“John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:4-5, NKJV)
There are times in the course of living from day to day that we will find a bit of antagonism between what we know to be true … our convictions … and the circumstances we are presently in!
The fact is it happens at times when we least expect it … and at other times when we can actually see it coming.
The Book of Revelation without a doubt is a challenging Book at various levels. Written by inspiration by the Apostle John who had been banished to the Isle of Patmos, the Lord reveals to him a message of hope … a message of encouragement for God’s people to read and apply to their hearts.
In many ways, the difficult times from centuries ago when this letter was penned, are eerily similar. The truth is it has never been easy to be a child of God, but it is becoming increasingly challenging to “be strong in the faith” … a faith comprised of the truths of the Gospel and the blessings and promises to those who receive it.
Even as there were “scoffers” back in John and Peter’s day … there are those today who delight in ridiculing, discrediting, and yes, making life very difficult for a Christian to stay positive, confident, and free of doubt.
Just as he has been doing since the events recorded in the Garden of Eden, the evil one is resolved to persuade God’s people that they have bought into a lie!
As we mentioned last week, because the Lord knows all … He is fully aware when encouragement for His people is needed to help prevent them from being overwhelmed, or even worse leaving the faith.
The message needed then when John wrote it, is the very same message needed in 2022 … “Jesus Christ is STILL Lord and King!”
My friends and brethren … a faith that is based, founded, and established on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ revealed in the inspired Word of God is STILL sufficient to lead us on our journey through this life and to find eternal rest in the “mansions above.”
Because our God is STILL “…the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) … we can look to Him continually as our constant, steady, and perpetual hope!
Regardless of the questions that may confront us, young or old … regardless of the circumstances that may confront us, young or old … each of us must come to that place where we can confidently rest in this assurance …
- Jesus Christ died …
- Jesus Christ arose …
- Jesus Christ is even now reigning …
- Jesus Christ is coming back in glory to judge all men…
- And ultimately Jesus Christ wins along with all who have chosen to serve Him!
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation (“trials and sorrows”, NLT), but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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