Revelation (Bible in 90 Days)

We have finally reached the end of this long journey through the Bible as we reach the last book -- Revelation.

This is the most controversial, loved, hated, misunderstood and recognizable books in the Bible. One reason is that it is written like no other book of the Bible, especially since it is written about the future. The future is a mystery to us all, but not to God. And He gives John just a glimpse of what is to come. And then he shares it with us.

Before I begin discussing what Revelation is about, let's talk about what it is. The apostle John wrote Revelation in approximately 95 AD, while being imprisoned in exile on Patmos, a remote island off the coast of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea.

The purpose of Revelation was to reveal the full identity of Christ. He was born a man, lived a sinless life and was wrongly accused and disgracefully crucified. However, in doing this -- He saved us all. Jesus was born a human, but He was the Son of God and He had the authority from Heaven to defeat the enemy forever. Revelation is the finalization of that victory.

Many people fear Revelation. Or they are confused or intimidated by the language and images. And some of it is fantastical; however, it just proves that we will never understand the majesty of heaven while still living on earth.

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Revelation does give a harsh warning. If you are reading Revelation and do not know Christ, or ally with Satan, then you should be afraid. Those who do not side with the victorious Christ will know God's wrath and be judged as harshly as Satan himself.

To those who know Christ and are covered by God's great love and mercy, Revelation is a book of hope. We win! We will be victorious, just as Christ is. The enemy will be slain and sin will be erased forever. Well, that's good news, right? It is through Jesus that this is possible, it is through Him we will find victory, which explains why following Him is so important. He is leading us to victory.

Revelation has a large content volume that includes many metaphors, symbols, difficult to understand images and a vivid image of the end of the world. I could take an entire year to break down all that is in Revelation -- maybe some day I will put together an in-depth series on Revelation. Personally, it is one of my favorite books. But for now, I will try to convey the overarching message of the book.

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John begins Revelation by explaining how he received this revelation from God.

Revelation 1:1-2 -- "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, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ."

He then records specific messages to seven churches located in Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each of these churches are doing things right and things wrong. Even though the message is directed at a specific church in John's day, they are also messages to us today, teaching us what is right and wrong in our churches and Christian life. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, so His message to the Church will also be the same.

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One message Jesus wanted to give to everyone is who His is, unveiled, the Son of God, the Almighty one.

Revelation 1:8 -- "I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One."

Next, John launches into a series of images and scenes that portray heaven and then a rise of evil that culminates into a vision of the anti-Christ. Throughout all of these scenes, Jesus is proving His authority as the King of Kings and pouring out judgment over all the evil in the world.

Revelations 16:15 -- "Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed."

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After Jesus' victorious triumph, John describes the wedding of the lamb, the final judgment and the coming of New Jerusalem.

Revelation 21:1-2 -- "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."

Revelation concludes with the promise of Christ's return.

Revelation 22:12-13 -- "Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

And finally comes John's prayer that has been echoed by Christians throughout the centuries.

Revelation 22:20-21 -- "He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people."

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God has a wondrous plan and we are all part of it. No matter what happens in this world, there is hope. Jesus is coming again to rescue His people and settle accounts for anyone who defies Him. Humbly remove sin, ask forgiveness and live in righteous faith. Know that you serve a God who is in control. Christ's victory is assured and all who trust Him will be save. Be full of hope.

  

The Word Became Human - John 1:14

John 1:14 -- "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son."

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"The Word becomes human." It sounds so poetic, but the truth of those words are nothing short of miraculous.

The Word was God (John 1:1) and He came to the earth, entering time and space, to become a baby born in Bethlehem. He left heaven to becomes one of us. He wanted to show us how to live personally, but also to do a very important job for us. He came to save us.

Christ became the perfect teacher. Through Jesus' life we see how God thinks; therefore, how we should think. (Philippians 2:5-11)

Christ became the perfect example. He was a model of what we are to become to give God full glory. (1 Peter 2:21) He shows us how to live, but then He goes even one step further. As the Son of God, He then gives us the power and authority to live that way. (Luke 9:1-2)

Christ became the perfect sacrifice. Jesus came to sacrifice His sinless life for all of our sins. His death is the ultimate, the last sacrifice, that satisfied God's requirements to remove sin. (Colossians 1:15-20)

God loved us so much that He sacrificed His Son. He is faithful to His people and His creation. We have seen the glory of God through His Son. May we honor that glory and His love.

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How Can They Hear Unless We Speak? - Romans 10:14

Romans 10:14 -- "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?"

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It can be intimidating to talk to others about Jesus. There is a lot of pressure in the world to fit in and speaking about Jesus goes against the world.

As Christians, we are meant to be set apart from the world -- connected to God by Christ who lives in us. As Christians, we also have a mission, given to us by Jesus himself, to go out and share the Good News of Jesus and the salvation He provides us.

Acts 1:8 -- "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

We are to begin with those within our immediate sphere of influence. Then we may be called to personally take the message to the rest of the world or the influence travels from one to another reaching far beyond our reaches.

The love of God is meant for everyone, but if we do not share it, how can others find it? If we are not a witness, a beacon for the Lord, then they will learn only from the world. If we do not speak how can they hear?

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Love the Lord Your God - Joshua 22:5

Joshua 22:5 -- "But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul."

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When Jesus came and died on earth, He fulfilled the law of Moses. We no longer are bound by the all of the details written out in Leviticus. However, Jesus fulfilled the law, He didn't negate it. He gave us a new covenant with new commandments - to love God and love your neighbor. (Matthew 22:37-40)

All of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) are encompassed with the two commandments Jesus preached:

1. I am the Lord your God

                    ...Love God

2. You shall have no other Gods before me

                   ...Love God

3. You shall not take the Lord's name in vain

                   ...Love God

4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy

                  ...Love God

5. Honor your Mother and Father

                              ...Love your neighbor

6. You shall not murder

                              ...Love your neighbor

7. You shall not commit adultery

                              ...Love your neighbor

8. You shall not steal

                              ...Love your neighbor

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor

                              ...Love your neighbor

10. You shall not covet

                              ...Love your neighbor

Though we do not live under the Old Testament anymore as Christians, the encouragement is still the same. When we love God and obey Him with all of our heart and our soul you will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Not My Will, But Yours Be Done - Luke 22:42

Luke 22:42 -- "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

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No one wants to  face struggle, not even Jesus. This verse is found when Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane praying to the Father to take this burden of what was to come -- His sacrificial death.

Jesus' response was very human, to fear death and struggle. However, He doesn't stay in fear. His relationship with the Father allows Him to take the next step of faith - to humbly set Himself aside for the purpose which He must perform.

Instead of staying in the perspective of the world, "Father take this cup from me," He continues to a Godly perspective in one breath, "not my will, but Yours be done."

No one wants to face the unknown, especially death; however, the next step of faith is to believe in God's purpose. That is to know that something great is coming out of the trial that will make the struggle worth the sacrifice.

This does not have to be applied to death alone, but even struggles of finance, sickness and even emotional battles. You can ask God to take the pain away, but then appreciate God's Almighty glory and take courage in "not my will, but Yours be done." That faith with make not only this moment of trial more endurable, but also in the future will be a permanent reward for all who are faithful to God the Father.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!