I said yesterday that I wanted to begin with verse 4 today – which begins the actual letter or treatise recorded by the Apostle John, however, the Lord so impressed on me during my prayer time about the Revelation study to re-look at that 3rd verse and to not pass up that last phrase there where he says, “for the time is at hand”.

Never, in the history of mankind has that statement been more true. In every part of the WORLD we hear of wars and rumors wars; we hear the cry for PEACE . . . PEACE . . ., and we know that the Bible tells us that when we hear these things there will only be “sudden destruction”. Something BIG is about to happen – and I’m going to reserve my commentary on current events for the prophecy Newsletter that will begin this weekend for those of you who have signed up for this daily Bible study – but we know that Sudden Destruction is on it’s way, and unless God intervenes we will se it yet this year. (2007)

That’s why the Lord promises a blessing to all who would read, hear, and keep the things written in the Book of this prophecy, being the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

It is one again that continued theme throughout the God's WORD that if we will hide His WORD in our heart that we will not sin against Him. (ref., Ps 119:11)

It is the prayer that we prayed in our youth meetings growing up as we parted and went our different ways each evening – a reminder of the importance of His presence in our lives saying,

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psa 19:14 (KJV)

It is the living proof that in that “blessing” is the eternal seed of that “hope” that is within us, steadfast; immovable, an anchor of the soul. (ref., Hebrews 6:19)

The book of Revelation has gotten a bad rap because greedy men have wanted to use the sensationalism of the beasts and the spirits, and the strange disappearances for their profit. I mean, throw in Revelation 13 (antichrist) and you’ve got your villain and ready for Hollywood. Thank God Hollywood hasn’t gotten ‘hold of it so they can’t humanize it and rob the believer of the blessing.

But the blessing is that, as we read and pray and study the WORD we begin to see that all of these things called mysteries, are merely God’s way of reaching His people. Look at Daniel chapter 10 and you will see that the angel couldn’t get to Daniel with an answer to His prayer, for 21 days because the Prince of Persia (not speaking about the government – but about an arc-angel of the devil) withstood him for one and twenty days. He had to call for the Chief Angel Michael to come and help him so that he could bring Daniel word that his prayer had been answered; and let me just say that if you feel that God has not answered your prayer request quickly enough – KEEP PRAYING! HE IS ON HIS WAY WITH YOUR ANSWER NOW - but the Devil wants you sick and in lack and will even try to destroy your life if you will let Him. He can't kill you, but he can make your life so miserable you will wish God would just take you home.

You see, the Devil doesn’t care that you want to be well. The Devil doesn’t care whether or not your needs are met because he knows that if that happens you’ll give God the Glory for it. You start wanting to spend more time in church, and you worship more and begin to praise the Lord for ALL He has done. He knows the next thing you will do it to start paying your tithe.

I mentioned in yesterday’s study that everything about this book of Revelation spells out God’s interest in “past, present and future”. That means He is interested in the “whosoever will” of all ages and all times – that’s why He came! So for Him to tell us here in this third verse, “for the time is at hand”, He is saying, “Now is the day of Salvation! Behold I am coming!”

Oh friend, can you see Him riding on that white horse; He that is called Faithful and True, coming in righteousness to judge and make war. Can you see His eyes, eyes as a flame of fire? Can you see the crowns on His head? The Bible tells us that he cometh with a Name written that no man knew save He himself. And then when we look upon His cloak, His Vesture, His mantle, His Covering – OUR COVERING – Oh My friend . . . that vesture dipped in blood, was for the redeemed of all ages – “past, present, and future”. The Bible tells us that when He comes, there will be following Him a host of armies all on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Oh My Lord and My God, and His voice as the sound of many waters like a sharp sword smites nation after nation that stand against His chosen people: and that same voice shall rule all the nations of the WORLD with a rod of iron. (ref., Rev 19:11-16 ) Is it any wonder that He will be called KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS?

Now maybe you can see why I couldn’t continue without mentioning that third verse? The Glory of His promises: the wonder of His Grace and mercy needs to be Proclaimed – for the time is at hand.

Be blessed today my friend. You have nothing to fear from this study of Revelation, nor from any of those things which must soon come to pass if you are "in Him". For He who Is Called “Faithful and True” – clothed with a vesture dipped in blood hath redeemed you, and He has promised:

“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2,3 (KJV)

I apologize as I went too long again today and we didn’t get into that fourth verse but we’ll get to it tomorrow for sure – so make sure you join us again tomorrow for another edition of In The Word. God bless you.