Living without fear

There are many things in life that I do not understand.

In fact, were I to list all the things that do not make sense to me the list would be far longer than the list of stuff that does make sense. In reality, as a man of faith, I have come to understand that there are some things we were not designed to fully comprehend, at least not right now.

However, that doesn’t apply to God’s Word. The Bible, in its entirety, was given to us as a revelation of who God is and what his plan and purpose is for his people.

Unfortunately, the book of Revelation is one of those riddles of life that almost defies explanation. Its stated purpose in the opening sentence is that we would better understand those things that will ultimately come to pass, yet the very name of the book will bring to mind thoughts and feelings of confusion, fear and even doubt.

The Book of Revelation is a documentation of the message given by God himself, to his son Jesus Christ and passed on to his apostle John through an angel. This message was and is a message of comfort to God’s people that includes, among other things, the knowledge that even in times of great persecution, godly people can rest in the fact that God is in control. His plan and purpose is supreme and when we don’t understand, we are called to have faith in him and trust that he has a greater good in view.

In the beginning of the Book of Revelation is a series of letters dictated to John to be delivered to seven churches in Asia. These letters were for seven different literal churches in existence at the time they were dictated.

However, they also have a purpose and meaning to our modern churches. There is an unfortunate tendency to bypass the book of Revelation as irrelevant due to a lack of understanding, “it doesn’t make sense so we won’t study it.” Unfortunately that leaves an amazing wealth of spiritual nourishment untouched and unread.

At the very beginning of the book, there is a wonderful promise given to those who would take the time and effort to study this book. Revelation chapter 1, verse 3 says in part, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it.”

The Book of Revelation, like all the books of the Bible, were intended to be read, studied and most importantly, lived out. The Lord did not intend for his message to be an enigma, a book shrouded in mystery and confusion, but instead that it would be an encouragement and blessing to those who take the time and effort to understand.

I would like to challenge you to read the Book of Revelation. Trust that God will open your heart and mind to his truth, his love and his encouragement.

If you are interested in learning more about the book of Revelation, you are invited to join us on Sunday mornings at 10:45. Beginning Sunday, July 26, we’ll be starting a new series on the letters to the seven churches in Revelation.

Pastor Scott Bloomquist

Calvary Baptist Church