BE READY | Daily Devotion | The Book of Revelation
“This letter is from John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne, and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him – even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen! ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega –the beginning and the end,’ says the Lord God. ‘I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come – the Almighty One.’” Revelation 1:4-8 NLT
John opens this letter to the seven churches of Asia with the words “Grace and peace”—Revelation 1:4. In a book speaking of coming judgment, Jesus Christ speaks through the apostle John, comforting His people with the promise of the blessings of grace and peace.
The promise of grace – unearned favor and of peace – an ease of mind and heart.
These spiritual blessings are for Christians. Thus, those who are right with God, need to take heart – we have nothing to fear regarding what’s to come. We are blessed with riches unseen that guard our heart and mind as we live in Christ Jesus.
The apostle John goes on to say this letter is from the Trinity – from God the Father who is the one who is, who always was and is still to come, from the Holy Spirit who is the sevenfold Spirit, and from Jesus Christ who is the firstborn – thus emphasizing God’s power, and presence, and the completeness in the words to come. Thus, the book of Revelation is backed by all of the honor, and holiness of God. It is complete and we are exhorted in Revelation 22:19 to not remove any details from it or else God will remove that person’s ability to enter heaven. That’s how serious God is when it comes to this prophetic book. He has declared these details for a reason and no one holds power over Him and the truth being declared.
We Christians know God is a just and loving God and sins must be dealt with. He is fair and only ever does what is right and holy. He is the Alpha and the Omega, no one surpasses Him – He is perfect in knowledge, thus, never makes an error in judgment—Revelation 1:8.
Jesus tells us in Proverbs, “People who cover their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy”—Proverbs 28:13 NLT. There is judgment for sin. Nothing escapes God’s notice. “Nothing in creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable” – Hebrews 4:13 NLT. He sees every heart and mind, and knows the thoughts and intents of His people. God is merciful and bestows mercy and grace for the repentant sinner, while justly judging the defiant.
Everyone falls short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23, no one is perfect this side of heaven. Now every sin committed does hold different severities and destructions, and ultimately are committed against Jesus Christ, Himself, as David said in Psalm 51:4 NLT, “Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.”
The best thing for us to do is to identify our own sin and cry out to God, “God, be merciful to me a sinner”—Luke 18:13 NKJV. As we look to the cross and see God’s grace as the blood of Christ purifies hearts from deeds that lead to death—Revelation 1:5, Hebrews 9:14, we will then experience His peace that surpasses all understanding—John 14:27, recognizing He is the perfect redemption.
The truth is, in the last days, many will have the form of godliness but will deny its power—2 Timothy 3:5. Outwardly many people appear as Christians, but they are not right with Jesus Christ filled with the Holy Spirit, thus they do not hold the power of God. Their hearts are far from Him and some hold evil intent toward others.
If this is you, the best thing to do is to repent of your sins. Turn back to God. He loves you so much. Jesus is returning and so while we wait for His return – live a pure and blameless life and be at peace with God – 2 Peter 3:14, and enjoy His spiritual blessings, which include adoption, inheritance, forgiveness, peace, love, and joy – Ephesians 1:4.
One beautiful truth is God changes people. He moves profoundly in lives, taking out hearts of stone and replacing them with hearts of flesh—Ezekiel 36:26. Has God changed you? Today, are you walking closer to God, reflecting His image, more than ever before—2 Corinthians 3:18? Are you like Christ – humble, meek, loving, gracious, merciful, righteous, holy, forgiving, and just? Has God changed the hearts of the people around you? God is in the business of changing lives for His glory, transforming people more into Christ Jesus’ image. So, as His priests—Revelation 1:6, will you confess God before men—Matthew 10:32-33, living lives boldly as pure vessels ready to be used to reach people with the love of Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ is returning and as the apostle John mentions His second coming here, specifically in the emphasis “everyone will see Jesus, even those who pierced him;” thus, those who have defied Jesus and His ways will see Him clearly. The apostle John goes on to state what Jesus said in His Olivet discourse in Matthew 24:30, “there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man on the clouds.” The mourning is over the sin infiltrating self and the world. When Jesus speaks of mourning, it is similar to what He mentioned in the beatitudes, stating, “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” He is speaking of godly sorrow over sin that bears the fruit of repentance – 2 Corinthians 7:10. This is the godly sorrow that God wants us to experience, awareness of sin that then leads us away from sin and results in salvation – deliverance from the power and effects of sin by belief in Jesus Christ and His resurrection. This is what will take place at His second coming amongst the nations. Some will still defy Him, while some will mourn over their sin.
So, this is the call to be ready! Jesus Christ is coming back and every eye will see Him—Revelation 1:7. Judgment is coming for the lost. Do you care if they are ready? How will they know about Jesus unless someone tells them-- Romans 10:14? The apostle Paul says in Romans 10:15 NLT, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news.”
Will you share the Good News of God’s love with those around you? Will you be an active part in the redemptive work of lost souls?
Prayer: Abba, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. Please fill us with the Holy Spirit to shine as lights in a lost and dark world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
