July 12 Declaring the Lord

Revelation 1:1-3 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw — that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 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.
 
WE have just completed John’s gospel, which declares the divine traits of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. With Jesus’ teachings, miracles, death, resurrection and ascension, the gospel is a revelation – a disclosure and declaration – of Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man. Without doubt, by the end of John’s gospel, we know Jesus is alive.
    Now John has another task. Instead of looking back on Jesus’ saving work, he is to reveal Jesus’ future work. This work includes issuing warnings to the churches, speaking judgment against all evil and promising eternal reward for all believers.
    John precisely tells us his message to us is a message from God. An angel – a messenger – has come to John to declare the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Does this alert you? Are you ready to regard God’s message to you through John as trustworthy and true? Are you prepared for correction, judgment and victory?
    If so, God will bless you as you receive and respond to his Word. Yes, “blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it.” You will heed the warnings. You will be at peace in God’s promises. You will know that those who do not hear and take to heart these words will be cursed. Those who do will be blessed.
    One reason many of us avoid this epistle, this letter to the church, is that it contains some very difficult imagery. We do not understand all that is written. I believe another reason we avoid the message is to avoid considering God’s wrath on the sinner. Perhaps we feel unworthy of God’s majesty as we are reminded of God’s power, beauty, truth and justice.
    But rejoice! In Jesus, we are alive in the Savior’s eternal blessings. By Jesus’ blood, we are made safe in the blessing of new life.
    Yet, we must heed the hard words. Know this is why our work is to live in Jesus’ authority he declared in Matthew 28:18-22  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
    John has been obedient to the Lord’s commands. So must we. Our work is to be messengers of salvation, calling people from God’s judgment into eternal life. This is the great revelation of all history. Receive the privilege of the work in Jesus’ name.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for saving me. Empower my heart to obey your commands, to know your words are trustworthy and true. In your name I pray, Amen.