God reveals the things we need to know…

 

We woke this morning to a cold house. Our furnace quit during the night. It is -21o Celsius outside with a windchill and was colder than that all day yesterday. I’m thankful for wool sweaters and the promise of a repair person to come soon. 

I’m also thankful for a big-picture God. He gives me this to think about right now:

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 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. (Revelation 1:1–3)

Most people are fearful of this last book of the Bible. It begins with this promise though, so I will look for that blessing and even read it aloud. Here is more good news:

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 kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests 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. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:4–8)

Before writing anything, John heard a voice and saw Jesus:

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:17–20)

It gave me joy to realize that Jesus explained to John what he was seeing. This Jesus whom I trust does not always explain the things that I see or that happen to me, but what I need to know, He is willing to make known to me. 

For your servant’s sake, O Lord, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. (1 Chronicles 17:19)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

Some things that Jesus explains in today’s reading include a warning not to abandon the love I have for Him, but continue to love Him and show it in the way I live.

I’m also not to fear suffering, even being persecuted to death. I’m not to deny faith in Christ or fall into legalism or false teaching, but remain faithful to what I know and hold fast to Him, listening to His words and waiting for Him and whatever He invites me to do. 

John saw a scroll and many angels declaring only Jesus is worthy to open it because of His death and resurrection. He also heard all creatures worship Him. 

Next, Jesus releases riders on horses to conquer, to take peace from the world, to control food supplies, and to slay one fourth of the earth. He also revealed those slain for their faith, saying more would join them. A great earthquake follows with destruction and all crying that the wrath of God had come. 

PRAY: Jesus, the descriptions in this last part are not pretty, but my desire for justice feels an odd anticipation. You will deal with all sin and evil in those who call on rocks and mountains to hide them from You. No hiding. No one will stand unless they stand with faith in You. I feel sorrow for them, yet am at peace that Your holy plans will happen. 

I’m also thankful for the small stuff — a quick cleanup of a frozen vent and our heat came back on. I’m so thankful that Your will for our good also never changes.