Corona Devo 3074


Everyone talks about the book of Revelation.  What does it mean?  How should we interpret it? 

Some pastors are afraid to preach about it.  Other pastors are fixated on the teaching of it.  

As with anything intimidating, overwhelming, or unknown: a good place to start is not in the middle, or with a zoomed-out overview.   But instead at the very beginning.  What does God say about the book of Revelation? 

What is the point and what is the purpose?  People try to answer that question.  And pastors and priests try to answer that question, too.

But let's start in the first verses and hear how God explains the content within the book of Revelation.

If we're interested in learning about Revelation, I think this would be a good place to start. And I also think that is why God begins the book of Revelation with these verses... To give us an understanding and a foundation of where we begin with the book and where we are headed within it.

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, (2) who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

(3) God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.  ~Revelation 1:1-3  

The book of Revelation was not John's idea...it was a revelation from Jesus Christ...which God gave Jesus to show his servants the events that must soon take place.  (Psst!  When God says, "his servants", that means you and me and every Believer reading this book!).  

The book of Revelation was not John's idea, and we know this because (wow), God sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John (Revelation 1:1).  John was in exile on the island of Patmos at the time, as a result of his teaching and preaching the hope and truth of God.  And while John was incarcerated on the island, Scripture says that God sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John (Revelation 1:1)

That's the introduction to the book of Revelation. It is a revelation, the Bible says...a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place (Revelation 1:1).

However, we decide to interpret the verses of Revelation are up to us...and to those more learned than us.  And God's understanding that He places on our hearts and minds in reference to the book of Revelation,,,well--that's up to Him.

But why Revelation was written and how it was written: God is blatantly clear in defining to us.  We do not have to wonder or interpret that.

We can read the very first verses of Revelation and we can understand and trust how this book of the Bible came to be. 

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, (2) who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.  ~Revelation 1:1-2

~~~

And then what do we do with the book of Revelation?  Read it, Brothers and Sisters!

God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.  ~Revelation 1:1-3  

Who reads the words of this prophecy to the church?  We do, Y'all!  Or, at least, I want to, because of how God sets up the results of those who read it: God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy and...he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says.

We want to be in this group that is reading and listening-to and obeying Revelation.  Why?  Because we want to be blessed by God, Brothers and Sisters in Christ!  Don't we?  

Well then, shouldn't we?

God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.  ~Revelation 1:1-3  

A study of the entire book of Revelation is a lot to bite off.  And even the most learned scholars say it is a lot to chew on. 

But for today, we can take a tiny bite...an appetizer-bite, an introduction-nibble-bite of Revelation.  We can be introduced to this last book of the Bible by its first foundational verses.  And if we can trust and become settled in how and why God is bringing this Book to us, then we can then progress in reading and digesting the rest of this Book in His time and with His help. 

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, (2) who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

(3) God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.  ~Revelation 1:1-3  

Blessings,

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