As a believer in Christ, I must admit that reading and studying the book of Revelation has always been the most daunting and challenging responsibility. In my thirty-nine years I have been frightful at the thought of the Second Advent of Jesus and I know that I cannot be alone in these feelings. Have you too felt this way?

Maybe you are a young mom with small children like me and the thought of not seeing my children grow old this side of Heaven is enough to not make you want to “figure it all out”. This week my desire for wisdom grew bigger than the fear of the unknown. The desire for freedom grew bigger than the bondage of this world. This week the desire for peace completely outgrew the heaviness of anxiousness I was feeling. This week I took a deep dive into the book of Revelation and what I discovered as I am embarking on chapter ten is that God does not implore doom and gloom – He exudes knowledge, power and joy through the words in this book! Revelation is a book of uncovering, and the chapters make known the plan of God just as we ought to expect it. He does not want us to live as the world lives because He has overcome this world, but to live a life knowing that this place is not our home. We are all yearning for a homecoming even if we can’t quite put our finger on what that feeling is, and the book of Revelation is truly the revealing of Jesus Christ…. hallelujah! “ I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8. If you are reading this today and the enemy has convinced you that you cannot understand the Bible, that is a lie. The Bible comes alive when you begin to realize that the Savior referenced in the Old Testament and the New Testament is the same faithful, miracle working, soul saving, loving, gracious, merciful and glorious Savior that lives inside of you today if you have received salvation. He will cause the words to come to life and bring understanding even a child could comprehend if only you take the time to read His letter. The urgency in this moment to turn to God is more than I can put into words and the desire for Christians to share this word should be greater than ever before. Are you sharing Jesus with those around you? As I continue to study Revelation, I am reminded that every day is a new day to bless others, sow into others and lead others to the foot of the Cross. In Chapter 2 John is being shown the seven churches and of those seven churches only two of them, Smyrna and Philadelphia, are the two that God has approved and makes known the true teachings. I would encourage you to study this chapter this week not just to see what these two churches are doing right, but to also see what the other five have failed to do. May your actions be a direct reflection and revelation of Jesus each day.

May you be rich in knowledge, have power through your veins, show no fear in times of evil and remain the image of Christ just as described when referencing Smyrna and Philadelphia. The time is near and the duties as Christians are more important than ever – make sure you fully understand what your role is in these last days. Don’t be fooled by what the world has been telling you and the darkness that covers your televisions and social media. Tune into the truth, the living WORD, the rich and mighty red letters that will bring about light, freedom, peace and guidance. I can promise you that you will not regret one moment spent in this beautiful letter written to all of those who love the Lord. Open that Bible today and go straight to Revelation where the woes of the world are laid out for you in chronological order – you will see that we are closer to our forever home than you may think. Thank you Jesus, we are almost home!

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” Revelation 21:1.

Blessings, Kayla