DEC 30

Revelation 1
Memorise Revelation 1:19
“Despise not prophesyings.”

I remember that when I was a teen, every time the book of Revelation was mentioned, there would be slight groans around the room, for everyone was daunted by this seemingly impossible to understand book. Full of prophetic imagery, it is true that it is sometimes hard to understand and interpret. It is important that we are not intimidated by the studying this most precious book, for God has contained within it much instructions for us.

In today’s verse, we can clearly see how the book of Revelation can be broken down neatly into 3 sections. The Apostle John was instructed by Jesus Christ Himself to “Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter”. “The things which thou hast seen” can be found in chapter 1, which contains the vision which John saw. Chapter 2-3 gives us “the things which are” – the 7 letters to the 7 churches which were existed during John’s time. The large bulk of the book of Revelation records for us “the things which shall be hereafter”, found in Chapter 4-22. These would be the prophecies concerning the events which will take place in the last days, from the period of the Great Tribulation to the battle of Armageddon, the Millennial Kingdom of Christ on earth, the New Jerusalem, and the New Heaven and New Earth. These end time events were revealed supernaturally to John, and they have been recorded in great detail for us so that we as God’s people can know what it is that God has in store for the whole world.

Of course, it is difficult to fully understand things that remain unseen. For example, when we read about the 7 seal, trumpet and vial judgments, we might find it hard to picture how exactly they will be fulfilled. But what matters most is that we believe that these are real, literal events that will take place sometime in the (rather near) future. This final period of the world’s history will be a time of great suffering and despair; at the same time, it will also be a period of God’s great mercy, in giving the earth a final chance to repent and to turn to Him.

Dear teen, may you not shy away from the prophetic literature found in Revelation. Instead, may you seek wisdom from God in understanding this book, and to apply it in your life.

Thought: Will I be present or absent during the Great Tribulation?
Prayer: Lord, spare me from the wrath that is to come.