John has faithfully recorded all the things Jesus revealed to him by His angel. All the messages to the seven churches, all the governmental and environmental things that would destroy this Earth and the people who live on it. And all the supernatural machinations of the spiritual beings who are the power behind it all.
Our Lord God, Jesus Christ, has become a Man, died the human death of a criminal, rose from the grave victorious over death, and built the church, His bride. All through this time He has courted and wooed humans to draw them to Himself by grace, a free gift.
Now He will dispense of the carrot and use the stick, to show mankind that He is the God who has all power, and when He withdraws His goodness, then evil and wickedness fills the void.
We have seen how the Father will pour out His wrath full strength upon the polluted Earth and the wicked people who have perpetrated all the destruction, until no one would be left alive if He had not limited it. And those of His own who have been washed in the blood will not be affected by this wrath, because what we deserve has already been borne by Jesus on the cross in our place.
There will be an uncountable number of people who will turn to God at this time, and be slaughtered by the wicked ones who refuse to turn to Him.
We have been told all about all of this before it happens, but when we see it begin to take place, everything will be happening all at once, so we need to be prepared to not be shocked or surprised when all the chaos is happening around us.
(7) "And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book."
These are the words of Jesus. He is coming quickly, the word used here is tachu, which means "suddenly, as by surprise." Jesus will bless those who pay attention to what this book says and are prepared to take their stand. And when He comes barreling through the clouds it will be a big surprise to the armies that are attacking Israel and Jerusalem. But we are not in the dark, that His coming would take us by surprise; we will be expecting Him.
(8) I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
Even John, who knew Jesus, walked with Him, and saw Him in His glory, felt compelled to bow down to this impressive personage who had so much power and beauty.
(9) But he said to me, "Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God."
But the angel didn't let him do that. He said that he was only another servant like John was, and was sent to be John's servant, and to serve the other people who listen to God and teach His words. Angels are our servants!
We are to bow down to and worship and pray to only God Himself! Not any of His created beings, no matter how impressive they are or what they do or say. God is God, the Father and the Son, to be worshiped in the Spirit. By all of His creation.
And all of His creation will acknowledge His supremacy and authority and goodness.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
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