Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread":
I was just a kid about 11 or 12. My father was a very strict Sunday-keeper and wouldn’t let me ride my bike for fun on Sunday afternoons (nor would he buy a gallon of gasoline on Sunday). I was an obedient Sunday School student. But I didn’t know anything about the Bible personally. So one Sunday afternoon I was sitting on our front porch with the Bible, fingering it curiously, wondering what it was like inside. With some literary perversity ingrained in me that makes me want to read the conclusion of a book first, I turned to Revelation and began reading a little.
It so happened that just then our pastor, Dr. Campbell, drove up in front of our house in his 1926 Buick, on some mission to visit my parents. So I asked him innocently, “Oh, Dr. Campbell, tell me--what is this book, Revelation, all about?” Graciously and sweetly, he put his hand on my head and said, “Robert, that is a sealed book; nobody understands it. You should read something like the Gospel of Mark.”
That would have turned me away from reading Revelation for the rest of my life except that I had gotten as far as the third verse of the first chapter that says: “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.” On the spot, I, just a kid, knew that my beloved pastor was wrong! That was the beginning of a lifetime hunger to understand Revelation, and its companion book, Daniel. And yes, that hunger has brought happiness!
The Gospel of Mark is important, but Jesus Himself singled out Daniel and Revelation for us to give them special attention (cf. Matt. 24:15). The word “blessed” means “happy.” Don’t neglect the happiness the Holy Spirit has for you in reading and understanding D&R.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" phone message is available via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
