helping” us toward the things of God, the important matter of eternity.  

9. Revelation, a deep work of grace.

Revelation shows the unfathomable ability of the grace of God to accomplish a deep work in sons and daughters in the latter days, in the midst of great temptations, despite a global culture opposed to Christ.

Revelation reveals the deep work of the Holy Spirit preparing men and women for intimacy and union with Christ, while others are being prepared for intimacy and union with great darkness.

It reveals there are no limits to what God can accomplish in those who belong to him in the darkest of times.

That he is unquestionably trustworthy, faithful, and willing and able to complete the plan of redemption, “likeness,” no matter what the outward circumstances of the world comes to or looks like.

His plan, founded in creation, will come to fruition, no matter what the world believes or thinks about Jesus and the Bible.

The pioneering work of Christ, forerunner of our faith by grace, will not be found wanting, but accomplish the plan of God in the time allotted and in the manner ordained in the latter times.

Grace will triumph over sin, apostasy, indifference, and those outwardly and inwardly opposed to the knowledge of God and of his Christ.

And in the darkest of times, grace will arise, giving opportunities “again” for those who would otherwise be lost, in the end – time move(s) of God, or, in the Tribulation.

Grace will triumph over the Dragon, the seven headed Beast, the 10 horns, the false prophet, Babylon, and all the “influential” from around the world who have done everything in their power to build a humanistic society, actively opposed to man and woman’s redemption, healing, and restoration from sin and evil.

Those opposed to God will be found numbered and wanting.

10. The feast of Tabernacles, the heart of the Philadelphia church, brings to completion the three main feasts of the O.T., a corporate fulfillment.

Some of the early apostles completed the feast of Tabernacles, but as far as we know, there has not been a corporate fulfillment, similar to Passover and Pentecost.

That is about to change.

Revelation unveils the fulfillment of the Old Testament feast of Tabernacles.

Like Passover and Pentecost, Tabernacles, was also revealed at the beginning of the Gospel age, in the lives of those Christ took deep in the faith, like Peter (John 21:18), and many others.

Tabernacles is rebirthed – re-revealed – in the Philadelphia church age in those who respond to the call of the Lord to be taken deep by him, to be baptized with the baptism he was baptized with, to walk in newness of life.

Philadelphia is the last church age offering the fullness of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ – putting to death the deeds of the flesh, made alive in spirit.

Philadelphia holds the greatest promises, the deepest work of God by grace.

And if one completes the journey, and lives to see the end time move of God, they’ll be used by the Lord to bring the gospel to many in the closing hours of the Church age.

Philadelphia, the fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles in a corporate body of Christ, typified by David, fulfilled by Christ, will be, unbeknownst to the world, one of their last opportunities to receive the grace of Christ from those whose strength lie Christ, and Christ alone.

In many ways, the enemy is preparing the worst for last.

And Christ is saving the best for last for those who belong to him.

They will undo some of what the enemy has wrought!

11. Revelation reveals the completion of the plan of God spoken in Genesis 1:26 for Jew and Gentile alike who are among those numbered in the bride.

The bride not only includes Christians from the Philadelphia church age, but from past church ages, the Old Covenant through the time of the ancients.

The bride represents the fullness of the work of God in making men and women into his likeness in the dispensations he allotted prior to the time of the Millennium.

The promises to “brides to be,” intimacy and union with Christ, walking in resurrection life, held in deep grace, goes all the way back to Enoch, Moses, Elijah, and who knows how many more of the ancient and Old Testament saints, not least of which, Paul, Peter, James, John, and others from past church ages.

The subject of the bride is for another writing, but the focus in Revelation and the age we live plays a critical part in the Lord’s effort to have sons and daughters from the last days numbered among those who will be found among his bride from all ages and people groups.

Revelation reveals being made into the image of Christ openly and unapologetically in the living creatures who will rule and reign with Christ over the ensuing millennium.

The work of grace is more than one can ask or think, so please don’t count yourself from being readied by the Lord for intimacy and union with him.

12. Revelation reveals the abundance of God’s grace in his bride and his long-suffering towards men and women living in the depths of darkness, even after two millenniums of outreach to the lost by the Lord.

