November 30, 2017 - - Revelation 1:10-13 Jesus' Bride

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and "Whatever you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to his feet, and girded about the chest with a golden band.

Revelation 1:10-13 NKJV

Recently I saw several advertisements for "Christmas Movies". Each of these happened to be love stories. The moment you saw the commercial, you already knew the man and the woman would meet, encounter difficulties and by the end of the movie overcome all of these and be united together in love.

Suddenly I had a better sense of what is going on in the story of Revelation. All these earthly stories are a pale imitation of the Great Story. John received the revelation of Jesus. He is standing in the midst of His various churches. He has spoken His love to His Bride. She does not even know her status. She often doesn't even know her inestimable value in His eyes and all He is doing to bring her to Himself in love.

Yet the story's ending is sure. Jesus will bring His Bride to Himself. The world and all the evil of the hosts of hell will not thwart His plans and keep Him from the great wedding feast.

If this day God seems far off, if this day you wonder about how things could possibly turn out okay, remember this: the story's ending is already assured. Jesus is bringing you to the wedding hall and He will purify you as His bride. Pray. Trust Him. Keep reading the story of His love found in the bible. I have read to the end and I know Jesus' love wins. Rededicate yourself to walking in His ways, no matter the obstacles. He is Bridegroom and we are His Beloved.

Thank You, Jesus, for the story of the Revelation. Thank You for the assurance that all obstacles will be overcome and Your great love for Your Bride wins the victory. In this day, which already feels shaky and I don't clearly see the path, help me to hear Your voice. Increase my faith. Bless me with Your Spirit so that I will not lose heart or lose my footing. Through the events of this great story may God, the Father be praised and His sons and daughters brought to glory in His Name. Amen.