2009–Ready?

“Blessed is the one who reads and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near!” Rev. 1:3

Thanks to a Christmas gift I received many years ago—a daily reading Bible—I make it a habit to start every year in Genesis and end in Revelation. Although I can’t say that I read each word in between those two points every year, I do try. And it was in that spirit of trying that I opened Revelation the other night four days behind and ready simply to conquer the book. But I never made it past the first few chapters. In fact, I was grabbed by the third verse. As I read the “words of this prophecy,” questions began to flood my mind. Was I really hearing the prophecy? Was I keeping what was written in it? How near was the time of Christ’s return? Would 2009 be the year? If so, was I ready?

That last question led me to consider what it would mean to be ready to meet Jesus this New Year. As I kept reading, I pondered the visions John received regarding the seven churches and wondered how each would apply to a diagnosis of my spiritual condition. If 2009 is the year, how ready am I? Am I:

•Like the church in Ephesus? Laboring with endurance? Intolerant of evil? Yet forgetting the power of my first love?

•Like Smyrna? Rich in tribulation and poverty? Unafraid to suffer for Christ? Faithful until death?

•Like Pergamum? Holding on to the name of Jesus? A faithful witness? But being led astray by false teaching?

•Like Thyatira? Loving, faithful, serving, and enduring—yet tolerant of immorality?

•Like Sardis? Alive on the outside but dead inside? Incomplete in the works of God? Asleep at the watch?

•Like Philadelphia? Limited in strength yet not denying the Lord? Enduring and holding on to what has already been attained?

•Like Laodicea? Neither hot nor cold—nauseatingly lukewarm? Complacent in wealth yet blind to my true poverty?

Great questions, and I’m not sure how well I measure up. Honestly, I’m afraid I am sure. In my own power, I am lost! When I think of my weakness and failure to keep the words I read every year, I am overcome with regret. Yet—Jesus is my covering! Oh the blessing of grace and of His power to redeem. He will “spread his tent” over those who serve Him and “shelter them” from the burning sun (Rev. 7:15). In Him, I do not fear condemnation because I am set “free from the law of sin and of death” (Rom. 8:1-2).

Am I ready? Because of Jesus, yes! Are you? 2009 may be the year. Be sure of His salvation and look forward to His coming with anticipation and joy. Standing on the tips of our toes and straining our eyes to see His form in the clouds. “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).

[By Lisa Huddleston]

Comments

1

I appreciate the challenge this short message poses, I fear so many aren’t ready. Our hearts ought to have an urgency, first to tell others of this day that approaches and secondly to examine ourselves to be sure we are truly ready!!! Amen

posted at 6:08am on January 08, 2009 by Alex

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