The Blessings of Revelation
This is my final day for this visit to Atlanta. We went to the Cherokee County water park today. After a break and some rest, we will head to Atlanta to celebrate Stephanie’s birthday (which is Friday). The family will then drop me off at the airport for my late flight back to Denver.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3)
I have come to the end of reading through the Bible, for at least this time around. As I have mentioned in the past, my devotional blogs come, for the most part, where I am reading in the Bible.
As I finished the last chapter and verse of the book, I scanned back through the chapters. In doing so I was reminded of some of the overview, details, features, warnings and blessings in this book. The message of the book, while filled with prophecy about coming events, has a message for Christ-followers of all times.
While many of the specific images, and details are continually debated as to what they are and how they will be fulfilled, there are clear messages for us to embrace. As a famous preacher of the past once said, “it is not the parts of the Bible I don’t understand that give me the greatest difficulty, it is the parts that I do understand.”
We can apply that to the Book of Revelation. Here is a brief summary of some of the messages we need to pay attention to in Revelation. These are as much to encourage our faith as much as they are to challenge us.
1 – The supremacy of Jesus Christ. This book is the “Revelation of Jesus Christ.” You should look for what is revealed about Christ. He is the “head of the Church.” He knows our works, strengths and weaknesses and has a word of encouragement, challenge and promise to guide our lives. He alone is “The One” worthy to unleash God’s judgment on the earth.
2 – The supremacy of worship. As we get a glimpse of “God’s throne” one characteristic stands out, worship! Many people speak of what heaven is like….streets of gold, no death or pain, being reunited with loved ones. But the greatest feature of heaven is God’s presence, our ability to live in His glory and to worship Him. Outside of the Psalms, no other book of the Bible contains more benedictions and anthems worship and praise. Just reading these makes for a good spiritual exercise.
3 – The supremacy of God’s power. This is seen in not just the incredible events in nature, but in God’s timing and purpose attached to each event. In the end we see “an angel” – not Jesus or God the Father chains and place in prison Satan.
4 – The call to patience and endurance. Faith, trust, hope, patience and endurance are all virtues that are emphasized in Revelation. At times we may wonder if God is acting or why He is doing what He is or allowing what He does. But He is in control and can be trusted. As you read, ask yourself, “what is the response that is being called for to these events.?”
5 – The call to live today with eternity in mind. The call is to “come out of Babylon.” There is a world order and system that is contrary to the Lord’s and it calls for understanding and caution and a focus on the truth found in Jesus Christ.
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.” (Rev. 19:11-13)
This list is short, but provides a start. The challenge is for you to consider these themes and then add the principles that you discover that we need to give heed to in our lives today.
Let us be those who live lives of faith and confidence as we serve a great God who is for us and allows us to live in His grace until the day we behold the glory of His presence for all eternity.