It reveals the extended hand of God, his long-suffering, even in the Tribulation, where, in the midst of Christians being put to death, judgments are still “measured” giving opportunity for repentance and forgiveness.

It exposes the magnificent of God’s grace and the depth of darkness men and women will go to refuse his grace and love, and cleave to sin.

13. Revelation reveals deep wounds, sins, and brokenness keeping men and women captive to the fallen nature, and, the abundance of God’s grace to intervene and through the resources of the body of Christ to heal and restore.

This is most apparent in the Philadelphia church age, the last age having the opportunity to apprehend the promises of God, having the most profound, deep promises of any of the church ages.

And no wonder, because Philadelphia is the age in the time of the seventh antichrist kingdom, the time to be hidden in Christ, escaping the face of the Dragon as he hunts for those who miss the out – translation of the bride.

It reveals it’s okay for you and me to reveal our wounds and brokenness to one another because it is through the body of Christ healing and restoration comes.

And that has been the theme of God’s work in the body of Christ over the last number of decades, the gentle unveiling of deep wounds and brokenness, through inner healing, counseling, deliverance, and other ministries, for us to be made whole, readied for union with the Lord.

Christ sees the details of our lives like no other, and has chosen this time in the Gospel age, to go deep in the hearts and minds of men and women, bringing to the light of grace our deep sufferings for healing.

Contrary to what may be popular opinion, Revelation is first and foremost about grace and restoration and the tragic consequences that come to those who continually forsake the Lord’s grace and favor.

Revelation showcases the completion of the plan of God in his sons and daughters in the sixth church age, Philadelphia, six millenniums of labor to make a bride for his son, to bring to fulfillment what he started with Adam and Eve so long ago.

14. Revelation reveals the inspiration of Scripture and a God past finding out, yet, inviting his creation to share in the creative plan of the gospel.

Creating an ending to a story from writings spanning over 1500 years or more with symbols, patterns, complexities, and yet simple truths.

Writings, no man, woman, or groups could devise – drawing parts from all dispensations and bringing everything together in one last great symphony of grace that even a few might be saved in the closing hours of the Gospel.

*** SECTION IV ***

PERSPECTIVES

Revelation is at heart more about “how mankind got there,” than about the specific events of the seals, trumpets, plagues, etc., (which show the visible results of a way of life opposed to the goodness and kindness of God).  

What is it the Lord really wants us to understand?

Besides the knowledge of God’s calendar (his plan for sons and daughters to defeat darkness by grace through faith in an allotted period of time), one of the major themes of Revelation are the stories of his last day saints:

• His bride, from birth to maturity in the age of Philadelphia; her ministry during the reign of the seventh antichrist kingdom; inflicting a deadly wound upon the strength of the seventh antichrist kingdom;

her out-translation at the last moment; her ministry in the heavens, in the midst of the throne (living creatures); and, her ruling and reigning with Christ in the execution of the first four seals.

• His martyred ones, sons and daughters who camp in the world kingdom, aligned to its prosperity; lukewarm, Laodiceans; missing the allotted time to be made new, healed and restored;

who are not captured by the majesty of Christ, the gospel, more connected to the world than Jesus; miss the bride, and are ushered into a wilderness they tried to avoid;

but this wilderness is much different than the one Christ offered; they’ll be required to give their lives under the wrath of the eighth kingdom; but, in the end, will be honored at the outpouring of the “plagues.”

Revelation reveals events, themes, and differences within the body of Christ at the end of time, that should cause all of us to ponder:

What are the differences between those who seek and find themselves in the deeper things of God, and those who are more or less content with this life, professing a love for the Lord, yet, holding back from venturing with him into the wilderness, the journey he pioneered for his church?

Why do some seek the deeper things of God, and others are content and more secure in the larger confines of Christendom, the vast space it occupies in the world culture?

A lot can be due to traditions and creeds which bind souls to ages past, the traditions of men, making it difficult, almost impossible, for some to enter into new things God brings their way.

How can the Lord create desire and passion in our hearts for new things, if we’re wrapped in layers upon layers of traditions, anchored to the old, afraid of the new?

Wounds and brokenness are not foreign to Christ, nor the power that holds them.

Jesus knows how to enter your wounds and brokenness and usher you into a new season.

He provides grace and teaching to learn faith and obedience, they cannot be learned apart from him.

Only Christ can conceive, birth, and mature Christ in us – it is a work of grace the Laodiceans, for whatever reasons, failed to receive.

Christ, the Open Door

If one desires the deeper truths and grace of Revelation, and there is much grace in Revelation, then one must go through Christ, the “open door,” and enter the journey he pioneered: the revelation of Christ by grace in the wounded and broken places in our humanity (1 Peter 1:13).

The gospel is all about Christ’s restoration journey, being fathered by God, made perfect, and, all about him redeeming and restoring the broken places in our lives.

The deeper Jesus takes us in that journey, the deeper he is revealed in us, and the deeper we go in his Word and Spirit.

Intimacy and union with Christ are the deep cries of our hearts, to know and be known, and, the deep cry of the Lord’s to be united with us.

It’s the love of Christ that draws you and me to the pools of his love, a love so deep and rich words cannot express.

But oh, to enter the King’s chamber in deep intimacy, requires much in the way of preparation, healing and restoration.

Think about the honor bestowed upon those in high office; the effort that goes into creating an atmosphere where deep discourse may be exchanged in privacy.

Now, unlike the world, Christ, the perfect one, comes to us even in the midst of all our stuff, with unimaginable grace, and personally takes us on a journey with him to cleanse and heal our wounds, to make us whole, because of his great love and care for those called by his name.

And in that journey, he invites us into ever increasing intimacy with him!

Talk about a contrast with the world and the rich and lavish grace of our savior.

The apostle John had to go through Christ, appear before him by grace, bearing witness to the deep work of the Father in the man he once walked with on the shores of Galilee, before being allowed access to the deep mysteries of Christ in his church, and the work of grace in the ages to come.

The deep work of grace foretold for the Philadelphia church age is here, now, working deeply in the lives of God’s sons and daughters.

Appearing before Christ, John witnessed what deep and unfathomable love can accomplish in men and women, Christ, the first fruit, firstborn, among the new creation.

You can imagine the thoughts John held dear to his heart for the rest of his life after witnessing the deep work of grace in the man he had come to love:

“…dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.

His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters… coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” (Revelation 1:13 – 16)

John witnessed glorified humanity, in all its wonder, the last Adam, sinless, perfected, exalted, holding the keys of heaven and hell, having finished the race without sin.

And John was invited into his presence so Jesus could share those things that are about to come to pass.

And Christ invites you and me into his presence to begin the journey his apostles undertook, and who knows, someday we may be standing like John in Christ’s presence, in the closing hours of the Gospel age, experiencing the glory of the glorious one.

Whether we have an experience like that, or Paul’s, or others who have seen the glory of the hereafter, be assured of this, Jesus is preparing many today for a deep move of the Spirit, a great undertaking of the Gospel to those who will come to know their God and Savior.

The more healing, the more restoration, the more dying to sin to walk in newness of life, the more we partake of Christ, granting him access to the secret and hidden things of our life, the more we gain Christ, the treasure of knowing him, and him us.

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If you’re new to my posts, here are some points for possible study and reflection.

Overarching plan of God for Christ, the Son of God, and those in Christ:

• Making men and women “‘…in our image, in our likeness…’” (Genesis 1:26), a journey of learning obedience by grace through faith before the fall, and after the fall.
• And in that long journey of redeeming creative work, we are changed from glory to glory into the image of Christ “…transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
• Christ’s perfection, the source of our salvation in the New Covenant, is the center of our story. (Hebrews 5:7 – 10)

Christ, the last Adam “…Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.” and, “…‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.” (Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:45)

In reference to Christ being raised from the dead, i.e., from the “death” of wounds and brokenness he inherited from his human ancestors, being made perfect, the Scripture refers to him as:

“…raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” and, “…Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.” (1 Corinthians 15:20 and 15:23)

(The “death” referenced here, and most other references to “death” relating to Christ from Romans forward, pertain to Christ’s personal journey, overcoming the desires of his flesh, (wounds and brokenness he inherited from his human ancestors), being made perfect.

“The death he died; he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.” (Romans 6:10, italicized are mine.)

Christ ministered his “life” to Israel for over three years, sharing the “firstfruits” of his journey “his perfection,” i.e., the New Covenant in his blood, by healing and saving many before his life was cut short at Calvary.

