REVELATION (Letter 66, Larry Crabb’s 66 Love Letters)
The Promises Kept: Happiness Forever: Revelation
Rain With the Lamb Now, and You Will Sing When the Lion Roars!
If you insist on lightening up God’s story, don’t read Revelation.
Dorothy Sayers said it well, “If you want your own way, God will let you have it. Hell is the enjoyment of your own way forever.”
Revelation 1:3 – Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it because the time is near.
Francis Schaefer wrote “People often cry out for the work of the Holy Spirit and yet forget that when the Holy Spirit works, there is always a tremendous cost to the people of God, weariness, tears and battles.”
In The Diary of a Country Priest, Bernanos thought it significant that Jesus did not say, “You are the honey of the world”, but rather “You are the salt of the earth”. Honey makes everything sweet. Salt bites as it heals and preserves from further decay.
This letter was written to sustain us through hard times with a vibrant awareness of what Christ is doing right now and what He yet will do.
Things are not as they seem. Evil, though widespread, is not winning. Faithfulness, though costly, is not futile. Affliction, though continuing, will end. The Lion’s roar will soon be heard. Until then, reign with the Lamb. Live to love, not control.
To Ephesus, and to maybe to us, He says you serve Me, you believe Me, but you do not love Me, not as you first did. Your love for God has grown cold.
To Smyrna, and to maybe to us, he says stay faithful until His kingdom fully comes.
Two Pergamum, and to maybe to us, he says you do good things everyday but you accommodate the godless culture around you in ways that you refuse to examine and confess.
To Sardis, and to maybe to us, he says you’re religiously busy, but you’re spiritually empty. Your church programs feel like your ego. You look alive, but you are dead..
To Philadelphia, and to maybe to us, He says you have not denied My name. You have kept My Word. You are strong. Walk through the door I open for continuing service.
To Laodicea, and to maybe to us, he says self-obsession drives what you do. You believe you’re doing well. Nothing matters more to you than that you feel good about yourselves. You nauseate me.
Give up control. Sacrifice your well-being for a greater cause.
Demand justice no longer. Expose justice, but reveal love. It’s a new way to live, the way of the Lamb.
Never live in fear of the devil! Recognize him. Resist him. But know that Christ’s power is greater than his. His doom is as sure as your life is secure.
Demand nothing now. Endure everything now. He will come again, soon. Wait. Persevere. Hope.
Francis Schaefer was right. When his spirit works, there was always tremendous cost to his people living in this time. But the cost can’t compare with the gain. And the end is near. Keep looking. Keep seeing. Keep listening. He will see us soon!
REVELATION: From Ray Stedman
Click here for entire Bible Summary from Ray Stedman
to be completed
REVELATION – David Jeremiah (Understanding the 66 Books of the Bible)
Key thought: God has a plan for the future and for eternity. Regardless of what happens in life — no matter how depressing or difficult the news — life in Christ has a happy ending for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Key Verse: And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. Revelation 22:3
Key Action: And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17