It’s the only book in the Bible that pronounces a special blessing on you when you read it; and if you don’t know how to read, don’t be discouraged! The blessing is still promised you if you simply listen to someone else read the book to you.
It’s the last book in the Holy Bible—“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John, who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein ... ” (1:1-3).
So, step number one is to read those first three verses thoughtfully.
Then I would suggest as step number two, believe that promise!
Then I would suggest, read the last chapter of the book. (I usually read the last page of any new book I start to read—I want to know where the author wants to take me before I start this “journey” with him.)
That very last page of the Book of Revelation is glorious—“The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that is heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst (that’s you and I) come. And whosever will let him take the water of life freely” (vs. 17). The love of the Lord God is poured out in this Book!
As a beginning, let me suggest: just simply read the Book, the naked Book. The Lord of heaven and earth has promised that He will bless!
That promise does not mean that all of a sudden in a second’s moment you will understand every detail in the Book; of course not: but you will be blessed! The beginning will occur, and that is all that you can endure for a start.
You are praying for an understanding of this precious Book; now demonstrate your sincerity because all the holy angels are watching you to see if you are serious. If there were only one honest-hearted soul in the world and that was you, God would empty heaven in sending angels to be your teacher-guides.
Can I speak a bit from experience?
When I was about 11 or 12, one Sunday afternoon, sitting on our front steps, I tried to read Revelation . At that moment, our wonderful pastor, Dr. Campbell, drove up in his brand new 1926 Buick (the pastor of the big church with its huge Gothic windows and pipe organ). I asked him “Oh, Dr. Campbell, what does this book mean?” He smiled, put his hands on my head, and said, “Robert, don’t read that book; it’s sealed; you read something like the Gospel of Mark.” But I had read too far already, and I knew he was wrong. The Gospel of Mark is great; but Revelation is what Peter says is “present truth” (2 Peter 1:12). I still love the book of Revelation.
I pray that you will, too.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