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(“…firstborn over all creation.” Colossians 1:15;

“…firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:29;

“…pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.” Hebrews 2:10;

“…fully human in every way…” Hebrews 2:17;

“…where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf…” Hebrews 6:20;

“…the pioneer and perfecter of faith…” Hebrews 12:2,

These verses either speak of Christ’s personal journey or the results of his journey to perfection, fathered by God, healed and restored.

Italics mine.)

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• That we may be one with Christ in the Father, John 17:21.
• Putting to death the deeds of the flesh to walk in newness of life, just like Christ, Romans Chapters 5 and 6, Hebrews Chapters 1 through 10.
• Special promises to Christians in the Philadelphia church age, deep healing, intimacy, and union with Christ:
  • the name of the Father – deep intimacy and union with the Father through Christ, fulfilling the Father’s heart to be one with us, and the unmet need of our heart to be one with him;
  • the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, deep intimacy and union with Christ, the creative work of grace through faith to heal and restore our broken lives, his dwelling place, a city of refuge for the lost, where others can find rest, through Christ in us;
  • Christ’s new name speaks of even deeper intimacy and union, face to face, heart to heart, married, made one with our Savior and those who are one with him.

Revelation reveals the heart of the Father to save even in the worst of situations:

• Transition to a new era comes because the present era is spiraling downward with no end in sight, other than direct intervention by the Lord to rescue as many as possible;
• Tribulation judgments are measured, a hope some will find salvation during the Tribulation;
• 1 Peter Chapter 3 speaks of those who apparently repented during the time of the flood, Christ appearing to them after his perfection, displaying what they failed to represent in “type,” finding grace from Christ because of their repentance;
• God looks for a repentant heart, not destruction, see 1 Kings 21:28 – 29, a second chance for Ahab, and Isaiah 38:2 – 4, a second chance for Hezekiah;
• And see Revelation 9:20 – 21 and 16:9 – 11, for, what begs the question, “Why is this here?” if God is not holding out the possibility for repentance;
• Not everyone is killed in the Tribulation, so we know repentance is possible, because, what other options are available for those who enter the Millennium with Christ?

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*** SECTION V ***

MORE PERSPECTIVES & OBSERVATIONS

1. Revelation brings to life in the Sardis and Philadelphia church ages the vibrancy of the Gospel lost over the centuries to creeds and traditions – “refreshing” the plan for men and women – making the vision plain.

Just as the Gospels and Acts usher Jew and Gentile into the era of healing and restoration, the long – awaited age of grace (1 Peter 1:10), Revelation “reveals” the promises of God are as certain in the latter times, as the former.

In fact, in the latter times, the work of grace is more expansive and deeper than in the former times, because of the vast resources the Lord’s provisioned in the body, and the speed ministry can be accomplished in the age of technology.  

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The layout and organization of the Scriptures are not by coincidence, even Paul’s letters to the Churches are ordered to coincide with other accounts, as I explain below.

The Lord ensures the preeminence of the kingdom in the writings of Paul, and the books of testimony (Hebrews through III John), are followed by the beauty of the gospel in action – Revelation – “a live event.”

Like the Gospels and Acts in character, but “deeper” in scope, Revelation goes farther, completing what they started – displaying “grace’s” power over adversity after adversity over two millenniums.

Concluding with the preparation of the bride in Philadelphia, in the face of institutionalized Christendom on the one hand, and deep darkness on the other.

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(The Gospels showcase the good news, the book of Acts spread and publish the good news, and Paul’s nine letters to the churches describe how to receive it; dying to sin to walk in newness of life, a work of grace by Christ.

And then Scripture presents the testimonies of those who have gone before us, Hebrews (Christ’s testimony), James, Peter, and John, followed by Revelation’s “revealing” of grace through the Church ages, and the deep work of grace in the end – time bride.

Revealing the final accomplishments of the work of grace, and the final failures and destruction of the work of sin.)

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It reveals the Gospel is anything but dead – but, has traveled deeper and richer into heart than in any time in history, in terms of the deep healing people are receiving today, from all manner of wounds, brokenness, and sins.

And, in its final hour, the Gospel will be more pervasive, expansive, and impacting, then when it was birthed, because of the labor of Christ over two millenniums and the radiance he shines through his bride in the latter times.

