Monday musings
Plenty of people are fascinated by it, but most have great difficulty understanding it. The Book of Revelation, with its vivid and sometimes bizarre images, has perplexed many for nearly two thousand years. Is it about the future, things already fulfilled, or an allegory depicting the triumph of good over evil? Regardless of its meaning, there are blessing reserved for those who read and observe its message:
"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." (Revelation 1:3)
The human writer of Revelation, the apostle John, identifies himself as, "I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus." (Revelation 1:9)
John states three things which we share together in as followers of Christ: (1) tribulation; (2) the kingdom; (3) perseverance. John was intimately familiar with all three as he recorded these words from his lonely exile on the island of Patmos. His motivation was at the heart of these three things - his participation in the kingdom. He says,
"He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen." (Revelation 1:6-7)
If we are to suffer and endure for something, it had better be worthwhile! John knew his participation in the kingdom, and anticipation of the Second Coming of Jesus, was well worth it. Having sat directly under the teaching of Jesus, he understood the radical kingdom plan. John knew that this plan was the most important life-changing plan in all the world, and no amount of suffering was too much to deter him from sharing in it. Oh, that we might see it as John did!
John is instructed by Jesus to "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things." (Revelation 1:19). Revelation is a fascinating account of things past, present and yet future.
In this time of great turmoil and upheaval in our world, it is reassuring to look at the authoritative word of God and be reminded of the "big picture" kingdom plan. As we live, serve, and endure, we eagerly await the inauguration of the restoration plan at the coming of Jesus. Even so come, Lord Jesus!
Steve
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
"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." (Revelation 1:3)
The human writer of Revelation, the apostle John, identifies himself as, "I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus." (Revelation 1:9)
John states three things which we share together in as followers of Christ: (1) tribulation; (2) the kingdom; (3) perseverance. John was intimately familiar with all three as he recorded these words from his lonely exile on the island of Patmos. His motivation was at the heart of these three things - his participation in the kingdom. He says,
"He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen." (Revelation 1:6-7)
If we are to suffer and endure for something, it had better be worthwhile! John knew his participation in the kingdom, and anticipation of the Second Coming of Jesus, was well worth it. Having sat directly under the teaching of Jesus, he understood the radical kingdom plan. John knew that this plan was the most important life-changing plan in all the world, and no amount of suffering was too much to deter him from sharing in it. Oh, that we might see it as John did!
John is instructed by Jesus to "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things." (Revelation 1:19). Revelation is a fascinating account of things past, present and yet future.
In this time of great turmoil and upheaval in our world, it is reassuring to look at the authoritative word of God and be reminded of the "big picture" kingdom plan. As we live, serve, and endure, we eagerly await the inauguration of the restoration plan at the coming of Jesus. Even so come, Lord Jesus!
Steve
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
posted by steve @ 8:50 AM
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