Daily Devotional For January 4, 2025
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him, to show to His servants what must soon take place. And He signified it, sending it through His angel to His servant John, who testified concerning the word of God and the testimony of Jesus, which he saw. Rev 1:1-2.
When our oldest daughter was five years old our lives got out of control. My wife became pregnant with our third child. Why were our lives out of control? Just do the math. From the birth of Kimberly on our family would have two parents and three children. My wife and I would be outnumbered!
I don’t know if you think this was a good idea or not, but shortly before the birth we pulled Tammy (our oldest) aside and said, “You know, Tammy, two adults and three children is just not going to work! From now on, we need you to help us with the little ones and be like half a parent. Do you think you could be our little helper?”
Did she agree? Did she ever! Does the word “bossy” come to mind? Though we came to regret the conversation at times, Tammy has proven to be a very efficient cook, housekeeper and family counselor! Recently we took a family vacation. Tammy (21 at the time) cleaned the living room and the kitchen, helped her brother pack, prepared all food items and loaded the car. While Dad kept a watchful eye, everything was done in superior fashion!
While the roles occasionally get a little fuzzy in our family no one questions who has the final word when it comes to the younger children. The parents do. Whenever Tammy was left in charge of the younger ones, she was to do exactly as her parents said.
The lines of authority in Revelation are similar. The author is John, but the content of the book is from Jesus, rather than John. While the symbols reflect John’s world, they are chosen by Jesus (“signified”– Rev 1:1). The book of Revelation is not John’s own idea. He received these things in a vision from Jesus Christ. His authority, therefore, is like the authority of the Old Testament prophets and also the apostles of the New Testament. The “words of this prophecy” are to be obeyed (1:3). Their authority is so unquestionable that not a word is to be added or subtracted (22:18-19).
God’s wisdom and knowledge are certainly bigger than anything written in the book of Revelation. The great God has bent down and used John to talk to us, like a parent talks to a two-year old, getting down to their level and using their language. The Scriptures are the clearest witness to God we have, a witness we have the capacity to understand.
Lord, thank you for reaching out to me in the book of Revelation. I will follow you with all my heart today.