Revelation bookmarks the end of the Gospel era – the end of the Church era, giving way to the Millennium, with greater intensity, finality, impact, and determination than any previous transition in world history.

Healing and Restoration

It brings the battle for healing and restoration “new wine in new bottles” “Christ in us the hope of glory” “partakers of the divine nature” “not I but Christ” in what we know as the Church era to a close, either gloriously for the bride, or, through the pains of death for the martyred Saints.

Revelation brings the gospel front and center, face-to-face, with the reality of Christ, the great labor of love to bring sons and daughters into the kingdom, who would of otherwise been lost to eternal darkness.

It displays once again, at the end of an age and the beginning of a new, the love of God for the lost in one last outreach.

Revelation not only demonstrates the magnanimous love of God – his painstaking labor to win men and women, but is also designed to ignite hearts for the mysterious adventure of Christ – to know and be known.

To be fathered, to be healed, and to be restored, for those who depart from the futile way of life handed down to us from our forefathers and seek Christ, and him alone.

Revelation makes un-mistakenly clear Christ’s personal commitment to cleanse and heal our brokenness if we let him.

Simply, in the end, Revelation shows whose image we will bear for eternity, either Christ’s, or, our own warped image made after the likeness of the evil one.  

2. What form would the writings of the New Testament have looked like had Israel accepted Christ? We don’t know.

Revelation spans the gospel age, the Millennium, and into the new heaven and new earth.

If Israel had accepted Christ, the Old Testament prophecies concerning Israel and the Gentiles would’ve begun to come to pass together, and the New Testament would have taken a different form than what we have today, including Revelation, to say the least.

It was not an “automatic given” Israel would reject Christ.

God provided everything they needed for his acceptance, in fact, did everything possible for them to accept this Son.

The parables testify to that, Christ’s efforts testify to that, and Christ’s rebuke for their rejection testifies that the plan and hope was for his acceptance.

(I’ve written much about this in earlier posts in this series.)

The Old Testament verses about his rejection were clouded in darkness, including the number of world kingdoms – events and timing revealed to Christ by the Father during his ministry on a need – to – know basis.

Christ had one overwhelming and compelling desire, to win Israel to the kingdom of God, nothing less.

(See parable of the tenants, Matthew 21, and how the Father hoped his Son would be received.

The Father did not set his Son up for failure, but for success, and with Israel’s rejection, came growing and severe rebuke to Israel’s leaders – you don’t rebuke those who are doing your will or what you secretly desire.)

3. Revelation reveals an increasing intensity and deeper exertion in the affairs of men and women over two millenniums, culminating in the revelation of who they have become, either to the good, or evil.

Intensity of communication, spiritual activity, and intervention increase exponentially through the:

1. letters to the churches,
2. seven seals (revelation of genuineness/sin and darkness exposed),
3. seven trumpets – plagues,
4. destruction of the harlot,
5. and then the actual physical second coming.

 

4. Grace Racing Ahead of Sin

The book of Revelation is a progressive revelation of grace over seven church ages – grace outrunning sin (Romans 5:20) – even during the trumpets (9:20 – 21) and plagues (16:9 – 11), still a hope for repentance.

Showing even at that late hour, having taken the mark of the beast and endured much suffering under the antichrist world system, people still had enough of a will to turn to God if they chose.

After all, there will be many who come through the tribulation and enter the Millennium under the Lordship of Christ, finally brought to repentance and renewal in his kingdom.

5. Revelation has “kind of” a play on words, I assume not intentionally, but it’s there nonetheless (Revelation 13).

The seventh antichrist kingdom is said to have a fatal or deadly wound.

The deadly wound is not what you see in the Hollywood movies.

It is the result of a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days, a revival so deep and profound many are saved; the world kingdom suffering a wound so deep it goes to the mat, but not destroyed.

That will come at the second coming.

For me, the fatal or deadly wound is a play on words, because the antichrist kingdom inherently suffers intensively from the “fatal and deadly wounds of sin” it lives in, breeds, and showcases as a way of life for mankind.

And to say its “healed” is another play on words.

Because only Christ can heal.

Instead, its “healing” is the resurrection of darkness, bringing its fatal and deadly wounds “back” as the focus and source of life for mankind one final short season.

