I hope you have enjoyed reading the book of Revelation over the last few weeks, and have benefited from these thought and the ones I have posted on the Thinky Things website. Here are my final two thoughts on the last two chapters of Revelation. I have posted a thought on each chapter of Revelation at https://thinkythings.com/read/. If you haven’t seen them and are interested in what Jesus is telling you in his last message then head to the Thinky Things website at https://thinkythings.com/read/, or click the “read” button below. Enjoy, and be blessed by this amazing book. I will look forward to seeing you in the promised kingdom of God.

Revelation 21 v 8
DON’T BE BAD

We all want to be part of God’s kingdom. Very often we look at the good qualities mentioned in the various parts of the Bible and try to live up to them. The fruit of the Spirit and Pauls description of love are some we often think about. But it is less often that we take note of the lists of evil deeds and compare ourselves to them. Perhaps we should.

One such list tells us, “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practise magic arts, the idolaters and all liars – they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21 v 8). I wonder if any of these could be said of us?

  • Cowardly. Are we afraid or fearful to preach God’s word?
  • Unbelieving. Do we have a sincere faith in God, or do we disbelieve him or wonder whether his promises are real?
  • Vile. Are our actions or our language sometimes disgusting?
  • Murderers. We may not murder, but do we get angry with our brothers? (Matthew 5 v 21 – 22)
  • Sexually immoral. Again, adultery or sex outside of marriage may be out of the question, but how do we go with pornography or lust?
  • Magic arts. These are people who deal in drugs or take them for recreational purposes. How do we treat alcohol and other drugs?
  • Idolators. Do we have anything we put above God?
  • And all liars. Telling lies is so easy to do. Could we be called a liar?

It’s not too late to change our lives and repent. Let’s ask God to clean out any wicked ways in us so that we can really be one of his chosen people.

Revelation 22 v 10
UNSEALED

We are so blessed to have the message of the Revelation given to John. The angel said to him, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.” (Revelation 22 v 10). What that means for us is that we are free to be able to read the vision that was left for us, and with attention to it we can come to understand it. The words are not sealed up so that we cannot read or understand them. They are there for us to learn and grow by.

The other reason the words of this prophecy have not been sealed up is “because the time is near.” It is important for us to read and understand the message of Revelation in order to face the last days with the strength we need to overcome. If we had no idea as to what would happen before Jesus returns, we would be totally unprepared and our faith might not survive the hardships we may have to face. But having been forewarned, we can prepare and overcome.

Let’s not put the book of Revelation aside, because now, more than ever, as the time draws nearer, we need to be familiar with its message and strengthened by its encouragement. Even if we think it is too hard to understand, with prayer and by persistence we can all learn something about the way we should live, what God wants from us, and place the glorious hope of eternity higher in our minds.

Let’s rejoice that the revelation has not been sealed up so that we cannot hear its message. And let us read it and be strengthened so that we will be ready for our Lord’s return.

May we be encouraged and grow closer to God as we finish reading the book of Revelation today.

With love in our Lord
Robert
https://thinkythings.com/read/