Strength For These Days

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.

Revelation 1:3

As we begin reading Revelation there is blessing promised to us if we ‘take to heart’ what this book says. The events are approaching… the time is near.

A few verses later the Apostle John identifies himself as ‘your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus…’ (Revelation 1:9). Before we think that the blessing that’s promised is all about health and prosperity here and now, we read about the suffering that is ours in Jesus and the patient endurance that is needed to be citizens in this Kingdom.

We need patient endurance because of what this book describes. Revelation gives a powerful picture of Heaven and also the suffering that is a reality before we get there. The blessing that’s promised must be in knowing the end of the story and who the Victor is! We are given strength for these days because we know about that day! Taking these words to heart is all about that – living with eternity in mind. It’s about believing in God and His plan and remaining faithful to Him to the end.

To ‘encourage’ means to ‘fill with courage.’ The Book of Revelation does that! It encourages us and we are blessed.

Thank You, Father, for the encouragement of this Book. Thank You that Christ is the Victor! I live for Him this day…