The Time Is Near

Visualize yourself living under constant persecution and being hunted for your allegiance to Jesus Christ. Imagine all of your closest spiritual brothers being killed through unimaginable brutality. Envision being imprisoned and brought before the Roman Emperor to be slaughtered in front of thousands. Now picture yourself being lowered into a tub of boiling hot oil and finally, imagine being exiled to an isolated rocky island for two years. These events represent some the last years of the apostle John’s life. Miraculously John was unharmed by the boiling oil and his time on the island of Patmos was spent receiving a vision of the final events of world history that we now call the book of Revelation.

The first couple of verses of Revelation tell us this book has “unveiled” Jesus Christ’s full identity and God’s plan for the end of the world. To accomplish His plan the Lord delivered John from Roman persecution for the very purpose of receiving this apocalyptic vision. Please don’t miss the sovereignty of God as He intervened to preserve the life of John. It once again proves that nothing can thwart God’s plans, not even boiling oil and ruthless Emperors determined to exterminate Christians.

The book of Revelation should be viewed as a blessing, why? Because God says so. Revelation 1:3 states “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.” (NJKV)

What does the apostle John mean by “blessed is he?” He means if believers will read the words of Revelation, hear the words of Revelation, and most importantly keep in their heart all that is written inside of it they will experience a life in the center of God’s will, they will grow spiritually, and they will possess a tremendous confidence about the future. Translation, you will be blessed if you are a genuine believer. However, don’t miss this. It is never sufficient to simply read, hear, or even study any book of the Bible. A believer must “keep those things which are written in it,” meaning they must obey and apply what they learn. This is the first of seven different blessing statements in the book of Revelation.

Finally, John states “the time is near.” In our modern world just about everything is scheduled or on a timetable; jobs, school, vacation, church, sports, etc…We live our lives in constant anticipation as our scheduled events and responsibilities approach and then quickly pass. Almost 2,000 years have passed since John wrote “the time is near,” which could certainly lead a person to doubt his statement or even doubt God. Nevertheless, God’s timetable is His and with each passing day we are closer to His second coming than before. Thus the prophetic events found inside of Revelation are “nearer”  than before. Our responsibility is to be ready, live as faithful witnesses to Christ, and keep the gospel before us.

The time is near…are you ready for Christ to return?

There will be no second chances once He does.