Read
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud 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.”
(Revelation 1: 3)
Think
Revelation is a wonderful book. It’s also a book that’s led to plenty of confusion, debates and more about just what it means and how we are meant to read it. It’s written in a style we’re unfamiliar with – full of images and symbols that draw on much of the rest of the bible – and yet Revelation, like all of scripture, is meant for all of us. It’s meant for children and adults, new Christians and long time followers of Jesus alike. It is not meant to be reserved for the experts or the smart ones who’ve “unlocked the code”. Vern Poythress in his book ‘The Returning King’ writes that it’s a picture book, not a puzzle book.
Don’t become preoccupied with isolated details. Rather, become engrossed with the whole story. Praise the Lord. Cheer for the saints. Detest the Beast. Long for the final victory.
– Vern Poythress, ‘The Returning King’
As the words at the opening of the book make clear, there’s a blessing to be had in reading and hearing the words in this book. I want to encourage you to simply read the words and let them sink in as we go through. Don’t worry overmuch about some of the imagery, but let the whole story come through. This book is for you, and it is meant to do you good.
Pray
Father thank you that you have revealed so much to us that you could have kept hidden. Thank you that because of your son we belong to you – that all the words of this book are there to challenge, inspire and encourage us, and to give us immense joy and hope in our saviour.
Please would you help us to read it as you intend – not to get confused but to be moved to praise, to compassion for the lost, to pray for the kingdom to come, the enemy to be destroyed and your son to return.
Amen
