"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it: for the time is near."
Revelation 1:3
For many of us the excitement of the holidays are coming to an end, and we are about to begin a new year with a lot of uncertainty. The birth of our Saviour gave the dark world hope again after a long period of darkness upon the earth. The day Christ was born changed the world forever. Nothing would ever be the same thankfully. As we read the gospels we know God reconciled mankind to Himself through His Son, Jesus. The Christ Child was the Light of the world, and continues to be today.
Now I would like to encourage you to look to the revelation of John to focus on the hope of our future as a civilization. Let us allow John to give us his introduction to the last book in the Bible:
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bondservants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bondservant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Revelation 1:1-2
Many people fear this book. I understand why if you do not know our Heavenly Father, His Son, and have His Spirit residing inside of you. There is much to fear — hell itself! But everyone was included when Christ paid the price for our sins on the cross, and God sent the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us after Jesus ascended back to the Father following the crucifixion, alive and victorious! He made a way for all to spend eternity in heaven with Him. He doesn’t send us to hell. We make that choice by rejecting the greatest sacrifice known to man, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. I love the book of Revelation and the promise that is given to those who hear and heed the words revealed through the Holy Spirit as we read the words written: "Blessed!"
I must confess there are many things I still do not understand, but if we camp just in the first three chapters there is much we can understand. It prepares us for the second coming of the Son of God! It will allow us to focus and eagerly watch for the second coming, and in the process produces sanctification in our lives. Let us read what was spoken to John as he fell at the feet of our risen Lord:
"Do not be afraid: I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore and I have the keys of death and of Hades."
He is speaking these same words to us as individuals as we enter into this book. He then speaks to the seven churches, and you will find yourself inside each one of them. Before each one, you will hear Him define Himself! This is very important if you want to know Him and not allow others to define Him to you. I find this to be the greatest problem in most people’s lives when they allow others to define who God is. No one can do that but God Himself, and He does it through His Word and His Spirit. You will become a woman or man of faith if you get this truth. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. You cannot just read it intellectually; you must have revelation revealed by the Holy Spirit, the promised Teacher who will lead us into all truth. (John 16:13) Look up this verse. You will need it.
At this time in history I believe this is a very important message inspired by the Holy Spirit. Please heed the call. Stop allowing this world and all its distractions to keep you from the eternal truths that matter. There is nothing you could be giving your children that is more important than a relationship with the God of the universe. If you gave them the true message of Christmas, there will be no let down from our Christmas holiday; quite the opposite. Continue to give yourself and them the Gift that keeps on giving and always will. He alone offers the Bread of Life that satisfies our deepest hunger. He alone gives the Living Water that satisfies our deepest thirst for purpose and meaning. Let us begin this new year as a family hearing and reading His Words that we might be blessed, and in turn be a blessing to others.
In His love.
Teresa Roberts
Masterpiece Fitness
276-237-6680
Braveheart and I closed out the year with a run in Wytheville, VA at Crystal Springs Recreational Area. Photos taken at High Rocks Overlook! Appropriately named!
