Monday, December 20, 2010

December 20, 2010 (Revelation)

I finished Revelation this morning - the book that promises a blessing to all who listen to it and obey what it says.

I think we should all read Revelation much more than we do. It is a hard book to really relate to - to understand with all the symbology. But the underlying theme is that Jesus will come back, will judge the earth and will rule and reign forever. At the end of the book as the angel is talking about the approaching end of the world he says "For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus." As Paul said, I want to know Christ and Him crucified. Jesus is the beginning and end of all we need to know. He is the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world. He is coming back to rule and reign - He alone is worthy to open the seals of the final chapters of the world as we know it.

We just watched Robin Hood - and as I read this next section I thought of the battle scenes and the horses riding into battle. Those scenes pale in comparison to what I just read:

19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. 15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. 18 Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors; of horses and their riders; and of all humanity, both free and slave, small and great.”

19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.

And as I read not that long ago in 2 Peter, he tells us that we are to live holy and godly lives as we await the things fortold in Revelation, and we are to 'hurry it along'. How can we 'hurry it along'? I think by living holy and godly lives and doing everything we can to tell others of His wonderful love and of the way to escape the wrath to come through Jesus and Jesus alone.

3:8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

And as Revelation ends:

22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.


No comments:

Post a Comment