Be Aware and Beware with Hope

Revelation 1:1-3 

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Jesus Christ revealed what was to be unveiling before our eyes to His servant John.  This book does not give all the details of the events and working of God, but does show us the things which matter most and what we are to be aware and beware of.  We will see warnings and encouragement, blessing and cursing, the awesome works and nature of our Lord, His creation and purpose, and the hope we who are His have forever in His presence when the final judgement is executed and righteousness reigns in His presence forevermore.  This is a book of hope that begins with what He wants to show His servants, “things which must shortly take place.”  A special messenger was sent to John the faithful apostle with these visions and explanations of things which are and which are to follow, though not always chronologically.  He gave his witness to the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the gospel, and to God’s word where these things of God and His eternal plans are held and revealed.  John witnessed what God showed him to read these words to His church from that time until the final consummation of His work on the earth and in us.  We truly are blessed to read and take heed to these words of our Lord as we understand the events unveiling before us and the assurance of hope in Christ’s work and the glory to come in His presence with worship forever.  We must listen and follow Him to learn from the judgement and warnings, for time will not go on forever.  Time is in His hands, and we are given enough to know for sober living to make the most of the time we have.