Read Revelation 1:1-20.

God gave us Revelation to transform our lives here and now. In fact, in it, God offers this blessing: “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” (1:3; see also 22:7). It gives us an awe-inspiring glimpse of Jesus, the risen, glorified King of kings, who will come again to judge the world.

Revelation resolves the two pictures of the Messiah in the Old Testament: a Messiah who would suffer and die and a Messiah who would reign and rule in power. They are one and the same: Jesus Christ, Lord of lords. Our Messiah who suffered and died and rose again at His first coming will return as righteous Judge at His second. The same Jesus who now welcomes all to come and receive the gift of eternal life by His grace will return to shut the door. He will separate the sheep—the true believers—from the goats.

Through Revelation, Jesus sent specific messages to His churches in Asia Minor—and to us today—giving us a glimpse of our future. It’s a vision that will lift us above every trial, even in the dark days ahead.

When the apostle John was given this astonishing vision, he had been exiled to the island of Patmos for refusing to participate in emperor worship. But God turned John’s exile into the most powerful heavenly vision for all eternity. He transported him to the Lord’s Day—assuring John and all believers that we’re not wandering aimlessly. God is in control, reigning and ruling right now. And all of history—every event in the past, present, and future—serves His purposes. Though the days will be dark, the glory that is coming will obliterate all darkness forever.

So as we mine the riches of Revelation, I plead with you: Don’t just be curious about the end times; be prepared for it. Let’s hold fast to Revelation as both a powerful warning and an incredible encouragement. Christ is coming soon, and no one can snatch us from His hands.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the wondrous picture of the glory that is coming that You have provided in Revelation. May I take Your Word seriously as both an admonishment and an encouragement to live for You today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later” (Revelation 1:18-19).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon An End-Times Warning for the Modern-Day Church – Your Past, Present, and Future: WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!