“And AFTER THESE THINGS (capitals mine) I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God:”

Revelation 19:1

After what things? ALL the things God told us would happen before Christ’s return to reign on this earth! Interestingly, if you search the phrase “…after these things”, you will see those words in that exact alignment are listed 24 times in the Bible. The first time is in Genesis 15:1:

“AFTER THESE THINGS (capitals mine) the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not Abram” I (am) thy shield, (and) thy exceeding great reward.”

One example, in Genesis 13 God Promised the Land of Israel to Abraham. Then in Genesis 14 Abraham and a small group of his men (318) went out at night and retook the land as well as the “goods” originally taken from Abraham’s family. In Genesis 15, Abraham asked God for a family to fulfil His commitment to make of Abraham’s descendants a great nation even though Abraham at that time had no children. I explained in Ishmael and Isaac – Two Brothers from different Mothers are shaping today’s world! how God ultimately fulfilled His Promise to Abraham “…after these things.”

The last time they are used is in the last book of the Bible, as quoted in the opening Scripture above. What struck me when reading these verses was their placement in the first and last books of the Bible.  As the phrase started to unravel, I became aware of the individual meanings of each word and how they then connect in importance to Bible prophecy. The same meaning holds true throughout the Bible in each of the 24 usages of this phrase:

1. AFTER – This appears to indicate the next thing to be revealed must occur soon after the previous events have already happened. In other words, what is about to be told to us will only occur AFTER the previous events have become known to the audience God is speaking to.
2. THESE – Again, I believe God is very specific in telling us what is going to happen and when He refers to THESE, He is simply telling us what has already happened in the past. Now this could mean things which already occurred in the Old Testament or things yet to occur in the days, weeks or years ahead. By using the word THESE, I believe He is being very specific so we will know the timeline for future prophecies and be watching for them.
3. THINGS – We can take numerous meanings for the word THINGS when used in the context in which the phrase is used. First, because He says THINGS, I take that to mean multiple, not singular, events. Otherwise, it would be simple if it was just one event to say “thing”, but by saying THINGS that tells me we will see more than one thing. Of course, the more THINGS which have been shown to have occurred increases the inherent validity of the prophecy.

Now, I know this may seem basic by reading “…after these things” but in the context of Bible prophecy, they not only may validate past prophecies now fulfilled but then goes on to tell us what is coming next. By studying the Bible in its entirety, we are then able to chronologically validate what God has told us will happen, has happened and what is next. He wants us to know!

“Surely the sovereign Lord does nothing WITHOUT (capitals mine) revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.”

Amos 3:7

All we ever need to know has been told us in the Bible. First and foremost, we were told a Saviour would be born and would die as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. If you agree and accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and that he fulfilled every prophecy made about His future coming and death for us (Isaiah 53), ask Him to forgive our sins, we will spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Secondly, the Bible gives us prophecies whose fulfillments and future occurrences accuracy are beyond believable statistical possibility to us should give us reason to believe all the Bible teaches us. Knowing this comforts me daily and is why I attempt to do what Jesus told us all to do, and that is to “…therefore comfort one another with these words.”

At some time in the near future, we will no longer hear what comes “…after these things” but rather will hear the judgement of our eternal punishment in hell for not accepting Jesus or our eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven forever! I bet you know what I am waiting for!