Revelation Trepidation

"God blesses the one who reads the words

of this prophecy to the church,

and he blesses all who listen to its message

and obey what it says,

for the time is near."

Revelation 1:3 NLT

The men closed their Bibles as they finished another Wednesday morning study.  "Well, what now?" one man asked since they had concluded their look at Hebrews.

"How about Revelation?" someone suggested.

Groans of protest rose from the group.  "That's really deep, do you think we're ready for that?"

"It's so hard to understand, maybe we should choose something else."

"I never could comprehend all that imagery.  What's the point?  The end will come and then we will find out what God has in store for us!  Do we really need to know ahead of time?"

Can you relate?  I can.  There is much anxiety when it comes to reading the final book found in the Bible.  This revelation of John as revealed by Christ has long intimidated believers young and old.  The widely-held belief that I need a PhD in Hermeneutics or Theology to grasp the meaning found there keeps me away.  But there is blessing in studying this prophecy, if only I would trust God to lead me.

Read It

No time like the present, I thought to myself as I plunged forward into the unknown.  I had volunteered to lead a women's Bible study with a small group of ladies in our neighborhood.  Never having taught adults before, I was a bit afraid and intimidated.  Instead of letting my fears stop me, though, I stepped out in faith, trusting that God would give me understanding as I prepared to teach through a portion of the Old Testament.  

Sure enough, as I dedicated myself to obeying God's calling, He gave me insight into His Word, just as Jesus did for His disciples before His ascension.  (Luke 24:45)  When I dive into His Word, trusting Him to open my eyes to the Truth found there, He is always found faithful.  (Psalm 119:18, 1 Corinthians 2:13-14)

I will find blessing from studying Revelation when I trust God enough to simply commit myself to reading it.

Heed it

"Stop!"  the mother warned her two-year-old daughter who was running down the sidewalk and heading toward the road.  It was almost as if I could see the struggle going on within the child:  Part of her knew she should obey while the other part relished defiance.  She wanted to heed her mother's warning but her sinful nature pushed her toward the mischievous.

Thankfully, obedience won out in the case of the toddler and her mom, but that does not always happen with me.  I love to read God's Word and am growing fond of Revelation as God provides insight, but it does me no good if I don't heed the warnings and exhortations found there. (James 1:22, 2 Timothy 3:16)

God's Word is meant to change me, and this record of John's revelation is no different.  When I read, then, it is to be with an open mind, pliable heart, and willing spirit, ready to receive whatever message God will send to stretch me, prepare me and transform me into the image of Christ.  

I will find blessing from studying Revelation when I don't merely read it, but pay attention to the warnings found within.

Don't Leave it

Aaron Burr, 18th-19th Century politician and adventure, is credited with what I like to call the procrastinator's creed:  "Never do today what you can put off 'til tomorrow."  While this may give, as he claimed, a clearer understanding of what is to be done, the same philosophy cannot be taken with the warnings found in Revelation.  I have less time than I may think.

I tend to carry the attitude that I can wait until the end times come and see what God has in store for me instead of reading about it ahead of time.  This makes sense to my own understanding, but knowing that God made the point of including these exhortations in His Word means there is something there I need to know.  

Part of trusting God is to understand His Sovereignty and how much higher His ways are from mine. (Isaiah 55:8)  I can't begin to think I can decide which parts of Scripture are meant for me and which are not.  Instead, I would be considered wise if I take His Word as a whole as vital to my journey.  

I will find blessing from studying Revelation when I realize the importance of learning the meaning found there.

As intimidating as is John's revelation found in God's Word, I can let my fear go when I realize the blessing found there.  Instead of letting it threaten me, I can plunge forward in faith to read it, taking it's messages to heart, and trusting in it's relevance to my life.  Now I can let go of my Revelation trepidation!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can step forward to continue studying Revelation as a show of faith in the God who gives wisdom. (James 1:5)

How do I let my fear and doubt hold me back from the blessing found in studying and heeding the words of Revelation?

When do I think I need to rely on my own intellect to study God's Word? 

Been With Jesus

"'Salvation is found in no one else,

for there is no other name under heaven

given to men by which we must be saved.'

When they saw the courage of Peter and John

and realized that they were

 unschooled,

ordinary men,

they were astonished

and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."

