“Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” – Revelation 14:12
Christians often have mixed feelings about the book of Revelation. There’s so much dramatic, vivid, and strange imagery that can be hard to understand. Many Christians say that Revelation frightens them. Perhaps it frightens you. That is certainly not God’s intent in giving it to us. This verse is arguably the key point of the entire book! The Revelation was given so that we would understand the deeper spiritual realities behind the often terrifying and discouraging headlines we read about the world. That we would understand that no matter what we see, the unseen reality is that God is on His throne, the Lamb is the Lord of the universe, and the devil is a loser who will soon suffer an eternity in the lake of fire. So will those who persecute Christians for their faith!
The Book of Revelation isn’t a detailed chronology of future history. It’s a call for followers of Jesus to faithfully endure the hardships of life on earth, confident in their salvation in Christ. Confident in God’s sovereign power, justice, and ultimate victory. Confident that their sufferings for the Lord will end and be rewarded. Confident that no matter how bad things get on earth, it will all get infinitely better in the presence of the Lord. Confident that all the terrible things begun in Genesis 3 with mankind’s fall into sin will be reversed with the renewal of Creation in Revelation 21.
Whether you understand a lot or a little from Revelation, understand this point! Hold firmly to your faith in Jesus. Obey the commands of Scripture. Proclaim the goodness of God in Christ with urgency. Love God and your neighbors with wholehearted zeal, regardless of the cost. Endure any and all opposition and persecution for your faith with a joyful heart. You are loved by the Lord and will spend eternity with Him. #FollowJesus