“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”
Revelation 1:1-3 NKJV
“Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.”
Revelation 12:1-2 NKJV
(Occurred Sept 23, 2017)
Things are closer than they appear
I found myself a bit giddy this morning when went to the my year long, through the Bible reading plan and realized that I was now entering the book of Revelation. With all that has transpired over the last five years, and all that is happening now, I approach the reading with hopeful anticipation of what could happen in the coming years.
Each day I have sat watching in awe, as various events around the world happen and seemingly contribute to a vast puzzle, as each event is like unto a puzzle piece. When it comes to eschatology, my views are open to exploration, because I did not grow up in a denomination, but came to faith late in life. What I believe about the times to come are based on what I have seen in the Bible, and not the views of men.
Speaking from my own experience, I have seen a change in me, as I have found myself intensifying in the faith. I found myself reading the word of God with more attention. My prayer life has been transformed, as God ordained the prayer chair from the horrors of dialysis.
Meanwhile, our world has been radically transformed, as wars are on the increase, and the lives of those who dwell on the earth have become increasingly precarious.
Then came the “C” word. The longer, viral C word.
The pandemic flipped the world upside down, revealing the cracks in our world, and the fractures in the crust of humanity. The events that have occurred have served to be a revealer of souls, for everyone was pushed to the nth degree. The hidden and nefarious motives of government were exposed, and those who were previously rational, were given over to conspiracies.
We are seeing the beginnings of darker things to come.
“And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
Matthew 24:4-8 NKJV
It is if we have flipped the rearview mirror on a vehicle and are looking into the future. Things are closer than the appear.
In light of all these things, it is important for us to be mindful of how we live. Soon gone are the days when we can rely on the old ways, where we sought to fix things ourselves. What we are going into is new territory, defined not by human events, but supernatural ones, where we must rely on the Lord.
For the followers of Jesus, it is a time of great concern and opportunity, for we will face many threats, and many more opportunities to go and share the Good News.
Brothers and sisters, many of us are instinctually aware of the events unfolding, for many of us are walking in the Spirit. We have been made aware of the seasons, for the Lord has given us the ability to see what is transpiring.
““But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.””
Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
I tell you the truth, that when these things begin to happen in earnest, there will be little time, and we will be rendered breathless as the very earth we stand on shakes and undulates.
Time is rolling up like a rug, and it is only by our abiding in Jesus that we can have hope. Through His word, we know that we are inheriting a Kingdom unshakeable, and that regardless of what we see with our mortal eyes, the Lord is setting the stage for the eternal things that we will see with glorious eyes.
Let us go forth knowing that there is little times, being faith to live with eternity in mind. In the face of struggle, and even suffering may we have this in mind:
“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
I Peter 3:13-17 NKJV
May we find joy and anticipation as we consider what is to come, and may the Lord fill us with a boldness, where we gleefully go and tell of the One who saved us, and the truth that He is coming again soon.
“Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.””
Revelation 22:6-11 NKJV
Things are closer than they appear.
HAVE A BLESSED LORD’S DAY!
#prayfortheharvest
#prayforthepersecuted
#prayforthepeaceofIsrael
#prayforthegospeltospreadeverywhere
Musings from an idle mind 
He is worthy! “Go, tell it on the Mountain, over the hills and everywhere!” Thanks so much for the great challenge Bernie. Would you please continue to pray for the Lord to open doors for Lori and I to praise his great name, three evangelism.
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