Revelation 34

Hi, and welcome to this Sunday Review. Life goes well and  the seasons continue to spread their wings despite the recent stormy batterings.

I was teaching a small group this week regarding tribulation. The word itself, ‘thilipsis’, conjures up the image of a river flowing through a gorge that becomes ever more narrow. The river becomes constricted and the water begins to boil with turbulence.  Soon though, the gorge comes to an end and the river is released to become the calm and peaceful waters of eternity once more. 

We are heading towards a narrow gorge, towards a time of bitter tribulation. Take heart though, because this time will not last forever, indeed, the time will be cut short that we might survive. 

Matthew 24:22  ‘If those days had not been cut short, no-one would survive but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.’

Both Israel and the Church will come through this bitter time, chastened and purified, as the waters reach out into the wonderful expanse of the eternities. 

God has decreed that such a gorge persecution must happen but He will guide us through and be with us every step of the way. 

Revelation 7:17  ‘For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, he will lead them to springs of living waters. And God will wipe away every tear from our eyes.’

Take heart!

• 
  Revelation 22:20 Our cherished hope
  There will be a unity of heart when everyone calls out for his glorious return. There will be a spirit of grace upon God’s people that will bring us all together in unity and brotherhood.
• 
  Revelation 22:16 God’s Word
  No-one has a monopoly on the truths of this magnificent book, and we will all have our struggles and misunderstandings on our journey, but God is demanding that we treat Revelation with the utmost respect that it deserves. The truths that were sealed in Daniel’s time will be opened up according to God’s direction. This will need purified and refined souls to understand and teach, in the midst of immense confusion and mistruths. Please pray for those who are called to understand and teach.
• 
  Revelation 22:11 In or Out…
  Even at this late stage, a reference to the polarity of mankind, between the righteous and the unrighteous. One thinks of Noah’s Ark, and the obedient who were safe inside and those who chose to ignore Noah’s call for righteousness and stayed outside.
• 
  Revelation 22:7 The time is near indeed
  Having taken us to the very highest of heights, surveying the Holy City that is beautiful beyond words, John brings us back to our ordinary lives, waiting with a cherished expectation for our Lord to return and keeping the words of this prophecy, with all its encouragements, admonishments and warnings.
• 
  Revelation 22:3 No longer any curse
  Peter praised his contemporaries for their faith in Christ Jesus although they had never met him in real life and had only heard of him through Peter.  Imagine though, what it will feel like, approaching the throne and gazing into the eyes of the Divine, to reach out and touch the very hem of his garment.  It will be beyond belief…