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 1:3.
From the rise and fall of nations as made plain in the books of Daniel and the Revelation, we need to learn how worthless is mere outward and worldly glory. Babylon, with all its power and magnificence, the like of which our world has never since beheld—power and magnificence which to the people of that day seemed so stable and enduring—how completely has it passed away! As “the flower of the grass,” it has perished. So perished the Medo-Persian kingdom, and the kingdoms of Grecia and Rome. And so perishes all that has not God for its foundation. Only that which is bound up with His purpose, and expresses His character, can endure. His principles are the only steadfast things our world knows.
When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart. The Lord will bless all who will seek humbly and meekly to understand that which is revealed in the Revelation. This book contains so much that is large with immortality and full of glory that all who read and search it earnestly receive the blessing to those “that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein.” One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revelation—that the connection between God and His people is close and decided.
Let us give more time to the study of the Bible. We do not understand the Word as we should. The book of Revelation opens with an injunction to us to understand the instruction that it contains…. When we … understand what this book means to us, there will be seen among us a great revival.
The Faith I Live By p. 345
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Prayer Requests
—-I have two unspoken prayer requests. Buck
—-Please pray for Osheka who is in hospital, she has mental and kidney problem. Please pray for her family. Kay
—-Surgery this morning. A drain tube to relieve my headache. Hoping for immediate relief. Stephen
—-Please pray for Ivy. She went to an ER near where she lives and had to wait 12 hours to be seen. She is no better. Has chest pain, can’t breath and filled with fluid, blood pressure very high and severe headache. She could have a stroke or heart attack anytime. Please pray she stays alive til Friday when she can see a cardiologist. Tammara
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Dear Friends,
Other than Janie, Gary was the only other child in the neighborhood. He lived several blocks away, but was, from the age of five, allowed to come to my house to play. Over the years, we talked about what we would do when we grew up. He had it all figured out. We would graduate from high school together. Then, while I was a stay-at-home mom, he would go to college to become an architect. He even drew detailed plans for our house. For a lonely little girl, these plans seemed like a dream come true.
One day, when we were about nine, we were walking by the playground of the school across the street. Some girls Gary knew came walking toward us. When they got near us, Gary began talking with them. Soon, they asked him who I was. To my disappointment, he introduced me as his cousin. I felt like crying. I felt betrayed. After the girls left, Gary tried to rationalize his actions, but it did no good: I knew that he was ashamed of me. Our friendship cooled considerably after that.
How often we treat our Loving Saviour like Gary treated me. How often we pretend that we don’t even know Him. How many times we break His Great Heart of Love by acting ashamed of our Best Friend. How many times we attempt to rationalize away our denial just like Gary did. Jesus warns, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matt 10:32,33 Paul adds, “if we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Tim 2:12 Solemn thought with eternal consequences.
Often we are like Peter. We do not really know ourselves and think that we would never deny our Lord, but when the test comes, we do as did he. When Jesus told His disciples that they would deny Him, Peter stood up and proclaimed that although everyone else would deny Him, he never would. “But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.” Mark 14:29-31 Peter could not believe it, but when he was “backed into a corner,” he denied his Master. He denied the One Who was sacrificing His life for him. “Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” Matt 26:75 That was the start of a new life for this outspoken disciple. From that moment he stood firm for his Saviour no matter what the consequences might be.
May we love our Dear Saviour so much, that we will never deny Him. May we invite Him to dwell with us and in us as we walk along life’s road. May we introduce Him to all we meet is my prayer.
Rose

Study the Prophecies