A little bit from Revelation....

I've been reading the book of Revelation, while going through the book "When Jesus Returns" by David Pawson. I was doing a little more reading/studying again this afternoon. I ended a certain section and liked the last bit that Pawson ended with. Here it is.

"If the 'Big Trouble' only covers the last few years, it may be that we shall not have to face it in our lifetime. So, could it be a waste of time for all but the last generation of saints to prepare for it?

One answer is that the current trend and speed of world events makes it an increasing possibility in the near future.

But the main response to this kind of thinking must be the reminder that future events cast their shadows before them. In other words, what will one day be experienced by the whole church on a universal scale ('hated by all nations' Matt 24:9) is already happening in local and regional settings. Any Christian can go through much tribulation before all go through the 'Great Tribulation'. We must all be ready for the kind of troubles that reach a climax then, but can come now.

This section (Revelation 6-16) is therefore directly relevant to ALL BELIEVERS, whatever their contemporary situation. The church is already under pressure in the majority of countries and the number of those where this is not the case diminshes annually.

And beyond all this lies the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, for which EVERY BELIEVER needs to be ready. The main motive for preparing to be faithful under pressure is to be able to face him without shame. "

I myself stressed the all/every believer parts. I believe that this book isn't one that should be pushed to the side and forgotten about in the Bible. As it is warned at the end of Revelation, "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophesy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from this book of prophesy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." (Revelation 22:18,19) Therefore, if we as believers disregard this book, we are taking away from this book in our own lives. By pretending that it doesn't exist in the Bible, never studying it or reading it, or disregarding the parts we don't understand or make us feel uncomfortable, we are taking away from the intention that God has for this book. He wouldn't have put it in the Bible or shown these things to John if they weren't important and to be included.

The main point is that we as believers need to be ready for the things ahead. We need to have a mindset that is looking ahead and prepared, both for eternity and for our futures here while still in this life. We could experience the things we read about in Revelation in our lifetime. Or, we may not. But, I don't want to be unprepared if we are that last generation. Regardless of our level of understanding or interpretation of the words written in Revelation, the fact remains that we need to be prepared and need to explore the words written in this book. The New Testament alone makes reference to Jesus' coming over 300 times. Clearly it is a crucial part of the story.

So, I challenge you, take a step toward the book of Revelation. Open it up, and read it. Front to back. Ask questions. This book was written for you and I, just as the other books of the Bible were.