Have You Read It?

I have – and the Lamb wins. Oh, a lot of things have to happen in between. Jesus’ disciples (just as most of us) wanted to know what and when:

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matthew 24:3-7)

All those things have happened since the beginning of time. Wars have been the subject of stories and they bring famine and pestilence. Earthquakes constantly remind us that our world isn’t as firm a foundation as we would like to believe. Wars and earthquakes will continue past today – and God knows when, we don’t.

Paul was inspired to tell us:

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:7-8)

God knew, others didn’t. Over the years of biblical history, God entrusted portions of His knowledge to others for specific purposes. I believe John’s Revelation has a specific purpose, too.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: (Revelation 1:1)

Unfortunately, we are all interested in the “must shortly come to pass.” Believers pray that means soon. Unbelievers laugh at us for waiting two millennium for nothing that has happened. Both forget:

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3:8)

There is a problem, though, if this information is not shared:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14)

Preacher’s need the assistance of his congregation to fulfill their responsibilities:

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. (Romans 12:4-9)

Others have cried, as we do now:

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (Revelation 6:10)

God knows when and we don’t. But we do know – the Lamb wins!