Reflection on Rev 1:3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy,
and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what
is written in it, because the time is near.
These words are from the Book of Revelation. The Apostle John was shown the future of the Church in various pictures on the island of Patmos. Some of them relate specifically to our time, but they have been and continue to be veiled to many. Only the Holy Spirit can gradually reveal the mysteries contained in the Book of Revelation.
But the important lesson for us is, “… blessed are those who hear and take to heart what is written in it.”
The Book of Revelation actually encourages us to be faithful to our Lord and Saviour, even to death. Many martyrs also gained strength from this book. It tells of the persecution of the Church, of the persecution of those who are faithful to Jesus and His Word. It also speaks of the heavenly glory that awaits those who will remain faithful to Christ until death. It is a book of consolation, even though it points to demonic activity in the form of various beasts that seek to destroy the Church. In the end, the Book of Revelation witnesses that Satan is conquered and so is the beast and those who worshipped the beast, and Jesus as the Victor has the last word. With Him, those who have remained faithful to Him take the kingdom, and an eternal one at that.
Especially nowadays the words “because the time is near” are topical. The time has always been near, in every century, in every place, because no man knows when God will call him to eternity. Jesus encourages us: “Be ready, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” This has always been true. But the fact that the time is near is a special call to wakefulness to which each of us should personally respond so that we may be ready if we are called this day from time into eternity.
Therefore, we must live in God’s grace, beware of serious sin, and not be overcome by the spirit of the world and various vanities that will gradually separate us from a living faith and relationship with our Lord and Saviour. We are to strive to keep the commandments of Jesus, to forgive our enemies, to bless, not to curse, not to take revenge, to be able to bear our cross with patience. But especially we should not forget the time that is to be given only to the Lord, that is, prayer. At the present time, it is very necessary to take care to keep the holy hour daily; this is really a time dedicated to God and to one’s soul, and through it God will give blessing and protection to the whole family of such faithful Christians.
It is time to fight, Jesus is with us, we have nothing to fear. He will not abandon us, but the main thing is that we do not abandon Him.
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