Check Your Watch…or Your Calendar. Time is Near.

Prayer – Lord, please give me, as well as my family and friends, insight and wisdom as we study Revelation. 

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. 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

 

Meditate. Consider God’s revelation.

 

Looking again at the first three verses in Revelation. Remember that God gave this message to Jesus, who gave it to an angel, who presented it in the to the disciple John who happened to be living, actually as a Roman prisoner, on the island of Patmos. It was written to provide prophesy for the end times. According to the “Jewish New Testament Commentary” by David H. Stern and the commentary in my Ryrie Study Bible, there were four viewpoints of this prophesy. The first is referred to as the preterist, which indicates that the prophesy was fulfilled in early Church history. The second interpretation is historical indicating that the prophesies are being lived out from the time of Jesus’ resurrection to His second coming. The third view is the idealist, an interesting idea that considers the prophesies as a timeless conflict in allegory between good and evil. The fourth idea is that of a futurist, depicting a future yet to be fulfilled. Some other commentaries combine the types of interpretations. At this point, you can research some other versions of analyses for yourself.

 

Note that John wrote that this will happen soon. Did you notice that these events…“the events that must soon take place” and “for the time is near” are both stated in this passage today? This indicated that time is short.  Many Christian followers throughout history have been sure that Jesus would return during their lifetime—me, too. There have even been a multitude of people who have set dates of the Rapture, or the Second Coming—only to look like a fool when it hasn’t happened. I will admit that even though I am very familiar with the “only God, the Father, knows the hour or the day” of Christ’s return, I have followed a couple of Bible teachers and was convinced that we would be raptured on a particular holy day. It didn’t happen! Made a fool of myself. Now, I’m waiting patiently…and am thinking that it may not even happen in my lifetime. Look at prophesies for yourself…and compare it with the things that are happening in the world today. Are we getting any closer? Yes. For sure, but there are still many things that need to occur, for instance, a war in Israel. We just have to trust in the Lord God for He has a plan.

 

Jesus told His disciples to be prepared…and to not be deceived.

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Matthew 24:44

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, "Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?" Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. Matthew 24:3-5

Know God’s word. Study the scriptures for yourself—be prepared and not deceived.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:12-15

 

© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

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