So why don't you walk with me these coming weeks through a workbook of discovery called The Vision of His Glory by Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Billy Graham). I think He has something to say. :)
Revelation 1:1-3--
In these verses we learn that God gave this revelation to Jesus Christ, the Son, so that He could then reveal it to His servants, namely through the pen of John. He brings this revelation to John, sent by an angel, who then testifies to everything he saw.
OK, did I already lose some of you? "An angel?" you are thinking, "Come on!" Well, throughout the Bible we see God using angels to reveal to mankind that which will soon happen--messengers of God. We also learn of spiritual battles continually waging which we cannot see--an entire series in and of itself. So if you are hung up here then get into the Word and ask God to speak to your spirit. He promises wisdom to those who honestly seek.
Now, back to Revelation--or disclosure from God, otherwise unknown by man. After we learn that John is the one who testifies to the revelation--most likely the same John who walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry, wrote the gospel of John, and the three epistles (1, 2, 3 John)--a beautifully convicting statement is made.
"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it" (v. 3) So much for my pride. God declares us blessed as we first read, then hear, then actually take to heart, all that John records. "Bless me indeed, Lord, as I set my heart and mind upon You."
As I closed my time in Revelation today I thought, "I want to be verse 3 so that He would do verse 1." You know, prophecy is not only fore-telling the future. The word literally means, "The declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means; it emanates from God and is forth-telling of the will of God; signifying a 'speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God.'" (see Strong's 4394)
God did not reveal this vision to just anyone off the street, He revealed it to one of the few who walked intimately with Jesus Himself--one who loved Him and gave his life for Him. I want to be one who not only reads but hears and then takes to heart the Word of God--one who loves Him wholeheartedly and trusts with abandon.
There is no new revelation--dare we add to or take from His already revealed word. But as we draw close to Him, He will draw close to us, and we will then be more equipped to hear and speak forth His mind and counsel. Wow. Thank you, Lord.
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