Road Signs
Revelations 1:3 - Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy,
and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is
near.
We know that this time of year, we see a
LOT of road signs and construction projects.
When
a major road work project starts there are usually a lot of
warning signs that something big is about to unfold.
Equipment and materials start showing up and some
preparatory work begins to be done. The construction signs
go up. They are often covered with canvas until their
message goes into effect. The first day those signs are
uncovered and the traffic patterns all shift is usually not
a good commuting day as everyone gets adjusted to the new
speed limits, lane adjustments and closures and other
assorted changes. Not taking heed to the new signs is a sure
way to be the cause of additional delays or accidents.
Blessed is he who reads and heads the words on those signs.
For many centuries the Jewish nation and later the fledgling
Christian church were only given bits and pieces of what was
to come as time winds to a close. Then like a wave we are
given an entire book that looks forward many centuries at
the time of its' writing. The Apostle John is now probably
in his 60's or 70's. He is sent to the island prison of
Patmos for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Patmos is a
small island with a marble quarry work camp. The Roman
government probably did not expect John to return from his
imprisonment. There John has an unprecedented vision in
which he is momentarily reunited with his beloved Savior and
friend Jesus in His risen and glorified state. John is
presented with prophecies for the seven churches, and the
end of days on this present Earth, the battle and defeat of
the enemy of our souls and his army, mankind's final
rebellions and defeat. There are judgments and rewards and
warnings.
Some of the things that John saw were probably beyond his
explanation. These are signs to us showing God is in control
even in the most unimaginable times, He sees what we are
doing and warns us when we stray from His path, the wicked
will be punished, His promise of eternity with Him is real,
and the list goes on. Many avoid this book of prophecies
because there is a lot of debate over the exact meaning of
some of the events written down. But John writes,
"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words
of the prophecy ...". There are some amazing things -
both terrible and beautiful - contained in the book. There
is a condition on the blessing that is there. Those who read
or hear must also "heed the things which are
written." Even more critical than the sign in the
construction site that says to slow down, the prophecies in
the Revelation must be heeded, "for the time is
near."
If the time was near more than 20 centuries ago, how much
closer must that time be today? For those who have accepted
Jesus as their Savior and Lord the approaching time is
something to look forward to with expectancy rather than
fear or uncertainty. Mankind is a fallen race. We are born
with a disease called sin that we ourselves will never
defeat. Cancer can kill our bodies, but sin will condemn us.
In a world of uncertainties there is one unchanging rock.
God loves you - whether you know Him or not. He stands ready
to give you the cure to sin and the eternal condemnation
that disease causes. It has a cost. It requires that you
turn your life over to Him. But think for just one second
about that. It is the life that you already can not keep.
There is a sign in the fork in the road of your life. One
arrow points toward an eternity with Jesus in Heaven. The
other points to eternal separation from God and His love.
Which way will you turn? Read Revelation chapters 21 and 22.
It's about two pages and describes the new city that God is
preparing.
I cheated and read the end years ago. We win.
-Pastor
Chris
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