REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND! / Chapter 3 - Things That Must Shortly Take Place

 You should be deeply concerned about world events today.  Why so? Because this world cannot escape God's execution of judgment. But you can escape . You can do this by making  yourself  "no part of the world" that is doomed to destruction. This does not mean adopting an austere, monastic way of life.  It means that while enjoying a wholesome, meaningful life, you separate yourself  from political corruption, from greedy commercialism, and from God-dishonoring religion, as well as from violent and immoral behavior. At the same time, you must follow God's high standards of conduct and seek to do his will. (John 17:14-16; Zephaniah 2:2, 3; Revelation 21:8)  The Bible book of Revelation shows how  important it is for you to apply yourself in these respect, making changes  as necessary in your way of life.

The apostle John introduces this grand prophecy with the words: "A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place."'  (Revelation 1:1a)  So it was the resurrected Jesus Christ who received this weighty message from God. Far from being part of a mystic Trinity, Jesus is here shown to be subject to his Father.  In the same way, the "slaves" making up the Christian congregation are subject to Jesus Christ, so that they  'keep following him wherever he goes.'  (Revelation 14:3; Ephesians 5:24)  But who today are truly "slaves" of God, and how does Revelation benefit them? 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Three - Conclusion 

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