Acts 4:12-13

Peter and John were ordinary fishermen; men who earned their living by the labor of their hands and the brawn of their backs.  Fishing was a profitable industry, but not glamorous or enviable by any means.  These men were called by Jesus to be His disciples.  They spent time with Him, learning from Him and growing to love Him.  When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father, they received His Spirit as a comforter, counselor and guide. (Acts 2:38-39) 

God's Spirit does more than just make me feel assured of my salvation, (John 15:26-27) He also gives me what I need to do what He's called me to do.  God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. (Hebrews 13:20-21)  Before Peter and John could realize the power God placed within them, they had to take a step of faith, trusting that God's Spirit would not let them down.  When they did, what they found coming from within them astounded everyone.

Courage

I remember the time one of my daughters stood up to the ice cream man who had just called her sister "fat."  At the age of 6, she respectfully told him that what he had said was not nice and that he should be ashamed that he had hurt her sister's feelings.  Standing up to an adult took courage.

In the same way, Peter and John courageously stood up to the power structure, speaking the unwelcome truth to the rulers, elders and teachers of the law.  They didn't have the authority of any man to speak in such a way to that prestigious group.  I might even call them "cheeky" or "sassy."  It took a lot of nerve to rock the boat in such a way.

There are times when the Holy Spirit gives me courage to speak out against injustice.  Sometimes it could be I'm called to write a letter to the editor of my local paper, taking a stand for Christ.  Other times, I could speak the truth to a professor attempting to undermine God's sovereignty.  Or, God could give me the boldness to speak the truth in love to an outspoken coworker who pushes her atheistic agenda.

God's Spirit equips me with courage to speak up in the face of opposition.

Wisdom

It is said that wisdom comes with age, but God says it starts with a healthy respect and reverence for Him. (Psalm 111:10)  Peter and John were both common men who lacked any kind of formal education.  They were probably able to speak several languages in order to trade fish with the variety of people they dealt with in the marketplace, and they needed a working knowledge of money and trading to succeed in their business, but for the most part they were ordinary, working-class men.

Listening to them reason and lecture, however, the people had a different perspective.  Peter and John spoke as if they were proficient in philosophy, history and the art of deliberation.  They sounded as if they had trained under the best teachers money could buy.  Who were these men?

All those who questioned needed to know was who they had been with. Jesus gave them all the wisdom they needed to discuss deeply theological matters.  It's the same with me.  I don't need to take a special class or receive expert training to certify me as qualified to talk to others about my faith.  All I need is Jesus: He will equip me as I read His word, interpreting it and revealing truth as I trust Him to teach me.  Then, when I'm faced with those who have questions, He'll provide the answers if I rely on Him; His words will flow from me.  (Luke 12:11-12)

God's Spirit equips me with wisdom to speak the truth to a dark world.

Anointing

It's easy to think that someone who does extraordinary things is himself extraordinary.  The truth is, however, that God is the source of all amazing things.  Each of us is capable of doing the same as Moses, Elijah, David or Paul did because it was God who was working through them.  He set them aside for His purposes, using them as a vessel of His Spirit to accomplish His good purposes. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7)

Peter and John were not special or different than you or me.  The only thing enabling them to accomplish such astonishing feats as to leave the Jewish ruling council speechless was God's Spirit.  All He needs is a willing container which He can fill with His power.  If I submit to Him and allow Him to use me, I'll witness astounding deeds that only can be attributed to God.

I'll be able to speak clearly even though I stutter.  I'll suddenly lose my aversion to children and draw them to Jesus as if I were some kind of modern-day Pied Piper even though I never thought of being a teacher.  I'll gain a new appreciation for God's Word and a heart for those who desire to know and understand God's ways even though I never did well in school.  In short, when I trust in God, He'll set me aside for the work He's prepared for me to do.

God's Spirit equips me with an anointing to accomplish His purpose for my life.

Peter and John stood out as extraordinary even though they were ordinary fishermen.  In the same way, when I trust in Jesus as Lord of my life, He'll give me courage to do the impossible, wisdom beyond my education level, and an anointing that enables me to walk the path He has for me.  If I've been with Jesus, He'll call me, and then He'll equip me.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God to give me what I need to accomplish His purposes for my life.

How do I doubt what God can do in my life by hesitating to step out in faith?

When do I fear my lack of training will hold me back from doing what God has put in my heart to do?