God's Inspired Outline of Revelation (Rev. 1:19)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 02/07/2005

 

My Worship Time                              Focus:  God’s Inspired Outline of Revelations

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Rev 1:19

 

            Message of the verse:  19 "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things.  (NAS95)  19 Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen later.  (NLT)

            Jesus Christ now tells John to write down the things which he had just seen, and most commentators believe that Jesus is referring to the things which John saw in this first chapter, which is the glorified Christ, however one of the commentators points out that He could be referring to the things that John wrote in the Gospel that he wrote too.  The verse goes on to say that John is to write the things which are, and this refers to the things that are in chapter two and three, the messages to the seven churches to whom this letter is recorded for.  The last part of the verse refers to the things that will take place after these things, and this includes the rest of the letter from chapters four through twenty-two. 

            This is a wonderful letter to seven real churches in the first century, and these seven churches were going through and reacting to what they were going through in various ways to which Christ addresses.  I would suppose that all churches throughout the church age can look at this letter and begin to understand the things that they are to do and the things which they are not to do.  They can also understand the blessings they will receive if they do the right things and the consequences if they do not do them.

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Warren Wiersbe wrote in his commentary to this wonderful letter that “When you have assurance for the future, you have stability in the present,” and I believe that is one of the things that this letter has to teach me. 

 

The Word of God was refreshing to my heart as I studied it this morning, and it also put forth a challenge to my heart.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To remember that Jesus Christ has shown in this letter what will take place in the future, and therefore I can have stability in my present life because of this truth.