Instructions Not for Everyone

 

Instructions Not for Everyone

Revelation 1: This book is the record of the events that Jesus Christ revealed. God gave him this revelation in order to show to his servants what must happen very soon. Christ made these things known to his servant John by sending his angel to him, ² and John has told all that he has seen. This is his report concerning the message from God and the truth revealed by Jesus Christ. ³ Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book! For the time is near when all these things will happen.

 

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Reading the note left on the desk, I was confused. It had instructions that did not make sense to me. When I asked about the note, the response was “Oh, that note was not for you.”

 

• The note had instructions that were meant for a specific person.
• I was not the person who the note was written for.
• The instructions on the note probably made sense to the intended recipient.

 

John, the disciple who JESUS loved, was given a revelation of things to come by JESUS. HE told John that the origin of the revelation came from GOD and that it is true. This message was intended to “bless” those who believe they need to be saved by JESUS. John knew the message would be difficult so he probable did not want to trouble the reader, rather provide comfort.

 

My Observations:

• GOD revealed what “must happen”, so it is not up to debate or question.
• GOD is preparing HIS followers to get ready for the events HE has already seen.
• GOD wants us to be obedient to HIS revelation by reporting visions of what will take place.

 

The book of Revelation can be scary to those who do not believe in JESUS. I mean, it is filled with judgment and some very harsh times ahead for humanity. Many people will question GOD’s intent, BUT HE revealed that those who read and obey the revelation would be blessed.

 

GOD shows us HIS grace by telling us what will happen. HE did not have to do this. BUT HE wanted believers to be prepared. Knowing the events that “must happen” changes my mindset to be focused on what GOD wants.

 

Challenge

• What level of urgency is the writer expressing?
• Have you ever received a message intended only for you?
• Will you read what GOD has revealed about JESUS and take the prophetic words as a message of love today?

Noisy

Noisy

Acts 7: ³⁷ “This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.’

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Singing a jingle over and over, I almost persuaded someone to purchase the candy I was speaking about. “Want some?” they said. “No way!” I replied. I just like the song and it was stuck in my head.

• Sometimes marketing can be noisy to me.
• Sometimes marketing can make me hear a message I do not care for.
• Sometimes marketing can get to my ears, but not my heart.

Stephen explains what Moses said to the children of Israel. He spoke about JESUS being the prophet that people would “hear.” But how can I hear?

• GOD says to me “Believe in the LORD JESUS and you will be saved along with everyone in your household.”
• GOD says to me “Hear the word of the LORD.”
• GOD says to me “Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go.”

Hearts can be very deceptive when it comes to listening. If I let my heart listen to fear, I will be filled with it. Same goes with hatred, lust, greed, impatience, abuse, disobedience, unfaithfulness, pleasure or lack of discipline.

When I listen to these, I am listening to the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control. GOD wants me to have a generous helping of the fruit of the Spirit so I can hear HIS still, quiet voice. HE breaks through the noise when I bear fruit. I am grateful HE speaks softly to me each day.

• What are you listening to?
• What are you filled with?
• Will you stop listening to the noise that is causing you to act opposite of what GOD wants you to and allow HIM to fill you with HIS fruit today?