Maybe this doesn't qualify as a devotional maybe more like a "rambling" of thoughts. Whichever you see it I hope you get a bit of a blessing as I did.
Last week we ( the Bible Study Group I belong to ) after a year wrapped up our studies in Revelations. To say the least it is a controversial book yet one that is sadly neglected thus misunderstood to say the least. There are about as many interpretations as there are different religions oe should I say faiths. This I know that when John was divinely inspired to write this book it was understood by his readers of his day so why do we have such a difficulty with it? I guess a simple, basic answer might be that Revelations is interpreted according to ones views, according to ones faith. There are are basically three views (1) FUTURIST-the end times (2) CONTINIOUS - HISTORICAL-taking place during the Roman Empire (3) PRETERIST-Revelations has not been fulfilled as yet. The above is not meant as a final description but just to summerize some views. I do not wish to get involved in any theological discussion though that would be easy enough to say the least. I do wish to challenage, debate or discuss but simply to share some thoughts.
John begins with God's letters to the seven churches in Asia. Each letter says something about that particular congergation. Its sad to note that only two congergations found full favour in God's sight. I can't help but wonder what kind of letters would we receive from John or someone like him about our place of worship. Seriously - think about it. Examine your congergation without prejuidice. Be careful, extremely careful in your judgement because the judgement you make may be your judgement, or mine. Each congergation is only as strong as its weakest member-is that one way of putting it? Personally it frightens me because I shudder inwardly wondering if I am a stumbling block or a stepping stone for God's work in my congergation.
We move on into a horror that rivals Stephen King, John Saul, and Dean Koonz combined. We see the judgement upon those who have rejected Christ and who continue to reject Him as Lord and Saviour. The horror and terror should fill us, who are redeemed, with terror as well because but for the grace of God John could be talking about me when he graphically describes the unspeakable horror, the frightening ( thats putting it too mildly) consequences of denying God. The cries, nay the screams, the curses, the cries of mercy that go unheeded because its too late for redemption. Then there is the Judgement throne of Chapter 20 and the books, ah the books. Is your name, my name in those books? Do you or I know whats written down in those books beside our names? Is it something good or is it something that will shatter our souls with eternal dread? What about the saints who have been killed? Will they ever receive justice, divine justice? God, where are you? Avenage us! Then the terrifying battle for my soul, for yours. Satan snarling and growling lashing out to grasp your soul only to have himself thrown with divine justice into eternal hell with all the lost souls he has snated from God's grace.
Then the end....the blessed end where we, the blood washed are gathered into the great city of heaven, a place of such divine beauty and peace that we will never know the sorrows, the pain, the agony, the constant snarling and prowling of satan, we are safe from his vile clutches. We do not hear the indescrible screaming, wailing, gnashing of teeth of the damned. We hear only the blessed sweet voices of saints and angels singing praises to God, the Son. Then we hear that voice of love filled with joy saying, "Well done good and faitful servants." Then angels will stand with folded wings, with longing in their faces as they listen to the saints of God as they sing the song of redeemption.
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