Another way of looking at – the beast “is” a fatal or deadly wound to begin with “dead in sin,” and the second fatal or deadly wound it suffers during the end – time revival, loss of influence over large sections of the population, is tantamount to the second death, eternal separation.  

Like the dead dying the second death, as it shows in Revelation.

6. Revelation reveals the bride ruling and reigning with Christ in the heavens, during the Tribulation.

The living creatures, the bride, who minister in the last day revival during the pinnacle of the seventh headed beast, and, who suffer at the hands of that kingdom in one form or another, some possibly losing their lives, are joined to Christ at the out-translation, and honored, in executing the first four seals.

7. The Tribulation saints are also honored by their presence at the execution of the plagues, chapter 15.
8. Revelation reveals the nature of the new creation, in grace, and those in darkness followed by their works.

Revelation, unlike other New Testament writings, shows in picture form the nature of what people have become or what they are becoming, i.e., their nature displayed in picture, for example, the bride, revealed as living creatures with different faces, wings, and eyes, symbolizing different attributes of Christ.

The woman of Revelation 12, purposely left without description because she is young and immature, foolish, having insufficient oil in her lamp to be ready to his bride, yet loved by the Lord, clothed with his righteousness.

The antichrist system represented by the Dragon, beasts, a bear, lion, leopard, and the false prophet, and the harlot, showing “outwardly” what they’ve become, their inner nature, partly revealing in picture their inner darkness, known for only the works of their flesh.

A white robe for the martyrs speaks for itself.

Everyone transfigured in picture form to what they’ve become or are becoming, whether righteousness or unrighteousness, shown by either the inward qualities and attributes of Christ, or their inward unhealed sores and wounds, symbolized in their descriptions, names, or actions, Rev. 22:11.

9. Revelation reveals the common, purposeful, design of parallel accounts, something only God could conceive and carry out over more than a millennium and a half of writings.

Another striking perspective of Revelation, specifically the seven church ages, is the similar pattern shared with the seven parables of Christ, (Matthew chapter 13), Paul’s nine letters to the churches, the six days of creation, and the 6,000 years or so of Bible history from Adam to today.

All have the same pattern, the first four periods, or segments, depict growing righteousness (creation account) or, spiraling downward (church ages, parables, Paul’s letters, and history), while the fifth and sixth bring to fruition the growth (creation) or, reverses the downward spiral by the intervention of God, redeeming what was lost (church ages, parables, Paul’s letters, and history).

(For example, the third day of creation symbolizes the establishment of bearing “in-kind fruit” from the planting of the truth of God, the law, in the third millennium after Adam, and the goodness it was designed to bring.

Yet, after the fall, we see the same pattern of activity, but it brought death instead of life, like the mustard seed of the parables, or, the downward spiral in the 3^rd church age, or, the rejection of God by Israel in the 3^rd millennium, demanding a king, or, Paul’s 3^rd letter to the Churches, Galatians, which is the low point for his letters, followed by stern warnings from 2 Corinthians.

And the sixth (day of creation, history, parable, letter, and church age) shows the height of God’s intervention and exertion, the accomplishment of his plan, in all accounts.

These are not coincidences but a pattern and plan, revealed and discovered on the canvas of God’s masterpiece.

A plan with steps, boundaries, time, events, and parallel accounts for men and women to gain perspective, of the past, present, and future.

10. The Glory Of God, or, the Darkness of Sin, Transfigured, Revelation 22:11:

As Christ transfigured the glory of God’s work of grace in him in the Gospels, Revelation transfigures the glory of the work of grace in the bride, in the church ages, and transfigures the darkness of the work of sin in the antichrist world system, and those who follow and help build it.

11. Revelation, along with companion, texts, like Daniel, and 1 &2 Thessalonians, reveal an increasingly intense time for Christendom ahead.

Contrary to popular opinion, Revelation shows that Christians will go through an intense time of pressure, sometimes sever, before the out – translation of the bride and the onset of the Tribulation.

The antichrist world system will experience a severe setback before the out – translation, the wounding of its deathly presence.

So dramatic changes are not only building in the kingdom of God but in the world as well.

I hope this wets your spiritual appetite for more of Jesus, Drake

(NIV) Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblical, Inc.™