Today, Sunday May 01
What is Going to Happen Next? Revelation 9:1-6 “Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.”
As we come to this section of the Book of Revelation, I believe we should be reminded of a couple things. Why was the Book of Revelation written? I’m asking this question because as we begin to read and study about the terrible and almost unbelievable events that are going to take place in the future, we need to understand again the purpose of this book.
First, we need to know that originally the Apostle John wrote this letter in a time of tremendous persecution for the Christians in the Roman Empire. They were being thrown into arenas with ferocious beast that would tear them from limb to limb before they died. Some were being used as human torches to light the streets of Rome. They were being hunted down like animals and tortured and killed. It was a dangerous thing to profess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior during this time. The Lord had John write this book to assure these persecuted believers that in the end they would win! God was in control behind the scenes and even in death they could trust Him.
Second, I believe that this Book was written to warn the unbelievers about the coming judgment. Before the flood Noah preached and warned the people of his day that God’s judgment was about to fall on the earth, and it would be destroyed by a flood. Remember in those days it had never rained. A mist came up out of the earth and watered it. Can you imagine what the people thought when Noah said it was going to rain? That water was going to fall out of the sky? They thought he was crazy and refused to repent and believe him.
When we read chapter 9 of Revelation and learn about the terrible creatures from hell that will be let loose on earth, and what they look like, it is hard to believe. But just like the flood came and destroyed the earth and every living creature died that did not take refuse in the ark, you can be sure that God’s Word always comes true!
So, if we are believers today, we should be thankful and encouraged as we read this book. We have been saved from wrath to come and do not have to fear these judgments! But if we haven’t repented of our sins and accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior we should be warned!
I personally believe that we are living in the last of the last days that the Bible prophesied about numerous times in both the Old and New Testaments. Time is running out for this old earth! So today, as believers we should be encouraged, even as we face difficult times, that in the end we win! Paul told us to be steadfast and unmovable knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain!
But if you haven’t received Christ as your only hope and salvation, and you are reading this, you should flee from the wrath to come, by trusting the Lord as your Savior right now! That’s why He came! Make sure you have a relationship with Jesus Christ and not just a religion! If I can help you with this decision in anyway, please let me know!
God bless!