A couple of friends and I decided to read through Revelation together, so I thought I'd blog along the way with observations and thoughts from each week's reading.
So, here is the first installment.
I had two major thoughts on the first chapter of Revelation. Lets start with v. 3
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. NASB
What a great promise. Those who read, hear and heed these prophecies will be blessed! In my "American Christian Experience" so many believers, including pastors and teachers tend to avoid or not be interested in discussing this book and the concept of end times prophecy. Of course Curt and I don't quite "roll like that". Bring on the blessings! I'm not completely sure of the type of blessings coming our way but that is a topic for another day. Having said that, the last 5 words can certainly be a bit of a stumbling block. Naysayers may comment that this book was written in 95 AD so how near are these end times. A fair question for sure. Most of what I have read indicates that these first 3 chapters were actual "warnings" to the seven churches found in Asia. So, in context that phrase certainly fits and sets the stage for specific critiques and compliments of these seven churches.
The next verse that I found to be pivotal is the end of 17 and 18.
17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,
18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. NASB
It is important that we don't forget we believe in and serve the LIVING GOD, who is holding the keys of death and of Hades. All the frustrations, temptations and evil in this world can't change what Christ has done for each of us. We simply can never forget how the entire book ends, in victory for those of us who believe and are obedient to the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
If you ever need a "pep-talk" or encouraging word, strangely enough Revelation is a good place to turn.
Please feel free to post comments, thoughts, questions. We would love to hear from you and have the opportunity to interact. We all have much to learn and it often happens as we work our way through the scriptures, even if it is a clumsy path it is worthwhile.
God Bless.... or should I say..... "Read, listen, and heed the warnings found in Revelation so that God can fulfill his promise of blessings".
I kind of like that.
Mike
4 comments:
I've read your journal for awhile now. This is the first time I've commented. I'm really liking this line of posting, it's getting back to basics..keep it up.
"for the time is near"
Hi Mike, Curt, as I see it...
The time is the "Day of Christ"; The Rapture, the blessed hope we all look for as Christians, this is not to be mistaken for the "Day of the Lord" The Tribulation that is to follow after the church is removed from this world when Jesus opens the first of the seals that will begin His wrath on an unbelieving world that has rejected Him as LORD and God.
In Christ,
Myles
Myles,
Great to see you, I hope all is well.
When I read "for the time is near" I believe John is referring to the things that must take place before and during the return of Christ.
Here is verse 1 of Revelation 1:
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place;
These things that must soon take place were reveled to John and others such as Paul, Peter, Daniel and many others by Jesus Christ for us.
I believe there is further evidence to support the timing of "the time is near" from reading passages such as Mathew 24:33 which states:
33. So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.
The Return of Christ will be near when we recognize that all of these things are taking place.
Curt
Yeah, I've had alot of fellow pastors say "we should not preach out of the book of revelation." What a shame.... I don't deny... some of it is beyond my finite mind. On the other hand the book of Revelation is one of the more orderly books. It was meant to be studied..... that is why we have it. I'll keep an eye out for more posts on the book of Revelation. I look forward to learning from your studies. THANKS
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