The Book of Revelation Matters Today

Why the Book of Revelation Matters Today

The Book of Revelation matters today

Over the past several years, I’ve studied the Book of Revelation many times.

Admittedly, and in the beginning, I was completely overwhelmed.

The symbolism and prophetic narrative were both fascinating and challenging at the same time.

Even so, I didn’t give up!

Rather than shying away from learning about these dramatic future events, my thirst for what God wants to tell us has only become stronger.

If you haven’t taken the time to start a Revelation study, I’ll link to (what I believe) is one of the best at the end of this post.

Revelation and Today's World

The Book of Revelation Matters Today: Prophecy Insights

You may wonder, why it is that the Book of Revelation matters today?

What we see happening in the world (the good and the bad) is historically falling right into place.

In His Sovereignty, this is in God’s timing.

Here in the United States, disturbing headlines frequently dominate the media coverage.

However, political unrest, violence, and turmoil . . . is not just “our” country’s problem, but everywhere.

Israel

Russia

Ukraine

Iran

Syria

You hear about these countries frequently on the evening news.

What we are witnessing (and that God allows) is the spiritual battle between Good and Evil.

This is all the result of SIN.

Because of our original sin, the world continues to live under a curse.

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.1 John 5:19, (NASB).1

Did You Really Mean to Post That?

It may look like our future depends on one political party versus another, but it doesn’t.

In fact, the outright hostility that some people display on Facebook and other social media ultimately helps no one.

Please remember who the “real enemy” is.

It’s not other people.

Through the temptation to sin, Satan manipulates people to carry out his plans for evil.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.Ephesians 6:12, (NASB).2

The same devil who prowled around in earlier biblical times is prowling around today.

Our best battle weapons against the Enemy’s warfare are utilized while we pray.

I will keep asking God for a spiritual revival, and that all people will come to realize “who” the real Enemy is.

A Helpful Guide to the Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation matters today because there’s a prophetic message in it for all of us.

The sooner we trust in God for our eternal future, the more peace we can have during the disturbing headlines of our day.

While we wait on our Lord’s return, is there a helpful Revelation commentary somewhere?

Yes, actually there are several, but the most helpful one (IMHO) is the following:

The series is called, “Tick Tock . . . Prophecy & the News” from Pastor Trey Graham of First Melissa Baptist Church.

You can find it here: “Tick Tock” sermon series.

This Revelation Study is free, easy to access online, and at the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the text.

I suggest you pull up the video tab and skip towards the middle of the service where the sermon actually starts.

Also, I recommend you pull up his “notes” as well. 

It’s easy to follow along as he refers to the provided maps and Bible verses.

The Book of Revelation is not one to fear.

Rather, it’s to prepare us for what is to come.

One day these awful headlines will be a thing of the past.

Worldwide turmoil will end because Jesus Christ is coming again (His glorious Second Coming) in victory.

Now “that” is a headline we can rejoice about.

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Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

2 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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Take It To The King

The Battle Rages On

spiritual battle

This awful virus has taken a toll. 

People everywhere are suffering or have suffered.

Lives have been lost – just what the devil wants.

People have left the church – just want the devil wants.

The media and certain politicians driving division between people – just what the devil wants.

Brothers and sisters in Christ – This spiritual battle that we’re in is way bigger than we could ever possibly imagine.

10 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.Ephesians 6:12, (NASB).1

In this well-known verse, Paul warned the Ephesians that satanic influences were coming against any who professed their faith in Jesus Christ.

Why do we think the devil is fighting so hard, even now? Because he knows his time is eternally short.

It can be hard to encourage people not to fear when there are so many evil influences all around us. 

Worry and anxiety set in and can take hold, affecting all ages.

worry

This virus caused a mental health crisis.

Check out these sobering statistics from a Barna study,

When respondents had an opportunity to provide a portrait of their emotions, the image is one of a generation gripped by worry. Anxiety about important decisions is widespread (40%), as well as uncertainty about the future (40%), a fear of failure (40%) and a pressure to be successful (36%). Though this study alone can’t speak to actual diagnoses of mental illness, nearly three in 10 overall (28%) call themselves sad or depressed. – Barna Group Study.2

So What Can We Do About It?

There’s only one answer, and He is Jesus.

JESUS

Thankfully, our upcoming eternal victory over evil is based on what He did, not on what we can do.

We have to lay these spiritual problems at the throne, because we can’t solve this.

What we can do is love and support each other through all of these challenges, and most importantly, pray.

Ultimately, we must lay all of our troubles at the cross of Jesus Christ and take it to the King.

Take It To The King

I thought of many recent conversations with friends of mine.

Right now, they have teenagers who are agonizing over their futures in the wake of this terrible plague going on.

These teenagers should be looking forward to bright futures, but instead they are seeing businesses close and many large companies making crazy demands just for their employees to go to work every day. 

It’s overwhelming.

Recently at church, we sang a song that, I believe, is comforting during these dark times.

It’s called “Take Me to the Cross,” here performed by the talented Northwest Choralons.

No matter what difficult circumstance you are going through  – keep looking towards the Cross, and take it to the King.

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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

2 Quotation from Barna Group, courtesy of online study, “Only One-Third of Young Adults Feels Cared for by Others?” Accessed July 7, 2021.  Retrieved from https://www.barna.com/research/global-connection-isolation/

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