Father, I woke from a very deep sleep and am having a hard time getting my eyes to open. Help me to be alert to hear what You have for me this day. Amen.

Revelation 1:1-3 (<<click green)

I knew this was coming and I admit I have struggled. I seriously contemplated going to another passage of Scripture. But Jesus… this “revelation” is from You.

Revelation is most assuredly a book of prophecy. But right up front, prophecy deals with more than just future events. Prophecy deals also with proclamation…and proclamation of very important things in regard to who You are, Lord.

I guess from there is where my hesitancy arises. So many have spent countless hours trying to figure out the “who’s, where’s, and when’s” of Revelation. I have heard it said that it is possible to become “so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.” But, as the old saying goes, Lord, I don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

The prophetic, futuristic elements are important but equally important is proclaiming how knowing these things should impact my life in the here and now and how I should embrace the entirety of Revelation to more fully know Youthat is what is important. This morning, Lord, I claim verse 3 as Your promise to me.

“God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.”

June 6th, Tues, 6:35 am