Tag: time is near
The Time is Near
Scripture reading for November 30th: Revelation 1, Psalm 89, Proverbs 22
Revelation 1:3-7 “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him Who is and Who was and Who is to come, and from the seven spirits Who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings on earth. To Him Who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priest to His God and Father, to Him be glory and 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 tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so, Amen.”
We have come to the last book of Holy Scripture. It is unique in that it promises a blessing to all who read it aloud, those who hear it read, and those who apply what is written. This is really true of all Scripture, but is plainly stated at the beginning of this final revelation of Jesus Christ. John, the youngest Apostle, was in his nineties, and imprisoned on a small island, Patmos. He received this revelation directly from Jesus as he was at worship. He was instructed to write down what he heard and saw and to send it to the seven churches of Asia under his eldership oversight. There was an urgency in this revelation to get Jesus’ Revelation out to God’s people. The time was ‘near’ of His coming again! His people would receive the ultimate blessing as they were faithfully waiting, passing on their faith and ready for Jesus!
Psalm 89:8 “O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty as You are, O Lord, with Your faithfulness all around You?
Prayer: Father God, no one is Mighty as You and Faithful to Your Word! I desire the blessing You have promised to all who read this Revelation, hear what is revealed, and put it into practice. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and guide me each day to share Your love and blessing of eternal life with my children and grandchildren as well as those in my neighborhood. Help me to live in awareness of Your soon return.
Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Thankful for Understanding!
Scripture reading for September 21st: Daniel 9-12
Key Scriptures: Daniel 12:8-10 “I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those that are wise will understand.””
Daniel was puzzled by the revelations of future events that he had received. He was told by the angel that his prophetic warning would be sealed up until the last days. In the meantime, many people would receive purification and refining. But the wicked would continue in their wickedness. Understanding would come to the wise and obedient but not to the wicked!
Thankful for Christ’s Wisdom: “Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy. Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” (Revelation 22:10-12)
The Revelation of Jesus Christ!
Scripture Reading for December 9, 2013: Revelation 1:1-20
John was imprisoned on Patmos for preaching the Gospel. Patmos was a rocky island in the Mediterranean Sea that served as a penal colony for Roman prisoners. John was probably in his 80’s or 90’s when he was sent there and maintained a strong personal devotional life and worship time. He serves as an example of a true disciple for every generation and was commanded to write this letter by Christ Himself.
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw–that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads 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 1:1-3) All who read and heed this letter’s truth will receive a blessing. This blessing is promised to all who by faith will receive it!
“Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the people of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen!” (Revelation 1:7) John was immersed in a vision of the coming of Jesus Christ and wrote urgently to the church concerning the need to be prepared. All the earth would see Jesus Christ but many would mourn because of Him because His return would bring judgment. Those who by faith had taken to heart the words of Jesus would be ready and joyfully meet Him!
“On the Lord’s day, I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” (Revelation 1:9-11) As John worshiped, he heard a voice speaking to him. He saw Jesus Christ in all His glory. John was so overcome that he fell down as a dead man. Jesus placed his hand on him and encouraged him not to fear, but to write about the past, present and future. This amazing ‘revelation’ of Jesus Christ is what John saw! We are blessed to read it for the time is nearer now than ever!