Weeks filled with multiple memorial services don’t happen too often, and for that I’m grateful. Most people wouldn’t say that a memorial service is the highlight of their week. If given the choice, many would choose to never attend one. Yet, in God’s wisdom and wit, I believe He uses occasions such as these to remind us that this life is temporary and what really matters is how we are preparing for eternity.
The Apostle John, aged, weary, and imprisoned for His love for Jesus, wrote about the eternity that God is preparing for all those who love Him. As he comes to the close of the magnificent book of Revelation, he gives us directives to live by as we wait for the day that we will pass from this life and into the next.
Directive #1: Give your worship and adoration to God alone!
Revelation 22: 8-9, “Now I, John, saw and heard[a] these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For[b] I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
John was so overwhelmed by the glory of heaven that his heart burst forth in worship. He makes the mistake of bowing before the angel who was giving him the message. The angel had to remind him to not lose focus, only God deserves our worship. Now, we can’t be too hard on bro. John for losing focus, we all have been guilty of that ourselves. We all have ascribed our worship to people, or things, other than God at times. The Bible calls them “idols.” A wonderful preacher used to say, “Anything you love more than God, fear more than God, serve more than God, trust in more than God, is an idol.”
Let’s keep our focus and give God our worship and adoration. He alone is worthy!
Directive #2: Live your life on Mission for Christ!
Revelation 22: 10, 14, “And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand….(14) Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.”
God has given us this life to enjoy, to love, to serve, and to assist others. Many people have those basics covered very well. But God also gives us our life to share the good news of Salvation with those who are without God. The great preacher R.G. Lee once told of a trip he took out of the country. When he arrived back into an airport to re-enter the United States, the Customs agent asked for his passport. He said he couldn’t find it. The Customs Agent was not going to let him back into the country. R.G. Lee later said, “I couldn’t get into my own country until I had a passport.”
God is creating a wonderful country for every man, woman, boy and girl. But to enter it, we must have our passport. Jesus has already paid for it on the cross of Calvary. Now, God wants us to live our lives sharing with others how to get their passport through faith in Christ - (Salvation).
Directive #3: Be Ready!
Revelation 22: 12, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”
Three times in Revelation 22, the Lord Jesus says, “I am coming quickly…” He says it in verses 7, 12, and 20. Friend, there is one message that the Lord Jesus wants us to know, believe and understand as we live out our days here, and that is for us to be ready for He Is Coming Again! He could come this very day. He could come this very hour. He could come before you finish reading this paragraph. Jesus is coming – be ready.
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