Many things in the book of Revelation are confusing. There are so many symbolic things to make sense of that many people do not venture too far into the book. That is unfortunate, though, because among all the “confusing” things there are some plain, simple and encouraging words.
Last night as part of our “Basic Bible study” (a time where people get together, read the word and talk about what they think is important from the passage), we read several chapters of Revelation. Here are some of the phrases that encouraged me.
“You [Jesus] were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (4:9-10).
“To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son” (21:6-7).
“The Spirit and the bride [God’s people] say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (22:17).
God’s grace is a free gift. God’s love, a home in his kingdom and forgiveness of sins are not things that we “earn” or “deserve”. These passages (and many others) tell us that we were purchased by the blood of Christ. His death paid the penalty for sin and anyone can be part of God’s family. In fact, the message of God’s Holy Spirit and the message of his bride, the church, is “Come”. You do not have to run from God. You do not have to hide. You do not have to be clean and perfect to accept his offer. All you have to do is come and accept the free gift and the new life.
In one of my favorite passages, God says, “I am making everything new” (20:5). I like those words because they describe God’s eternal work. He is always making things new. He offers new life, new hope and a new start to those who want to be reborn. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Revelation can be confusing. However, the parts that say that God has opened the doors of his kingdom to everyone because of the victory that Jesus won on the cross… that part is crystal clear.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come”.
Last night as part of our “Basic Bible study” (a time where people get together, read the word and talk about what they think is important from the passage), we read several chapters of Revelation. Here are some of the phrases that encouraged me.
“You [Jesus] were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (4:9-10).
“To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son” (21:6-7).
“The Spirit and the bride [God’s people] say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (22:17).
God’s grace is a free gift. God’s love, a home in his kingdom and forgiveness of sins are not things that we “earn” or “deserve”. These passages (and many others) tell us that we were purchased by the blood of Christ. His death paid the penalty for sin and anyone can be part of God’s family. In fact, the message of God’s Holy Spirit and the message of his bride, the church, is “Come”. You do not have to run from God. You do not have to hide. You do not have to be clean and perfect to accept his offer. All you have to do is come and accept the free gift and the new life.
In one of my favorite passages, God says, “I am making everything new” (20:5). I like those words because they describe God’s eternal work. He is always making things new. He offers new life, new hope and a new start to those who want to be reborn. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Revelation can be confusing. However, the parts that say that God has opened the doors of his kingdom to everyone because of the victory that Jesus won on the cross… that part is crystal clear.
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come”.
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