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I issued the first part of this article from the bedside of my wife Ann, after she was admitted to the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen two weeks ago.

One week later she was welcomed into heaven by her beloved Redeemer. And now, a further week later, I send out the second part of the article.

She and I loved to study and discuss those things related to the Saviour’s return and watch world events in the light of Holy Scripture. What a knowledge she must have now! Yet she has learned nothing upon going to heaven that was not set forth in the Bible.

Dear Christian, God would have us understand what lies ahead that we might be assured that the devil and his allies will be utterly defeated and that the Saviour will have the victory.

“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh,” Revelation 19:19-21.

Sincerely in Christ’s name,

Ivan Foster

SOME THOUGHTS ON THE OPENING VERSES OF THE BOOK OF THE REVELATION

(Part Two)

“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: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand,” Revelation 1:1-3.

THE PROMISED BLESSING THAT COMES FROM A PROPER OBSERVANCE OF WHAT THE BOOK SAYS.

We will be concentrating our thoughts on verse three.

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

I. THE BLESSING PROMISED TO THE STUDENT.

“Blessed is he that readeth.”

1. Here is a blessing promised to any individual who ‘reads’ this book. The Bible was written to be read. It was not intended that it gather dust on a shelf somewhere. Rather, the purpose of giving the books of the Bible was that we might read. The Book of the Revelation was very obviously meant to be read, given its title – ‘Revelation’ – and the blessing here promised to the reader. What a contradiction in terms this would all be if, as all too many ministers have told their flock, it is a book to be avoided since it is very complicated!

This a blatant falsehood. If we read it, taking what is obviously figurative as such and what is literal as literal, it is indeed a “Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass”! (more…)