Near

 "The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.”

— Revelation 1:1-3

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

This final book within my Bible is an “apokalupsis,” a revelation from and of You. It is a revealing or an unveiling of You and of the events which “must soon take place.” This is the Word of God and it is Your testimony.

There is a blessing that comes to the one who reads and hears the words of this prophecy. There is a blessing if I take these words to heart “because the time is near.” Near is such an interesting word when spoken by Almighty God who is outside of space and time and views everything as “now.” In human terms, words like “near” and “soon” are interpreted by our understanding and experience with those words. Few people would say 2,000 years should be interpreted as “soon.” Few people would agree that two millennia is “near.” But against the backdrop of eternity, 2,000 years is but a couple of days by comparison.

“The time is near.” I see increasing evidence of this. I suppose throughout human history, readers of Revelation have said the same. But at no time in human history have we ever been nearer.

Lord Jesus, I know the time is near. As I study Your Word and read and take to heart what is in this revelation of Yourself and what is to come, may I see clearly and understand deeply what You are unveiling and revealing to my heart and mind. May Your Word bring me near to You as Your return draws ever nearer.

— In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

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