I have heard people say they’re not comfortable reading the book of Revelation, this is what is said, “BLESSED IS HE WHO READS and those who hear the words of this prophecy and KEEP (obey) those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” (Rev. 1:3) So, we are blessed by reading this wonderful book!
It goes on to say, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and EVERY EYE will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who IS and who WAS and who IS TO COME, the Almighty.” (Rev. 1:7-8) Jesus said, to assure us of His divinity, “I always have been, I always will be and right now, I AM… Then John said, “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was IN THE SPIRIT on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea…
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the FIRST and the LAST. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hell and of Death. Write the things WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN, and the things WHICH ARE, and the things which will TAKE PLACE AFTER THIS. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels (pastors) of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” (Rev. 1:9-11, 17-20)
Then John closes out each letter with these words, “He who has an ear, LET HIM HEAR what the Spirit says to the churches…” (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham